The Rifton is ordered!

One happy little gal!

Thanks to SO many of you the Rifton adaptive bicicle is now ordered for Katie. It takes about 4-6 weeks to arrive and then it's bike riding party time!

We actually ended up earning more than we needed and the extra will stay in her account and go towards more adaptive equipment in the near future. We have our eye on some higher quality leg braces (with springs) and one day hope to get her a better functioning wheelchair. Each donation that came in humbled me and made me so grateful for all the generous people out there. I wanted to just share a few experiences that happened during this fundraiser time.

First off there were a handful of friends that encouraged me to do this. Especially Nicole a college friend I have not talked to for years. She called me and said "You have to get Katie that bike and I am going to make sure it happens!" She rallied her family and emailed her friends as well as old college friends and shared Katie's story with so many. Nicole, I can't thank you enough!

When I put the pay pal button on my blog, one of the first donations that came in made me cry. It was from a special friend who I knew was going through one of the biggest trials in her life. To think that she would think of Katie at that time just brought the tears a streamin'.

The pay pal also brought in lots of donations from blog friends I have never even met, but they wanted to help katie! Thank you!

Another situation was when I ran into trader joes to grab a few groceries and saw two friends in there that both read the blog and heard about Katie's bike. I was picking out bananas and the next thing I knew they had written checks right then and there for katie's bike! Once again. tears!

You all like to make me cry!

As the week went on the mail brought with it donation checks. From family and good friends and church members that are so dear to us. Also strangers who we had no clue who they were! So amazing!!!

To the children who wrote cards and drew pictures, Katie LOVED those! Thank you!

Then we had the photography session fund raisers. The day was booked and everyone was so generous!!! Thanks you all! That was a lot of fun!

I thought we were pretty close to our goal when I went to deposit the donations into Katie's account. While at the bank the man in line behind me started asking me what all those checks were for. When I told him, he reached into his pocket grabbed a $50 dollar bill and said "just in case you don't have enough, here is $50!" What!!! I thanked him 10 times! When I got to the teller in deed that extra $50 put us almost to the dollar amount of what the bike cost! It was awesome!!

Last week when a friend heard we had achieved our goal, she still sent a check saying "well, she'll need a helmet and a new biking outfit!" So sweet!!!

Then today came and I still can't talk about it. I called Bryant and my mom bawling! A check came in the mail with a generous donation and a very special one page typed letter from another Spina Bifida family that we have never met. Her letter was so special and I will very much cherish it. Thank you!

To those of you who donated high fives and cheers and love, we love you too and thank you for your support that way!

How do I thank you all? I wish there was a way. I just want you all to know how much this means to our family and especially to Katie. She asks every day if her bike has arrived yet and is so anxious to go on a family bike ride. As are we. You all have made that dream a reality. Thank you!

Thank you!!