Relay for Life!

I am sooo behind on my blogging. I have been feeling a little discourage being so behind that I decided to start blogging the stuff happening right now and catch up with the past as I go. I haven't even blogged Camden's birthday from April 13th! Basically what I am saying is that several events (posts) are going to be out of order until I can catch up.

For the past seven months, I have been attending Relay for Life committee meetings as the Kids Camp Co-Chair. This event is to raise money for the American Cancer Society to CELEBRATE, REMEMBER and FIGHT back. I felt good about being being part of Relay since our daddy and hubby, Anson, was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma 20 years ago almost to the date. Ewing's sarcoma is a childhood bone cancer that occurs in young children. Anson was 18. It was rare that he was hit with this type of cancer at such an older age. Anson was told that he had a 50% chance of surviving after the first year, he would lose his leg and of those who survived passed the first year only 50% would survive after five years. After two years of heavy chemotherapy and radiation, Anson became cancer free and has been since. There have been a few bumps in the road, a broken femur that wouldn't heal, but other than that he has led a healthy life.

Rain or shine Relay for Life was to take place May 2 and 3rd and it rained. Here is my little family dressed for the event. Anson as our "Survivor", the kiddos in relay wear and me as "Event Crew". We scrambled around for about an hour Saturday morning at the Kids Camp under our two tents trying to stay dry and set up our activities before the opening ceremonies were to start.

Due to the heavy rain and a muddy and slippery track, the survivors took their lap on the grass. It is emotional for those who are walking and for those who are watching. I watch my two little miracles wait and then cheer for their dad walk by.

After the lap, Anson received his "HOPE" medal. (Sydney is holding it.)

Once the opening ceremonies were over, the events of the day began. At the Kids Camp, you could find sand bracelets (as seen in this picture of Camden), Feeling Pretty crowns to make, decorate a quilt square, make a necklace, face painting, a balloon artist and Anson helping the kids make relay goo.

Ewww....it's relay goo! Probably the most popular event in our tent.

This is a picture of our completed quilt decorated by all ages. The quilt was later raffled off to a lucky person.

Our busy tents.

Sydney and Emma's teachers Mrs. Magana and Mrs. Walker stopped by to give hugs and say hi to the girls.

Thanks to Anson, my kids, co-chair and volunteers Kids Camp was a success. We walked away raising $356.87 yesterday with signs reading "donation accepted". Not only were there fun activities for the kids, but kids with very generous parents who helped up raise money unintentionally.

Not only am I grateful that Anson has stayed cancer free for 20 years, I am extremely grateful for theses little two kids of ours. Anson and I are so lucky to have them in our lives. They are our miracles. Anson's treatments to his cancer prevented the possibility of having kids without assistance (IVF - In vetro fertilization). Thank goodness to a very smart nurse (20 years ago), she suggested that Anson should "deposit" before he began his treatments. These two little miracles are a result from a "deposit" made 20 years ago. Just as Anson is a survivor of the disease so are Sydney and Camden.