Our Champion is Home!

We were able to bring our little Hero home on Tuesday, May 12th. What a wonderful day. We spent most of our time laying low and just enjoying out little Angels at home. It has been wonderful! Kate is very happy, and is getting plenty of stimulation! She is sleeping in her big girl bed and sleeping all night, except for the occasional glass of water. We are so proud of her! She is so happy and energetic, and such an inspiration to us. The two times that we left the hospital during her treatment, she was kind of a terror. It was understandable because she hadn't had any stimulation outside the hospital in months. She would flip out when we left the store, she wouldn't sit in the cart at the store, throw fits if we couldn't go outside... etc. Now, I think she understands that we're home for good! She is much more patient and understanding. She'll sit in the cart at the store, and wait until we're ready to go outside, etc. She is coming around and starting to realize that she'll have a lot of chances to do the things she wants. She is eating much better now than she was in the hospital! I can't wait for her to start putting on some weight!

Yesterday was the most incredible day ever. I truly don't think I have ever experienced anything that has touched me so deeply, or that I felt truly connected to. We went to the Celebration of Champions in Seaport Village. It was a huge Celebration with a "passing of the torch" for the kids, a carnival, lunch, and a lot of wonderful people. We brought an EZ-Up and set up a spot for any family & friends that came with us. At about 11:45 another Champion passed the torch to Katelyn in a relay sort of race... Katelyn held this torch, along with my and Todd's hands and walk/ran to the finish line! It was amazing! Katelyn was very shy in the beginning, holding the torch and looking down in embarassment as hundreds of people stood on the sidelines taking pictures, clapping, and chanting encouraging words & praises. By the end of the race, Katelyn was happy to run to the finish line with the torch in her hand and smile on her face! It was incredible. I have truly never felt anything so powerful. Before all the kids in treatment & off treatment did the relay race, the families of the children who have passed did a walk. Wow. I don't even know what to say. It was heartbreaking and inspiring to see these people there without their children. Heartbreaking because I can almost feel their pain when I think about being in their shoes, and inspiring because they find a way to live every day. I don't know how I could be as strong as they are. We knew multiple families that lost their child since Kate started treatment. They are the strongest people I have ever known, and I love each of them. Really, I don't know what to say... Each child walked with a sponsor and a celebrity. We were lucky enough to walk with Nick Hundley, from the Padres, during our relay! What a wonderful man! He was incredibly encouraging to Katelyn, and nice to each of us. He was wonderful. After the Celebration Todd & I took the girls home for a little break before we went to the Padre game! Bud Black donated 400 tickets to the Celebration for the Champions and their family. Before the game all the Champions went on the field for a little pre-game show. Todd took Katelyn out there while Kiera and I filmed from above the dugout. I look forward to putting all of these videos on disc for her to watch later in life. Although the last 7 months haven't been ideal, she has really experienced a lot of incredible things, and so have Todd and I.

I look forward to being apart of the Celebration of Champions and other events forever and ever. Although I never would have wished this upon my family, or any family, I want Katelyn to be apart of it forever and ever. This experience has changed us immensely, and I want Katelyn to know how important life is, and how important it is for her to be apart of these things. At only one year old she has inspired so many people and given strentgh to people who cant find it on their own. Imagine her story in 5, 10, 20 years. Imagine the strengh that she can give other children, and the hope that she can give to their parents. I am so proud of Katelyn, and I hope that one day she wants to help and inspire people all on her own. Maybe the reason God helped her through this is because he has big plans for her. Maybe those plans are to help kids and families that are dealing with childhood cancer. In time, we'll know.

It was wonderful to see all the kids and their families, as well as the nurses outside of the hospital. We have become good friends with a lot of families & I am so thankful to see most of them coming to the end and winning the battle with childhood cancer. We pray for each and every child every single night, and we'll never stop. Thank You all for your support during this time. Thank You for supporting Katelyn. I hope that we have made a positive impact on each of you, we couldn't be more grateful for the impact that each of you has had on us. Thank You, friends!

Love,
Krystal