Loving Our Sammy

Thank you, again, for all who were involved with Sweatin' for Sammy one way or another.  I can't express my gratitude enough.  I have always thought of Samantha as a blessing.  Yes, there were times, especially early on, when I was sad about the situation.  But I have never been sad about her.  She has brought so much joy to my life.  Her disorder/condition have brought me frustration, sadness, and emotional pain.  However, her little self has brought more joy than I could  e v e r  imagine.  But, you know...the microcephaly and cerebral palsy and epilepsy...they are a part of her.  So, in a way, yes, those things bring me happiness too.  hmm  Weird.

Sweatin' for Sammy is more than just a way for her to have money to cover this therapy in Utah.  Long term, it will cover other therapies that have been recommended for her that we would like to try.  It will cover other medical expenses and/or medical equipment that she will need.

Sweatin' for Sammy started as a fundraiser, but it has become something more special to us.  I love crowds and parties!  And this day that we devote to Sammy has become, to us, a celebration of Samantha.  It's a party to celebrate her life.  The money is important and fantastic.  It goes right to her trust and we can use that to make sure she gets all that we hope to be able to provide for her.  But...she is an amazing little girl.  And it's hard for me to keep dry-eyed at the end of Sweatin' for Sammy when I think about all the people there loving our little girl, whether they know her or not.  I truly feel honored to be her mother.

The other day Marcus and I talked to a friend on the phone.  As she talked about Samantha, I felt overwhelmed with so much love.  I know there are other ways, surely, that I could have learned the lessons that I'm needing to learn in this lifetime...but I am grateful that my Heavenly Father chose to teach me through Samantha.  She is all things good.  And I'm grateful to have her in our home and in our life, forever.

For all who have asked, I posted on our family blog about the grand total.

Again, thank you to all who came because you know her, love her, don't know her but want to, or just because a friend dragged you along.  No matter why you were involved, I love you for it.

Sammy's teacher and friend from school.  Samantha's teacher is nothing short from phenomenal.  We are greatly blessed that Sammy is in her class and that Laura came to Argonaut this past year.  Sammy plays on the playground with this little boy.  He seems to have a special connection and affection for her.  I deeply love his parents for teaching him to see Sammy and other kids like her as his equal.

Sweatin' Preview

Getting Ready to Sweat

I am getting very ready for tomorrow's big day.  Yesterday we went to packet pick-up and got our t-shirts and bib numbers.  I was so excited I could hardly contain myself.  Road Runner was awesome.  Even though we are among the smaller events that do packet pick-up there, the employees were full of energy and so fun.  Callie had a great time playing red light, green light with the employees there as she waited for me.

We have awesome t-shirts this year.  

We have about 500 bananas in the minivan.

We have a ton of bagels that I need to fit into the van.

We have 200 Nutrigrain bars.

We have about 500 energy bars.

And even more food.

600 bottles of water.

More people are still registering.

Sammy will be on the NBC news tonight.

Firefighters are scheduled to come cheer the kids on during their race.

Music is set.

Prizes packed.

And we're doing all those final touches, hoping we don't forget anything.

I am filled with so much gratitude.  Last week, I was worried that people wouldn't come.  But then, I didn't care.  Something happened and I just didn't care anymore...not in a bad way...in a good way.  I realized that whoever was there would be celebrating Samantha with us, and that was enough for me.  I felt calm and really really blessed.  And now, in the 11th hour, I cannot believe what is coming together.  Sponsors deciding to write another check, just because.  What?!  People signing up, just because they want to be a part of it.  Volunteers coming out of the woodwork, just because they want to be there.  I'm touched.  I'm excited.  I'm so so happy.

I remember when I did the Hellyer 1/2 Marathon a couple months ago.  I was so excited.  Well, honestly, I felt some dread at the same time...but that morning I was so excited.  When I sit back and think about the people who will be there, excited to run in this race, and that it is all because of Samantha, it makes my heart overflow with such love and gratitude.

So, here's to tomorrow, and here's to Sweatin' for Sammy!

Little Angel

A family friend, Britney Black, created this video for a school project.  It was nominated to go to the film festival among the middle schools...way to go Britney!  For more details for Sweatin' for Sammy...scroll down.

Sweatin' for Sammy 2012

Be a part of the fun and help us raise money to get Sammy to Now I Can again this coming year! 

What:  Sweatin' for Sammy 2012 -- 10K, 5K, Kids' Fun Run

When:  Saturday, May 19, 2012

Where: Hellyer County Park 985 Hellyer Avenue, San Jose, 95111

~*~*~*~*~

Kids' Run Specifics

Kids' Fun Run starts at 10:30am
Race day registration is at 8am IF we are not sold out -- limited to 100 Kids' Run participants.  If you are interested, please register online to secure a place for your child.  

Kids Run distances:
30 yards -- 2-3 yr olds
100 yards -- 4-5 yr olds
200 yards -- 6-7 yr olds
300 yards -- 8-9 yr olds

~*~*~*~*~

For more information and to register, visit www.sweatinforsammy.com   or http://www.active.com/running/san-jose-ca/sweatin-for-sammy-2012

If you were there last year, no doubt you were sweatin' for Sammy (or...hikin' for Sammy) on the trail at Quicksilver. This year we are on a paved, flat trail!

Thank You to our Sponsors!
Amato Pizzeria (www.amatopizzeria.com 408-997-7727)
JM Williams Accountancy  (www.jmwac.com)
Kevin Calvert DDS/Christopher Walton DDS (http://www.calvertdds.com/)
Saputo Cheese (http://www.saputousafoodservice.com/)
Jim Pojda: Alain Pinel (www.jimpojda.com)
R. Martin Judd DDS  (408-377-3366)
The Learning Map (www.thelearningmap.blogspot.com)
Motif Spa (http://www.motifspa.com/)
Leonard Peterson DDS   (408-873-8484)
Diamond Fence Company  (http://www.diamondfenceco.com/  408-374-4282)
Araujo's Mexican Grill (3070 Senter Rd  408-300-0814)
Elo Photography (www.elophotography.com)

Pictures from

Sweatin' for Sammy

2011

Two Days

I can't believe it's almost time to go home.  Four weeks is a long time to be away, and in some respects, I feel like we've been here forever...in others...like the time has flown by.

Here's some more progress from our little super star:

* Today, for the first time, she walked in a straight line by herself.  Seems so simple.  There's so much we take for granted.  But for her, these are huge things.  Sergio had her and she walked right to Aaron when prompted (about 6 ft. away).  Sergio was thrilled.  Me too!

* Hands and arms are still so much more relaxed.

* Her overall body is more relaxed.  I can't believe it.  I know there's still spunk in her, but she's so much calmer.

* ummmm, I had more things on my list, but I'm tired now and can't think.

I'm proud of her.  They are small accomplishments, but also really BIG!  I'm do have this fear that people won't see the change and think we are wasting our time, but then I remember that that's just lame.  And I get over it.  Just Thursday and Friday left.

Progress Report

Yesterday, Sergio was so excited about Sammy's progress that he was giddy!  Here's what's been going on:

* She can hold positions that she couldn't before: standing, half kneel on both sides, upright kneeling, and a 4-point crawl position.  She can hold these positions, on her own, for 2 seconds.  May not seem like a lot, but it's a big deal.
* Samantha is beginning to really walk.  Before, she used momentum to go forward.  Now, she is starting to actually pick up her legs and move.  It's cool to see.
* She's much MUCH calmer.  Both Bryan and my mom have commented on how much easier it is to hold her.  Seriously, over the past 2 weeks, she has calmed WAY down.  It's been almost strange to see.  And it's not just that she's tired.  It's different.  I can't explain it.
* For the first time, my mom saw Samantha pick up a Cheez-It one right after another, and put it in her mouth, instead of just swiping her hands around trying to pick food.  She does it very well with her left hand and still struggles with her right hand (her tighter side)
* She seems to direct her mouth to a spoon better when eating
* We bought a new cup for her, and she is figuring it out.  She isn't holding it yet, but she is drinking from it better.
* Samantha does stand up more erect more often.  When she's on the go, she'll bend over, but she will stand up straighter more often.
* Her gait was a little slower at times today...has more control.
* Sammy's arms are soooo much more relaxed.  Look at those arms!  This was on a walk on Sunday.  The entire time, her arms were down.  Now, this is the normal for her.  Today in therapy, she was in the stander having a snack.  She kept her right arm down the entire time and used her left hand!  Wait a minute...I just realized something, that's a bigger deal than I first thought....

* Today, during her snack, her right arm was down by her side as she ate with her left hand.  This was of her choosing.  Instead of having to have both hands working at the same time (which is normally the case), they were working independently.  Um, woa!
* My mom was singing with her, and Samantha mimicked 3 sounds immediately after.
* Overall, she is sleeping better!  Hallelujah! (and knock on wood)

* Samantha is starting to pull up her pant leg ALL the time (eating it only this once).  Is this the first sign of maybe one day being able to dress herself?
* Today in the car, she took her shoe off.  I have no idea how it happened.  I heard the velcro, but she has never taken the shoe off.  Again, I have no idea how it happened, but she got that shoe off!  I call that progress (even if it's potentially annoying)

Way to go Sammy Sam Sam!