Final Thank you's - Party for Pottebaum

Thank you for your ca$h donations!

Scott and Ruth Schneider

Scott and Julie Schwickerath
John and Julianne Spatz
Pam Sloan
Nate and Jody Tate
Brad and Heather Traynor
Kathryn VanDerWerff
Shannon Wallace
Bill and Jayne Westering
Tom and Deanna Wolf

Steve, Olivia and I can't say thank you enough for your generosity and kindness.  We are putting all the money raised to suppliment my income until I go back to work and all my medical expenses. 

Party For Pottebaum - THANK YOU! Part 1

Thank you to the following companies who helped make Party for Pottebaum a success!

Thank you Brad and Jacque Bailey

Thank you to Eric and Nikki Crouch

Thank you to Brendan and Crystal Crowley

Thank you to Brendan and Crystal Crowley



GP Industries





Thank you to Nicki and Neal McMahon
If you would like to order a t-shirt (pictured below)
call 402-933-5551
www.bigfrog.com/omaha

Thank you to all our friends and family who made this night possible!!

(If I forgot to mention someone please let me know so I can add you)

Emily Gardels, Brendan Crowley, Lauren Gardels, Jill Dolnicek, Jason & Chrissy Bailey, Rick & Judy Delperdang, Jane Paulsen, Sean & Carey Keenan, Shine Day Spa, Relax the Back, HM Studio, Salon Nail Experts, Curves, Lifetime Fitness, Tiburon Golf Club, Tara Hills Golf, LA Custom Designs, Lia Sophia, Braasch Dentistry, Haute Bauble, 14Karat, Linda Quist, Chocolate Peacock, Scentsy, Jose Fonseca, GCR Tire, Lyndsey & Jerid Foster, Curtis Foster, Jeremy & Kelly Robson, Tan Image, Lori Armiger, Tammy Braasch, Jeff Bailey, Blue80.com, Lisa McAvoy, Tom Hartlieb, Christy Bargstadt, Bungalow/8, Katie Harrower, Leah Buller, Troy & Andrea Saunders, Tara Ross, Barb Brady, Eileen's Colossal Cookies, Stacy Nelson, Mary Ann Grace, Al Recker, Alex & Angela Wolf, Chad & Leslie McMahon, Nicki McMahon, Katy & John Bode, Tom & Misti Wolf, Tom & Deanna Wolf, Bruce & Betty Bode, Jean Stearman, Joan Allen, Jen Fehringer, Lamars Donuts, Runza, Kelly's Little Signers, Baby Blue Sushi, Kona Grill , Amanda Fish Photography, Megan Miller Collection Nail Polish, Sugar Blossom Photography, LA Custom Designs Teri Adams, Christy Bargstadt, Wild Tree, Jane Stearman, A Tiskett A Taskett, Lisa Nimrick, Megan Gutsgell, Union Pizzeria, Vodoo Lounge and their staff.

Last but certainly not least...Erica McMahon, Jacque Bailey and Crystal Crowley for organizing the event.

Erica, Me and Jacque

Me, Crystal and Emily Gardels



 I wanted to shoot a video for this event but I didn't get any video!  I was so busy talking to everyone who showed up for the party.  If I had shot the video it could be the movie of my life.  Friends and family came from my entire journey here on earth.  Friends from my past, present and new friends I plan to nurture and cherish in the future. It was and will always be extremely touching and now as I reflect it brings tears to my eyes.  You all have touched my soul and shaped me in to the person I am today and I will never know how to repay you for your generosity and kindness.  I do plan on paying it forward when I am finished with treatments and I am healthy again.  I will help another cancer patient by organizing a benefit for them next year or two.

I know it has taken me a while to write this thank you but I want to make sure I include everyone who showed their support.  It may take me three or four posts to recap the entire night.  So if you don't see your name in this post it is being created and will be posted soon.=)

I will say that I did not get home until 2:30 AM!  I haven't stayed up that late in years!  I do apologize because I feel like I tried to speak to everyone but did not have a full conversation with anyone.  I wish I could have spoken to each and everyone of you longer and more in depth.  If I didn't get to you it was not on purpose...I was overwhelmed with the amount of friends and family who came to support us.  But I will try to include each of you over the next week or two with a story of how we met or how you have touched my soul.  All I do know is this has been such a humbling experience and I am so thankful that God put you in my life at this time.  You have helped me, Steve and Olivia in so many ways.  We can focus on my recovery and not have to worry about finances.  Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

The room was decorated in pink with flowers and candles.  Food from HuHot, Stokes, Union Pizzeria and dessert from Eileen's cookies lined an entire wall at the Vodoo Lounge.

I am starting at the beginning with the Kirchner's. Chuck came too but he was talking to someone when I took this picture. We lived in the same neighborhood with the Kirchner's starting from the time I was 3 years old until I was seventeen. Stephanie was my sister's age and our families spent a lot of time together, and took a few trips to the Lake of the Ozarks.  I also remember going to visit them in Colorado when they moved. I was taken back when I saw them for the first time.  It had been years since I have seen them...maybe 15 or 20.  WOW!  Thank you so much for coming it was great to see you! =)

Kathy Kirchner, my mom and Stephanie (Kirchner) Welsh



I did not get all the "Boat People's" picture but the Kirchners, Traynor's, Holm's, Sanford's, Bonella's, Nearman's and Anderson's would travel for ten days to the Ozarks once a year for about 10 years and go boating every Sunday at Fremont Lakes.  I have such fond memories of these people I will never forget the wonderful times we had together at Bass Point, always making a stop at the Ozark BBQ, Troy and Brenda doing all the girls hair and make up before going out, sneaking all of us kids in the "Adult Only" Club House, making human pyramids for photo opps, ski competitions, para sailing, blue banana rides and the famous knee boarding competition between Dave Bonella and Terry Traynor and the many milestones we reached while growing up together.

Thank you to the Holm's, Traynor's, Sanford's and Bonella's who made it out Saturday! 

Chuck, Mike and Ruth Holm
I also spent a lot of time with the Holm's and traveled
with them to University of South Dakota.  Mike went to college there
and they had a huge party and talent show.  Such a fun night!
Ruth and Chuck were also my host couple at my wedding.

Marie Bonella &Wayne

The Traynors!  ( I took this off of Terry's Facebook=)
Keep the Traynor's in your prayers.  They lost their wife/mother/
grandmother, Linda to cancer just a little over a year ago.
Dan and I went to high school and college together. 
He always looked out for me at the Lamda Chi House especially
my freshman year...just make sure I didn't get in to trouble =)
Thanks Dan!

Terry, Tracy & Brenda Sanford
(I took this from Tracy's facebook)
Brenda told me their son Troy got engaged!
Congratulatulations!

THIS IS ONLY PART 1.....MORE TO COME!

Christmas Cards 2010

Thank you for thinking of us this holiday season.  We will be thinking of you too!

My First Christmas in Heaven

I received this email from a friend of mine Deb Bothof  on December 7, 2007.  This is her favorite Christmas Poem.    Deb's son passed away unexpectedly when he was in highschool and said this poem helped her get through her first Christmas without Christopher.  Deb I am always thinking and praying for you and your family.  =) 

Reading this poem again made me think of some friends and family who may still be grieving their losses... two in particular.  Linda Traynor passed away last year and this will be the first Christmas her family will be celebrating without her.  Terry, Brad, Heather and Dan .... Please know that all of you are all in my thoughts and prayers. 

A neighbor and life long friend Jen and her husband Matt.  Matt's father passed away this year.  Steve and I  have come to know her husband Matt who is probably one of the nicest people I have met.  Matt helped Steve with our basement by donating his time and we can't say thank you enough!  We love you and please know we are thinking and praying for you and your family this holiday season!

There are others we are thinking and praying for this holiday season as you have lost family, friends and loved ones over the years...too many to mention but you know who you are...I have some you in the labels...we love you all too! =)

My First Christmas in Heaven

My First Christmas in Heaven
I see the countless Christmas Trees
Around the world below
With tiny lights
Like heaven's stars
Reflecting on the snow
The sight is so spectacular
Please wipe away that tear
For I am spending Christmas
With Jesus Christ this year
I hear the many Christmas songs
That people hold so dear
But the sounds of music can't compare
With the Christmas choir up here
I have no words to tell you
The joy their voices bring
For it is beyond description
To hear the angels sing
I know how much you miss me
I see the pain inside your heart
But I am not so far away
We really aren't apart
So be happy for me dear ones
You know I hold you dear
And be glad I'm spending Christmas
With Jesus Christ this year
I send you each a special gift
From my heavenly home above
I send you each a memory of
My undying love
After all "love" is the gift
More precious than pure gold
It was always most important
In the stories Jesus told
Please love and keep each other
As my Father said to do
For I can't count the blessing
Or love he has for each of you
So have a Merry Christmas
And wipe away that tear
Remember I am spending Christmas
With Jesus Christ this year.
author........ unknown