Chasing Rainbows: The Best Gifts Are Homemade...

Sunday, May 12, 2013

The Best Gifts Are Homemade...

Brian brought these home from school on Friday and they really made my day. As difficult as this "Mother's Day" is, the truth is - every day is brutal. But Brian is the joy of my life. His adorable handwritten name and answers to these questions about Mommy make me so happy.

And since he loves me because I "take pictures..."

...here are some selfies of us from Mother's Day.

I love being Brian's Mom.

Tomorrow morning, I will be posting a very special journal entry. It's something very important to me, personally. I hope you'll meet me back here tomorrow!

17 comments:

Grandma VickiMay 12, 2013 at 5:38 PM
You have two angels in heaven and one right there on your lap Kate. What an adorable little boy your Brian is.
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Blackhearts & Raspberry TartsMay 12, 2013 at 6:01 PM
So... your favourite show is "Spiderman?" ;)

That is one of those beautiful childhood mementos you keep around! What a great Mother's Day gift!
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AnonymousMay 12, 2013 at 6:13 PM
Wishing you, Brian and Ed a FANTASTIC Day...Brian is for sure an Angel here on Earth!
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UnknownMay 12, 2013 at 6:36 PM
Happy Mother's day Kate. May you have a wonderful day with Brian and know that your angels are also with you.
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dawnMay 12, 2013 at 7:28 PM
Happy Mothers Day Kate. If I can only aspire to be half the mummy you are I'll be doing an amazing job. thanks for setting such a wonderful example. xx
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JessMay 12, 2013 at 7:34 PM
I love the "Spiderman" answer. AWESOME. You're lucky, I know my kids would have answered something less lovely on #4. Fail. Happy Mother's Day momma!
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HeatherMay 12, 2013 at 7:48 PM
Love what the little ones say about their mommies. Happy Mother's Day Kate.
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firstwivesclubMay 12, 2013 at 8:31 PM
Happy Mom's Day again, Kate! xx
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MistyMay 12, 2013 at 8:44 PM
Happy Mothers Day to a VERY SPECIAL MOM! Although we have never met and probably never will you have a very special place in my heart and I have been thinking about you and your family on this special day! May you be blessed today and always!
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UnknownMay 12, 2013 at 11:07 PM
The best gifts are homemade, Kate. Over the years, I framed a few of my children's pieces and have them hanging as artwork in my home... There, they bring forever smiles and decorate my walls, too.

I know this day was probably an eclectic mix of "brutiful." I am so glad you found smiles amongst the sadness...

What a thoughtful boy Brian is! He certainly had his thinking cap on for those answers!

Hugs and healing...
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sheila mMay 12, 2013 at 11:11 PM
Those are so sweet!! He loves you so much :) Happy Mother's Day, Kate. Thinking of you today. My two year old gave me a plant this morning and it was a blue hydrangea...my heart skipped a beat when I saw it. My husband told me Dante picked it out himself and wouldn't leave without it. Your little Gavin is everywhere. xo
- sheila m
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Ellen SeidmanMay 12, 2013 at 11:38 PM
i hope Brian charmed and cheered you all day long (I suspect he did), and that you got to do something relaxing just for you, like watching Spiderman.
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hmv003May 13, 2013 at 10:20 AM
I've only been following your blog for a few weeks and already you and your family have a place in my heart. I thought about you yesterday - on Mother's Day. I think about you often even though you are a stranger to me. I find myself walking into the grocery store or some other random, mundane thing and think of you, wishing that somehow I could send you my strength and peace (what little there may be!). I have come to love your family and only imagine how hard yesterday might have been, for so many, many reasons. I can't pretend to know the grief you feel, but I have a daughter, so I do know the love. Thank you for sharing your beautiful family. I'm sending my love, warm thoughts, and prayers.
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UnknownMay 13, 2013 at 10:43 AM
Happy Mother's Day!
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KelseyMay 13, 2013 at 1:33 PM
Utterly gorgeous. What a family.
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NishaMay 13, 2013 at 2:54 PM
It's amazing to me that you can be so present for Brian while you're still grieving for Gavin. You're made of strong stuff for sure.
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UnknownMay 24, 2013 at 4:30 PM
This stands out to me as a perfect example of Glennon Melton's theory about how life is Brutiful. Thinking about you and your family this week with love.
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Hi! I'm Kate. I'm a positive thinker, an amateur blogger, a jokester, and a reality TV junkie. I'm also very lucky to be a stay at home Mom to Gavin and Brian. I have a husband that has a big laugh, a big heart and a big talent for cooking. (Thank God) Our life is not always easy, but it turns out it's more than I ever dreamed it would be. I write about Gavin's disability, his miraculous progress, Brian's successful recovery from a peanut allergy and a speech delay, my Rheumatoid Arthritis and infertility journey and our crazy, incredible, roller coaster of a life. I also remember and honor our daughter, Darcy, who we met after 5 1/2 months of my pregnancy.

I feel honored that you're here to get to know us.

Want to know more? Click on each link under the pictures at the top of the page to read our stories...

Gavin's Playground Project

Gavin's Playground Project was born from my desire to see an "All Abilities" playground built at Nemours/A.I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Delaware. This is the hospital where Gavin spent a lot of time during his life... and where he ultimately died, surrounded by friendly and familiar faces. To mark the one year anniversary of his death, I held a fundraiser on April 5, 2014. You can read all about it in THIS post.

We raised a LOT of money, but not enough for a playground! If you would like to contribute to help make this playground a reality - so no kids will ever have to sit on the sidelines watching their peers play - you can contribute directly to the hospital through the Chasing Rainbows fundraising page HERE. Your donation will go directly to the hospital for the playground and is tax deductible. You can also create your own fundraising team page and start collecting donations in honor of anyone you want!! There is also a mailing address on their page if you prefer to mail a check. Designate your contribution in memory of Gavin Leong - or write in that this is for the playground so your dollars will go to the right place. Thank you for your support of Gavin's Playground Project!

Gavin's Trust Project

I created "Gavin's Trust Project" to help support Gavin's friends who receive services from the Chester County Intermediate Unit in Pennsylvania. I wanted to continue to try to "make the impossible... possible" for kids like Gavin, knowing well how hard it can be to get much needed "special needs" items. It makes me happy to know that even after his death, Gavin continues to help others. Click HERE to learn more about the Trust Project! All of your donations, big and small, will be added to Gavin's Trust Project to help therapists and teachers get what they need for children in this program. You can write a check made out to CCIU and mail it to: Chester County Intermediate Unit, c/o Deb Hiller, 455 Boot Rd., Downingtown, PA 19335. Please be sure to add "Gavin's Trust Project" in the memo. Thank you on behalf of me and my little superhero!