D/FW Breast Cancer 3-Day: Day 1

It's finally here!!! 

 The 2009 Dallas/ Fort Worth

Breast Cancer 3-Day is FINALLY HERE!!!!

On Friday, November 6th, 2900 walkers took to the streets of North Dallas for such an amazing cause - finding a cure for Breast Cancer.  Together we raised over 7.5 MILLION dollars in that effort and I am so proud that my mom and I were apart of it all!!!  Since March we've been training, fundraising, and most importantly raising awareness!  

I've posted in the past threads of the training walks we've done, but here is the picture of my first training walk:

(back in late March walking only 3 miles)

 

. . . and this is mom and I in the middle of Day 3 (after walking 10 miles):

On Thursday night we stayed at a hotel near the opening ceremonies with another team, No Walker Left Behind, since we had to be in North Plano (about 1 hr 15 min from where I live) at 5:30am.  It was one of the best things we did!  Carolyn, along with Austin, drove us up there - through downtown Dallas rush hour traffic (UGH!!) - and enjoyed a nice dinner at Olive Garden. . . until a three foot little monster arrived telling us it was WAY past his bedtime!!  So we gathered up the food that was just served to us and headed to our hotel to eat there.  Our room was really nice:

After waking up at 4am (yawn!) and eating a healthy/heavy breakfast at 4:30am, we were on the bus and loaded by 5:15am.  Mom and I were ready to rock and roll towards the Opening Ceramonies which took place at Plano Park Center.  Can anyone say "Coffee!?!"

After arriving at the Opening Cermonies location, we met up with our team members, checked in and eagerly awaited for the Opening Ceramonies to start at 6:30.  While waiting we of course had to do many photo opts :-)

My Creekside Cares teammates:

Carolyn, Melissa, Margo, Khristy, me, Lori, Courtney, & Rakel

Of course had to get the feet in there -

they're the ones that were going to take us from 0-60 in 3 days. 

Had to give them credit!!

Part of the Opening Cermonies - we were in the front 1/4 of the mass

Once O.C. started and we did some stretching - which by the way is unrealistic with a big mob of people crammed into a tiny space - we started our 1st mile. . . first of many to come!!!  I'll write another post about all the sights and signs we came across because there were just so many things to keep us motivated and energized all along the 60-mile way!! 

This is what I saw at Pit Stop #5 - let me just say if I see anymore signs or anyone else telling me "You're almost there"  I was going to scream at them LOL

This was by far the best view I saw on Day 1.  By mile 18 I had a pain in my rear (literally!!), my calves were on fire and my throat was hoarse from screaming and cheering all day, so the last 2 miles seemed like 10. 

WALKING INTO CAMP!!!

WE MADE IT!!!!  TOGETHER 2900 Men and Women Walked 20.4 miles!!!!!  Now onto day two. . . if only my legs would cooperate!

Dallas Arboretum

For the past week our weather has been absolutely wonderful - No rain, no gloomy weather, and perfect temps (ie: Jeans and short sleeve shirt kind of weather)!  Along with being away from my family while I do the Breast Cancer 3-Day and the nice weather we have had, we decided a great place for some quality family times means taking a trip to the Dallas Arboretum.  I have been away from Scott for a week before while he was teaching at a church youth event but I have never been away from Austin that long.  Call me a silly sappy mom but I wanted to do something that I know Austin loves right before I leave him. . .  and since he loves running around and loves the outdoors this was an easy decision. 

The whole year their theme is "Storybook Playhouse" where they have 14 playhouses the kids can go into and look at while giving a brief synopsis of the story.  Here are some pictures we took today.  Unfortunately we got there right when they opened and since the sun hadn't dried up the ground it was a little muddy.

Tryng to go inside the house (((the entrance is on the side)))

"Guess no one is home!?!"

Austin & Scott's Favorite: Peter Pan

They also had pumpkins everywhere in celebration of Autumn (LOL Texas doesn't have Autumn, nor a Fall but whatev. LOL)

Checking them out. . .

"Wait Dada!!!!"

Inspecting the Pumpkin House . . .  Just like his Dada!

Another reason why I love going to the Dallas Arboretum is becuase it isn't just for adults to look at the beauty of the surroundings.  In addition to the kid-friendly playhouses, they also had a hay maze for them to walk through.  But Austin wanted to climb on it and walk the "walls". . . as long as he was holding dada's hand.  It was so funny because he wouldn't walk a step without doing the death grip on Scott's hand

Holding tight to Dada's hand

Run!!!!

And then of course I took various pictures of the beautiful landscaping.  Everytime I come I see new flowers and everything is absolutely perfect!  I wonder how much water and fertilizer they go through a week?  Guess that's something google-worthy right?!  LOL!!

We let Austin walk around as much as possible because hey a toddler needs to expend that bottled up energy as well as tire themselves out to equate for a really really good nap :-) . . .  So it's a win-win for both parties LOL   I'm not sure how far he walked but lets just say his Momma and Dada enjoyed his 1 1/2 hr nap today

Walking towards the Eragon playhouse

Looking at the "wa wa"

Being a goof-ball!!  He kept on leaning 1/2 way over and looking at us with this sly look on his face.  My son KNOWS he's a ham and KNOWS he's adorable!! 

Doing the "army" walk and following the students.

Inside of a maze they had pint sized benches.  He loved them!! He kept on going back to it and sitting.

Scott's turn!!  "Smile Dada!!"

"Hurry Up Dada!!!!"

I swear this place is endless.  You could easily spend at least 5 hours there and one time Austin and I did along with some friends earlier this year.  It's the perfect place to bring a picnic lunch and chill in the beautiful surroundings!  It's amazing that less than 5 miles away is downtown!!

I took this picture for Heather who I think will love this picture the most!!  Precious cargo deserves to be rear-facing as long as possible! 

Breast Cancer 3-Day is quickly approaching

FOUR MORE DAYS TILL THE

DALLAS/FORT WORTH

BREAST CANCER 3-DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mom and I are eagerly awaiting for Friday to get here and start walking!  We have already started packing as we are told that we need to bring clothes for 3 full walking days, 2 evenings, 2 nights, tolietries and any personal items as well as any and all PINK stuff you own.  In addition to all that we need to pack our own pillow and suitcase (they provide the pink tent) and it must fit inside your bag that must'n't weigh any more than 35 lbs YEA RIGHT!!!

It's going to be rough on me being away from Scott and Austin for 3 full days and nights but at least my mind will be in constant distraction! Scott knows why I'm walking and that I'll be coming back but I've never been away from Austin that long.  It does comfort me that Austin will at least be with Scott (aka Dada) but how do you explain to a 20 month old that you won't be able to see him for 3 full days?!  :-(  At least there will be a sweet reunion on Sunday at the Closing Ceramonies!!

I can't wait to do this walk.  This is something that mom and I have always wanted to do but it was on our "one day" catogory of things we want to do.  Well thankfuly a group of church ladies got to gether and formed a team - Creekside Cares - and we joined in!!  Otherwise, God only knows when that "one day" would've been!

I have been fundraising since April and have started training since May and it's been a long road.  With the generous people in my life, I have raised MORE than what I must have in order to participate in the 3-day walk which is $2,300.00 -- I have raised $2,534.50!!  I'm blown away at the response I got.  I wasn't worried about training as my motto was, "One step (or mile) at a time" but the money that we must raise frightened me.  But silly me to worry about that when I have loads of family and friends supporting me every step of the way!!!!!!  I have also walked more than 370 miles since I started my training in May.  Unfortunately I haven't walked as much as I had planned but with the enthusiasm that I know goes on at these walks I no doubt can make it!  I can't wait till sometime next week when I blog about it so stay tuned!!!!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart and sole (pun intended) to my donators/supporters:

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  Danielle Alexander
  
  
  
• 
  
  Margaret Anglin
  
  
  
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  Dave & Janine Barber
  
  
  
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  Uncle Brent & Aunt Melody
  
  
  
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  Momma (Carolyn) & Poppa (Patrick) Bradshaw
  
  
  
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  Creekside Church of Christ Members & Guests
  
  
  
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  Jennifer Earp
  
  
  
• 
  
  Angela Evans
  
  
  
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  Terry & Lora Graham
  
  
  
• 
  
  Jennifer Guerrero
  
  
  
• 
  
  Shelly Hamilton
  
  
  
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  Kevin, Heather and Dakota Keyworth (Hampton)
  
  
  
• 
  
  Todd and Loretta Heywood
  
  
  
• 
  
  Marinda Jelinek
  
  
  
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  Michele Kaushan
  
  
  
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  Dr. Alan and Roxanna Klein
  
  
  
• 
  
  Dr. Harold Kolni
  
  
  
• 
  
  Lisa Leeb
  
  
  
• 
  
  Aunt Dora
  
  
  
• 
  
  Grandma Jean
  
  
  
• 
  
  Nicole Macfarlane
  
  
  
• 
  
  Brook McMillan
  
  
  
• 
  
  Yvette Mojarro
  
  
  
• 
  
  Katie Morris
  
  
  
• 
  
  Paul, Christina, and Jackson Lykke
  
  
  
• 
  
  Emily Niemczyk
  
  
  
• 
  
  Loresa Purden
  
  
  
• 
  
  Beth Rachuig
  
  
  
• 
  
  Jeff and Vicki Scott
  
  
  
• 
  
  Jon and Pat Waldrop
  
  
  
• 
  
  Joanne Wilson
  
  
  
• 
  
  Joe and Kim Ylda
  
  
  

Why I am walking. . .

I'm walking in MEMORY OF:

• 
  
  My great Grandma, Goldie Thompson
  
  
  
• 
  
  My Grandma, Anita Alsma
  
  
  
• 
  
  Joanne Wilson's Aunt, Margaret DeMille
  
  
  

I'm walking in SUPPORT OF:

• 
  
  My Mom and fellow walking partner, Margo Lutz
  
  
  
• 
  
  Nicole Macfarlane's friend, DeDrie Sauter
  
  
  
• 
  
  Loresa Purden's Brother-in-law's cousin, Rhonda Mieldon
  
  
  
• 
  
  My co-worker, Chris Schroeder
  
  
  

I'm walking in CELEBRATION OF:

• 
  
  My Aunt Cathy
  
  
  
• 
  
  Kim Ylda's Aunt, Dorothy Huffstutler
  
  
  
• 
  
  My co-worker, Chris Wise
  
  
  
• 
  
  Margaret Anglin's friend, Denise Dooley
  
  
  

Our Green Lantern says, "Tri to Treeee"

Tri to Treee is also known as Trick or Treat!!!!! This year Austin was the Green Lantern, Scott's favorite Marvel comic.  Scott was SO excited he found a Green Lantern costume that it didn't matter what the size was!  LOL  Luckily Grammie did some quick alterations and made the 4T into a "18-24 mo" size - THANKS GRAMMIE!!! 

This was the first year that Austin was old enough to participate in Halloween and it was a blast as his parents to watch him instinctively know what to do in regards to putting the candy in his bucket.  Prior to Oct 31st (and our church's Fall Festival) his preschool has a Halloween Carnival.  It was loads of fun seeing the kids dressed up in various costumes and playing games.  Here's a few pictures of the morning:

"Is that a cry for help I hear?  Have No fear!"

Austin taking a picture with Richard (aka Batman)

Playing a game of Putt Putt

Grandpa came out to watch the festivities so Austin helped him get to the next round of fun!! What a great helper!  Once I figure out how to do video on this, I'll def. post it.  TOO CUTE!!! 

Here is Austin enjoying the bounce house.  In the past he has freaked at being inside one but I'm not sure if he liked this one due to the size or what but he loved it!!  Although he spent more time on the floor of it than jumping, he was in constant laughter :-)

After Trick or Treating in the Church office, the kids headed back to their rooms. . .

where Austin proceeded to devour a Kit-Kat!!!

I remember Halloween being so much fun as a child and this def. brought back some memories.  I can't wait to see what next year has in store for us!!

*Psssst: The BEST part about Halloween and being the parent - eating all the candy that he isn't old enough for  lol

What to do vs. What NOT to do!

Austin's been able to use a spoon for a while now.  He's really good if it is something thick like oatmeal but it can get a bit messy when you give him something like yogurt.  We still haven't tried cheerios with the milk actually IN the bowl. . . not yet. 


BUT. . .  that's NOT what this post is about.  It's about how Austin is getting better and better at using his fork.  Recently he's been using his fork since he's now more aware of what we have and what we are using (utensils) to eat.  Amazingly enough he'll actually eat chicken with his fork, but has never eaten more than one bite in the past so this is a real breakthrough!!!  However, last Thursday evening we had Breakfast for dinner (My personal fav) and Scott made pancakes.  Naturally Austin wanted a fork just like Momma & Dadda had so we gave him one.

He did great throughout the meal - even ate 3 1/2 'adult' sized pancakes!!!  But as the meal came to a close a I couldn't figure this out as we were watching him. . .Was he bored OR was he trying another method?! LOL

Pumpkins, Pumpkins Everywhere!

This was the first year Scott and I took Austin to a pumpkin patch.  Although it wasn't a grand place to go, it was so cool to see all thoses pumpkins in different sizes, shapes and colors!  Who knew a pumpkin could be white or that a pumpkin could look like it has severe acne?! 

I really didn't have much expectations for what Austin would do or how he would act.  I just wanted to go to a pumpkin patch since I haven't been to one since I was very young.   Austin was his typical self - running around in no particular path having fun outdoors :-)  He did, however, stop every once in a while and touch a few pumpkins.  Here are some pictures of our outing:

Checking them all out. . .

Hmmm. . . Which way to go?!?

How tall are you, Austin?

We then met up with Nonna afterwards for lunch at Jason's Deli.  YUMMMMYYYY!!! 

Austin did buy a pumpkin - pint sized just like him - but didn't like giving the sweet lady his money + donation.  He has a hard time giving money away for some reason.  Can't blame him!!!