The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

I can't believe it is December already ... as always I'm wondering where the time has gone.  November seemed to just fly by and when I think back, I'm not sure where it actually went.  Soccer for Tyler ended (which he loved), Middle School football ended for Ryan (they had a great season too), and Thanksgiving came and went.  Chris and I as well as a couple other people organized a community praise and worship service called Saturday Night Alive on November 19 at Greer Gym in Moundridge.  It was an incredible evening of praise and worship ... the Eden Praise Band, that we are a part of, led the service with singing and we had Chris' uncle bring a short message.  If you don't know it already, Chris has a gift of  worship leading and did an excellent job leading the group in worship that night!  We served kettle popcorn, coffee, hot chocolate, and cookies.  There was a great turnout of about 130 people or so (which for our small community is great) and I believe everyone left the gym with a smile on their face after singing praises to God!  We're already organizing our next one for January and are hoping to make this at least a monthly event, if not more frequent. The positive response from those in attendance has been amazing!

We also took a short break one Saturday morning to have family pictures taken at Dyck Arboretum in Hesston.  It was a little chilly that morning, but the results of the pictures made it all worth it! 

One Saturday someone posted on Facebook that they had 4 Chiefs tickets for the game the next day against the Broncos.  So, spur of the moment (we've been wanting to take the older 2 boys for along time) we purchased the tickets and went to Kansas City for the game.  The not so good part was that it was the start of their losing streak and they did not play very well.  But the positive part was the experience of the game from the 2nd row at the 30 yard line ---- it was awesome!  Just being there was a great experience in itself.  I had not been to a game in over 20 years and Chris had only seen one other one ... the boys had a great time too!
 

We are heavy into basketball here and are experiencing the newness of Middle School basketball.  Ryan has had 2 games already and they are undefeated.  We will round out the next week and a half with 3 more games before the break.  It is so fun to watch these boys play together on a school team.  We've been watching them for years in recreation ball and MAYB, but this takes it to a different level and it is great to see. Ryan is playing B team and gets to "suit up" for A team.  He's excited about that and working hard.  Tyler has also started his recreation basketball season and they are currently 1-0.  I'm helping coach (not in charge thankfully) his team of 6 boys ... it's fun!  Those are all on Saturday's and we'll have 2 more before the break for Christmas.  Of course, the evenings we don't have Middle School games we attend the High School games because the boys wouldn't want it any other way.  They love it!!

We're also anticipating this most wonderful time of the year ... Christmas ... the time for giving ... the time for being thankful ... the time for understanding the most incredible gift ever given - Jesus!  Fortunately, we were able to get all of our Christmas decorations up over the Thanksgiving weekend because if we hadn't, I'm not sure we've had a moment to blink since then to do it.  I love the brightness the tree and garland with lights bring to a home ... driving at night and seeing Christmas lights ... and just the joy of many people during this season.  But as we were reminded Wednesday night at our community youth group (which Chris and I have started leading music at and being a part of), not everyone has heard the Christmas story and knows what it is really about.  That is so sad!  Although each year I'm sure I get caught up in all the "hype" of Christmas, all along I know that we celebrate this amazing holiday because of the birth of Jesus Christ - the Savior of the world!  It's hard for me to fathom not knowing the story ... but what a reminder that I have work to do here on this Earth.  What a rewarding gift we can give to people all year long, not only during the Christmas season!  So as I look to find ways to bring cheer to others this Christmas, I'm also concentrating and making sure my children realize the wonderful gift God gave them with the birth of Jesus, and encouraging them to give to others gifts too - even if it is just a smile!  Sometimes that's all that is needed.   So as we celebrate Christmas, let's keep the real reason for the season at the front of our minds and reach out because we never know when we may be touching a heart that may not know about Jesus.  Merry Christmas and blessings to each of you!

Happy Halloween

 Our Sunday School class sponsored a "Trunk or Treat" at the school parking lot Sunday evening.  It was a beautiful evening and at least 120 kiddos came past our "trunk".  Our little ones were excited to dress up in their costumes.

Andrew as "Bob the Builder"

 

 Grant as a "Dinosaur"

Always have to get the 2 together.  Grant did not like how his hood went down over his face!

The 4 boys --- the older two went along with our "trunk" theme ......... BASKETBALL!

Here is the coach/recruiter and the referree

 

We chose to use the basketball goal as our treat holder rather than the trunk!  Don't you love the hat Ryan is wearing (he was bound and determined to cut an old basketball in half for a "candy holder".  

Works well as a hat too! 

The nephews came to get some candy too.  Great to see Luke and Ian in their costumes.  

We had to get a picture of the cousins together.

Successful Day for the NFED!

The inaugural Huxman Run 2 Sweat on October 1 was an ENORMOUS success. 

A very touching moment as Grant joined my brother, Gregg Dick, as he finished the 10K.  It was precious, and captured on camera by our photographers Mug Shots Captured by Jennifer & Krissinda.  Click on the previous link to check out all the pictures they captured from the day.  They generously donated their time and are donating money earned from purchased pictures back to the NFED.

 

New registration table . . . there were 33 participants in the 1 Mile and 5K that registered the morning of!  WOW ---- Janet and Vanessa did a great job making sure this was taken care of quickly and accurately!



We started with a 1 Mile Walk/Run at 7:45 am which had about 100 particpants.  The winner was Donald Hazelton with a time of 6:18 with his son, Cody - age 10, following close behind at 6:52.  The first female to cross the finish line was Lauren Flickinger - age 14, with a time of 7:50.  Many people chose to walk the one mile which was awesome!  I would like to thank two groups that participated --- the Moundridge Middle School football team (which Ryan is a member) and the Moundridge Middle School volleyball team (which I coach).  Thanks to the parents for helping make this be a "team" effort for them.  The mile was a great start to the day.

After the 1 Mile Walk/Run we thanked everyone for their support, generosity, donations, etc. that made this amazing day happen.  We shared at this point that we had already raised approximately $7,500 and that donations were still coming in.  We ended this welcome with a prayer thanking God for all our blessings!

Grant cuddled with his Dad most of the morning . . . he still wasn't feeling too well.

I was showing Gregg how the stop watch worked as my Dad looked on.  Gregg's golf team stationed themselves at each mile marker with a stop watch to read off times. 

Carol Agne, Director of Development at the NFED, and myself.  It was so awesome that she was able to come and be a part of the day.  They only had to travel a little farther than Kansas City, where they were for the Chiefs game on Sunday:)  Thanks for joining us and helping us out!

The 5K followed beginning at 8:30 am.  Here are the "serious" runners at the front waiting for the start. There were approximately 50 runners in the 5K.  The winner was Greg Shelley with a time of 21:42.  The winning female was Heather Gregg with a time of 26:21. 

Waiting . . .

Still waiting . . .

 

And they're off . . . winning male in the front in black.

. . . winning female right here in pink shirt and black pants.

The serious walkers stayed at the back:)

Grandma Frankie pryed Grant away from his father for a little bit.



Andrew with his cousin Ian.



 

The start of the 10K.  Only 10 participants but they were all serious and excited!

10K runners in action.  I love how this picture has the Moundridge City Limit sign in it.  Thanks for capturing this picture Christina Hartmeyer.

The 10K winner was Katie Sawyer with a time of 48:01.  The winning male was Gregg Dick with a time of 49:00 (although he sacrificed about 15 seconds to finish the race with his nephew, as pictured at the top).

This event was a HUGE success.  Although all registered participants did not show up, we had 185 numbers given out or registered participants.  We were hoping for at least 100 so this almost doubled our initial goal.  We also had at least 75 volunteers including the Bethel College Golf Team (mentioned above), Bethel College Women's Basketball Team, Moundridge High School Cheerleaders, and Moundridge High School FCCLA members.  Also, we set a goal to raise at least $5,000 . . . and we far surpassed that too.  The final numbers are not in yet, but we are guessing it is going to be very close to $10,000!!!!!!!  YEAH!!!! 

Thank you to everyone that participated, volunteered, donated, and sends daily prayers and support for our family and the NFED.  We appreciate each and everyone of you and know this event could not have happened without you.  If you are still interested in being a part of this event with a monetary donation, go to www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/deannhuxman/huxmanrun2sweat

Huxman Run 2 Sweat

 

If you haven't heard already, we are organizing an event "Huxman Run 2 Sweat", a benefit run for the National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias (NFED) on October 1, 2011 in Moundridge, Kansas.  This organization is where we have learned so much about EEC and they've helped us with questions and concerns regarding the health of Tyler and Grant.  Each summer we travel to their national family conference for three days and have made some incredible friendships through this journey.  There are a number of ways you can support our event with the first being to pray for a safe race where the participants and volunteers have a great time.  Another way would be by participating in either the 1 mile walk/run at 7:45 am, or the 5K or 10K which begin at 8:30 am.  Many, many volunteers are needed to make this event a success and you could help us in that way.  The last way is obviously the reason we are organizing this event . . . to raise funds and awareness for the NFED.  If you are interested in contributing to the NFED through our Huxman Run 2 Sweat event, you can do so in a couple different ways:  send your donation directly to us with the check made out to the NFED, go to our current website www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/deannhuxman/huxmanrun2sweat, or go to www.nfed.org - click on Make a Donation on the left hand side - fill out the first page with your information - and then on the second page where it says source click on the drop down menu and choose Run 2 Sweat - Huxman Family.  Our goal is to raise at least $5,000 for the NFED and we are confident we'll do that.  Please read the following information for a better understanding of why Run 2 Sweat.  I'm also including a copy of the registration form at the bottom if you are interested in printing it out (I hope it would work to print from this).  Thank you very much for your support of our family and this event.  Feel free to share this with friends.  Our ultimate goal is to raise awareness about ectodermal dysplasias and the NFED and the best way to do that is through word of mouth.

Why Run 2 Sweat????

When most people run, there is an expectation that sweating will occur. What if when running, a risk of overheating occurred rather than sweating? This is a reality for some children, including Tyler and Grant Huxman. Tyler and Grant both have EEC Syndrome (Ectrodactyly, Ectodermal Dysplasias Clefting Syndrome), which is very rare. EEC is one of over 150 different types of ectodermal dysplasias which affect about 1 in 10,000 births and are inherited disorders that involve defects in the hair, nails, sweat glands, tear ducts and teeth.

The purpose of the Huxman Run 2 Sweat event is to raise awareness as well as funds for the National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias (NFED), a non-profit organization with a mission to empower and connect people touched by ectodermal dysplasias through education, support and research. The foundation also provides financial support, advice, guidance and research into ectodermal dysplasias. All of their funding comes from private donations and grants. They receive no federal funding. 

The NFED is valuable to many families dealing with ectodermal dysplasias , including the Huxman family. Helping to raise funds is a way to give back.  Please consider helping out in any way you can, either by participating in the run, donating to the cause, or volunteering to help with the event on October 1, 2011.

The Huxman Run 2 Sweat event will occur October 1, 2011 beginning with the 1 Mile Walk/Run at 7:45 am followed by the 5K/10K at 8:30 am. All events will begin at Moundridge Middle School, 526 East Cole, Moundridge, Kansas and end at Black Kettle East Park, corner of  Krehbiel St. and Goering St., Moundridge, Kansas (about 2 blocks from the school). Post race food, drinks, entertainment, and awards will be at Black Kettle East Park.

To learn more about ectodermal dysplasias, log into www.nfed.org 

Registration Form

                   1 Mile Walk/Run ($10) - begins at 7:45 am

                  5K ($25) – begins at 8:30 am             

                   10K ($40) – begins at 8:30 am

                   Cash Donation (Any amount)  $ ________ 


                   Willing to volunteer before or day of event 

 Name:                                                                                                                                                                

Address:                                                                                                                             

                                                                                                                               

Phone #:                                               Email:                                                                  

T-shirt size:          YS          YM         YL            S              M            L              XL           XXL

Please complete this application and return it with payment to:

Huxman Run 2 Sweat

11409 NW 72^nd St.

Moundridge, KS  67107

Please make checks payable to :

NFED (National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias)

Questions?         Call Chris or DeAnn Huxman @ 620-386-0522 or 0523 or

cdrthux@mtelco.net

To learn more about the run go to www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/deannhuxman/huxmanrun2sweat

For  information about ectodermal dysplasias, log into www.nfed.org

Please complete the waiver section on the back also.  Thanks!

Waiver Release

You understand that participation in the Huxman Run 2 Sweat event is potentially hazardous, and that a registered party should not participate unless they are medically able and properly trained. You understand that events may be held over public roads and facilities open to the public during the event and upon which hazards are to be expected. Participation carries with it certain inherent risks that cannot be eliminated completely ranging from minor injuries to catastrophic injuries including death. You understand and agree that in consideration of being permitted to participate in the event, you and any registered party, the heirs, personal representatives or assigns of you or the registered party do hereby release, waive, discharge and covenant not to sue active for any and all liability from any and all claims arising from participation in the event by your or any registered party.

Signature:                                                                                        

Date:                                                             

It's been too long . . . once again!

I keep vowing I'll get better about posting sooner, and then it becomes 3, 4, 5, 6 weeks and it still hasn't happened.  And now I don't even know where to begin . . . so much to tell.  I never posted pictures from the 2nd half of our vacation, which included the NFED National Conference which we look forward to each year.  It was in O'Fallon, Illinois this year and we once again had a great time!  Here are a couple pictures from our days at conference.

Chris and I at the NFED 30th Anniversary Gala

NFED Family event to the waterpark in O'Fallon, IL

Ryan, Nollan, Tyler, and Zemery 

Nollan, Tyler, Zemery, Ally, Ryan, and Brett

 Tyler, Ryan, and Zemery at the talent show singing "Bleed Red" by Ronny Dunn

Zemery and Tyler - not happy to say goodbye:(

Tyler, Zach, Ryan, Grant, Lauren, Audrey

Andrew, Nollan, Ben

Ryan and Tyler saying goodbye to their sisters, Morgan and Ally

We dropped Ryan off at Camp Mennoscah on our way home from Illinois and he stayed there for the next week.  We got home and hit the ground running to begin  plans on our inaugural Huxman Run 2 Sweat benefit event, a run to benefit the National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias (NFED).  We will be holding this event on October 1, 2011 in Moundridge, Kansas.  We are still working on many details, but feel things are going pretty well so far.  There will be a 1 mile walk/run, 5K, and 10K.  We are excited to contribute to our favorite charity, the NFED, in this way.  We'll keep you posted.  Please go to Huxman Run 2 Sweat to find out more information about why this organization is important to us.  If you feel led to contribute, you may make contributions to the NFED through our event on this page. 

 

 

We celebrated Grant's 3rd birthday.  Wow, can't believe it's been three years already.  His birthday came and went, he had many gifts given to him including underwear, but he still has absolutely NO interest in getting rid of his diapers and trading them in on monster truck underwear!  UGH!!!!!  Hopefully, some day soon we'll get this accomplishment taken care of and overcome that hurdle.  I did download a "Potty Boot Camp" book that will be used one of these weekends when things slow down:) 

 

 Tyler loves his brother and got him a gift:)

Ryan is such a good brother and was proud of the "monster trucks" he bought Grant . . .

which Grant had asked for:)

Scooter from Mom and Dad . . . has to keep up with big brother Andrew:)

Birthday cake made by Uncle Kent

 

School starts this week . . . I report tomorrow for 3 days of inservice and then Ryan and Tyler start on Thursday.  Grant will start Preschool I next week Tuesday and will go 2 days a week, every Tuesday and Thursday.  Andrew will start PreK next week and go 3 days a week, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.  Everyone will be in school (except Chris:)  Ryan started Middle School (7th grade) football and Mom is the head Middle School volleyball coach . . . both having completed 2 weeks of practice already.  Tyler will begin soccer in the next couple weeks . . . or as soon as his leg heals enough to play.  Definitely busy times are here!

This last week Tyler had a little bit of an accident . . . he was playing hide and seek in my mom and dad's pasture (in daylight), and ran into an old cattle panel and got a nasty "hole" in his lower leg.  This called for a visit to the immediate care clinic to get it stitched up.  The doctor had to put a stitch that will dissolve underneath, and then added 6 more stitches on top.  He's recovering quite well and will be fine, although he'll have a nasty scar to show from it.  The following picture is not the most beautiful, just warning you, but wanted to give you an opportunity to see why I called it a "hole".  Never quite seen anything like it before.  I'll show you the "after stitches" picture also for a comparison.