L4L Softball Tournament

Last Saturday we held the Love 4 Landon Foundation's Second Annual Softball Tournament. Our goal was to have 12 teams enter. We ended up with 14! Totally AWESOME! That softball community is a great bunch, let me tell ya!

The day started off rainy but we were determined to play on. The rain abruptly stopped at 9:30 and our guys got busy getting the fields ready. By 11:00 a.m. the first pitches were being thrown. The championship game finally wrapped up around 1:00 a.m. Sunday. It was a looooong day but so totally worth it! 

Landon loved having the freedom to run around and play. He also enjoyed helping with concessions. As people approached he would smile and ask, "How can I help you today?" Then he would hand them whatever they asked for and before they left he would tell them, "Thank You for supporting the Love 4 Landon Foundation! Come back and see us!" It was absolutely precious and heartwarming. He's come a long way, just in the last year. It was so special for me to have him by my side helping. It was also very neat to see him running and playing. It brought me to tears. Imagine that. You know what else brought me to tears? The love and generosity of our community. I'm getting weepy as I type just thinking about it. We had an amazing team of people come together to make this event a raging success! 

We are incredibly grateful for all of the continued support we are given to help raise awareness about IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease). We had many people come up and ask what IBD is and we got to share our knowledge. We also had people there who are struggling with their own issues related IBD. That, Folks, is why we continue to move forward. We want to help others and give back in a special and unique way.  

Misty (Founding Member) and her daughter.

My independent boy.

Shannon (Founding Member), Willie and ME!

My two favorite guys and a giant chair!

Sweet, handsome boy. (Thank you to Lindsey for this photo!)

Precious moments.

Scott and Fred. As the night wore on, boredom set in. 

Misty and I trying to stay warm while keeping score during the championship game. It was so cold!

Landon watching Daddy umpire.

The Love 4 Landon Foundation 2nd Annual Softball Tournament CHAMPIONS!!!

Weekend Wrap Up!

Woweeee did we have a busy weekend in these parts! 

It started with a movie and night out to celebrate my birthday. The theme was black and red, so of course I threw on some fabulous shoes! We saw We're the Millers and OMG, it is hysterical! 

My darling husband bought me this gorgeous, cool and unique necklace. I'm in love. Both with him AND the necklace.

I was so fortunate and grateful to celebrate my birthday with some of my very favorite people in the entire world! Here are some of them. 

On my actual birthday (Saturday) I was able to relax a whole bunch. My sweet friend Crystal brought me a latte, champagne and cake pops. This salted caramel pop was delectable. 

Saturday evening my Dad arrived from Cinci and we went to dinner at a local eatery. The food was wonderful but the company was even better! Landon got to have sweet potato (first time in over a year!) and that kid threw down! I love getting to try these new, healthful foods with him!

Sunday morning we woke up super early to head out for the L4L Foundation Golf 4 Guts Tournament! Words cannot describe how gorgeous the day was. In the early morning hours, there was a bit of a chill in the air. The sky was beautiful and the grass was wet with dew. The sunshine, the people, the green trees, the fresh air...it was all unbelievably breathtaking. 

Everyone had a great time!

We even had a massage therapist on site offering complimentary chair massage! Just what you need after a round of golf. 

At the end of Golf 4 Guts, I was addressing our participants and thanking them all for taking the time out of their lives to contribute. I felt my throat closing in and I was on the verge of really getting choked up. Luckily, I pulled it together! Every time we have a L4L event, I get a wee bit emotional. I often wonder if that will ever change. I honestly don't think it will. I don't want it to change. I want to always be heart connected to this cause. The reason I work so hard to raise awareness about IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) is because I understand it on a very personal level. I didn't experience the symptoms myself but I have watched my helpless little boy fight to stay whole. I've watched him undergo countless procedures, pokes, prods, blood transfusions, doctor appointments; all with a remarkable amount of bravery. HE is the reason I will always continue to help others. It is my destiny. I get it now. We have been in some pretty dark places along the way. It's been difficult at times, to say the least. But, you know what? We came out on the other side and we are blessed every day with light and brightness. There is always hope. The human body has an amazing capacity to heal. Landon is living, thriving, healthy proof! When in doubt, give thanks for the life you have and continue to believe better days are ahead. Thank your Creator. Ask for help. Accept help. Stay open to your options. Ask questions. Keep trying. The rewards are infinite. 

Whew, I'm tired! Okay, not really, but I was yesterday, which is why this post didn't happen on a Monday! 

Love 4 Landon Television Interview

Landon and I were given the opportunity for an interview with a local television station, KAKE, to talk about Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), the Love 4 Landon Foundation, and our upcoming Golf 4 Guts Tournament. Wow!

First of all, I want to let y'all know I was super nervous! Going on television for a LIVE interview isn't something I ever imagined myself doing. This was my third one and I was just as nervous as the first time. The morning of the interview, I reminded myself that this isn't about me at all. It didn't matter how I looked or if my voice was shaky. What mattered was sharing our story and helping others. I said a prayer (or ten) asking for guidance and to help me get the word out about the incredibly important work we're doing with the L4L Foundation.

Every single person I've ever encountered at KAKE has been nothing short of fabulous. Seriously. They are kind, listen intently, always make me feel welcome and have a way of ensuring me that what I'm doing is not only valuable but also essential.

I cannot say enough how honored I am to be doing the work I'm doing. It's truly a blessing and every day I have the possibility to change the life of another person. Very freaking cool.

Landon was pretty enamored by the whole process. When Ben Pringle went up to do the weather, he turned a monitor around so Landon was able to see him in front of the green screen AND on television at the same time! Oh em gee. Landon thought that was super cool! See, I told you that KAKE news crew is awesome!

If you're interested you can take a look at our interview HERE. Landon was very silly the whole time, which I didn't know until I watched the clip for myself!

If you feel led to donate to our cause and help other families, you can do so on the Love 4 Landon website. We greatly appreciate any and all donations. I assure you, any funds received are used wisely, to help others in need.