Summer 2016...

One memory of Reed walking that sticks out in my brain is watching him explore our yard at our old house, I was sitting on the patio and he went off on his own; discovering.  I am not sure why this memory sticks out in my head so much, maybe it was the independence of it all. This was late summer 2014, little did we know that he would only have a few more months of walking.  I can remember during this time thinking it was strange that we never seen him run like other toddlers but didn't think to much of it at the time, now looking back at it we now know why.  I think about these kind of things usually on nights when sleep doesn't come or is a struggle for Reed to sleep.  Last night this was the subject on my brain.

But on to why I am really writing this post, I have been wanting to write about our crazy busy but amazing summer for weeks now but have just struggled so much with motivation to actually sit down and write out all that happened because it was a lot.

Summer 2016 was busy, I think when we look back at the summer we had maybe only 2 or 3 weekends where we didn't have something going on.  Busy is good but busy is also exhausting and then add a handicap child on to the mix it adds a whole other level to the busyness.  I am going to have to go back and look through out calendar I think to write this post and also try and remember to write everything that happened.

Lets start with May 13th, - Team Reed Glow Run 5K - what an exciting event this was for us, we had over 300 participants it was a cold night but we couldn't be more happier with the turn out.  This event defiantly set the bar for goals for our events for next year.

The next few weekends were filled with graduation parties and our first weekend camping for the year, and Reed caught is very first fish!!

June 11th we held the Team Reed Golf Classic, which was another great event, we had 30 teams signed up which made for a full day of golf.  Between the 5K and Golf Classic we were able to send a check for $20,000 to VWM Research is Israel.

Then we followed that up with Aunt Becca's wedding!! Cutest ring bearer I have ever seen!

To end June out The Jesup Softball team held there Blue out for Reed night, where the crowd was asked to wear blue for Reed, Reed got to throw out the first pitch and was the guest of honor.

Also in June we had our 6 month check down in Iowa City, all was well not much in terms of news or changes for Reed on a health stand point.  No news is good news, right?

July brought a low key 4th of July and we road trip up to Prairie Du Chien for the day to do some exploring. Farmers Day was to follow which is always one of our favorite times of summer.  And Wheaton Franciscan held a jean day for VWM Research and raised an amazing $1200.

Next up for our July was Kids Captain Photo/Video Shoot, We are so excited that Reed was selected to be one of 2016's Iowa Hawkeyes Kids Captain, he was choose to be the honorary captain at this years post season game.  As part of being the Kids Captain we received a special behind the season tour of Kinnick Stadium, got to meet players and coaches and get autographs.  Reed was showered with gifts, a jersey, a new Hawkeye shirt, poster, trading cards of Reed, black and gold m&m's among a few other things as well as 4 tickets to this years Homecoming game.

Then we got in a little family swim time, an adult evening at the Great Jones County Fair for the Boston Concert and then the ZOO!!!!!

August brought another camping trip, Kids Day at Kinnick, a free weekend for once, Cousin Jordan's arrival, Reed's first day of Preschool and the Kris Walter's Golf Tournament where we were the sponsor on hole 5 and ran a game to raise money for VWM research, only to be surprised by given all the proceeds for the tournament to go toward reserach, $5000!!!!

September we didn't slow down...September is Leukodystrophy Awareness month so with that I participated in a 30 Sit-Ups for 30 Days challenge, as well as we held our annual wear blue for Reed day, Cubbies started with papa, we spent a weekend away with friends, the Jesup Volleyball team held a blue out night for Reed. Can I just say how floored we were by both teams at the blue out game their love and support for Reed and our cause is so great we just couldn't be more proud to be apart of such a great community and volleyball family. Plus an additional $100 was raised for VWM research!! To top off the month we end it with winning the proceeds from the Taylor Morris Glow Stick 5K, Reed was voted most inspirational story and received $10,000 to go towards VWM research!!

It has been a great summer, we have tried our best to fill Reed's life with as many experiences that we can.  We have tried to stay proactive in fundraising for research and hold or participate is an event every month this summer.  Now on to October which is starting out to be just has great of a month as the others....