The Little Monster

I've talked about Walker and the "infamous" tree before....I thought he was doing

good NOT getting into it. I think he went like a whole week.

Apparently he remembered how fun it used to be.....

Dune Trip 2007

Last weekend the girls and I went with Nathan, my dad, my brother and

a BUNCH of other people to the dunes.

This was the girls first trip and they had a blast!

We didn't get there until around 11:30pm Friday night. The fire was already going...

so of course the girls were ready to make smores! Unfortunately, my brother FORGOT

the hangers to roast the marshmellows, but we improvised and used a few screw drivers! ha!

The girls took their "igloo" tent and slept in it all night by the camp fire!!!
Rebekkah riding the little 50...she got braver and braver as the day went on!!!

Abby LOVED the amount of dirt, sand and whatever else she could find to play with!

Abby did ride the little 50 a few times, but most of the day would find her in my brothers Rhino...she absolutely LOVED that thing and was in the passenger seat every time

someone took it out to ride it!!!!

School Pictures!

Rebekkah

(2nd Grade )

Abby

(preschool)

Any Takers???!!!!

I don't know what it is....but ever since I had my son...my house cleaning abilities have pretty much gone OUT the window!!! There is just NOT enough time in the day to get everything accomplished that I would like. Plus, when I do pick up after HIM, it's no use!

Kids, work, exercise, meals....all get priority before cleaning, AS YOU CAN TELL!!!!!

That is a brand new printer that my mom picked up at a garage sale for $20!

My old printer hasn't worked for the last 6 months...you'd think I'd have

THAT up and running by now?????

The infamous "toy room" where everything always has its place....

apparently the toys have forgotten where to go...

Hmmm, should I even mention the kitchen and dishes???
Every day my kitchen looks like this!!!

I clean it up in the afternoon, and then by the next afternoon, back to normal.

This whole eating healthier thing sure takes a lot more WORK!!! SHEESH!!!!

I think I'll go take a nap.....

My Inspiration

This picture is of my Aunt Charlotte.

She passed away 8 years ago of Breast Cancer. About 8 months ago, my mom came to me with an idea...to participate in the Susan G Komen Breast Cancer 3 Day Walk for the Cure. What would this entail? Lots of training, donating and fund raising. We would be walking for 3 days, 20 miles each day. When I first heard that we would have to each raise $2200, I was very skeptical. I didn't think that I could actually DO it. The walking seemed a WHOLE lot easier, then the fundraising! $2200 is a lot of money....but after talking it over, my mom, sister in law, and I...all decided we wanted to do it. To honor my sweet Aunt Charlotte and to hopefully, someday, find a cure for breast cancer. So, our journey began.....we sent out letters and emails to family and friends, hoping to receive donations. We held a garage sale, bake sale, and a car wash to raise funds. So many people have helped us along the way, in so many ways. We started training....walking almost every Saturday morning. I remember my mom starting with like 6 miles...by the end of our training, she was doing 10-12 miles. I fell behind in my fundraising, and started to get a little bit nervous....but in the end...we all did it. We all had a goal...and we all achieved it.

This past weekend, we were able to put our feet to the pavement...with around 2500 other participants...and continue our journey, continue our goal...to walk 60 miles in 3 days. My mom was nervous....would her body hold up and function the way she needed it to function? Would her feet stay strong and legs keep moving? I knew she could do it, but did SHE know she could do it? Opening ceremonies was held at Freestone Park in Gilbert, and that's where our walking began. We walked through Gilbert, Mesa, Chandler and ended up in Tempe on our first day. One of the things that amazed me the most, was the people that came out to support the walk. Not only were people lined up at the designated "cheering stations"...but people would drive by and honk their horns, wave, and just let us know that they cared. The first day we walked by 2 schools. Both schools had signs up that they had made and the school children were lined up as we walked passed...telling us thank you, good job and to keep going. The first official cheering station we got to was so unbelievable. I couldn't believe how many people were lined up...telling us thank you, handing out water, ice, candy, whatever we needed....giving us high fives....The best moment of the first day, was walking down the street in the cheering station and seeing my 2 beautiful daughters, clapping their hands with HUGE smiles on their faces. Needless to say, I was bawling....then I noticed my cute sister in law, Kamee, standing on the sideline along with my mother in law. Tears rolling down her face. What a sweet moment that was. Day 2 of the walk proved to be a little more challenging, but well worth it.
This picture is our family cheering us on at mile 20 on the 2nd day.

My moms high school girlfriend, flew down from Idaho just for the walk...

to show her support.

My cute sister in law Becky...getting ready to finish the 2nd day...

My mom and I....at the end of day 3.

Words can not express the love I have for this woman. She pushed herself to the limit....she never gave up...she kept moving...and in the end...finished, with her head held high.
As we walked through the finish line...we held hands and bawled like babies.

We did it! We made it! And we did it TOGETHER.

I am so proud of this woman.

When we crossed over the finish line...I looked for our family and couldn't find them. And then, all of a sudden, I see 2 little girls....Running towards us....carrying roses and the biggest smiles I've ever seen.

This whole weekend has been filled with so many different feelings, so many emotions. At the closing ceremonies, we all got to make the "final" walk onto the stage area where they honored 8 breast cancer survivors that had participated in the event. What truly amazing women they are!!!!

I will hold these events very close to my heart. I will remember the feelings I have felt...and I will continue, each and every day, to be PROUD of my mother and of Becky for accomplishing something so great. I will remember at the end of the ceremony, when my little Rebekkah came up to me....looked at me and started to cry. When I asked her what was wrong, this was her reply...

"Mommy, I'm so proud of you"