Sunday, March 23, 2014

Go Avs!


Every day with our little Lu is special but today was an extra special day,  a warm fuzzy day, a smile so much it starts to hurt kind of day.  The Colorado Avalanche Charity brunch event with the players, their wives, the staff, all the invited families, the guests, our family and friends, the venue, and our beautiful Lucia enjoying every minute and looking like a princess was all truly amazing.  Lucia had been invited by her nephrologist Dr. Mindy Banks and her ortho Dr. Laurel Benson to be in the fashion show for the charity about two months ago and then the details came about.  Last Saturday we had our 'fitting appointment' at Dillards in Park Meadows and were given a $200!!! shopping allowance.  Jason and I picked out a beautiful yellow and pink dress, matching bracelets-wrist and ankle, barrettes, a furry kitten purse, shoes, socks and even a bottle holder with matching bib.  The day before the event Jason mentioned that he thought we should decorate Lucia's stroller...so I did!


The day started around 9:30AM where we were greeted,  visited the other special kids and their families, ate a lavish brunch, and then met with the Avalanche players.  Lucia was paired up with Cory Sarich-not only cute but so personable, caring and sweet.  He and his wife asked all about Lu, the other players came by and said hi, signed autographs and then everyone went through a practice run - on the runway.  I'm not much of a sports fan and have only been to a couple of Avalanche games and my biggest recollection was all the fighting...needless to say this was everything NOT to do with fighting.  The Avs players-every one of them present were paired up with a child- 25 in all - and they were all so cool.  They held hands with little girls, were buddies with little boys, danced and hammed it up on stage, smiled, and were genuinely having just as good of a time as the kids.  It's pretty special to see 'famous celebrity type' grown men come to an event and get up close and personal with families and kids.   Lucia could not have been in a better mood either- she knew it was a special day!
With friends and family there to support and cheer her on- Joey and Kim, my brother Andy, Lisa Priest, Laura and Adam Huff, Andy and Elyse Slayton, Kent and his girlfriend Sharon, Mario's sister Dee and her daughter Lisa and even Lu's doctor Mindy Banks-Lucia was not lacking with a cheering section.  They all came to see LU!!!!!!!!!!! xoxoxoxoxoxoxo



As Lucia made her debut I was overcome with tears of joy and love for my precious daughter.  It is difficult, actually impossible, to describe the depth of love Jason and I have for her.  She is beautiful, she is kind, she is innocent, she is happy, she is soft, so soft, she is pure angelic love.  About an hour after the event Laura called and said how she feels so blessed to have Lu in her life.   This God given little girl named Lu has touched us in so many ways, and days like today did not happen, in our lives, before Lu.  The other special kids and families we have met because of Lu, the events where men missing teeth and scars from fighting are gentle giants with kids like Lu...
Thank you Lucia for being our beautiful bright princess today and teaching us about the sparkles and warm fuzzies of life. Kroenke Foundation and Avalanche Players,  thank you for creating this event for so many families and children.  The day was relaxing, so exciting, glamorous and one we will never ever forget.  A quote that was on the stage during the event went something like this.." It's not about how many times you've touched the puck, but how many lives you've touched that matter."    You no doubt have touched our family- Go Avs!
Cory, Lu's Avalanche escort and our fam

the Legendary Patrick Roy

Scout had SO much fun too!
Introducing Lucia  Dawkins!!!!


Dee and Lu


the boys!
the girls!


Tuesday, March 11, 2014

...to Dream

Pajamas are one of my favorite outfits on Lu, on Scout, on all little babies and kids.  Matching tops and bottoms made of soft cotton, one pieced closed toe flannels, even summer shorts with matching tank tops...they just radiate innocence, sweetness and warmth-inside and out.  We've been lucky to have been given so many great hand-me-downs, from Tallie Barrett, cousin Charley Hicks, Elizabeth Bobilya, Graclyn Lee and I'm sure a few more.  I love sharing the clothes and knowing our sweet girls have worn the same...BUT it's fun to buy new too.  Lucia is growing up AND growing and this weekend I bought her a simple and soft set of pj's from Costco (Sams and Costco truly do have great pajamas).  I grabbed a light blue and pink flamingo set-2 tops and a bottom.
Last night she wore her flamingo print top and bottom...birds on a bird :)   Tonight I put the other tee on her.  Lu always looks so beautiful but seeing her in new soft pj's is an extra special burst of beauty.  "I (heart) to Dream" was the print on the shirt.   I looked at Lu in her tee and bottoms as she talked her talk and looked around the room with her big blue eyes and hands grasped together.  I looked at her and read her shirt and wondered...I wondered about HER dreams.

Does my bird dream of flying?  Does she dream of swimming?  Does she dream of her sister and doggies?  Does she dream of me?  Does she dream of holding hands with friends and skipping through the playground?  Does she dream of dancing and riding freely on her therapy horse Andy?  Does my bird dream of me?  Does she dream of playing dress-up with her cousin Charley or jumping off the diving board with her cousin Kayla?  Does my bird dream of riding bicycles with her sister Scout and ringing a little bell?  Does my bird dream of me?  Does our bird dream of running along side her daddy at CrossFit or playing with their bars and weights?  Does my bird dream of visiting her friends around the world and swinging with her boyfriend Giacomo?  Does our bird dream of a speaking and sharing stories of her dreams?  Does she dream of being a famous pianist and performing on stage or the next White Party?  Does our bird dream of singing in a choir with a brightly colored robe?  Does our bird dream of me? Does she dream of sitting and standing and handstands and feeding? Or sparkly cupcake baking and dress sewing and flower painting? Does our bird dream of me?  Does she dream of signing or saying the words  I. Love. You?

I dream that she does and I dream that she will and I know whether here on earth or one day in heaven YOU, our Lu will do all you have ever hoped and dreamed.
I dream of her beauty.  I dream of her soft skin, her blue eyes, her button nose, her full lips and pillow feet.  I dream of her songs and I dream of her smiles.   I dream of her being her sisters biggest fan and her sister the same.  I dream of growing old with our Lu for the rest of our lives.  I dream of her innocence and her angelic presence.  I dream of her every day.  
I pray that some dreams may come true...I guess that is what dreams are all about.  I hope my bird truly does 'love to dream'.  We're here.  We're a team of a mom and dad, two sisters, two dogs and many amazing special and loving therapists to help the dreams become reality..big or small.
I Heart to Dream about Lu.
cousins pj pic-lu,kayla, scout, taylor Cmas 2013