Two Important Causes

Happy Friday, everyone.

I'm still sick over in my neck of the woods, but am optimistic that I'll be feeling good as gold by the end of the weekend!

I think one of the best things about having a blog is being able to share important information with a large population. And there are two causes/campaigns/things to be aware of that I want to share with you all:

1. LOVE HARDER Campaign

The Plea: Our friend Brandy is a brilliant writer, a wonderful teacher and a generous friend. And she is in love with a man who has just been diagnosed with multiple myeloma. We are raising money for the Multiple Myeloma Research Fund in his name. For the price of a cinnamon dolce latte, half-caf, hold the whip, you can be part of an effort to cure a disease that affects approximately 750,000 people worldwide.

Every dollar brings us a dollar closer to a cure. And every donation brings a sliver of hope to a girl who needs all the hope she can get.

The requests are simple:

• Give. Be part of a worldwide effort to cure a disease that affects approximately 750,000 people. Every dollar helps.
• Pass it on. Forward this story. Share this blog. Follow on Facebook.
• Love harder. Life is short, love is unbending and no one knows what could happen next. Tell someone you love them today.

http://www.loveharder.org/

Please click on the above link to read Brandy's original plea, to donate if you're so inclined and to learn more about where your donations to the Love Harder Campaign go.

And the 2nd cause that is very close to my heart:

2. TEAM JAKOB

As some of you may remember, my best friend's sister lost her newborn son, Jake, in December due to complications from undiagnosed Vasa Previa.

In his honor, Team Jakob has been created. By teaming up with the International Vasa Previa Foundation, Katie, Seth and family hope to spread the word about Vasa Previa, to help with fundraising and to remind us all that life can be short, so we should savor every moment.

http://www.teamjakob.com/

Please check out their website and continue to keep this family in your thoughts and prayers. And thank you from me for sticking with me through the many posts about Baby Jake and for your lovely words of inspiration.

It's amazing what can be accomplished when we work together.

Where did the time go?

I cannot believe another year has already flown by! 2009 was certainly a year of ups and downs, and I'm more than ready for a new year to begin. Its time for a fresh start, a new beginning and a clean slate...it's time for 2010!

I want to do a 2009 recap and initially considered going month-by-month, but I think it'll be easier to follow Classy in Philadelphia's lead and do more of a listing of the highs and lows of the year.

So, please come along with me as I share my year (in no particular order):

The Highs: My best friend, Jamie, moved back to Denver for a year-long position at The Denver Zoo (January); I officially ended a bad relationship with my less-than-stellar Ex, 2 months after the break-up (February); I visited my Baltimore Bestie, Corey, and her fiance, Matt, for the first time since their move in 2008 (April); My love for history and museums was nurtured with a trip to D.C. (April); I celebrated my one-year anniversary at my beloved job (December); I went to Virginia Beach with 3 wonderful friends (September); Family vacation to Mount Rushmore (May); I bought my first original piece of artwork (December); I celebrated my 23rd birthday with friends, family, dancing and happiness (June); Saw Wicked, and loved it (October); Played hookie in Vail for a day (September); Went hiking with Jamie (April); Lost weight and started living healthier (all year); Incredible visit from Corey and Matt (May); Dancing in Denver with Olivia and Jamie (March); Got a new car (January); Corey came out for a visit (August); Moved into my own apartment (July/August); Went to The Molly Brown House (November); Finally got rid of the Ex *fingers crossed* (December); Corey and Matt got engaged, and I was asked to be Corey's Maid of Honor (July); my parents provided unconditional love and support through everything (all year); Cirque du Soleil (August)...and sooo much more, I'm sure!

The Lows: My car was totaled in an accident (January); My friend Justin died suddenly of heart failure (July); One-year anniversary of the death of a good friend who was killed by a drunk driver (July); Extensive hail damage to my poor car (July); My grandfather passed away (September); Baby Jake died (December); I was unable to attend my grandfather's funeral and am still bothered by this (October); The Ex proved just what kind of person he truly is and refused to pay the $400 in back rent he owes me (April-July); My grandmother was diagnosed with a brain tumor, and while it was successfully operated on, still greatly changed her life (November); Great-Aunt Dode passed away (December)...

The highs of 2009 certainly seem to outnumber the lows, but the lows this year were pretty intense. There was a lot of death, which is always heartbreaking, but I certainly think makes a person stronger. And, the numerous battles with the Ex, while being redundant and frustrating taught me a lot about myself and really showed me exactly what I will not stand for in a guy. To say that my standards have been raised is certainly an understatement. I found myself this year more than in any previous year, and for that I will always be grateful! Even though 2009 has not been one of my favorite years, it was a year of growth. I know just how much I've changed in the past year, and I know that it's been noticeable to my friends and family. I do not regret a single choice that I made in 2009, and to me that means it was a successful year. Nonetheless, I am very excited to see what 2010 has in store for me!

I hope everyone has a very Happy New Year and a safe and fun New Year's Eve!!

This weekend was...

...very low-key. I'm battling one of my infamous sinus infections and actually ended up staying home from work on Friday. I'm glad I did, because not only did my whole head hurt from sinus pressure, but it was an emotionally trying day. As you can see from my last post, Baby Jake passed away late Friday afternoon. An EEG found that Jake didn't have enough brain activity to survive, so the family gathered together, supported one another, took turns getting to hold this precious child and then let him go. There is no doubt in my mind that he is the family's own personal angel in Heaven, watching over them for the remainder of their lives. It was so much better to be able to cry on the phone with my mom in the comfort of my own home, rather than hiding in the break room at work. It would've just been too much for me to take.

The rest of the weekend consisted of relaxing and marking things off of my to-do list, such as starting to wrap Christmas presents, washing multiple loads of laundry, sending out sympathy cards, etc. We're in the middle of another winter storm here in Northern Colorado, so along with snow (started Saturday night and still hasn't stopped) came bitter cold temperatures. I had almost forgotten what it's like to step outside and feel your nose hairs start to freeze! Brrr! Obviously, avoiding having to go outside played a major role in the weekend as well.

I helped my Mom decorate the Christmas tree at my parents' house and gathered up all of my own decorations from the basement. I haven't tackled my decorating yet, but at least I have everything readily available now! As always, my parents' tree looks classy and gorgeous. My mother has quite the knack for decorating her Christmas tree and I have to admit I'm envious. I've picked up a few skills here and there and I really think my tree looks lovely and fun (it's a silver tree) every year, but it never quite compares to my Mom's...and, let's be honest, probably never will.

I think the highlight of this weekend came on Saturday evening. I'd been out running errands, still wasn't feel well at all, had a heavy heart over Jake and just needed some Erin time, which means: Barnes & Noble. B&N is my safe haven! This is where I go when I just need to lose myself a little. I always feel comforted by all of the books and conversations going on around me; there's a warmth to that store that I rarely find other than at my parents' house or in my own apartment. So, I bought a cup of extra hot coffee, picked a copy of Bright Star off of the shelf, settled into one of the comfy arm chairs and just indulged in some Me Time. It was wonderful. I was curled up in the chair long enough to read the entire book (a little over an hour), savor my coffee and get a few chuckles out of the conversations going on around me. By the time I vacated the arm chair, I was feeling much better and had a smile on my face. My throat and sinuses still hurt and my heart was still broken over Jake, but my soul felt refreshed.

Baby Jake has passed away.

Please take a moment to say a prayer for Jakob Locke Talus, Heaven's newest little angel.

Also, please say one for his family, who will need all of the love, strength and support we can give them during this unimaginable time.

Helpless

(Baby Jake)

I feel so helpless. I can bow my head and pray for Jake. I can think every single postivie thought that comes to mind. I can send my love and support. I can make Jamie laugh with little text messages because I know she needs to smile. I can talk with Mama A and get updates. I can post for prayers on Facebook and here.

...but I can't be there. I can't give my best friend a hug. I can't tell her that my shoulder is hers whenever she needs it. I can't send encouragement and strength through a smile to Mama and Papa A or Katie and her husband. I can't even keep the dogs out of trouble at Jamie's parents' house. I can't do anything that feels even remotely useful.

I know this has a touch of pity party to it, but I'm angry and frustrated that this is happening to such a wonderful family. I'm a strong woman and I am surprisingly good at handling stressful situations...until I'm alone and my walls break down. Well, here I am alone in my apartment looking at pictures of baby Jake and I've never felt so incredibly helpless in my entire life. I hate it; I hate this situation; and I hate that the people I love as much as my own blood family are in so much pain right now.

I just needed to get the words out of my head...

Thank You and an Update

I just want to say a huge thank you, not only from me, but also from Jamie and her entire family for everyone's continued positive thoughts and prayers for baby Jake. It means the world to them!

I don't have too much information yet this morning, but I can tell you that as of last night Jake's pH and CO2 levels were improving, but there is still a lot of concern as to the functioning of his brain and major organs. He is currently on a cold pad in order to keep his temperature down to 85 degrees in the hopes of preventing any further damage to his little body. After he's been on the cold pad for 72 hours, neurologists will run a full MRI to help determine what kind of, and how much, damage Jake has. We're all continuing to throw our miracle cards into the mix and praying that the little guy keeps fighting!

Please Continue Praying

Update:

The prognosis for Baby Jake is not good. Due to the lack of a main blood supply and oxygen when the umbilical cord was severed, neurologists are pessimistic about Jake's brain and organ functioning. The family will know more once a full MRI has been completed, but it truly looks like a miracle is needed. Please, please, please keep Jake and the family in your thoughts and prayers.

Everyone's hearts are breaking right now...