All of our friends and the Wal-Mart associates gathered.
I placed Ted E. Bear, my camera and iphone with the bell peppers, hoping that was ok since the Wal-Mart manager, Robin, was standing right there!
Robin welcomed everyone and introduced Madison as the Children's Miracle Network 2010Champion of the Year!
She hugged Robin, Mama and Daddy- so excited!!! "Isn't that cool!?"
The Wal-Mart associates rolled out the banner with Madison's picture and she loved that!
Tena spoke for a few minutes- reminding us all that every penny that we donate adds up to a significant amount of money and it all goes straight to Blair E Batson Hospital for Children in Jackson! Madison whispered to her to tell everyone that she had Kawasaki Disease and was treated. She wanted everyone to know that she was very sick but Tena reminded all of us that she is all better now thanks to the great care at Batson!
She then told Madison that she would be traveling to... Washington DC! Everyone clapped and Mama and Madison high-fived when she announced we would get to meet the President of the United States!
Robin then took a few minutes to remind everyone to purchase a $1 balloon at the register! She also introduced Ms Barbara, a Wal-Mart employee that has been with Wal-Mart for 31 years! Robin then told Madison that we would go to the Disneyworld Resort in November! She GASPED for air and then gave Mama not just a high-five but a high-ten!!! then Ms Barbara gave Madison a special treat- a $500 gift card to Wal-Mart to buy a few things for our trip!
She ran over to Robin and Barbara and gave her a signature thank you hug!
Then Mr Ricky, the truck driver, brought over a box of goodies for Madison- a driver t-shirt, POLO, truck clock, truck toy, truck log book, speakers for her IPOD, coffee thermos, and a sucker because she is so sweet. He told us how proud he was of Madison and thanked her for representing MS. She gave him a big bear hug!
Robin thanked her and told her that they would all be watching her journey to DC and Orlando.
Ms Barbara gave her a Mickey Mouse balloon, Wal-Mart lunchbox and lots of little trinkets- toe rings, stickers, smiley face erasers, Silly Bandz and more.
I thanked everyone for joining us and supporting us these last 3 and 1/2 years. I shared the fact that Madison thought we were there for a fundraiser and brought her purse full of change to share... little did she know the surprises that Wal-Mart and Children's Miracle Network had for her!
She spent a minute going through her goodies and then was invited to help with the Wal-Mart cheer!
Clap, clap, clap, clap W*A*L*M*A*R*T, what does that spell? Wal-Mart!
While I participated in a couple of TV interviews (7 and 22) Madison was given a cake server and she cut the cake. She cut the first piece and LICKED the spatula!
The sweet bakery ladies took a few minutes to find a new serving piece and everyone got cake on cute Mickey Mouse plates!
Afterwards we joined Sam and the Arrington girls for a nice lunch at Newk's... we were still floating on Cloud 9 at all of the news and excitement- anticipating the trips and fun to come!
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Announcement
The day finally arrived. May 18, 2010.
I woke Madison and told her that I had a day full of surprises for her! She begged me to let her sleep 5 for minutes. 10 minutes later she finally got up and seemed interested in what I was trying to tell her.
I let her keep her pajamas on while we drove to see our friend Kristen at the beauty parlor. I told Madison she was going to have a special day and she could choose any hairstyle that she wanted and Ms Kristen would fix her up. She surprised us all and chose a piggytail do. Kristen curled the ends and added two matching blue bows, one for each side.
Then I helped Madison put on her blue skirt and the important red "Champion" t-shirt that Children's Miracle Network had mailed a couple of weeks before. Madi thought that we were attending a fundraiser for the hospital and I told her that they requested that she wear this shirt. She easily complied.
We drove over to our church, I told Madison we had to stop and check on something before the fundraiser. I saw the huge Wal-Mart semi-truck parked across the way and asked Madi if she wanted to look at it a little closer- she shouted- 'Yeah'! I asked her if she wanted a chance to ride in a truck like that- she said- 'well yeah'! We walked a bit further to the back door of the church and saw the truck driver, a police officer, a newspaper reporter and photographer talking. The driver, Ricky, asked Madison if she wanted a ride. Her mouth dropped open and said YES! They chatted a bit longer and he told her that she had other surpries in store and he wanted to drive her over to Wal-Mart see what it was all about.
We walked over, climbed in and got buckled. There were 3 officers on motorcycles and one deputy sheriff to lead us. Once we got half-way to Wal-Mart 2 other officers on motorcyles showed. They stopped every car on the way- blocking every intersection and drove us on through each and every red light. I wish I could get that treatment everytime I wanted to go to Wal-Mart! WOW!
She shouted in glee the whole way there. She also told us some funny jokes. Ricky told her had some gifts for her later in the morning. She laughed and said she hoped it wasn't WORMS! We laughed about that- he told her she told a good joke. In response she told him- 'yeah, I am full of good jokes!'
We circled around the Sam's Club parking lot so that we could fit in front of the Market side door of Wal-Mart. As we got closer, Madison started recognizing some of her friends- I rolled the window down so that she could say hello and wave. The first person she saw was Derrick from the Multi Purpose Center (where I host my Duds for Doodlebugs sale). She screamed and waved at him- so excited! Ricky pulled right up to the front door and we saw others that we knew. Kelly and her Dad, Sara, Marye, Harold and Jennifer, Herbie, Jen, Tina, Keith, Malissa, Amy, Nellie, Sam and Thomas, Julie C, the church staff, Ken, Renee, Natalie, Anna, Uncle Dave, Glo and Donald, Davi and Isaac, Amy and Connor, Amanda H., Denise and Tony, our Children's Miracle Network/ Batson Hospital friends- John, Tena, Jennifer, and lots of others. (I hope I am not leaving anyone out!)
I opened the door so that Madison could climb down- she made it to the top step and then jumped down! Ryan, the photographer at the Hattiesburg American was lucky enough to get that shot- with her little skirt acting as a parachute. I love that shot.
She jumped down and ran to Daddy to give him a giant bear hug. He presented her with a bouquet of daisies that he picked out. (Those flowers were pretty for at least 10 days! We displayed them in a special vase on our kitchen counter.)
Madison was encouraged to lead the way inside and have everyone follow. Since she wasn't sure where to go she walked in to the produce section until she saw a HUGE cake. That thing must have been 3' x 2' sheet cake! She stared at it for several seconds until Tena called us over for the big announcement.
To be continued...
I woke Madison and told her that I had a day full of surprises for her! She begged me to let her sleep 5 for minutes. 10 minutes later she finally got up and seemed interested in what I was trying to tell her.
I let her keep her pajamas on while we drove to see our friend Kristen at the beauty parlor. I told Madison she was going to have a special day and she could choose any hairstyle that she wanted and Ms Kristen would fix her up. She surprised us all and chose a piggytail do. Kristen curled the ends and added two matching blue bows, one for each side.
Then I helped Madison put on her blue skirt and the important red "Champion" t-shirt that Children's Miracle Network had mailed a couple of weeks before. Madi thought that we were attending a fundraiser for the hospital and I told her that they requested that she wear this shirt. She easily complied.
We drove over to our church, I told Madison we had to stop and check on something before the fundraiser. I saw the huge Wal-Mart semi-truck parked across the way and asked Madi if she wanted to look at it a little closer- she shouted- 'Yeah'! I asked her if she wanted a chance to ride in a truck like that- she said- 'well yeah'! We walked a bit further to the back door of the church and saw the truck driver, a police officer, a newspaper reporter and photographer talking. The driver, Ricky, asked Madison if she wanted a ride. Her mouth dropped open and said YES! They chatted a bit longer and he told her that she had other surpries in store and he wanted to drive her over to Wal-Mart see what it was all about.
We walked over, climbed in and got buckled. There were 3 officers on motorcycles and one deputy sheriff to lead us. Once we got half-way to Wal-Mart 2 other officers on motorcyles showed. They stopped every car on the way- blocking every intersection and drove us on through each and every red light. I wish I could get that treatment everytime I wanted to go to Wal-Mart! WOW!
She shouted in glee the whole way there. She also told us some funny jokes. Ricky told her had some gifts for her later in the morning. She laughed and said she hoped it wasn't WORMS! We laughed about that- he told her she told a good joke. In response she told him- 'yeah, I am full of good jokes!'
We circled around the Sam's Club parking lot so that we could fit in front of the Market side door of Wal-Mart. As we got closer, Madison started recognizing some of her friends- I rolled the window down so that she could say hello and wave. The first person she saw was Derrick from the Multi Purpose Center (where I host my Duds for Doodlebugs sale). She screamed and waved at him- so excited! Ricky pulled right up to the front door and we saw others that we knew. Kelly and her Dad, Sara, Marye, Harold and Jennifer, Herbie, Jen, Tina, Keith, Malissa, Amy, Nellie, Sam and Thomas, Julie C, the church staff, Ken, Renee, Natalie, Anna, Uncle Dave, Glo and Donald, Davi and Isaac, Amy and Connor, Amanda H., Denise and Tony, our Children's Miracle Network/ Batson Hospital friends- John, Tena, Jennifer, and lots of others. (I hope I am not leaving anyone out!)
I opened the door so that Madison could climb down- she made it to the top step and then jumped down! Ryan, the photographer at the Hattiesburg American was lucky enough to get that shot- with her little skirt acting as a parachute. I love that shot.
She jumped down and ran to Daddy to give him a giant bear hug. He presented her with a bouquet of daisies that he picked out. (Those flowers were pretty for at least 10 days! We displayed them in a special vase on our kitchen counter.)
Madison was encouraged to lead the way inside and have everyone follow. Since she wasn't sure where to go she walked in to the produce section until she saw a HUGE cake. That thing must have been 3' x 2' sheet cake! She stared at it for several seconds until Tena called us over for the big announcement.
To be continued...
Monday, May 10, 2010
getting closer!
Found out today that our announcement will be Tuesday, May 18th at 10am at the Oak Grove Wal-Mart.
I am getting so excited! I can't believe I have known this for 6 months and haven't told her. You know I am no good at keeping secrets from her!
She has guessed that we are going to DC but she doesn't know why or when... and she definitely does not know about the Disney trip.
Just 8 more days and we can start talking about it with her!
I am getting so excited! I can't believe I have known this for 6 months and haven't told her. You know I am no good at keeping secrets from her!
She has guessed that we are going to DC but she doesn't know why or when... and she definitely does not know about the Disney trip.
Just 8 more days and we can start talking about it with her!
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Itinerary
Just got the itinerary in the mail for the DC trip- oh how I wish I could tell Madi!
We hope to arrive 2 days prior so that we can do a few fun things before the event starts.
We hope to arrive 2 days prior so that we can do a few fun things before the event starts.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
The phone call
When I got the phone call that Madison was chosen as the Chamion for 2010 I was ecstatic! I could not believe that my sweet girl had been recognized in such a way! Of course, I knew that she was amazing... but I was overwhelmed at the thought of being a part of such a group.
About 30 seconds later, I admitted to Nicole (our friend at CMN that called) that I didn't know that this program even existed. I needed more information! So she told me about the program and the travels involved. As soon as I heard her say "DC" I lost my breath. And then Disneyworld... I knew Madison would lose her breath over that one.
I knew that I couldn't mention any of this to Madison. Since I was next door to my church I parked and let her visit with the staff while I used their phone to get more information from Nicole.
One of the hardest things for me is keeping it a secret from Madison. I am not good at that- we are very open with her and keep very few secrets from her, just as we expect from her. But I knew that this was a secret I would have to keep- if nothing else, to keep her from asking me 'when are we going?' a 100 times a day!
So we will wait patiently until the big announcement. I am not sure how I am going to get her there or what I am going to tell her. I know that if we tell her it is a fundraiser for the hospital she will quickly agree... she loves raising money for 'the sick babies'.
I hope that our friends will be able to join us in congratulating Madison and help her on this journey.
About 30 seconds later, I admitted to Nicole (our friend at CMN that called) that I didn't know that this program even existed. I needed more information! So she told me about the program and the travels involved. As soon as I heard her say "DC" I lost my breath. And then Disneyworld... I knew Madison would lose her breath over that one.
I knew that I couldn't mention any of this to Madison. Since I was next door to my church I parked and let her visit with the staff while I used their phone to get more information from Nicole.
One of the hardest things for me is keeping it a secret from Madison. I am not good at that- we are very open with her and keep very few secrets from her, just as we expect from her. But I knew that this was a secret I would have to keep- if nothing else, to keep her from asking me 'when are we going?' a 100 times a day!
So we will wait patiently until the big announcement. I am not sure how I am going to get her there or what I am going to tell her. I know that if we tell her it is a fundraiser for the hospital she will quickly agree... she loves raising money for 'the sick babies'.
I hope that our friends will be able to join us in congratulating Madison and help her on this journey.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Madison's Story
Madison
Age 6
Kawasaki Disease
Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children
For most children, coming down with an occasional virus is part of childhood. When Madison, then age 3, developed swollen lymph nodes, bloodshot eyes, a rash and a 105.1 degree fever, her mom knew it was more than a childhood illness. Madison was rushed to Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children and diagnosed with Kawasaki disease, an illness that affects less than 20 in 100,000 children in the United States. If not treated within five days of outbreak, the complications skyrocket: Kawasaki disease can lead to heart attack or become fatal.
Madison received immediate treatment. The required IV regimen normally takes around 10 hours, but Madison's blood pressure kept dropping dangerously low. Doctors had to stop, get her pressure back to normal, then resume the IV treatment. The procedure took 18 hours, followed by numerous visits and outpatient treatments.
But Madison, now 6 years old, is a survivor. She has less than a 2 percent chance of relapse and the only indication of what she's been through is her passion for life. After coming so close to death, she and her family have learned to live every moment to the fullest. Madison also gained a compassionate spirit, and she is always showing love to those in need of kindness.
Age 6
Kawasaki Disease
Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children
For most children, coming down with an occasional virus is part of childhood. When Madison, then age 3, developed swollen lymph nodes, bloodshot eyes, a rash and a 105.1 degree fever, her mom knew it was more than a childhood illness. Madison was rushed to Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children and diagnosed with Kawasaki disease, an illness that affects less than 20 in 100,000 children in the United States. If not treated within five days of outbreak, the complications skyrocket: Kawasaki disease can lead to heart attack or become fatal.
Madison received immediate treatment. The required IV regimen normally takes around 10 hours, but Madison's blood pressure kept dropping dangerously low. Doctors had to stop, get her pressure back to normal, then resume the IV treatment. The procedure took 18 hours, followed by numerous visits and outpatient treatments.
But Madison, now 6 years old, is a survivor. She has less than a 2 percent chance of relapse and the only indication of what she's been through is her passion for life. After coming so close to death, she and her family have learned to live every moment to the fullest. Madison also gained a compassionate spirit, and she is always showing love to those in need of kindness.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
About Walmart and Sam’s Club
Wal-Mart has supported Children’s Miracle Network since 1987. Since then, Children’s Miracle Network and Wal-Mart have worked tirelessly together to help children by raising money for children’s hospitals. Walmart and Sam’s Club associates, customers and members have raised more than $500 million for children’s hospitals during the 23 year relationship. This is the second year Walmart and Sam’s Club have sponsored the Champions program.
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