Just a few days ago my daughter was trying to get my attention, and I heard, “Sunny! Juice!”

I had to conceal my surprised and amused dropped jaw.

I had never directly taught her my name. 

Later that day she said my husband’s name, “Jason,” nonchalantly when he came into the room.

We both had to laugh.

She repeats nearly every word we say throughout the day.

And even though we don’t swear, knowing she is such an imitator gives us pause when it comes to what we say and do.

For instance, I just melted last night when I carried out our nightly ritual of me reading her a bedtime story and offering her water in her sippy cup.

After taking a brief sip, she picked up her teddy bear in one arm, and with the other hand, she tookher sippy cup and earnestly tried to give the bear a drink.

I have never suggested or modeled this behavior toward her teddy bear, she was merely imitating the treatment she received.

I was happy to see her showing compassion to another – even if it was an inanimate object!

Just a big note to self: actions speak louder than words.  And children don’t care what you say as much as they care what you do.

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He is active,  fun-loving, innocent, young, and he’s dying of cancer.

Oliver Palmer hasn’t even lived a full decade, and yet he and his family embrace each day with a special passion, because they know they don’t have long.

December 23rd, 2009 the Palmer family found out Oliver had an inoperable form of brain cancer.

It’s a pediatric brain stem tumor called Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma or DIPG. The cancer cells have spread through his brain like pepper.

My family and I had the privilege of attending a fundraiser for Oliver recently, which raised money for a Palmer family trip to Disney World.

Here is adorable Oliver Palmer. He wears a patch over his eye to reduce dizziness and headaches from the double vision his brain stem tumor has caused.

And now there is a new wonderful opportunity to let Oliver know how much he is loved.

July 11th is Oliver’s 10th birthday, and an effort is underway to give him a “Card Shower” – tons and tons of birthday cards.

The address is:

Birthday Boy – Oliver Palmer

417 Oaklawn Ave.

Waterloo, Iowa 50701.

I look forward to participating in this, and I encourage you all too as well – whether you know him or not. Click here to view his blog.

And please offer a special prayer today for adorable Ollie and his strong family as they continue to walk through this difficult time.

Both his parents, Ed and Stacy say that they believe death is not the end.  They believe families are eternal and they will see their beloved son again.

I happen to agree with them.

God bless.

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It was a poignant experience, walking around the countless luminaries bearing names and pictures of cancer survivors and those who died of cancer.

I must admit, even though I ran a marathon in the name of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and even though my own mother died of leukemia, I have never attended a Relay for Life event until last week in Black Hawk County.

How inspiring it was to see family members of people who died – there were children, parents, siblings, spouses, all who have experienced unspeakable loss.

And then there was one woman who just started chemotherapy for breast cancer – that very morning. 

Somehow she found the energy to come out and walk in others’ memory and honor those with cancer.

And yet magically, the spirit of the event was hopeful, not morose.

Even though the theme was somber, there was a spirit of hope and unity at Relay for Life.

Children bounced in inflatable bounce-houses, a rock band played and people danced, and of course hundreds of people walked and walked.

There were life-sized mascots walking around, my daughter was delighted and wouldn’t leave them alone.

Felicity gives a hug to Quincy Koala of Cedar Valley Hospice at Relay for Life of Black Hawk County

One of her favorites was Quincy Koala from Cedar Valley Hospice.  She loved giving hugs and stickers, and fortunately evetyone was very patient.

Many of them walked through the night, I was not able to stay that long, but the fundraiser was a huge success, the organizers tell me.

My hat is off to all those who raised thousands of dollars for the American Cancer Society. And my heart goes out to all those who have lost a loved one or who currently battles the disease.

Peace and healing to you all.

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The first thing I say in every prayer is how grateful I am for my daughter.

Her expressions of amazement at the so-called “every day” things such as the birds flying by, or counting and collecting rocks and pine cones bring magic to my day.

I’ve heard enough parents express regret that they didn’t “enjoy the moment” when their child was young.

So I’m really trying to learn from them and stay present every day.

Caught up in the moment: counting rocks and watching birds with Daddy.

Earlier this week my husband and daughter were playing outside, counting rocks (one of her favorite things), and then she heard birds above and looked up.

I was thrilled I caught her expression of wonder, because it embodies her personality.

And now when I look back at it, I already feel a little misty.

A moment never to happen again – but I had the presence of mind to whip out the camera.

Thank goodness!!

How do you capture your family’s memorable moments?

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From woodland elfs to ladies in corsets and gowns, to full-on jousting.

My family took the opportunity to step back in time this past weekend at the Iowa Renaissance Festival.

It was so fun to enter the world of make-believe.

As you can see, some people take it seriously. 

I had to take a picture of my daughter and a recorder-playing elf (where did she get those awesome ears?).

Felicity discovers an elf at the Renaissance Festival. Where did she find those awesome ears?

Speaking of the elf picture, I have noticed a phenomenon I call “crazy eyes” – this is the byproduct of being excited about Felicity seeing something for the first time, or doing something cute, and then trying to make her smile for a picture and look at the camera.

My beloved mother, now that I think about it, had the same look when she encouraged me during a performance.

Look at the picture and you’ll see what I mean.  We moms will do anything for our children, won’t we?

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