Monday, June 7, 2010

"Gratitude is when memory is stored in the heart and not in the mind.” ~Lionel Hampton,Zoey's Make-A-Wish granted!

Zoey's Make-A-Wish Day will dwell within our hearts for always.Her darling little face,as she took in each and every moment,imprinted upon our hearts as well.

We were encouraged by many to choose a trip for Zoey's Wish but honestly only entertained it for a split second because as soon as we found out that older siblings over the age of 18 could not go with us,it was a no go.We could never have left Jessica,Caitlin and Taylor behind.Ever.So it was on to figuring out what Zoey would wish for if she actually could tell us herself.And you know,she does in fact tell us,in her very own way and all we had to do was listen and this was what she said:"I love to be on the go.Anywhere outside where there is a breeze,fresh air and people,especially playing,giggly,happy children.And I absolutely love books.I could sit,literally for hours,being read to and looking at the pictures and using my signs as we read.Then there is music.How I love my music.Any and all music.Fast music.Slow music.Raffi,the Wiggles,Barney,Sesame Street,Signing Time.My brother and sisters music and my mom and dads music too.Any and all music.I am easy going and am just happiest being around those I love and that love me." Ahead is Zoey's Make-A-Wish Day.It was all we could have hoped for and more.

Stand by for extreme picture overload.Click on an image if you want to enlarge it.Enjoy.




Our Wish Granter's,Beth and Patti and they came bearing gifts first thing.An oh so cute Elmo chair and what else?A book.





The limo arrives!




First stop:Newbury Park Bicycles where we purchased a Bob Revolution stroller.This thing is amazing!!It is an all terrain jogger stroller.Perfect for Zoey to tool around town in BUT the best feature,and one of the main reasons we wanted it for her:It goes through the sand with ease and will make going to the beach a piece of cake!





Second stop,Barnes and Noble.Zoey had a blast there.We arrived to a darling beach bag,filled with goodies for Zoey and the boys.We picked out lots of great books for Zoey,but with her approval of course,as you you can see by the picture she was very interested in the process.We also picked out books for Chris' Korner,a library being established in memory and honor of our very special buddy Christopher.The library will be in a children's hospice house,Kristie's Place, that will be opening here in Los Angeles.How I so hate that there is a need for a house like this.There just shouldn't be.Something sounds so infinitely wrong with it.Children and hospice should not be in the same sentence.





Arriving at Best Buy.Check out her sweet ride and look close in the background...they literally rolled out the red carpet for Miss Zoey!







As we made our way around the store there were 5 princess balloons,in five different departments,each with an employee ready to greet us and hand Zoey a special gift.




With Best Buy's store manager and the very sweet Kathy,a store employee who went above and beyond to make Zoey's visit there simply amazing!




Checking out at Best Buy with Tayor,Jake and Joe.Was really missing Jess and Caitlin.We left Best buy with a pink Ipod for Zoey so we can load all of her favorite music on it for her.A pair of perfect little headphones to go with it and portable DVD players for the car that attach on the back of the headrests so she can listen and watch some of her favorite videos when we are on the go!



At our last stop.All finished.A final picture with our very friendly limo driver Ernest.



Zoey's last part of her wish was a Jo Ann Fabric's gift card so material can be purchased for our Heart Blanket Project for our fellow 4th floor warriors at CHLA.





Out to eat after her shopping spree at one of our favorite restaurants,California Pizza Kitchen.They gave her her very own chef coat.Is that not the cutest?



Kicking back in her new pool float.This was her first time in the water.Ever.Before now she has been battling in or out of some crisis and the water was just a no go.Can you tell she loved it?



All tuckered out.It was an extremely long day and the dream child never cried or fussed once.Not once.She just soaked it in and loved it all.



Peacefully sleeping with the blanket that covers her each and every night:Her Leukemia Awareness Blanket.A reminder to give thanks nightly for the place our girl has found herself in today.

46 comments:

Lindsay Ann said...

Zoey in the chef's coat is absolutely adorable. What an amazing day for you all. You definitely deserve it.

Anonymous said...

Wow, Amazing, Awesome - the descriptive words could go on and on. Truly a princess for a day. I loved that everyone was included.(sorry tht Jess & Caitlin, Matt, Danny & Charlotte were not there to be a part of it) Each photo was great. She is such a social butterfly! ... the water float is such an awesome thing - one more step along her little journey. Love it! Bet you will be headed for the beach often with her new, super stroeller this summer, watching videos in the family van. And the employees at Best Buy all look so very happy to be a part of Zoey's special day! And the chef jacket! Unbelievable. I'm completely in awe! Make_A-Wish ROCKS!

Aunt Bluebelle

Tricia said...

Wow! What a day!

Tina said...

I had to take my time soaking in each and every picture and the absolute joy on Miss Zoey's face. You really chose the perfect make-a-wish day for her and she got loads of stuff that she will remember it by. The pictures are so beautiful and I can actually see the pure joy in all your faces seeing your little girl so happy.

Felt so happy just seeing all of you and especially Zoey getting such a special gift of a day. Thanks for all the wonderful pictures.

Peter Olson said...

Wow!

Runningmama said...

What a day! A cried through all the pictures...what a beautiful day and I love that you included her siblings!

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for letting us see Zoey enjoy her wish day, Heather. The joy and giving are so heartening. What a perfect day! Zoey's life is inspirational - as are you. Barbara

Anonymous said...

WOW WOW WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What an awesome day! All of Zoey's favorite things and more! Make A Wish is a wonderful organization with wonderful people. Best Buy went above and beyond. I really do not know what to say. Many happy tears...
Lisa

Dana Janowicz said...

What a PERFECT day! I'm so happy for little Miss Zoey!

Kelly said...

Smiles and tears of happiness!! The excitement and joy on sweet Zoey's face is priceless!! What a wonderful Wish Day:)

mandd3 said...

Heather, Just simply this - you are an awesome mom. You made sure this day was about Zoey and what she loved. What a beautiful thing. Zoey really does look like she had a fabulous time!

Anonymous said...

How fun! I really like that you did what Zoey would enjoy - not just what you would enjoy. Oh yeah, we just bought the same portable DVD Players and love them. They really come in handy on long car rides.

Maureen said...

Awesome! I am so glad you guys got to do this. Zoey looks like such a big kid now - what a difference a year makes!

Junior said...

Zoey it looks like your wish day was fantastic. I just love that your wish included things for others.

Amy, a redeemed sheep said...

Heather...Your Zoey-girl never fails to fill my heart with joy. You are so very blessed...

Kaden Epstein said...

WOW! She looks so happy...what a wonderful day for Zoey and the familiy! LOVE how they decorated the cart at Best Buy and rolled out the red carpet! Hugs to Zoey from the Epstein clan!

Sweet Pea's Mommy said...

Thank you for bringing tears of absolute joy to my eyes! Zoey is so deserving of the best day ever and I am so glad that she enjoyed it to the fullest! Thank you for sharing this wonderful day with us!

Jamie said...

hey! I want an Ipod too!! Lucky Girl! I love it! :)! OMG and that swim float is awesome..can never find those for "bigger" little ones...

Rochelle said...

What an amazing day! Zoey you so deserve it, princess! I cried through all the pictures!
Thanks for sharing the day with us.

Denise said...

Okay...I was reading along nicely enjoying all the pictures when all of a sudden I got to the pics of her in the shopping cart at Best Buy. That smile on her face made me burst in to tears. Don't know why but it just did. I think you guys did the absolute perfect thing for her Wish. You can feel the absolute joy on her face in every picture!! So glad you guys got to do this!!

Kelli said...

Oh wow, what a wonderful day! I cried happy tears for your family!! :)

kecia said...

wow it looks fabulous! She looks SOO happy in every picture! I LOVE that little chef coat! She sounds like she likes a lot of the same things Bree does...especially the music! bree would be in heaven to have her own ipod! what a great day! I LOVE that pink frilly cart too! So cute!

Kisses For Noah said...

Heather, your selflessness and generosity are truly inspiring. Zoey and her brothers and sisters are truly blessed to have you as a mother. So glad you had such a great time :) (((hugs)))

Googsmom said...

No tissue warning?!!!

{{{{{{HUGS ZOEY}}}}}

A perfect day for a perfect girl!!!!

Mary said...

How wonderful! I loved the picture overload. Zoey is so beautiful!

Anonymous said...

Not a dry eye was to be had. What an amazing day. Zoey is so grown up -- one of my favorite pictures is with Zoey holding a crayon. How could I have a favorite though. Thanks for sharing this day with all of us, I feel like I was there. So, so wonderful. Love to all, Christi Harman

Anonymous said...

Such a perfect Make-A-Wish for such a perfect little wonder girl! She certainly looks like she enjoyed each and every stop on the way.. I agree with Aunt Bluebelle - Make-A-Wish ROCKS! (have to add that I was kind of wishing for trip to the east, but that'll happen one of these days, won't it? please please please)

Robyn from Otisco Lake

Alison said...

Popping over from Kate and Kyle's website and so glad I did. I haven't 'met' you but I have tears in my eyes reading about your wish day!!! That is so wonderful! I love the pink shopping cart! I might actually like grocery shopping if I could use a cart like that! Have a wonderful day.

heidi marie said...

what an absolutely amazing and blessed day!!! as always love seeing little zoey smiling and the warming the world around her.

so glad she loves her blanket and it is going to great use.

Mama Mason-Mann said...

Wow, I'm just choked up looking at all the pictures and digesting what a special day she had. She more then deserves it all! Love you to all!

Shelly Turpin said...

wow - what an amazing day!!

sheree said...

WOW! What a special day for such a special girl. I am so glad Zoey's wish was granted and she had such a great time surrounded by the most important people in her life. :)

Bea Braun said...

Wow what a fun, fun, day! Everybody looks wonderfully happy and Zoey looks like she could not have had a better day. Joy and blessings :)

deena said...

Are you still reading books, listening to music and watching videos...we will miss seeing you on Thursday - see you next week.xoxoxoxoxoxox
Deena and Camille

Jeana said...

What a perfect day for a perfect little girl. I just can't get over how cute Zoey is and how she is getting so big. Thanks again for sharing her story with us all.

Melani said...

This post just brought tears to my eyes! Beautiful is all I can say!

Victoria Strong said...

I am a complete puddle. Zoey is loving every minute and I know that means you did, too!!! Love, love, love that little girl of yours. Yay, for such wonderful kindness. Big hugs to you guys. We miss you!!!

Dawson said...

BEAUTIFUL!! looks like the perfect day.

tish said...

WOW!! GOD BLESS MY ZOEY!!

I JUST CAN'T STOP SMILING AT THIS POST!! BLESSINGS ABOUND... AND SO WELL DESERVED.

Cheri said...

Oh My Gosh.......what a fabulous day!! What a treasure of a day! Zoey looks absolutely giddy about her "pimped out" ride and all the festivities...how/when did she get sooooo big?? Each picture....is so darn cute...those expressions of hers put a smile on my face! xoxo

ANewKindOfPerfect said...

Wow, what a fantastic wish! That post and all of it's great pictures has me in tears. Zoey is such a beautiful little girl, and she looked SO happy the entire time!

Kele said...

Veiwed earlier but haven't commented till now!
What I find the best part of the day, is just when you think it couldn't get any better, around the next corner would be another suprise,
another fabulous moment for the little Miss, who is so deserving of: 'a fabulous moment around every corner!'
Such great pics, she is sooo happy through it all.
I LOVE Bob! She is going to be arriving in style with him!
But that shopping cart at Best Buy was sooooo perfect... It makes me want to go spend money there today for being so wonderful to Miss Z!!!

rae said...

what an amazing day for you all! Mrs. Z's smile says it all!

Elizabeth said...

How fantastic! I loved looking at each and every picture and reading your words. Yay for Zoe and her beautiful family! And blessings to the make-a-wish foundation --

Lori said...

Wow -- what an amazing day! I loved the Best Buy shopping cart =)
I am so glad you guys got to enjoy this!

Anonymous said...

HOW did you make that blanket Zoey is covered in? My daughter was just diagnosed a month ago (8-5-2011) with Leukemia, and I have been searching for fleece fabric or ANYTHING with orange cancer ribbons, and I just cannot find ANYTHING..... Did you have somebody make that? If so could you pass along the info? I would pay big money for a blanket like that for my daughter!!!!!!

Thanks!!!
Shara
Maemaban@aol.com