She

With the overwhelming support we have received over the past few weeks, I felt compelled to tell you more about the person you are supporting.

The person you are giving hope.

Her full name is Yolanda Lynn Lopez but we lovingly call her Yolie.
She was born on November 26th.
She is the 4th of five siblings.
At age 6, she was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes.
She is a woman of faith.
She is a dedicated Wife and Mommy to three.  
She is smart and funny as hell.
Her favorite season is fall.
Naturally, her favorite colors are brown, orange and green.
She has a great smile and an even better laugh.
She is a natural in the kitchen.
She loves to belt out her favorite country songs.
She is a fan of Carrie Underwood.
Her favorite pastime is hanging out at home with her husband and three children.
She is a fan of rocky road ice cream.
She is incredibly thoughtful, has a way with words and completely unaware of both.
Her favorite show is Modern Family.
She wears her heart on her sleeve and she loves wholeheartedly.
In 2013, she graduated with an AOS degree at the top of her class.
Did I mention she accomplished this while battling breast cancer the first time?

She is a light in the life of many.
She is a fighter and a lover of life.

And as her big sister, I couldn't be prouder.
Thank you for your unwavering love and support.

Click here to read more about her battle with breast cancer.
Click here to make a life saving gift.

XoXo,
Missy

One Step at a Time

How do you put a price tag on someone's life?

I've been thinking about this question a lot lately. Who am I kidding...I think about it every single minute of the day.

Before my sister was diagnosed with breast cancer three years ago, I didn't realize how often families were put in this unspeakable situation. According to The American Cancer Society, 20% of people with health insurance can't afford to have the cancer therapy they need to save their lives.

Can you imagine checking-in for treatment and being told that you have to pay $12,000.00 up front for the next series of chemo treatments?

I keep picturing my sister standing there with tears in her eyes. She manages to keep her composure but it wavers as soon as she gets out the words, "I don't have $12,000.00." Thankfully, they offered (this time) to put her on a payment plan but we worry what will happen next time and quite honestly, this is just the tip of the iceberg.

It's bad enough she has to endure these horrible treatments that literally suck the life out of her but to have to figure out how to pay for them, too. She has enough to worry about: She has two teenage children who are trying to cope the best they can while also trying to find their way in this great big world, a four year old daughter who is questioning God's existence because he hasn't answered her nightly prayers to heal her of cancer and on top of all that, she has rent, utilities, car payments and car insurance not to mention daily expenses like food and gas.

Her disability benefits have run out and yesterday she found out she doesn't qualify for SSI so it is only a matter of time before they lose their apartment. The place she and her family have called home for the past five years. Moving is stressful for most healthy people. She has to do it while also enduring chemo treatments.

It just doesn't seem fair. It seems mean and cruel. And as her older sister, I just want to take care of it. All of it but I can't. I can't do it all. but I can make a difference, no matter how small.

One step at a time.

Sleep is a distant memory because I have so many things to do, people to talk to, grants and loans to find and research and money to raise. Some how. Some way. I've raised money and awareness for many causes in my lifetime. Now it's time to put my experience to work for my Sister.

Someone I can't imagine my life without.

This is where you come in. If you have the financial resources to help, please do and know that your gift is truly making all the difference in the world. If you don't have the financial resources, please don't feel bad. My intent is never to make anyone feel guilty for not making a donation. I know times are tough. Instead, please consider helping me raise money by spreading the word. Simply share the link to this blog post or the direct link to her Fund Me account via your Facebook account. You can also lead a fundraising effort or support one of mine. {More info to come} You can sign-up to provide her and her family with a home-cooked meal via Meal Train, send uplifting cards or simply keep her and her family in your prayers.

As a family and as believers in Jesus Christ, it feels like we are being given the ultimate test...in every sense of the word. I am motivated to keep her on this earth for selfish reasons. Because I'm not ready to say goodbye and because I want my son, her godson to grow up with her strong and loving presence in his life. I want her to be there when he graduates middle school, high school and college and I want her to be there to witness him say the words, "I do" and for the birth of his babies.

But most of all, I am motivated to continue fighting because she has her own children to continue raising. Her youngest is five so she has many more boo-boo's to kiss and books to read, questions to answer and milestones to treasure. That is motivation enough and thankfully for all of you - my husband and my son, my immediate and extended family, friends and co-workers - you sustain me and keep me sane. Thank you for your love and friendship.

I am so very blessed and together, I am confident that we can make a difference. We may be small but we are mighty in our #fightforyolie

Xoxo,
Missy

Fighting for Yolie

Last Spring we received some pretty heartbreaking news: My younger sister who battled breast cancer two years ago found another tumor and was diagnosed with Stage 3 Triple Negative Metastatic Breast Cancer. A few weeks later she had a radical mastectomy and endured six months of chemotherapy.

At the end of her chemotherapy, she had surgery to have what was left of the tumor removed. The doctor was skeptical but thankfully, we received good news when she walked into the waiting room saying, "I got it all." She was finally cancer free. It was an emotional day for all of us but most of all, for her.

We celebrated with a small cake and some balloons but the celebration was short lived because within just a few weeks they found another tumor. It's difficult to put into words what goes through your mind when you're watching your loved one go through so much physical pain and emotional turmoil.

I try to focus on her eyes.
I smile a lot and hold her hand.
I make silly jokes and talk about the weather.

But sometimes my nervousness gets the best of me and I say really, really dumb things.Thankfully, she will usually wave it off and promptly change the subject.

As her older sister, I feel completely and utterly helpless. Sometimes I want to cry and other times I want to scream but the thought that always enters my mind in the midst of an emotional breakdown is what she must be going through. I can't even imagine.

In between the pain, I do see glimmers of joy in her face. Like when she is around her kids, when her favorite show is on or when I tell her my latest Mommy mishap. I love those moments. And she is a believer in God so I'm sure her faith is of great comfort to her. I know I would be absolutely lost without him.

Currently, she is getting ready to start six more months of chemo and then we are hoping radiation treatments will eliminate what is left of the tumor because surgery is not an option. We are also very lucky to have so much love and support from family and friends.

They say it takes a village to raise a child. Well, I think the same idea applies here too. We have an amazing village. One that rises to the occasion without a second thought. Thank you, all of you for your love, your encouraging words and for continuing to pray for Yolie and her family. We appreciate it more than I could ever fully express.

Enjoy the Day!
Missy

To help my sister with medical and living expenses, please click here

Jake's 3rd Birthday

WOW!
That would be one way to describe how I feel when I say out loud, "He's 3." I still can't believe it. I also can't believe that I didn't post anything about his party so I'm just going to keep reminding myself, "better late than never."

We celebrated Jake's birthday on Saturday, October 18th at the Chino Children's Museum, which is basically a pretend city for toddlers complete with buildings, doors and activities perfect for their size and age. The theme was Spider Man and lucky for me, Dollar Tree had tons of Spider Man stuff that worked perfectly for the goody bags. Each child received a mini puzzle, a coloring book, crayons, snacks and candy - all in Spider Man packaging.

We ordered the food through a local Italian restaurant so the menu included pizza for the kids and salad, pasta and bread sticks for the adults. Once again, we ordered the cake from our favorite go-to person who hit it out of the park with her cake decorating skills.

Jake was so excited when we walked into the building. He kept saying, "I'm so happy," which of course made me melt every time he said it. If I could change one thing, it would have just been more time in the party room because the two hours that we were given went by in what seemed like light speed but I loved that I could relax and really enjoy the party. A big indicator of that was I was able to sit down and eat. That's never happens. Ever.

I was really able to soak in every bit of goodness going on around me; the laughs, the smiles and the conversations. When we sang him happy birthday, he sang right along with us with a huge smile on his face.

I found myself reminiscing over the course of the party - thinking about the milestones he's had over the last three years. He's growing up so fast and although we have our off days, we also have so much fun. This can be a difficult age but it is also so great to be able to have a conversation with him - to be able to sing along to his favorite songs and discover new things together.

He makes me laugh and he has such a big heart. What can I say...I'm a lucky Mommy!

At age 3, Jake is a fan of:

Macaroni and Cheese
Turkey Sandwiches
Milk
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
Finding Nemo
Spiderman
Trains
Singing
Dancing

Jake's 2nd Birthday

On Saturday, November 2nd, Jake's 2nd birthday was held in our back yard and once again, we were blessed with amazing weather. We invited immediate family and Jake's friends {and their parents, of course} We chose Elmo and trains for the theme and for food, the kids enjoyed pizza and gold fish crackers while the adults enjoyed all-you-can-eat tacos with the usual side dishes.

This year we decided to hire some entertainment for the kids so we went with a clown who later in the party would magically turn into the big guy himself - Elmo. If I had to pick one moment that would be the highlight of the party, this would be it: When Jake saw Elmo walk into the backyard. His whole face lit up....then he went in for a great big hug. {and then my heart leaped for joy} I'll never forget his face. Or that moment.

Prior to Elmo showing up for the party, The Clown played a few musical based games but the biggest hit was a parachute activity where all the kids hold on to a piece of a parachute and then lift it up and then bring it down....and then lift it up and bring it down. Sounds pretty boring, right? But they loved it. Especially the part where the parents lifted up the parachute so they could play under it. They were running around in a circle and laughing.

I can remember taking a moment to stop and really take it all in - all our loved ones watching the festivities from their tables and the kids - their happy faces. Lots of laughing. Cameras flashing.

 I felt so blessed. And happy.

The food was great {probably more so because I didn't have to prepare, cook and serve it} and everyone seemed to have a really good time. Naturally, Jacob received several train and Elmo themed gifts - including a train table set from his Godparents and an Elmo themed train set from his Nina Yolie. Cake time zoomed by so I didn't get many pictures but Jacob enjoyed every last bite of his cake. {You all know the boy loves cake} 

All in all, it was a really good day that was topped off with a tall glass of sangria for myself and some of our favorite people, talking and laughing until the sun set.

 

Jacob's Baptism - The Details

Jake's baptism was one of my favorite events to plan to date. Of course I enjoyed the creative aspect of the planning process - I always do. But I also thoroughly enjoyed being able to spend unlimited amounts of time with Jacob's godmothers: my sister, Yolanda and Leo's sister, Maria.

We had SO much fun.

In short, We shopped. We dipped. We carefully crafted and we shared lots and lots of laughs.

All of the elements that we used for the reception were found via my favorite websites for inspiration: Pinterest and Etsy. If you are a Mom and you're not already using these website, I highly recommend both.

 I also have a party-planning secret weapon: I have a friend who is a very talented graphic design artist - Debbie of Dagal Creative. I absolutely LOVE working with her because she always manages to see my vision even before I have it completely figured out. She did everything - the invites, the prayer cards, the favor tags the thank you cards.

My process goes a little something like this: I find something I like on Pinterest or Etsy, I email the picture or the link to the picture to Debbie and she modifies it based on my theme. For instance, I found "My Wishes for You" cards via Etsy and she modified the text to make them more baptism appropriate by changing it to "My Prayers for You."

 I can't tell you how much we both enjoyed reading each and every one at the end of the day. There were SO many great comments - here are just a few: 

I pray you get to....have one great love

I pray you never forget...to call your Mom

I pray you are never afraid of...what you don't understand

I pray you become...a friend to Joaquin

I pray you become...Captain America

I pray you get to...be successful and follow God's way

I pray you learn...about the stars

I pray you laugh...every day

For favors, we decided on white chocolate dipped Oreo cookies so Debbie created a favor tag based on another sample I found via Pinterest. They of course matched the color theme perfectly.

One of my very favorite elements that we incorporated was a fingerprint tree - you may have seen this done at weddings or bridal showers. I saw it on Pinterest and immediately fell in love with the idea. The concept is simple - guests add their fingerprint to the tree and write their name above it to serve as a record of their presence.

I plan to frame it and hang it proudly on our wall and then one day, when Jacob has a family of his own, my hope is that he will hang it proudly on his wall. I knew I wanted to somehow honor our family members in heaven so I was able to accomplish this by adding their names - the color of the flower represents that of their birthstone.

For the centerpieces, I wanted something bright and cheery but also inexpensive. I asked a local pizza restaurant if I could take their empty cans of tomato sauce off their hands and they happily obliged.
My go-to florist also happens to be a great friend of mine from High School - Ricardo and his wife, Erin have a very successful floral business called Irises Floral Designs.

They spray painted the cans, added a thick chocolate brown ribbon around the middle and then added a favor tag to tie everything together. We skipped flowers and went with simple bunches of babies breath.

They were absolutely perfect.

The last element was the cake. Again, I found the initial design via Pinterest but I modified it by adding a cross and as funny as it may sound, a pair of converse tennis shoes. Ever since Jacob was a baby, he's mostly worn converse so I thought it would be fitting. We ordered the cake from the same person who did his first birthday cake - Susie from Havana Taste. The bottom layer was chocolate cake with cookies and cream filling and the top layer was blueberry cake with lemon curd filling - delish!

Finally, it was important to both of us to have lots of great pictures so that one day when Jacob is old enough to grasp the concept of baptism, we will be able to give him a clear picture of what the day was like. I didn't want to worry about not having enough or worse, having pictures that were blurry or too dark. We decided to ask my friend Sheila who used to work with me at La Verne. She is now a graduate but she loves photography and when I asked her, she happily obliged. She did such a great job - we couldn't have asked for more.

The day was by no means perfect. There were family members who were unable to attend and other loved ones who we would have loved to invite but for financial reasons, were unable to. And because Jacob missed his morning and afternoon naps, he was fussy at times. But still all in all, we were very happy.
Happy for him and happy for us.

We can't thank Jacob's godparents enough for their generous contributions and none of the beautiful details would have been possible had it not been for our amazing friends - my party planning secret weapons: Debbie, Ricardo and Erin. We are also eternally gratful to Sheila for capturing it all so perfectly.

We are truly blessed.

Enjoy the day!
Malissa

Holding On

For weeks now, I've had an old pair of Jake's shoes sitting on my bathroom counter. His second pair of Converse tennis shoes. Black with Velcro straps. They don't fit him anymore. Every weekend I glance over at them and wonder if this is the day that I will be ready to let go of them and the answer is always the same.

Not yet. 

I also have an extra-large bin of onesies, pajamas, socks, bibs, mittens and other baby things that is overflowing and if I am really being honest (gulp), I have more piled up in our guest bathroom...in the shower.

Thank goodness for shower curtains.

The shoes are not in the best shape so I wouldn't feel comfortable donating them or giving them to a friend but everything else is in great condition - some barely used even. These things could really help someone in need but I am having a really difficult time with letting them go.

I could state the obvious and say that it's because they belonged to my first born - our miracle baby boy. But it's more than that. So much more. Even though I would like to be able to say that I am perfectly happy with Jacob, part of me is secretly hoping that we will be blessed with one more. 

The other day I came across an article about a well-known actress who tried IVF thirteen times over a decade. She eventually got her happy ending by adopting a little girl in Foster Care - bless her heart. I also know many bloggers turned friends who have gone through similar trials and tribulations and they are still waiting patiently for their happy endings.

Knowing that there are women out there who are suffering through infertility makes me feel as though I am being ungrateful and selfish. How could I possibly ask for more? But then I have to remind myself that it IS perfectly normal for me to want a second child. Of course, I am cautiously optimistic and although Leo would never say it out loud, I can sense that he is too. It comes with the territory, I guess.

The subject of adoption through the Foster Care system has definitely come up but we haven't made any definite decisions. Right now we are just enjoying this season in our lives and soaking up every single moment we have with Jacob.

I just pray that whatever is meant to be will be. Until then, I am allowing myself to hold on to his things - even his old converse tennis shoes that are sitting on my bathroom counter because well, I'm just not ready to let go. Not yet anyway.

Enjoy the Day!
Missy