Are we there yet?

Those words "Are we there yet" have a whole new meaning after this weekend! I did survive! It is so funny that I was most concerned about the camping part of this experience, not realizing the real challenge was walking 60 miles! I guess I thought that since it was a walk, it would be a breeze...not so much. Sixty miles is alot! It is as much of a mental challenge as a physical challenge. I have to say that this is the hardest I have ever pushed myself to do anything. My teammates and I agreed that child birth was easier than walking these 60 miles!! I should have had a reality check at dinner the night before I left. Brandon was saying a sweet prayer and got to the part about protecting me when Savannah blurted out "from the lions and bears!" Seriously, by the looks of my bag and all of the gear required to do this walk I should have had a clue about what I was getting myself into! Savannah was right that it looked like I was headed into the jungle. In all seriousness, participating in the 3-day was so rewarding, emotional, and grueling at the same time. It was alot of fun and this Dallas 3-day raised over $6.3 million dollars towards finding a cure for breast cancer....pretty amazing! The closing ceremonies were awesome and made it worth every mile!

Here is my 3-Day Top 10 List:

1. Realizing the horror of what was meant by "don't look down" in the port-a-potties

2. Discovering that there are not little sinks with soap inside the port-a-potties (yes...where would the water come from, but SO GROSS that people are not washing their hands!)

3. Next time I buy cheap towels to throw away when I am finished with them I will examine the size of the towel now that I know there is a "common dressing area". I am sure there were a few silent snickers.

4. The value of a REALLY good sleeping bag when temps are dipping into the high 30s! (thanks chantelle!)

5. Being so cold that I would wear 2 hooded jackets and 2 pairs of sweatpants to breakfast.

6. Seeing all of the colorful and expressive ways people show their support of this event. You would not believe it unless you saw it!!

7. Seeing my wonderful hubby and sweet girls at a cheering station! It helped me make it through the 3rd day.

8. Saying "excuse me, may I get my clothes" to two completely naked women chatting in the dressing area of the shower trucks while clutching my towel that did not completely wrap around me....seriously!!!

9. Crossing the finish line surrounded by tears and cheers!

10. Having Savannah crawl up in my lap the night I came home and say "Mommy, when I get older can I come walk with you?"

Thank you to everyone for your thoughts, prayers, support, donations, babysitting, etc. I could not have done it without you! Here are some pictures of the weekend. Go Queens of the Fight!

We started the journey at Southfork Ranch

My first port-a-potty experience!

My Favorite Fans!

We did it!!!

There is a First Time for Everything

It seems the week has arrived when I am going to camp in a tent for two nights, use a portable shower (what is that exactly anyways?), use port-a-potties and walk 60 miles in three days....seriously! All of which are "firsts" for me. I am more of a camp in a nice camper with indoor facilities, electricity, beds, fully stocked refrigerator, and a sweet mom cooking chocolate chip pancakes and bacon for breakfast kind of camper. (thanks mom & dad!) That is just the way to go!


In all seriousness, I will be participating in the breast cancer 3-day with a team of incredible women to join in the fight for finding a cure for breast cancer. I am doing this for all of the incredible women in my life! I am a mom to two sweet girls, sister, sister-in-law, daughter, daughter-in-law, granddaughter, aunt to three (soon to be 4!) nieces, niece to 4 aunts, and friend of SO many wonderful women! Do you see my invested interest in finding a cure for this disease?


I think it is important for my girls to see me doing things that make a difference and trying new things that help me grow as a person. This is definitely out of my comfort zone, but I am excited to participate in such a neat event. I am sure that when I look around and see that women who are going through chemo are making it, I will use that port-a-potty with a different attitude....I have my health right now and will be reminded to be thankful for that.

I have to brag on my sweet husband who surprised me with a gift certificate for a massage when I get back! He is keeping the girls this weekend, so I am sure they will love thier daddy time. They always do the most interesting things when I am gone.... I will leave it at that! :) Please pray for our health and safety this weekend. I will post an update when I get back and let you know I survived!

Celebrations

We had alot to celebrate last weekend and celebrate we did! We had a fun Sesame Street party for Caroline and she had a blast. Here are a few pictures of her big day.

Virginia and Mere enjoying the cupcakes! V and I made the Sesame Street cupcakes and had so much fun doing it!


One of Caroline's most special gifts was from her Memaw. She gave Caroline her very own pink Bible with her name on the front. She was SO excited and wanted to read it right then! It was so cute. Of course Brandon and I were beaming about how thrilled she was about her Bible...the small glimpses that you are being a good parent, right? Ok, so the Bible is upside down. She's only 2! :)



After bath time sweet Savannah was trying to teach Caroline how to hold up two fingers. I love these girls!

Caroline almost shares a birthday with my dad. It was great to celebrate two special people in our lives! Caroline and Poc (that is what the grandkids call my dad) have a special relationship. She asks where Poc is almost everyday. She loves to crawl up in his lap and read books. I think they share an October bond!

We have a tradition of going to the State Fair every year for my dad's birthday. I think our fair experience is much different than most in that we don't ride any rides. We are more of an eat a corn dog and caramal apple and watch the shows type visitor. We always have alot of fun!

The girls loved Elsie the cow!

We had a busy weekend, but enjoyed every minute!

Happy Birthday Sweet Caroline!

It was two years ago last Friday when our sweet Caroline Elise was born! She has blessed our family and I cannot imagine my life without her. She is so full of hugs and kisses they just seem endless. She would be happy anywhere in the world as long as her sister is there with her. We judge her mood by her hair...if you know Caroline she can have some wild hair at times! :) She loves going to the mailbox with Mommy and dancing with Daddy before bedtime. She will do anything to make us laugh. She can melt your heart with those big brown eyes. I love you sweet girl! Happy Birthday!

Joining Blogland!

I have decided to join blogland! I have not been great about writing things down that my kids do, sending out new pictures, or keeping up with friends and family who we don't see all of the time, SO...this is my new avenue! I guess this will be sort of like a journal of life with the Unterbrinks. We will see how it goes!