Overheard

Tonight David and I were sitting in the den while Jere and Caroline were playing. They have both been talking alot about the election. Jere's class will be registering to vote tomorrow (mock of course) and then voting. Caroline just knows what she's heard. In fact, until recently she thought John McLain was running for president.

Anyway, here is what took place tonight:

Jere: "What do you want to play, Caroline?"

Caroline: "Sword fighting. You be McCain - I'll be Obama"

Avon Walk for Breast Cancer

How do I begin to explain in words and pictures how meaningful of a weekend I had? I will attempt.

Friday afternoon I headed to the host hotel for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer - the Westin. Yes, we were slumming, but you have to do what you have to do. After checking in for the Walk and getting my wristband I met up with our Team and we went to dinner.

August is wearing the grey long sleeve jacket.

We had a great dinner at Rock Bottom Brewery and headed back to the Westin and their heavenly beds. Sleep was short because we had a 4 am Wake Up call! We came downstairs to catch the shuttle to the starting line and this is what we saw

Yes, it was raining. Fortunately we were prepared and put on our rain slickers. Here we are boarding our tour bus to go to the starting line

Just because I was feeling crazy at 4:45 in the morning I took a picture of our bus driver. I think he's very patriotic.

We arrived at Frazier Park for breakfast and to wait until the Opening Ceremonies started. Breakfast took about 10 minutes. We waited in the rain until 6:30. At the time it seemed like along time. Here is our group waiting -


Right after this picture was taken, August led our team in the sweetest prayer time I have been a part of in a long time. She thanked God for the healing He had done in her life and for another year here on earth. She also prayed that the monies raised would be used wisely and for the researchers who are working for a cure. Of course, she prayed for safety on our walk, too. At the end of her prayer, there was not a dry eye among us.

The Opening Ceremony started at 6:30 - stretching, warm up - woo hoo. We were ready to go. They had a few local survivors share their stories.

We were off. In the rain. Thank you Lord for my rain slicker!

The organizers of the Walk did a great job on providing frequent water stations and portolets. If I can avoid a portolet I do. On Saturday, we walked right past Carolinas Medical Center. Our little group of 4 took a slight detour into the Lobby of CMC to use their facilities. And I have proof.

I highly recommend using alternative facilities if you ever have the chance.

We saw several interesting "fans" along the way.

All I'll say about the fans is that they had to fundraise to participate so I'm sure Breast Cancer has in some way touched their life. Sad, but true.

And here we are at Mile 13 - August is in the middle.

Saturday ended at Charlotte Country Day School for us. We then took a shuttle to the Wellness Village set up at Park Road Park. There we received the most heavenly massages ever - oh my word I was drooling (and asleep!!).

I'll share more pictures as I get them. I have several stories to share, but need the photos!

Warming Up

Tomorrow I "leave" for the Avon Breast Cancer Walk. I use quotation marks because the event is here in Charlotte, but I am staying at the host hotel with our team. Today I've been getting my things together and making sure the laundry is caught up here so that David and the children have clean clothes to wear.

Jere has a football game Saturday morning that I will have to miss. Today he said, "what happens if you're not there to see us win the game?" I wanted to reply that I was pretty sure that wouldn't be the case because they've lost the last six games - out of six games. But I didn't. I just told him that I was sure they would win the game and he could call me and tell me all about it.

Can't wait to return and share pictures from the weekend! Have a wonderful weekend!

Play Dates

My two were off from school today for Fall Break. Last week I had arranged for Caroline to have a play date with a friend from school today. Long ago (i.e. within the last couple of years), I realized when I had a play date for one I might as well have a play date for the other - it just works well for us to do that. So Jere has a friend from school (his cousin) playing today too.

Today has been lots of fun and I must say, I get more done during these play dates than I would when it's just my two. Earlier today I made this yummy apple cake to bring to a friend tomorrow. The recipe came from my friend/neighbor Cathy - any recipe she gives me is a sure thing! I will post the recipe in a bit on the what's for din-din blog. I have not tasted it, but can already tell it is going to be yummy!

The girls are playing with sidewalk chalk and the boys are running around as usual! Do you find it's easier to have play dates for more than one child or am I crazy?

Yummy Food and Fellowship

Today after our core group time and lecture at Community Bible Study we had a luncheon. These ladies can cook! We had salads of all kinds, party ham sandwiches and incredibly yummy desserts - banana pudding and mint brownies.

The Wild Rice Chicken Salad was so yummy that we all requested the recipe. Here it is hot off my email:

Two boxes of Uncle Ben’s wild rice (cooked to package directions)
Cut up chicken
Celery couple of stalks
Grapes (optional)
Water chestnuts (optional)

Mix all together with Mayonnaise (1/2 cup to a cup) just depends

Season with season salt.

I'll be making this very soon!

Food for the Week

Here is the menu plan for the week. We had the Spicy Vegetable Soup last night and it was delicious. I'll share the recipe in a bit.

Monday - Spicy Vegetable Soup, Parmesan Biscuits
Tuesday - Shrimp and Grits, Salad
Wednesday - Sandwiches/ Leftovers
Thursday - Chicken Divan, Wild Rice, Salad
Friday - Pizza - or out to eat

Proof

David had a great time on his trip. He shot a ridiculous number of dove. And he brought home an injury! This is from shooting so much -

As a side note, he allowed this picture to be taken knowing it was going to go on the blog. And the little bit of farmer tan that he has is from all of his outdoor activities - golf, hunting, football. I think it's cute though!

Cue the Doxology!

Remember this song? Go ahead, click the link and listen. Growing up we would sing this as the offering would be brought up to the alter. We don't sing this song every Sunday, but there are times when it comes to my mind and today is one of them!

David has been out of town for a week. He left last Thursday to go to Argentina for a hunting trip. It has been a long week and I am so happy that he is coming home today! I thought he was coming home around midnight tonight, but he called at 6:30 this morning from Miami. He is on US soil and should be home around lunchtime. That was a wonderful surprise!

I haven't posted about our week without Daddy because I did not want it on the Internet that my husband was out of town - even though we have an incredible alarm system. I'll be posting about the craziness soon!

Prayer Guide for the Election

Found at this blog - disclaimer:the only content I reviewed was the prayer guide

Psalm 32:6-11 - Pray that Christians will be motivated to pray faithfully for this election and that the Lord would deliver us from the wrong leaders.

Psalm 16:7-8 - Pray that the Lord would give wise counsel and guidance to His choice for president in this campaign.

Proverbs 16:12-16 - Pray that our nation will listen to the truth and not be led astray.

Psalm 18:32-36 - Pray that the Lord would arm the man of His choice with strength; that He would guide him in battle (this election), and that He would sustain him and give him victory.

Hebrews 11:32-34 – Pray that God’s man could, through faith, persevere and maintain his courage throughout this election.

Psalm 125 - Pray that those who trust in the Lord will not be shaken.

Psalm 86:14-17 - Pray that the Lord would defeat those who have no regard for Him in this election.

2Cor 12:9 – Pray that the Lord would empower and enable his man in any area of weakness.

II Kings 13:16 - Pray that the Lord would put His hands on the man of His choice for president (and his team) and guide them in this election.

Proverbs 1:5-7 - Pray that God’s man will listen with discernment, add to his knowledge, and receive wise counsel in this campaign.

John 16:33 - Pray that the man of God’s choice would be given wisdom and ability from the Lord to overcome any obstacle or difficulty during this campaign.

Acts 17:30 - Pray for repentance for yourself and for our nation.

Luke 12:54-57 – Pray that God’s man and our nation will be discerning and do what is right.

Phil. 4:13 - Pray that the Lord’s choice for President will have special strength and unusual ability from God.

Habakkuk 1:5 and 3:2 - Pray that the Lord would do something that would utterly amaze us and give His servant victory.

During the days of Nov. 7 - 11, be encouraged to set aside a time of fasting during these days to commit this election to the Lord in whom we put our trust. Acts 14:23

Remember 2Chronicle 7:14: ‘If My people who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.’

I bolded what I felt like emphasizing! I'm especially claiming Habakkuk 1:5

5 "Look at the nations and watch— and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.

Walking With My Friend

August and Robby White - July 2007 end of treatment!

August with Lee - 1 year later! (August and Robby also have a two year old daughter)

Breast Cancer took on a new meaning for me when my dear friend August White was diagnosed with the deadly disease almost two years ago. I have watched from the sidelines as she battled her way through the treatment journey. When she asked me to join her team for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, I couldn’t say no. On October 25th & 26th, I plan to walk 26 miles to do my part in raising money to assist cancer patients today as well as to invest in the health of future generations. However, I have to personally raise $1800.00. After reading Augusts’ story below please prayerfully consider a donation to the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer so I can fulfill my wish of supporting my friend.

My site to make an online donations is:
http://info.avonfoundation.org/site/TR/Walk2008/Charlotte?px=4251469&pg=personal&fr_id=1670





During this season of thanksgiving, please know that I appreciate your consideration.





~August's Note~



Dear Friends and Family,
When I was diagnosed with breast cancer in December 2006, at age 32, I was in shock. I was sad and scared and uninformed about the disease. It has taken the past 2 years to undergo chemotherapy, radiation, mastectomy, hormonal therapy, and finally reconstruction. There was a lot of time to learn about breast cancer. There was time to be angry and afraid. There was time to be determined and hopeful. At the end of it all, I emerged a changed woman, healthy once again, with a new perspective on life, yet still at times reeling from my entire cancer experience. I am painfully aware that 1 in 8 women will face breast cancer in their lifetime. I pray that it will not be my loved ones. 40,460 women and 450 men will die of breast cancer this year. That means breast cancer deaths in a year would fill more than half of a large football stadium. Each of these people have children and family tragically forever affected by the disease. The impact is huge.
During my diagnosis, I was told repeatedly by my doctors that I was too young for breast cancer. In fact, now I know that breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in women ages 15 to 54. Young women tend to be diagnosed at a later stage with more advanced and aggressive disease. They also have many years to live in which caner can recur. Breast cancer is one of the worst cancers for recurring 5,10, even more than 15 years after treatment. It was a shock to me when I learned there is no magic number of years when I can achieve the security that I have finally "beaten" breast cancer. It can come back in bones, liver, lungs, and the brain. When breast cancer spreads to these organs, it is called metastasis. 40% of diagnosed breast cancer patients will have their cancer metastasize. At that point, you can no longer survive breast cancer. Doctors are prolonging the lives of patients with metastasized breast cancer but there is no cure. There are too many babies, toddlers, and young children growing up without their mothers. I do not want their names to be Alex or Lee. I agonize over this. We need to do something more about breast cancer!
As part of my healing emotionally from cancer, I am shifting my focus from fear for my own life to helping save others' lives. Breast cancer has become my passion. In March of this year, I was overwhelmed with a desire to participate in a walk for breast cancer. I thought about it for a while. Could I really do it? Can I exercise? I never have! Can I raise money? I never have! But finally I realized, God has brought me through cancer and many things I never thought I could do. I can do this too! With much consideration and prayer, I have signed up for the Avon 2 day Walk for Breast Cancer in Charlotte on October 25-26, 2008. 14 close friends and family have committed to do this with me and we have formed "Team Augie".
The walk is a 2 day event with my goal to walk 13.1 miles on Saturday and 13.1 miles on Sunday to achieve 26.2 miles total. To participate in the event, each walker must raise $1800.00. The Avon Breast Cancer Crusade will manage the money raised from these events. The mission of the Crusade is to advance access to care and find a cure for breast cancer. The money raised through Avon Walk will focus on medically underserved women, the underprivileged, the elderly, and the under or uninsured. The funds are awarded to medical research into possible causes,prevention, treatment, and cure of breast cancer, clinical care of breast cancer patients, support services for patients and their families; educational seminars, and early detection programs. One of the things that attracted me to the Crusade is that they are looking at the whole picture- cause, cure, care and support.
I am a bit hesitant to ask so many of you for support. You were all here for me during my treatment and I am forever grateful. You made such a difference to me. But this is not about me. This is a way to continue making a difference in the fight against breast cancer.
If everyone on Team Augie raises their goal of $1800.00 we will contribute over $27,000.00 to the Crusade! Advances are being made every day... breast cancer treatment is drastically different than it was even 5 years ago...and I know this money will make a difference. Us young survivors are told there will be a cure in our lifetime.
I am so blessed to have this amazing circle of family and friends in my life. Thank you for supporting me in any way that you can! I will send updates of the training and pictures from the walk so you too can be a part of Team Augie!

With my love and gratitude,
August White

They're Back!!

Triples Again! This time at Lowes Foods.

Starting October 8th and going through October 10th!

Good times, people! Good times!