Friday, May 22, 2009

Walk on...

The 2009 Washington, DC Pink Pacers Team!

Well, if you know me at all, then you know that I do the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. It all started in 2006 when I randomly decided that it was time for me to do this walk. I had seen ads for this walk thoughout the years and had always wanted to be a part of it. Anna was 5 months old and I guess I felt like it was time for me to start training. I remember holding her in my arms when I went to the informational meeting to learn more about the walk. While I was in there watching the video about this walk, I looked down at Anna and knew that this was something I had to do. I want her to live in a lifetime when they have found a cure!

It is now 2009 and I have just completed my 3rd walk but been involved in 4 Avon experiences. My friend, Anne, walked this walk with me in '06 and we have not let up since. We started with raising around $6,000 that year and are now looking at a grand total that keeps growing of $100,164.50. Who would have guessed that we would have come so far? I am in awe of what my friends and family have done and will continue to keep putting one foot in front of the other until I can no longer do this anymore. We are making a huge difference. My friends have joined me in this fight and for that, I am forever gratefull. I am truly humbled but what many can do for one cause. Thank you to those that have helped, walked and will continue to fight this fight.
For 2 days we walk as 1.

I look forward to the day when Anna only has to worry about putting pink ribbons in her daughter's hair -- and not on her shirt.

Walk on Pink Pacers!
'06,'07,'08,'09
The legacy continues

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

My sweet Anna

When Scott was 2 years old, I wrote about what he was like and all of his likes and dislikes. I thought it would be cool to read in the future and I was right. Now it is Anna's turn!

Anna Ramsey Gilliam
3 1/2 years old


Anna, you have a girlie nurturing side.

Anna, you love anything pink and purple these days. You are such a cute girlie girl and I love it! I am having so much fun dressing you in gorgeous dresses and watching you play dress up. There are many days I will come upstairs and see your dress up clothes sprawled out all over the floor. Your favorite items are your jewelry and your ballet tutus. There is nothing cuter then you dolled up in these things at once. Another thing that you love is playing mommy to your dolls and to your stuffed animals. Not only will I come upstairs and see you dressed up but I will also come up stairs and see your stuffed animals and dolls lying all over the floor with little blankets on them. As soon as I get to the top of the stairs you rush over and say SHHHHHHHHH they are sleeping! So I have to tip toe around as to not wake the animals and babies all over the floor.
Anna, you are a nurturer and a dreamer.

I love your sweet nurturing side. One of things that you love doing is watering all of the plants outside. You will diligently walk from your water table over to each and every plant in the back yard and make sure they all get drinks. You are so careful and loving when you do this. Thank goodness you could spend hours doing this because your mommy does not have a green thumb! Those plants would not be doing well if it were not for this nurturing side. You spend so much time out there singing and playing in the yard.
Anna, you love music.

You have surprised us with your knowledge. You were an angel in the Christmas Pageant this past year when you were a newly turned 3 year old. Throughout the Holiday Season we had a CD of the Christmas music playing in the car that you and Scott needed to learn. Scott had the words and he would practice every time we drove around. When we got to the Pageant, I was blown away by the fact that you knew all of the words to the songs. We had no idea that you were soaking it all in as Scott would practice the words. I am not sure you will ever fully understand how adorable you were when you would sing Glooooooooooooreeeeaaaaa. Your little mouth would create a perfect circle when you would sing. It was as close to angelic as you could ever be. I could not take enough pictures of you during this Pageant. It was a wonderful moment in my Mommy life.
Anna, you are strong.

When you turned 2, Dr Lail told us that you were beyond your years in agility. She said you were stronger then many 4 year olds that she sees. I have to say, that I was very proud. I loved hearing that my little baby girl was strong. Being a strong female is a wonderful trait and you are that, my girl. Did you know that when you were under 2 years old you could actually jump on the trampoline! It was crazy to watch and I loved every minute of it. You love to sprint up and down the alley, you love to kick and chase the ball, and you can even jump rope!

Anna, we love you. We love that you are strong willed even though it challenges us on so many levels. We love that you cut your beautiful brown eyes our way when you are trying to get what you want. We love that you love animals, your dolls, dressing up and most importantly your brother. You cried today when he had to go into church for choir practice. Whenever we go to the store and you get a treat, you always make sure your Scott gets one too. I am not sure I could be more proud of you then I am right now, but I am guessing this will continue to happen. Stay true to who you are and know that you are always loved.



We are Fancy

We are just so fancy.
Maggie Bowersox had a Fancy Nancy party this past weekend and Kaitlyn, Anna and I were ready to party! You can't go to a party with out a wedding veil and sparkles....Duh!


Klassy

This is what Dave and I like to call Class with a K.
There is no shade in our backyard. As a result, we have to sit in the far corner of the yard if we want to sit outside during the day in the spring and summer months.
We are Klassay!
Cheers!

Friends for life

I think that I might be in the absolute best neighborhood in the entire world. Our neighbors are like an extended family and I could not feel more blessed. This is sweet Maizie that lives next door to us. If she hears us playing in the backyard, I can see the latch on our garden gate open and here comes Maizie. You know what is even cooler then that? Hearing Anna squeel..MAIZIE IS HERE! Ahhh, could I be any more in heaven?


Mother's Day

Could my family be any more adorable? Sometimes I have to remind myself that these are my children. I never in my life would have thought that they would be this cute AND functioning human beings with me as their mother!
Score!








Fun little article from my high school newsletter. YAY!

Liza Vaughan Coonse '93 and Katy McCartney Gilliam '93 participated in the 2009 Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. They were part of the group, “The Pink Pacers,” which Katy founded in 2006. Katy writes, “Two of the many reasons why I do this walk are from STAB. Sally Miller was a math teacher. She had breast cancer and passed away after I graduated. Another reason is Lynn Tate Dillingham '88. She is our classmate, Chris Tate's ’93 sister who passed away last year. I started the Pink Pacers in 2006 and we have been going strong ever since. It was great to have Liza join the team as well. We finished the final mile singing ‘For all the Saints’! Yes, we were delirious!” They walked 26.2 miles on Saturday, and 13.1 miles on Sunday—all so that medically underserved women and men can get the medical care they need and leading research teams can receive vital support in their ongoing search for a cure. The Pink Pacers raised over $100,000 for breast cancer research