Thinking...

Life keeps moving forward whether we want it to or not. I wish I knew what tomorrow held. What next week, next month, next year holds. The fact is... I don't. None of us do. We have to take each day as it comes and deal with whatever needs to be dealt with. We've always tried to do fun things with the family and make as many memories as we can, and since Oliver's diagnosis, that has become even more important. We were given the diagnosis, the prognosis and were made to see what is really important in life. I tell my kids I love them every day. I hold them and cuddle them, and yes... and I still yell at them and get mad when they don't listen. Motherhood and responsibility never stops! I am truly grateful for sacrificing a paycheck and being able to stay home with my children. It is a difficult job, but one I wouldn't trade for anything. I'm grateful that I took the time to play with my kids, read to my kids, cuddle and do crafts. My house is always a mess, but many memories were busy being made and those are the things we will remember.

We have been able to do many things together as a family this past year and I always ask the kids what they want to do and where they want to go. Oliver had said that he wanted to go to Disneyland again and Ed and I thought about it, crunched numbers, but decided that we couldn't pull it off. A new friend and fellow cancer parent decided that he wanted to do something about it and is putting together a benefit for Oliver so that we can go to California. It will be held on June 11 in Waterloo, Iowa at the Pepsi Pavilion on the National Cattle Congress Fairgrounds from 4 - 9 pm. You can check out the BENEFIT FOR OLIVER PALMER page on Facebook. He is still planning the event which will have a silent auction, bake sale and kids activities and is looking for any donations for the auction and bake sale. If you'd like to help you can email me at edstacypalmer@msn.com and I'll let Woody know.

Whatever the turnout, I am grateful for the love and support of the people that care about Oliver and want him to be able to make memories and enjoy the time he has. It's hard to plan things given the reality of this disease and I pray that his health remains stable for him to be able to make more memories with us... hopefully for YEARS to come. The harsh reality is that things can go from our 'new normal' to downhill within a day, but we still need to move ahead and hope for a miracle for him, continue to plan and live our lives. Sometimes that is all easier said than done. I know that I've done the best I can to make memories with the family whether on vacations, trips to the park or doing crafts at our dinner table. Not only is Oliver making memories, but these experiences with him will stay with me forever.