Three happy healthy years... many more to come

May 31, 2008...
Three years ago, on this day, I was blessed with the most wonderful addition to my life - Kaelyn Leigh.



At 6lbs, 7oz - 19 1/2 inches long (born 2 weeks early at exactly 38 weeks) I couldn't ask for a more special gift.  Today marks Kaelyn's 3rd Birthday, and although it feels like I simply blinked my eyes and suddenly my daughter went from peaceful, innocent newborn to inquisitive, curious 3 year old... I've never forgotten to soak up every moment of change she's gone through as she continues to grow up.  From sitting up to crawling, standing to walking, first tooth, first smile, and first word - as a parent you just don't want to miss a minute of the many milestones in your child's life.


Each year that Kaelyn's birthday comes around, Chad and I are reminded of the day we became "mom" and "dad" to someone.  Being a parent is a blessing, and while yes, there are the tough moments when you're ready to pull your hair out and not quite sure if you can take another minute of crying, whining, tantrums, and not listening to a word you've said - the rewards most certainly out number the bad days!

I'd be lying if I said that because Kaelyn has CF it doesn't make us cherish special moments in her life even more.  And while we don't dwell on the fact that she has CF, it's still a part of her life.  We've been very fortunate and blessed for Kaelyn's health.  To most, you'd never even know she has health concerns because her health has been that outstanding!  It's something we smile about and thank God for every day as we watch her laugh, play and grow up.  While today we're celebrating a Happy 3rd Birthday in our home, we also celebrate three happy, healthy years and wish for many more to come!

HAPPY 3rd BIRTHDAY KAELYN!!  WE LOVE YOU!

  

Great Strides Walk Information

Family and Friends,

For everyone walking with Kaelyn's Kure this Sunday, you must be registered.  This includes ALL AGES, so kids too regardless of how young!  The foundation would like everyone to try to register online to save time on walk day.  You must sign up online by NOON today - otherwise you will have to register again on Sunday in person.  Follow the link below to register.  Click on "Join My Team" once you arrive on the page.

http://www.cff.org/Great_Strides/JulieWeber

Everyone is to meet in South Park inside the building with the big clock on it by the track and baseball fields.  If you still have not registered yourself or your kids, you can do so then.  If you pre-registered online, YOU WILL STILL NEED TO CHECK-IN at our team's table.  All tables will be labeled with team names - look for Patty and Marie at our table.  They will be taking new registration forms, donations, and checking you in. 

If you raised $100 under your own name for the walk, you will be given a ticket upon check-in for a free Great Strides t-shirt complimentary of CFF!  Patty and Marie will have everyone's info at the table and how much you've raised/donated.  Kaelyn's Kure team t-shirts will be available through myself or Chad if you have not picked yours up from us prior to meeting on Sunday.  

Please make sure you arrive at check-in by 10:00am.  After checking in, feel free to check out the gift baskets or take part in the 50/50 raffle.  These prizes will be raffled off before the walk begins at 11:00am.  Team pictures will be taken for each team participating in the walk, so be sure to stick around so we can find you when the time comes.

Our team will be honored for our awesome effort with a big customized banner at the walk!  All banners displayed at the walk represent the individual teams who raised over $5,000 as of April 30th.  Although all our funds still haven't posted to our team online yet, I believe that our team is closing in on $8,500 currently!  We've done such a wonderful job as a team for our first year being involved with the walk!  The efforts that everyone has put in to support Kaelyn's Kure and CF have truly touched our hearts!    Since CF research is not government funded, your donations matter greatly!  Without your help, Kaelyn wouldn't have the treatments she needs to stay healthy!

Kaelyn's Kure was also chosen by the CF organization to cut the ribbon before the walk begins!  This honor was decided because of our outstanding efforts during our first year with Great Strides!  Chad, Kaelyn, and I will cut the ribbon, and then Kaelyn's Kure will lead the walk on Sunday!  :-)

Don't forget, after the walk food will be provided too!  We will have water at our team table as well as pop and other drinks.  We're looking forward to the walk, and also seeing some old friends we haven't seen for a while!  Thank you in advance to everyone who's planning to come out this Sunday!  If you have any other questions, please get a hold of us.

PS - A friendly reminder about smoking: 

We all know smoking is bad for you, but for someone with CF, it's a fast track to irreversable lung damage, and this includes second hand smoke!  We have to be careful where we take Kaelyn, keeping in mind if there will be smokers there or not.  The key to keeping Kaelyn healthy and alive for as long as possible is by protecting her growing lungs.  The same goes for all the other CF'ers who will be at the walk.  Please refrain from smoking at this walk or around the other teams who will be participating.  It's so important to all of us and to the lungs of the CF individuals!

Watch our video!

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Truly Touched...

The generosity of others towards CF throughout the past several weeks has been simply AMAZING!  We are blown away by the huge support system we have from family and friends - AND, what's as equally touching and amazing is the kindness of complete strangers who have been reaching out to Kaelyn's Kure and CF.

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is the world’s leader in the search for a cure, and the foundation funds more CF research than any other organization.  Nearly every CF drug available today was made possible because of foundation support from people like you!

Right now, SO many exciting things are happening in the CF community and I encourage you to take a look at the 2 articles below.  By supporting CF, you're helping to make these types of research opportunities possible and giving hope to the 30,000 kids and young adults fighting this horrible disease!

http://www.cbs59.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=96698

http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20110512/sc_livescience/teendiscoverspromisingcysticfibrosistreatment 

Kaelyn's Kure has met and EXCEEDED our goal in our very 1st year of having a Great Strides team!!  We set our 2011 goal at $5,000 and today we just surpassed that goal - currently coming in at $5,055 in online donations alone!!  AMAZING!  AND this total doesn't yet include the Jose & Tony's fundraiser funds yet.  (It takes a lengthy amount of time, especially in the month of May for funds to process and post online.)  But, with that being said, we are currently looking at a team total of close to $8,000 and we aren't done yet!!!  Wonderful job so far everyone - can't wait to hear the official total at the walk!  We can't thank you enough for being on our team!  Whether you're walking with us next Sunday or you're one of Kaelyn's Angel Walkers (you can't make it to the walk, but will be there with us in spirit), our team wouldn't be this huge and this successful without each and every one of you! 

Our 1st year's success with Great Strides has landed us a surprise honor on the day of the walk, but we'll save the surprise for next week!  For those who are unable to make it, no worries, we'll fill you in and post pictures from the day!  =)

It's still not too late to sign up as a Walker or Angel Walker - there's still a week left until the walk and Kaelyn would LOVE to have you on her team!  Click on the Great Strides image below to join the team or to check out our team's total raised to date!  See you all next weekend - fingers crossed for NICE weather, I know it's hard to come by in the city!  (Kaelyn's Kure t-shirts will be in next week if you ordered one)

xoxoxoxo

 

Almost Puppy Time!

We've recently received news that next week we'll be able to make our puppy selection official!  Through the weeks of watching the 7 pups grow, we've really liked the female with the purple collar.  More than likely she will be our official pick and our Simone!

Simone will be Kaelyn's first puppy, and besides her fish, this will be her first high maintenance pet!  Chad and I got a puppy together back in 2007.  He was a Vizsla named Attila and we couldn't have been more excited to have him as a part of our family.  Unfortunately, over the months of him being home with us, he slowly began to show signs of aggression.  First over his toys, then food, and lastly our furniture.  It was scary, and at the time I was pregnant with Kaelyn.  I had never been a around a dog who acted with such aggression the way Attila did.  I knew in the back of my mind we wouldn't be able to keep him, especially with a new baby coming into the household.  Chad wanted to keep him so badly - more than anything he had wanted a dog, as our pet and his hunting companion.  As much as we didn't want to return him to the breeder, I knew he had to go.  I was scared to be around Attila by myself.  We had to take away his toys because if he had one and anyone would walk past him, he would show his teeth and growl.  He would try to snap at us while he sat on our furniture if he thought we were going to try and make him get down.  This was not the type of dog I wanted around Kaelyn, and I think any parent would agree!  The aggression only progressed, and at the time as we drove him back to the breeder, we didn't understand what had happened to cause his worsening aggression towards everyone.

We were sad dropping him off with the breeder and driving back down the road knowing we wouldn't see him again.  It wasn't until a few weeks later that Attila's breeder contacted us to let us know they made the decision to put him down.  Attila was suffering from sudden and progressive kidney problems which would only continue to worsen with time.  He sadly was only a little over a year old, but we all finally understood his aggression was more than likely a result of the pain he was experiencing.

I knew that I didn't want another dog for a while, and for some, Attila's actions may have been enough to never want another dog as a pet again.  It's been a little over 3 years now since we've had a dog, and while part of the wait was us simply moving on from Attila and his behavior, the other part was us wanting to take the time to devote to being parents (especially after learning of Kaelyn's CF news shortly after birth).  We also wanted to give Kaelyn some time to grow up - this way she can experience the excitement of getting her first puppy!  We can't wait to see the smile on her face and hear her laugh when she sees the puppies!  We're looking forward to Simone bringing Kaelyn and our family much unconditional love and many memories over the years.

Our puppy is 5 weeks old currently, and will be able to come home any time after May 25th.  The pups are being raised in Eastern PA out near the Philly area, so a little road trip to start off Memorial Day weekend is in the plans!  We'll keep you posted with news and pics of our newest family member in the weeks to come!  :)

April 2011 Braque Francais Puppy Litter 

Growing Up...

Kaelyn's Kure Walk T-Shirts

The Great Strides Walk is quickly approaching and we couldn't be more excited to participate in our first walk!  Chad and I are taking orders for our team's customized t-shirt which will feature our team name in white font on a purple shirt.  We choose purple since it's the CF awareness color!  :) 

Please let me know ASAP if you'd be interested in a shirt (and a size) for the walk on Sunday, May 22nd!  If you are unable to make the walk, and would still be interested in purchasing a shirt in honor of Kaelyn, please let me know!   Shirts will be approx. $5.00-$6.00 each.  We are also checking on the availability of shirts in kids sizes as well for anyone who might interested! 

We hope to get as many ppl as possible on the team to wear our customized team shirt in honor of Kaelyn!  I will be posting more walk information over the next 2 weeks, so check back for updates!  We look forward to seeing everyone at the walk!  Thank you all for your efforts leading up to this day!  :)  

Love, 

The Weber's