One Month

It's been a crazy month. So busy! So full of love, support, and prayers. I just can't believe it. This post, marks #21! I can't believe that! When I started this blog, I thought I'd post 2 or 3 posts week. Max. But then things moved. Quickly!

I'm sure things will slow down a bit, after our fundraisers end. But I do want to stay committed. And share as much of our story, as I possibly can. It's important. And almost therapeutic. Believe it or not. It just helps, to reach up and out.

I realized that we had a ton of support. And love. And people who wanted to do things for us. Which led, to a fundraiser. And lots of things, to go with it. It's pretty amazing, how these things work. How God blesses us, with so much. When we need it the absolute most!

The main reason for this blog, is to document my Mom's journey. To have a place, to look back on. And remember, all those memories we made. To keep in touch, with family and friends. And to connect with others. Walking a similar path.

For me, the last has almost as much meaning, as the first. Because we struggled so much, while we were on my Dad's journey. There are not a lot of people, who share this side of things. But we know, how important it is. To be a beacon of light, to people struggling. To know, you will make it. Not every cancer journey, is horrible. There are some light and fun days. There are people experiencing similar things. Life is not all bad.

I just filmed a video. For YouTube. You read that right! Years ago, I made tons of videos. To give reviews of beauty products, to talk crafts, and to vlog. But this, is much more meaningful. I want to start connecting, with other families like ours. People who are walking a similar path.

December 1, 2016 will mark our initial post. Let's see how long it takes the video to upload. That's always the fun part! But come check it out. I'll be posting weekly. I won't commit to more than that. Not right now. But I might add more videos. If we're doing other things. I hope everyone enjoys.

It's been incredible to share our journey. Thus far. To be able to talk to you, about things that go on, when battling cancer. For a patient. A loved one. And a caregiver. It really is a tough road. But I'm so happy to share it with you! 🐦

Update on Tickets

Wow! I never realized, how many tickets we'd go through. It's a good thing. A very good thing! Even if, I spend an entire night...making books. Cut, count, number, staple, count again...

We haven't been selling tickets, for a long time. But I'm shocked at how quickly everything is moving. I didn't anticipate this. And when I put in the initial order, I didn't order nearly enough. So some of you, have been waiting for your tickets. Wednesday I picked up a second order. And spent a couple days, putting books together. And handing out tickets.

Right now, we have 500 raffle tickets...out. Almost 200 adult dinner tickets. And 50 children tickets. I'm still in SHOCK! Pick me up, off the floor. If you need tickets, let me know. And I'll get them to you. Ticket prices are $2 for raffle tickets. Or $20 for a book of 12. $10 for adults. And $5 for kids.

We also have a HUGE announcement, later this week. It has to do with, some BIG ticket items. And another raffle. These tickets will cost more. But will definitely be well worth it! So come back. You don't want to miss our announcement. 🐦

#OrangeForIrene

Years ago, my dear Goddaughter was diagnosed with leukemia. She battled it, for nearly 5 years. I'm so happy and proud to say, she kicked cancer's butt!

Along the way, there was much distance between my little Cinderella...and the rest of us. My friends picked up and moved, across the country. To fight for her life. And would only come home, once...maybe twice a year.

All of us, felt helpless. Like we couldn't support them enough. We weren't nearby. Yes, we were only a short phone call away. But I couldn't physically be there. I made a few trips, over the years. But it just wasn't the same. Yes, there were many late night calls, with my Cinderella's mom. A very good friend of mine. But it was tough. On all of us.

My group of friends, we rallied together. Did what we could. In a perfect world, we would have delivered 3 hot meals a day. Been there, when they needed a break. Had little parties, to make that sweet girl smile. But we weren't there.

Instead of all the things we couldn't do, we thought about all the things we could do. We could get together, and make cards. Send packages. Help raise money. Pay a few bills for them. Pitch in, for plane tickets home. We did it all!

Each family, in our group of friends, got a week. We'd send a care package, when it was our week. When it was our month, we'd help with one of their bills. In that perfect world, we would be delivering food. Instead, we were sending books, games, snacks, gift cards, anything we thought they'd need or want.

When our friends would make it home, we'd always celebrate with an Orange Party for our little Cinderella. We embraced orange. The color for leukemia. And as a group, we picked Wednesdays. Every single Wednesday, since her diagnosis, we have worn orange.

As she got older, it has become more meaningful. She understands what it means. And understands this beast, that she beat. The kids at her school, also sport orange on Wednesdays. It still brings tears to my eyes, to see all the pictures. Because it's a reminder, that she beat leukemia. She is a survivor. She reached 11 years.

Now, I not only wear orange for my precious Goddaughter...I wear it for my Momma. Back when my Dad was diagnosed with colon cancer, we embraced blue. Wore it proudly on Fridays. And when he went for chemo and radiation. It was a sign...we were fighting colon cancer. Now I will do the same for my Momma.

And I want to ask you, to join me. Sport that orange for my Momma. Every single Wednesday. And when she begins her treatments, I'll let you know. So we can proudly support her. And her battle with leukemia.

It's a small gesture. That doesn't take much. An orange shirt, or bow, or scarf, or hat, or pin. And I ask that you share on your social media. With these tags #OrangeForIrene, #PrayForIrene, #LeukemiaAwareness. Let's show my Momma, that shes' not in this battle alone! 🐦