You Interrupted Your Regularly-Scheduled Holiday Programming.....

... To wish me Happy Birthday. And you'll never know what that meant to me.

When you're born on Thanksgiving Day, your "Birthday" should come with a disclaimer. Where you might think people would think, "Oh. It's Thanksgiving. That means it's D'Lyn's birthday," they don't.

The vast majority of the world forgets your birthday.

Growing up, that wasn't the easiest thing to deal with. And in this post-Mom life I live, where I don't have Mom around to run interference for me, it's not always fun.

I remember the great lengths Mom would go to to make sure My Day was acknowledged. A cake, including my boyfriend of the hour in our holiday feast, making sure people were lined up to wish me Happy Birthday. But without her around, Biggsy has stepped up to the plate.

And oh, how he has stepped up. BUT I want to clarify for anyone out there. I'm NOT 40. YET.

What I've come to realize, though, is how very much I appreciate the people who do remember it's my birthday. The people who interrupt their regularly-scheduled holiday programming to help make my birthday a VERY BIG DEAL. The friends who brought me donuts and chai (just like I like it) to start my day off right. The sweet sister-in-law who made me a birthday cake just like I requested it. The relatives who called and sang -- sometimes off-key. The chick friends who sent me texts. The husband that didn't even blink when I wore my real, live tiara all day -- even to Thanksgiving lunch at the kin-folks.

And I have to say, a lot's been said lately about "Facebook Friends" not being "Real" friends. Whatever. I loved the notes they left me. That was pretty darn cool.

And I won't hold it against those of you who didn't step up to the plate. Or at least I'll try not to. I'm not perfect, you know.

Thank You!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Wow.

It's been an amazing week. When I got home from the 3-Day, I thought I'd take the week to clean up, organize, get a pedicure, maybe a massage....

Not so. I ended up subbing all last week for my friend.

There's not any place I would rather have spent my time. My role in making sure things ran smoothly for her last week was so, so very small. But I was glad to play it.

Alexa's not well yet, but they are on the right path to getting her there. Last week's cancer diagnosis was put aside on Friday, when they had exhausted the testing without finding cancer. Praise God! Now, they're working towards healing little Alexa.

I'm not teaching today -- I have a doctor's appointment of my own. BUT I'll be in her class for the rest of the week. Again, I'm glad to have a small role.

With all that's been going on, I haven't had a chance to really process last weekend. But maybe I don't need to. We're off and running for 2010. We already have 18 walkers signed up to walk with us next year. That's almost 20% of our GOAL. How cool is that?

I've spent the morning making a video with some of my pictures. I'm just about to upload it to my sidebar.... So click on over there and check it out!

Kait finished her soccer season on Saturday. The Wildcats were undefeated! Whoop!

AND we went to the Rice game on Saturay. They won! Dinner afterwards with the Lamys and most of the Ecklunds was such a treat!

Tonight, the Bluebonnets play for the Whole Enchilada. They're undefeated and have already won the regular season. If they win tonight, they clinch the tournament as well. Abbie's defensive clearing kick has been a huge factor this season, and we are so proud of that!

And that's the Rest of the Story!

I'm Home....

The 3-Day was an amazing experience. I can't even begin to tell you just how incredible it was. I was able to walk 43.5 miles and some change -- I could have done all 60, but we had a bit of drama. My friend has a GREAT wrap-up on her blog at: www.karavancrew.blogspot.com

As for me, I haven't really had a chance to process all that happened. I hobbled around a bit on Monday, and got the truck unloaded. The house is still pretty much a wreck of pink stuff everywhere.

But that's not important.

What is important is that I've been pulled into a Sub job for a very sweet friend. Yesterday they diagnosed her precious, 15-month-old granddaughter with a type of cancer I can't even pronounce, much less spell. It's a type of neuroblastoma that started in her abdomen.

Please pray for little Alexa and her family. Pray that the doctors will be able to quickly determine a plan of action -- they are working today to determine whether or not the neuroblastoma is operable. Pray that she has no lasting effects from the seizures and other difficulties she's been having. Pray for peace and strength -- her family is exhausted.

Having come off a very emotional weekend, and coming home to this news, it makes me all the more determined to help find a cure for cancer. For now, I'm just glad I'm in a position to step in and help on this very small level -- sore feet and all.

Under Attack.

Okay. I'm not going to get all freaky on you, but our 3-Day team is in dire need of your prayers. WE need an umbrella of prayer protection over us this weekend.

We know that when things are rockin' and rollin' and bringing glory to God, Satan just can't stand it. And we know that's when he attacks.

This team has done some incredible things through God's direction -- just this past Sunday we were invited to speak at the Methodist Church here in our neighborhood. It was very powerful.

However, things are starting to go a bit haywire. Sequoya's aunt passed away yesterday at the age of 53 -- cause unknown. Carlisa is in the emergency room with her son right now -- he has a history of health issues and when things go bad, they can go very bad, very fast. And I had a nightmare this morning, that when put into this context makes me a bit nervous.

I'm not saying we're under attack, but I do recognize that possibility and the need for prayer. Please, please keep us in your prayers all weekend.

If you want to let us know you're praying for us, you can text any team member. Or you can text me. 2818838642 Please don't call during the day, Friday - Sunday, unless you really need to talk to us. We have to step off the trail to talk on the phone.

No Glee???

Two weeks without Glee does not make for a happy Me! If you're feeling the glee-less gloominess that I am, I have a treat for you!

And yes, she got that rhythm from her Daddy.

Oh, and you'll want to pause the "iPod" on the lower right of my page!

We're Getting There!!!

FIVE more days till we leave for the DFW Breast Cancer 3-Day!

This time next week, I'll be settling into my pink tent, praying it doesn't get too cold. I'll be tired, but I'll be elated!

We still have several team members who need help with fundraising. If you want to make a donation, you can do so here.

The team members who need help most are:
Bridget Mohrmann
Leslie Osborne
Anthony Patton
Anna Sullivan
Robin Rosa

The list is getting shorter, but we're not there yet! Thanks for all your help!
- d.

When It Hits Home....

Last night Biggsy was in Pennsylvania, and I sat on our couch in front of the TV putting ribbons on the Tiaras I'll pass out on the 3-Day. I had planned to be in bed before 10:00, but the news came on promising updates on the weather; so I continued to work and watch.

Then.

As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, KPRC interviewed the family of a girl in Friendswood who was diagnosed at age 12.

12.

She's 13 now, and after extensive treatment is in remission. But she was TWELVE!!! when diagnosed!

And suddenly, I was slammed by that reality.

While breast cancer at age 12 is extremely rare, it does happen. It happens to little girls who aren't anywhere near ready to deal with something so permanent. So Life-Threatening. Something that alters their bodies so completely.

At 12, they should be shopping at Justice and playing with their hair and makeup, and trying to decide if they want to call a boy or play with their American Girl Dolls. They should be in that in-between where they're not a little girl anymore, but not ready to grow up just yet.

As the mother of two adorable girls, I've known all along I'm walking for them. But I don't want to be walking for them right now. I'm not ready for that. I'm walking for them to not have to worry about breast cancer when they're 35 or 40 or 70.

We have to find a cure. It's that simple. We can't afford to just sit on our hands and do nothing. Please pray for our team. Please join our team. Please donate to our team. Please do any or all of the above. We can't do this without your help.

My Day

Today is one of those crazy days where I wake up knowing I'm going to go full-tilt until I eventually pass out around 10:30 tonight. To give you a small example, a slice of what will happen today.....

I'm making a last-minute batch of cupcakes for Abbie's DI group to have as a snack today. I've got Book Fair duty from 12:30 - 3:00. Abs has DI after school. Kait has a soccer game. Kait needs to be at the fields at 5:00. I have no idea where her uniform is. I have to pick Abs up from DI at 5:15. Kait's game is at 5:30. I have one more 3-Day cape to make and a witch's cape to make for Abs for Halloween. Hopefully at some point today our 3-Day shirts will be ready at the T-shirt place. Bought a vacuum this morning because the cleaning lady broke mine. And Tracye, about what we discussed the other night. The answer is "no." I spent $8.00 but now am wondering if I trust generics. You know I'm a brand-name kind of girl.

And that is just the slightest slice of what is going on.

And mixed in with all that craziness.... The 3-Day is just 9 days away. YIKES.

If your life is crazy like mine, and you haven't gotten around to donating yet, just go HERE.

A few walkers who could really use your help are:
Cathie Knight
Amy Martin
Bridget Mohrmann
Sequoya Nelson
Leslie Osborne
Anthony Patton
Anna Sullivan
Jolanda Weddle
Robin Zeilman-Rosa

Not a one of them has hit the $2000 mark yet, and a few are pretty darn far from it!!

I'll elaborate on this later, but I have to say the generosity of some of you is leaving me very overwhelmed and on an emotional rollercoaster. Since I reach the $2300 mark and then start working on fundraising for the rest of the team, I don't always know when you donate under someone else. BUT.... From what I've heard, you are. And you're being Jesus with skin on to them. And I love you all the more for it!

You've Got Mail!!!

I know this is kinda late notice, but....

We love getting mail from friends and family while we’re on the walk!

You can send letters to:

Breast Cancer 3-Day Camp Post Office
ATTN: The D'Lyn Biggs
P.O. Box 126496
Benbrook, TX 76126

Envelopes only, please. No packages containing Chocolate Chip Cookies or other such treasures are allowed — but we wish they were! Mail must be postmarked by October 27 to ensure delivery!

I'm pretty sure they'll still get to me if you mail them tomorrow. I've got "people," you know.

Two Weeks from Today....

The DFW Breast Cancer 3-Day starts two weeks from today. And while I can't wait to get started, and should be bouncing off the walls with excitement, I'm not.

I'm tired. I'm really, really tired.

True confession time. As I told our team yesterday, I'm in serious need of some Isaiah 40:31 and some Philippians 3:13-14. And just about anything else you could think of to pray over me.

I've run out of steam.

Do you know what's required of the participants in the Breast Cancer 3-Day? Not only do you have to show up prepared to walk 60 miles in three days (a huge task in itself), you're also required to raise a minimum of $2300.

That would be required. It's not a suggested amount. If you don't guarantee that the 3-Day will get 2300 precious dollars from your walking, it's simple.

You. Don't. Walk.

I crossed that $2300 mark in February or March. Blessed with a posse of people who loved my Momma, and who love me, that part of the challenge was met early.

But not so for our team. Right now, we have 25 walkers who have not reached that $2300 mark. Some only need a few dollars; others need $2100.

At this point, everyone on our team is a fully-registered walker. That means they have committed to raising the $2300. If for some reason they don't have the money raised by the time we start the walk on November 6, they will have four weeks after the walk to finish their fundraising.

At that point, their credit cards will be charged for the remainder.

This is what keeps me up at night. The knowing that we have a LOT of team members that are struggling to reach that goal.

We have Poker Night at my house tomorrow night, and we have another fundraiser here on Monday. If you're inclined to come to either one of those, please do!

If not, please consider making a donation in the name of one of our struggling walkers. The ones who most need help are:

Bridget Mohrmann
Jolanda Weddle
Leslie Osborne
Anna Sullivan
Amy Martin
Caroline Juszczak
Cathie Knight
Mark Jeter

If you click on one of the names above, it should take you to their personal fundraising page. You can easily make a donation online. If you do so, a receipt will be emailed to you immediately. All donations are tax-deductible.

Thank you!!