Reaching for the Cure

YODA (aka Carter Kipp) and DARTH VADER (aka Big Bro Bennett)

Yes, it's that time again. Megan and Molly are participating in the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation's Reaching for the Cure Run on Sunday, May 3rd as team members of "Friends and Family of Erin Vallely." You can CLICK HERE to learn more about Erin and see pictures of all the fun we had last year. This race is near and dear to our hearts. We love the Vallelys so much and are honored to run in Erin's memory as well as help raise money for PCRF.

This year, we are hitting the pavement especially hard in honor of our little friend, Carter Kipp! At 22 months old, Carter was just diagnosed with cancer of the liver. He's a tough cookie - so we know he's going to fight hard! But we want to do our part to help make his battle as easy and short as possible. Carter's Mom and Dad, Kara and Matt, have created a blog to keep everyone updated on his status and let us know how we can help and pray for them. CLICK HERE to visit and let them know how many people are in Carter's Corner!

If you want to help us Kick Cancer's Butt you can CLICK HERE to go to our super colorful donation page. We know this year is hard economically for many, so if you can't donate cash...please be sure and donate your karma. Keep Carter and the Kipp family continually in your thoughts and prayers! WE LOVE YOU CARTER!

Faster than a Speeding Bullet

Megan and Molly are really into Superheroes right now. They both watched the Spiderman movies with Daddy, and sometimes early in the mornings, we find old Superman or Spiderman cartoons on TV. We've also read a Bible series together that talks about being Superheroes for God.

The other day Megan colored and cut out a big "S" and then asked me to tape it onto her shirt. Molly was standing right behind her with a "W" in hand. Happy to oblige, I asked them why we were taping letters onto their shirts. Megan replied, in a tone that told me her answer should have been totally obvious, "Because Mom! I am Super Girl and Molly is Wonder Woman!"

Loving this fierce faced one.So happy I am in good hands!

Honoring Heroes

I wanted to have this post up on Monday, in honor of Memorial Day. But the long weekend got the better of me. Once I got it finished, I wondered "Should I still publish this even though it's a few days late?" And then I remembered how I feel about Valentine's Day and concluded I feel the same way about Memorial Day. Every day we live we should take a moment to recognize, appreciate and thank the "Valentines" in our lives - not just one day a year! As well - everyday should be Memorial Day. It's never the wrong time to thank the people who have made my life better, easier and safer by serving in the armed forces.

Two recent events in my life have caused me to really appreciate the sacrifice that military men, women and their families make on a daily basis. A sacrifice that I will never know, but a sacrifice that molds, shapes, and allows my family to be WHO WE ARE. I love this country to my core. And therefore, these men and women who sacrifice so much to let me be me, are at the top of my list of people to adore. They allow me to sleep well at night. They allow me to raise my children in a country I continue to be proud of. They - if you really want to get down to it - have put me and my family before their own!

First - I have become blogging friends with an amazing woman named Aubrey. She is a US Navy wife and mother. I have never met someone who so freely - and cheerfully - accepts her duty to her husband and this country. She has two young boys and is ALONE on the home front, being the best mother she can be, day in and day out, while her husband is deployed. I am moved every time she thanks God for giving her this life that she leads. She truly appreciates the sacrifice she willing makes and sees it as a way to grow and honor her husband. She has taught me to look at trials in my life with a new attitude. To always try and see the bigger picture. “We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) Thank you Aubs - for bringing this perspective to my life on a daily basis. Thank you for supporting your husband while he is away, protecting my family. Thank you for being a fun, honest, and inspiring friend!

Second, in April I learned a girl friend of mine from church had lost her older brother in Iraq. While Caroline and I have only spoken a handful of times since our college years - I remember vividly two things about her. Her unwavering faith in the Lord, and her exuberant love for a brother 7 years her senior. To Caroline, I remember, Mark was fun, inspiring, protective and loving. I remember how scared she was when he decided to become a US Navy SEAL. Mark's most recent mission was serving as a Special Advisor training Iraqi Special Forces. In the early hours of April 11 on the outskirts of Baghdad, Mark and 7 Iraqis were killed by a massive IED that destroyed the lead vehicle in which they were riding. Mark left behind a wife and a baby daughter - as well as a family of loved ones who will forever grieve his loss.

Take an extra minute or two today to check out Aubs' and Mark's websites. Learn about them, learn from them, and stop to appreciate them. For their dedication, their inspiration, and for their SACRIFICE. Let them and their families know that these sacrifices do not go unnoticed. Miculkas and Metherells - Thank You! May God rain his blessings upon your families. May he hold you in the palm of his hand and bring you peace and comfort in trying times.

What a Face - What a Race

"My Hero is God. He is my hero because he is wonderful. He is always there when I need him. He loves me a lot. He is with me where ever I am. He prays with me all the time. He gets me well too. God is my life. Without him I would be very sad. I love him." - Erin Vallely

What a face. To look at it takes me back. In it I see her brother's eyes and smile - especially those two front teeth. Erin Lynn Vallely passed away in 1991 at the age of 12 from cancer. Our families have known each other for years and growing up we shared summers at the beach and winters in the snow. Her older brother Eric and I have been close friends since jr. high. He was one of my first full-fledged crushes.

When I started doing daycare, Eric's daughter Vivian was my first baby. I started taking care of her when she was just 6 weeks old - and Megan was 8 months. Vivian played at our house almost everyday until she was 3 years old! So to our family, and especially to my girls, Vivi is like a sister to us. Megan and Molly LOVE her! When they see each other now, they run into each others' arms and hug and giggle and squeal with delight. They are the best of friends.

In the years since Erin's death, her family has become greatly involved with the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation. This past Sunday was the PCRF Run "Reaching for the Cure." Eric's wife, Suzanne, formed team "Friends and Family of Erin Vallely" and set the goal of organizing 10 team members and raising $1500. The day of the race, there were almost 50 team members and over $5700 raised to fight pediatric cancer in honor of Erin's memory.

Megan and Molly joined Vivi in celebrating her Aunt Erin in the Kids 1K Fun Run.

Our team color was Kelly Green and Suzanne had a stamp made that we all "tattooed" to our arms and legs.
Here we are at the start of the race.

Grace and Tre, Megan and Molly, Vivi and Emmy all ready to RUN!

And they're off! Those are Suzanne's hottie legs. She kicked butt and finished the 10K in under an hour!

Melt my heart!

About half way thru - Molly gave up and wanted to be carried. So here we are, still running!

Crossing the finish line.

After the race we all enjoyed snacks, bounce houses, and FUN!

Later that afternoon, my parents had everyone over for a BBQ. Suzanne (artist extraordinaire) painted the girls faces...And BoBo's (Vivi's Grandpa John) too.

We had so much fun. Thank you Vallely family for including us! Erin, we hope to honor your memory everyday by living our lives to the fullest, always with our eyes on your hero. We can't wait to celebrate your life and participate in the race again next year.

If you want to learn more about PCRF or make a donation to fight pediatric cancer, please click here!