THE FUNDRAISER

Okay, this post have taken awhile to get to, 5 days shy of a month to be exact. I have to be honest and say that it took me a good two weeks to recooperate from the overwhelming service and love my friends provided to our family, and I just did not have the energy to blog ITS justice! This "event" did not just take place in one day. This {Saunie monstrosity} had been weeks in the making. It started off with a fun idea to do a 5K fundraiser for our family and turned out to be a benefit of professional heights. They had meetings and weeks of preparation and hard work. Paige, my dear, lovely Paige spent every waking, and I am sure sleeping hours, working on this project. I had to reprimand her in church one Sunday for working on it! These girls are my angels. Each one of them has worked so hard to provide so much love and support to our family, and put in countless numbers of hours for this fundraiser.I went to one of their meetings to get away and say hi to my girls but it was too overwhelming, this was a serious event! Anyway, as you know Spence got really sick earlier that week and was admitted into the hospital. That was a Monday and I had no concerns about making it to the fundraiser, we would for sure be out by Saturday. Well, you all know that Spencer did not make it to the fundraiser. That morning was a very emotional one for me. I actually got to spend the evening and night at home with my kids and Nate stayed over night, and then we switched in the morning. When I arrived at the hospital that morning we still were not sure if he was going to make it. I was pretty sure he wouldn't make it but was trying to be hopeful. He wanted to go so very badly. He decided to take a walk to show the Dr.'s how "well" he was feeling and ended up throwing up bright green bile right in front of them. Needless to say they denied his discharge. He cried and cried, and screamed and continuously yelled "I have to go, I have to be there, it's my party." Oh, let me tell you, it is hard enough to see your children disappointed but this poor boy had gone through so much already and all I wanted was for him to see all of the love people had for him. I knew that so many people were praying for him to be there and I knew that the Lord was listening and because he was not able to go I feel like he was being protected. His white blood counts had been super low and there were hundreds of people there, I was told even one thousand people there. My wonderful sister in law Chelsey volunteered to come sit with him that day while we went to the fundraiser. As I walked out of the room I could hear him yelling and screaming and crying, and the nurses were crying and it was all very emotional. I always think that I am okay sitting in the hospital room all day with him until I walk out into the fresh air and then I feel like I can breathe again, like I had really been holding my breath the whole time inside. I raced to the event, and since I had a moment to myself I screamed. I screamed as loud as I could, and I even hit the steering wheel. I cried louder than I had cried in a long time. I just wanted him to have one moment of happiness. The sun was shining and the day was beautiful so I took a deep breath and continued to drive. I was doing well until I was almost there and Spence called me crying asking me to come back. I knew he was being well taken care of by Aunt Chels and I needed to be at this fundraiser. I told him I would be back when it was over. I hung up and turned the corner to see hundreds of cars parked along the streets and in the parking lot. I saw friends as parking attendants, leading the mad traffic. I walked in and saw Nate and I just broke down. (Don't mind the double chin, so flattering, I know!) Cute little Jen from Fauset Photography was there to document the event for us (so wonderful) and captured this picture of me coming into the event. She didn't realize I was Spencer's mom and just thought it cute that someone was so emotional! I cannot even describe to you the amount of LOVE, like intense, love that hit me when I walked into the event. I was so overwhelmed by it, it was tangible.
There were stations set up everywhere with so many fun things. Head shaving, a bouncy house, a video game bus, cotton candy, popcorn, yummy DELICIOUS food donated by Flavors Catering, who is one of Nate's good friends. It was honestly the best pulled smoked meat I have ever eaten! Ever! There was a firetruck, police cars, helicopter, Wesley Matthews and Jazz Bear! It was seriously the coolest thing ever. There was face painting and carnival games, and Munchkin Music Radio. Seriously people, it was awesome. It took me awhile to get to the head shaving to watch Nate and Gavs because of so many wonderful people I stopped to talk to. Gavin did a great job in getting his head shaved, didn't even make a peep. Spencer's school teacher drew in a big crowd as well as he ditched his locks!So I was seriously amazed at all of the people there. We saw people we had not seen in years. We have such great friends. So, I thought I was amazed by all of the people outside, {chuckle}, I decided to go inside to the silent auction. Seriously, blown away. I should not have been surprised since Paige was in charge. Wow. So many more people inside. Here are just a few pictures of the crowd. I had to remind myself that this was not a church function, or a school function, all of these people were there for Spencer. Totally blew me away!
Not only were all of these things donated almost completely for Spencer, but Chili's and Olive Garden donated food for a break room for our volunteers. Seriously amazing. This day was hands down one of the most overwhelming (in a good way) day our family has ever experienced. It would not have happened if it weren't for my angel friends. I love you all so very much. You have blessed my life in COUNTLESS ways. I am forever grateful for you in my life and in Spencer's life! Although the day was pretty emotional for Spencer's the medications he was on (Ativan most specifically) he does not remember the trauma of not being able to go. He has no memory of any of that hospital stay which we will count as a tender mercy. I love you my girlies! I of course could not put all of the pictures from our photographers, Fauset Photograpy, and Brightsides Photography, so I am adding the links so that those who do not have a Facebook account are still able to see them! I am still collecting photos from family and friends and will include a link when I have them all. Channel 2 news was also there and we had a cool segment on the 10 o'clock news. As soon as we get that footage I will link it on the blog!

Brightsides Fundraiser Pictures

Fauset Fundraiser Pictures

Leave me a comment or email me if you are having trouble finding the link.