Camp Sunshine Week for DBA

Mia and I got the chance to fly to Camp Sunshine at Lake Sebago, Maine for a week.

We went to a Diamond Blackfan Anemia camp/conference for parents...where she got to meet

other kids just like her. Kids that don't make any red blood cells.

We started our trip at the airport at 4:30 am...of course we had to get a Starbucks!

A little Justin Bieber always helps...



We made it to camp just in time for dinner...

Then we were off to look around the camp...and to take a bunch of random photos.



Our favorite part was definitely the lake...

Mia with her favortie counselor: Rebecca!

Mia drank tons of chocolate milk in these cups...at every meal :)



She really enjoyed the food...and all the special treats they served.

Speaking of serving...we had the BEST driver (Robert) pick us up at the airport.

People actually took a week off from their summer to SERVE us.

There were adults and teens over 16 years old. They absolutley amazed me!



The dance...all the kids dressed up for a fun night of dancing to some awesome tunes!

One of Mia's favorite parts of the trip...dancing with the volunteers :)

Mia & I having fun.

Whew...tired after all the dancing!



Best part - the lake!

For our family fun time (of just Mia & I) we stayed at the lake for 4 hours.

It was so much fun.



We paddled around a tiny island...

I watched Mia jump in...lots of times!

On of my favorite parts...Mia met Hayleigh...she's a year older than Mia,

and they played the whole time! Thank you God for this.

I wanted Mia to meet another girl who has DBA just like Mia.



It was fun to watch them play together...

Mia really wanted me to 'get int he lake.' ugh...

Do I have to get my hair wet??

Yes, she said!!

I eventually had to jump in...



The different doors...



Off to the camp sleepover in the huts...

(But she came back to the room after the movie.)



These are the faces of DBA - in one spot.

May God Bless each and everyone...

Mia catching bugs with Kendra...

Kendra gives me Hope...

She is my age with DBA, and if Mia continues to TAKE HER MEDICINE,

without ever skipping once...

I pray that she will live & be happy just like Kendra.

We love you Kendra...thank you for being you!!

The kids made little wish boats...with a candle, and they made a wish and launched

their boats into a pond. It was very cute.

Mia and Hayleigh caught frogs too...lol.

Playing music for the parents...

Saying good-bye to Rebecca...thanks for saying hi to us the first night!

You helped me to feel comfortable at camp right away!

I thank God for your time that you volunteered...

Some AMAZING families...

The Rose's (from Georgia) Irelynn has DBA & The Nape's ( from Arizona) Dylan DBA

I love them all so much. They made the trip great for me since Matt couldn't be there.

I knew the Nape's from Hopekids...

And I am SO thankful to have met the Rose's, thank you Lord!!

The Mond family - first time parents with Gil who has DBA. He's precious!

Let me tell you, if you need the ice broken in a room, they will do it!

They were so great...

I also loved meeting Brandi and Hayleigh...they are so fun!

Every time Mia says...'Hayleigh'...it's with a Georgia accent.

Mia misses 'Hayleigh' and hopes to see her again SOON.

Mia and Irelynn - walking to the lake on our last day.

Just a shout out to GOD for making this trip happen for us.

Thank you Camp Sunshine, so much! We appreciate everything...and for having us for a week!

Meeting other families was the best thing for both Mia and I.

We are not alone in this...

The Grand Canyon & Slide Rock

Over the weekend, we took a family trip ( - Ashley but + my mom) to a mini vacation around Arizona. We wanted to do something fun for the family and (for my mom's birthday present.) We've lived here for 15 years and had never seen the Grand Canyon...it was time!

This was our first glimpse...it's breath taking. There are no words to desribe it. You truly have to see it with your own eyes.

Of course I had to get tons of photos...

The first thing we did was catch the bus to Bright Angel trail...we hiked down just a bit, to get the feel. It was too hot (& scary!) for Mia, plus the poor girl has tonsilitis...so she sat with my mom and watched us walk farther down the trail.

Matt, Alyssa, & Madi are quite the adventurers. I hoped Madison knew that if you go down...you have to come back up. It's much harder!

It's a LONG ways down...

What a trooper Madi is...she did great on our little hike.

We caught another bus to a different look out...

Time for water and a snack, in the shade.  This is where we lost Matt. He went walking to the next stop, while we caught a bus back to the Visitors Center. A much needed break for these tired girls.

Then we walked to Mather Point...this was a really good view. Actually, everywhere is an amazing view.

There were lots of people...from all over the world!

We finally found Matt after a few hours...and a 4.5 mile hike later. Whew he was tired. But he said it was well worth it! We took the bus to the Geology Museum and it had a fantastic lookout...where you could use binoculars.

I LOVE this photo...it's just precious. Taking a break to take in the scenery.

Who had fun?! We did! We are so thankful to have had this time to see the Grand Canyon! We loved it. Matt and I hope to go back (without kids :) and hike to the bottom. We'll see...

Alyssa & Matt quickly went back to get one more look and a quick pic. I hope to go back soon! If you have never been, I highly recommend it!! 

_______________________________________

SLIDE ROCK

_______________________________

Our next little adventure was to see Slide Rock, in Oak Creek Canyon just outside of Sedona. The park is named after the famous Slide Rock, a stretch of slippery creek bottom where you can slide down a slick natural water chute. It's a pretty popular place, plus the scenery is amazing!

The kids (yes, including Matt) loved it! Despite the water being chilly, they were in there the whole time, while my mom and I sat in the shade.

Madison just loved it...she was so brave. I can't believe she went in like she did. This is one of my favorite photos of her just sliding down the natural slide.

Alyssa is definitely adventerous. (Note to self :) She really enjoyed everything...she was SO cold when she got out but she didn't mind at all.

Mia loved it too, but the mom in me (with her tonsilitis) said that she needed to rest. Sorry Mia.

Matt and Alyssa wanted to try jumping of the rock. Matt is on the right in the white shorts, Alyssa in the blue shirt. As Matt said, you only live once...we gotta do it! Madison wanted to do it...but the mom in me said no, maybe next time. It's deep.

They did it! Way to go guys...

Brrrr! But fun.

______________________________________________

We had the best time...what a fun trip! If you've never been to either of these places, you must go and see for yourself. It sure makes you feel small seeing all the wonderful things God has created in this world. He makes the most beautiful things!

_____________________________________________

We had lunch in Sedona and ice cream to follow...then we were on our way home. I can't wait for our next Arizona adventure.