{Why I Relay}-year 2 at ACS Relay for Life

I've always said that people come into your life for a reason-whether good or bad. I've now been blessed to be part of an amazing Relay for Life team for the last two years. While I'm no longer friends with the chick that introduced me to this wonderful group of women, I can't help but be grateful to have known her because without her I may not know the amazing women that I'm happy to have as part of my Relay family.

Like many others, I too have been touched by cancer. While I personally have not had to battle the beast myself, I've lost love ones.

So when people ask me why I relay this is what I should say...

I relay for my grandparents. I relay because they should've seen me graduate high school. They should've gotten the chance to know me as an adult. They should've seen me marry my best friend. They should've been able to spoil and love my beautiful boys. I had the greatest grandparents!

I relay for my husband's great aunt. She was a beautiful, giving thoughtful women. I'll never forget the day I first met her, she had the warmest smile and gave the greatest hugs. She welcomed me to the family as if she'd known me for years. I relay because she should've been able to spoil her grand daughter for more than 2 short years. I relay because she'd be so happy for her other daughter and her new baby on the way.

I relay for my neighbors. She is a survivor and is now a caregiver for her husband. They not only love my hubby and I but the love my boys like their own grandchildren. I relay so we can continue to love them and they can be around for many more years to come.

I relay for my husbands grandparents. I never met them, but would've loved the opportunity to. I relay for my husbands uncle, another member of the family I never got to meet.

And I relay in hopes that my children will never have to worry about missing out on meeting, loving, spoiling or being spoiled by family member because of this terrible disease.

To say that Relay was amazing, would not give it justice. It was so much more than that. It was a day to inspire, a day to celebrate, a day to remember and a day to fight back.  This next year, I've decided that being part of a team is amazing, but I want to do more. I'll be joining the committee that helps to plan the big event. I can't wait to get to keep you posted as planning starts!

We actually went to two Relays! One on May 19th (Menifee) that was just a mile from our house. We walked there and back. And we surprised our neighbors (Grandma Ruth and Papa Andy) with a Luminaria in their honor.  (Above left is...) My boys #2 and #3 showing grandma Ruth the luminaria. (bottom Left and right...) Boy #4 enjoying time with his grandma and papa...check out grandma's mix match socks for the spirit laps. 

Ruth and I in our mix match socks. Baby #5 wearing his Relay tie-dye shirt and looking very sleepy. He was such a trooper and stayed the night with me. He was so good! And technically this is his 2nd relay...I was pregnant with him last year. And a cute picture of 'us'...we don't have many anymore. We are usually the ones taking the pictures. 

Above is the collage from the 1st Relay of this year.  Can't wait until next year! There are Relay events EVERYWHERE, be sure to check out the one in your town. 

 

{Insta-Friday} #4

It has been a busy couple of weeks at my house...what am I saying?!? It's almost always a busy week at my house!

The Friday beforelast, we celebrated my boy #2's 9th birthday with an outdoor movie party. I'm lucky that my father in law has a "collection" of awesome amazing and expensive electronics. The whole neighborhood was invited and I think the parents enjoyed the movie (The Goonies) even more than the kids did!

The weather has been awesome so we took a great little walk (kids rode bikes) around the neighborhood. I've wanted a cute beach cruiser bike for a while, but with our large family we'd stretch from one block to the next if we were all riding. So for now, I'll settle on pushing the babies in the stroller.

In all of my spare time (ha!) I'm also a volunteer photographer for the Operation Love organization. They help set up military families with professional photographers to capture happy homecomings after long deployments. This particular mom contacted me over 3 months ago. After hearing her story, I couldn't turn her away. Her husband was home for the birth of their triplets (!!!!!) but left when they were only 3 weeks old. I mean how could I not be there right?!? It's a long and usually stressful drive with LOTS of traffic, but homecomings are awesome, really awesome!

And I couldn't help myself with this collage of bubba #5 as he was waking up from a short (they're always short) nap in my arms. 

{Insta-Friday} #3

No, it's not Friday again I'm just a few days late with my Insta-Friday post. To say it was a busy week would be an understatement. Hubby was gone for the week so I was flying solo with my small army.

Baby P had his 4 month baby check-up (although I was late and he's actually 5 months).  And let me start by saying how much I LOVE my kids' pediatrician,  with that said,  she must have been having a bad day...like really bad. The office was packed and I patiently panicked for over 2.5 hours! Yes you read that correctly. Not 2.5 minutes but over 150 minutes!!! As if waiting that long with a 5 month old isn't bad enough, throw a 2 year old in the mix. It is a new kind of torture. I was panicking inside waiting for the moment that my 2 year old would be done and I was shocked that it actually never came. Thanks to my favorite iphone/ipad app Balloonimals. He was content and happy the whole time. I however was sweating bullets! After the appoinment, both baby and 2 year old were fast asleep!

While the hubby is away the wife will play well some might, but I'd prefer the late night peace and quiet crafting time with me, myself and I! I finally changed over my Spring/Easter mantle and added a new print from Barn Owl Primatives, shells and starfish (I already had) a couple of pictures and my burlap and spring pendant banners. Simple and quick! I also started working on some pegs for upcoming goodies bags and a NEW product that we'll be debuting soon. We still aren't sure if we'll sell said new item early or if we'll wait until Queen Bee. Keep your eyes out!