TNT BBQ

Last night Kerstin and her family attended a Team in Training BBQ. We had a great time meeting lots of new athletes and honored patients (and seeing some familiar faces). The food was great and we had beautiful weather for it. Thanks again to Ryan and Sheri for hosting, and big thanks to all the athletes and what they do to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. (Click the title for more pictures.)

No More Training Wheels

Kerstin reached another mile stone today: no more training wheels. We have tried a couple of times this summer without success. She didn't really even want to try today, but we "convinced" her to. Her mom had to hold her up the first couple of attempts, then dad took over. After five feet of holding on to her, he let go and Kerstin didn't even realize it. For about 30 yards all Kerstin could say was, "I can't do it, I can't do it." Her dad who was walking three feet to her side finally said, "But you are doing it." After that there was no stopping her. (Except for one minor crash.) We can finally get rid of her junky little "training" bike and she can ride her new bike full time now. (Click on the title "No More Training Wheels" for more pictures.)

Father's Day

Kerstin and her family participated in the Father's Day Trail Trek. There was a 5, 12, and 24 mile routes. 5 miles was good enough for us this year. After the ride there was a picnic and fun stuff to do at Antelope park. (For more pictures click on the title "Father's Day".)

Update

Just thought we had better give an update. Kerstin actually is fighting a cough/cold this week. She woke up Tuesday morning sounding "croupy". We had a nice visit to her pediatrician who assured us it is just a virus. The cough is hanging on, but she is hanging in there. I can tell that it has made her a bit more tired than usual.

We have been busy with swim team for McKinsey and swimming lessons for Kerstin started this week. We LOVE the pool!

Today we had a lot of fun things to do. We started off by getting to go see the new movie "Cars" courtesy of our insurance agent. Thanks, Chuck! What a fun movie! We also brought some things to a garage sale at a friend's house where the girls had fun selling treats. Next, we drove to Omaha for a Team in Training event. The Tahoe century bike riders got together for their pool and picture party. (The picture above is from that event today - Kerstin swam quite a bit, but found some time to "hang out" next to the pool and make our friend Darren play silly games :) It was fun to see the riders and coaches again. We also got to meet the other honored patient, Rachel and her family. What wonderful people! Coach Mike made an awesome video of the event. We continue to be amazed and inspired by all the wonderful people out there who work so hard to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma society! We know that they are really making a difference for kids like Kerstin. (Click the title "Update" for more TNT party pictures.)

Thanks for checking on us! Have a Happy Father's Day all of you Dad's out there tomorrow!!! Annie

Survivors Night at the Zoo

Kerstin, McKinsey and Annie went to the Lincoln Zoo for a Cancer Survivors Celebration last night. We had a nice time seeing all the new exhibits and animals. McKinsey was especially interested in the monkeys! They had pizza, brownies, and prizes, too! It was nice to see so many people and hear about the progress in Cancer research. We have already made plans to attend next year! (Click on the title "Survivors Night at the Zoo" for more pictures.)

Fun with J and J

We have sure been enjoying our summer so far! McKinsey started swim team at the Raquet Club this week. All three girls (Mom included) have enjoyed many fun days at their outdoor pool! Today we had fun bringing our friends Joshua and Jonah (and their Mom :) to the pool with us. Swimming is always more fun with friends! We even went to Eileens for a delicious cookie afterward!

Kerstin continues to feel great! She made it through her Atra week just fine. We pray that she will continue to feel good through the weekend! Thanks so much for checking on us and leaving such encouraging messages. We appreciate all of you! Happy Summer!

Saltdogs Game

Monday night was LEA night (Lincoln Education Association) at the Saltdogs game. Kerstin and her sister had a good time, even though they didn't see much of the game. (Click on the title "Saltdogs Game" for pictures.)

CureSearch Walk

Yesterday we took part in the CureSearch walk in Omaha. Kerstin's team raised just over $1200. The organizers announced that $50,000 had been raised for this event by all the teams. That's awesome! We want to thank everyone who donated to CureSearch. Just FYI, approximately 94-96% of all funds raised go directly to pediatric cancer research. The picture is of team Kerstin (click on the title for more pictures of the walk).

Caps for a Cure Day!

Wow! We are overwhelmed by the wonderful support of the staff and students at Rousseau. Today was the last day of school, and Caps for a Cure Day! A huge number of students and staff wore hats and brought donations for CureSearch. We raised $477!!! That is so awesome! Thank you to all the wonderful Rousseau families for your generous support! Thanks also to our friends who helped collect the donations this morning. We were able to start the day by having donuts in our driveway before we all walked to school together. It was a fun Last Day of School.

Saturday is the Walk for CureSearch in Omaha. Our new total is now $1092!!! We surpassed our $800 goal. Let us know if you would like to join us for the walk. It should be a fun time!

Have a blessed day!

Family Fun

We are so excited to have family in town this weekend. Cousins Jeremy and Trevor are here for a soccer tournament along with Uncle Jay. Grandma Clarice and Papa Gene are here, too! We were able to see TJ play this afternoon at Abbott. We had a nice dinner out and then came home, and the kids played outside. They even climbed the tree in the front yard (with a little help!).

Kerstin continues to feel great! She had a little headache at bedtime tonight, but Motrin seemed to do the trick.

Our new CureSearch total is $485! We are over halfway to our goal! If you would still like to donate, you can donate on-line http://www.firstgiving.com/kerstinscuresearch. If you are a Rousseau family, you can donate on the last day of school. Bring a donation to school, and you can wear your favorite hat!

Thanks so much for checking on us. Please say an extra prayer for our friend, Abby, who is starting maintenance and is not feeling well right now. You can visit her at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/abbybridgewater. Tell her that Kerstin sent you!

Caps for a Cure

On Thursday, June 1st (the last day of school), Kerstin and McKinsey are sponsoring "Caps for a Cure." All students and staff at Rousseau will be encouraged to wear a hat to school and bring a small monetary donation. The girls made a bunch of posters which we hung up at school this morning. All the money raised will go to CureSearch, a national childhood cancer research organization. We are planning to participate in the CureSearch walk on June 3rd in Omaha. So far, as a family, we have raised $325 for CureSearch! If you would like to contribute to this worthy cause, you can mail a check to our home address or you can donate on-line at
http://www.firstgiving.com/kerstinscuresearch.

Thanks so much for checking on us! Kerstin continues to feel great! We are thankful for this wonderful blessing!

Children's Museum Field Trip

Kerstin and her class got to go on their last field trip yesterday. Annie got to go along. They spent a couple of hours at the Lincoln Children's Museum. The kids (and grown-ups, too) always find plenty to do there. Kerstin was taking money for the pizza I ordered in this picture.

Holmes Lake park was the setting for a picnic lunch. The kids ate quickly and had lots of time to play on the playground. Kerstin and her Mom had a great time! The weather was awesome!

Our new CureSearch total is $215!!! Thanks so much to everyone who has contributed. For more information, see last Thursday's post or go to www.firstgiving.com/kerstinscuresearch.

A good week!

We just wanted to let everyone know that this past Atra week was very good! Kerstin only had a couple of minor headaches this weekend. Last night she said, "I don't have a headache at all!!" She is also very proud of now being able to swallow her Mercaptapurine whole (we had been cutting it in half)!

Our CureSearch total is $150. If you would like to be a part of the Walk for CureSearch or donate to a great cause, see last Thursday's post for details.

Thanks for all of your support and prayers. We KNOW that it has made a huge difference! God's blessings to you!

Make-A-Wish Golf Tournament

Saturday was the Make-A-Wish Foundation golf tournament. Kerstin was one of two honored patients in attendance. The other child there was Alex Ford whose wish was granted this past winter. His wish was to play golf in Hawaii. The golf tournament was also used as a surprise party for Kerstin to let her know that her wish to learn how to hula dance in Hawaii has been granted. Kerstin and her family will be traveling to Hawaii on July 11th for one week of fun in the sun.

We wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone who participated in the golf tournament and the sponsors: Lincoln Federal Bank, HiMark Golf Club and Bunkers Club House, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and all of the other businesses who are too many to list.

For more pictures of the golf tournament, click on the title "Make-A-Wish Golf Tournament"

Safety Fair

Annie took Kerstin and her sister to the South Pointe Safety Fair. They got to see their dad in action at one of the exhibits - the Lincoln Fire & Rescue Fire Safety House. This is a large camper that has been converted into a miniature house where the kids can learn to safely get out of a home that is on fire.

CureSearch Walk

Dear Friends and Family,

On June 3rd, our family will be participating in a walk to raise money specifically for childhood cancer research, and we need your help. Childhood cancer is the leading cause of death in children, killing more kids than AIDS, asthma, diabetes, and Cystic Fibrosis combined. There are 46 children under the age of 20 diagnosed with cancer everyday, and those numbers are rising.

Kerstin, and the many other kids like her, have become our inspiration for “Walking for CureSearch.” “In the Arms of Friends” is organizing this event which will be held at Village Point Shopping Center in Omaha. We hope that you can help us by sending a monetary donation so we can make sure that kids like Kerstin can survive this horrible disease, and that new treatments with fewer side effects are discovered. All the money raised in this event will go directly to CureSearch — the leading cancer research organization. Your donation will make a huge difference in the fight against this disease. For more information on CureSearch, you can go to www.curesearch.com on the internet. You can donate in a couple of ways. You can send a check to our address listed below made out to CureSearch. You can also donate on-line by going to www.firstgiving.com/kerstinscuresearch. All donations should be sent to us by June 3rd. We would also welcome anyone who would like to walk with us. We are so grateful for the support we have received in the past, and we thank you in advance for considering this cause that is near and dear to our hearts.

Jeff and Annie Leaf

4030 S. 30^th St.

Lincoln, NE 68502

Bike Rodeo

Rousseau Elementary held its annual bike rodeo today. Kerstin has been talking about it all week and was very excited to get to go. (She hopes to have the training wheels off some time this summer.) She is still pain free this week and we're keeping our fingers crossed.

TNT Info Meeting

Kerstin attended a Team in Training informational meeting tonight. There were a lot of potential athletes in attendence. It is great to see all the potential new members, and the TNT staff. Their passion for this cause is wonderful. If you are interested in Team in Training, you can go to http://www.teamintraining.org/hm_tnt for more information.

Mid-ATRA Week

It's Wednesday night of the ATRA week and all is well. The latest dosing schedule seems to be helping ward off the headaches (and other body aches). Keep the prayers coming.

TNT - Marathon

Patti, one of Annie's teaching colleagues, ran the Lincoln Half Marathon today. She ran as part of the Team in Training program, raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society with Kerstin as her honored patient. Patti has run the marathon in the past for a few other children, including her own daughter. Patti's daughter was diagnosed with Leukemia when she was 7. Ashley is doing great now, and even has a daughter of her own! Patti came over to visit us this evening. She looked great for running 13 miles this morning! She generously gave her TNT medal and her visors that she designed for the race to Kerstin. Another medal! Kerstin thought that was pretty cool that someone would run so far just for her! We are once again deeply moved by the kindness and generosity of others! God has been so good to us. He has brought so many wonderful people into our lives and hearts. Thank you, Patti for being and inspiration to us!