Hey Guys!

Just a quick briefing on what we are trying to do this year:

Raise money to share loveys!

Last year was a huge success! We were able to buy enough loveys- sporting equipment- and even stuff for the NICU babies! Enough for each patient and then extras!!! This year we are aiming to spread the love even more, to raise enough to donate to Denver Children’s Hospital too!!

Okay, so, here’s our story:

Our son, Carlos was born 13June2018. A happy, healthy bouncing baby boy! Less than 5 months later, in November, that all changed. We almost lost him. By God’s grace and a bit of luck, I was playing with him one day and something didn’t seem quite right with my boy. A vacancy in his eyes and an overall change to his joy. After a couple attempts to bring back his “glow” at home, I took him to the hospital.

After a couple of misdiagnoses and some rough hours of waiting and watching, the doctors figured things out. They called it… Type 1 Diabetes … Needless to say, this was rough for all of us, but most of all on Carlos. In his short months on this earth, his future had been rewritten. Everything had changed.

We spent almost 10 days at Children’s Hospital in Aurora. We were released, blessedly, on Thanksgiving. We worked with some of the most amazing doctors and nurses, ones that still, to this day, have an invested interest in Carlos’ future and seeing him succeed. We are truly blessed.

While we were in the PICU, a little girl, no older than Carlos is today, was pulling a red wagon. With her father this young lady was walking through the halls of the PICU, pulling a wagon pilled high with handmade blankets… she poked her little head in our room, and with the sweetest voice asked if Carlos could have a blanket she made. Her dad explained that when she was small, she was at that very PICU for several days. The Drs and Nurses there had saved her life, and she wanted to give these kids something to help them smile. This is something that truly touched us and will stay with us forever.

In our hours of coming to terms with what was happening, we saw the most beautiful ray of light and kindness. So, we thanked her and her dad, picked a blanket and watched as she went from room to room until that little red wagon was empty. She beamed with pride, and in a big way, helped us over the initial hurdles of such a complicated situation.

Today, it is our goal to build upon this kindness to help others in their moments of grief and sadness. We hope to share some joy and love, even if for a moment. Last year, we were able to gather about 50 loveys/stuffed animals to donate. As with last year, in true Carlos style, he wants to go bigger!

Odds are you know Carlos, and if you don’t, well, he’s a real fighter. He’s got a good heart and he is very smart. He loves everything from Godzilla and Predator to Hot Wheels and Fighter Jets with everything mixed in between. He finds joy in riding his bike, driving his jeep and going to all the “boy extremes” that make a mothers hair go gray a little early. He won’t let T1D keep him from karate or trying out “ninja warrior” tricks on his trampoline. He also has, what we call “fire” in his blood. Its this “fire” that we thank everyday for helping him fight and thrive.

As with most kids, gratitude can be a difficult concept. When we started this idea to donate to Children’s Hospital, it was and is a way to emphasize “Gratitude over Attitude”. Carlos is a very gracious and grateful kiddo; this is our way of helping him maintain those qualities. Also, a way to help bring a little light to some of the scarier moments a family can endure. This year he is excited to “buy even more” and cannot wait to “fill momma’s van” .

It’s those little moments, in darkness, where such kindness makes a real mark. For us, that small blanket, that sweet girl, and her red wagon… they will forever be with us.