Orangeburg Relay for Life

On Friday April 24th, I took you two out to William J. Clark for the Orangeburg Chapter Relay for Life Cancer Walk. I have been involved with this event for 7 years now and love being a part of helping cancer survivors, cancer victims and those that will be affected by cancer. The money raised from the event is given to the American Cancer Society. The majority of the money raised in our area will stay in our area to help with transportation, wigs, chemotherapy, radiation treatments and other programs dedicated to help those diagnosed with cancer. The rest of the money is given to cancer research.

Cancer is a disease that touches everyone's life, rather it be personally or through a family member or a friend. Being a mammographer, there were so many women that would come in for their mammogram, and my eyes would be the first to see this disease infecting their bodies. To see this persons life was about to change in such a dramatic way and that only God could control the outcome. Having a career in Imaging Sciences really has put me in the middle of this terrible disease. Everyday, new diagnoses are made through the xrays, MRI's, CT's, Mammograms, Ultrasounds and other imaging modalities. But not all are diagnoses' of a new cancer, some are also diagnoses' of remission and healing.

The past two years, I have not worked the Relay for Life but instead, chose to just participate and donate. By doing this, I could take you two out to the event and show you the love and compassion that giving can bring. I want you two to know that feeling and to always think of others and what you might could do to change someone's life. Ayden, you are already showing signs of generosity towards others. One day a few months ago, daddy was taking you to Pa's farm to go hunting. You guys stopped at the McDonald's on the interstate to grab breakfast. There was a homeless man and woman sitting on the side of the road with a sign asking for help. Daddy didn't think you saw them because you didn't mention them on the way into McD's but then on the way out, you asked why those people had all that stuff and commented that they must have been going camping. Daddy told you no, those things were all of the things they had and they didn't have a home, they were homeless. The week before was Valentine's Day and you had received money from your grandparents and great grandparents. We always put the money you receive away for your college account, but this time we let you put it in your new wallet. You wanted to show Clay and Pa. So back to the "campers." After daddy explained to you that these people did not have a home, you told daddy "Well maybe if I give them the money I got, they could buy a house." Daddy and I were so proud of you and the fact that you were willing to give your gift to help another, was amazing. I hope you will always reach out to help make a difference. Whether it be through money, your time, hard work or by just helping out someone in need, helping others in need will always make you thankful for the blessings you have been given. I plan to lead by example and making you guys a part of Relay for Life is just one these wonderful opportunities.

We had so much fun Friday night, playing with friends, getting your faces painted, jumping in the jump castles and eating lots of good food and sweats. We walked 3 laps around the track and looked at all of the luminary bags that had been purchased and dedicated to cancer victims and survivors. Your great grandfather, Kenneth Westbury died of cancer and for several years, mommy dedicated a luminary bag in his honor. Papa and daddy donate the sand to the Relay event every year, and this sand is used to fill each and every one of these luminary bags. This year, there seemed to be so many more than before. It was dark when we were walking, and the lighting of the luminaries had just begun. It was really a beautiful sight to see the track lit up with the love from friends and family members of cancer victims. We didn't leave until almost 10:00. I was worn out but had such a good time. I think you guys did too. Here are some of the pictures from before we left the house to the event itself.

Edisto 4-2009

This weekend, we were invited by the Bonnett's to Edisto Beach for a long weekend. We loaded up the WHOLE house on Thursday morning and headed on down. Once we arrived and unpacked the WHOLE house, ha ha, we spent the afternoon on a bike ride around the island. Ayden, you were riding your new bike you got for your birthday and did great. It is still a little big for you but the only time you had any problems was when you were stopping. Your lil feet can't touch the ground real well, so you just fall off. We rode thru Fairfield and saw a HUGE alligator sun bathing on the golf course. We spent the rest of the weekend on the beach, riding the golf carts, in the boat, on the bikes and taking long walks. You guys played with Carley, Jake and Kylee and enjoyed it so much. The weather was gorgeous and the weekend was perfect. Thanks to Chuck and Parrish for inviting us! We had a blast, as always!!! Here are a few pictures. I didn't take alot this weekend but LOVE the ones I got.

Easter Weekend 2009

On Saturday, Daddy and I took you guys to the Williams' annual easter egg hunt. It is always so much fun. They have a carousel, candy, ice cream, snacks, live bunnies, chickens and ducks (that you can take home with you) and the big egg hunt. The egg hunt is divided into age groups so that the younger children can hunt easy to find eggs and the older children can have more of a challenge. We let Ally Brynn pick up a few in her area before the actual hunt began and then took Ayden to the big hunt in his area. It was so funny to see all the kids racing around trying to find the GOLDEN egg. Ayden you were even under the Williams' shrubs! There were lots of your friends there like Carley Walling, Lydia and Ansley Riley, Brent, Kaitlyn and Ava Ulmer, Seth Tyson, Carson Cary and Hunter Summers. Ally Brynn, you really surprised us when you went over to the live bunny area, climbed in and wanted to hold a real bunny. After that, you jumped in the duck pen and grabbed one of them up. You were so brave! Ayden, you didn't want to hold either of them but did give them each a little petting. While we were waiting on the egg hunt to begin, I saw the easter bunny coming our way. Ayden you saw him but Ally Brynn, you didn't at first. When you turned around and that easter bunny was right behind you, you let out the most blood curttling scream I have ever heard and jumped in my arms! You wanted NOTHING to do with it and said "I no like that easter bunny!" Ayden went right over and posed for his picture. We had so much fun and can't wait until next year's hunt. We think Ally Brynn might not be so scared of the easter bunny next year.
On Easter sunday, Ayden was the first to arise. He ran into the den rummaged through his basket and then ran back to our room to tell us the easter bunny had come and what he had gotten. I don't think I half heard what he said due to being in a deep sleep. I woke up about a hour later to discover that Ayden had put his new movie the easter bunny had given him into the DVD player, was watching the movie and had eaten HALF of the easter candy that was in his basket! We had to wake Ally Brynn up in order to have breakfast and get to church on time! We joined Mimi, Mama Jackie and John David at First Baptist for the Easter service and then headed off to Reevesville for lunch at Aunt Shirley's and Uncle Mike's. After eating a delicious meal, we had an easter egg hunt with the kids. It was a beautiful day and just like the hymn reads, "this is the day that the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it."

The Zoo

This week, you two have been on Spring Break at OP. I felt so guilty taking you both to daycare every morning and only a couple of kids were there. Am I the only working mom or does all the other kids moms take off the week of Spring Break? Well, I decided to take Thursday/today off so that we could spend the day together. I spent Wednesday night online, researching outdoor activities for us to do since today was forecasted to be GORGEOUS. We started the day off much later than normal. You guys didn't wake up until 8:30 (WOO HOO), which means I didn't wake up until 8:30. I think that is the latest I have slept in a LONG time and boy was it refreshing. I still wasn't sure what we were going to do but decided to head towards Columbia. We ended up going to the zoo. We have been there a few times but Ally Brynn wasn't even one the last time we went, so I knew you guys would love it. When we arrived, the parking lot was full! A little man standing in the middle of the road, told me we would have to park on the side of the road and walk to the entrance. That should have been a sign. We parked, got everything we would need without having too much to carry and headed for the entrance. Once we received our tickets and were preceeding in the gate, the ticket collector told Ayden to "Make sure you stay close to your mommy, we have ALOT of people here today." She told me that they already had over 3,000 people at is wasn't even noon. YIKES. We rode the train into the zoo and spent the day gazing at the animals. You both were so interested in every little thing. Ayden, you took a horseback ride on the ponies that were in the farm area. They took you around a trail through the woods and you were sooo cute. Ally Brynn NO LIKE ponies. We went into the bird house and bought some nectar to feed some birds. We went into the caged area and Ayden you did not want to feed them. You were a little weary of them. I put one on my finger and you were a little more willing to get closer. Then it bit my finger and you backed away. It was too funny. There were about a dozen of these birds in this caged area and people were feeding them constantly. Before I knew it, one poo'd on my leg. We all got a good chuckle out of that. Ayden, you went around telling all of the other kids that "These birds WILL bite you, one bit my momma and poo poo'd on her leg." Ally Brynn, you really surprised me. You wanted to feed the bird. You held the cup of nectar up and let the bird drink out of it. I wanted to take a picture of you being a big girl sooo bad but I was holding you up to the bird. Ayden, you wanted to make sure we saw all of the characters in one of your favorite movies "Madagascar." The zebra, lion, penguins, hippo, monkeys and giraffs. We covered them all. It was a great day and I enjoyed spending it with you guys tremendously. Tomorrow, we will have more fun together, as we head to the lake to spend the day on the sandbar with Aunt Debbie, Laken and Clay. Here are today's pics.

Nikki Dukes' Shower

Last Sunday, Ally Brynn, Nana and I left the lake and headed to Reevesville for Nikki's bridal shower. Nikki and Chris are getting married in June and we can't wait. They got so many beautiful gifts at the shower and I loved the food. All DESSERTS. That is MY kind of shower, and Ally Brynn's too. Nikki looked so pretty and in love. Ava and Ally Brynn enjoyed helping Nikki open a few gifts and inside one gift, found two huge lollipops. Nikki didn't stand a chance of keeping those suckers! Here are the pics from the shower. Congratulations Nikki and Chris. We can't wait to celebrate your marriage with you guys in June.

The Lake - You Should've Seen it in Color

We spent last weekend at the lake and it was beautiful. The water was freezing but we could not keep you guys out of it. The highlight of the weekend was Sat night. We were sitting on the dock listening to music with Uncle Ken, Aunt Debbie, Laken, Clay, Pa, Jody Stillinger, Anna Sanders and Jaybird Hewitt. Ayden your favorite song right now is You Should Have Seen it in Color by Jamie Johnson. Well daddy decided to play it and you, Laken and Clay sang it to us. You guys were singing your hearts out and it was SOOO GOOD. I wish I would have had a video camera to record you guys. I love to hear you sing and you love to sing. You get that from your mommy I guess. But singing in front of everyone like that, you definitely get from your Pa. I can remember Pa taking you over to the neighbors (at the lake) when you were only 3 years old and you standing out in their yard in front of everyone singing God Bless America. You impressed everyone! You are a little ham and LOVE the attention. You make my heart swell with pride with your wonderful personality! Ally Brynn, on Sunday, Nana and I took you to Nikki Dukes (Chris Minus' fiance)shower. Once you were dressed, I took you outside and got a few pics of you in front of the azaleas. You were adorable and actually posed a little for me. I love that you are getting used to the camera. You are too beautiful for mommy NOT to take your pictures. Here are a few pics from the lake.

Rodeo

Ayden, you have turned into Cowboy Ayden! Ha Ha. Mimi stayed with you and Ally Brynn a few weeks ago and took you both shopping. At the store, you picked out a cowboy hat (only the black one would do, despite it being a little large), holster and cap guns. For a week, you wore that outfit everyday. As soon as we would get in the door from school, you would run to your room and get "dressed." You were soooo cute. Daddy and I knew that we would HAVE to find a rodeo to take you to see the REAL cowboys. As luck would have it, a rodeo was being held in Santee the next weekend. We decided to take you this past Friday night. Mimi joined us and we met Matt, Tiffany, Kayla, Macky and Zack there. You were all decked out in your cowboy gear and even jumped up on the mechanical bull for a ride. You didn't like it too much, but I think that was because you saw the bull throw a big guy off right before you climbed on. You did NOT want to be thrown off. You did great though and held on for dear life. Ally Brynn watched you closely and said "I no like bull." I have always wanted to go to a rodeo and us adults enjoyed it just as much as you guys. There was roping, barrel racing, bucking horse riding (I don't think that is technically a correct name for it :)), and bull riding. It got VERY cool that night but we held in there so that we could see the bull riding. It was worth it. You had a blast and that was all we wanted. We love you lil cowboy!