Monday, November 9, 2015

Avon 39


Breast Cancer.  According to research statistics provided by the American Cancer Society, Breast Cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States today, accounting for 29% of newly diagnosed cancers.  Roughly 1 in 8 will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.  

AVON_LOGO_39-THE-WALK-TO-END-BC-2-DAYS-39.3-MILES_Horz_M100-K75_SOLID_CMYK_F.pngI have always been a huge supporter of Breast Cancer foundations that help raise awareness, offer support, offer free mammograms and just keep people aware.  I have had many friends who have gone through Breast Cancer.  I have been witness to their lows and their highs.  I have seen the pain.  I have seen the joy of clear scans.  I have seen them enter a second round of treatment due to recurrence.  I have loved them and prayed for them.  I have seen the stress the family went through with them.  It is not fun.  Early detection has often been a saving grace.  Early detection.  

So what Beth, you support them.  Good for you.  Well, my heart has always been to do the Avon Breast Cancer 39 mile walk.  Why in the world, you may ask?!  TO SUPPORT!  BUT, truth is, I was always afraid.  I have to raise $1800 in order to be allowed to walk.  WHAT?!  I can't raise that much money!!!  I can't ask people to support something that I do.  I can't do that.  So, like a lot of things in my life, I allowed the fear to win and I haven't participated.  Last year, I watched a friend participate and she has participated for many years.  Always raising the funds.  I was still convinced I couldn't do it.  *Even though she assured me I could!*

Then it happened.  My mom was diagnosed with Breast Cancer this summer.  My momma.  My rock.  My hero.  NOOOOOO!  

Within the first week of learning about her diagnosis, I signed up to walk.  My husband supports me all the way.  But, now, I have to raise $1800, and I am scared.  However, I am committed.  I would LOVE to raise it in the next 60 days!  Would you be willing to help me?  My page you can donate is: http://info.avonfoundation.org/site/TR/Walk/Houston?px=5836339&pg=personal&fr_id=2480


My momma is doing well.  She had a lumpectomy and the one spot they had found was contained.  The other spot they found the day of her surgery was a different kind.  So she just had some lymph nodes removed and thankfully, no cancer was found in her lymph system!  She is to start radiation soon & will be a survivor.  Her cancer was found early.  Early detection.  Thank the Lord!

So, I ask you, please join with me.  Help me raise my necessary $1800 in the next 60 days and then support me as I walk the 39 miles this April!  

Let me know if you have any questions & thank you so much for your support!!!!!

Thursday, November 5, 2015

Want to Remember

There are moments when I am going through the tough times of being a parent to a toddler and a pre-tween child that I think....oh, I have to remember how this feels.  I have to remember how it feels to be in the trenches.  I have to remember how it feels to hear those words, "Enjoy the moment for this will soon be gone" when all you really want to do is scream at the top of your lungs.  I have to remember how it feels to be a wife, but not really connecting to your husband because by the time the kids are settled for the evening and everything is done you want nothing to do with anyone, let alone your spouse.  I want to remember.

You see, work, and the need for it, took us miles away from family.  Miles away from the free babysitters.  Miles away from a break.  I need to remember.  When my kids are grown, I pray God allows me to remember the feeling so that I can be a help to a couple, or a momma, or a daddy who needs a break.  Who needs a moment of silence.  Who may need to go to the grocery store without a child tugging on them.  Who may just need to lay in their spouses arm and sleep.  Who may need that weekend to have intimacy because they don't ever get it.  Who may need that encouragement to hang on when days get hellish.  Who may need that hug while they scream and cry.  Who may need that meal dropped at the door step without anything being expected in return.  I want to remember.  

You see, just because you are frustrated doesn't make you a bad mom.  Just because you have moments that you want to quit, doesn't mean you don't love your child(ren).  Just because you have moments when you want to run away for an hour, doesn't make you evil.  It makes you human.  It's real life.  Anyone who doesn't admit that, well, I'm sorry for them. 

I love my kids. I would take a bullet for them.  I would do anything for them.  I would walk on hot coals all day and night if I had to.  I would sleep outside in the freezing cold and beg for food if I had to.  But, that doesn't mean that I won't have days where I want to run away and hide.  It doesn't mean I am strong all the time.  I'm broken.  I'm torn.  I'm bleeding and not sure when the healing will begin, but, I know this...I NEED TO REMEMBER THIS.  

So friends.....take this from me.....give love to a momma of young kiddos.  You never know when you will be her lifeline.