2009 Avon Walk For Breast Cancer

I left last Friday to participate in the Avon Walk For Breast Cancer. I don't have anyone in my life that was affected by Breast Cancer but my sister Katie was participating and I thought it sounded like fun. So we set off on the plane. We both talked about how were were a little scared but when we got on the plane it was like "Oh we can do this no problem". We were both really excited to participate in such a great event.

The walk started bright and early on Saturday morning. Here we are freezing since we didn't know how cold it was we were not that prepared. But we were both really excitied and happy especially that they had breakfast laying out on the tables ready for everyone. The opening ceremonies started and that is when I knew that this was going to be a great experience. It was very emotional hearing the stories from both women and men on how breast cancer has effected their lives. Right then I knew that the next two days was going to be worth every mile. So we started off.

Once we started on our walk and were amazed at how much support from the crew members and volunteers that we received. It seemed like we were one big happy family. The love and kindness that everyone showed was overwhelming. The first 13 miles went by fast and we were all feeling really good.

There were five of us in our group. Once we had finished lunch we were very excited and started out for the final and last 13 miles for the day. How hard could it be the first 13 miles was great. Little did we know that this is where the challenging part was going to be. Once we got to mile 16-26 we were all pretty much beat and in pain. I didn't know that walking would wear out your body that much. But every time when you were thinking I don't want to this any more or my body hurts there was someone that would walk by and ask how you are doing and give you words of encouragement. There was one experience that I woun't forget is that we came to the top of this hill which was mile 19 and were all exhausted and thinking we don't want to go on. Then saw this women who had to have been at least 70 years old and was wearing a sign that said 20 year survior. Oh my heart just went out to this women that she has been in much more pain than me and look at her. That is when you tell yourself this is why we are doing this for the women and men who have been affected by this horrible disease. Hey if this women can do it so can we. So we headed on our way to finish the last 7 miles for the day.

Yep, here we are with the aches and pains at the 26 mile marker. As we were crossing the finish line the tears that came as we had just accomplished something great. Swollen feet and all there was a fresh pool of water with a bag of ice for us to soak our feet in when we were done. The smiles, cheers, and looks from everyone made it worth every mile.

Sunday when we woke up we were all really sore. After a great breakfast despite the fact we could hardly walk we headed out to walk our last 13 miles. This was the hardest thing I have ever had to do. My body was over worked but, just when you are ready to give up someone was there to help boost your spirits and keep you going. The love and support from everyone is what got us all through. By mile 35 I was just drained and it took everything I had to keep moving. As we all held hands and walked through the finish line it was worth every mile we walked. The joy and emotions that you feel was overwhelming and the cheers and love that everyone showed was worth it.

I would have to say this was a very humbling experience. Despite my bruised shin and sore hips I would definatley do it again and encourage everyone to participate in an event like this. I would say that spiritually and mentally I am a better person because of this walk. I am very greatful that I was able to share this experience with my sister and to get to know her. Thanks Katie for everything. I love you.

Kaleb's Scare!!

Well we have been pretty lucky this year with Kaleb. It never fails that at least once a year he really scares us! For some reason which of course is always unknown Kaleb has episodes which gives him breathing problems. Yesterday when I got home from work I picked up the kids and Jeff to run some errands and I noticed that Kaleb was coughing really bad. So we put it on our list to make sure to get him some cough syrup. No big deal right. Well then as he was sitting in his car seat I looked back at him and noticed that he was struggling and working hard to breathe. Almost like an asthma attack but the doctors never call it asthma. So I was just keeping an eye on him. We were in Walmart and that is when I noticed the wheezing so we decided it was time to take him in to urgent care to have the doctors look at him. This one came on really fast and we are just glad we caught it early so NO hospital time was required. Sure enough they didn't like the way his lungs sounds so right away he was given a dose of steroids followed by a breathing treatment. Once the first treatment was over they listened to him and decided that it would be best to do another one because he still was working to breathe normally. Well to my surprise Kaleb was a big boy and handled this very well.

He even likes to wear the mask now. He puts it on and then waves his arms around like he is swimming. It takes about 8-10 minutes for the entire treatment.

He is so grown up because he just sits there now and is calm and doesn't cry or through a fit. Yeah for us to not have to be stressed out the entire time during the treatments. It is hard enough that he has to have them every 4 hours. The only down fall is that there are steroids in them which makes him a little hyper. But hey we can deal with that.....

Mi Amigo's

Mi Amigo's is a fun exciting restaurant. Lots of good food. The service is great and the food comes out hot! Always a plus! The nacho's are terrific. The chips and salsa is always an added plus. Go to www.miamigos.com to find out about all the upcoming events and specials they are offering.

Sister's Wedding!

This last weekend we headed up to the Greer Lodge Resort for my sister's Wedding. This was the view from the cabin that we stayed in. I loved it. We had a bachlorette party on Friday night which was alot of fun.
Saturday morning we had a big family breakfast and then off to do some decorating for the wedding. We were really scared there for a little while as the wedding was outside and the weather that day was crazy. This is the sky a few hours before the wedding.
Finally it was time for us to get ready. My kids were a little crazy because Jeff brought the kids up on Saturday which is a 4 hour car ride so they arrived just a few hours before the wedding. Of course they were nuts just from being in the car for so long. But I do admit they are cute kids when they are all dressed up!

Finally after waiting for the Judge to show up (45 minutes late) it was time for the wedding. I do have to say that she makes a beautiful bride. She was georgeous! I do have to admit that I got teary eyed when she came down the walkway with all her 4 boys. I thought it was really cute that they walked her down the isle.

The day went pretty smooth. This picture was taked after the kiss! It's offical and her facial expression makes the picture even better. She was soo happy. Congratulations Kelly we are all really happy for you. Welcome to the family Gerard! We Love You Guys!

The reception was held at the rodeo grounds. Lots of good food and dancing. Here is a picture of Kaleb and me during the mother son dance. Yes, I am in jeans and a shirt. I was wearing a dress but McKinsey was sitting on my lap and peed right through her diaper and through my dress to the floor. That was fun, but hey I had an excuse to put on more comfortable clothes! Everything turned out great. Here is a picture of me and my hubby. Thanks to him taking care of the kids this weekend so I was able to help out alot. He really is a great husband and dad.

Here is a picture we took with all of us sisters! We finally got one of everyone togther. Does not happen too often that we are all together.

Lunch with Sisters!

So it was last minute on Friday we were able to do a Sister's Lunch with the parents. Unfortunately Meagan was not able to make it but she was missed. This is something that is hard to schedule as we all have very different schedules. My sister Kelly was in town and we all just met at Applebee's sort of last minute planning but those are the best kinds of get togethers. We had alot of fun. Lvoe you all.

Kaleb's Finger!

So, I just finished giving both the kids a bath and had run outside really fast to throw away a dirty diaper. So, I opened the door and went to close it real fast behind me so the kids wouldn't run out naked and didn't see Kaleb standing right behind me. Yep, got his finger right in the door. Thank goodness it was only the one finger. After he cried for about 20 mins he finally calmed down enough for me to put a bandaid on it. About an hour later he was laying on my lap while I was giving him loves he turned to me with a really sad face and said "you closed me in the door mom, you closed me in the door" and started crying again. It was so cute I actually laughed and said I know son I am sorry.

They Finally Tasted the Nacho Cheese!

So when we go to Taco Bell we always get a Nachos for the kids but they never eat the cheese. Well McKensie is in the dipping stage and wants to dip and lick all the time. So she finally dipped her chip into the Nacho Cheese sauce and was hooked. Of course she can't do something that Kaleb isn't so he had to try it to.

What's funny is that somehow they ran out of chips before the nacho cheese was gone so they decided to use there vanilla waffers to dip in the cheese sauce. NASTY but they were really enjoying themselves. They did a really good job of sharing to.

McKensie never likes to share but for some reason she was all for sharing her Nacho Cheese and was happy about it.