Falls Park

I didn't have an opportunity earlier in the month to mention the good things we have going on for the month of November.  A PanCan group that I'm now a part of was able to turn the Falls Park fountain purple for two weeks in honor of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness month.  We had a little ceremony to remember our loved ones a few weekends ago.  

A special thanks to Blake, Kaley, Dad, and Aunt Shay who all donated money to help pay for the dye. We should have enough to dye the fountain again next November!

Thanksgiving Break

Thanksgiving break came just in time.  I was feeling a little overwhelmed with the amount of work I had waiting on me when I returned to school.  Hopefully things will start to slow down after progress reports this week.

We had a nice break.  We went up to Rabun Gap and ate with the Floyds, Rasmussens, and lots of cousins.  It was nice to be back at Papa and Nana's house.  Below are a few pics.

Hayden snuggling with Aunt Kaley

Nick and Aunt Stephanie

B and her cousins- Mia, Ella, and Alli had a great time playing together

 Love this little girl!

Playing with Uncle Blake and Kaley's dog, Sadie

Hayden sitting up like a big boy.
Below is a picture of B sitting up for the first time when she was Hayden's age.

The view from Papa and Nana's backyard.  Mom is buried on the hill behind the barn in the distance.

Back to School

What an exhausting week it has been around here.  Hayden started school last Tuesday.  His school has cameras in the classroom, so it is comforting to be able to check on him during the day.

I have to say that my first week back to school kicked my butt. Grades are due for progress reports, only one day with planning time, and trying to get my classroom organized has been stressful.  All that on top of sleepless nights makes me really thankful that this week is only two days.  I need some recovery time!    The pic above is of Hayden heading off to school on his first day.  

It's Official

Yesterday we received a proclamation from the city of Greer recognizing November as National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness month.

Here the mayor is giving Joyce the proclamation.

Signing the proclamation

People

It's funny how people are placed in your life.  

I never really noticed it until this summer when Mom was so sick.  I don't think I would have made it through the summer without Blair.  I met Blair when we moved back to Greenville.  Our classrooms were right next door to each other and we hit it off right away.  It's funny, some people you meet and immediately you feel like you have known them your entire life.  Others you can know for years and never really know them.  

Blair lost her mom to Alzheimer's a few weeks after we met. She had just had her youngest son, Garren a few months earlier.   Her mother fought bravely for eight years and Blair watched as her dad struggled through caring for her mom.  Sound familiar?  Like I said, if I didn't have Blair answering my phone calls 2 and 3 times a day this summer I wouldn't have made it through.  

Blair and her sweet family.

During the time that mom was sick and afterwards I kept looking for a way to get involved in Greenville with pancreatic cancer awareness.  I found one national organization on facebook called The Pancreatic Action Network. (If you are on fb, look them up and "like" them) Still, I couldn't find any Greenville groups.  About a month ago I finally just gave up looking and decided I was wasting my time.  The next day I took Brooklynn to dance class.  A little girl in B's class named Julia always had her grandmother and mother with her each week.  As I sat across from them I noticed they had on purple awareness ribbons.  I never said anything because, well, you don't just ask people who they know that died of pancreatic cancer.  We had chatted several times, but then I overheard them talking to one another about a pancreatic cancer walk.  I jumped in the conversation, and as we talked I discovered that little Julia had lost her uncle to pancreatic cancer.  His name was Josh and he was only 35 years old.  Josh survived 19 months.  

Jess and Joyce went on to tell me that they have a small group here in Greenville that organizes things for pancreatic cancer awareness.  Again, like I said earlier- it's weird how people are placed in your life.  It has helped me so much to talk to others who have lost and witnessed this nasty disease.  I've also met Heidi.  Who is a few years younger than me, but lost her mom six weeks after her diagnosis.  Together we are hoping to raise money for research and bring awareness to the Upstate.  Jess and Joyce have already worked very hard to do this.  

November is National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness month,  and Joyce recently got a digital billboard on Pelham and Woodruff roads.  Check it out:

Happy Halloween . . .

a day late!  Yesterday was so busy I didn't have time to post.  

B got to wear her clown costume to school.  Dad, Hayden and I went over for The Goddard School costume parade and it sure was windy and cold!

Waiting for the parade to start with her class.  B is third from the left.

B and her best bud, Sam.

B and Gia

Last night we had another parade in our neighborhood which is always exciting because it is led by a fire truck!  I didn't take any pics because I was carrying Hayden.  

Afterwards Pops and some of B's aunts and uncles came over to enjoy watching her trick or treat.

I hate to sound lazy but trick or treating is much more fun when golf carts are involved, especially since there are over 400 houses in our neighborhood.  We were able to skip the boring houses and go straight to the houses with lots of decorations.  B loved it.

Uncle Blake and Aunt Kaley brought their golf cart over too!

 Pops had a good time driving B around!

Our sweet neighbors across the street made B a special Halloween bag.  They even gave her a Chic Fila gift certificate.  They must know that a little girl loves that place!

My sweet clown all bundled up!

So glad Uncle Justin and Aunt Kayla came along!

Mommy's Little Pumpkin stayed home and handed out candy with Daddy.

Getting the hang of this trick or treat thing.

Yes, that is my front yard with ankle deep leaves.  I even raked three days last week!