Car Update

We have a happy ending!  My car was recovered, and in one piece!  The thief (thieves) took it for over a 150 mile joyride, then ditched it in a residential neighborhood less than a mile from where they stole it.  They left the car mostly unharmed.  There was a plastic piece that holds the driver's side visor that was broken off, and the cubby on the driver's side door popped out--I don't know if that had anything to do with them breaking into the car.  Other than that, the car seemed the same.  They stole J's Bluetooth wireless speaker and a few cd's, although they left the majority of cd's behind.  They definitely rifled through everything looking for cash or something of value, but luckily, we don't keep valuables in the car for that very reason. 

He/She/They left only one clue other than garbage as to who he/she/they were.  A yellow sticky note pad with some writing on it that the police confiscated (after verifying it wasn't ours).

We honestly hadn't expected the car to be recovered, and figured that if it was recovered that it would be in pieces, so imagine our shock when we received the call that not only was our car found, but it was in driving condition!

We got the car back late at night and debated what to do with it.  Three cars! Just before our nurse left in the morning, he expressed interest in buying the car.  Then not even two hours later, one of our neighbors who knew the situation, wanted to know if we were selling the car.  Their oldest just graduated high school and needed a car for college.  Her current car is a gas guzzler.  They came over later and took the car out for a test drive and definitely wanted the car, so they bought the car then and there.

So less than 24 hours after I got my car back, I let her go again, but at least I know that she's gone to a good home and will be cared for. 

For the Love of a Car

My grandpa made this for my scrapbook

April 2004 I bought my little 1999 Honda Civic.  It was the first car I bought myself; my second car ever.  I loved that car and it took me to and from California more times than I can count.

With a growing family, a two-door car just wasn't practical.  It was a pain to get car seats in and out, but it worked for J's commute to and from work. When we went out as a family, we used our other car.  The outside was showing it's age, and it probably only had a few years left, having over 250,000 miles on it, but we had plans to hold on to it until we could get our SUV paid off, then trade it in for a newer car.

However, someone had other plans.  It was stolen.  12 years.  I had that car for 12 years and it was taken from me.  It had a full tank of gas, newer tires, recent oil change, and it had just been registered for the year.  The kicker--a few years ago we took off comprehensive coverage and went to liability only for car insurance--all to save money.  I mean, the car was old, but it was my car and I loved it.

I'm not a car person--I could care less about tires and engines and body, and whatever else.  I have no interest in any of that.  I know how to check fluids and change a tire, beyond that, I don't care.  But it was my car, and someone took it.  Just took it.

There was nothing of monetary value in the car.  A phone charger.  A blue tooth speaker.  About 30 of my favorite CD's, old--late '90's to early 2000's, many of them mixes.  Not worth much, but precious to me.  A picture of Kai and Zuri when they were younger.  A tennis racket.  All out of sight except the phone charger and speaker.

J's work is about 20 miles from our house, and he often uses his car during work hours for work related reasons, so he needs a vehicle.  I have appointments for Kai, carpool and extracurricular activities for Zuri, as well as errands like grocery shopping, so I also need a vehicle.

One car down leaves us with having to go out and buy another car, which was definitely not in our budget.  We have been doing some remolding to our home--and now that has been put on hold in the middle of the project.  Hopefully just temporarily.

The silver lining?  Well, we got a new car!  We really didn't have much time to look and our specifications were pretty specific, but we found a car that we love.  Although J is going to primarily be the one driving, it has the ability to hold all three car seats/booster seats for the kids.  Not enough room for the wheelchair though.  It has theft protection not only in the car, but through our warranty, because unfortunately, we have learned that crap happens.

No One Rides Alone

Pony Express Events
Mascot Miracles Exceptional Stick Horse Rodeo
"No One Rides Alone"

 The day has come!  Rodeo time!  I love the theme: No one rides alone. It is applicable to life in general, but even more to our little hero! To give a little background, we are part of the Mascot Miracles Foundation.  Straight from their webpage: http://mascotmiraclesfoundation.org/

Providing Lasting memories and moments of happiness for our young warriors fighting unthinkable battles.  

Founded in 2013, the Mascot Miracles Foundation is a non-profit organization that helps children who have serious illness through professional, college and corporate mascots; by creating and attending events, and parties; and bring smiles to those children in unthinkable situations.
The Mascot Miracles Foundation has professional, college and corporate mascots to help children who have severe or terminal illnesses.

We have been to a few events and have always had a blast.  When we got the invitation for the stick horse rodeo, my initial reaction was to say no.  We were one of thirty families chosen by lottery for the rodeo and with Kai in a wheelchair and on a ventilator, I just couldn't see how it would work.  I didn't respond to the invitation right away, deciding to think about it for a few days.  Then they called to verify and set up a time for the photo-shoot.  That is where they had me.  I couldn't pass up a photo shoot just for Kai.  So, I said yes.

At the photo shoot they gave stick horses for the heroes and siblings to decorate and bring to the rodeo.  I was hesitant getting one for River since she is so young, but I figured if Kai could do it, so could River.  Turns out, River absolutely loves her stick horse and it's a good thing I got one for her as well. 

My attempt to get a photo of everyone when we first got there

The day of the rodeo, we got there bright and early.  It was a warm, sunny day up until the rodeo, which was when the clouds moved in.  No rain, but the clouds were a nice relief from the sun. 

From ten am until noon we had lots of fun practicing for the rodeo--barrel racing, a bucking station, and roping a "calf."  They also had a horse-drawn wagon, a little train, a petting area for the animals, and pony rides for the kids.  River was absolutely in love with riding the pony.  She grinned from ear to ear and refused to get down.  The guy who was leading the pony was so charmed by her that he let her continue riding.  He said that she could ride all day if she wanted--and she definitely would have!  Zuri enjoyed the pony ride, but she loved being able to pet the animals more than ride them.  It was hard to get her away from them.

Practicing for the event later

From noon to one we ate lunch and passed out and signed photos to other heroes.  I thought that was a really great idea because it allowed us to interact and learn more about the other kids in a more lasting way.  Zuri signed Kai's photo since he can't do it himself, and she just glowed with the attention.  She loved it.

At one was the official beginning of the stick horse rodeo.  J's family was coming and we were trying to save them seats. We also wanted pictures/video of the event, so J took Kai and the girls into the arena while I stayed in the stands.  I was really torn because I wanted to be down in the arena helping with the kids, but it turned out better that J went because he did some really fun things with Kai in the rodeo that I wouldn't have done. 

By the time the stick horse event was over, we were pretty much done.  We were hot and sweaty and tired from being out in the sun all day.  All three kids did amazingly well.  There was virtually no fussiness from Kai.  Zuri only complained when we were waiting to get our food.  River had only a few meltdowns, and those mostly involved her wanting to continue to ride the pony.

My only complaint was that there were too many people in the area during the events, so I missed some of what was going on.  However, when you are dealing with kids and disabilities, you are going to have caregivers and helpers so there are going to be a lot of people.

River ended up coming back into the stands with me--which I think made her happy because her favorite cousin Emery was there, and she had fun playing with her cousins. 

After the rodeo, we went with J's family to get some ice cream, but the shop was closed.  So we went to another one, and wouldn't you know it, that one was closed too.  What are the odds, right?  Finally, we just decided to go to Sonic, which actually worked out because we didn't have to haul Kai and his stroller out of the car again.  

J, Kai, and River

The wagon

Zuri, River, and me on our first wagon ride

On our next wagon ride we brought J. and Kai along; Kai had fun

Zuri and Merida!

Zuri riding the pony

River riding the pony.  She had a blast--the highlight of her month!

Zuri with the animals

Train ride! Zuri is in the white car next to the caboose

Once out of the sun Kai was all smiles

I discovered a new thing Kai is doing with his fingers.  He kept putting his index finger in the hole on the side of his chair.  It looked like his finger was stuck, but he could get it out easily enough, and whenever I pulled it out, he would put it back in.  Silly boy.

The set-up for the stick-horse rodeo event

Kai's announcement and a short bio on him

...with River trailing far behind

Announcing all the heroes

The ride for all the angels

Zuri is off!

Yay!  She did it!

J and Kai in the bucking stall.  This is where I would have opted out, but J made the stroller like a crazy bull and had fun with it.  They also did the barrel racing and I had a couple people come up to me after and say that Kai totally won the barrel racing (even though they weren't scored).  Kai had big smiles on his face after the barrel race. 

Zuri roping her calf--she didn't quite make it but was close! 

Dragging her calf away

Support from cousins!  We love family!