Golden Sunshine Birthday!

Cannon's birthday was a very special day. Happy Birthday Sunshine Boy

Cannon Invites You

Party time will not be 7:00. We will begin the party at 6:00, having cupcakes and ice cream and releasing the Wish Lanterns at 6:30.

Can't Make It?

We are so blessed to have loved ones spread across the globe. Naturally, not everyone can make it to Cannon's birthday celebration. Some family members inspired a great idea to fix that problem. If you are not able to attend in person, feel free to email me a "birthday wish" that I can write down on a card for you to put in Cannon's time capsule. You can post it here as a comment or email it to my personal account, with the subject "Cannon's Wish". We will then reserve a wish lantern, in your name, and make sure to light it and release it with all the others on the night of Cannon's birthday. We are so excited about this and feel everyones love and support. Thank you for being a part of Cannon's life. He is an amazing boy that we are more than thrilled to celebrate a year with him in our lives.

Birthday Wishes

The hot air balloon or a small plane ride to the Oregon coast? Great ideas in theory but the reality is, even if they would let Cannon ride, how do I know he wouldn't be fussy or get sick or just be miserable the whole time? Inspired friends suggested releasing lighted lanterns on his birthday. Genius! So we would like EVERYONE that wants to be a part of it to join us on March 1st. The plan is to have everyone come and write a Birthday Wish for Cannon, that we will put in a time capsule and read again next year on his birthday, and then release a wish lantern into the sky. I think it will be beautiful and so special. More details to follow...

Come one, come ALL!

Golden Birthday Ideas

As I've been planning Cannon's first birthday my goal is to celebrate in a way that Ethan and Ella will always remember it. I know Ethan will remember Cannon, but Ella is still at an age that I wonder what things she will remember throughout her life. I want Cannon's birthday to stick out as a day of love and joy. I found a website that talks about "The Golden Birthday." It says this: "The golden birthday is the day a child turns the age that corresponds to the day of the month on which he was born. One outstanding feature of the golden birthday is that is can only come once in a lifetime". This means that since Cannon is turning 1 on March 1st, this year is Cannon's Golden Birthday. Not that I needed even more of a reason, but I am inspired and determined to not hold anything back. My idea for his birthday is "You are My Sunshine." The words to this song are beautiful, but with Cannon's specific situation, they are so meaningful also. I was pursuing renting a hot air balloon to have a "Rise and Shine" breakfast party but since the height requirements do not allow Cannon or Ella to ride, that will not work. Kent and I have discussed taking a weekend trip to Portland and take the family sailing, but we worry about the cold air. You can see what our vision might be, so if you have any suggestions or ideas I would really love your help. I want to do something that seems limitless. Cannon has been bound and limited his whole life and for one moment, one memory, I want to feel free and unstoppable. I am very excited to celebrate my special baby''s Golden Birthday- now I just need to know how! Help! If you have any ideas or suggestions- I want to hear them! Thanks!

One Year Ago

This is what I looked like exactly one year ago. It doesn't seem that long and yet it feels like another lifetime. One year ago I was merely a couple weeks away from meeting one of the most special people I will ever have the honor of knowing. One year ago I had no idea the journey that lay ahead of me. One year ago my biggest concern was how chubby my face was and if this little boy would look like Ethan or Ella. One year ago I anticipated the arrival of our third precious little baby, whom I always knew would have an impact on my life but I never could have known the person he would be, and the person he would help me to become. Cannon is still teaching me, molding me, refining me. As much as I hate to see my baby suffer, and I complain about sleepless nights, feeding tubes, constant congestion, missed milestones and so on, I am deeply thankful that nearly one year ago I was blessed more than I will ever know, with this perfect spirit to be my son.