Top Ten

Mike and I had a good time tonight at the March of Dimes WalkAmerica Awards ceremony. For the second year in a row, Austin raised more than 1 million for the fight against prematurity. Austin is one of only 11 cities in the nation to raise more than a million dollars!

I chaired the Family Teams committee this year. It was my committee's job to recruit new families to participate in WalkAmerica and help them fundraise. It was my second year to chair the committee and we have seen tremendous growth and success. (Pause while I pat myself on the back). This year our Family Teams saw a 59 percent increases over last year. In 2006 families raised $94,445. This year, we raised $150,436. I worked with an amazing committee and my co-chair, Tara Gray, deserves all the accolade's because she knows how to get things done! And we had some fun along the way too!

Team in Action for Jackson was recognized as one of Austin's Top Ten Family Teams. We came in second place with $9,065. I also received an individual award as a Top Walker because I personally raised more than $6,000. (Can you see my cool little bobble head trophy in the picture above -- the kids think it is way cool)!

I spoke briefly at the event and of course I got choked up. I have yet to make it through a speech without showing emotion. I just can't help it. We have an amazing ending to our tragic beginning, but so many others do not. I was with three friends tonight who lost their babies. While we were there to celebrate our success this year, I could not help but think of all the pain and sadness so many have known because of prematurity.

I hope to be able to attend the State wide awards ceremony in Dallas later this month. I have been asked to facilitate a workshop about building a Family Teams committee. I am also looking forward to the March of Dimes Volunteer Leadership Conference in Washington in October. Every time I think I am going to cut back on my volunteer hours, I attend one of these events and get pumped up about the mission of this amazing organization all over again.

As we were leaving the event tonight Mike held my hand and told me how blessed we have been. Sometimes it is easy to forget all that we went through. And, I do think it is important to move forward and not dwell in the past. But, it is also important to recognize our blessings and to keep working to ensure there are more happy endings for other parents of preemies.

So get those checkbooks ready. I will be calling on you in the new year to support our 2008 campaign!

Rinse and Spit

For those of you who have never known the joy (I mean horror) of having a root canal, I thought I would share this lovely picture with you. (Dr. Denbar said I am the first of his patients in 34 years to ever ask for a picture). Yep, that is me behind the old lady sunglasses. Does Dr. Denbar remind you of Dr. Phil or is it just my medication that makes me think so?

Anyway, I spent my day off (Lauren goes to preschool on Tuesdays and Thursdays) in the dentist chair. After 2 hours and 10 minutes, I felt like a brand new person -- NOT!

I do have to say that Dr. Denbar does an amazing job and is very patient with me (I need lots of breaks because of my TMJ). I should be the poster child for flossing and staying away from sugar! The only thing I can compare the experience of a root canal with is that of labor. Some may say I am over-reacting. But when you have TMJ and you have to wear the contraption pictured above, it can make for a very unpleasant experience. Thank goodness for my iPod which provides much needed distraction. I actually rocked out to Stevie Ray Vaughn and found the strength and where withall to raise my "Hook 'Em horns" sign when the Texas Fight song played. Yes, I have the Texas Fight song on my iPod as all self-respecting Longhorns should.

For the past year I have been working with Dr. Denbar to treat my TMJ and replace old fillings. I actually have a 10-step written plan we have been following. I am almost there! Thank goodness. I think Dr. Denbar will probably be enjoying a month long vacation and adding on to his house with all the $$$ he is making off my poor teeth.

Now off to floss!

Kelli