Joey's 12th birthday, Thanksgiving and contests

OMG! We did a paintball party for Joey and it was so much fun! I didn't go, Mike was in charge of about 15 kids (don't worry, he had help, he asked his friend David to come along) -- and they all had a blast. It was so much fun just listening to the stories afterwards -- I think it was a big hit with everyone. After paintball, everyone came back to the house for hamburgers, hot dogs and of course FIRE PIT!

I want to have a paintball birthday party!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOEY!!!



Thanksgiving was nice. Crappy weather but it took the pressure off to do anything. The day after T-day I don't think I even got out of my pj's. Kristin dropped off Emma for the day and I closed off all of the bedroom doors, took out the blow up bed and made the girls watch movies with me all day long!

There have been a few surfing contests too -- all of the boys entered and did well. Mike placed 3rd for one event, Johnny placed 2nd and 3rd and Joey placed 3rd and 4th -- or somewhere thereabouts. I am so proud of the boys too. Joey was up against boys much older than he was and even though he got whipped in a few events, he didn't get discouraged.

There was a contest this weekend and Johnny didn't do as well as he was used to. In one heat he didn't even catch a wave. I could tell he was tired and discouraged. The waves were actually pretty big and I think that worried him too. I know I'm his mother, but I am so proud of him for going out there and doing it. His chemo doses have gone up and spent most of last week at home in bed. Last Friday he had a spinal tap and all of the rest of the stuff he does on big days. He went to school on Monday morning but his teachers called about 10am to say he was crying because his back hurt. No fever, just felt like crap because of his treatments. He finally went back to school on Thursday and Friday, but I could tell he didn't feel well. Mike told him that if he was going to surf in the contest, he would have to go to school -- so he did.

By Sunday afternoon, it was time for his heat and he was tired and cold. When I watched him struggle I wanted to tell him that he didn't have to finish, it would be okay for him to come in and call it a weekend. I want him to have fun and enjoy himself and not feel like Mike and I will be disappointed if he doesn't place. Surprisingly, it is pretty cut-throat, parents yelling or 'coaching' their kids even though they can't hear them. Parents argue and grumble about the scoring and hope that certain kids don't make it to the next level -- WAY TO INTENSE for me!

They're kids for crying out loud -- and it's friggin' Galveston Texas. I hate to break it to these parents, but their kid will probably not make it to pro status, so they should just lighten up.

Sorry for the rant. I guess I was caught up in Johnny -- what he's doing and where he's been and how proud I was that he was my son. Flashbacks of the past 2 1/2 years racing through my head, and last Friday when he was hunched over in pain from his spinal and couldn't walk upright, remembering how far he's come. I was so proud of him. I could care less if he ever competes or places in a contest, as long as he's with me and is happy -- that is all I care about.

This was not a contest -- just having fun. Johnny and Aunt Liz catching the same wave.

Blood Drive

The second week in November, Johnny's school held a blood drive in his honor. Great turn out -- almost 50 donors which can save up to 150 lives!!!!

Remember the Special Ops Team that took the kids out last May? They gladly lined up to donate in honor or the little guy!


Mrs. Suhler -- one of Johnny's teachers!


Mrs. Severns -- Johnny's other teacher -- he loves them both so much!


Coach Hopkins who hosted the drive, Johnny's teachers, Mrs. Aucion the Principal along with the GCRBC employees


Sophie teacher -- Mrs. Carnes who after a week of teaching Kindergartners, had enough strength to donate!

Skate Jam for Make-A-Wish

For the past eleven years the first weekend in November is the Skate Jam for Make A Wish -- always a big weekend for us and this year was no different. Jim, Jack and the Deluxe team all came down for the annual event. Jeff Taylor from Adio and his crew also came out. We were actually a little worried about the Adio team because they live in SoCal and at that time of the event, the entire lower half of CA was on fire. Luckily, none of the folks we know were impacted and were safe and sound.

About a week before the event our friend Paul from Fuel TV called to see if we were going and if he could tag along for the weekend. He asked if Johnny would be interested in "working" and be a correspondent for a show called the Weekly Update. Paul flew in a day early to come to Johnny's clinic visit on Friday and film that part of Johnny's life. If I can figure out how to download the segment to the blog will -- Paul did a great job -- so did Johnny.

On our way home from the clinic we stopped at South Side Skate park where the event is held and ran into Jim, Jack and a lot of team members from Deluxe and Adio. It was nice to see them all in a relaxed setting -- kinda the calm before the storm and the HUGE crowds the next day.

Jack decided to brave the chaos at our house and spend the night! It was late by the time we drove up -- so it was pretty dark and the doodles were outside. When Jack saw the doodles running and barking at the car his voice cracked as he tried to keep his composure and ask "wha aaat's that?..." We assured him it was just our dogs and coaxed the little guy out of the van. It didn't take him long to figure out that our house is a haven for TOADS. Lots and lots of toads -- like Stephen King novel amounts of toads. Jack was in heaven. We spent most of the night collecting and releasing amphibians and even found a mascot for Deluxe. We put him in a box with a small ramp and finger skateboard, then released him into the wild sometime on Saturday.

Jack and his new friends


Escapee



Saturday was a full day, Johnny was pumped to see everyone and skate before the doors opened to the public. Joey loved hanging out at the Zummies tent playing the new Tony Hawk video game and occasionally breaking away long enough to beat his brother in a game of ping pong.

The boys got there early -- about 8ish. I, on the other hand, opted to sleep in and get there about 10ish with Sophie.

Johnny and Jack before the doors opened to the public


The only time Sophie and I were actually in the park


Joey and Johnny


Sophie and I stayed close to the Deluxe tent most of the day and Mike stuck with Johnny, Joey and Paul as they filmed. As I watched Paul and Johnny skate/film I hoped that Paul wasn't bored out of his mind -- then he came up to me and said, "This is great, I'm having so much fun!", I checked for any hint of sarcasm
but he was really telling the truth! Anyway, Paul stuck to Johnny like glue all weekend and I know they both had a good time. Johnny even did well remembering his 'lines' for the interviews -- I think spending Friday with Paul helped loosen him up and made him feel comfortable.

Johnny interviewing Peter R.


About 2PM it caught up to Johnny and he pretty much shut down for the rest of the event. Mike and I talked about going home but knew that it was important to have Johnny there for the awards. Mike took him to the van where he slept for a few hours.

Johnny passed out


The past 8 months or so have been really good for Johnny -- he's grown and gained so much weight! With that said, he chemo doses go up as well and I think it's been harder than usual for him to bounce back. He also refuses to accept the fact that the poison/radio active chemicals racing through his veins have an affect on him or his stamina.

The Skate Jam raised over 100k this year, 15k from Deluxe (from the sale of Johnny's decks) and an additional 5k in Johnny's honor for the pre-sale of his shoe from Adio on top of their other donations! Adio plays a huge part in the event -- they get there a week before to help set up and make sure that everything goes as planned. Jeff and Travis do an amazing job every year.

Damian and April -- none of this would be possible without them!


Jim accepting his award for his donations


We blew off dinner with the Deluxe and Adio teams and headed for home for a hot shower and climb into bed. We were all glad to be home but it's never enough tome to spend with our friends, it all seems to go too fast -- we can't wait until next year!