Family News

 

Edge Family News 21
Spring 2010 (2009 update!)

Wow!  I have been procrastinating for so long that 2009 seems forever ago!  Once again though, we had a very busy year.  Keeping busy seems to be working for us for now.

Well, the year started off with a bang with our new annual end-of-winter, in-between-our birthdays, friends-and-neighbors party!  We are so lucky to have such wonderful people in our lives!  Easter was spent at home with Mama and Papa and our good friends, the Manukas family.  We also had a beautiful gathering of friends for Mia’s birthday.  The highlight of our spring though was Andrew’s First Holy Communion.  We are so proud of him!  I can’t believe he is getting so big!

Spring also starts the second half of soccer season, and also baseball season.  Soccer begins in the fall and then basketball covers winter.  Andrew loves them all!  Also during the summer he did basketball camp, tennis camp and golf lessons.  He certainly keeps us on our toes!  In addition, he attended a theater camp with his good buddy Alex, where they performed excerpts from High School Musical.  He also attended a grief camp for kids which was very nice.  He seems to be doing just fine. What a strong and happy boy! 

All these summer activities didn’t stop us from our usual trips to visit the family, but we were also able to enjoy a fantastic week at Hilton Head Island with the wonderful Dahl family!  Mama and Papa and cousins Doreen and Anna were also there.  It was great to have a vacation where we had to do nothing!  Just decide whether to go to the beach or the pool! 

We also enjoyed a super week in NJ with Mama and Papa.  We love to see all our family and friends when we are there!  Andrew especially loves to see his cousin Matthew and was fascinated by the new babies in the family.  We also visited another “family,” the Cake Boss family!  Yes, we took a trip to Hoboken to visit Buddy and get some cake.  Andrew loves to cook and now likes to bake cakes.  Just what mommy’s thighs need…  We also spent a great day with Mama and Papa at Liberty Science Center.

Next stop was in Toronto to visit Grandma and Granddad.  Cousin Abigail was there too!  One of the highlights of the trip was a day at Niagara Falls with Abby and Aunt Sarah and Uncle Stu.  I had forgotten how amazing the falls are!  We did get a little wet on the Maid of the Mist and even had a chance to visit the butterfly gardens and reptile house.  Andrew even got to hold a baby alligator!  He was very excited about that!   As always, we had a fun-filled trip!

On the way home, we stopped in Ludington, Michigan to take the car ferry across Lake Michigan to Wisconsin.  The Badger is the last steam powered great lakes car ferry.  Andrew was really looking forward to this, as the boat was out of commission the year before.  When we got home, it was time to celebrate Andrew’s 8th birthday!  We had a bowling party with LOTS of his friends!

He started third grade with a wonderful teacher, Mrs. Mieth, and still sees his former teachers in the hallways.  They are all so great and will fondly be in our hearts forever!  Andrew surprised us with his interest in the fall musical and was one of the leads with a solo!  Who thought that squeaky little voice could sing so well!  We were so proud and amazed!

We spent Thanksgiving at home with Mama and Papa and Christmas in Toronto with the fabulous Edge clan!  And yes, we did it. We went back to Disney World again just after Thanksgiving!  We were joined by our wonderful friends, the Schweid family, and we had a fantastic time.  This was our first trip back without Mia, but we have only good memories there.  Good memories of how much we all loved being there together and of what a happy place it is for us.

 

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Edge Family News 20
Holiday 2008

This has been a very busy year for us, as keeping busy helps keep us from noticing our broken hearts as much.  Maybe.  We have been occupying ourselves with travel and sports and school and friends and family who have been so wonderful.

The Easter Bunny came to Canada where we were visiting with Grandma and Granddad, Uncle Stu, Aunt Sarah and our little cousin Abigail.  Andrew enjoyed showing Abby the ropes of the art of Easter egg hunting!  We spent time with more family and friends in July at Mama and Papa’s house in NJ.  We always have a good time with our big backyard gatherings and it is great to see everyone and catch up.  Later in the summer was another trip to Canada, this time to cousin Abigail’s house for a week of many outdoor activities and fun in the sun.  Uncle Mikey, Aunt Toni and cousin Matthew visited us at the end of the summer and we did lots of cool boy things like taking in a Cubs game and going to Legoland Chicago. 

Speaking of Legoland, we had such fun in California last October, we went back again this year.  We surprised Andrew with a couple of days at Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure in addition to a revisit to Legoland in Carlsbad.  We spent a busy day in San Diego and the weather was perfect.  Back to NJ for Thanksgiving to have more visits with family and friends, and of course lots of food.  Andrew really loves to play with all his cousins.  This Christmas we decided to stay home, and it will be our first Christmas at home without our Mia.  She always loved Christmas so, the music, the decorations, making cookies and visiting Santa.  Luckily she passed on her enjoyment of the season to Andrew, who is loving all these things too.

Andrew had his seventh birthday party in August with tons of friends at Lazer Tag.  It really was exciting and yes, I’ll say it again…Mommy got high score!  Must have been beginners luck!  Everyone had great fun and ate pizza, soda (I refuse to say “pop” as they call it in the Midwest!) and an Indiana Jones birthday cake!  He started second grade this fall and has a brand new teacher who is very nice.  We still see Mrs. Slowinski often around school, along with our other wonderful teachers and friends.  Andrew seems to really enjoy school just like Mia did.  He is now an “old friend” in the mixed class with first and second graders.  I’m sure he is setting a very good example for the first graders, when he isn’t giggling too much with his buddies.

Andrew loves his sports and started playing baseball this spring.  He took to it like a natural and really seems to understand the game.  Of course, this fall was back to soccer with the same team of friends as last year.  Now basketball is just beginning and he has really improved from last winter!  I’m sure those few extra inches he grew didn’t hurt!  He keeps us busy and I have been trying to get in shape to keep up with him!  I have also been taking a lot of medical education credits to remain certified and to keep current of new information for when I return to practice.  I have been thinking about more offbeat opportunities rather than just regular private practice, but for now I have been still finding projects to do at home and helping out at school when I can.  Michael is still playing soccer himself and actually coached Andrew’s team for the first time this year.  He really enjoyed the kids who are all awesome.  He is looking forward to another year with Takasago, his company that has treated him so well since college!  We have also been trying to keep active with our social circle of friends and neighbors who are all very special to us.

Thank all of you for being there for us this year and for being such wonderful friends.  We wish all of you a very happy holiday season.

 

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Edge Family News 19
Holiday, 2007

Since the summer we have been trying to stay extremely busy to try and fill the vast emptiness in our lives.  So far there may have been only one or two weekends were we didn’t have plans.  The summer was filled with visits to family and friends.  We took a trip to Mississauga for Grandma and Granddad’s 40th anniversary and Andrew really enjoyed playing with his little cousin Abigail.  We spent some time at Mama and Papa’s in New Jersey where we were surrounded by family and friends.  We also had a peaceful weekend on the beach in Michigan with our good friend and her four doggies!

Andrew’s birthday was especially difficult for Mommy and Daddy, as our Mia would have been so excited for him.  She would have loved to put together goody bags and wrap his present.  As it was, it was a very boy party.  Andrew’s little buddies joined us for chaos and mayhem at an indoor inflatable playground.  After jumping and climbing and running around, we made sure to jack them all up on sugar before sending them home by having a big Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle cake.  I am very proud of the fact that I can remember all the names and colors of each turtle and what their choice of weapon is.  I am now becoming more familiar with the shade of green of each of the ninja turtles.  There is a daily quiz.

The first day of school was quite emotional for us, although Andrew jumped right on the big bus, no problem.  Mia was so looking forward to Andrew riding the little bus with her.  It was actually against the rules, but Mia wished it, so the next day the school approved!  Everyone at school is taking very good care of our Andrew, and after the initial transition to the new big school, he settled in quite nicely.  He has Mia’s wonderful teacher, Mrs. Slowinski and has made some great new friends.  He has a group of soccer buddies who play nonstop at every recess.  He played soccer again this fall and really enjoyed it.  His team is now the Orange Crush and they will regroup again in the spring.  For winter we are trying basketball which has been fun and we hope to try baseball in the summer.  He is definitely a sporty guy.  Mommy has been trying to get in shape to keep up with him.

We had a long weekend in October when we took Andrew to San Diego.  We were lucky enough to meet up with our good friends the Kershaws and spent great days together at Legoland and the Wild Animal Park (related to the San Diego Zoo).  We also did Sea World and spent a day in downtown San Diego.  It was a really nice trip.  Halloween was fun and we lucked out with a fairly mild, sunny day.  Usually we are just able to stick to our block, but Andrew and his friends sprinted around the whole neighborhood.  We could barely keep up!  For Thanksgiving we decided to do something different and go to the Wisconsin Dells.  This is a popular vacation spot around here famous for resorts with indoor and outdoor water parks.  We spent a couple of days in pools and water slides and enjoyed good food and festivities.  We took a side trip on the way home to visit the Wisconsin Maritime Museum.  Andrew has been very interested in submarines and ships especially having to do with the Great Lakes.  We plan to spend Christmas at Mama and Papa’s in New Jersey and for New Year’s Grandma, Granddad, Uncle Stu, Aunt Sarah and cousin Abigail will come to our house.

Mommy and Daddy have been filling our days.  Daddy has been busy at work and seemed to travel quite a bit this fall.  Even though Mommy is semi-retired for the moment, I have been too busy to start on my many projects!  We have friends and family and doctors and counselors watching out for us, especially with the holidays upon us.  Mia loved Christmastime so much.  It actually starts the day after Halloween when some radio stations start playing Christmas music nonstop.  She would love to listen anytime.  She loved decorating the tree and putting up the nativity and making cookies and going to see Santa.  Andrew does enjoy these too, but it is just different.  Everything is different now.

We are trying to do different things, maybe some things that we would have not ordinarily done.  There are some things that Mia could not have done.  But now it is all about Andrew and trying to find a balance between being happy and missing our Mia.

 

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Edge Family News 16
June 7, 2007

We had a wonderful trip to Disney last month and all had seemed well. Andrew recently had his kindergarten graduation and we are all so proud of our big boy.  Mia had a quiet birthday party with her wonderful friends but started feeling better for her actual birthday.  She seemed to be doing well until a couple of days ago when catastrophe struck.

 

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Edge Family News 15
April 7, 2007

After the craziness of the last couple of months, we are just trying to get back to a “normal” routine and to keep the kids happy.  Much of that for Mia has been going back to school.  I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Mia just loves school!  She loves her teachers and her classmates and her helpers and she just loves to learn!  She started back to school before I even thought she could, and she has been staying full days!

After all her school has done for us, especially recently, it is no wonder she enjoys it so.  I like to go there too!  The people at Woods Creek are just phenomenal and we are blessed to have all of them in our lives.  Mia’s wonderful class had an early Valentines party just so she could be there, and they turned it into a get well soon party!  We were overwhelmed by all the gifts and the cards and all the special things too.  We hung up the class quilt with everyone’s picture on our hospital wall and we look through our “happy thoughts” box often.  The faculty and staff even remembered Andrew and Mommy and Daddy too.  Their incredible generosity and kindness deeply touched our hearts.  And there are no words to describe how fantastic Mia’s teacher, Mrs. Kelley, has been.  Thank you so, very much to all of you.  We didn’t forget, thank you notes are still in process!

Andrew has also been enjoying school and we are amazed at the things he has learned.  He can add numbers in his head, and all of a sudden, he is reading!  He is more than ready for first grade and he is very excited to ride the bus with Mia.  He has many interests and seems quite the renaissance man.  He loves music and has quite a few moves, he also loves any sport, cars, and cooking too.  Eating seems to be a sport of its own!  He is also at the stage where he asks a lot of insightful questions, always keeping us on our toes.  Unfortunately he is constantly asking questions while watching a movie or tv, which drives his sister nuts!  He is still very cute and loving.  He couldn’t wait to go to the hospital to visit Mia so he could give her the present he got for her.  His class and the daycare also sent some wonderful cards, pictures, gifts and well wishes.  We will miss all of you next year!

After getting through the last couple of months we deserve a vacation.  So we are going to Disney again!  Things are just so happy and fun there!  We had to go for the kids and for the grown ups and just to be a family having a good time.  We go the end of the month!  (even though Mommy isn’t quite bathing suit ready just yet!  Ugh!)

 

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Edge Family News 14
January 4, 2007

While Mia was off treatment this fall, we were able to make a trip to New Jersey for Thanksgiving.  We had a whirlwind week but were able to spend time with family and friends.  We had a great day at cousin Matty’s lovely house with doggies McCabe and Kona too.  Thanksgiving at Mama and Papa’s was full of fun with cousins Steven, Mark and Jason and we also were able to see cousins Ryan, Alexa and Kayla.  It was quite a busy trip but lots of fun.

Even after finding out our bad news, we decided it was very important to keep our plans for the Christmas holidays.  We spent Christmas in Toronto at Grandma and Granddad’s house with cute one year old cousin Abigail.  Then we traveled to Lake Placid, NY where cousin Matty has a beautiful new mountain house.  It was great to exchange gifts in person with our cousins this year.  The drive home was long and tiring, but the kids were excellent, as always.

We rang in the new year quietly, as our hearts were heavy with the uncertainty of what this year would bring.  On this bittersweet Christmas we would remember the children’s happiness and joy.  We would remember the gathering of family and sharing of family love.  We would remember the kindness and generosity of friends.  We would remember the happy times especially with family and friends.  Just tonight Mia said that it’s fun to remember fun times.  And she has many fun memories.  One time when we were all lounging in our bed one Saturday morning, Mia said, “I was just thinking that this is my life right here.  And it is good.”  With all she has been through, she is happy.

 

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Edge Family News 13

November 12, 2006

The kids are both loving school and they are doing very well.  We have conferences for both tomorrow, but we are sure they are top students!

Andrew really enjoys kindergarten and is eager to learn.  He is learning his letters well and really shows an aptitude for math.  He is at the stage where he is telling us what letter words start with and asking us how to spell certain words.  He is doing some simple addition and subtraction and counting by twos and tens.  He is in a class of seven kids in a full day program at the same day care where he has been since an infant.  We are so thrilled with how he is doing.

Mia just loves school.  She loves her teacher, she loves her class and she loves to learn.  Things aren’t as difficult this year for her because she is less exhausted without chemo and she is not missing as much school.  She does get quite a bit of homework in third grade which is somewhat challenging since she is a bit tired when she gets home after a full day.  We are watching her progress carefully,
though due to expected learning and memory side effects from cranial radiation.

In addition to school, the kids each have a great group of friends and enjoy their play dates.  We have also had a very busy fall with Andrew playing on his first organized soccer team and Mia starting horseback riding therapy.  They both are crazy about their new activities.  Halloween was also a lot of fun and the kids’ costumes looked great!

Daddy did not do so well during his last soccer game of the season.  We should get the results of the MRI on his right knee tomorrow.  Ugh!  He is currently in a knee brace and is still a bit uncomfortable.  Mommy was totally stressed out studying for the pediatric board exam in order to remain board certified.  Luckily she just found out that she passed and is off the hook for another seven years.

Next comes the hustle and bustle for the holidays and we hope we will be able to enjoy all that.  We have much to be thankful for, especially all of you.