Cancer Mom to the Rescue!: Courageous kids...

Today, Sarah and I scooped up our friends Amanda and Julian (her boyfriend) and headed out to Oak Canyon Park to the Courageous Kids Carnival hosted by the hospital. Now, I heard "park" and I'm thinking weenies and a few carnival games, nothing fancy, just a few hours for the kids to kick around and play like they never get to in "real" life. I am pleased to report (now, mark the date on your calendar, because I will in all likelihood never say this again in my lifetime) I was WRONG!

This carnival was amazing! They had actual rides, little boats you could paddle (Amanda and I kept paddling in circles! lol) fishing, face painting, crafts, balloon animals, games, you name it, they had it! It was so amazing to see staff and families alike all enjoying themselves. For one afternoon, these kids got to be kids. It was such an amazing sight to see. My favorite part(s) of the day? Hearing Sarah and Julian chatter to each other and laugh hysterically at each other's jokes. Although cancer was what originally brought us together, no one there was even thinking about cancer. It was nice, for a single afternoon, to be able to forget about everything and just have fun, but with the people that have become our family throughout this entire process. It was such an amazing experience. I can't wait until next year! :)

As Sarah's health continues to improve, I look forward to more normalcy for her. She was so happy today, she laughed so much, and for the first time ever, she fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. I have wanted this for her for so long, and I thank God that we were able to have this afternoon. I say a special prayer now for all those that weren't able to be there with us today because they were still at the hospital, fighting the good fight.

Tomorrow, we have a play date! Sarah is excited, and I am so happy that we are finally able to take steps forward. It has been such a tumultuous ride, we deserve a little of the mundane. I think I wrote once, a long time ago, about how being a cancer mom makes you appreciate the little things. Today, for the first time in her life, my daughter smelled of OUTSIDE. Grass and dirt, and sweat and sunscreen, OUTSIDE. She smelled of summer and puppies and for the first time in soooo long, slightly of peanut butter, the way she used to smell at the end of the day when she was small, before all of this. She was just a baby when all of this began. Not even two, just a little thing. Talking up a storm, but still so, so small. I can't believe how far she's come, and all of these amazing people have guided us through these dark tunnels and into the light. It is such a bittersweet feeling to be on the other side, if only for this moment. No one knows what tomorrow may bring, but for right now, I am so, so grateful.