Tuesday, July 30, 2013
feeling thankful
July is almost over! We are really ok with that. Usually I am begging time to slow down. Brynn is growing too fast. In fact, we visited her preschool today. As we drove away she said, "Mommy, when are we going back? Next time you don't need to stay with me." It made me quite sad, but 2013...you have permission to keep moving full steam ahead! We are coming up on the end of 5 months into treatment. Braden is tired and worn out, but not giving up! He wakes up each morning with a pillow covered in hair. His beautiful thick red locks are getting thin. He still has plenty to spare, but Brynn says, "Daddy, you will look really silly with no hair!" Oh she keeps us smiling. In a few weeks we get away for a few days and we're keeping our fingers crossed we get to leave the needles at home with permission from Dr. Reddy. We shall see... The house is quiet, my loves are tucked in, and I am feeling so thankful for all I have. Please God, continue to be with Braden as he perseveres. He is so strong and courageous. Be with him as he faces this battle and all that comes with it. Thank you for giving me him. One of my greatest blessings!
Monday, July 22, 2013
benefit for braden
What a weekend we had! Thursday evening we headed to Pretty Prairie and spent the entire weekend enjoying time with family and friends. It was a nice break for Braden to get out of town and lay on a different couch for a few days. Unfortunately, he hasn't been feeling the greatest, but the change of scenery was nice! Friday evening we enjoyed Kansas' Largest Night Rodeo with my family and Saturday was the benefit for Braden at Ubuntu. I have been thinking about what I wanted to say here on my blog and I feel like the words aren't coming. It's hard to adequately express the way my heart feels! I feel like I over-use the word blessed, but I feel like my heart could burst it is so very full. Liz, Therese, Karin, Russell, Dewy, Joyce, Mr. and Mrs. Clark, Taylor, Tannon and their cousin Taylor, and the Calvary Chapel Praise Band... you all are angels. Crazy that many of these people I had never met until Saturday! They worked so hard and served around 300 people. I know I am probably missing people who played a part in the benefit and to everyone who came and ate some of the delicious Indian Tacos, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. This road has not been easy, but people like you make it so much easier for us. This really is what Ubuntu is about and I know that what they did for my family is only the start of all the wonderful things to come for the community!
I know I haven't updated on Braden in awhile. We are over 4 months into treatment and I feel like Braden has done fantastic! I would like to ask everyone who is faithfully praying for Braden to please continue as he is dealing with some different things, some of which change on a daily basis. Lately it seems as if the good days are few and far between as he has been battling the aches, the poor appetitie, the fatigue, and trying to deal with the emotional toll it is playing. Unfortunately this is all to be expected and he amazes me every day by his ability to fight through it while trying to work full time and be a great daddy and husband. Your prayers are felt and we are so thankful for them. I have said this before, but without our faith we would be lost. We serve an awesome God!! He continually shows us his blessings! Psalm 28:7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.
I know I haven't updated on Braden in awhile. We are over 4 months into treatment and I feel like Braden has done fantastic! I would like to ask everyone who is faithfully praying for Braden to please continue as he is dealing with some different things, some of which change on a daily basis. Lately it seems as if the good days are few and far between as he has been battling the aches, the poor appetitie, the fatigue, and trying to deal with the emotional toll it is playing. Unfortunately this is all to be expected and he amazes me every day by his ability to fight through it while trying to work full time and be a great daddy and husband. Your prayers are felt and we are so thankful for them. I have said this before, but without our faith we would be lost. We serve an awesome God!! He continually shows us his blessings! Psalm 28:7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.
Brynn loved the rodeo!
Therese and Liz...they worked so hard for Ubuntu's open house and the benefit!!
Brynn had a good time shopping at Ubuntu!
I love these kids so much!!
When life gives you lemons...
The delicious and adorable cupcakes Heidi made for the grand-opening!
Calvary Chapel Praise Band
Indian Taco's to go!
Brynn and Reese were busy shopping!
Hannah's first trip to Pretty Prairie and enjoying some cousin time!
These ladies will forever hold a special place in my heart!!
Shop Sharing the generosity that keeps it running...
Friday, July 5, 2013
UBUNTU
Most everyone who knows me knows that I am a small town girl. I love my hometown. Pretty Prairie is a wonderful little place! When I married Braden I knew I was giving up my hopes of moving back to my hometown to raise my family...he was defnitely worth it, but to me Pretty Prairie will always be my home. One week out of every year my little town comes to life during Kansas' Largest Night Rodeo. But actually this town is full of life all year long!
A few months ago a few local women had a vision of opening a thrift store in Pretty Prairie that would benefit the community. The vision has become a reality thanks to donated supplies, time, labor and even a donated building to use temporarily. Through this vision they will be able to put money back into our community- the Prairie Sunset home for seniors, the schools, our local civic theatre and food bank just to name a few. The name given to this destination thrift store:
UBUNTU: "I am because we are."
Ubuntu is an African word that means humanity to others. Compassion, community, caring for others, and selflessness. These are just a few words to describe Ubuntu, and also my town. Liz Shepherd who is a co-founder of Ubuntu said "...it's essentially an expression of community, of looking out for all rather than just yourself." And indeed this is what those at Ubuntu are doing! A few weeks ago I received an email and it immediately brought me to tears. A benefit for my husband and family. I was asked by Ubuntu to post the flyer on my blog. It feels a bit awkward posting a flyer for my own fundraiser on here, but I want to share what this wonderful community is doing for us. God has blessed Braden and I in more ways than we could have ever imagined. I am humbled. This is my community.
BRADEN BOTTENBERG
(
Husband of Andrea Strohl Bottenberg, who is fighting Melanoma)
INDIAN TACO FUNDRAISER @
UBUNTU
A Thrift and Re-purposing
Store
115 W.Main, Pretty Prairie, KS
10:30am - until you quit eating
Bring your entire family. Eat,
Shop,Give!
Ubuntu – Humanity to Others
For more information : Therese
@ 620-960-5293 or Liz @ 620-727-4771
We would like to say a HUGE
thank you to Karin and Russell Allen for the generous donation of food and
preparation to make this event happen.
You can visit Ubuntu's website at: http://ubuntustore.wix.com/Ubuntu
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