The CCM Halloween Party

The CCM Halloween Party is the one Halloween event that I really look forward to! I helped throw the party last year, so I was looking forward to just coming and enjoying myself...or chasing Ben around the whole time...that was fun too! The Party is with my mom's group and all their kids. We have the party in our church Fellowship Hall!

As a mom of of two adorable boys I try to really keep the photo's even between the 2 of them. But some times that just doesn't happen. This particular day and event was "The Ben Show"! Jonathan is getting to the age where he wants to be off running around with his friends, so I didn't get as many of him this time! But we all had so much fun! Both boys were so sad when we left, they didn't want it to end!!

Jonathan wanted to be a Fireman (he was one last year and it still fit, so we were all for it!!) and so I decided to make Ben a Dalmatian costume since he loves dogs and says "Woff, Woff". I couldn't get him to wear the ears though.
 

Leaving the house...Ben is a Dalmatian-Gangsta? It was chilly that morning and he loves that hat!

 

My sweet boy and me! I had been gone the day before to El Paso and NM, so he was extra cuddly that day! I loved it!

 

He is falling through the back of the chair, but it won't stop him from eating!

 

He loved the games. I could never get a non-blurry photo. He is always in motion!

 

My friend Sarah was the "Old Cat Lady". Ben liked touching her cats!

 

Cheese!!!! There is Jonathan in the background!

 

The kids singing!

 

Sarah leading the music, she is playing the recorder!!

 

I think this was the only time Ben sat still. I couldn't get my boys close to each other for a photo!

 

Ben wanted to be the line leader for the Halloween Trick or Treat line!!!

 

But then he ended up following after brother! I thought it was precious...like his little puppy! :)

Baby Caleb

When I was growing up, my mom would always tell me, "You are NOT allowed to die before me. It isn't right for a parent to out live their child." 

This past week the words of mom came back to me as a family member I love was faced with the tragedy of losing her baby Caleb only 2 days after he was born. My cousin, Jeanette and her husband, Sam Cordova, two of the sweetest people you will ever meet, gave birth to their 3rd child on Oct 17th. On Oct 19th Caleb passed away to an Aeortic Stenosis. The news of Caleb's death sent shock waves through our family and friends.

As a relatively new mom myself, all that kept ringing through my ears were my mom's words. And I could not even fathom the pain that Jeanette, Sam and their two sweet little boys were feeling.

Amy and I heard that they had planned a funeral in Las Cruces, NM. With the generous support of our husbands, we made plans to fly out to El Paso in the morning and fly back home that night. We both knew we needed to be there and we were so glad to have the opportunity to do so. (Jeanette is the daughter of my Aunt Susan, who was my mom's sister.)

I have the utmost respect for Jeanette and Sam. They, with the help of their families, were able to plan the most touching and memorable service to memorialize their sweet baby. An experience I will never forget.

They passed out these sweet cards, the above picture collage. They also blew up about 75 balloons that were all the colors of the rainbow. All of the balloons had a blank card so you could write a message to Caleb. When it was time for all of us to release our balloons, they played the song "Somewhere over the Rainbow." What an amazing way for the two big brothers to say good-bye.

Please pray for this amazing family as they grieve this unimaginable loss.


His obituary:
Caleb Samuel Cordova, infant son of Samuel and Jeanette Cordova of Las Cruces, entered the gates of Heaven on Oct. 19, 2012, just two days after his birth at Memorial Medical Center, surrounded by his loving family. During his short stay here on Earth, Caleb touched many lives and was deeply loved by family and friends. His precious life was a brief gift to us that will forever live on in our hearts. Those left to mourn his passing along with his parents, include his two brothers, Jaden and Elijah Cordova; grandparents, Susan and Wayne Cash, and grandmother Dina Marcus of El Paso; great-grandmother, Rosemary O'Brien of Las Cruces; aunt Angela and husband Beto Lopez and cousin Aubrey; aunt Melissa and husband Jeremy Cash and cousin Landon; and uncle Bengy Cordova and cousins Mia, Ben, and Margaret, all of El Paso. Caleb was preceded in death by his grandfather, "Papa" Sam Cordova and great-grandfather "G-Pop" Norman O'Brien. A graveside memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012 at Masonic Cemetery, 760 S. Compress Road in Las Cruces, with Pastor Rebecca Whitaker officiating.
"Most people only dream of Angels...we held one in our arms."
Donations in Caleb's memory can be made to the Ronald McDonald House Charities at http://rmhc.org.
Service arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Baca's Funeral Chapels, 300 E. Boutz Road, Las Cruces. 527-2222.Published in Las Cruces Sun-News on October 24, 2012

Light the Night Walk!

This past Sunday, Oct 21st was the annual "Light the Night" walk for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society! This was our second year to attend!
We raised close to $2,000!!!!! Thank to so much for your donations and support! AND everyone who attended! It is a really neat experience!
Amy and I were happy to once again honor the memory of our mom in this way. I was so happy that a few of my close friends were able to join and bring their kids! Kathryn, Eric, Avery, Kirsi, Taryn and Mazie!!! Also and of course, Cindy, Krista, Clayton...all the Day family!!! Loved being there with everyone!

We wore these stickers on our backs!

A picture of mom (top right) on a board along the walk route!

My little family!

 

Amy and Me!

 

Some of our friends joined us! This is one of Jonathan's best friend Taryn!

Avery's turn to sit on Taryn!! Avery is also one of Jonathan's best friends!

Baby Mazie! Taryn's little sister!

Can you believe how big he is getting???

Michael putting my giraffe ears on Jonathan!! The kids loved them! I wore them in honor of mom!! :)

Kirsi and Mazie!

The Day's!

Waylen and Ben having a man to man talk. Ben was also flirting with the Blondie lady in the background! :)

Ben's turn with the ears!

Now, I finally got to wear my ears!

Krista, Cindy and Alex!!!



Everyone getting lined up to start the walk!! It's so neat to look up and see balloons everywhere!

Our group "Nancy's Clan" getting started!

Jonathan, Taryn and Avery!!! Such sweet little friends!

More of me running ahead trying to get a photo of the group!!!

Taryn walked almost all of the 3.11 miles, I was so impressed! But she hitched a ride towards the end!

Taryn, Mazie and Kirsi!

Avery, being pushed by her daddy Eric. My boys, being pushed by Michael. Taryn and Mazie being pushed by Kirsi!

This was my group of friends that joined us! I can't thank them enough! Kathryn, Eric and Avery! Kirsi, Taryn and Mazie!!!

Amy and Waylen!!!

Ready to go home!!!

The Fort Worth skyline that we got to walk along and look at! It was a beautiful night!

Light the Night at Cousin's BBQ

This year will be the second year that we will participate in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society walk, "Light the Night". Amy, my sister, is our team captain and had an awesome of idea of having a fundraiser at Mom and Dad's favorite BBQ place, in their old neighborhood!

When they called Amy back, the owner Cliff, who had known mom said, "Anything for Nancy." Isn't that amazing? It gave me chills! He is such a sweet man. He took such great care of us! Mom and Dad have been coming to Cousin's since the opened back in 1983! They have awesome food and even more awesome people who work there!!! We are so thankful to them for all that they did!

So last Thursday evening at the Cousin's BBQ, we had friends, family, and patrons come and donate to our team to support LLS in honor of the memory of mom!! It was so cool!

Thank you so much for all who came and supported! WE RAISED $800!!! WOW! Thank you so much!!!!

The actual walk takes place tomorrow evening, Oct 21st! If you would still like to join us, you are more than welcome to!!!! Here is the link!!!
http://pages.lightthenight.org/ntx/FtWorth12/NancysClan

Here is a link to my blog post from last years walk!
http://dreamerthinkerplayer.blogspot.com/2011/11/light-night.html



Amy and I with the welcome sign!



Amy and I with the owners, Cliff and Craig!  

This was at the register.

Shannon, who is one of the "cousin's" and went to High School with Amy and helped us put this event on! She put together this raffle too! It went really well!!!

The table of the raffle stuff!

My plate...yum!

Our area!

Debbie, Cindy, Wade and Vance!

The kids were so good! They kept themselves entertained!

Scarlet talking to Connor, my friend Angela's little one!

Ben saying "Cheese" and Connor!

Michael and Jonathan catching up on the day events!

Cindy with Will and Amy and Waylen!

Precious little girl Carmen! Melinda's little girl!

The Martinez Family!

Mr. and Mrs. Martinez

The Cowdins'!!

Helen and her mom!!

Angela, Connor, Me and Grayson!!