A Special Birthday Party

A dear friend of mine named Vanessa sent out a mass text last November informing people that her 14-month old daughter named Brittany had been diagnosed with rare form of cancer called Hepatoblastoma. My hands were trembling as I read the text. I couldn't imagine what she could have possibly been going through. My heart ached for her. I began to weep...

...and then I prayed. And I kept on praying for this little girl through tests and doctor's visits and flights to specialist around the country.

And then prayed more as she underwent surgeries and chemotherapy and more tests and more hospital visits.

And we prayed for Vanessa and her husband Danny for strength and understanding and for increased faith and perseverance. We prayed for their other two young daughters who couldn't possibly understand the depth of what was happening to their family.

And then, last month, I cried again - but this time tears of JOY - when we heard the news that the doctors had declared that little Brittany was in remission! Her cancer was gone and her blood tests showed that she is doing awesome!

Praise God for miracles like this one. Praise God.

My friend, her husband and their two other daughters have been forever changed by this experience. It's now part of "their story." They could easily sit back and relish in the fact that they have their little baby home, safe in their arms... healthy... cancer free. But instead, they are using this experience to bring attention to pediatric cancer. They are raising funds for St. Baldrick's Foundation and doing it in a not-so-quiet way...

...they threw one HECK of a party!

The theme of the party was "Over the rainbow, where dreams really do come true" and they raised a ton of money for the St. Baldrick's Foundation. And let me tell you, when this family throws a party... they throw a PAR-TAAAAAAAY!

It took place at their family's tree farm out in Dade City. The huge acreage was lined with all kinds of beautiful trees growing in perfect rows. In the back of the property was a huge pavilion where they had set up a DJ, a catering station, tons of tables and an additional tent for seating. Every single thing was covered in rainbows. From the balloons to the tissue paper poufs, to the centerpieces. Oh, and let's not forget my son's favorite spot...

The rainbow candy station!

And to be sure the little ones were thoroughly entertained, they also had a water slide...

...a bounce house...

...a face painter AND a balloon artist...

(apparently Parker is into superheros now??)

...and did I forget to mention pony rides?? Oh, yeah, they had those too...

 And after eating and drinking to your heart's content, they served the most beautiful (and delicious!) rainbow cake to celebrate their amazing baby girl's 2nd birthday.

And although the party was all about celebrating Brittany's recovery and the joy that comes along with her birthday, there were also some tears shed when Vanessa presented a slide show of Britt's journey through her cancer diagnosis and treatment. Then, through tears, she thanked her family and friends for their support. It was beautiful.

Just when I thought my mascara was just about gone, Vanessa announced that her husband would be shaving his head today in honor of Brittany and all of the other pediatric cancer patients out there. They were donating money for anyone else willing to have their head shaved as well.

Vanessa shaving her husband, Danny's head.

Once that announcement was made, other people stepped up and said, "We'll also donate for each person who gets their head shaved!" I believe it was well over $100 per person when it was all said and done. And let me tell you... there was a LINE of people waiting to get that stunning "summer cut." :)

In the end, we all just stood around crying and laughing and celebrating this special girl.

Danny, post-head shave, holding Brittany.

After experiencing two close people die from cancer in the past few years, I am so absolutely thankful to see God's healing powers in this little girl. Thank you Lord.

"May you never take one single breath for granted..."