Sailing into Dad's Day - Week of June 13th

“To reach a port we must set sail.  Sail, not tie at anchor-  Sail, not drift.”  ~Franklin D. Roosevelt

Cam was able to convince Oma to stay and hang out with him in the beginning of the week.  He and Oma and Michelle all had their own stretching class together!  He was very supportive in leading the effort.  The crew took a trip to the Ada Farmer's Market and arrived home with local fruit, vegetables and even fresh fish.

Amanda & Cam on pontoon ride

On Friday, Cam was pre-registered for a sailing clinic in conjunction with MFB at the Grand Rapids Yacht Club on Reeds Lake.  Cam was a bit nervous last year when it was his maiden voyage, but he was ready for the adventure this time.  Lucky for us, Amanda had never been sailing before and we were excited to share this experience with her.  The conditions were picture perfect for boating- gentle breeze, warm air and sunny day.  We arrived shortly after 9am and while we were waiting our turn, we took a cruise around the lake on a pontoon.  Next, Cam had a solo ride in a small sailboat.  To wrap up our excursion, Amanda, Jane and her son all boarded a larger sailboat named "Rebel" captained by Ms. Mary.  Mary cruised around a good portion of Reeds Lake and showed us the secret "Sunken Island" located in the middle of the lake.  You could actually jump out of the boat and stand up- it was that shallow!

Mathew & Cam

Late in the afternoon on Saturday, we headed over to Alaska (not the state, but small town near us) to celebrate Mathew's graduation.  Mat used to live in our old neighborhood and we still see the Flegel family, who are known as our forever neighbors and friends.
The open house served up delicious food and outdoor games, two of Cam's favorite things.  Mat's dad has a huge tractor that Chris put Cam on to check out the view from way up high!

Sunday morning, we left Grand Rapids early to head up to north to surprise Oma and Opa at their church, St. Peter's By the Lake.  They were quite surprised to see us there, albeit just a couple of minutes before the beginning of the service.

We had an awesome beach day afternoon, gave Opa a new grill, and celebrated Father's Day with our family.

Cam and Jane know that Chris is one of kind.  His ability to always find adventure, like digging up a half-buried boat on the beach, constantly remind us that every day something just below the surface awaits discovery!

Camology Quotes:
For Father's Day, Cam and Ms. Michelle worked on a project creating an award card for Chris.  Michelle asked Cam questions which he answered and Michelle helped fill in the blanks.

This is what Dad always says: "Hello, Hi, Goodbye"
He is so good at: "Making ramps"
Here is his favorite thing to eat: "Pickles, tomatoes, broccoli, ham"

Cam helping Chris with the mower

My dad's pockets are full of:  "Money and a wallet"  (Ha! says Dad)
This makes my dad laugh: "When he tickles me" (soooo true!)
When he comes home from work, he likes to:  "Eat, tickle Cam, kiss Mom"  (Mom's personal favorite!)

Baseball, Buddies and a Bride - Week of June 6th

WMML Medal time!

"Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end"
~ song lyric from 'Closing Time' by Semisonic 

New shelves for Jane's bday!

Endings and beginnings are a part of daily life.  This week, we experienced quite a few on both sides.  Time to start counting...

Jane celebrated a birthday (with a number not to be noted here) on Thursday and her boys took her out to dinner and for her present, built a set of needed shelves in the closet.  These boys are talented!

Family of Helpers
from Miller-Johnson

Yeah for Meadow Brook families!!

Saturday morning, we took our final spring season trip out to the baseball field for WMML where Cam played his final game.  The volunteers from a local law firm were eager to assist and the heat of the day was muted by a nice breeze. Along with Cam's parents, Oma, Opa and Mr. Steve completed the bleacher fan club.

Ms. Michelle, Cam &
Ms. Barbara

Less than 10 minutes after arriving home from the ball game, our first guests arrived for Cam's End of School & Summer Cookout!  Teachers, therapists, aides, fellow school friends and their families all enjoyed a delicious array of food brought by all guests.  The daytime temp reached 90 degrees so were all happy for an air-conditioned break inside to watch the Project Unify video that Ms. Barbara had put together.  It was important for everyone to see the presentation so the families of teachers, therapists, aides and fellow students could see what an impact everyone has on each other.

Oma, Cam and Opa

On Sunday, we traveled to Kalamazoo to celebrate a new beginning for Auntie Roe.  Cam was able to wear his tuxedo once again and take on the all-important duty of being a ring bearer (for the 4th time!) for Ronda & Mike's wedding.  The day was almost as beautiful as the bride.  Cam and Auntie Roe have a special relationship and many shared memories including, but not limited to, banana bread making and Portuguese language lessons.
Ronda's baking buddy worked diligently to memorize a short speech...Feliz Casamento! meaning Happy Marriage  (pronounced fah-lease koz-a-mento) and Abraços e Amor meaning Hugs and Love (pronounced ah-bra-sus eh ah-more).
It was an action packed weekend and we all had fun remembering the moments that become our memories.  For all that took place, this quote lingers and reminds us just how impactful people are...


“Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same.”

Cam-ology Quotes:
When you have a day ahead full of activity, it's easy to feel a bit anxious and stressed.  And then, Cam wakes up and announces:
"I just love this beautiful day!"  
and those nervous feelings melt away....

Finding the Links to Unify Others - Week of May 30th

Field Day- Cam with a LINKS buddy

Ms. Barbara & Ms. Ginny
presenting Cam with his award

Cam & Mom

Sometimes you're a part of something that has such an impact, you may not realize it at the time.  We've noted (on more than one occasion) that this community has provided our family with so many opportunities.  Cam's school is a perfect example of driven individuals taking on immense, time-consuming projects on their own accord, specifically Project Unify and LINKS.

Cam & Bus Driver "Mr. D."

What is Project Unify? An education and sports-based program that promotes acceptance, respect, and leadership for students of all abilities while creating an inclusive school environment.
There are four components:
• a unified sport…we play bocce ball 
• a school-wide campaign to foster diversity and respect for all
• a community service project
• a Youth Activation Committee (YAC)
LINKS is a peer-to-peer inclusion program where students support a same-aged peer from the cognitively impaired classroom at school.

Cam & Ms. Kathy

Forest & Cam

Cam has been involved in this program for the past two years.  The awards ceremony honoring each individual student for their participation took place on Friday and parents were invited.  More than 80 elementary students volunteered to be a part of this program and there are 13 kids, including Cam, that they are paired with.  It is truly overwhelming to see kids of all ages celebrating each other.

Another celebration took place on Saturday at the WMML field for Cam's baseball game.  We were surprised to see one of Cam's former teachers, Ms. Kathy and her husband, Carl and Forest.  It's easy to see even though Cam hadn't seen Ms. Kathy or Forest for over a year, he was very excited they were present.

Will, Cam &
Mr. Mike (helper)

Will, Cam, Auntie Jo

Also in the Cam fan club were Auntie Jo and buddy Will as well as Oma!

Big crowd and a perfect day for a ball game and for introducing a new WMML first...from an organization that was new to us- May We Help.
This group brought a batting apparatus powered by a hand pulley.  Cam was able to use the pulley to swing the bat without any help from anyone!  What a cool invention!!
The organization strives to provide support in a different way - by building assistive devices or products to enable people with different abilities to enjoy everyday life.  Individuals devoting their own time and energy to benefit others...sometimes it truly is better to give than to receive...and sometimes your gift of giving means more than any monetary value ever could!

Cam-ology Quotes:
Cam is fully aware that both of his parents have busy schedules with work.  Maybe it's time to find him an electronic calendar...


"Mom, we should go to Heidi's Farm Stand this week!"


Sure thing, Cam.  That sounds good.

"Ok, when are you open?"

The Sand in our Toes - Week of May 23rd

"As we lose ourselves in the service of others, we discover our own lives and our own happiness." ~Dieter Uchtdorf

Autumn, Katrina, Cory, Megan & Cam

It was a work week for Cam at school when his class participated in community services projects outside on two different days.  He helped Ms. Kathy pull weeds and reminded his parents to apply sunscreen both mornings.

On Friday afternoon, Jane picked up Cam from school and they braved the holiday traffic to travel downtown where the PT university students awaited Cam's arrival.  It's always a treat to enter in the Grand Valley building where most of the students recognize Cam and we are greeted by smiling faces.  The goal of these sessions is to engage and teach, from both perspectives.  It's a learning experience for all and we are so fortunate that Dr. Lisa maintains Cam as part of her "staff" of kids who want to support the effort.  Although a "pro" after many of these encounters, sometimes the day's activities get the best of Cam.  At one point, Jane requested one of the students in particular to assist.  We determined this may be referred to as a "blonde therapy tactic" (which is definitely not a proven scientific method.)

Oma & Cam
discussing sand construction

Saturday morning, Cam awoke early and was more than ready to head up north to see Oma and Opa!
With blue skies above and warm sand in our toes, the breeze was a welcome change from the recent humidity.
Every year the landscape of the Lake Michigan shoreline changes, sometimes subtle and other times, abrupt.  While venturing north, we came across some "suspended" steps that were held up by sand last summer.   Now, they lead to air versus land.


Surprisingly enough, Lake Michigan was not its usual bone-chilling temperature for late May, but actually felt fairly decent.  Oma and Jane were able to comfortably walk in the water and Cam liked it splashing on his feet and legs.  Chris took things one step further, or a quite a few steps further literally, and took his first swim of 2016!

Yes, he's swimming!

We had a delicious dinner with Cam's grandparents and an awesome visit with cousin Steff and her boyfriend, Heath.
The two builders are shown here creating a new housing project.




We look forward to many, many more beach days feeling the sand in our toes and the wind in our hair leading to the inevitable outcome of smiling faces and lots of laughter!



Cam-ology Quotes:
It's been said on more than one occasion that Cam takes after his parents in more ways than one.  Jane is convinced, though, that Chris has been giving their son some extra sweet pointers.

Mom- "I sure do love you Cam."
Cam- "That warms my heart when you say that, Mom."

Camiversary! and 'Go with the Flow' - Week of May 16th

"The meaning of life is to find your gift.  The purpose of life is to give it away."  ~ William Shakespeare

Memorable dates sneak up on us sometimes and suddenly we realize it's an annual occurrence.  This one was a total surprise as Michelle took Cam on a mission to celebrate their "Camiversary!"  a.k.a. the one year anniversary of the two of them meeting for the first time.  The duo arrived home with 5 different helium balloons (#1, flower, flag, sports, special) as well as 4 celebration glasses filled with Cam's favorite chocolate candies.  What a treat!  Each of the balloons represented one of us and an extra to encompass all.  The agenda for Camiversary was

1 yr ago!

1) Eat chocolate  2) Hide-n-Seek  3) Share stories/Pictures/Do you remember when?
It definitely seems like we've known Michelle much longer than a year and so thankful she is a part of our lives!
While Chris headed out on a fishing weekend, Auntie Karen graciously drove to GR to spend a couple of nights with Jane and Cam.  When Cam woke up on Saturday morning, he was so excited to see her and she gave him a new pair of snazzy sunglasses. Auntie Karen helped Cam create a "napkin man" which led to lots of giggles and funny talking.

Ms. Barbara & daughter Carly & Cam

Mr. Tom (helper) & Cam

U.Joe,A.Joyce,U.Jon,A.Betsy,Oma,Opa,
Karen,Mom & Cam

The Napkin Man

The WMML game was scheduled for 10am and it was shaping up to be a perfect day for baseball.  As Cam, Jane and Auntie Karen settled into the van to leave (early), it wouldn't start.  The portable charger was attached and we discovered the full jumper cables were in Chris' truck a couple hundred miles north.  After 15 minutes of unsuccessful charging, we asked Cam if he would be willing to leave his powerchair at home, get in Jane's car instead of the van and have someone push him around the bases in his former manual chair.  He totally agreed and wanted to go and get to baseball!  He also informed Jane & Auntie Karen that "I need a snack in the car to tide me over."

Good thing he is a 'go with the flow' kind of guy because he had a fan club waiting at the game to see him play ball!

The sunshine continued throughout the day and Emma stopped over for some outdoor play and stayed for dinner.  Auntie Karen and Jane thought it would be fun to play restaurant for the evening.  The kids had a menu to choose from at "Cam's Cafe."  Cam chose ravioli and Emma picked hot dogs and mac-n-cheese.  Jane & Karen wisely decided upon grilled steak and chicken with veggies.  We were very thankful for Aunt Karen's company over the weekend and her positive attitude to help make an inflexible situation full of choices and options.
A shout out to Cam's WMML fan club present at the Saturday game!  We know it's a trek and time and energy.  Seeing Cam's face light up knowing he has a cheering section is priceless!!

We sure did miss Chris over the weekend, but the fish didn't seem to be missing his hook at all- lots of beauties such as the one shown here.  Cam and Jane requested he bring fish home and upon arrival, sure enough, he had a piece of fresh salmon from Meijer :)


Never doubt that even the smallest of comments or quietest of compliments don't make someone's day.  We think it's a proven Cam formula...

Cam-ology Quotes:
Cam came home early from school on Monday due to sickness and stayed home on Tuesday.  He asked Jane to send a message to his school.  Jane found the two school administrator assistants online and sent the following email to both. 
"Cam wanted me to send a message to school to say  “thank you for being so nice to me!”

 He went home sick yesterday and is home from school today, but is feeling better.

 Have a good day,"

Emails received back upon receipt:

"Hi Jane,

That is so sweet! That just made my day! Good to hear he is feeling better." ~Monica

"Thank you for brightening my day!" ~Jane