Yes I can...yes YOU can!

Guess what? I have decided to participate in a 1/2 marathon on behalf of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training. Yep, you've heard right...13.1 miles. The marathon is on June 1 in San Diego. I need to raise $3950.00 to be able to go --- as 75% raised goes directly to LLS.

Why? Those who know me, know that I have tons of reasons why...because of tons of little children suffering from horrible illness. All types of leukemia, cancer, genetic disorders, and many others. Why do our children have to suffer?? Why the innocent? Well, I am sure that is a question most of ask at one time or another in our lives. Like most, I can't stand it! Most of these children know nothing else but pokes, prods, medicine, hospitals, sickness, & death of others all around them. I follow several children though support websites, such as Caringbridge & Care Pages. These sites provide the access for the parents to post treatment and daily journals about their children. I have followed many children that have passed away. Sound depressing...well it is!

However, I have realized how lucky I am. I have four gorgeous, healthy, happy children. If anything good has come out of my journey with these sites, it's the fact that I am very grateful. I am grateful that my children can run around the house, screaming at the top of their lungs. Sure these occurrences can drive me crazy, but then I remember the sick children. I am sure their parents only wish they could run around and act like crazy maniacs...to be normal children.

Running in this marathon is my way to give back, and I hope that you will support me in this endeavour. Check out my website for more details or to make a donation: http://www.active.com/donate/tntks/tntksCWUNSCH.

Praying for a cure & injury free training.

Carrie

Beetle Juice, Beetle Juice, Beetle Juice

Don't pay any attention to the freshly spackled walls, the random items on the floor, the dog trying to steal the show, or my big frickin mouth in the background.

The many faces of Goose!

Ooh-La-La Lucie is 1

Our Lucie girl turns 1 today. Seriously, I cannot believe that she is already one…not to mention WALKING!! We celebrated her birthday last Sunday, and Joley (her God-mother) and Rob planned one helluva party. The theme was French Pink Poodles. Decorations included: pink poodles galore, ninety pink & purple balloons, pink and purple streamers, pink Eiffel Towers, pink M&M’s, pink & purple plates/napkins/plastic ware…are you getting the picture yet? All joking aside, it was a fabulous party. Joley & Rob catered in BBQ for dinner, which was a huge hit. They planned a game for the older kids w/ awesome prizes, and each child left with a goodie bag. I have to say that this was the best “1st birthday party” out of all the kids. HUGE THANKS TO ROB & JOLEY!!!

Happy birthday gorgeous girl!!

Is Fear a Factor for you??

Caleb celebrated his 8th birthday Fear Factor style. The boys competed in totally gross events to determine the winner of the title Fear Factor Champion…and most importantly $10.00. I don’t know who had more fun, the boys or the parent spectators. I have to say that the party was a huge success and will go down in history. How will I ever top this one next year?

Happy birthday Big Man!!

2008 ALREADY!!!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Just like always, Christmas is over in the blink of an eye. For the past 55 years Santa has visited my Grandma Sanchez’s house on Christmas Eve. Back then, our Santa carried a reindeer whip --- my dad used to joke around and say it was a whip for the naughty kids. Our current Santa does not carry a whip, but he does know information about the kids…information that only Santa would know!! For example, Grace has this horrible habit of climbing on the cabinets. Every time I turn around her little butt is standing on the counter. Well, a couple of days before Christmas it happened…she fell off! Unfortunately, she caught the oven door on the way down, landed on the oven door and broke the hinge. Great…and this is the house that we are trying to sell. You should have seen the look on her face when Santa questioned her about the oven door…PRICELESS!!!

This was Lucie’s first Christmas and she had a blast with the wrapping paper & boxes. She is such a huge Mama’s girl. I am not kidding, if she even hears my voice in the other room she starts bawling until she is in my arms. Then it’s all smiles from there!!! She is such a sweet little girl…smart too! Her God-mother Joley and I have decided that she would make a wonderful plastic surgeon. We figure that 30 years from now we will need all of the help we can get.

The new house is progressing. The stucco is finished, and the walls are in the mud & taping process. Bryan ordered the bamboo flooring last week, and we are getting ready to finalize the cabinet order. This is the exciting time for me…when I can actually see everything coming together.

Here's to a healthy, safe and happy 2008!!

Can you say...blackmail?

Our little girl is growing up!

Our big girl is 4 years old. The Wizard of Oz was the theme for Gracie’s 4th birthday party. We had our family and friends over to help celebrate her “golden birthday” --- her birthday is December 4th and she turned 4. Grace and the kids had a great time. She received a lot of great gifts, including a Barbie Jeep. She has been driving Caleb’s truck for the past year and she finally got a “girly” ride.

She has been begging to get her ears pierced for a few weeks. After explaining the process to her, including the fact that it hurts like hell, she decided she was ready. So, a couple of days before her birthday us girls (Mom, Grace & Lucie) ventured up to the nearest salon for the “procedure”. Boy was she excited…until she felt the pain. Thank God they had two guns so both ears were done simultaneously... I had called earlier to make sure. So far so good, she has been turning them daily and everything looks great. Our little girl is growing up!!

Party goers

The price we pay for beauty!!

Sweet pumpkin!