The Big Brother Hero Day

I am so sorry that it has taken me so long to get this posted! Getting five kids ready for school is proving to take up way more time than I expected! I know that many of you are wondering if Jamahl got to go on his hero day yacht trip. Yes indeed, two weeks ago, on the one sunny weekend we had in August, Jamahl and Paul got to spend the day with the George family on their boat. Saturday morning came and Jamahl was so excited, I think he wondered if the afternoon would ever come. Finally we got the word that the boat was in Holland. We packed everyone into the car and drove down to the Marina. All of the girls, myself, and Grammy and Poppy went to wish them a great journey. It was so fun to watch Jamahl taking it all in. When he boarded the boat, they had some more pirate stuff waiting for him and a disposable camera with his name on it. The look on his face was priceless. I still don't think he realized this was all because he is such a great bog brother. It was great to meet some more of the George family...the boys were almost the same ages as Jamahl. The boat was beautiful, the weather was great, and everyone was looking forward to spending some father-son time together. It didn't take long for the girls and I to get "kicked" off of the boat since it was a boys only day! (That made it so fun for Jamahl!) We waved goodbye and both Jamahl and Paul were grinning from ear to ear.
From what the guys reported back to me, they took the boat up to Grand Haven to get some lunch and ice cream. Then they went out to the big lake and did some swimming and each of the boys took turns being "The Captain" and driving before returning to Holland that evening. This was a little strange for me because I had to experience the whole thing thru the pictures but it sure looks like they all had a wonderful time. I know that Jamahl will never forget the day and the memories that he made will help carry him thru some of the rough times that our family lives through. A huge thanks to the "Team Craig" family! Words will never express our gratitude at how you lifted the spirit of a wonderful little boy and his Daddy. It was not just for that afternoon, it will last for a lifetime!

Big Brother Hero Day

So, do you remember the Make-A-Wish bicycle tour and how Keyan had a group of people that rode the 300 miles in her name? The team that rode for her was named "Team Craig". Well, after the Hero's Hurrah, the leader of the team and I have kept in contact over email. She rides in honor of her son who also went to Disney with MAW 20 years ago. She has walked my path and we had an instant bond. Anyhow, her family has decided to honor Jamahl in a special "Big Brother Hero Day". We have been working out the details with her but Jamahl hasn't known anything about it. I told him yesterday that a package would be arriving for him today and so his curiosity was very piqued.

We arrived home from a very busy day and he saw a large package at the door and said disappointedly, "My package must not have come, I only see a box of Keyan's medical supplies." However, when I had him look at the address he was shocked to see it was for him! I will let the pictures tell the rest but it was so amazing to see his face as he was realizing this was all special things to celebrate a special day for HIM. He even told my dad, "this is all for me, from the team that rode at the MAW thing...I know poppy, you think that you heard me wrong, but it is really for me, not Keyan!" He will be "Captain of the Ship" for the day on this family's yacht. It will be an all boys day just for him. He is so thrilled and can't wait for this weekend.

I can't even begin to express our gratitude to Team Craig for thinking of Jamahl and realizing the important role that he plays in our family. Only someone who has lived it can understand the stress he takes upon himself when Keyan is sick, or when Mommy is gone with Keyan to the hospital. It takes special people to see how his life is often put aside in order to meet the demands of Keyan and yet, he so graciously stands beside her loving more that anyone in this world. If only we all had a Jamahl to look after us! View the pictures and let yourself get caught up in his excitement. Don't forget to click on the slide show to read the captions!

Mommy had fun on the water slide!

Oh my goodness! We spent all day Saturday, Saturday night, and all day Sunday at the Double JJ Ranch this weekend. My brother, his wife, their new baby, my Mom and Dad, and all seven of us all stayed in this huge 4 bedroom suite and we had a blast! The ranch recently reopened after being closed down for over a year so we shared the place with 50 other people at the most! It was so much fun. I promise to post all of the pictures later, but I had to get this video up. This is Roo and I going down the outdoor water slide together. I decided to help us out at the bottom by slowing us down......watch and see what happens!

As you can tell, we had such a great time. I haven't laughed this hard in forever. It was good for my soul! I am sure that this is a video we will laugh at for a long time to come!