Caps for Katie

Just a quick update:

Miss Katie had a sleepy, pleasant day, the highlight of which was a visit to the horses. She misses her pals Chief and Charlie, and she was very happy to see them. As we buckled both kids into booster seats, it occurred to me that we have not been leaving the house much as a foursome. We have lots of time together at home, but we don't venture outside the house together. It was exciting to head out with my whole family in tow. It's the little things that count these days.

Katie has a low grade fever, but cultures came back negative--she doesn't have an infection--so we dared to make a surprise visit to Nana at Irasburg School. Nana had a surprise waiting for us. Students at Irasburg School raised money for Katie by paying to wear their hats today. We had no idea they were planning to pitch in. Students at Lake Region conducted a similar fundraiser, called Caps for Katie, at LR this past Friday. Filling the gas tank is so much less daunting thanks to these generous kids. If the kids' generosity is any indication of things to come, and I think it is, our community is in good hands. When Katie grows up and asks me about this experience, I will tell her that we learned how fortunate we are to live in a small town where people rally around their children. I don't cry very often about Katie's illness--crying just doesn't do much good--but tears come when I think about all the people we know (and the people we don't know) who pitch in to care for all of us. We know how lucky we are.

On another note, Katie's test results have not arrived yet, so we may not make our planned trip to Burlington tomorrow. Doctor Bradeen called to postpone her treatment. We'll let you know when we know more ourselves. Best of luck to those of you who eagerly await the February vacation: just two more days! It is so hard to be patient, isn't it? :)