Lucy is the LIVEr Champion!

I just received an email from the American Liver Foundation regarding the Liver Life Walk.  I wanted to share this paragraph from the email with you.  Thanks again for your donations to Team Lucy Boo! 

Four year old Lucy Scherba, of Nashville, TN, will be honored as the LIVEr Champion at this year’s Liver Life Walk. Lucy was diagnosed with Biliary Atresia in 2006 at her two-month check up in Los Angeles, CA. Mrs. Christian Scherba, a second grade school teacher recalls Lucy’s blue eyes and delicate skin tinged with yellow, a warning sign of a liver problem. LA doctors decided on the relatively new and risky “Kasai Procedure” which has only been in use for 20 years with limited success. Before this procedure, children born with Lucy’s disease usually died by the age of two. Sometimes this method does not work at all, or still requires a liver transplant. Defying the odds, Lucy’s triumphant little body accepted the new bile ducts and is healthy and strong. Mrs. Scherba notes “Lucy would not be with us today if it were not for Liver disease research.” ALF helps fight for these young lives and provide research.

Why I Work in Admissions

There was a nice article published in the Vanderbilt View on the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, and how we do what we do. I have always felt like most people I talk to about my job really don't know what I do, and more importantly, why I do it. I think this article explains a lot.

http://sitemason.vanderbilt.edu/news/campusnews/2010/03/31/balancing-act.111306

Is it Thursday yet?

When Andrew woke up this morning, the first thing he asked me was, "Is it Thursday yet Mommy?"  Needless to say, we are all very excited about the swingset installation!

Andrew continues to do a great job raising monies for the Liver Life Walk!  He has raised $385.  A big thanks to Erin, Karl, and Ally Kraebber, Brooke Anderson, and Traci and Andy Robison for contributing. 

It was a beautiful day today in Tennessee!  Andrew had fun with his friends Katie Shea and Patrick Collins when they came over for a playdate.

just a rainy day...

Yesterday was such a beautiful day that I guess we were due for some showers.  It's a gray, rainy day.  A big thanks to Nichole Mancone, Patty and Todd Carmichael, and Carrie and Travis Hoover for donating to the Liver Life Walk!  Andrew is now up to $325!  Thanks everyone for your support!  I'm including an email from Lucy's mom Christian below.  Your help really makes a difference in the lives of Lucy, Aunt Anne, and others with liver disease.  The installation for the swingset has been scheduled for April 1 -- yahoo!

--------------------


From: christian scherba
Date: Tue, Mar 23, 2010 at 6:22 PM
Subject: Huge thank you!
To: bridget.golden@alumni.purdue.edu

Hi Bridget,

I was just checking out the Liver Walk website and Team Lucy Boo and am floored by the amount of money sweet Andrew and your family has raised!! I just can't thank you enough.

I know times are hard for people and the fact that you/they are giving so generously is truly humbling :)

Thank you again!
Christian

swingset is ordered!

And lastly, in other Golden Family news, we ordered a playset for the backyard from Lowe's.  The grandparents, aunts, uncles, and some friends gave money and Lowe's gift cards to the boys for Christmas and their birthdays.  We are really excited!  Here's a photo of what it will look like. We also ordered two extra bucket swings for James and Patrick.

Several friends of ours advised to pay extra for installation.  We took their advice and were also excited about the extra warranty that comes with installation.  I felt gratified this morning at the commercial sales desk ordering the playset when the installation department manager told me that he thought he could do it himself....and it took him over 30 hours.  Thom and I will enjoy sitting on the back deck, drinking a beverage, and watching the installers do the work!

more thanks from Andrew!

Andrew is SO excited about helping his friend Lucy and walking in honor of his great aunt Anne!  So far, he has raised $280.  Andrew is a little confused by online donations.  He has his piggy bank out and when I tell him each time someone else has donated, he says, "But where are the dollars?"  Thanks to great aunt Anne Channell, Shelby Strudler, and Holly and Kevin Keckler for donating too!  We all really appreciate your support.  I ran into Lucy's mom this morning at preschool and their family (and ours) are just overwhelmed by everyone's kindness.

a few more photos from Saturday

Thom emailed some photos to me from Saturday that he took on his phone as we were strolling around campus.  We took Andrew to the bookstore as he has outgrown his Vanderbilt shirt.  He didn't want a shirt, but was quite attached to the basketball.  So he now has a new basketball. 

Big Thanks from Andrew

Andrew has already raised $130 to help his friend Lucy in Nashville's Liver Life Walk!  Patrick and James have each raised $10 too!  Andrew is working on some thank you pictures, but we wanted to send a big thanks to Carrie and Jeff Grimes, Nana and Papaw Williams, Jim and Molly Colli, Gamma and Pop Pop Golden, Rick and Mary Shirk, and Flora Valentine for donating!  To see his page, go to the team page and click on Andrew.  Andrew is really excited to help his friend -- he is also taking money from his piggy bank.  We are proud of his willingness and desire to help others.

Ohio Union onesies

When James and Patrick were born, we received darling Ohio Union onesies.  Thom and I both had assistantships in the Ohio Union and Student Activities our first year in grad school at Ohio State.  I finally took some photos of the boys this morning in the onesies.  Andrew helped the cause by finding his Brutus Buckeye.  As usual, Patrick loved posing for the camera - James not so much!  The NEW Ohio Union will be opening later this month with the grand opening celebration on April 10.  Regretfully, we won't be able to attend.  We are excited to see the new building the next time we are in Columbus!  Here are some photos and a link to the entire album.  Enjoy! 

We are VERY excited that Purdue, Tennesee, and Ohio State are all in the Sweet 16! 

Liver Life Walk

from Andrew...

Dear friends and family,

I just wanted to let you know about something I’m doing next month that has me pretty excited. The American Liver Foundation is hosting their annual Liver Life Walk in Nashville on April 17, 2010. My family and I have joined Team Lucy Boo in honor of my friend Lucy Scherba. Lucy and her twin brother Luke are four years old, just like me! Lucy is in my preschool class and my church school class. We also used to take gymnastics together too. Lucy and her family moved here from California last fall.

Let me tell you a little about my friend Lucy. She is really fun and likes to laugh a lot. Lucy's battle with liver disease when she was just two months old. At her two month check-up, her doctor noticed that her skin and the whites of her eyes were very yellow. Lucy was immediately sent to Children's Hospital Los Angeles, where after three days of tests, she was diagnosed with Biliary Atresia. She had a surgery called a Kasai procedure at two months. This procedure has only been around for 20 years. Prior to this procedure, children born with Lucy's disease died by the age of 2. Lucy was born with her disease and it couldn't have been prevented, but a lot of kids are developing liver disease due to unhealthy and fatty diets.

My great aunt Anne Channell (Papaw Williams' sister) also recently had a liver transplant. This walk will help the nearly 17,000 people on the waiting list for a liver transplant. I am walking in honor of Aunt Anne too!

Like many, you may not be familiar with the prevalence of liver disease and importance of supporting this important health cause. What I did not realize is how startling the statistics of liver disease actually are.

* 1 out of every 10 Americans is affected by about 100 types of liver disease.

* That is 30 million people — the number of people in the United States which is the same number of people who live in America’s 15 largest cities combined.

* 60% of the 26,000 people who die each year from cirrhosis have no history of alcohol abuse.

* Nearly 17,000 people are on the waiting list for a liver transplant.

Please consider joining my team, Team Lucy Boo, or sponsoring me in the walk. My goal for the walk is to raise $100. Though any amount you can give will make a difference, if everyone I’m asking donates $5 I’ll easily reach my fundraising goal in no time and we’ll be one step closer to a day when liver disease is a cause only written about in history books.

For further details, to see a picture of Lucy, to join my team or to make a donation, please check out the team page at http://go.liverfoundation.org/site/TR/LiverLifeWalk2010/LiverLifeWalk?team_id=17780&pg=team&fr_id=1760  Just click on my name, Andrew Golden, so I get credit for your donation. If the above link doesn't work, just go to www.liverfoundation.org/walk, select “Find A Walk,” search for Nashville, TN and search for Team Lucy Boo.

Thank you each so much for your support!

Love,
Andrew

Busy week!

Yesterday marked the first day of spring and we are ready!  It has been a very busy week for us.

Thanks for all your prayers for Katie Ann.  On Wednesday morning, she was in a really serious car accident on her way to school. She still isn't completely sure how it happened; she wasn't on her phone or reaching for anything. She was driving toward Vol State/Gallatin on Vietnam Vets (386) around 7:50 am. She was in the left lane, about 1/4 mile before exit 12. She hit some gravel on the left shoulder and overcorrected, going across the median and oncoming traffic (which she somehow missed). She then went of the road and down the 40 foot enbankment, rolling three times. Somehow she managed to get out of the car. She couldn't find her cell phone to call me. She gave my number to a witness who called me. I called Karen Surio (friend of the year!) who immediately came in her pajamas to watch Andrew, James, and Patrick. I got to the scene as the ambulance was leaving and was able to collect her school books and bag. On top of her bag on the front seat was our grandfather's "Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal" and card about special Masses with his signature as well as a bookmark that said, "Make yourself familiar with the angels, and behold them frequently in spirit; for without being seen, they are present with you. - St. Francis de Sales" I couldn't believe they were just sitting among the items. (Katie Ann later said the bookmark was in her visor and the miracle card was in her center console/armrest.) That kind of freaked me out. I spoke with the police officers at the scene who were wonderful. They couldn't believe she was able to walk away from the car. After seeing the car, I can't believe it either. I then went on to the Hendersonville Medical Center where Thom met me. Normally, the HMC wouldn't be my first choice for an ER, but they were great. The CT scan and spinal X-rays were clear. They gave her three different medications. Her hand has some cuts as well as her head. Her neck is pretty bruised from the seatbelt (which she was wearing). The police officer came to the HMC an additional statement and brought her St. Michael's medal he found at the scene. She was then released.

She followed up with her family doctor on Thursday; Katie Ann starts physical therapy tomorrow.  She is really sore but so lucky!  More bruises are appearing each day, but we are just so glad she is okay overall.

Yesterday, Thom's office was hosting a program for prospective multicultural students called MOSAIC.  Andrew went to the brunch with Thom after swimming.  James, Patrick, and I joined them later on campus.  We had a great time!  We had lunch outside at the San Antonio Taco Company.  Next was Andrew's favorite part -- he got "private" access to all the jumping games before the students.  He (and Thom) had a fabulous time!  Here are some photos from yesterday's fun at Vanderbilt.  The last ones of James and Patrick by the gate are my little helpers -- they talk to me while I am typing!

James loved trying on Thom's Cubs hat!

Our trip to Indiana!

Thom is really busy at work right now as the mailing day for admissions is March 26.  Katie Ann was on spring break last week.  So, Katie Ann, the boys, and I went to Indiana for a few fun days with Nana and Papaw!  Andrew doesn't understand why Daddy has to be at work so much right now so this helped.  We had a great trip!  We drove up on Thursday and returned on Sunday.

On Friday, we went to the Children's Museum of Indianapolis, the largest children's museum in the world, and one of my all-time favorite places.  Thom and I took Andrew there for his first visit when he was ten months old and it was time for James and Patrick to visit!  I am always amazed at the new exhibits and all the fun things to do and see.  It's a very hands-on, kid-centered experience.  There were some special exhibits including Bob the Builder and Barbie as well as some newer exhibits (Dinosphere) we hadn't seen before.  

One of the most powerful exhibits was The Power of Children: Making a Difference which focuses on Anne Frank, Ruby Bridges, and Ryan White.  Much of it here hard for Andrew to understand; much of it was hard for me to comprehend that people could be treated that way.  Andrew was fascinated by the bookshelf that opened to the rooms where the Frank family lived "to hide from the bad people."  We talked about how some people didn't want Ruby Bridges to go to school just because of the color of her skin.  Andrew was amazed by the display of Ryan White's actual room, complete with GI Joe's and posters of Michael Jackson.  We talked about how important it is to treat each person with respect and kindness.

We spent a lot of time in playscape - this was James and Patrick's favorite spot!  We also checked out the Bob the Builder exhibit.  When Andrew was just six months old, he met Bob the Builder thanks to one of my former students who was interning with the Children's Museum.  Look at Andrew at 6 months! 


Another exhibt was the Barbie exhibit; this exhibit was definitely Aunt KAW's favorite!  It was a historical perspective of Barbie and the different looks she has had.  Andrew and KAW even "walked" the runway to the song "It's a Barbie World!"  They were hilarious.  Enjoy these pictures or the link to the entire album.

Pictures...

We're a month late on official one-year and four-year portraits, so we went to Portrait Innovations on Sunday morning.  James and Andrew were NOT interested in having their pictures taken.  So we rescheduled for Wednesday.  Andrew was more cooperative.  Patrick loves having his picture taken; James not so much.  Here are a few of the more entertaining (including some especially sad expressions from James) as well as a link to the entire album which contains the good, the bad, and the really bad.  We will not be having pictures taken for quite a while.

Andrew continues to make us laugh.  On the way to preschool last week, I asked him, "Are you going to make good choices today?"  He paused and replied, "I'm still thinking about it."

Yesterday, on our way to the pictures Andrew said, "Mommy I turned around and checked to make sure the police aren't chasing us because you're kind of going fast."  For the record, I was going to the speed limit.  He is quite a little backseat driver!

Katie Ann, the boys, and I are driving to Greenwood when Andrew gets out of preschool today for the weekend.  Thom is working all weekend so we're taking a mini-vacay to the Children's Museum and other fun stuff.

Last soccer game of the season

This morning marked the end of the pee-wee soccer season (ages 3-5) at the YMCA.  Andrew took a new approach to teamwork and collaboration this week -- he held the hands of fellow teammates, Jack and Lilly for almost the entire game.  They were kind of a like a moving soccer amoeba or a game of red rover, depending on how you look at it.  My good friend (and reader of this blog) Kristin Deckard used to tease me that I would eventually organize icebreakers and teambuilders at my children's birthday parties.  I think Andrew may be on his way.

After soccer, we hurried to swimming.  While I was helping Andrew in the restroom, my phone fell in the toilet.  I think it may be finished.  It's drying right now.  When I have tried to turn it on, it continually vibrates.  Oh well. 

Bears: back row - Coach Grant Sketo, Andrew, Rocco, Clayton Sketo, Ian Kirby, Coach Tyson

front row: Ellis, Lilly Sketo, Allie, Jack Kirby