Girls' Lunch

I love being a mom to boys, and I love being a mom to girls .... the best of both worlds! Over the past few months, I've had the blessing of being able to do some girls' dates (a few lunches and even Lydia and my overnight getaway at Robyn's).

Today, the boys had a boys' day ice fishing with friends ... while it was a "mild" day with a bit of sunshine and temps in the 20's, no thanks ... more and more I'm getting "annoyed" with winter, and I'm ready for it to be done!  Unfortunately, we likely have a few months of winter still ahead.

Anyhow, the girls' and I took a little drive to meet Elizabeth for lunch.  You may remember Elizabeth, a college roommate, who did her 10th consecutive Breast Cancer 3Day (60 mile) walk this past summer.  AMAZING.  And, she is the friend that coordinated the Stella & Dot fundraising show for me when we were praying Nora home.  Love. this. girl!

Elizabeth brought her sister Emily, who I also adore.  And, I love the sister relationship these two share.  I pray that Lydia and Nora share a similar relationship as they do life together.

Thankful for the blessings of friendships and girls' dates to catch up!  And, I know, aren't we cute in our unplanned matchy-ness?!?! 

Girl's Day

Lydia and I headed down to Chicago on Friday to spend the day and night with my dear friend Robyn.  It was a real treat to be able to spend that much one-on-one time with one of the kiddos and to be able to catch up with one of my besties.

We had amazing weather and were able to explore Robyn's neighborhood, enjoy some yummy treats, and just hang out.  While Lydia had some to-be-expected 4 year old moments, she did great.  When we got home Saturday afternoon she questioned why "Girl's Day" was only one day, and she was convinced that we would be heading to Robyn's again the next day so that we could paint our nails (this is the plan for the next Girl's Day).  

 

 

  

 

 

Thankful for these precious days with my eldest daughter

and my sweet friend!

 

 

And, meanwhile, at home, the boys had a "date" with Grandma Goose!  And, Jason had the boys and Nora out at a local sledding hill. 

 

Fun was had by all!!!

 

 



A Lunch Date

This weekend Nora and I had a little date, it's unusual that just the two of us would get to go someplace together (aside from appointments, that is).  We met one of my very bestest friends for lunch.

This was the first time Robyn got to meet Nora, and I'd say that Nora pretty much adored Robyn (of course, it helps that Robyn got her this super cute owl bib ... and let her play with her iPhone ... those pseudo Aunts, I tell ya!).  

So blessed to call this girl daughter!

My Show Hope Girls

Robyn, Heather & Elizabeth - August 2012

Two of my favorite ladies, so blessed to have these two special friends in my life.  Robyn and Elizabeth both attended / hosted my Stella & Dot open house adoption fundraiser in their Show Hope t-shirts.  And, I was sporting mine as well.  Love these girls!!!!  As I posted before, Elizabeth is a Stella & Dot "stylist" and is donating all of her commissions from my open house to the Nora fund.  Beside myself with gratitude ... 

The open house went really well!!!  And, it was so fun having ladies through the house all afternoon (and some occassional boys despite the "no boys allowed" rule that my super outgoing 7 1/2 year old niece tried to enforce, that girl cracks me up) - lots of chatting, snacking and modeling fun jewelry! 

Thank you to everyone who has been praying for us, encouraging us and supporting us in so many other ways.  We. Are. Humbled.

Because Everyone Deserves a Lifetime ...

                                         1.  Weekend

                                         2.  Walk

                                         3.  Days

                                         4.  A Cure 

 

The Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure

Chicago

August 5-7, 2011

3-Day for the Cure

In February, we may think about pink as it relates to Valentine's Day ... this February my mind is consumed with pink as I think about starting to fundraise, and oh yes, train for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day walk again in Chicago.  Yep, I'm back!!!  And, I'm quite excited.  Six months from today, I will be hitting the pavement with a couple of close friends and thousands of strangers as we begin our 60-mile trek to raise awareness and funds for Breast Cancer research. 

A while back, I wrote about my amazing friend Elizabeth here - so happy to join Elizabeth again after a 3 year break and excited for another friend to join us this year as well for her first 3-Day adventure.  Will it bring sweltering heat?  Torrential downpours?  Blown over tents?  "Take shelter immediately" warnings?  Sunshine?  These things are yet to be seen, but we do know that it will bring tears of joy and tears of sadness, sweat, blisters, laughter, sore muscles, encouragement ... all for a cause that has likely impacted all of us in some way.

Please pray with me for those who are walking and raising awareness for Breast Cancer ... please pray for those who have lost loved ones to Breast Cancer ... please pray and rejoice for those who are celebrating God's gift of conquering their battle with Breast Cancer ... please be in prayer with me as we approach this amazing event.

If you are in a position to donate, you can find my personal page here. 

The Invisible Woman

We watched this today in church, and it made me reflect on how blessed I am to know and love so many "invisible women."  Happy Mother's Day to you all!


Please remember to pause the music at the bottom of the blog page.

The Breast Cancer 3-Day

60 miles ... 3 days ... torrential downpours and storms resulting in tent evacuations ... hazardous heat levels ... sore muscles ... two blisters ... tears of exhaustion ... tears of gratitude ... Breast Cancer awareness raised ... research dollars raised ... lives changed ... LIVES SAVED ... these are some of the incredible memories I have from the two years that I did the Breast Cancer 3-Day walk in Chicago (2006 & 2007). Walking the Breast Cancer 3-Day was physically and emotionally exhausting, but so, so moving ... so incredible. I walked with Team Pedicure founded by my dear friend Elizabeth. This past weekend was Elizabeth's 6th consecutive year walking in the Chicago Breast Cancer 3-Day to raise awareness and raise funds for Breast Cancer research. Elizabeth and I were trying to figure out how much she alone has raised for Breast Cancer research and awareness over these past six years ~ we couldn't get the exact number, but we do know it is well over $20,000. Isn't this girl amazing?
This past weekend again brought rain and a nearly unbearable heat index, but Elizabeth did it! You go girl! I'm proud of you, and I cannot wait to rejoin Team Pedicure!!!!!!