Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and although September is almost over, I wanted to bring attention to this cause. In the United States over 12,000 children under the age of 21 are diagnosed with cancer every year, and approximately 3,000 will not survive. These are heart-breaking statistics. There are so many families hurting because of the effects of cancer...families who have a child battling cancer and families who are dealing with the loss of a child due to cancer. Which brings me to my reason for this post. About a year and a half ago, I stumbled by accident upon a family blog. A family who had a child battling a brain tumor. As I began reading, it was so sad to me what this family was facing. I sat there for almost two hours reading their blog from the beginning. Sadly several months after I found their blog, their son lost his fight with cancer the day after he turned four. I do not know this family, and they do not know me. I check in on their blog from time to time, but I pray for them almost every night. Gillian, Joseph's mother, has a wonderful gift...a gift of witnessing God's love for us all. In the midst of her pain, hurt, and grief she shared their life ( and suffering) with anyone who cared to read. The work of Christ in her amazes me. I urge any of you, especially mothers, to take the time to read her blog. Because of her, I realize how extremely lucky I am to be the mother to three beautiful, healthy and wonderful kids...who are not perfect, who not always easy, who are not always well-behaved, but are alive and healthy!! It really puts things in perspective and makes me so grateful for what God has given me. I am truly blessed.

www.prayforjoseph.blogspot.com

My Baby is Scootin'

It's official....D is mobile!! He has perfected the "army crawl" and is roaming all over the house! He LOVES being on his stomach on the floor free to move around. He uses his arms to pull and his toes to push. It is amazing how fast he can get around. In this picture he had gotten a hold of this toy, played with it for a few minutes and then left it in the dust. He was headed for PJ...you just can't see him in the picture. He has done everything faster than Georgie and Jack. He has been studying them for six months now, and he is ready to play!!

Bridge and Dam Pictures

Because of all the recent rain, six of the flood gates are down on the dam. We took these pictures of the bridge and dam from the Alabama Power Plant on the west side of the river.

Tallassee High School Homecoming

The Class of '90

This weekend was homecoming at THS. This was Michael's 20 year class reunion!! I can't believe he has been out of school twenty years! Michael and I started dating at the end of his senior year, so that means we have been together 20 years too! It was fun getting to see people we haven't seen in years! I think the Class of '90 looked pretty good!! The festivities started out Friday night with a candlelight ceremony (which his class started 20 years ago) and a bon fire.

Lisa, Deonna, Michael, Jack and Allison

Jack, Michael, Bart and Tonya

Michael, Richie and Michael

Friday morning was the pep rally, which the radio station broadcast on the radio and webcam. Georgia went and had a blast with her Daddy! After the pep rally the Class of 2010 hosted a welcoming reception/tea for the returning class.


Georgie and Michael at the pep rally

Future cheerleader, Georgie, with the THS Varsity Cheerleaders

Kiley and Georgia


Broadcasting the pep rally on the radio (Georgie took this picture...pretty good, huh?)






Then that afternoon, we headed out for the homecoming parade. Michael's class rode on a float together, and the families rode on a separate float behind the class. Georgia marched in the parade with Studio B Dance Center, so we skipped riding so we could see Daddy and Georgie.

Nana and Daniel (this was D's first parade)

Class of '90

Michael sitting next to Richie, Chris and Lorissa


Georgie twirling


She stopped twirling when she saw us for a quick wave

Relaxing after the parade. She said she sure was tired from all that walking!

Georgie with her baton teacher, Mrs. Cindy

Roll Tide, Baby!

Baby Daniel says, "Roll Tide Roll!"

Twirling Princesses

The Tallassee High School Majorettes held a "Twirling Princess" baton camp this summer. The girls who participated got to twirl at the first Tallassee Tiger home game, which was tonight. Georgia Anne has been so excited about getting to twirl with the majorettes on the football field! When we got home I asked her if she had fun. Her response, "Oh, yeah! I love all those people looking at me." What a mess she is!!

Georgia Anne and Cannon


Pre-game practice

On the field....can't you tell she is lovin' it??

All smiles...

Gotta love this move...

Shaking it... (I know you can't tell in the picture, but Georgia Anne has some serious hip action goin' on here)



Afterwards with her buddies: Georgia Anne, Cannon, Kirsten and Kiley

Just the Boys

This was my best attempt at the two together. Jack doesn't like to hold Daniel very long, and Daniel still needs support to sit up, so I only got a few of them together. Daniel is fast approaching being the same size as Jack. Maybe soon they can wear the same clothes!!