Construction 12-31-07

End of a wonderful year. JW brought me to the advanture and he has not stopped yet. I feel that I am in the Indiana Jones movie. I need to pinch myself and ask - is this real.

As I walk toward JW House this evening, I saw this beautiful sunset. It is so appropriate because the last day of the year with a dramatic sunset. JW is saying to me - its ok.

I tried like mad trying to get a good picture of the sunset. This time of the year the sunset goes fast. I love my camera but I am ready for one that can capture things like this better.

I have more picture of the sunset at:
http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/4086500/1/238130617#238130617 I hope you will enjoy it.

Construction 12-28-07

The job site was full of activities today. They are framing the windows, putting wood panels under the roof and putting sewage line in. At the end of the day, all the trenches were covered up again.

More pictures at:
http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/4068085/1#236911459

Construction 12-27-07

Today I see the contractor moved a lot of dirt. Big trenches were dug. I am assuming its for the sewage etc. I also see siding being put up on the east side that is the side outside of our future kitchen.

More picture at:
http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/4062457/1/236586607#236586607

Construction 12-24-07 Christmas Eve

Once again I have to thank Tim. He has completely hanged up all the light around the house all by himself. I have taken many pictures and patient from the hospital can look out of the window and see the light.

I also see the fireplace. We just have to work hard and get the big push to finish JW House. I hope I see all of you during the grand opening.

More picture at:
http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/4046952/1/235649945#235650111
and
http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/4046936#235648881

2007 Construction - Christmas lighting

Thank you Tim. The Christmas light is hung over JW House. I wish I have a better camera to catch better picture of this.

Move picture at: http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/4012746/1/233530351#233530351

Construction 12-16-07

The siding is coming in. Windows are pretty much all installed.

More picture at: http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/4003908/1/232965279#232965494

Construction 12-12-07

I saw Tim today. He told me that the fireplace has been delivered, its at the back of his truck. He is more than our construction superintendent. This is his baby. He also got eight speakers donated. I can imagine a nice sound system for our events held in JW House.

More pictures at: http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/3985588/1/231703531#231703531

12-8-07 The Kite Runner

It was a evening to remember. I have never been to something like this. I enjoy it very much. I want to thank The Permanente Medical Group for putting this event up. This movie is about life in Afganistan before and after the 30 years war in that country. I was educated and entertained. The acting was fantastic. We got to listen to the Author who was a doctor at the Medical Group. He told us while he was practicing as a doctor, he got up four am every day to write. The end result is this bestseller. He said something that echos in my heart. He said everyone wants to write a book. He said the first 50 page was easy. The last 200 page was tough. A lot of novel were abandoned at the 50 page mark.
I thought about JW House. I remember three years ago many people said they want to part of this. Now we know who has the sustaining power to carry the project through.

12-2-07 speech by JW's mother

This is the speech given by Anne Marie, mother of JW during our celebration.

Good afternoon and thank you for joining us!

Matthew J.T. Stepanek lived and died a child, but he had the spirit of a giant. Affected by a rare and fatal neuromuscular disease, Mattie only lived fourteen years but in that short amount of time, he became a poet, a peace-maker, and a prominent voice for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. When Mattie died in 2004, he had lived a life beyond his age.

These are words Oprah Winfrey shared with the audience at Mattie Stepanek’s funeral.

He said to me one day, "My body is trying to die more and more each year, even though my spirit is trying to keep it going even just a little bit longer. I don't think they [other children] understand what it's like to know you have to live your life so fast because unless I keep getting miracles, my life here won't last.”
With Mattie, the light of his life shined so brightly that every one of us who knew him, who were honored and had the grace to meet him, will feel the glow for the rest of our lives. I know that his Heartsong has left a heart print in my life. A heart print that abides with me even now.

If you were one of the many people that celebrated JW’s life with us, you probably know that JW and I and later on our entire family loved Mattie Stepanek. We loved Mattie for who he was, for what he did, for what he taught us, and for the beautiful heart prints he left into our lives from the very moment we joined him in his conversation with Larry King. Little did we know back then that soon our lives would look somewhat like Mattie’s and that of his mother…

On Being a Champion
By Mattie J.T. Stepanek, September 1999

A champion is a winner,
A hero…
Someone who never gives up
Even when the going gets rough.
A champion is a member of
A winning team…
Someone who overcomes challenges
Even when it requires creative solutions.
A champion is an optimist,
A hopeful spirit…
Someone who plays the game,
Even when the game is called life…
Especially when the game is called life.
There can be a champion in each of us,
If we live as a winner,
If we live as a member of the team,
If we live with a hopeful spirit,
For life.

We want to thank JW for what he started, for the champion he was; and we want to thank you for what you took on, for helping us building, brick by brick, and dollar by dollar. We want to thank you for all the good feelings you send towards the realization of a wonderful dream of a wonderful young man and his doctor and friend; we want to thank you for the champions you are!

And now… let’s make it cozy in our hearts and with each other and let’s enjoy some championship pictures!

This was followed by a Slideshow on the construction of JW House from the ground up

Construction 12-06-07 Windows !!!

Yes!!! Windows. The windows in the guest room are tall. Cannot wait to see them from the inside.

More pictures at: http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/3955616#229786669

12-2-07 JW House on the morning of our musical festival

I went out and took these pictures on the day of the festival.

More pictures at: http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/3955601#229785860

4th annual JW musical festival

More pictures at: http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/3949815#229458787

We pulled it off !! The event was planned mostly by three people Anne Marie, April and Ann. I helped out.

There were many volunteers. All of them come with a smiling face. All eager to do things and help out.

I have asked many to come to help. There are so many that I forget to let Ann and Anne Marie know that they are coming. They were so gracious. Last minute change of program to accomodate new volunteers.

This is printed in our Program. I would love to share this with you. Once I get Anne Marie's speech, I will post that too.

Welcome to the 4th Annual JW House Holiday Music Celebration and Family Festival. As many will agree, this event holds a special place in the history of JW House. The original concert – one of the very first JW House fundraisers - took place on a sunny afternoon back in December of 2004. On that unforgettable day, friends, family, and strangers came together for a wonderful experience that has now become a holiday tradition reminding us of JW’s commitment to helping others as well as his devotion to family, to having fun, and to making wonderful memories with those he loved. With that, we invite you to share in the joy of today: laugh, smile, hug, cherish each other’s company, and know that while doing so you are honoring the memory and the dream of a very special boy.

This is our Program

Welcome
Marc Bader

Helena & Elisabeth Knapen
Song – If We Hold On Together

Holiday Gift Parade Part I
Mitch Sprugasci & Daisy Gacusan

Gold Star Cheer & Hip Hop
Hip-hop Dance

Holiday Gift Parade Part II

KJ & Caitlin Estudillo
Hip-hop Dance

Holiday Gift Parade Part III

Alexander Introduces His (Girl)friends

Intermission

Refreshments – all homemade and offered by the volunteers of Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara.

Thank you, friends!
Games & surprises!
Who will be the lucky one to shave Marc’s Moustache?

Kids of the Kingdom
Director: Bill Smethers

Anne Marie Knapen
Some words…

St. Martin of Tours Music Group
Christmas Medley – Sing-along

Opportunity Drawing

We want to express a special thank you to…

• Kaiser Permanente for providing this place to us!
• Xilinx, Dr. Zhu, & JW House Friends for sponsoring this event!
• All crew members, performers and volunteers!

• Aqui Cal-Mex
• Alfred Hochberger
• Chili’s
• Classic Car Wash
• Dream Dinners – San Jose Market Center
• Frankie, Johnnie & Luigi Too!
• Giorgio’s Italian Food and Pizzeria
• Green Earth Foods
• Harper Collins Publishers
• Hicklebee’s
• Jamba Juice – San Jose Market Center
• Joanne Longoria with Party Lite
• Judie Pouya with Pampered Chef
• La Concha Spa Salon
• Party America
• Petroglyph Ceramic Lounge
• Reach Out & Read
• Rose Garden Auto Care
• Sam's Downtown Feed & Pet Supply
• See’s Candies
• Starbucks – San Jose Market Center & Lawrence/El Camino
• Subway – San Jose Market Center
• Trader Joe’s
• Willow Glen Frozen Yogurt Co.
• Willow Street Pizza
• Zanotto’s Deluxe Market

11-30-07 Utilities

I was at the construction site early in the morning. I saw smoke coming out covering the roof. I say to myself. Opps what if? As I got closer, I saw these guys blasting away. I asked them what they are doing. They said they are bringing the utilities in.

Tomorrow is our winter events. Come back in the next few days for more pictures.

More pictures at: http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/3919681/1/227505597#227505597

preparing for 4th annual family festival

We have been working hard to get the event going. Continue to look for way to increase the turn out. Our program for this year is going to be wonderful. I hope many people will come and share the music and fun we prepared.
Will get a lot of picture for show.

11-21-07 Happy Thanksgiving

I am very thankful for all the wonderful people I get to met and know through this project. I cannot wait until our Grand opening.

More picture at: http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/3868565#224644099

Construction 11-20-07

Saw Tim today. He was talking to me about different ways to complete the house. We still need more money. However, every one need more money. I am just thankful that the project is going forward.

Thanksgiving is coming up. I am going to count my blessing.

More picture at: http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/3863777/1/223756373#223756373

Construction 11-17-07 Putting Up the Shingles

Wow!! The roof is completed. Now we can build through the rainy season. I hope the window is going to come in the next few weeks.

Construction 11-15-07

Yes the roof's covering is going in. The black roll I call them felt. I hope that correct.

Construction 11-14-07

We have been keeping ourselves busy. There are many project being prepared for the upcoming year. We are preparing for the fourth annual winter festival. We are preparing for a new line of JW House sweatshirts. There is another project that keep AM working day and night.

You can see that the roofing material has been put up ready for the roof to be put in. The kids are eager for the project to complete. Peeking over the fense and dreaming of what it is going to look like. Of course I do the same. I keep telling myself - NEXT SPRING !!!!

More pictures at: http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/3833981#221743876

Construction 11-12-07

The gutters are being prepared. The showers were installed. Piping and electric are put in.

More picture at: http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/3821343/1/220794529#220794529

Construction 11-7-07

The supporting wood for the columns were removed. I can see the skylights.

More pictures at : http://fcaw.smugmug.com/gallery/3792677#218785052