Race for the Cure 2011

The annual Komen Austin Race for the Cure was held on Sunday. My mom and sisters all came in for the weekend to visit and participate in the race. We are so excited to participate and raise money for this cause that has affected us with my mom being diagnosed twice. My kids even count down the days until the "pink ribbon race." They were all smiles Sunday morning getting up and putting on their shirts for the race day.

I ran the 5k in 30 minutes and 22 seconds. Not to shabby for only having 2 months to prepare after having Marjorie. This was my 4th time running this 5k and my 5th 5k overall. I hope to now train to run the Capital 10k in April next!

We had a great time visiting with all the family here. My aunt Kathy and uncle Randy also made the trip so we got to see them and she did the walking portion of the race with mom, Katy, and the kids. My sister, Katy and brother-in-law, Clay brought their nephew on his side, Cooper, too. My kids had a blast with him playing.

Race for the Cure 2009

My sisters, brother-in-law, and mom all came in this weekend for the 2009 Komen Race for the Cure. We participated in it last year, but it was even more special to us this year with mom fighting breast cancer this year. Mom just had a chemo treatment on Friday, so she didn't walk and my sister Katy, had a small surgery this past week and couldn't walk either, so they kept the kids and walked around to the survivor tent and to see all the other festivities while Tory, Molly, Howard, and I ran. I was pleased with my run time this year of 28 minutes at 1 second....36 seconds better than last year placing 32 in my age 25-29 division of 164 runners. Not too shabby!

We also got a lot of great freebies and it is just fun to be around all that positive energy of everyone pulling together for the cause. The kids also did great and didn't even get out of the strollers the whole time we were there. They were just happy to get all of the little free water bottles and other stuff to play with.

Mom did well this weekend after her chemo. She didn't feel great, I can tell, but enjoyed herself. We told her that she will have to run next year! :)

***I want to say a special thanks to all that supported us in our fundraising for the cure and also to Jamie for our pretty bracelets she made us for the cause as well.

A Whole New Perspective

As most of you are aware, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer yesterday. She found a lump a couple of weeks ago and went in for testing and then was told to come back in to talk to the doctor. Our fears were confirmed. She has it in 4 places in her milk ducts. They are to do a mastectomy on Monday to remove the breast. This is a terrible thing, but also a good thing because they think this should take care of it and she will not have to do radiation or chemo. Please pray for her as she goes through this tough time. She will be in the hospital at least one night and then will be home 3-4 weeks to recover.

It gives me a whole new perspective on a cause that I've been really proud to be a part of over the past year. My sisters and I ran in the Komen Race for the Cure last November and will be doing it again this year. We raised $800 last time, so it is good to know that money went to helping my mom! It really makes me think about God's plan and purpose that we would have been involved in that race out of all that we could have chosen. I'm excited to do it again this year and am even more determined to help the fight against breast cancer. And it will be so wonderful and exciting to have my mom there this year wearing a pink shirt as a survivor!

Please let me know if you would like to join our team and run or walk on November 1st! We'd be happy to have more members on our team, Pink Power!