Inspiration....

Inspiration comes in many forms...for some it’s reading, seeing, hearing something that motivates them to do something creative...however sometimes it’s not what someone says, writes or does that is inspiring...sometimes it’s the person themselves that is an inspiration....well in my last blog post I wrote about running a half marathon....I have always wanted to run one and after hearing some news this summer I found my inspiration do it....I want you all to meet someone very special....

This is Chloe

She is the daughter of our dear friends Beth and Lee Herrington....Chloe is two and half years old and has Down syndrome. She is the life of the party and a true shinning star.....This past summer it was confirmed that Chloe has Leukemia....when I heard the news from Beth, I thought how in the world could this be?! Chloe reminds me so much of my little sister and I see the same fight, determination, spirit and sassiness in her that my little sister Lizzy has. Knowing that the road ahead of them would be long Beth and Lee jumped in head first and Chloe started Chemo in August...she has completed 4 out the 6 rounds and is headed in this week to start round 5.....she has pulled through every treatment with flying colors and leaves the doctors stunned constantly...the days they expect her to be feeling her worst, they walk in her room to find her dancing to a ‘gangnam style’ video or many of her other favorite pop songs...(Chloe does have her yucky days but they are nothing like what they were told to prepare for)...Chloe’s story has touched so many people and she inspires people daily....and she IS my inspiration for running.

(Here's Chloe at home for Christmas with her family....A true super start in my book!!)

Thanks to Chloe I have run further then I ever thought I possibly could and every time I want stop to walk I think about the fact that Chloe has only one choice and that's to fight and this keeps me running on.....So on January 20th at theTinkerBell Half Marathon I will be running for Chloe...I won’t be alone in my run as my mom has been training to run this half marathon with me......I am so excited to do something so amazing with my mom by my side, to be able to show my boys that all it takes is a little inspiration and you can reach any goal. I have Chloe to thank for showing me that if a two and half year old can fight cancer with a smile on her face then I can run 13.1 miles with a smile on my face!!

I hope you all find something that inspires you and makes you a better person. Thank you Chloe for showing me that life isn’t about the material things, it’s about the strength we have within us and the will to live each day to the fullest!!

~Melissa~

Happy New Year...

Happy New Year!!!! I can’t believe that 2013 is finally here!! I have made it may resolution to dust off my blog here and get to blogging more..my goal is once or twice a week.....(but I know me and it may really take some reminders, but reflecting on our amazingly fun life will be worth it!) This last year was such a blast and I can’t wait to see what 2013 has planned for us. We have been a very busy family since our last update in July...YIKES, I guess I need to do some serious catching up! So here goes....

Misha is doing wonderful and growing and learning so much everyday. In September we went on a family vacation to Disneyland and it was awesome to watch our little boys eyes light up with every little thing at “The Happiest Place On Earth”. October was a very busy month for Misha...we had his very first IEP (individualized education plan) and he started preschool at a wonderful county program for children with special needs. Misha also experienced his first Halloween with a fun festival at school and a very rainy night out trick-or-treating with his big brother. November was a month where we saw so much growth in Misha. School has been so amazing for him and he is learning so quickly. Again Misha had another first with Thanksgiving and let me tell you this boy LOVES him some candied yams (I think it was the brown sugar and marshmallows that was in them)!!! He enjoyed all parts of our turkey dinner but he was signing ‘more’ like crazy when he got to the yams. December was full of school and the most magical time of year for us....Christmas!! I can honestly say I have truly enjoyed experiencing every first with Misha since he’s been home but Christmas takes the cake! There is something so magical about this time of year and, for a little boy who spent too many years alone in an orphanage, watching him experience every part of the holiday made it even more magical for our family! And that brings us to today....Misha is happy, healthy, loved and sleeping peacefully in his bed as I type! 

<-----Enjoying his candied yams!

trying to escape while mommy did the dishes! 

----->

Next up is our big boy Ryan. He started 2nd grade in August and I think this was the hardest year yet watching him go off to school the first day. My baby boy is no longer a baby he is becoming a wonderful, kind, sweet, and caring young boy and makes me proud everyday. He spent the summer playing baseball and continued that into fall baseball. He has real passion for baseball and is a natural at it...and no I’m not just saying that cause I’m his mom, (well maybe a little)....but he really is good for his age. His new love is football and thanks to his mama he has become a HUGE Oregon Ducks fan and is following his buddies footsteps in liking the NY Giants....I’m sure next year he’ll ask to play football in the fall but I don’t think I’m ready to watch my baby take hits from other kids....I wonder if I could talk him into flag football...hhhmmm, I guess I better get the seed of flag football planted now!:) Other then his sports he is working hard at being a great student and is a wonderful big brother. He loves Misha and is so sweet with him. He too is enjoying showing Misha lots new things and sharing in “Misha’s Firsts”. David and I are truly proud of him and couldn’t ask for a more sweeter, kinder, caring boy! 

   Getting so big!! ----->

  <-----Enjoying Disneyland in September!

 Up now is David and I.....besides being busy parents of two boys....we just celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary and are looking forward to many more years together. David is still working hard at the Sheriffs Department, as well as, the National Guard. I can not believe how blessed I really am to have a husband who loves and supports us the way he does! I am still plugging along at school...I thought I would be done in May but I need to take a few more “filler” classes to meet my credit requirements...sooo it looks like this time next year I will entering my final classes and graduating with my bachelors degree in multiple subject teaching!! I can’t begin to say how excited I am to see the light at the end of this road...it’s been long and full of stops but I am finally getting to the end!!:) So besides school and kids, I have also been working hard at checking a item off my bucket list.....that item is running a half marathon...Haha...Just typing that made me laugh...yes I am just that crazy that I have created a goal like that with my busy life...I guess I like the challenge! But this challenge only happened because I was reminded of how precious life is this summer (I’ll write more about this in another blog..maybe tomorrow) and that it’s time to start living life and showing my children anything is possible!:)

So as you can see life for the Chellson’s has been anything but slow and 2012 truly was an amazingly awesome adventure.......we really can’t wait to see what 2013 holds for us and we hope that you (and hopefully more new followers) will be along for ride with our adventures!

Thanks for reading and check back soon for a new post!

Happy New Year!!!!

~Melissa~

~Christmas Eve Movie Night~

~Brothers and Friends Forever~

~One more of our silly boy~