Happy 13th Birthday Kyle

Help us honor and celebrate Kyle by joining us in

Ice Cream Day!

In honor of Kyle’s birthday we celebrate with Ice Cream Day. Every year on January 17^th we eat ice cream at breakfast, lunch and dinner – snacks too! I am asking you to join us in this celebration. If you do you will be giving yourself a gift as well, soaking in the pure excitement and joy of your children as they delight in a true indulgence.

As hard as it is for me to understand, when I have talked with moms about allowing ice cream all day on just one day out of the year more often then not I hear back, “Well, I’m not sure all day but we will have a scoop at dinner,” as they go over the list of reasons in their heads as to why they can’t do it. But this year I am asking the question, “WHY?” Why for one day a year can’t you allow yourself to throw out all the rules? Why for one day can’t you embrace the joy of not saying no to something that honestly has no down side? Sure, it might be a bit more fat or sugar depending on the ice cream you choose, but it’s not crazy-over-the-top. What is really the harm?

The harm lies in the experience you give up. Before we started ice cream day my boys would ask me, “Can we have a day where we only eat ice cream?” and I would laugh and give them a reason it was a silly idea. Then we found Kyle’s cancer. And one day in a counseling appointment with them their psychologist asked them to go home and make a list of 10 things they wanted to do together and bring it back the following week. That week they made up their list. Most of the things on the list were adventures but at the top of the list was day they could eat ice cream all day and I couldn’t say no.

We returned to the psychologist with the list in hand. As the boys read their list I immediately found myself putting caveats to the idea of Ice Cream Day. That’s when their psychologist stopped me and asked me why? Why did I think that for a single day that was such an impossible idea? From a health perspective she said for one day a year – when they boys ate well-rounded meals every other day – it certainly wouldn’t hurt them. She encouraged me to let go of what was holding me back.

So I did. We picked a day on our drive home. We made a special trip to the store and bought different ice cream flavors for each meal. We talked about all the ways we could have ice cream – sundaes, milkshakes, ice cream cones – the planning was simply joyful. Don’t get me wrong; it was a continual battle in my head to keep the urge to add a condition of the occasional carrot, piece of fruit, or some other “good for you” food into the day. But stopped myself. I let the joy of the experience overtake the rational mothering thoughts in my head.

What I can tell you is of all the days in the two years Kyle battled brain cancer, Ice Cream Day hovers at the top of the list of magical experiences. This in a two-year span that we crammed with as many experiences as we possibly could. We had ice cream for breakfast, and then at lunch I brought them ice cream to school. They raced home from the bus rattling off how they wanted their ice cream snack prepared. And for dinner we ate sundaes with all the topping they could think ask for. You might think that the boys would have been bouncing off the walls or have tummy aches, in spite of all my certainty that Ice Cream Day would have a down side or negative repercussions, it just didn’t happen. But do you know what did? We made an unforgettable memory. We shared laughs. We were joyful. By giving in on one simple thing for a single day I allowed myself to embrace they miracle of childhood through the delight of my boys.

So I ask each of you to stop the rational reasons to put limits on your own Ice Cream Day. Stop and think about if you lost your child would those reasons have been worth it? Would you have regrets? Maybe we can’t raise our kids indulging their whims for fear of regret, but we can pick a single day to celebrate them. As you do you can help honor the life of a boy who embraced every day, every challenge, every experience with the whole of his being and shared that gift with everyone who knew him.

I love you Kylie. Not a day passes I don’t think of you laughing at a joke you’re telling, or racing down the hill on your bike with “no hands,” or begging to play a game of Yatzee, or asking me to lay down and cuddle you as you fell asleep. You taught me to live life without fear, to live life at full speed, and to take a minute or an hour or a day to live life without worrying about all the rules.  

On Ice Cream Day we honor and celebrate you.

Please share this post and story with your friends and family with the hope that it inspires them to take a day to savor the simplest joy of their life and the lives of their children.

- Christin

Happy 11th Birthday Kyle!

Help us honor and celebrate Kyle by joining us in

Ice Cream Day!

In honor of Kyle’s birthday we celebrate with Ice Cream Day. Every year on January 17^th we eat ice cream at breakfast, lunch and dinner – snacks too! I am asking you to join us in this celebration. If you do you will be giving yourself a gift as well, soaking in the pure excitement and joy of your children as they delight in a true indulgence.

As hard as it is for me to understand, when I have talked with moms about allowing ice cream all day on just one day out of the year more often then not I hear back, “Well, I’m not sure all day but we will have a scoop at dinner,” as they go over the list of reasons in their heads as to why they can’t do it. But this year I am asking the question, “WHY?” Why for one day a year can’t you allow yourself to throw out all the rules? Why for one day can’t you embrace the joy of not saying no to something that honestly has no down side? Sure, it might be a bit more fat or sugar depending on the ice cream you choose, but it’s not crazy-over-the-top. What is really the harm?

The harm lies in the experience you give up. Before we started ice cream day my boys would ask me, “Can we have a day where we only eat ice cream?” and I would laugh and give them a reason it was a silly idea. Then we found Kyle’s cancer. And one day in a counseling appointment with them their psychologist asked them to go home and make a list of 10 things they wanted to do together and bring it back the following week. That week they made up their list. Most of the things on the list were adventures but at the top of the list was day they could eat ice cream all day and I couldn’t say no.

We returned to the psychologist with the list in hand. As the boys read their list I immediately found myself putting caveats to the idea of Ice Cream Day. That’s when their psychologist stopped me and asked me why? Why did I think that for a single day that was such an impossible idea? From a health perspective she said for one day a year – when they boys ate well-rounded meals every other day – it certainly wouldn’t hurt them. She encouraged me to let go of what was holding me back.

So I did. We picked a day on our drive home. We made a special trip to the store and bought different ice cream flavors for each meal. We talked about all the ways we could have ice cream – sundaes, milkshakes, ice cream cones – the planning was simply joyful. Don’t get me wrong; it was a continual battle in my head to keep the urge to add a condition of the occasional carrot, piece of fruit, or some other “good for you” food into the day. But stopped myself. I let the joy of the experience overtake the rational mothering thoughts in my head.

What I can tell you is of all the days in the two years Kyle battled brain cancer, Ice Cream Day hovers at the top of the list of magical experiences. This in a two-year span that we crammed with as many experiences as we possibly could. We had ice cream for breakfast, and then at lunch I brought them ice cream to school. They raced home from the bus rattling off how they wanted their ice cream snack prepared. And for dinner we ate sundaes with all the topping they could think ask for. You might think that the boys would have been bouncing off the walls or have tummy aches, in spite of all my certainty that Ice Cream Day would have a down side or negative repercussions, it just didn’t happen. But do you know what did? We made an unforgettable memory. We shared laughs. We were joyful. By giving in on one simple thing for a single day I allowed myself to embrace they miracle of childhood through the delight of my boys.

So I ask each of you to stop the rational reasons to put limits on your own Ice Cream Day. Stop and think about if you lost your child would those reasons have been worth it? Would you have regrets? Maybe we can’t raise our kids indulging their whims for fear of regret, but we can pick a single day to celebrate them. As you do you can help honor the life of a boy who embraced every day, every challenge, every experience with the whole of his being and shared that gift with everyone who knew him.

I love you Kylie. Not a day passes I don’t think of you laughing at a joke you’re telling, or racing down the hill on your bike with “no hands,” or begging to play a game of Yatzee, or asking me to lay down and cuddle you as you fell asleep. You taught me to live life without fear, to live life at full speed, and to take a minute or an hour or a day to live life without worrying about all the rules.  

On Ice Cream Day we honor and celebrate you.

It's time for the Run of Hope 2011!

Nicolas and Kyle at a Husky game in 2007

It's time for the Third Annual Run of Hope! Join us as we run in honor of Kyle "Kylie" Roger Sunday, September 25th, in Seattle's Seward Park. This 5k run/3k walk benefits the Pediatric Brain Tumor Research through Seattle Children’s Hospital and Research Institute.

The team, as always, is called “OOO-UM-GOW-AH.” A familiar chant for anyone who supported Kyle during his two-year battle with DIPG. Whether you join the team or make a donation you’ll give hope to the more than 3500 children diagnosed with brain cancer each year. If you aren’t able to make a donation online and would like to instead send a check, send me an email requesting the mailing address.

Thank you for your continued generosity. And thank you for helping me honor Kyle, his infectious smile, his competitive spirit, and his love for life. Together we can show Kyle how much we remember and that we are all better because of it.

To join the team or make a donation click here!

Where Do the Donations Go?

Kyle's doctor, Jim Olson, and his colleagues at the Seattle Children's Research Institute are dedicated to accelerating the discovery of novel treatment for children with brain cancer. They hope to translate these findings into therapeutic protocols and finally replace a standard of care that hasn’t changed in the last 30 years.

The work being done with funds from last year is absolutely spectacular.  Dr. Olson's lab made 24 new mouse models of pediatric brain cancer, using tumors derived directly from patients. With these models they can run "mini-clinical trials" to more rapidly learn what to take into human trials.  We also share these mice with scientists all over the world with "no strings attached" making cutting edge research available in labs without the capibility or resources to make these mice on their own.

Dr. Olson's research has contributed to the development of Tumor Paint, a fluorescent paint made by the venom of a scorpion, which helps neurosurgeons discern where a tumor begins and where it ends. Being able to see a tumor that ordinarily looks like normal brain tissue enables surgeons to more precisely remove the entire tumor. Revolutionary discoveries like this are making a difference in the lives of children, but more research is needed!

Missing Kyle?

Click the link below to watch a video of Kyle's life...filled with smiles, laughter, adventure, and love. This video was made by Gil Lund.

Kyle Roger Memorial 2/16/2009 from Gil Lund on Vimeo.

Happy Birthday Kylie

Join us in celebrating today. The tradition of "Ice Cream Day" was started by Nicolas and Kyle when they made a list of things they wanted to do together the spring before Kyle died. At the top of that list was to have a day they could eat ice cream for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and all snacks! They were both over the moon when I said yes. We bought more ice cream than we could possibly eat and mixed and matched flavors and topping for every meal. The memory of that day and the joy it brought all of us will live with me forever. Now there is no better way I can think of the celebrate the life of my amazing boy and the incredible relationship he shared with his brother. The gift I would like to share with you is for you to witness that same joy by treating your children to this simple indulgence. Not only will you be honoring the life of an wonderful boy who fought so hard but you will also honor your own children and all the joy they bring to you.

To my beautiful boy,
I miss you every minute of each day. Your laugh, your smile, your joy was infectious to everyone who knew you and to so many who only knew of you. You continue to inspire me. I will continue to seek out ways to honor your spirit. I love you always.
xoxo, Mama

Check this out!

Nicolas and I had a great time last night visiting the Q13 studios and watching Jake tape his segment for Q It Up Sports! If you missed it here is the video...

 

If you would like to join us there is no better day than today! Last day for online registration is September 28th and you can register for team "OOO-UM-GOW-AH" at www.runofhopeseattle.org. If you can't join us on October 3rd at Seward Park, you can still help by making a donation at www.firstgiving.com/kyleroger.

Thank you for your continued support!

Christin

Second Annual Run of Hope!

Kyle with his friend Husky QB Jake Locker

Join team "OOO-UM-GOW-AH" as we run in honor of Kyle "Kylie" Roger at the second annual Run of Hope, Sunday, October 3rd, in Seattle's Seward Park. 

A familiar chant for those close to Kyle, "OOO-UM-GOW-AH" was a mantra Kyle drew strength from during his two-year battle with DIPG. Visit www.firstgiving.com/kyleroger. Whether you join the team or make a donation you’ll give hope to the more than 3500 children diagnosed with brain cancer each year. 

The Run of Hope is a 5k run and 3k walk benefiting Pediatric Brain Tumor Research through Seattle Children’s Hospital. Kyle's doctor, Jim Olson, and his colleagues are dedicated to accelerating the discovery of novel treatment for children with brain cancer. They hope to translate these findings into therapeutic protocols and finally replace a standard of care that hasn’t changed in the last 30 years.

Funds already raised for this research have contributed to the development of Tumor Paint, a fluorescent paint made by the venom of a scorpion, which helps neurosurgeons discern where a tumor begins and where it ends. Being able to see a tumor that ordinarily looks like normal brain tissue enables surgeons to more precisely remove the entire tumor. Revolutionary discoveries like this are making a difference in the lives of children, but more research is needed! 

Thank you for your continued generosity. And thank you for continuing to honor Kyle. Everyday I miss his infectious smile, his competitive spirit, and his love for life.

Join Our Team!

Meet Kyle through this video tribute to his life...filled with smiles, laughter, adventure, and love.

 
Kyle Roger Memorial 2/16/2009 from Gil Lund on Vimeo.

January 17th - Ice Cream Day!

Are you looking for a way to celebrate

Kyle's amazing life on his birthday?

January 17th would have been Kyle's 9th birthday. Nicolas and I have been talking about what we want to do on Kyle's day and the obvious answer is ICE CREAM DAY!

Some of you may remember a list that Nicolas and Kyle made of things they wanted to do together. We were able to turn many of those wishes into memories, including their wish to eat ice cream all day - breakfast, lunch, and dinner! So for us, January 17th from this year forward, is Ice Cream Day. We invite each of you, grown-up or kiddo, to make January 17th Ice Cream Day too!

We'd love to know you are joining in the fun so please write a quick comment letting us know about your own Ice Cream Day and a favorite memory with Kyle. I can't think of a better way to honor Kyle than to generate awareness of pediatric brain cancer and how much needs to be done to find a cure and to that end I'd like to piggyback on a recent Facebook experiment...on Sunday post your favorite ice cream flavor as your status update and ask your friends to do the same. When people ask why you have a flavor in your status you can proudly say "Because today I am eating ice cream to celebrate a little boy who loved his life, loved his family, loved his friends, and loved when his mom let him eat ice cream all day."

January 17th - Ice Cream Day!

Happy Birthday Kylie Wylie.

We love you.

xoxo

Kyle blows out the candles at his 4th birthday party.

Join us for the Run of Hope!

Our Lucky Dawg with Husky QB Jake Locker

Join us as we run in honor of Kyle "Kylie" Roger at the inaugural Run of Hope, Sunday, October 18th, in Seattle's Seward Park.

The Run of Hope is a 5k run and 3k walk benefiting the Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Fund through Seattle Children’s Hospital. Kyle's doctor, Jim Olson, and his colleagues are dedicated to accelerating the discovery of novel treatment for children with brain cancer. They hope to translate these findings into therapeutic protocols and finally replace a standard of care that hasn’t changed in the last 30 years.

Funds already raised for this research have contributed to the development of Tumor Paint, a fluorescent paint made by the venom of a scorpion, which helps neurosurgeons discern where a tumor begins and where it ends. Being able to see a tumor that ordinarily looks like normal brain tissue enables surgeons to more precisely remove the entire tumor. Revolutionary discoveries like this are making a difference in the lives of children, but more research is needed!

The team running in memory of Kyle is called “OOO-UM-GOW-AH.” A familiar chant for anyone who supported Kyle during his two-year battle with DIPG. Whether you join the team or make a donation you’ll give hope to the more than 3500 children diagnosed with brain cancer each year.

And between now and October 18^th all donations made to the Kyle Roger Fund will also be contributed to the “OOO-UM-GOW-AH” team. If you aren’t able to make a donation online and would like to instead send a check, send me an email requesting the mailing address.

Thank you for your continued generosity. And thank you for helping me honor Kyle, his infectious smile, his competitive spirit, and his love for life. Together we can show Kyle how much we remember and that we are all better because of it.

To join the team click here!

Video of Kyle's life...filled with smiles, laughter, adventure, and love.

Kyle Roger Memorial 2/16/2009 from Gil Lund on Vimeo.

Happy Birthday Nicolas!

Nicolas finds the paver that the 

Faris's had made for him at Disneyland.

Nicolas turns 10 on Monday, May 18th! It's hard to believe he is now in double digits. We are so proud of him! He has demonstrated incredible strength and courage, as well as compassion, over the last two and a half years. He's a remarkable young man and inspires us to keep looking forward.

It's hard to believe it's been 3 months since I've posted on Kyle's blog. We are trying to decide the best way to make the site work for us in this new chapter of our journey. It will take some time to re-work things but please keep stopping by to check on our progress. We are tossing around ideas to honor Kyle's memory, ways to support things he cared about as well as Dr. Olson's glioma research. 

Thank you again to everyone who has been supporting us over the last 2 years and continues to support us now. Your cards, emails, blog posts, prayers and good wishes mean so much to us. Even with all the sorrow and loss there are still things to feel lucky about and your support is at the top of that list.

It's a Beautiful Day...

We shared a beautiful day remembering Kylie. Surrounded by people who Kyle had touched in some way, his collections, his artwork, and his endless spirit. If you weren't able to join us we have attached the video tribute put together by Gil Lund. It is a snapshot of a life that overflowed with smiles, laughter, adventure, and love.


Kyle Roger Memorial 2/16/2009 from Gil Lund on Vimeo.

Thank you to everyone who has prayed for us, sent us good thoughts and wishes, brought us dinners, walked our dogs, ran to the grocery store, shuttled to and from Starbucks, and so much more. We are sincerely grateful.