Alumni Tournament Pictures

Both families pictured with the 2 teams playing for the championship.


The Shaw family


Keith Mecham, the basketball coach at Box Elder, gave Dylan this awesome Bee's basketball. Dylan was so cute and said, "once I get my balance back I'll be shooting a lot of hoops with this basketball."


During a break in games I took my girls, Sydnee and Madelyn, on a little date with Dawson and Dylan to Texas Roadhouse (Dylan's favorite restaurant). We all had so much fun and the conversation was nonstop. It made me smile! Grammy had taken Dylan to Texas Roadhouse for his birthday last year and I guess ate "A LOT" of the peanuts. He was convinced that he needed to bring some back to her and worried about it until we got her a bag. Just an example of how cute and thoughtful he is!


I am also so grateful for the incredible support and love that has been given! The definition of charity is the pure love of Christ. We have all felt of this love by numerous people; friends, family, neighbors, and even strangers.
Thank you is not a strong enough word for the gratitude that we feel!

Lindsay (Mandy's sister)

Spreading Goodness

  Today on my Relief Society newsletter there was a quote from President Hinkley.  It said..

"You are good.  But it is not enough to just be good.  You must be good for something.  You must contribute good to the world.  The world must be a better place for your presence.  And the good that is in you must be spread to others."

   It was so appropriate after this week.  So much goodness has been given to us.   My family (The Jeppesens) and the Shaws are both from Brigham City.  We all attended Box Elder High School...and all the Shaw boys played basketball for the Bees.  Every year a group of men put on a Todd Morrison Alumni Tournament.  All of the proceeds from the event go to chosen families in need.  Some of you may already know, but the Shaws were one of the two families this year.  The other family was the Friedli's.  If you have't heard their story..grab a box of tissues and read their blog.  What a sweet family.   

  The event started on Monday and Tuesday night with benefit dinners at Sonora Grill in Ogden.  Mandy mentioned this in her last post, and thanked so many people for coming.  It was truly overwhelming watching so many of our family and friends walk into the restaurant to show their love and support.  Here are just a few pictures from the night... 

Dylan and Uncle Trevor

 Dylan with Grammy and Papa

Dylan and Mom

Ben Huff, one of the men who put on the event. THANK YOU!!

Dylan was so happy to see his cancer buddy Cyndi there!

The Friedli's & the Shaws

Dylan LOVED meeting everyone who came.  He was such a good sport to walk around, shake hands & talk to everyone.

Dylan & Lizzy.  Lizzy's family were the recipients last year.  She also had a brain tumor & is a darling brave little girl.  

  I wish I had some pictures AND video from last night at the actual basketball tournament.  If anyone has some will you email them to me??  After they introduced the families, the fathers both took a minute to say thank you.  I am pretty sure there wasn't a person there not in tears.  What a special night to be a part of.  You are all SO GOOD!  Not just good, but doing good.  You have blessed our lives with love & hope.  Your support and kindness means more than you will ever know.  Dylan was so brave and even took the microphone to thank everyone for coming, with tears streaming down his little cheeks.  The world IS a better place because of all your love and service for these two families.  I am so grateful I was able to watch and feel the love last night.  THANK YOU to everyone who played a part in ANY way.  

Alumni Tournament Weekend

Yesterday concluded the 18th annual Todd Morrison Alumni Tournament, where past years of graduates gather at Box Elder High School to relive the glory days of their high school youth in a basketball tournament! Unfortunately that 'glory' is supported by more milligrams of Ibuprofen than I believe the human body should safely consume in two days and more knee and ankle braces per capita than anywhere in America. I think next year Don Joy Ortho and Motrin should become the official sponsors! The whole purpose of this tournament is to raise money for a child or family going through a difficult medical time and as we've mentioned before on this blog, we were selected as one of two recipients. The other being Dakota Friedli, their blog is wonderful and is worth following as well. What a beautiful little kid Dakota is and while is body is still very limited in movement, his bright eyes stare at you with all the wonder of youth. His parents are great and rightfully deserved to have been this year's sole recipient of the alumni tournament proceeds but through the goodness of their hearts and their charity they allowed us to be co-recipients with them and for that, we say Thank You to them!

I would like to say that my year (1993) was victorious but alas we were far from it (yet again) winning one game and losing two (both in overtime and both due to the refs blowing calls that would have allowed us to win the game!!) Let's not mention the part where I personally missed the game winning shot in one game but instead focus on the ineptitude of the officiating, that's more fun anyway. Mandy's year (1996) won their bracket championship as did my older brother Jeff's year (1986), which is my year's bracket as well but sadly we've never come close to winning that thing. There are 3 different brackets as to protect the old and decrepit from having to play the younger teams, say from 2008 that can still run and jump and have a BMI under 30 (man I hate those kids). My brain still thinks I belong in that category but sadly, this 36 yr old body begs to differ and today, Man is it begging!!

But it was great fun to see old friends that I haven't seen for a long time but it was even more fun to see my little Dylan interacting with so many people (most of whom he'd never met in his life). They would come and sit by him and he would talk to them as if they were old friends and genuinely be interested in getting to know them. So many people, afterwards, commented on how impressed they were with his attitude and sense of humor (ask him about his science project of a cup dirt by Brian Reagan and you'll laugh historically as he recites it). I can't thank all the people there enough for donating to the tournament. This year they had a silent auction wherein people/companies donated items that were bid on and I couldn't believe some of the items that were donated; 14th row Jazz tickets from Bank of Utah, a bunch of girly smelly stuff from one of Mandy's high school buddies Kelly and 3 beautiful paintings from a good friend of mine Russell Case. If you haven't heard of Russell Case, he's one of the most talented artists I know and his artwork (mostly of outdoor, fishing, cowboy, and landscape scenes is truly beautiful). All the other items were great too and I don't mean to single anyone out but rather to give a description of the level and value of things that people donated to the cause.

At half time of the young bracket championship game, they brought both us and the Friedli's to center court and Trek Lyons (founder of the alumni tournament) said a few words, thanked everyone for coming and introduced the families. Then he gave us the microphone to address the crowd. I was overwhelmed with emotion standing there looking into the crowd, seeing people I've known my whole life; a school teacher, a seminary teacher, a former boss, our son's pediatrician and many people who have loved and supported me and helped me become the man I am today (it truly does take a community to raise a child). I couldn't hold back the tears as I thanked them for their generosity. I've played in the alumni tournament since it's inception and our year has always donated money because it truly is for a good cause but to be on the receiving end was a place I never thought I'd be! It gave a whole new meaning to community and even though I no longer live in Brigham City, it will always be my home and where I will always say I'm proud to be from. Dylan kept saying he couldn't believe how many people would come to support him, he's still overwhelmed that so many people care and to me, as a father, it gives me hope for humanity. There is so much that is evil and bad in this world and it is easy to give into despair and depression and allow ourselves to give up because it is just too hard. When I feel this way, I always remember 2 Kings 6:15-17 When Elisha the prophet of Israel was surrounded by the Syrians, his servant asked how they could defeat such an army surrounding their city and Elisha said 'Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.' Yes, there is evil and wickedness in this world but there is also SO much goodness and people going about doing good. This weekend was full of those kind of people. One of the greatest men I know, Wendel Hess (a bishop and neighbor from my youth) who just recently passed away was one of those men. He simply went about doing good and not looking for public recognition for it. That is the kind of man I now strive to be. From the bottom of our hearts, we want to thank all those who participated and donated to the alumni tournament. The proceeds will allow us to accomplish things that before were not possible. What an experience, one I will never forget!

Ryan-the Dad

Thank goodness for my GPS

  Do you use a gps too??  I hope so.   For some reason I have a HORRIBLE sense of direction.....I mean, I get turned around in our Church house every week.  I don't pay very much attention when I'm going places, especially if I am not the one driving.  Lucky for me, my trusty gps can tell me just where to go!  I plug in the address and I am off!
  Last night I was heading to Salt Lake for a Drill Team performance.  I had never been to Juan Diego before so I typed the address in my gps.  As I was driving on the freeway the voice told me many times to "stay left" when approaching an exit I wasn't to take.  So, I would stay left, and continue on.  After I had been driving for a while, one of my favorite songs came on the radio.  I turned it up and enjoyed the little bit of sunshine there was today.  Muffled by the sound of the radio I heard my gps give me some kind of instruction.....only I didn't quite get the message.  I couldn't hear it because my music was too loud.  I panicked and hoped I hadn't missed my exit.  At that point a light bulb switched in my head......
   WE HAVE ALL BEEN GIVEN OUR OWN GPS'S on EARTH!  It tells us when we need to avoid certain things or places, it lets us know when we need to turn around, and even when our friends or family are in need of something.  Did you know Mandy's "GPS" told her there was something going on with Dylan?  Ryan's too.  They were both being prompted to see more doctors and figure out what was going on, even with Dylan showing very little symptoms at the time.  The good part is that they listened.  How often is our "music too loud"  to hear the promptings?  How often do we miss our exits, or turn the wrong way, because we can't hear the instructions?  
  Luckily last night, I didn't miss my exit.  I still had another chance to take the right one... but I learned just how important it is for me to be able to hear.  To be prepared to hear, and not let the excitement of my favorite songs make me forget there is someone trying to lead and guide me.  I am so thankful for that wonderful gift we have been given.        

PS- Did you know that Dylan has been REALLY funny lately?!!  Sunday was a rough day for me emotionally.  It was hard for me to teach the 9 year olds in primary about prayer, and not cry.  It was even more hard for me to be at my parents with all the kids playing downstairs and sweet Dylan just sitting on the couch upstairs. It was one of those days I just wanted to crawl back into bed and cry.  Well.....I sat next to Dylan on the couch and he proceeded to tell me the play by play of EVERY State Farm commercial that is currently playing on tv.  Then every once in a while he'd sing very loudly, " LIKE A GOOD NEIGHBOR, STATE FARM IS THERE!!"  I could not help but laugh, really hard.  Two days later it is still making me laugh and smile.  I love that boy!!

WOW.

Well, what I really would like to do is write a 10 page essay listing everyone by name who I would like to thank. However, I know I would accidentally forget someone... So, at this point, all I have to say is WOW. WOW to the endless amount of texts and calls we continue to receive daily just to let us know they are thinking of us and we are in their prayers. WOW to the visitors we receive daily just dropping by see how we are doing and bring a treat or two. (P.S. Still trying to lose the baby weight... :) ) WOW to my husband's co-workers and bosses that continue to support him and do all they can to help make things easier for him and us. WOW to my employees who are doing their best at running my business the way I would have it. WOW to our ward and neighborhood who continue to bring us dinners and volunteer their services to us. WOW to our families who are helping us daily whether it is taking our kids or helping at the house. WOW to our friends who are planning these amazing events to help lighten our load. WOW to our friends who traveled great distances to support us, it is amazing to see how long true friendships really last. WOW to our Heavenly Father who continues sending blessings our way. And finally, WOW to my little angel Dylan who reminds me every day that if he can go through this and still have a smile on his face at the end of the day, then so can I...

One GREAT DAY!!

May I share with you the wonderful day I had yesterday taking Dylan to his radiation treatment. We talked the entire way down and back. I asked him if he knew the way to the treatment, he said that he didn't pay that much attention as his dad was driving. Mostly he said, I sleep or have my eyes closed. I told him I really did know how to get to the hospital, but did he know where to go after getting to the hospital. He said, "Of course I know". (Why would I think any different?) We talked about the beautiful land that we live in and how lucky we are to live here. We talked about what an amazing family he has and what a wonderful neighborhood and ward he lives in. (may I insert, while I was waiting for him to get ready to go, 5 neighborhood girls brought him a bowl full of money, they had been around the neighborhood selling duct-tape decorated pens- they had $35.00 - and that is just one of the hundreds of acts of kindness that this wonderful neighborhood has done - what amazing people!!!! WE LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!)

It was a rainy day, and he asked if maybe we could get a parking place close to the doors, cause he said he really didn't like to walk that far. As we drove into the parking garage, there were some handicap parking spaces available, he said, "Don't you think that I am a little bit handicapped? So we should be able to park in them." I said I thought that there was a parking space just around the corner, and there was, so we didn't have to walk very far.

As we got into the hospital, he went up to the front desk and he asked if he could please get the golf cart to take him back to the radiation treatment. They said of course he could, and we got to ride on the golf cart again. (I went in with him and Ryan 2 weeks ago to see Dr. Thompson, after leaving Primary Children's Hospital to find out about his radiation treatments and rode in the golf cart then). The golf cart is a great idea, it is a long way to the radiation treatment area, and it makes getting there a bit more fun.

As we arrived at the radiation treatment area, he went up to the desk, the nurses said, "Hi, Dylan, we are waiting for you!" He said, "Can I check in?" they said, "Yes you can." He went over to the computer screen and checked himself in. The nurse told him that he would have to wait a little while, because there was someone else having treatment right now. He said that every other time that he has come he went right in, no one has ever been in there before him. (He told me before we left that it really didn't matter what time we got there, because no one has ever been there - I said that we really should go at the scheduled time, because that is when they were expecting us, and maybe someone else was coming after him.)

While we waited for about 20 minutes, he played his DSI and another puzzle game, and then it was time to go in. I asked if I could see where he treatment was, he told me that I could. I went with him and Mark into the treatment center, he jumped up on the table, and laid down. (This is his 4th time and he is an expert now). They put on his Denver Bronco's mask and raised the table, they turned on the laser markers and aligned it up on the side of his head, and then I said that I would wait in the waiting room. 15 minutes later he came out and said, "OK, it is time to go."

We went to the desk and asked if he could call for the golf cart. The nurse said that she would call for it. Dylan said, "They told me to call them". So the nurse handed him the phone and he asked if the golf cart could please come to the radiation treatment area. While riding back to the entrance, he said that there had been 25 patients that day doing radiation, 3 children (including him). We both were amazed that there were so many, and that was on that one machine, there are other machines in the hospital.

As we started home, he calculated what time we would be getting home. It usually takes about 1 hour, so we left at 4:30 p.m. and he thought we would be getting home at 5:30 p.m.- well we got home at 5:15 - we were fast, must have had a tail wind.

As we talked coming home, he said, "I am going to close my eyes, I am not going to sleep, but just close my eyes cause they have been open a lot today." But his eyes didn't stay closed very long, he just talked, and talked, about everything.

What a great day we had, just Dylan and me. I don't get very many days with just one grandchild at a time, and it was GREAT!!!! I am so grateful that Tom and I get to take him to treatment each day. No coincidence that we are now both retired and have the time and ability to do this service for him and his parents. I would do anything to help any of our children and grandchildren!!! They are all WONDERFUL!!

Thanks Dylan for allowing me to know you, you are amazing!!!

Dylan has always been a wonderful friendly person. At the hospital I saw that same friendly Dylan. He was so sure of himself and happy.

As I watch Dylan play with his brothers and sisters, he is always wanting them to be fair and do things right. He is always reminding them of the things that they should or shouldn't be doing. Last week he was dragging Avery across the family room by her leg to get her away from something she wasn't supposed to do. As I watched, I was struck with the thought that he wants them to do RIGHT and wants to help them choose the right. (Sometimes as with all siblings, it isn't always received with love and warmth and is not seen as being very helpful, but he wants them to get IT - I believe that he gets IT.)

I hope that we all get IT - REMEMBER WHY WE ARE HERE!!! we all shouted for Joy when the Plan of Salvation was presented to us, we all raised our hands and voted "YES" we accept Jesus' Plan and we want the opportunity to come to earth to recieve a body to prove ourselves worthy to be able to live with our Heavenly Father and Jesus again. Jesus Attoned for OUR sins, to make that possible.

PLEASE REMEMBER, Oh remember!!!!

This is a photo of the mask Dylan has to wear during treatment to keep his head still on the table and in the same place everytime. The cool doctors at LDS hospital painted in like a denver bronco helmet for him-very cool. The second photo is of his new buddy Mason Falk who battled leukemia. Dylan wears his Team Mason Fight Club bracelet everyday.