Dancing Career

Seven years ago our little girl took the stage for the first time as Snow White

She was not nervous in fact it energized her to be on the stage. She smiled and loved every minute of it. 

In a few days we will be watching her dance in what might be her last recital. She still loves the stage and gets so excited to perform. 

I feel like Addy learned a lot through dance. She learned some discipline. She learned music and beats. She learned steps and styles of dance. She gained confidence. She learned that you aren't always given the front row, center stage spot - that doesn't mean you are bad or other girls are 'lucky' - it means we all have strengths and girls are needed in all spots. 

Most importantly she made friends. Gabi was one of her first dance friends. We have been blessed by our friendship with the Torlones for years and I'm confident that though we'll continue to go in different directions - we'll always be friends. 

Tari Jo and the other teachers will always hold a special spot in our hearts. 

Keep the music alive inside you Addy no matter where your heart leads you!!  You make people smile - you light up a room. People want to be your friend - use that wisely - think about others. Don't ever think you are better than someone else - we are all different - that's what makes this crazy world so cool and colorful. 

We'll spend this weekend together making memories. It's late nights. It's stressful moments. It's busy times but we will enjoy it and embrace it and remember it fondly. 

Friends for life!!

Addy's signature photo pose

Addy and Bella Sergent

Pap's Transplant

So a year ago in May of 2015 Pap Hite was diagnosed with Lymphoma. He did a summer and fall of chemo and thought in November he had reached remission. 

Remission didn't last long and within weeks the tumors were back and worse than ever so we needed a new plan of action. In January we went to Johns Hopkins to see what they could do for us. 

At JH we met with Dr Jones who said Pap was a candidate for a bone marrow transplant that has a 95% cure rate. We were very happy with this news - before this we thought our best option was a few months of remission. 

And the process started. Lots of chemo to get Pap ready. Aunt Jodi, Aunt Jesse and I were tested for a match. We were equal matches and it was a tough decision but we decided that I would be the donor. Lots of blood tests and visits later and one month delay (cause the tumors weren't shrinking like they needed to) we were all set for transplant on May 24th. 

The process was easy. I had four entry points into my hips to collect bone marrow. Pap sat in his hospital room and the bone marrow went into his vein. Addy and Dad were there to support us. Cade had 'step up day' at the high school and it was important that he go to that. 

The morning of the transplant 

Pap getting prepped

Me before harvest

Pap stayed in the hospital for 3 weeks and then moved into a small apartment with grandma. He is there now. He is doing well. His numbers are rising!!

Thank you both for being awesome kids. I missed some things this spring that you wanted me to attend because I had to be with pap and gram. You understood and smiled through it all. 

Addy, me and pap during a hospital visit

Addy taking pap for one of his walks.