It’s that time of year again! The Rockford IceHogs, our local AHL team, has chosen us as the recipient of their Bowl-A-Thon event for the 2nd year in a row! (Read news release from IceHogs here: http://www.icehogs.com/news/icehogs/index.html?article_id=3238)

Sydney was made an honorary IceHog in May of 2009, right after she began the hospice portion of her journey. They have been “family” ever since!

It was such a successful event last year, and so much fun! Here are all of the details:

http://icehogs.com.ismmedia.com/ISM3/std-content/repos/Top/News/Registration%20form12.pdf

Benefit: All proceeds will be donated to the Sydney Ives Foundation

Entry Fee: $40 per bowler or $150 for group of 4

Viewing Tickets: $10 each for non-bowlers

Additional Info: 50/50 raffle

Deadline to register: Feb 24th

We are also still looking for business sponsors for the event. We still need a main “TEAL” sponsor, as well as lane sponsorship. For more information, please contact Mary @ brazonesm@icehogs.com

Just come hang out, meet the IceHogs players, have a little fun bowling & help us help other families fighting for the life of their child!

So excited to be able to share the LEGACY Art Show recap video & thank you message with you all! Click on the link below to view!

http://vimeo.com/34641004

The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all. (Psalm 103:19)

I recently had a facebook “conversation” with a fellow cancer mom. She is in the heat of the battle…in the middle of the fight for her child’s life…and the decisions she must make regarding his care are proving to be overwhelming.

I could totally relate. I remember the days when we felt that we held Sydney’s life in our hands…when each and every decision seemed to be “life and death” decisions.

Although it was very important that we made informed decisions regarding Sydney’s care, her life or death did not rest in our hands. We will all die one day. No one, not even a doctor, can say exactly how or when that will happen. The power of life and death lies only in God’s hands.

Any time we took control back…any time we thought we had it all figured out, we would start to panic that we were doing something wrong. But every time we surrendered it all to God’s powerful yet tender hands, only then would we find peace.

It’s often difficult to find it, but there is a balance between giving our children the best care we can…and living in fear of our every decision. There comes a time when you have to love and care for them as best you can, and leave the rest in God’s hands.

Whether your child has cancer or not, I believe this principle applies. We cannot live in fear. God doesn’t want that of us! He wants us to trust in Him…in His unfailing, unchanging love and power…to care for HIS children…the children He has entrusted to our care…and whom He loves even more that we can possibly fathom! He wants us to rest is His sovereign grace & peace. 

That is what I pray for you all…a sovereign new year!

Love You More!

“Take up thy cross and follow Me”, I heard my Master say;

“I gave My life to ransom thee. Surrender your all today.”

Wherever He leads, I’ll go. Wherever He leads, I’ll go.

I’ll follow my Christ who loves me so.

Wherever He leads, I’ll go.

When most of us think of the calling on our lives, we think of some grand plan, all drawn out, laid out in front of us…almost like mapquest. “God, show me where I’m going & how long it will take to get there, then I’ll sign up and go!”

I am learning, it just doesn’t seem to happen that way, most of the time. Often, God calls us to where we are right now.

As I read these words to the old hymn above, I thought of Sydney. We don’t like to think of someone being called to walk through cancer, but I believe that it was definitely a part of her mission on earth.

No, sickness & death were never a part of God’s will and plan for this earth, but because of sin, those things are inevitable. I believe God calls some, who will handle it with grace & faith, to walk through such things…to strengthen their relationship with Him, and to be an example to others. Think of Job in the Bible, for instance.

I know Sydney had a very concious choice to make, when confronted with cancer. I remember the moment I told her she had it. I remember her asking me if she was going to die. I remember the words God gave me to comfort her. And I remember her resolute “OK” and nod of her head.

And although she didn’t know exactly where God was leading, she made a choice at that moment to follow. I’m sure the choice had to be made over and over again throughout her journey. But in that moment, I believe that nod of her head and the words, “OK” were her way of saying, “Wherever He leads, I’ll go”.

It was never an easy decision. It was never an easy journey. But she picked up her cross and she followed Him…one little, faith-filled step at a time…all the way into eternity.

Just think of all the lives that have been changed and touched because of her obedience! Think of the mark she has left on this world! Think of the legacy that she’s left behind! Think of the glory she brought to God through her life!

Today, the choice is yours to make, as well. Are you willing to follow?

While working on my book, I came across this journal entry from October 28, 2008. This was 5 months after diagnosis. We were home from St Jude, and trying to find our new “normal”. I journaled about a conversation I had with Sydney that night…one that would change me forever…

October 28, 2008

“ All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.” (2 Cor 4:15)

Saturday night, we were on our way to a birthday dinner for my mom (Happy 39th, mom:-)! We had just dropped Carson off at a Fall/Holloween party that Sydney had been invited to, as well.

In the car ride from the party to dinner, Sydney said, “Mom, I used to be able to do things like that party”, and then started to cry.

I told her that she could have gone. That one of the ladies throwing the party would have stayed right by her side. She said she knew that, but that she didn’t want to go, because she would have had to have help for everything, like using the bathroom, etc.

As she cried in the backseat of the car, I just told her I was sorry that this is happening to her, and that I wish I had all of the answers to make her feel better.

She, in her mature, profound insight, told me that no person has all of the answers…because then we wouldn’t need Jesus. I was humbled and had to smile at her wisdom.

Just when I thought my heart couldn’t be more touched, she said something that literally left me dumbfounded. As she was still crying, she said, “But mom, I am just so thankful, because this cancer has brought me so much closer to God”.

My little ten year old girl was saying that she was thankful for her cancer…because good had come from it…because through it, she has grown closer to God.

She was giving thanks, because she realized that it is all for her good, and that through the grace God has given her…and because it has spread to countless others through her faithfulness…God will be glorified through it.

She prays every night for her oncologist to know Jesus. She is awed to tears when someone says their lives have been changed because of her. She gets it…and gives thanks for it all.

It was a humbling lesson taught to a mom by her “terminal” child. You witness that kind of grace in a child every day, and you can’t help but be forever changed.

Thank you, Sydney, for changing my life in innumerable ways. I love you more!

I organized Sydney’s room last week. We’ve been going through and boxing up or giving items away, a little at a time. When I get in the mode, I start sorting. Last week, the “mode” hit at 11p and lasted until about 2:30a…but I was able to get so much accomplished!

One thing is for certain…that little girl had a TON of stuff! One of the things she loved most…and had the most of…is stuffed animals! We keep the ones with special memories set aside. They are keepsakes! But the others, we have been giving away in different forms.

We have been giving them away for some time, but it seems they continue to multiply! As I was stacking them,  oh so neatly, an idea struck…actually, Dean suggested something we had thought about doing before.

How many people who have supported us through this journey, would love to have something of Sydney’s…something they could look at and be inspired….something to give as an encouragement to another? How many children have prayed for Sydney…from all over this country…who would love to have something to hold, that always reminded them of their little hero?

So, with that in mind, a plan was formed. While supplies last, for every donation of $20 or more, we will send a stuffed animal from Sydney’s private collection to you!

We don’t want to do this as a marketing thing. We just thought so many others could receive joy from Sydney’s little “friends”. If we can raise money to help other families at the same time…even better!

If you are interested, you can make a donation via PayPal here:

http://sydneyives.com/?page_id=111 

Or you can mail a check to:

Sydney Ives Foundation

1615 Greenmount Street

Rockford, IL  61107

Please know, I will send whatever is available, and will not be able to send specific items. I will let you know when items are no longer available.

Praying you all have a happy Thanksgiving! As you give thanks for your healthy children, remember to pray for those who no longer have their health. Remember to pray for their families. Remember to pray for those who no longer have their children to hold.

God Bless!

Two years have passed since we last held our little girl…two years since we last looked into her beautiful blue eyes. Two years ago, she stepped into glory…and what a LEGACY she has left behind!

It only seems fitting to mark that anniversary with a celebration. Yes. It still hurts. It always will. At times, when the enormity of all we lost that day hits…of how long it has been since we were with her…the pain is as fresh & raw as ever.

But then we see the blessings. We feel the peace. We catch a glimpse of God’s greater purpose. And the joy that fills our hearts in spite of the pain, gives us cause to celebrate.

Sydney was such an inspiration to so many. Her positive spirit, her faith in God and her tenacity to never give up, often serves as a reminder to keep going!

The Legacy Art Show was a great venue to display that spirit and her talent. It made us so proud to be able to feature her “Life” tree series, as well as other original pieces. We knew in our hearts, how excited Sydney would have been for such an event.

The turnout was great & the volunteers were amazing! Over $2500 was raised to help Love You More – A Sydney Ives Foundation support other families who are facing a life threatening illness with their child.

In the next few days, we will post artist info on those who donated their pieces to be auctioned off to raise funds, as well as more photos & video of the event. We continue to be humbled by the outpouring of support and love our family continues to receive. I’m learning that it’s not a small world. It’s that Sydney lived a BIG life!

Thank you all. Because of you, Sydney’s legacy LOVES on!

If you’d like to donate to LYM – A Sydney Ives Foundation, you can do so here: 

http://sydneyives.com/?page_id=111

LEGACY Art Show to benefit Love You More-A Sydney Ives Foundation

DATE: Saturday, November 5, 2011

TIME: 5:00p – 8:00p

WHERE: Katie’s Cup (502 7th Street in Rockford)

Every year, we will be hosting a fundraising event, around the anniversary of Sydney’s passing. These events will be titled “LEGACY”…because Sydney’s legacy LOVES on!

This year’s event is an art show, featuring Sydney’s artwork, with special attention being paid to her “Life” tree series.

Sydney has always loved art…painting, drawing…you name it. We have many works of art from her “BC” period (Before Cancer)…but there are many pieces from her “AD” era (After Diagnosis).

Brain cancer robbed Sydney of the use of her right hand. However, being the stubborn, strong-willed fighter that she was, she taught herself to write, paint & draw with her left hand. Many of those treasured pieces will be on display on November 5th.

Sydney’s original artwork will not be for sale, however, here is what we will have for you:

*Silent Auction of artwork donated by various artists

*PRINTS of selected pieces of Sydney’s artwork available for small donation

*Love You More t-shirts & wristbands available for donation

*Live music

*Dessert & h’ordeurves

*Original jewelry created exclusively for Love You More-A Sydney Ives Foundation available for donation

We sincerely hope you can join us for this special event…celebrating Sydney’s life & the LEGACY she has left behind. All proceeds will go to help LYM support other families who are walking through a life-threatening illness with their child. Please…help us to LOVE OTHERS MORE!!!

**If you are an artist, and are interested in donating a piece for auction** (photography, painting, sculpture, etc) please contact

Amanda @ info@sydneyives.com

Yesterday was a much more difficult day than I imagined it would be. All week, in fact, was quite emotional.

I’m not sure why this 2nd birthday without Sydney was more difficult than last year. Maybe it was the milestone of it being her 13th birthday. I’m not sure. I just know there hasn’t been a day this week, that I haven’t cried.

One of the things that helps us all get through times like this, is celebrating Sydney’s life! Instead of focusing on the fact that we no longer have her with us, we have tried to focus on celebrating that day she came into our lives…the day she was born!

It also helped us to use the opportunity of a “party” to raise funds for the foundation. When we focus on how we can help meet the needs of others, it gets our eyes off of our own pain!

The event at Chili’s yesterday was such a great experience. So many people came out to support. Many of whom we’ve never met…but who have been following and supporting from afar.

Others made online donations in honor of Sydney’s birthday…little “gifts” in her name, given to help other children and their families as they fight for the life of that child.

Again..when you can allow your pain to serve a purpose, that pain becomes it’s own blessing, in a way. It comes with a feeling of accomplishment & fulfillment…of peace.

Thanks to all who encouraged, inspired, prayed for and supported us yesterday! We certainly felt the love…more;)

This Friday, August 5th, would have been Sydney’s 13th birthday. I can’t believe we would have had a teenager walking around this house! 

Since Sydney’s passing, we have decided to continue to celebrate the day she came into our lives, and blessed us beyond description…to continue celebrating her life.

If  you are in the Rockford, IL area, please print the coupon pictured here…and join us at Chili’s on State Street in Rockford. Chili’s was one of Sydney’s favorite spots…and it does so much to support St Jude.

Any time on Friday, you can visit Chili’s on State Street and eat…this includes carry-out orders. If you present this voucher, 10% of your order will go to Love You More – A Sydney Ives Foundation. It’s that simple! Order…eat what you would normally eat…pay what you would normally pay…and help Sydney’s legacy to “love” on!

Our family will be there at 6p. If you happen to be there at that time, please come by our table and say “hello”. We love to meet those who have been praying for and supporting our family through our journey!

If  you are not in our area, still go eat at your local Chili’s in Sydney’s honor. Wear teal proudly, as it was her favorite color. And make a donation, in honor of her birthday, right here: http://sydneyives.com/?page_id=111 

In place of a gift for Sydney…let’s give other families the gift of love in action. I just KNOW it would make her smile!