More from Her Baptism...

Photographer: Kara Block

Car Wash & Bake Sale THIS SATURDAY

 This Saturday, August 17th, Team Violet will be washing cars and having a bake sale. You can help by washing cars, letting US wash your car, or passing along this post. The details are listed below:

Where: El Rancho Market
              2886 Mission Dr
             Solvang
Date:    Saturday, Aug 17th
Time:   10:00am-4:00pm

HUGE thanks to Melissa for organizing this fundraiser for Violet and her family!

August 14th Update

Violet's quote of the day...
"You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along."
-Eleanor Roosevelt

She is having a good morning. Some tummy troubles from Chemo, hasn't wanted to eat much. But still smiling and dancing. Huge hugs, Gillian

August 13th Update

From this morning...

Violet went to sleep to have her lumbar chemo and cath placed. She is such a trooper, mad that she hasn't been able to eat, but still giggling until she fell asleep. Back at the hospital. 

Catch Up: August 8th Update

Got the news today that Violet's counts all look really good! It is bitter sweet since that also means that we will need to return to the Hospital (Monday or Tuesday) for another procedure and intense Chemo. We are choosing to make the best of this weekend, celebrating her big sisters birthday and enjoying life as much as possible. I don't know why this happened to Violet, only that it has made us appreciate the little things, cherish the big ones, and love even harder.
-Gillian

Yum!

Ten things I know to be true (now that I have a child with cancer)...

1.) People are inherently (:involved in the constitution or essential character of something : belonging by nature or habit : intrinsic <risks inherent in the venture>— in·her·ent·ly adverb) GOOD. We are humans with different points of views, morals, beliefs, ideas, but are more alike than different.
2.) Nothing that you thought was a big deal actually was. Like the book says... Don't sweat the small stuff, and it's all small. Sure there will be a few big things but 99% will actually be the small stuff. Don't worry about it, it's actually not important.
3.) Life is really not as hard as you think it is! See #2. Hard is not your kids doing normal kid stuff, your phone falling in the ocean or toilet, working long hours, etc.
4.) Don't waste your time complaining...
"If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude."-Maya Angelou
5.) Spend way MORE time telling people what is good, great, or amazing about them. Let human flaws go.
6.) Focus on the good, you will be a better person.
7.) Be GRATEFUL, not entitled!
8.) Laugh! A lot. Often. Hard. 99% more than you cry.
9.) Cherish your children. Enjoy them. Build them up. Hug them.
10.) Pray, play, and eat as a family at least once a day.

-Gillian

Increased GoFundMe Goal

If you visit Violet's GoFundMe page (see link on the left), you may notice that Team Violet has increased the goal from $5,000 to $8,000. Because the news article below has been published, we wanted to give others in the community the opportunity to support Violet and her family. To all of those who have already donated money and shared the link, thank you for all of your love, support and generosity. We are more grateful than we could ever put into words! 

In The News

Gina Potthoff wrote a wonderful article about Violet and her family. See link below:

Family, Friends Rally Behind Infant Battling Leukemia

At Home & Loving It!

From Her Baptism

          

Photographer: Kara Block

August 8th Update

Violet had another good visit from her nurse. We are giving her a little spray for the sores in her mouth that seems to be helping. The boil on her arm is still there but not as angry and her meds seem to be working. Having a hard time sleeping but happy. Thank you for all of your love and support! 

Bake Sale Sunday, Aug 11th

(Graphic from fabzilicious.org)

Where: Albertsons
              1500 N H Street
              Lompoc
Date:    Sunday, Aug 11th
Time:    1:00-5:00pm

Get your aprons on! Doreen and Katie are organizing a bake sale for little Miss Violet. We're excited to show our support through sweet treats. Here are some helpful tips when preparing your goodies:

Individually wrap smaller treats (like cookies and brownies)
Label the ingredients on the treats (especially if it contains NUTS)

Doreen and Katie will decide on the pricing. You can drop off your contribution the evening before or day of the bake sale. If you haven't signed up through Facebook to donate baked goodies, you can send an email to welovevioletlucia@gmail.com. In the subject line, please put "Bake Sale: Aug 11th."

If you're not a baker, you can still help by spreading the word about the bake sale!

Thanks for all of your support!

July 31st Update

Violet slept for 8 hours without pain meds, woke up to eat, and went back down for another 5!!! She is awake smiling, laughing, playing peek-a-boo, cuddling and being just as cute as ever! We are so happy!!! Violet's nurses, medical staff, Dr's, room service staff, housekeeping Ladies, dietitian, child life specialist, social workers, volunteers are priceless in our world. They are heroes in our book! They make this all manageable/while reminding us that we're all humans with feelings and a love for what they do! They are our extended family (sorry guys you're stuck with us!), I have a huge feeling we are going to need a bigger kitchen during the Holiday season! HUGE thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

With so much love,

The Esparza Family

Monday, July 29th Update

After a long weekend of treatments, Violet is back to herself! She had a great night! Woke up happy and is back to her happy self!!! Dancing, singing, kissing, laughing, playing peek-a-boo. Feeling so thankful and relieved! Thank you for everything friends! XOXOXO

Gillian 

Need Volunteers for Car Wash

Melissa, an awesome family friend, is organizing a car wash to raise money for Violet and her family. Here are the details: 

Date: Saturday, August 17th

Location: El Rancho Market 

Time: 10:00am-4:00pm

Available Shifts:

9:30 am-10:00am Set Up

10:00am-12:00pm Wash & Dry

12:00pm-2:00pm Wash & Dry

2:00pm-4:00pm Wash & Dry

4:00pm-4:30pm Clean Up

Entire families are welcomed to help! More the merrier! 

If you are available to help, please email welovevioletlucia@gmail.com. 

Saturday, July 27th Update

Hi Family and Friends,

We've had a hiccup in her progress. Her hemoglobin has dropped from 9 to 6 (it should be around 10). She is retaining too much fluid and is having a hard time opening her eyes and moving her body because of all of the extra fluid build up. She will recieve blood, possibly platelets, and lasiks (to help flush all of the extra fluids) today. Please pray. 

Love, 

Gillian

P.S. 

Please do not post any comments below. Instead, we ask you to email comments to welovevioletlucia@gmail.com. Thanks! 

Gofundme Update!

Our goal was $5,000. We are currently at  $2,955 in four days! How amazing! We are truly fortunate! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Prayers for Violet and Her Family

If you would like to pray for Violet and her family, here are some suggestions.

Please pray for Violet's progress to remain steady and in the right direction. 

Please pray for calm and restful nights.

Please pray that everyone gets much needed sleep. 

Please pray for strength, both physical and emotional. 

Please pray for random acts of kindness to brighten their days.  

Please note that happy thoughts are welcomed as much as prayers! Thank you for thinking of them! 

Welcome to We Love Violet Lucia

This blog is devoted to Violet and her family's journey as she battles infant leukemia. Her family will be posting updates on this challenging process. Please visit often and see what new ways are available to help our sweet Violet!