What??? Swine Flu???

Ok so many of us are thinking about it....the new Swine Flu Epidemic going around. I am nervous, as I am sure many of you are, so I have decided we all need to start wearing hazmat suits! HA! I guess all we can do is wash our hands, avoid public places and watch for signs in our children. Be Well Everyone!

The update of all updates

This has to be my longest update. I just haven't found time (until now) to upload pictures. So here goes....

Saturday before Easter the girls and I went with our dear neighbor and her daughters to Incredible Pizza for some Easter egg hunting and games. We had a blast and I am so glad that we went. thanks Tonya for inviting us to tag along.

Madison would would not leave the poor bunny alone
Madison egg hunting...I must say...for her age group she was pretty fast.

Skyler waiting for her age group to be let in for some hunting

She landed on bonus on a machine and won 125 tickets..this picture doesn't show her true excitement because she wanted to run and spend her tickets and I wanted to take a picture. HA!

Then we were off to my uncle Donnie's house for some crawfish. Here is Madison and my niece playing in the dirt.

Some of the kids at the party.

We have some totally awesome neighbors...they woke up around 5am to put eggs in the yards around their house. (the ones who have little ones) This is what our front yard looked like. There were also good bags sitting on the front porch for each of the girls. Thanks Tonya....you are soooo sweet!

This was just before Skyler noticed that the Easter Bunny had hidden real eggs in the house. After this picture they were both running around like wild animals gathering the eggs in the house.

Bad pic but...Skyler and Madison got bunnies for Easter...One black and one white so that don't fight over whose is whose.

Sure she looks sweet but two seconds later she was holding the bunny upside down and running. :o)

Skyler LOVES her bunny and she is so gentle with him. Her bunny actually likes her to, he will come to her if she walks away and sit down.

Skyler has been doing really well in softball this season. She hits entirely off coach pitch and I can't even remember the last time she struck out. She is also getting confident enough to put some meat behind it and almost all of her hits are going into the outfield. Actually tonight she hit a GRAND SLAM!!! Totally awesome....everyone stood and cheered for her. I was soooo proud of her that even though I am the coach and I was supposed to be pitching, I ran off the field and gave her a big hug and picked her up and swung her around! I couldn't help it....I was a proud mommy. The down side to coaching is that I can't take pics of the games. These are the only two pictures that I have gotten so far.

This is just a funny one of Madison. She game in the office tonight dressed like this while I was working on my blog. Silly girl....dress up clothes and a helmet. NICE!

I haven't posted this yet but Skyler has been riding her bike with no training wheels for a few weeks now and she is doing pretty good. She is still a bit wobbly and scared on her "big bike" but she's getting it.

Cozumel...here we come!

Schuyler and I are taking another cruise in June. This one will be a bit different than past cruises...we are going with about 16 or so other friends. We are excited! It will be a short one (4 days) out of Galveston to Cozumel and back but I foresee some relaxation and a lot of fun! :o)

Spring Time!

We are so happy that spring is here...hopefully to stay! Oh...and can you say like mother like daughter??? :o)

Avon Breast Cancer Walk 2009

Well… I did it. I walked 26.2 miles in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. I am still nursing the sore muscles, but what an amazing, wonderful experience. Our Team the "Hikers for Healthy Hooters" raised over $7,500 to go towards this much deserving cause. And believe me the money is well spent. Avon distributes millions of dollars to medical centers, research grants to hospitals and care to thousands of women who do not have insurance for treatment. Throughout the weekend, ribbons are passed out every 3 minutes signifying another person who has just been diagnosed. During our two days together, 676 people have learned they have breast cancer and 147 have lost their battle.

The walk itself was fun, but I will admit much harder than I thought it would be. I thought I was prepared, I did training walks and knew what I was in for, but there was a time towards the end when my knee was killing me and my muscles didn't want to move anymore, that I wondered why I was torturing myself. But when I crossed the finish line, I couldn’t wait to do it again next year. The support and motivation that we got from the people of Houston was wonderful. People came out of their homes to cheer you on, little kids passed out candy, cookies, chocolates, donuts and lemonade. People along the route decorated their homes, made signs, played music and dressed in costumes to keep us going. Everyone walking had a reason. They carried pictures of loved ones lost or fighting cancer. I dedicated my walk to my girls and met other moms walking for their little girls too. You really do feel a connection with these people. We are all there for the same reason — to find a cure. At one point 3 of my team mates were all in Medical being treated for one thing or another, but that did not stop any of us. In the midst of my pain I was thinking ‘how can I do this?’ Now I am thinking ‘how could I not?’

Hikers for Healthy Hooters Cindy, Crystal, Nikki, me

(shirts say don't let cancer steal second base)

I made new friendships and strengthened old ones. I guess rubbing a teammates achy feet with lotion will bring anyone closer together. We shared an experience not soon to be forgotten. I am walking away from this, or limping I should say, with great memories of a truly emotional, rewarding experience and I am reminded to keep things in perspective and to be thankful for my health and the health of my family and friends. I did this for my girls future and many more others! There was one sign that really touched my heart that said - "Some angels have wings others have sneakers"! Talk about MOTIVATION!!!

Avon is extremely organized and takes good care of the walkers. From the rest stops providing so much wonderfully cold drinks and snacks, to cold wet wash rags, to cheering and encouragement, to VERY encouraging signs along the route, to free massages and free adjustments from a chiropractor to MANY MORE! If you have ever considered doing the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, I hope my story convinces you to take the challenge. Not only do you raise money for breast cancer, you share a fun, meaningful experience with thousands of women (and a few men). After my muscles relax, I know that I will be left with a sense of accomplishment and great memories of an event I look forward to doing again and again.

Here we all are Saturday morning around 6:00am eating and getting ready for the opening ceremonies. Dark outside but you can get a sense of how many people there were.

Looking at downtown Houston as the sun was coming up Sat. morning

Us starting to walk...there was line of ladies as far as you could see

Us at mile one...still a bit chilly and having no issues.

One of the "sweaper vehicles" to take you to the next stop or medical if you needed it.

Us at mile 13 on Saturday....a few with blisters and we were all pretty tired. Around mile 11 was where we all started to hit a brick wall. But still having fun.Some of the volunteers who dressed up to pass out drinks and snacks. They were all so nice.

One of our MANY restroom breaks thanks to Crystal and her pea sized bladder. :o) I so do not love the porta potties but it was better than behind a tree...right?

Us at mile 26, hurting all over the place and VERY TIRED but happy and excited. There was a huge feeling of accomplishment that came along with walking 26 miles and doing it all for such a great cause. Thanks again to all who helped us raise the donation money.

Us coming through the finish line on Sunday! So exciting with thousands of people and media there cheering you on! Also, my mom and grandmaw came to greet us with hugs at the finish line and told us how proud they were of us. Thanks for being there mom and mamaw - I love you both very much!

You guys are AWESOME!!!

Hurray! I made it to my donation goal of $1,800. Actually a bit over....$2,100. Thanks to all that helped support me and the Avon Breast Cancer Foundation! You guys are awesome!

All those that helped me reach my goal:
American Coatings
GNC Motors (Greg and Candy)
DW Cloyd Construction (Bill)
Lynn Kutina
Billy and Anita Nixon
Eddie Alldredge
Frank Messer
Jennifer and Johnny Heaton
Terry and Kay Howell
Butch and Angie Cloyd
Mike and Evelyn Doss
And many cash donations from my fellow co-workers that all added up!

Again Thanks So Much for supporting so a deserving cause!!!! You guys did your part now it is time for me to do mine! Walking the 27 miles! I will let you know how it goes. :o)

"You are not a dog"....

This morning Madison and I had a very interesting conversation.

Me: Madison, please get out from under my bed.
Madison: But Casey is under here.
Me: Casey is a dog and you are not, so get out.
Madison: But she is my best friends.
Me: Madison....get out of there.
Madison: But we are having a party.
Me: Madison....I am serious, don't make me tell you again.
Madison: (as she is getting out from under the bed) Ok....you get what you get and you don't throw a fit!

That little saying is something that I tell the girls when complain about something they get....or wanting what the other one has....so I am not sure if Madison was telling her self that or me. But it made me laugh. At least I won the battle, right??? :o)