MN kids are so lucky - Part 2

So back in June I had made a post all about how lucky Aiden & other kids who live in (or are visiting) are so lucky because of the fun options that are open to them. Well we just found another one. This place Opened a few months ago & we just now had the chance to go on Monday. 

When I first saw that the parking lot was packed I didn't think it would be a great idea to go as I thought it would be packed, Well I was somewhat wrong. It was packed but there was so much space that ids were not stepping on others. Aiden couldn't wait to get it & I know next time we go he will want to stay a lot longer. 

Location's Name - InnerActive 

Location's Address - 131 Cheshire Lane, Minnetonka MN 55305

Cost - $9 a child per day but they do have Membership options 

Website - www.inneractiveplayground.com

Aiden Fun Rating - 10 Stars out of 5 (I would say he loved it) 

Below are a few photos I had taken 

On all the tables in the Cafe area you found these signs 

They even have a Keurig

Aiden loved hanging out like a Koala 

 and climbing like a spider 

He also spent a lot of time with the building blocks 

They even have an area for younger kids

Of everything there the Jumping Pillow had to be his top pick 

Other great things is that they pay attention to the small stuff

 Like socks for kids to use if they forget a pair

 

And A LOT of sitting options for Adults. 

Below is the video I had taken 

It's all about the experiences not about the things

So this is something I don't talk about (if ever here) earlier this year I started to go to a weekly small group for Young Adults at my local Gilda's Club. This last week we started talking about things & I let everyone in on my past as a CRAZY shopaholic (Ok to be truthful I still love to shop but not like i did pre-cancer) Oh to spend the whole day at the Target (evil red price stickers)  or at the Mall just buying Aiden anything his little heart could ever want. Then when I first got cancer when I was having a good day I would be at it again buying whatever would help Aiden though my sickness. But then as I got well I the joy of the hunt became less and less. Like I brought up in my small group this week I had went to a conference at the end of my treatment where the speaker talked about how when she was going thought treatment she would buy her kids EVERYTHING they wanted because she worried she wouldn't be able to win over cancer & if her kids had all these things they would remember her a lot more then if she had not gotten all these things. That is when it hit me. I was getting all these things so that Aiden would remember me when really I just need to stop & have experiences with him as he would remember those a lot better. That is why when people ask me what I want I have such a hard time. Just today my mom was asking what is something I would like & I just can't think of anything that would really make me happy other then just more time with my family. Maybe that is why I spend so much time talking about Camp Kesem, I want every child who has had to deal with the crap Aiden has had to deal with to for just week be a kid... a kid who jumps off a boat, a kid who learns the most crazy songs, a kid who is not called by their real name for a whole week but picks up a camp name like SuperDog, No-Name, Boots, Blue Ranger, .... The list could out on. We have been OVERLY blessed by Camp Kesem & I don't think we would be doing as well as we are without it. You can check out more here http://campkesem.org/ But I also plan on making a post (I am shocked I have not already done one.

later this month I will go in for my year 2 1/2 check up with CT & Blood work. Part of me can't wait but another part of me wishes I never had to go back. Really the only thing I want more then Experiences is for CANCER to be GONE ... let it DIE & BURN IN HELL

What "Relay" means to me"

When I think about the word "relay" I think about cheering on others as it takes a team to run a relay race, everyone has to do their part. Pre-October 2013 when I thought about Relay For Life I looked at it as the one "racing" is the one with Cancer and the "cheering team mates" are those supporting them, making sure THEY could fight "THEIR" battle. But now since joining (the Team no one wants to be part of) "Team Cancer" I have learned that relay is like the two change roles, Cheering team are now the ones running the race and the one with cancer is cheering on their friends & family.

I know personally the 2nd lap of Relay of Life where Chris, Aiden, & my Mom joined me at the Relays I was part of last year was way more more meaning then the first lap were it's just for survivors.

This year I will be leading a team with my friend & Co-Survivor Robyn at Relay for Life of Greater Minneapolis in less then 2 weeks. Our team is called Wonder Twins :) as we are both proud to say we are Hodgkin Lymphoma Survivors. Everyone is welcome to join our little team. True I should have posted this a few weeks ago in hopes of higher team count & money donation but I am so bad at asking people to give up of their money & time for me.

So now I come to you in hopes that Team Wonder Twins can rise from the ground up and help in the fight Cancer, Lets FIND a END!!!!

If you would like to help please click on the link below and I mean it when I say all are welcome to join our team (even if it's only for part of the night).

Be Part of Team Wonder Twins

I was never asked if I wanted to be strong...

STRONG, such a small word for something with such a big meaning. It can mean from being able to lift heavy things to simply being able to smile when your world is falling apart. Last night around 9:45pm as I was about to make a get away to Target (yes the "evil" bulls-eye store, it's so peaceful there at night) ... anyway back to last night. So as I was just thinking about walking out the door Guess who thought it would be a good idea to come to Mommy & Daddy's bed ... YEP Sir little pants :) So he climbed into bed (were I had been planning out my trip in my head & watching TV) gives me the BIGGEST bear hug ever & falls asleep on the right of me, making me pickle in the middle as Chris was on the left, this was also a sign that I would not be going to Target as I had planned. True I could have carried him back to his bed like I had done so many times before, but I don't know what it is with that kid (or really any kid I know) once asleep they gain a good 5 lbs per years they have been on this plant, Plus every time I tired to move him he would make the funniest face & sound. SO I just let him be & snuggled in my new found spot on the bed. I quickly fell asleep until 2:22pm.. I don't know what happened at that time but I woke up and started thinking about the happens over the past 2 years. The Loss of may things but one thing that hit me hardest last night was the loss of my dear Aunt. How she loved the song "On Eagle's wings", the line "He will lift you up on Eagle's wings" just means so much & reminds me how much God loves us and how much he picks/holds us up. So well thinking of her this came into my heart

I was never asked if I wanted to be strong, I just known I had to be. 

 This simple line means so much, I mean is anyone ever asked if the want to be strong, or how strong do you want to be? ... we just know we have to be. I know that not only did I have 1 Amazing God holding me up but I also had 1 crazy little boy, a caring husband, family & friends helping me to stay strong. But I also known I had to stay strong for them so it was a loop of support.

So as I want thought my day today thinking about that line, my Aunt, & everyone in my life I am still in amazed at what has happened.

I pray that everyone can find their own "Support Loop"

I leave you with a song from VBS a few years back that Aiden still loves & I feel fits well in here