Happy Mother's Day; Happy 16th Birthday in Heaven Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all moms today regardless of where your children are!

Happy 16th Birthday in Heaven, sweet Christi! I love and miss you so much, wonder what you would be like now, if only you had lived. Today's Mother's Day is particularly painful since it is also your 16th birthday and you're not here with us. I long to hear your beautiful giggle! Missing you so much, mom

$440,000 raised for Solving Kids Cancer - 2013 Spring Gala, NYC

Shayla was the "Featured Performer" at this year's Solving Kids Cancer 2013 Spring Gala - a huge "high society" fundraiser in NYC.  It was held on Tuesday and we had a most glorious time in New York City.  I'm so proud of that little daughter of ours; she continues to do great things and to amaze me.  I hope all is well with you and yours!

"Goodies" were set up to our hotel room for Shayla before rehearsal.  Sooooooo sweet!

Making her "red carpet" debut for the media.  

Talking about the "nasty monster" who lived in Christi  - neuroblastoma

With Miss Teen USA - Logan West

Chatting with Nigel Barker from "Faces" and "America's Next Top Model"

Nigel gave her a hug after her performance - sooooooo sweet!

Back in the dressing room, ready to relax for the rest of the night.

A quick trip to a dance store and then off for rehearsal.

Dinner with Daddy!

Nigel Barker's wife (Cristen) was so nice!

Family Dinner - just like at home, ha haha!

Shayla loved talking with the fashion celebrities after the gala.

This is Disney's "Oceans" star Cecila Babini who has also raised thousands for pediatric cancer research.

Meeting the tech guy before her rehearsal.

This banquet hall on Park Avenue was gorgeous!

Get those shoes on and get warmed up; it's rehearsal time!

The stage was small and slippery, but she did a great job!

We had the most lovely evening in NYC!

Chatting with the media about childhood cancer.

Another fashion celebrity.

Show time!

Yes, I'm bias, but I thought she was grand!

"Voices of Childhood Cancer" by Shayla Thomas

Nigel introduced Shayla and talked about her.

Shayla Thomas

With Solving Kids' Cancer (Co-Founder) John London and Nigel Barker

Taking a well deserved bow!

Lyrical Ballet en Pointe - Shayla Thomas

Shayla and Nigel.  She read his book before we flew to NYC so she could make conversation with him.  He seems like an amazing person!

Shayla Thomas loved talking with the media and I thought she was very well spoken.

Childhood cancer is a serious topic, but there was still time for light-hearted fun!

Shayla has had the gift of gab for years and years and years.

Shayla said she wanted a cure for childhood cancer so no family ever had to watch their loved ones suffer.  Precious!

Performance over - party time!

Chatting with the DJ

Angela Carrasco siad to Shayla, "We should hang out sometime!"  Isn't she gorgeous?!

Confirmation!

Shayla reached a huge milestone in the Catholic Church.  She made her Sacrament of Confirmation on Thursday evening with her class of about 70 students.  In the Catholic Church, Confirmation is a Sacrament of initiation, establishing young adults as full-fledged members of the faith.  It comes after the Sacraments of Baptism, Penance and Holy Communion.

We are very proud of Shayla for taking this Sacrament so seriously.  This gal continues to amaze me. She reads the Bible most every night and often leaves me passages to read on my pillow with discussion questions to help focus my reading.  Yes, sometimes I have to ask myself, "Who is the adult here?"  She is amazing!  Thank God for richly blessing us with Shayla.

When she told me a couple of months ago, that she had select the name of Christine for her Saint, I cried for about thirty minutes.  I know she misses her too and still leans to her for guidance.  I wish Christi could have made this Sacrament and I know she was with us this week at mass with the Reverend Monsignor William Kubacki!

Shayla asked her uncle and Godfather to serve as her Proxy since her confirmation sponsor (Cousin Ashley) could not be with us in person due to a conflict she had attending an out-of-state college. 

Newly confirmed, Shayla Marie Christine Thomas

Thank you, uncle Gil!

Celebrating after mass at a restaurant

With grandma Nee Nee

Taking the gifts to the alter

This is the name tag Shayla wore for mass.  All of the students were given the Saint's name they selected on these lovely tags to wear.    After she was confirmed, she walked toward me where I stood taking pictures.  It was only then that I saw this name tag and tears gushed down my cheeks.  She stopped, put a kiss on my cheek and then proceed to her pew.  I don't deserve this remarkable child.  Thank you dear Lord!  Thank you, Shayla Thomas!

Before and After Braces Pictures

Shayla Thomas - CMN Fundraiser

Ooops!  I cannot believe I forgot to share the fact Shayla was invited to dance at the big CMN Fundraiser at BGSU - Dance Marathon.  I spoke about Christi and our experience treating at CMN hospitals and Shayla did a lovely ballet solo.  We then stayed and loved our time with those awesome college students and Miracle Families in attendance.  When it was all said and done, over $300,000 was raised for CMN!  SWEET!  Congratulations, BGSU!

Happy Spring

I see it's been a while since I last updated.  Shayla has been busy with dance.  She made the cheerleading squad and has been doing incredibly well in school.  Today she is competing with her Quiz Bowl team.  All is well, so I'll just share some pictures:

Shayla got her braces off this week.  She had them for 18 months and it's nice to see a beautiful smile now, instead of a silver cage!

I did not win the Master Teacher of the University Award, but I was thrilled to have made it to the Top Three out of nearly 900 full time faculty members at BGSU. I received recognition for that at the University's banquet one night this week.

This week a little article was published in the university's newspaper (The BG News) about alumni returning to BG and I was happy to be a part of that.

Click below if you'd like to read it:

BG News Article