Little did we know that this would be the last finish line Jessica Dunn would cross here on this Earth.  Her next finish line would be a finish line we all hope to cross one day, but on that leaves an aching hole in the lives of those left behind.  On Friday morning Jessica crossed her final finish line as she ran through the gates of Heaven.  You will be forever missed and running will never be the same without you! #teambestbuddiesaz

There is nothing more precious than children's laughter!

It's been a long week with testing and our schedules being flipped around, so the kids are a little restless. Today during reading they started laughing uncontrollably. I believe that laughter is so healing and I love seeing my students so joyful so it was hard for me to tell them to stop. We decided to seize the moment and run with it. I made a deal with kids. I told them that if they could get through reading and learn I would give them 10 minutes at the end of class to put on a comedy show. Each kid got to go up and be the comedian.  

Thought I'd share the laughs with you! #conchoslove

It is official...  In two weeks I will be returning to vista some very special families who forever touched my life 

almost a year ago.  

A house of love built by families who choose to keep their hope in the Lord, although their children battle life threatening illnesses, Hope Kids. Together we built a home for an amazing family and community that I fell in love with in Puerto Paenasco.

    Little did I know that mixing cement and hammering nails for three days would be so life changing.  

Just remembering the experiences brings me such great joy.  I am going to be bringing the children in this neighborhood literature in Spanish, books, and school supplies.  I will be also be collecting clothing and toys over the next week to bring if anyone has any Spring cleaning to do.  

I am BEYOND EXCITED!

She is beautiful, caring, honest, passionate, an entrepreneur, free-spirited, honest, sunshine, she turns my gray skies blue. She's my best friend Christina Hoyt.

When my father was still alive, he was my absolute best friend. He was our cheerleader, advocate, he was my strength when I was to weak or scared to carry on, on my own. He always offered wise council, with my best interest at mind. When he passed away it left a gaping whole in my heart.  Every year on February 20th, I am reminded of the day, the day he took his last breath,  the day that I was informed that I would never get to see him, hug him, seek his council, going a shopping escapade, cry on his shoulder, or share in another memory with him on this earth again.   

The day, that in an instant our lives were    forever changed by his loss. 

That reminder has made this day very painful for me, for many years.  God and my father knew how heavy my heart had been and had heard my prayers for peace and comfort.  I believe that is why they sent me YOU! Out of nowhere I met this friend who was much younger than me, but that I was immediately connected too. It was like we had know each other our whole lives.  We had fun together, we cried until we laughed and laughed until we cried, we were passionate about the same things, and we were both always up for an adventure. 

It just seems so natural.

As we begin creating memories together I quickly realize just how extraordinary of a friend to Christina was.  When I found out her birthday was on February 20th, the day I lost a piece of my heart, I knew it was no coincidence. 

I believe that Christina was God and my fathers gift to me.

Through a great loss blossomed a great gain.   Christina you have held my hand while I spread my father's ashes at one of the seven wonders of World. We have taken my father to Honduras and Europe. You did know he was with us right? LOL    You traveled with me across the world to visit my mother who was battling Cancer in Spain.  You have been that friend who is pulled me out of some of my darkest places.  Even if I just needed you to play with my hair and wipe my tears when I needed a good hard cry, you were there.  You encourage me and remind me I matter. You push me, drag me, lunge me forward in life.  All the losses that once made it so hard to let my father rest, I have now found in you. I can never replace the relationship between my father and I, but he did one hell of job sending me you!  Thanks for being the “That Friend” to me!  You have forever changed our lives.

Thank you Mary Hoyt for giving us this beautiful gift, Christina and giving me something to smile about on February 20th.

                         

Great reminder for me this weak!  

This upcoming weak is filled with a million different emotions.  Being sick with all this time to think might be a great opportunity to find some healing.   For years I have struggled through emotions that taunt me in the month of February.  Emotions about my dad leaving this earth on Feb 20th, my son's near death experience on Feb 23rd 5 years later, and God's miraculous intervention that has forever turned our life around.  February also marks 4 years "Seizure Free" for David. I hear God speaking in my life and he is clearly saying "it is time to hand over your pain so that I can continue writing your story" and that exactly what I plan on working on.  

GIVING IT ALL TO GOD! 

This is the sickest I've been in a long time. I have pneumonia and gastritis and every part of my being hurt. I have no strength and every little task requires me to will myself through the process. I need my spirits lifted today and I'm so glad I found theses special home made cards in my mailbox.   They made me cry!  There's nothing worse than being stuck in bed. fighting a battle between your body and mind. I'm letting my body win this one and it's telling me to rest.  That's extremely difficult for this ADHD girl but my superhero powers are on strike right now! Thanks for holding down the fort TEAM!

Man Pays it Forward to special education teacher

Man Pays it Forward to special education teacher: There's no doubt - a mother's love is strong. But when she spreads that love to other children in need it's truly something special.

I am so humbled by the gracious support and recognition David and I have received.  Thanks again Pablo Beltran and all of our faithful supporters.  To me I am just doing my job.  It is an honor for me to be able to make a difference in this world and with or without a van I will continue to do everything in my power to "change the world one person at a time".  An accessible vehicle would change our world and allow me to overcome some of the challenges we have faced as David has gotten heavier and my body has gotten older. lol  Donations can be made at a AvanforDavid.org

Felling Proud

Sometimes God requires us to plant seeds, some times our job is to water them, other times we harvest, and every once in a while you get to watch what you planted grow into something beautiful. Today I saw a picture of one of my youth Lorenzo, who turned his life around. He went from a trouble youth to a U.S. Marine. I got to watch be part of his life throughout this transition and he has been an inspiration to me. I witnessed him overcome all of the challenges and obstacles in his way. Then I ran into two young adults Flerida Ayala Valenzuela and Francisco Ayala, who I had the privilege to working with back in 2002- 2004 at a Youth Intervention program I volunteered at. Today I got to meet their precious little son, who they are doing an exceptional job raising. I was overwhelmed with joy. I thought of how great our God is and how grateful I am to have had the opportunity and honor to know theses now adults for so many years. I think of all the kids of have impacted my life. Kids I have gotten to watch travel their own journey, and find God's purpose for their lives. Watching them walk into greatness is such an incredible experience. James Cardenas watching you chase God as you develop such a powerful testimony has blessed me beyond words. Then there is Laylanie Pinchem and Juno Starko who I have been able to watch turn a "job" into an opportunity to change lives and share the love of Christ on a daily basis. There passion and dedication at such a young age drives me to be a better person. I am just overwhelmed with a sense of gratefulness and pride in the young adults God has put in my life.

Being his mom is the most precious gift in this world!  He makes every challenge and obstacle worth facing. 

Today my classroom received a surprise visit from Channel 5 News. An old friend Pablo Beltran nominated me for Channel fives pay it forward and they graciously donated $500 for our van. There are so many deserving families who have needs in our community. I'm so thankful for everyone who is supported us in trying to make the world a little more accessible for my David.

I guess you could say I'm just feeling a little bit thankful...

I think my word for the year is going to be THANKFUL.  I am just so thankful for everything in my life and every experience I've been so fortunate to have. I look back and now have an appreciation for even the struggles in my life because, I see how God used those experiences to make me into the woman I am today. I'm thankful God  turned my life around. I'm thankful God has given me a second chance. I'm thankful he's given me the strength to endure. I'm thankful for the mentors in my life. I'm thankful for the prayer warriors in our lives. I'm thankful for God's grace and covering over David and I. I'm thankful God has given me a son that his light shines through. I'm thankful for my church and my youth group. I'm thankful for my classroom and my staff. I'm thankful for the little lives that bless me every single day with their smile. I'm also thankful for their families who share them with me.  I'm thankful for all the hero moms I know raising special needs superheroes. I'm thankful for my support system inside and outside of my school. I'm thankful for the scholarships that invested in me and my future. I'm thankful for all the friends and family who always support all of my many social missions. I am thankful for our friends that lend us their legs. I'm thankful for the clerk at Circle K who smiles at me and asks about my students every morning when I get coffee.  I'm thankful for the friends who prayed me out of dark places and the friends who've shared in so many joyous adventures with me. I'm thankful for my family and my beautiful nephews and nieces who make me a proud aunt. I'm thankful for those of you whose posts have encouraged and inspired me.   I'm also thankful for each and everyone of you. I'm thankful that when the world said you can't do this, God said YES YOU CAN! THANK GOD TODAY, HE IS AMAZING!

Let make this families dreams come true

Can anyone help me get this letter to Justin Bieber or anyone who can help us get this little angel a Meet and Greet.   #helpangelitameetbieber

Dear Justin Bieber,



I am writing this letter on behalf of a beautiful family I know. I met Dalia in a group for moms parenting special needs children. I learned about the tragic day that changed their families lives. At age four while playing in a bounce house, Dalia’s youngest daughter Angelita fell, and was trampled by other children. No one knew how serious her injury was, until hours later when doctors informed the family that Angelita has suffered a spinal cord injury and would spend the rest of her life paralyzed from the neck down. Life as they new forever changed in an instant. There once vibrant daughter now needed a chair to get around, a ventilator to breath for her, and a g-tube to help her eat. Despite this tragedy this family is one of the most positive and gracious families I know.



Angelita has been Justin Biebers fan for over four year. Her love for Bieber started in 2011 when she was stuck in the hospital while her body was recovering from her injury. Bieber was Angelita motivation, his music inspired her to be strong throughout her recovery process. As the family adjusted to their new normal Angelita began learning new ways to access the same things she once enjoyed so easily. She began using a computer that she could control using her eyes. The family was astonished when her first successful attempt was to find and view the Justin Bieber video “Never say Never”. The song quickly became Angelita motto, and she has lived the last four years refusing to let anything crush her precious spirits. 

At that time she did not have the strength to speak very well but she did manage to sing along to her favorite songs like "Baby" and "One less lonely girl". Her admiration for Justin has not faded, since then her dream has been to be able to meet Justin one day.  It comes second to her ultimate dream to marry him.



Angelita is a strong, inspiring little girl, her energy is spread through her smile that brightens the lives of everyone blessed to share it with her.  Justin's songs have helped Angelita overcome the tragedy and loss in her life and watching her overcome her loss has allowed her amazing mom to heal as well. Angelita is now an independent 9 year old that loves a challenge. She truly is a "believer".  She believes that there is good in everyone, she believes that a smile can brighten anyone's day, she believes that she can make a difference in this world and she does. Most importantly, she believes that one day she will be able to walk again.

  At age four Angelita told her parents that she prayed everyday that she could walk again, but since God had not answered yet, she new it was because their were other children who needed him more. A young girl wise beyond her years and destined for greatness. 



I would love nothing more than to make this incredible Hero's

 dream to meet Bieber come true. Not only would the experience be life altering for Angelita it would also impact her family that has rearrange their entire life to give Angelita the life she needs and deserves. Her mom Dalia has already had to watch her daughter miss out on so many things as a result of her injury and limitations. Her mom said to me “I would like nothing more than to make all of her wishes come true. I can't make her walk again but what I can do is ask for help to make it possible for her to meet Justin Beiber. She truly is an amazing girl and deserves so much".

Of course Angelita’s Christmas wish was for tickets to the Justin Bieber concert in Arizona this March. Surprising her with a meet and greet with Justin would not only make this precious souls dreams come true, it would honor her journey, and the strength and courage she has shared with all those who know her. 



Please help us make this happen for this incredible family who has already had to sacrifice so much,

Michelle Campuzano

Mighty Moms Rock

I can't begin to express how much each and everyone of you mean to me.    Thank you for inspiring me and reminding me that I am not alone.  You are all courageous hero's in my book.  From the mom whose daughter was perfectly normal until a tragic accident, the moms who have spent a majority of their child's life in a hospital, the mom who fosters children, investing in special little lives despite her own obstacles,  the mom whose traveled this journey for months, years, or decades, thanks for sharing your journey with me and supporting me through mine!  You Mighty Moms go above and beyond to ensure your children get the most out of life, no matter the sacrifice it cost you, because thats how incredible you are.   I love making memories with you all.  I look forward to the laughs and tears we share together at retreat.

Last but not least a very valuable lesson learned...  Chinchilla don't fart!

Team Andrew

Wait I can explain....

Those of you who know me know I would do ANYTHING for the kiddos in my life. Andrew is one of my incredible students who I have had the privilege of teaching for two years.  This little boy is responsible for putting a smile on my face each and every day. One of our morning rituals is fighting over our choices in football teams.  

Today Andrew is under going his third major surgery.  Now that he's older and can understand the process, he has had great anxiety about having to endure yet another painful surgery and the recovery process.  I wish I could take his place because watching him suffer makes my heart ache.  

I decided to surprise him and show up at the hospital to see him off to surgery. I showed up representing his favorite football team to show him that no matter how much I love my 49ers, first and foremost I will always be Team Andrew!

So here it is, me in Saints attire. An image you will probably never see again! Lol

2016 Rock N' Roll Marathon ~ Team Best Buddies ~ Team David/Daryl

Thank you Kind Bars for supporting Team Best Buddies

#kindawesome 

David decided to take a nap during his News interview.

#12newsaz

Last year at this time we were registering for David's very first race. For the first time ever in our lives I was able to watch David cross his very first finish line, an opportunity I had longed and waited for for over 18 years.  Little did we know that, that experience would be the first of many for us.  What makes it even more meaningful is that we get to share the experience with some incredible people who have forever changed our lives!  Thank you for the opportunity to create worthwhile memories and build lifelong friends! Not only have you shared of your time, your talents, and your legs, you have shared your heart with us and you now have a significant place in our hearts. I can't thank you enough for all the selfless sacrifices you make to eliminate some of the obstacles in our lives.  #teambestbuddiesaz

The moments that make every obstacle in teaching worth it.

 My little Emma has struggled with her balance which has prevented her from walking. While problem solving we thought of putting a weighted lap pad in a back pack to help her with her balance. IT WORKED!!!!!

                                                                    January 2016

Today I am overwhelmed with joy!  God is so faithful!  For many years my heart ached for the experiences David and I never got to have.  As the years have passed I have learned to trust God and his promise.  I might not ever have the opportunity to see my own child walk, but God has graciously allowed me to still be part of the experience in others lives.  Emma is the 3rd child who came to me in a wheelchair that I have had the privilege of watching take steps.  Teachers salaries might be low, but our benefits are out of this world!

April 2015

I am so humbled by all of the love and support from friends, family, and even perfect strangers.  Thank you will never be enough!

                                                                 Avanfordavid.org

I'm feeling hopeful or just having a good day dream!

If I won the lottery first I would create a nonprofit called "David Duty".  I would rebuild hundreds of schools in Arizona.  Then I would help create spectacular programs and resources for the special needs community! Oh and I can't forget about my youth group. A missions trip around the world would be nice!  Just saying!!!!