Camp Experience

In late August I received an e-mail from the LFA stating that Children’s Medical Center was looking for volunteers for a few weekend camps; one camp was called Camp Lupapalooza – a camp for girls ages 11-17 with Lupus.  I applied as soon as I could. I was especially motivated to participate since I was diagnosed with SLE at 16.

We loaded the buses at Children’s on Friday, September 30, 2011 and had a very quiet ride to Camp John Marc in Meridian, TX.  Camp John Marc (CJM) is a 178-acre camp specially designed for children with special needs and/or chronic illnesses; it is AMAZING!  Some of our awesome activities included a ropes course, art, pottery, archery, fishing, star-gazing, and even a Q&A with a Pediatric Rheumatologist.  It was an action-packed, exhausting weekend…and I loved every minute!

What I’ll remember most: “my” girls, the girls in my cabin.  I was one of 4 counselors in my cabin (2 camp veterans and 1 other newbie) and we had 6 campers. Knowing the strength it takes just to get up each day with Lupus, these girls were incredible with the challenges they took on, including climbing a rock wall and taking a zip line to get down! The best part: watching them take care of each other and hearing them cheer each other on.  They were friends before we went to sleep the first night. They discussed treatments and calmed each other’s fears about upcoming obstacles. One of our girls had not wanted to go to camp at all but was talking about next year before the weekend was done. I couldn’t stop thinking of one of them this Monday because I knew she was at Children’s starting chemo. There are so many silent fighters out there, battling Lupus every day and waking up each morning having survived another day. 

Camp gives them the chance to feel “normal” and be around people you don’t have to explain medications & limitations to. My biggest fear: there won’t be a camp next year.  The problem is funding.  We had enough money to take about 18 girls this year but the money was barely scraped together for camp at all. My current mission is to get sponsors or funding of some kind so Lupus kids can go to camp every year to make some friends they’ll always remember and have an experience they will never forget.

(This is the "short" version...sorry.)

Welcoming Fall

Wow, time has gotten away from me. Let's see if I can catch everyone up without writing a novel! Okay, April 2011 - for starters, Scott started a new job.  He left HP and went to Bank of America.  So far, things are going well for him there.  He's back working in an office with the luxury of working from home when he needs or wants to.  He likes the people he works with and has actual social interaction with people on a daily basis. (HP had become a mostly work-from-home job with only conference calls.)  I'm so glad he made the move - he is happier and less-stressed when he comes  home.  We had 18 adults & 3 kids walk for our team at the DFW Walk for Lupus Now event and  raised over $4,000! We had such a great time!  We always have fun and welcome anyone who wants to walk with us.  The great thing is participating is FREE.  You can donate or raise money if you want to but all that's required is showing up.

In May, the sisters & I took Mom out for Mother's Day the Saturday before.  We went to lunch at The Pantry in Downtown McKinney.  Afterwards we walked the McKinney Square and ducked into some of the shops, stopping for coffee along the way.  We, of course, stopped at Mom & Popcorn and got some candy, where we picked up these fun old favorites. Things got a little silly after that...but we had so much fun! I also changed jobs in May.  I got the wonderful opportunity to work for Kids Club again, but on the Administration side this time!  I still work for the District but this is like going home.  My friends (& family) are there and I'm ridiculously happy in my position.

June was a busy month.  Scott went to a 3-day camping & paintball D-Day reenactment tournament bachelor party.  Confused? He and a group of guys drove to Oklahoma to play in a paintball tournament (about 4,000 people were there) that was a D-Day reenactment. It was crazy (from what I heard). While he was gone I had some time on my hands.  That weekend happened to be Brenden's 4th birthday party, which was held at local fire station #3 (his current obsession).  I offered to make the cupcakes for his party.  I made the icing look like flames with a little fire hat on top.  I have since been asked to do a birthday party next year for one of the kids that attended.  I'm hoping that this turns into a little side business...

July was slightly less busy.  We celebrated our 3rd anniversary on the 5th (that went by FAST). We painted our bedroom. I had the week of July 4th off so that kept me busy while Scott was at work.  It turned out great - slowly but surely this house is looking more like a home. I ordered the quote in the picture online and am so glad I did.  It's perfect!  We drove to Waco to see our good friend, Mike, get married on July 9th.  They looked wonderful; we were so blessed to share the joy of their day and be witness to their commitment.

In August, things were a little crazy as the school year began at the district; our office definitely stayed busy! I gotta say though, working over-time is much easier when you love your job. Scott sold his old car and got a new 2012 4-door Ford Focus.  It's awesome!  I actually like this car - sorry the old one like like an Easter egg. We celebrated Nana's 80th birthday with the Reed family on the 20th. We threw a surprise party for her (she's tough - she did fine with the surprise part).  We had old friends, neighbors, & family from all over the country attend.  My dad (Nana's oldest child) got in touch with family and friends and had everyone make a video clip for Nana, which Scott combined with pictures from Nana's life and made this great video. I think it was a hit.

Finally, we come to September. Tomorrow we are going to the last Texas Rangers game of the regular season with the Perkins family; I can't wait! On the 30th I leave to volunteer as a weekend camp counselor at Camp Lupapalooza, a camp for girls ages 11 - 17 who have been diagnosed with Lupus.  I am really excited.  While I'm gone, Scott will either spend Saturday at the Texas A&M v. Arkansas game with Bryan or shooting with Travis.  Go figure that those opportunities would arise while I'm gone.  Oh well - my weekend with the girls is going to be amazing.  I will be posting after I get back.

Until then, take care and God Bless!

Good friends, great family, amazing life!

Hmmm....where to start... Well, we finally have some neighbors on our side of the street!  A newlywed couple moved in 2 doors down from us.  Daniel and Hannah came over for burgers on Sunday - turns out we have a ton in common and we are so excited they moved here.  We're finally making friends here and it's fun. (Yes, I'm cheesy but this isn't new.) We also decided to rip out everything in our flowerbed.  Gotta love that the construction crew left shingles, coke cans, and cement just under the mulch. Lovely.  But we ripped it up - well, Scott ripped it up and I planted.  We replaced every plant they put in.

The DFW Walk for Lupus Now 2011 event is just days away! Our team has raised  $3,755 so far!  I am so excited for the walk.  Our team always has such a blast walking together and goofing off.  The event is so much fun and the support is wonderful!  My family and friends are the best a girl could ask for.  No matter what happens with the little things, when it comes to the big things and you need someone to stand by you during the most difficult part of your life, I know I have a truly strong support system.  I will be forever grateful to the people who have stuck by me.

Last month we celebrated our niece's 1st birthday!  I can't believe she's already a year old!  I love that we are close enough to see her grow up!  Of course I'm putting pictures with this post because everyone should get to see how beautiful she is.  Brenden and Maddie are the cutest kiddos on the planet, and I love them so much!

I am so grateful for this amazing life!  Take care and God Bless!

Snow & Ice

During our hot summer Scott predicted we would have a warm winter; I disagreed since we live in Texas, and nothing ever makes sense here.  Lo and behold, last week was one of the coldest we've had in a while with temperatures getting down to 12 degrees (wind chill at 0).  The school district I work for was closed for 4 days, Tuesday through Friday!  I don't think that's ever happened before.  Of course, I had to take pictures of the house; the last time we saw this much snow all that stood here was the foundation.

Friday was the best day to me.  I had been stuck in the house all week because of the ice but it snowed most of Friday morning making the roads more manageable (for the most part). Scott and I ventured out for lunch then "played" in the snow with Harley later in the day once Scott was finished with work.

Harley's Igloo-doghouse

My family 

I'm so blessed.  Loving this life we share.  Hope everyone can find something they love more than anything and be grateful for that blessing. Take care and God Bless!