5:09 PM

Brandon's story will be on the news here in Colorado Springs!!! We were interviewed at our house this morning & it should air this coming Monday on channel 13 news. You can also access his story online at their website Monday at http://www.krdo.com/ - We made the decision to go on TV because we need help. We're still short on the money needed to take Brandon to China. I can't imagine doing all of this and not have enough money for the trip. Brandon needs this treatment & as a mother it hurts to know that there is a chance we won't have enough money. We received our passports today. My picture is as bad on my passport as it is on my drivers license. All that's left on the legal part of our trip is to apply for the Visa's. On Sunday the Comfort Inn in Garden City hosted Brandon's hamburger fundraiser. It generated $724.00 so we're inching closer to our goal. THANK YOU to everyone who helped with that fundraiser!! The picture on the right is of Brandon's Grandma Marilyn (seated on the left) and his Aunt Carol (standing) in front of the Comfort Inn. In the picture on the left, Brandon is pulling raffle tickets out of the bowl for the drawing. (he loved his job!!) Congrats to everyone who won!! Prizes included a quilt, 2 portable DVD players, a garden bench, and certificates for a stay at the Comfort Inn. During the fundraiser, we met a little boy who also has Optic Nerve Hypoplasia. Looking at him, I couldn't help but remember back to when Brandon was that age (2). I have learned quite a bit in the last 5 years & I'd like to think that I've become a stronger person because of that. I gave his family the information for the treatment in case they decide to persue the same journey that we have chosen to take. I wish him & his family luck in whatever choice they make. I realize traveling to the other side of the world in hopes for improved vision is not for everyone. I guess our decision was an easy one. Personally I have a hard time accepting illness, death, birth defects, etc. When Brandon was diagnosed with ONH, I really thought his life as we knew it was over. (remember I was only 21 - very naive). All of my hopes and dreams for my son was over. It took me a few years to learn that Brandon is just like every other sighted child - he just does things a bit differently. Yes I do have hopes that my son will soon be able to see the world he lives in. Everyday I wake up & think that we're one day closer to having the treatment done. I will never regret making the decision to take Brandon to China. Afterall this is his only chance for sight.

10:54 PM

I got several things done today which means we're getting closer to "D-Day". I had to take Brandon to Longmont, Colorado today so we could get his passport. Apparently there is a law that requires both parents to be present in order to get a passport for a minor. If one parent is absent, they have to fill out a form saying they give permission to have the minor obtain a passport. It's a really great idea but it put a hinder in our plans. I had to take Brandon to where John was working since he's only home on weekends. Anyway we got the passport applications filled out & we should receive them in 2 weeks since we had them expedited. Total cost for 3 passports / pictures - 541.00!! Yes you heard right - THREE passports....John will be coming with us for the first half of the trip. His return flight to the US will be on September 1st. I'm so excited that John will be able to share this wonderful experience with us. Okay here is our Itinerary: August 8th leave Colorado Springs at 6:20 am on United Airlines. Arrive in Los Angeles at 7:45 am (2 hours 25 minutes). Depart on Korean Air at 11:40 am and arrive in Tokyo Narita, Japan at 3:05pm the next day (11 hours & 25 minutes). Leave Japan at 5pm and arrive in Seoul, Korea at 7:25 pm (2 hours 25 minutes). We will be staying the night in a hotel in Korea - we'll need the rest!! On Aug 10th we will depart Seoul Korea at 1:05 pm and arrive in Qingdao, China at 1:40 pm (1 hour 35 minutes) For everyone who is wondering Qingdao, China is 14 hours ahead of Mountain Time (13 hours for Central Standard time). I'm excited to finally have the airlines booked, passports are being processed, and by Saturday have the down payment of the treatment sent out. I received an email from a reporter for the Garden City Telegram today asking if we would do an interview with them. So I'll be working on that for the next couple of days that way it will be in the newspaper before the June 1st hamburger fundraiser in Garden City. Brandon has 2 days left of school before he's out for the summer!!

11:47 PM

We have 2 more fundraisers coming up!! On June 1st there will be a hamburger feast in Garden City, Kansas & another one in Scott City, Kansas on June 13th. More details of the fundraisers will be posted as they become available. So many people in Kansas has helped us & all I can say is THANK YOU!! Hopefully by early next week we will have our airline tickets booked. I spoke to a travel agent today to see if it would be more cost effective to go through them or to book it online. I should know something by early next week. We were told to book the flight as soon as possible. The sailing part of the Olympics will be held in Qingdao so flights will become more expensive and harder to find the longer I wait. I'm still waiting for the mail lady to deliver Brandon's replacement social security card. I need to have that before we can get our passports.

5:45 PM

Brandon has 7 more school days left before he's out for the summer. We're all grateful for that - he tried to convince us last night that he was going to be "sick" today. He's really getting tired of school so summer break isn't going to come soon enough for him. I don't have enough room on here to list all the people who has helped us but there's a few people that really stepped up by donating money or their time (or both) - and I just want to say THANK YOU!! Of course to our family - we are grateful that we have family & extended family that truly care. My sister in-law Aspen & all the crazy ladies at Peak Vista (you know who you are....Angie & Ayesha). Jill's Country Cafe, My Sister's Kitchen, Coke's Diner and all the staff that helped by donating their time, money, space, & effort in making the silent auction such a success. Denise & Bill King at Big Valley Sod Farm for their support in the auction. Jim Newell & Carl Evans for providing the stage coach & draft horses in the carriage ride fundraiser. Nick, Pauline, Brenda, Dan, Pat, & the ladies at Cowboy Up for setting up the Poker Run - and of course Sufferin' B for supporting our efforts. To the Ellicott PTA for doing a yard sale - Joni, Lois, Carey, Mr. Smith, Mr. Lawerence, The Pride kids, Edna & Tony for making those wonderful hamburgers and everyone else who made the yard sale possible. And of course Meda for being a great supporter, reporter & great friend. You guys have been so wonderful & I can't thank you enough. If I left any names out, please forgive me. I will never forget your efforts......