CMN Event Begins

Today was a great day. With Champions arriving all day long, we met several wonderful children with amazing stories - Nolan from Maine, Kace from Alabama, Kaitlin from New Jersey, and Zachary from Montana to name just a few. These little troopers are all smiles and joyful spirits and we are blessed to be in their company.

After connecting with CMN officials to say hello and receive our "assignments", we spent a couple of hours with the girls at the pool. They love the water - mostly jumping in to Mommy ("Face out, please"!!) and having me shepherd them around the pool and back to the steps or the side. Kayla is really ready to be swimming on her own, but isn't quite confident enough without her armbands which Mommy forgot. She keeps asking where we might be able to get some more - she is just so anxious to stretch out on her own. That's our independent spirited Kayla.

After swimming, we had the pleasure of being asked to speak to the group from Walmart and Sam's Club. We understand we were among the Associates who were the highest fundraisers for the CMN. We also learned that Walmart has had a 22 year relationship with CMN which is truly awesome!! We hope our story meant something to them as we sure know their efforts have meant to us and to so many more families. The group was definitely amused at how we chose to honor the place where it all began through Kayla's middle name - Samantha!!....It was great to be able to say Thank You.

Susan Reynolds, the newly-retired Executive Director of CMN at Arnot Ogden Medical Center (our local CMN hospital) also arrived today. She joined us on a walk/exploration of the parts of the complex we had not yet visited, including the bigger pool with waterslide and wonderful play area, which of course meant lots of stops and starts. It is always great to be with Susan. She has one of the biggest hearts of anyone I know. I have often seen her get moved to tears when speaking of the children and their journeys, including ours, and I know she loves us all; these years of service to AOMC and CMN have been a true labor of love for her. From the time she approached us in 2004 to be the Miracle Family for the local CMN to now she has certainly inspired us to want to do more. She is also the reason our story was submitted to the National CMN and, thus, she is the reason we are here having this fantastic experience. Susan - if you read this - thank you for all you do from the bottom of our hearts.

That's about it for today. Our tired but happy little ones fell asleep again tonight as soon as their heads hit the pillow and hopefully are dreaming of the Disney characters and other special children we hope to meet at tomorrow's CMN breakfast!!