Week 131- RIP Ty

Ty Louis Campbell, five years old, lost his fight to cancer this week, on 10/17/12.  I've been following his story and reading his mom's blog for about two years now.  On the day of his death, there had been a prayer chain set up for 7 pm.  Ty had passed away earlier that afternoon and I spent most of the afternoon reading the comments that flooded the blog and his Facebook page.  At 7 pm we paused at the dinner table to say a prayer for Ty.  The four of us held hands and Ryan stopped and said, "What about Jackie?"  So we added Jack's little hands to our circle and prayed for Ty and his family.  And that evening before bed Ryan looked out the window and said goodnight to Ty.

I've spoken to my children about Ty but didn't start showing them the pictures posted on his mom's blog until last week.  Julia had a lot of questions for me and each morning sat by me while I read the blog, handing me tissues for my tears.  Ryan was just as curious but it bothered him to see and hear about a little boy so sick.  I questioned myself as to whether I should share his story with them, especially Ryan who is so sensitive and has already had trouble going to sleep because he is afraid of dying, but I thought it was important to be honest with them.  I don't want them to take for granted all of the things they are blessed with, including their health.  The next time they complain that this is "the worst day ever" because they didn't get a toy they wanted or an extra treat or get their way, I hope a gentle reminder of Ty will help them appreciate what they have.  I know this is a tall order for a 5 and 6 year old, but now is as good of a time as any to teach them about appreciation and compassion, and instill in them a love for life.  It has been a lesson learned for me too!  From heaven, Ty's legacy will live on and he will do great things!

When I told the kids that Ty died and went to Heaven, they wanted to make him a card.  The next morning before school they did so, and after school we drove it to his house and placed it in his mailbox.
Click here to see the video: Ryan and Julia made Ty a card to send their love to him.

I can't imagine what Ty's family, especially his mother, is going through right now.  There is nothing like a mother's love for her children.  I feel the best thing we can do for them is let them feel our love, always.  Ty's card was not the only artwork produced by Ryan this week.  In the midst of all of the tears I shed for Ty, I had a few more left for Ryan, my beautiful, intuitive, sensitive, sweet boy.

Ryan: I made you a picture, mom.  That's you and me.  Me: What are we doing?  Ryan: That's you loving me.

If you haven't read the Super Ty blog yet, I've included a link to the entry where Ty's mom shared his final moments... http://www.superty.org/2012/10/our-baby-is-finally-free-rest-in-peace.html

May God bless Ty and his family today and always!

DC

Week 129

First and foremost I want to wish Ty a Happy 5th Birthday.  Over the course of the past couple of years we've followed Ty's blog and have shared Ty's story on this blog.  On October 4th he turned five years old.  Ty, who lives just a couple of towns away from us, has cancer and things are rough for him and his family.  Prayers are needed, as well as a miracle.  Please read his mom's blog posts about his birthday...www.superty.org
 

Bus Update

At the beginning of the week I contacted the school's psychologist and Ryan's teacher to make them aware of the bus situation with Ryan. We spoke about some role playing that can be done during his counseling sessions with the social worker, and his teacher was going to remind the class about appropriate behavior on the bus and what to do if someone is bothering you.  The psychologist was also going to relay the information to the Assistant Principal and get back to me; I haven't received any calls yet.  I check with Ryan often about how things are going.   I can tell he is still hyped up on the bus.  Twice during the week when getting on the bus in the morning he stopped to tell the bus driver a story and both times the bus driver had to cut him off and ask him to find a seat.  Just about everyday he came off the bus full of energy.

Speaking of his energy, I also spoke to his teacher about his attention in class.  I explained to her what we are seeing at home and she said she doesn't see any of that in school.  He is on task and keeps up with the class.  We both thought that Ryan must be trying so hard to stay focused and calm in class that he sees the bus and home as his outlets to release his built up energy.  It is time to get Ryan back in for an appointment with Dr. Cowan and hear his suggestions.  We've always been against putting Ryan on a medication to help control his ADHD but it may be something we need to consider.  His behavior during the week can be so erratic that it is turning our household upside down.  We're trying to keep him busy and give him other outlets to burn off energy at, with activities like soccer and gymnastics.  He enjoys doing these things, but doesn't seem any calmer when he returns home.  We will keep trying our best!

Ryan and Julia at the Fall Festival hosted by Adams Fair Acre Farms

Fun at the Fall Festival

Jousting...they were so excited that they were allowed to fight with each other!

 

Ryan was a little timid at first, but by the end of his ride I heard him telling this employee that he was going to come back next time with an apple for the horse. 

Jack didn't go to the Fall Festival; he spent some time with daddy at home.

Decorating his pumpkin from grandma

Ryan stayed on task for 20 minutes to complete this homework assignment.  After coloring in question #2 out of the lines, he decided to take his time and color the boxes for the other questions much neater.  After he was finished he made up a math worksheet with addition problems for the two of us to work on.  Ryan loves math!

The kids playing with their new cooperative game.  It was so nice to watch a game between them that didn't involve one of them winning and the other losing.  Thanks, Bridget!

Painting pumpkins for our front stoop

Out of the blue Ryan wrote a note to papa and asked us to mail it to him.  
Video:  Ryan's Note to Papa




































DC

Week 82

Happy Veteran's Day!

Ryan had to do a project for Veteran's Day called "Hands for Heroes". He had to trace his hand and we wrote the names of family members serving in the military. The red represents those currently on activity duty (cousins) and yellow for those deceased (my uncle, who I was named after but never met). -PC

Remember Ty, the little boy with cancer who needed a miracle?  Well this week his MRI came back clean, so he may just get the miracle he needs! Back during Week 44 we dedicated our blog post to Ty:  http://theryanexpress512.blogspot.com/2011/02/week-44.html  Check out this news story about Ty's dad running a marathon:  http://www.nbcnewyork.com/video/#%21/news/local/One-Fathers-Special-Reason-to-Run/132827623

Thanks to Uncle T for our visit to Radio City to see the Christmas Spectacular!

Upon the suggestion from a coworker I made the family King Arthur brand GF brownies.  They were excellent; very moist and chocolatey.  The kids loved them, as well as our dinner guests.  I added some GFCF chocolate chunks before baking them, and they were yummy!  I had never seen the mega chunks before but we use Enjoy Life mini chocolate chips all of the time.  You cannot tell the difference between Enjoy Life chocolate morsels and your typical Nestle morsels.  Well, there is one difference... the price.  Usually the 10oz bag is close to $5.  We saw them this weekend at Nature's Pantry for $3.15.  We grabbed several to stock up!  I also picked up a King Arthur chocolate chip cookie mix and when we try those we'll be sure to let you know how they were. 

Ryan (and Julia) loved these brownies, mixed with Enjoy Life chocolate.  Mom, you are always looking for stocking stuffer ideas for the kids.  Hint, hint!

Ryan scored his second goal in soccer this weekend.  Unfortunately I don't have any pictures or video to share because his game was the same time as Julia's rehearsal for the Nutcracker and I haven't figured out how to clone myself just yet.  But I do have a picture of Ryan just before he left for his game.

And I have a video of Ryan kicking the ball around with his dad/assistant coach!

Practicing soccer with daddy

And as if we didn't have enough going on this week, we dressed the kids up in their Sunday best and took pictures for this year's Christmas card.  I will share one of the photos, but that is it.  You'll have to wait for the card to see the entire ensemble.

Okay, I know I said I would only post one picture, but I have to put up this one too.  It was the first one I took, and Ryan was so annoyed that he had to get dressed up and go outside to take pictures.  Good thing we finally got him to laugh, or we would have had to pick a new day to reshoot!

I'll end with the "Awww" moment of the week:

After saying that he loves "mommy, daddy, Julia, and Helen (our cat)", I ask Ryan, "Who else do you have room in your heart to love?" And he replies, "I don't know who else. Maybe if we have another baby and they grow up then I can love them too."

DC

Week 44

Asking for prayers this week but for someone else...

In lieu of the time you would have spent on our blog this week, we are asking that you read about a little three year old boy named Ty Louis Campbell.  He is fighting a rare and aggressive cancer.  I choose "fighting" because that is exactly what he is doing.  We've been following this blog since the fall and it is impossible to read without shedding tears.  It is also impossible to read without reflecting on your life and appreciating what you have.  Whenever I complain about something I feel so guilty, more so than ever since Ty has entered my virtual world.  Just looking at his picture and knowing what he is going through certainly helps to put things into perspective. 

Here's the link to Ty's blog:  http://tylouis.blogspot.com/ Please read Ty's story and keep him in your prayers.  Your prayers are working for Ryan... I hope they do the same for Ty because he needs a miracle!  May God bless Ty and his family!

DC