Goodbye 2009.
In 2009 we…
Went to Cozumel in January compliments of Jere’s work…
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played with friends, took swimming lessons, had a piece of Sam’s artwork from school (first grade) recognized at an art reception in town…
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laughed with friends, went out to dinner with friends, did lots of photography sessions, went to Mobile, Alabama in March to see my cousin Colleen get married…
At Colleen & Andrew’s rehearsal dinner
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My cousin Colleen and my Uncle Tim…so pretty!
Celebrated Sam’s 7th birthday on April 2nd…
took a family trip to Walt Disney World in Florida during Spring Break in April…
aboard the “Magical Express” bus headed to our hotel after landing in Orlando
goofing around at our hotel ready to hit Downtown Disney
a little ice cream break at Animal Kingdom
don’t let this photo fool you! It was only 7 in the morning and the park filled up very quickly! It was Spring Break ya know!
Went out west for a photography workshop, went back to Mobile, Alabama during Mother’s Day weekend for my cousin Laura’s wedding…
waiting to hop on our plane to Mobile
trying to sneak a snack in the hotel lobby before Laura & Clarence’s rehearsal dinner
the happy bride and groom…beautiful!
welcomed a new nephew (Hi baby Owen!)…
returned from Alabama (again) only to leave (AGAIN!) for a girls trip to Florida after Mother’s Day…(where I got a call from Jere that he had to pick Sam up from school on Friday because he vomiting in Mrs. Stein’s office after eating pizza. Sorry Mrs. Stein! Perhaps he has the flu??)
celebrated the first day of Summer Break with a bike ride, lunch at C.R. Heroes, and a trip to Dairy Queen…
had a CAT scan May 29th due to daily vomiting for 10 days during the last week and a half of school that revealed a 3cm growth in the back of Sam’s brain…our world stopped…but just for a moment as the initial shock took a back seat to doing what was needed to be done to help our son get well.
Went to Riley and developed a plan for surgery and had a few fun visitors…
Sam loved showing everyone around. Especially the Riley gift shop!
had brain surgery June 1st followed by eight days in the hospital…
home from the hospital enjoying some toast
enjoyed a little bit of summer…
took Jack to camp…(Jack got to go to LOTS of camps this summer!)
had port placement surgery and began radiation the end of June..
and tried to find comfort with the red rug…
had visits from Grammy and Poppy and Aunt Becca and Aunt Jessie…
began chemo in June…
had some sad days…
and some better days…
began 2nd grade…
lost two front teeth, lost some hair, lost some eyelashes, vomited more times than anyone can count, added a new member to the family…
was asked to be the 12th man at a Colts game…
did lots of crafts and school work from home…
had a few blood transfusions, called 911, road in an ambulance, had a few seizures, had an endoscopy, taken more medication than you could imagine, cried, gave hugs, received kisses, took 567 baths…
was humbled by the generosity of friends and family, lost a friend to breast cancer, strengthened our faith in God, said the Rosary and prayed a lot…
learned quite a bit about ourselves, fell in love with my husband all over again, became even more thankful for the little things, appreciated each other a little more and savored the time we were able to spend together.
Goodbye 2009. You proved to be a very challenging year for the Robinson family. I hope years from now when we look back on this time, we will appreciate how you made us stronger instead of remembering all of the heartache that was felt during the last part of your 365 days.
We wish all of you many blessings in 2010! Thank you all for you love, support and kindness this past year. We truly couldn’t have done it without you or without our faith in God. We love you!
Erica
8 comments
I’ve just been getting caught up on your blog. What a gorgeous post this was! I was crying sad tears and happy tears.
You guys have had quite a year. You’re in my prayers a lot.
I don’t know if you know exactly who I am but I am a second grade teacher at Lantern Road. I have gotten to know Sam through switching for Science/Social Studies, recess/lunch and just working with his teacher Mrs. McKinney (I am across the hall). I hope you don’t mind but Mrs. McKinney shared Sam’s blog with me and I absolutely felt love, warmth, and support from so many for your family. It brought me to tears, some sad but most happy. I love what you have done and to share it with others is so powerful and inspirational. You are one amazing family and Sam is one very special boy! Lots of prayers and thoughts for your family in the New Year.
God bless,
Jennifer Skinner
2nd grade teacher at Lantern Road Elementary
Erica, Jere, Jack and Sam,
My thoughts and prayers stay on and with you in 2010…it’s going to be a great new year! Blessings to you all and thank you, Erica for being so amazingly inspirational to so many – your entire family has been – your blog with your photography being shared with all has been emotionally breath-taking. What a gift… blessings, prayers and heart-felt wishes for you all. ~ Julie
I cried all over again looking through your picture montage!! Your strength absolutely amazes me. Your humor brightens even the darkest cloud. Your devotion to faith, family, and friends is forever endearing!! Much love to you, Ery and your beautiful family!! God is GREAT and he will continue to bring you warm blessings in 2010!!
Your post on the past year was so beautiful, Erica. It has been an unbelieveable year for Sam and your family. I am inspired by the lessons you have learned and the love you have shared with each other. The way you have supported Sam and relied on your faith in God to sustain you has been amazing to witness.
Sam continues to be in our thoughts and prayers for his complete healing.
May you have Peace that comes only from God now and in the days ahead. We are cheering Sam on and hope his vomiting will subside once he has had the two weeks on the acid reflux medication.
Love,
Heather
2010 is going to rock! Great things are ahead for the Robinson family. Happy New Year – we luv you!!!!
The Martins are right there with ya, Robinsons! Adios, ’09…here’s to brighter, healthier days ahead. We love you!
Dear Erica, Jere, Jack & Sam. We wish you all a happy 2010. We think of you every day and draw inspiration from your family’s strength. Lots of prayers, positive thoughts, and hugs. Love, Laurie, John, Jessica & Kayla.