Alleluia!!! Soleil’s MRI, Lumbar Puncture and labs are clear! Every three months, that “feeling” creeps up… The moment I feel myself holding my breath, James reminds me that God has brought us this far – and His stronghold is much more than I could fathom. Thank You God!!! This past Friday, our lil’ Sunshine was able to participate in her school Halloween parade before heading to Rady Children’s for her scheduled exam.

Did we mention how she’s in school? Off to a great start in Kindergarten, this Star Citizen was recognized last week at an assembly and was one of the top five students in her school last month, to raise funds for the American Heart Association! 

Watching Soleil grow and thrive has been amazing. She went from trying her hardest peel a sticker off a page last year to writing “The jet left at sunset,” for tonight’s homework. She continues with Physical Therapy and uses her walker as needed. Our little fighter even test drove Jiu Jitsu – turns out she likes it (even more than Mason)! Daddy is on board but Mommy still needs to come around. Nonetheless, I am proud she has the determination and the strength to try new things. 

​These past few months have been flying by. Our little family is enjoying our new digs, simple pleasures and family time in SoCal! 

This past May, Soleil participated in Rady Children’s Celebration of Champions along with her cousin Malakai and the support of our family! Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts. As always, prayers up to you and yours. May God Bless you always! 



We survived 2016 and are celebrating in 2017! Thank GOD our end-of-treatment and most recent MRI scans, lumbar punctures and labs are clear. Thank you for keeping our Sunshine Girl in your prayers!

It’s hard to believe that it’s been a little over a year since diagnosis and so amazing to see her progress! To hear her crack jokes and come out of mutism; to watch her learn to sit up and now kick a soccer ball; to see her feed her baby sister when we used to spoon feed her; to have her walk to and use the bathroom completely on her own versus wearing a diaper. And so much more. These small victories make my heart leap; we celebrate it all! 

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​As promised, Soleil and Mason got their big playdate at KidVentures, the beginning of the year. It was heartwarming for Soleil and Mason to be surrounded by all the love and support. So good to see familiar faces we had not seen in quite a while, as well as meet some new ones. It was important for the kids to meet the special folks that have been praying for them in their hometown.

We also went on Soleil’s fun-filled Make-A-Wish trip to Disneyworld! Wish upon wishes were granted including a complete makeover at the Bibbidi Boppidi Boutique and a meet-and-greet with Jane (Tarzan was away in the Jungle)!

Soleil is strong and is only getting stronger! With God’s grace and your faith, we are recovering and healing. Side effects to treatment have been hearing loss from the Vincristine and neuropathy – but just this week, the neuroplasticity is showing positive signs — Soleil’s nerves are waking up and showing progress! At home, we have been learning all we can to optimize our health as a family. To help build her immune system, we are so grateful to have Integrative Osteopathic Pediatrician, MaryAnne Haskell, D.O. to guide in optimizing Soleil’s health, as well as our family pediatrician Dania Lindenberg, M.D. who has been there since birth, our Rady Children’s Team, and especially her Therapists at Calfornia Children Services. 

What’s Next? Check-ups at Rady Children’s will include MRI brain and spine scans, lumbar punctures and hearing tests every three months until she is 10. Please kindly continue to pray that her scans and tests are negative/clear with no evidence or recurrence of disease 🙏
The power of prayer. We continue to pray that HE blesses you all ten-fold. 💗

There are no words… just pools of tears, jumps for joy and full hearts. Our Sunshine Girl completed her chemotherapy treatment in clinic Tuesday! 

​​​​We have follow-up appointments and scans in the upcoming months and are told it’s five years to be in the clear but we are extremely, grateful to get through this year. From the PNW move back to SoCal; brain surgeries, Proton radiation and chemotherapy; mutism to talking and still re-learning to fully walk; losing two grandfathers and gaining a new sister and cousin… putting it all together, there is no way our family would have made it through without God and without you. Thank you for keeping and sharing, YOUR faith – and continually sending love and light Soleil’s way; it was the momentum that kept and continues to keep us going. The unity and love – I know God has big plans for our Sunshine Girl! Please continue to be part of her journey and kindly keep her in your prayers for clear scans and complete recovery. Here’s to clear skies, brighter days and blessings upon blessings for you and yours. 💗 ☀️💪​

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Soleil was admitted on her birthday and spent the holiday week at the hospital. Our Sunshine Girl has been through more than some have in a lifetime. Always thankful for the outpouring of love, positivity and prayers. Thank God! 

During her stay at Rady Children’s, Icing Smiles and Kriss Nussman of Homespun Cakes designed an amazing Shopkins cake ready for her to blow out. And even more special, was the surprise cake singing from the family! 

As Soleil was making her wish, so were we!  Thank you for sharing your light and love ✨🎉💗🙏 Please continue to pray for Soleil’s complete healing and recovery ☀️💪

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Our Princess Warrior has continued with weekly labs and testing between chemo cycles. We are so grateful Soleil has kept her counts up! She passed her Opthalmology test this month but will require a follow-up, post-treatment to assess for any changes. Here she is donning 3-D glasses.

Last week’s BAER test revealed hearing loss of certain frequencies; as a result, the chemo Cisplatin will be removed from her next round which begins today -a day before our Sunshine Girl’s 5th birthday and the week of Thanksgiving. Please friends and family, kindly keep Soleil close in thoughts and prayers. 

We know it’s easy to pray in times of need but also important for us to pray in times of joy and abundance. We thank God for seeing us through this year; for His stronghold especially with Soleil and Malakai (Soleil’s now-3-year-old-cousin-warrior) and for your constant positive thoughts and prayers along this journey. You have our deepest gratitude. May God send countless blessings your way. Wishing you and yours the Happiest Thanksgiving 🌻

Soleil completed Round 3 of chemotherapy! Waves of gratitude for your continous thoughts and prayers! 💗 I am in complete awe of our Sunshine girl’s sweetness and strength.

This cycle, she needed a blood transfusion, platelet transfusion and antibiotics for a bacterial infection. Physically and emotionally, she is tired but continues to remain strong.
Throughout her hospital admit, singing her favorite songs kept her spirits (and ours!) up. #Matisyahu reposted Soleil singing “I Believe In Love” on his Instagram. His fans have also reached out to share their love and prayers.

Soleil’s sassiness sparked here and there as she told her nurses, “You guys better know what you’re doing – I’m watching you!” She also told Mommy and Daddy about her new, baby bear Lily …and how she burps and feeds her!

She also had the chance to work with the physical and occupational therapists and work with the teacher in the classroom.

With the bacterial infection, we could have had an extended stay but were grateful to be discharged with IV antibiotics and headed home on Halloween!

Thank you family and friends for all the love and support – if we haven’t said it enough, your faith, love and light are sustaining our Sunshine Girl. Many thanks and all our love!

It was a sweet treat to come home from the hospital on Halloween day, after our chemo admit.

There was an extended stay due to a resistant bacterial infection. Thankfully we were able to go home on IV antibiotics.

Our baby girl is again in a listless phase – very anxious with crying bouts, as we head into Nadir. We continue to pray her mind and body stay strong; that our Sunshine Girl breaks through the emotions, bacterial infection and that counts come back sooner. Thank you again, for positive vibes and continued prayers! 🙏✨💛 Sending back so much love. 

​​​During yesterday’s pre-admit, Soleil needed a blood transfusion. Our Sunshine Girl put her lil’ pen to work. 

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Soleil drew a picture of “…the moon (with craters) and the sun, Dada in his slippers, Mama with her wedding ring, and Soleil, Selah, and Mason in the Chariot.” A picture of our strolls in Vancouver.

She said she misses Canada. Soleil and Mason say they “…miss Canada,” on the daily. And it may not be Canada per se, but the “norm” before the storm that they miss; the way things used to be. Make more memories. Collect exciting experiences. It’s what kids remember. It’s what I remember. And though our norm isn’t what it used to be, I know it will be better!

Thank you deeply for keeping Soleil in your thoughts. Asking for prayers to plough through treatment with no side effects. 🙏 Little Miss Sunshine starts cycle 3 of chemotherapy today. 

MRI and Lumbar Puncture are negative! Thank God and thank YOU for the good vibrations and prayers sent up for our Sunshine Girl!

Due to the chemotherapy she has had slight hearing loss (low, subtle tones). Dose-reducing will be discussed along with expected post-radiation changes seen on the MRI.

This morning, Soleil tackled the playground during physical therapy – she hasn’t rock climbed or been on a slide since April! She was smiling from ear to ear to be on familiar territory. Her determination is truly motivating! 

AND it seems that Soleil’s pattern of emotional lability disappears (praying for good!) after spending quality time with her brother. We’ve had to keep them separate for a few weeks since Mason has been under the weather. But as soon as they were reunited, it was night and day! #SiblingStrong 

Next up, preparing for round 3 of chemotherapy. Thank you for staying the course with us. Your support, thoughts and prayers are deeply appreciated! ☀️💪 #SoleilStrong

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Soleil received a surprise visit today from her Wish Granters! Miss Sherri, Miss Evelyn and Make-A-Wish San Diego enrich her journey by commending her strength and bringing her joy. Thank you.

Please continue to keep our Sunshine Girl in your prayers. She will have another MRI, Lumbar Puncture and Hearing Test tomorrow morning. Much love and gratitude! ✨