Karina's Therapy Room!

Karina's room is finally complete and it is just perfect for her. We want to thank EVERYONE again for helping us get the room finished. Your generous time and donations has given Karina a beautiful room where she can receive therapy, medical treatments and a good nights sleep!

We want to share the following pictures below with everyone to show you how your generosity helped transform a small dining room into a beautiful therapy room Karina can enjoy for years to come.

Therapy room is almost ready!!

We've had ongoing construction at our house for the last couple months.  Things have been a little hectic. But this will all be worth it in the long run!!! Demolition, construction, painting, insulation (we discovered that we had almost no insulation in this house!! Brrr!! Our family would like to thank some important people because without their efforts, this would never be possible:  Our heartfelt thanks to Cilento Construction for volunteering their services in the construction of Karina's therapy room and our "new" dining room, and also to my good friend El and her husband Fil for all of their organizing and hooking us up with the right people.  To my family and friends for the organizing of benefit dinners to raise money for supplies to make this all happen, to the owners who donated their restaurants--Pasquale at Piazza Margherita, and Sal La Rosa at La Neve's. Also to the Knights of Columbus (St. Michael's Chapter) and the Fidelians of America for their generous donations to our family because without your donations, this would never be possible.  Last but not least the BETA Unit of S.Brunswick school for their Halloween fundraiser now the 3rd year in a row!!

Our family cannot thank all of you enough for all your generosity, support, and caring, and always thinking of Karina. I want everyone to know that all of your time and donations help us immensely and we so appreciate everything that is done for us.

We anticipate completion by Christmas.  Here are a few of the pictures of Karina's therapy room from the beginning.

Front of house breezeway entrance (before)

old dining room

Down to the beams!

Fernando putting insulation in

Nice!

more pics to come!!

Happy 3rd Birthday!

Karina turned 3 years old on September 5th.  We had a party for her at a local park with our family, friends, and all her therapists from Early Intervention. I wanted to have her therapists there to kind of say good bye to her, since Karina has "aged out" of E.I. and will be attending a special school for her therapies.  It was bittersweet for them, and for me, because they are all very special to us.  Some of them have been with us since Karina was 6 months old, when all this was new and scary for me.  They have seen Karina grow from a very underweight, and constantly crying baby to an attentive, beautiful, non-fussy and very tall little girl.  We have come a long way together and I know I will keep in touch with them.   It was a beautiful, sunny day.  Karina was such a good girl.  The main event:  A birthday cake fit for a princess.  It was a Minnie Mouse cake, from Caladra's Bakery in Fairfield, NJ.  They did a BEAUTIFUL job!!!  Arianna helped to blow out her candles and even made a wish for her.  Karina's smile says it all.  We know she enjoyed her day.  Thank you, to everyone who made the day so special for her.  Every birthday is a milestone.  We take nothing for granted.

Benefit Dinner at Piazza Margherita Restaurant

Here are some photos from the wonderful benefit dinner hosted by Piazza Margherita Restuarant in Lyndhurst, New Jersey. The owner Pasqualle De Palma and his incredible staff went above and beyond anyone's expectations and gave us a night that we will never forget!

And of course we cannot forget to thank Karina's wonderful godparents for their unconditional love and support. Karina is truly blessed to have you in her life. Thank you thank you thank you for making this happen. The night was amazing.

The Beta Unit Comes Through Again!

We would like to give a heartfelt thanks once again to the Beta
Unit of South Brunswick school. The kids had their 2nd annual Halloween/Valentines Day fundraiser for Karina. The kids did a fantastic job selling flowers and they also gave Karina a very cute and cuddly teddy bear, and all the kids signed a giant card to give to Karina.

It is so wonderful knowing that these kids - whom have never met Karina - care about her soooo much. They are truly a very special group of kids. Thank you so much for all your efforts, thoughts, and prayers for our family. A special thanks to Mrs. Edwards for starting this now annual event!! We are forever grateful!

Love,
Fernando, Melissa, Arianna, & Karina

Butterfly Fly Away

June 26, 2009 was a very special night for the Colon Family. Arianna was in a vocal performance and sang a duet with family friend, Karly Mani. As a surprise to us, they sang a tribute to little Karina, their butterfly. It was a very emotional performance for everyone, especially for those of us who love Karina. There was not a dry eye in the theater! I was soooo proud of my daughter Arianna, for loving her sister so much, and for singing that beautiful song. Thank you, Music and Performance Studio, for dedicating the night's performance to our Karina.

Here is a link to the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TexctGnsC38

Graduation Day!

On June 10, 2009, Karina's big sister Arianna graduated from Preschool. We were all very proud to see Arianna walk down the aisle in her cap and gown.

And in a wonderful gesture by the Bloomingdale Day Care Center & Preschool, parents and teachers took up a donation for Karina and had Arianna present it to us during the ceremony. We were moved, and in tears, we gladly accepted! Thank you friends, it is very much appreciated!