Boy has it been cold here in New York!! Yesterday the schools were closed due to the negative temps and wind chills. So we spent a cozy morning here in the house then had to venture out later on in the day for Andrew Thomas' wrestling tournament in Falconer. They were allowed to attend even though the schools were closed because it was due to temps and not hazardous driving conditions. He did well last night....he was seeded first so he had a first round bye...then in the second round he pinned his opponent in 39 seconds qualifying him for the semi finals today and then hopefully (fingers and toes crossed) the finals this evening. As much as I hate to watch him wrestle I want him to do well cause he just works so hard!!

I actually scrapped this week and it felt good....so good to be scrapping for me again and no stress involved. I did this layout for a welcome challenge over at The Shaker Box I found this old picture of Max from a couple of years ago and I can't believe how much he has changed....my goodness he just looks like a chubby faced toddler...oh where did the time go!! See, this is why scrapping is so important and I need to remember to not let the ultimate goal of recording memories be lost in all the drama and competition. I mean really....scrapping is my way of recording for my kids and all who want to know...the journey of our life. That is what is truly important. The stories told, the memories of these precious moments in life...too important to let slide.
****And I want to mention that the papers I used in this layout are Basic Grey Obscure collection which I received from my awesome secret santa over at Coordinate Collections She spoiled me rotten and I am so excited to use all the things she sent me!!

On a different note... a sad note....you all know my friend Niki and the battle that her daughter Ellie is facing with DIPG ( an incurable, inoperable brain tumor) Ellie has shown tumor progression and the MRI recently done this week has shown them that there is new growth in the original tumor area as well as another spot. They are running out of options....in fact I am not even sure what options are available to them now that are recommended and not experimental. This is a terribly sad type of brain cancer...there are no answers for them and the doctors keep trying things but this beast keeps fighting back and harder each time. For Christmas Drew gave me a book that was written by the parents(Brooke and Keith Desserich) of a little girl named Elena. She had the same type of tumor and this book was actually their journal that they kept during Elena's journey. They wanted Elena's little sister to know everything about her because they knew how bad the odds were that she would survive. The book is called Notes Left Behind 135 Days with Elena. It is a terribly sad book to read because we all know the ending before you even start it. But this book also gives you a different outlook...hope and it reminds us all to live for each day and to enjoy the simple things in life....we don't need fancy cars and lots of money when all we really need to see is our children's smile. I never met this little girl....I don't know her parents....but she has changed my life in such a way and for that I am grateful. Now, the reason that I am recommending this book is that all of the proceeds go to helping find a cure for this disease. This is something that is desperately needed because way too many children are being diagnosed with this type of brain tumor and we really need to find a way to fight it for these kids. Please go to Ellie's website and leave some prayers for her and her family. They so desperately need them at this time.

Okay, I don't mean to leave you all on a downer but this has been a rough couple of weeks for a lot of my CarePage kids and I just hope that we can all help to make the goal of curing all childhood cancers a reality.