Hi everyone!

I am hoping to go back to graduate school in January in order to become a Family Nurse Practitioner.  I have been accepted to Walden University, which is an online-only school.  Several of my co-workers are studying with them right now, and several more have graduated and are now working as FNPs.  I also applied to Ball State University, which is in Muncie, Indiana.  Their FNP program is also online, but they also have a physical campus.  I should find out within the next 6-8 weeks whether or not I am accepted.  I really want to go to Ball State, so please pray that I get in!

A couple of weeks ago, Aunt Michelle and Jason were in town as Jason competed with his swim team in a competition downtown at the IUPUI Natatorium.  Between work and other commitments, I was only able to make it to my parents' house once to visit, but it was nice to see them.  Matt stayed at home and worked on our lawn, as we have been having so much rain this summer that it is hard to find an opportunity to mow.

My little cousin isn't so little any more!

Matt's dad, Bob, celebrated his 60th birthday on July 31st.  Happy birthday, Bob!  Matt and I went down to Kentucky for the weekend and enjoyed having a dinner at Outback Steakhouse with Bob and Sheila, Rob and Leanne, and Matt's grandparents.  After dinner, we had dessert back at the house.  Bob has Celiac Disease (gluten intolerance), so being able to have dessert is always a struggle for him.  A local Indianapolis cupcake shop, The Flying Cupcake, has a location that only makes gluten-free desserts.  We brought a half-dozen special cupcakes just for him!

Happy birthday, Bob!

We had a nice time visiting with the Drapers.

 Last Saturday, Matt and I went to see our local professional soccer team, the Indy Eleven, play.  I had won tickets from a TV station.  It was a beautiful night to be outside for a game, even though the Eleven lost 1-4.

At least it was a nice night to be outside, since the Eleven got pummeled!

 Today, I received an email stating that I have been identified as a potential bone marrow match for someone in need.  I joined the registry in 2008 when a drive was held at Purdue in honor of a fellow student who needed a transplant.  Matt's 9-year old cousin, Hailey, was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition called metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) last month.  The only treatment available that can potentially stop or slow the progression of the disease is a bone marrow transplant.  She has found a match (yay!) and will undergo chemotheraphy and a transplant at Cincinnati Children's Hospital very soon.  The timing of the email is just crazy considering the fact that Hailey will be receiving this treatment soon.  I literally had goosebumps as I spoke on the phone to the "Be the Match" person, confirming that I am interested in donation.

I will learn within the next two months whether or not the patient I am matched with and his/her doctor will be moving forward with transplant and find out the next steps at that time.

Please pray for the person for whom I am a match, and for Hailey and her family.  Hailey will need to spend an extended period of time undergoing treatment and recovering.  In order to have a transplant, chemotherapy will be used to knock out her immune system in order to allow her body to accept the new cells.

Hailey and Matt when she was 4, serving as the cutest flower girl ever at our wedding in 2010!

Until next time,
Stacey (and Matt and Thor)