This, This & That

When you are thinking about a mate, most of us have a list of 'this, this & that', that we hope they have.

Well, when I married James, I got this, this & that AND a whole lot more!! 

I got a man who has a heart of gold and loves with his whole heart.  Me and the kids hit the jackpot!

Back in March, my company sponsored a St. Baldrick's event.  If you do not know who they are, please take a moment to check out the link at the bottom of my page as it will give you all the details.  I was not aware of St. Baldrick's until my company hosted the event two years ago.  At that time, I knew of a little girl that was fighting a vicious battle against Neuroblastoma.  Her name is Layla Grace.  I watched in despair as her parents did all they could do save their little girl.  Unfortunately, she succumb to cancer on March 9, 2010 at the tender age of  27months.  To say that I was completely consumed with her and her fight, would be an understatement.  I was mad, devastated and guilty.  Mad that this was happening to this little girl.  Mad that her parents had to watch their baby suffer and ultimately, pass away in their arms.  Devastated that I grew to love a child I never knew and had to mourn her loss.  Guilty that at times my kids were so misbehaved that I wished for two minutes of peace, knowing that Ryan & Shanna would give anything for those two minutes back with Layla. 

As you can imagine, James would watch me suffering and at first, thought that it was not a good idea to get so wrapped around a child that I didn't even know.  Which, I totally understand.  He would see me cry and cry and cry.  And as a spouse, the last thing you want to see is your partner crying and knowing you can't do anything to help.  And then, his light bulb came on!  

As I told him of my desire to do whatever I could to help these babies, he joined the fight!!!  He helped me think of ideas regarding my non-profit.  He helped me by talking about the babies that I would tell him about. He didn't have to do any of this.  He could have turned his cheek and let me go down this road he knew I needed to travel down.  But no.  He joined me!

So, when St. Baldrick's came around again this year, I decided I was going to get even more involved and became one of the organizers of our event.  I met weekly with other colleagues and we brain stormed on how we would raise more money than last year and how we would blow the roof of this years event!  And we did!  Combined with our other locations around the world, we raised over $970K for St. Baldrick's!  Quite an accomplishment!  But...that's not all!

My husband decided that he and Jake would join the fight and raise funds to shave their heads in solidarity for all the kids around the world fighting this disease!  He and my son raised over $1800.00!!   His heart is simply amazing to me.  Not only did he decide to shave his head, he also reached out to a little girl and her family and wanted to sponsor them.  He told them all about the event and invited them down to be a part of it.  Her name is Hailey and she is the little girl pictured between James & Jake.  She had brain cancer and is now in remission! 

He and my son, took the stage together and shaved their heads!  It was awesome to have my kids there and teach them about giving back to those that need it most.  I love that, if nothing else, this is the lesson that they get from James & I. 

 I firmly believe that those that can, should.  If you have even a few dollars to spare, you should be donating them.  If you have even a few hours to spare, then you should be donating them.  Those of us that are of able bodies, should be giving back.  It is the humane thing to do. 

Babe, I am more in love with you everyday!  I am so proud that you are my husband.  Thank you for being such a great example to our kids!