Yippee.
The prediction was a little like Chicken Little, no? The world didn't end, but there was a very devestating tornado in Joplin, MO and for some of those people their world ended. Very sad.
This weekend I am playing photographer for a friend's wedding. After their wedding they are driving to Bronson, Mo for their honeymoon. Today the bride to be posted that on their way to Bronson they will be stopping in Joplin to drop off supplies. HOW SWEET IS THAT? Good people.
I have so much to talk about, seeing how sparse my ideas seem to be lately, I'm only going with one topic right now...er, well...starting now...never mind that stuff up top there. It was just FLUFF.
OK.
CYSTIC FIBROSIS WALK, YO.
Here's how much the total was at the time the walk ended. 190,000 just for the Indy walk. Isn't that amazing???? Some of you contributed and pimped me out; for that I'm very thankful (the donation and the pimpin)...THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU.
Here is how much Indiana as a state collected...WOOOHOOO!!
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation – Indiana Chapter
The numbers are in....with your help, the Indiana Chapter Great Strides program raised over $618,000, exceeding its goal of $564,000! Thank you for everything that you did to make it such a huge success!!
I woke up the morning of the walk. I went outside and was met with a beautifully warm sunshine beaming down! I was so thankful and I sighed in joy.
By the time we left the hotel and ate some lunch the clouds rolled in and torrential downpour hit us. Lightening threatening the walk. While we drove to the site, the kids sang You Are My Sunshine the whole way there, hoping it would have the opposite affect of a rain dance.
It worked.
Mostly.
The sun started peaking out again. Then the clouds, then the sun, then the clouds, then the sun. You get the point. It was off and on rain, here and there, but no more lightening so the walk was a go.
Go we did!
I affectionately label this picture (above) as Me and My Chin Twins. :D Not much about my kids resembles me, but (hahah butt) our chins.
This is the family we walk for...when Harrison (the baby) was born almost two years ago there was a new screening for newborn babies to test for CF. The test came back positive.
For 6 years at that point, Kennedy, one of Harrison's big sisters had had digestive and gastro issues. They were about a month away from going to Riley's because they couldn't figure out what was wrong with her. They actually had an appointment scheduled and along came Harrison and the diagnoses. Both sisters were tested, with Kennedy being the one also with CF.
Raegan, the biggest sister does not have it. Stacey, their mom, has a bigger job than just being a Mom. She has a fight on her hands, she has Dr appointments, medicines, and two kids diagnosed with this genetic disease.
Both kids are doing really well right now with their medicine. Kennedy is growing nicely and not having the issues she was just a short two years ago. Harrison is a tubbers, he suffers more with the breathing issues that go with CF, but he is doing well too. They both, on the outside, are normal active kids. To look at them you wouldn't know they have anything or just how sick they can get.
Just as last year, the kids and I really enjoyed being a part of this walk. The number of people that came even though the weather was iffy, was inspirational and beautiful.
I hope that someday the money we've raise will lead to a cure and until then lead to better medicine options.
Thank you again to those of you that supported us with donations. Even if you weren't able to give, I know you were all there with me in spirit. (Just nod your head yes, there might be another end of the world prediction and you don't want to be left behind, dooooo yoooouu?).
Peace.
