Thursday, July 8, 2010

Happy Birthday, Daylon!!!



This year wouldn't be the same without all of you! I'm doing kind of a photo blog so you all can feel like you're part of the party too! Here we go! Enjoy!




Daylon's door with all of his birthday cards (as of this morning)!



The Birthday Boy!


Violet, Caleb, Sadie and Keira sooo excited to sing for Daylon!



Our Family



Daylon and his nurse today, Tracy (we love her! She's on our BMT team)



Violet and Sadie coloring a birthday message for Daylon


Caleb and Keira mid-message


Dinosaur ice cream cake! The staff around her loved it!...it's ice cream! What's not to love!?



The kiddos enjoying their cake...maybe too much! They were so messy!




Daddy reading Daylon one of his new books



Daylon's first football. Look at Brian beam! "So he can get ready to play for USC when he's better."...yes, he's obsessed.



Daylon and all his presents. Thanks!


The kids learned about bone marrow transplants at a hospital activity today called "Blood Soup". Yumm. Hungry anyone?




Sleepy Angel





He made it!! Today is a day that we never thought we'd celebrate. A year ago this month we were told that our baby had a horrible disease that had no cure and no hope of winning. "If your son lives to be a year old, he won't want to be alive." . That's been a quote floating through our heads for 12 months. Daylon had a rough start...a very rough start. He is in pain pretty much every moment of his life. There was a time last fall when I knew I was being selfish to pray that he would live. I will always remember that Saturday when Brian and I decided to quit asking our Heavenly Father to allow him to live. All we felt we could ask for is that he be comfortable and know he was loved. This last year has been the most challenging and rewarding year of my life. I often joke with Brian that I feel like the oldest 27 year old in the world. I can't even describe the roller coaster our life has been, but I feel blessed to have been chosen to go through it. I believe that our Heavenly Father does not give us challenges we can't go through and I've had to remind myself of that daily. Our faith has been tested, but I am happy to report that we have endured. The roads not over, far from it actually, but I know that we can make it.

Daylon didn't smile and laugh as soon as most kids do, but it happened. There was several weeks before his chemo started, that in a lot of ways I felt like I had a normal baby. He was laughing, talking, and showing each day how smart he is. He was comfortable and he knew is was loved. That's all we've wanted; our prayers were answered. Everything else was extra. Now there are new reasons to be hopeful of course, and our prayers have changed once again, but we've learn to be aware that we are always doing what is best for him and not what we want to have happen. Daylon is so brave and so strong. When I look in his eyes I often see strength of someone far older than him. I am so blessed to be the mother of such a wonderful child. Ya know, I actually don't really mind that we're celebrating his birthday in the hospital because we're glad to be celebrating.

34 comments:

Bella's Blessings said...

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday, dear Daylon, Happy Birthday to YOU! Congratulations goes out to the entire family for traveling a most challenging road for the past 12 months and to be as happy as you all are in the photos in this environment is a testament that you have not only survived, you have EXCELLED. Proud to walk by your side. Tim

Michelle said...

Happy Birthday Daylon!!!

Jess Edling said...

Happy birthday my sweet Daylon! Jen, the pictures are adorable. I'm loving that cake! I woke up this morning and just cried and cried. I am so happy and amazed that Daylon has made it to be one year old! So many times we wondered if we'd ever get here, and now we are! You and Brian are pillars of strength. Your faith has strengthened my testimony of our Heavenly Father so much. We love you! -Jess & Brent

jeanine said...

Happy Birthday Daylon! When you're up and better your mom will have to let you smash a birthday cake :)

I love all the pictures... looks like the rest of the kids enjoyed Daylon's birthday for him!

Anonymous said...

Happy First Birthday Daylon!!!
So very happy for you and your family, that you could be together to celebrate and take those wonderful pictures. Daylon will love looking at the pictures and hearing the stories about the time around his first birthday, when he was just beginning his journey to better health. Grow Cells Grow!!! Praying for Daylon and his whole family in Bowie, MD, Judy T. (Leah's Grandma)

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Daylon!
You have an unbelievable family and you are a gorgeous baby. Many prayers for quick healing and painless days- many, many of them.

Happy 1st Birthday Sweet Boy. You beat the odds and you will continue to do so.

Many blessings.

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Daylon. Will look forward to more birthday that God has planned for you.
sg-KS

Angelique said...

Happy Birthday Daylon! Looking forward to celebrating #2 next year back in CA. Angelique

Krystal said...

Happy Birthday Sweet Baby Boy!!!

I came across your blog from a friends blog, and I just want to tell you that you are all the strongest people I have ever "read"! My prayers go out to you, your family and of course your sweet baby boy!!

Here is to a speedy and strong recovery!! GROW CELLS GROW...can't wait to read about all of Daylon's brithday's to come!!!

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Baby Daylon!!!!

We Pray and Wish You a Healthier,Painless Life! We love You and your Entire Family!

Love, "The Meaders"

Nancy said...

YAY!!! Happy Birthday, Daylon! What a wonderful day!

I was so excited to read the last post. Such good news about the cell #'s and that the sores are starting to heal!!!

Your family is so awesome! So strong! Hugs to all of you :)

-Nancy Nielsen

Cheryl said...

Happy Birthday! Thank you for your blog posts. You can't know what they have meant to me during a very difficult chapter in my own life. (I am not trying to compare trials by any means.) It is wonderful to get to "walk" with other people as they do their best to do what the Lord wants them to do. It brings joy to the journey.

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday sweet Daylon!
Martina

jardinera linda said...

We are "fans" of all EB babies and families, for the strength and love they teach us very single day.

Happy birthday, baby Daylon!

Linda said...

Happy First Birthday Daylon!
So happy that you guys can celebrate this wonderful day. Love the pictures of your beautiful family. You truly are blessed to have Daylon with you. God Bless. Love Leah's Nana

Pati @ A Crafty Escape said...

Happy birthday Daylon, what a blessing you are!

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday little one. You are very strong, very brave and an inspiration to all.

Jackie and Brett Kopelan
Parents of Rafaella, RDEB, patient #8 at the Umin

Nicole Long said...

Happy Birthday Daylon!!

The Fishers said...

Happy birthday Daylon!!! Sending prayers and blessings from WA.

Cindy said...

Happy 1st Birthday, sweet Daylon!!! Sending lots of love and prayers your way!!!

Belinda said...

"Happy 1st Birthday",Daylon! I'm sending lots of hugs, kisses, & prayers to you as well as your wonderful family. God bless each of you.

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday sweet boy. Our love and prayers are with you and your wonderful family. We look foward to the day you return to California and we can celebrate your healing!

Gilda said...

Happy Birthday!! I wanted to send my prayers to you and your family. I know this is a rough time that you all are going through as pretty much most days. My love and prayers are with you. I found your blog through Tripp's blog and had to come say hello and Happy Birthday. And well to let you know you have more prayers coming your way from us.

BRIAN AND BROOKE said...

Happy Birthday little man!! You have come so far....and Doctors said you wouldnt live to be a year... you showed all them didnt you :) Your so strong and brave!!! You just melt all our hearts and are LOVED by all who know you...even if we have NEVER met you!! It is a blessing just to know you and your family, you all help strengthen ME!!! Daylon, Happy Birthday .....I am So proud of you!! I am so Happy to be celebrating with you!!

"Never Doubt in your mind the power you hold in your heart."

Kristy said...

BEAUTIFUL post for a BEAUTIFUL boy! We are praying our hearts out for your sweet family! Happy Birthday miracle boy!

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Daylon. Lots of prayers coming your way from Bella and Ali's Grandma Carolyn.

Krystal said...

Happy First Birthday, Daylon! Thanks be to God that you made this milestone! We continue to pray for you daily, and your family. God bless you all.

Carla and Matilde said...

Happy First Birthday! Today you and your family celebrate an enormous victory over EB! And I have faith that this is the first of many!

Very best,
Carla and Matilde (13 months with EB) from Portugal

Sara and michael miller said...

I don't know your family but I know that you are wonderful, courageous, and most enduring family I have ever seen. I am a friend of Jessica edling and she says nothing but wonderful things of you and your family.. Please know that your family and especially your beautiful little boy Daylon are in out prayers! We love you

ANewKindOfPerfect said...

Happy birthday Daylon!! I hope that this year is the beginning of your NEW life!

Harman said...

Happy Birthday Daylon! Heres to many more to come!

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Fighter Boy! Sweet Little Daylon, keep growing those cells, getting stronger and stronger with time- Your family are in my prayers! Happy Birthday!

Anonymous said...

Happy 1st Birthday Daylon! Keep fighting! Can't wait to see pictures of you up and smiling again! You all are in my prayers and thoughts every day.

Amy in MN

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Daylon! This is my first time to read your blog. I see you are sleeping so I hope that means you are comfortable. My son, Weston is almost 16 and he has RDEB. The new book your dad was reading you in the picture was one of his favorites. "I love you all the way to the moon and back" has always been one of his favorite quotes :) I am so glad I came here to see your birthday pictures.
Dana Zucha
Baytown TX