Last Friday was a very special day for Jayla. A team of volunteers from local Westlake's Ace Hardware Stores arrived at our house shortly after Jayla left for school. They spent the whole day putting together a massive play structure in our backyard. They completed it just as Jayla was ready to come home, so we were ready for her big surprise. Friends and family convened in the backyard, and Jason brought Jayla back blindfolded. She was completely overwhelmed when we pulled the blindfold off!
She was so excited to be given such an amazing gift, and we spent the next 3 days out in the backyard. The play structure includes two forts connected by a tunnel, a rock wall, a "cafe", two swings and a hanging bar!
While to some it might seem like nothing more than a really nice play structure, it is so much more than that to our family. Jason and I would never have been able to provide something like this for Jayla. It is something very special that is just for her. We discovered quickly that it is an opportunity for Jayla to just be a kid - to run and play. She is able to go out and play in the fresh air and be physically active - even if she only has a few minutes between treatments. As a CF mom, I love that I get control germ exposure while encouraging Jayla to be outside and active.
This gift was intended entirely for Jayla, but it has been a gift for our entire family. I am so incredibly grateful for the huge smile on Jayla's face, for her laughter and for the opportunity for us to have this wonderful time together as a family. Westlakes is truly remarkable for all they did for us. In addition to providing and installing the play structure, they also helped us take down an enormous tree in our backyard and extend our fencing to create a wonderful backyard to play in!
This serves largely as the finale to Jayla's year as the Champion child although her reign technically continues until April. It has been such an amazing opportunity for us, and we are so incredibly grateful for the kindness of so many!
