30 Days of Thankfulness, days 8 and 9

30 Days of Thankfulness, day 8 (I forgot to post yesterday) - I am thankful for my daddy. He wasn't able to be there much when we were growing up but I am SO thankful for the last 7 years and I look forward to more.

I don't really have many memories of doing things with my dad when I was growing up.  He was a heavy alcoholic.  I wasn't a daddy's girl and there were no daddy-daughter dances.  

A little more than 7 years ago my dad ended up in the hospital.  I was never told what exactly happened but all I know is it was life changing.  After roughly 2 months in the hospital, a few close calls where we thought he was going to slip away from us, he was discharged and has been sober ever since.

The last 7 years have been great as my dad and I have established a relationship.  We call each other just to chat and I know he is there if I ever need anything.  

I love having my dad.

30 Days of Thankfulness, day 9 - Not getting pulled over by a Livonia police officer on my way to work this morning and a free lunch for exceeding goals last month.

I have a problem...I run late getting to work EVERY DAY and today was no exception.  I drove past a Livonia police car traveling the opposite direction and of course hit the brakes to slow down.  As I glanced in my rear view mirror I saw he did the same.  I thought for sure he was going to whip around to come after me.  THANKFULLY he didn't and I continued on to work reminding myself I need to slow down.

Today was 'free lunch day' for exceeding goals at work.  We've been having these every month for a little more than a year now.  It is nice to be shown some sort of appreciation for the hard work.

30 Days of Thankfulness, days 6 and 7

30 Days of Thankfulness, day 6 - I am thankful the election is over, for conversations with Parker that challenge me as a mom but make me laugh, for one of my best friends Pamela, who always has the ability to make me laugh even when nothing else can and for the kind words spoken to me by my husband on my timeline.

• Ok, who isn't thankful the election is over??  I'm not a very political person to begin with but oh my word the campaign ads on TV were becoming obnoxiously ridiculous.  Now we get to hear and read for how long about the results of the election...meaning, people complaining Obama was re-elected.  He wasn't my choice either but hey, it is what it is.  I say we all just pray like crazy because Lord knows Obama and this country need it.

• Pamela - I've been friends with her for several years now.  And let me tell you, she is awesome.  Even though she lives in Florida she is always only ever a phone call away.  She has an amazing sense of humor and seriously, no matter what the situation, she ALWAYS makes me laugh.  I called her in tears the night Mark left for the east coast.  She had me laughing by the time we said good-bye.

•  Mark - Well, I'm always thankful for him.  But on day 6 he posted this to me on my facebook:

While your doing all 30 days I thankfulness, I got to thinkin, 10 reasons I love you.
1. Your smile, it literally lights up a room
2. Your stunning eyes. That pierce me to the core and comfort me
3. Your my best friend. We talk, and tell eachother everything.
4. Your my total opposite. And that's great bc we keep eachother in check
5. We are totally alike. Same interests, and hobbies
6. Your self...

less. Even working a 45 hour week, taking care of 2 demons, you still find time to raise money for a cause u are passionate about
7. Your pride. You take pride in everything u do from vacuuming, to taking care of our babies
8. Best. Mom. Ever.
9. Best. Wife. Ever.
10. Bc you love me back. I'm hard to love at times, and appreciate the fact through everything I put u through, you are still by my side, supporting me. I love you Amanda. To the moon.

*********

Day 7 - I am thankful for our daycare girl, Jen. She takes awesome care of my boys.

Let me tell you, this woman is amazing.  I've written a blog post solely about her before, but singing her praises always bears repeating.  She takes such great care of the boys and they adore her.  Particularly Camden, since Parker is usually in school.  I know when I leave the most precious things I have in her care in the mornings it is one less thing I have to worry about throughout the day.  Especially right now while Mark is gone.

30 Days of Thankfulness, days 3, 4 and 5

Catching up on my 30 Days of Thankfulness....

Day 3 - I am thankful I had the opportunity to have some quality girl time doing retail therapy with one of my best friends. 

Camden and I headed to Indiana Friday evening.  Even though the trip had been planned for about 2 months it couldn't have come at a more perfect time.  With everything that has been going on it was nice to get away even just for a couple of days.  Nikki and I did EIGHT hours of shopping on Saturday while Matt so kindly volunteered to watch Camden for me.  We laughed and had great chats all day long.  It was such a perfect distraction.

At one point in our shopping we both grabbed the same sweater off the rack to try on (at separate times).  As Nikki says... "Fabulous minds think alike!"  haha!

Day 4 - I am thankful for the sweet smile, hugs, smooches and precious giggles of my baby boy. He knows how to brighten my day.

Camden and I were home early enough on Sunday to still hang out and play.  I'm not really much for wrestling but I love tickling him.  This kid seriously has the BEST giggle, it is infectious.  And when his smile is so big it reaches his eyes, it reaches my heart.

Day 5 - I am thankful for my babies. I love their hugs and kisses, and snuggle time with bedtime stories and ice cream.

Last night was a pretty low-key night.  For the first time in what feels like a long time I was finally able to sit down and relax with my babes.  We snuggled on the couch, ate ice cream and watched a bit of TV.  During this time Parker gives me plenty of kisses and hugs and I love you's.  There's no such thing as a bad day in this world.

30 Days of Thankfulness - Day 2

Today I am even more thankful for God and the power of prayer. 

I know my faith in God and the power of prayer is what pulls me through the toughest of times.  I know God is watching over all of the first responders who are working hard to evacuate people who were hit so hard by Sandy, protecting them from harm.

I know God will be hard at work mending the broken hearts of so many people gathering today to say final goodbyes to a wonderful man gone far too soon from this earth.  He will always keep a watchful eye over those Pat left behind.

I am thankful for the power of prayer, as I have personally witnessed how it works.  I will always pray for Pat and his family, that they find peace, and I continue to pray for Mark and the other medics' safe return home. 

30 days of thankfulness - Day 1

The last couple of years I have been seeing people do a 30 Days of Thankfulness through the month of November.  Yesterday was November 1st and with everything that has been going on around me I thought it would be a good idea to join in on this.  I think sometimes people need to look at the things they do have, rather than what they don't have.  Myself included.

It's been a tough week.  Last week Saturday morning on my way to work the job I love I received a phone call from a friend notifying another friend of ours took his own life.  I was stunned and hurt, I just couldn't believe it.  This man was an awesome father and friend.  Always smiling and being goofy, doing whatever to make other people smile and laugh.  Still today, a week later I look at his pictures and cannot wrap my head around it.  My heart aches for him and the pain he was in and for his 2 kids he left behind.  I will pray for them every day.

Two days later Mark was deployed to the east coast to help with the hurricane rescue efforts.  He has been in New York since Tuesday evacuating hospitals and nursing homes that still have no power.  He is a hero and I am so proud of him, my sweet friend Ashley and their colleagues for doing what they are doing.

So for my first day of Thankfulness I am thankful for my close friends and sister.  I have been receiving so many sweet and supportive words from them.  I firmly believe they give me far more credit than I deserve but their kind words have been encouraging to me as I push forward taking care of the boys, the house and being strong and supportive for my husband.  The words "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming" from Dory in Finding Nemo have been running through my head all week.  Thank you for boosting me up so I can keep my head above water and keep on swimming.

Making a difference...or at least trying

It is September, Childhood Cancer Awareness month.  Raising awareness and money for this amazing cause is well underway!!!  ...sort of.

Donna's Warriors is going back for a 2nd year for the St. Jude's Give Thanks walk in November.  Because I knew to watch for it this time, as soon as I saw the date I went into action getting our team registered and thinking up various ways to raise money.  I invited friends and family to walk and had a great response at first, 15 people saying they want to walk!  That would make our team bigger than last year, I was so excited!  Only a very small handful of that 15 have actually gone to the website and registered.  No big deal, we can do this with or without a large group of people who feel compelled to help make a difference, right?

At the start of September I posted the link on Facebook and sent an email to several co-workers to kick of Childhood Cancer Awareness month.  It seemed fitting and appropriate and I had hoped a great way to kick off fundraising.  I posted on the invite several times trying to encourage people to go to the site to register.  I've asked if anyone wanted fundraising ideas.  Nothing.  I could hear crickets with the silence I received in response.

My friend Missy is also on the team.  She is the one that introduced me to Donna's Cancer Story last year, the story and inspiration behind our team.  She works at Bennigan's and they offered to hold a fundraiser for our team.  She set a date and created a flyer.  Bennigans will donate 20% of your bill if you present this flyer.  She even had gold silicone bracelets made up for the event, free with a donation.  I created another invite, posted the flyer all over Facebook (social media is great, isn't it??) and scattered several flyers all over work for people to grab up.  People eat good food and donate to a great cause all at once, what a great idea!  Surely this will appeal to people!  So far the response I have received on my end has been mediocre at best.  I am still holding out hope for an amazing turn out.

Each time I have posted our link or the flyers for Bennigan's I have asked people to please share.  I have found one of the best ways to advertise is by word of mouth.  It is so easy to do and doesn't cost anything.  Registering for the walk is also FREE. 

September seems to have been overtaken by a sea of pink already.  Yes, Breast Cancer awareness is October.  But it also goes on all year long.  People get so wrapped up in all the cute pink ribbons and cute sayings like "Save the Ta-Ta's!" and "Save 2nd Base!"  Did you know there's a good chance the "pink" stuff you are buying, thinking you are helping to donate to the cause doesn't actually go towards Breast Cancer research?  Pediatric Cancer doesn't have these cute little gimmicks to get people to act.  All that is asked for is people to stand up and be a voice for the babes affected by this horrible disease.  Don't get me wrong, cancer is a BEAST no matter what the form is.  And I am not saying I am against raising money and awareness for Breast Cancer research, as both my grandmother and my aunt are survivors.  But when 12% of funds are being donated to Breast Cancer and a measly 3% to Pediatric Cancer...where is the fair and even distribution?  That being said, it would be nice if Breast Cancer took a break for a month so some sick kids get a fair shot at a future.  One month.  It's all they ask for.

Please don't misunderstand me.  I am sure this is coming off like I am whining, I promise I am not.  I am merely one small person so passionate about this cause and doing what I can to make a difference venting some frustrations.  I don't expect people to be as passionate, I understand it isn't everyone's gig.  But what does a girl have to do to get just a tiny bit of acknowledgment someone is listening?  Or a glimmer of someone who is just a tiny bit interested in helping but maybe feels like it is too hard to see kids sick and suffering?  It is hard.  But knowing you are doing what you can to help make a difference makes it worth it, it is an amazing feeling!  I am very grateful for the little bit I have accomplished and while it feels disheartening at times, I remain hopeful for more.

This is a plea.  Be a voice for these kids!  Here's how you can help:

1)  Go to our team page, you can either register to walk (we'd love to have you!) or you can make a donation.  Even if it is only $5, it adds up.  Every little bit counts!  Then share our link with friends and family.

 2) Come grab dinner on September 26th at Bennigan's in Plymouth.  Eat food and present this flyer, easy! 

3)  Read Donna's Cancer Story and Aiden's Story and share them.  Yes they are sad and difficult at times to witness.  But they aren't just about sickness and dying.  They are about tiny heros who endured more than anyone should ever have to endure in a lifetime much less in 31 months and 8 months.  They are about love and choosing hope.

4)  If the above doesn't work for you then please just share our link for our team page.  Share it on your facebook, and ask others to keep passing it along. It's free and easy.

Fight Like a Kid

We all know what the pink ribbon stands for, but do you know what the gold ribbon stands for?   

Did you know Childhood Cancer is the number one killer of children by disease?  1 in every 330 children develop cancer before age 19 – it is NOT rare.  Cancer kills more than 2,500 children every year and over 13,500 kids will be diagnosed with cancer in the next 365 days.   The federal budget for the National Cancer Institute is $4.6 billion.  Of that breast cancer receives 12%, prostate cancer 7%, yet ALL 12 MAJOR GROUPS of pediatric cancers COMBINED receive less than 3% of all funds. 

With the start of September comes the official kick-start of fundraising for Donna’s Warriors and the St. Jude’s Give Thanks walk in November.  Last year you helped us to exceed our goal.  This year we raised our goal and with your help we hope to blow it away. 



Donna
(Photo courtesy of Joel Wanek)

The inspiration behind our team comes from a little girl named Donna, who was diagnosed at just 20 months old with a rare brain tumor.  Please take some time to read Donna's Cancer Story, where her mama writes of Donna's treatment in serial format for 31 days representing the 31 months Donna endured treatment.  Though none of us know this family personally, we were all moved and inspired by this beautiful girl and her amazing strength.

Unfortunately this sweet girl's life was cut far too short at just 4 years old.  But she is still teaching and through her spirit we can make a difference.  Please consider making a donation for our cause, and share our link with others by going to Donna's Warriors team page. 

   

A cure starts with awareness and becomes a reality with funding.  Can you fight like a kid?