Stellar

There really is no other way to describe the school year Georgia has had - especially since she's an Ann Richards Star! At yesterday's closing assembly, she was recognized for her outstanding science projects, her service hours (four times the class requirement), and her grades ("A" Honor Roll and ranked #4 in her class of 140+ girls). She came home with a yearbook full of signatures, email addresses, and message after message about how smart and funny and talented she is. The tears of the first two days, when she worried about not knowing anyone at her new school, were replaced with tears for the friends she is going to miss over the summer and smiles for the great times they had together. My, what a difference nine months makes!

If it sounds like I'm bragging, well, I guess I am. (I AM the proudest mama on the planet, have I mentioned?) But I don't think what Georgia has accomplished this year can be overstated. It's truly one for the record books, folks. As always, she rose to the many challenges she was presented, and she not only met them, she blew right past them. Left them decidedly in the dust. And it just so happens that she was conquering cancer at the same time.

Probably more than any other time during her 28 months of treatment, Georgia showed us her true mettle here. She proceeded with confidence, enthusiasm, and wit, and she never backed down. No limits, no doubts, and, as Lance Armstrong (and my sweet Mandy!) says, "No negative air. None." And look what she did. 

I just can't wait to see what she does next.

Fan Club

Well, Georgia absolutely floated across the stage in her "Romeo and Juliet" ballet number Saturday night. It was a traditional piece set to classical music, and the whole class did very well - and looked so beautiful. Two years is a long time to be away from dance training, and we're extremely proud of Georgia for sticking with it this semester, even on those days when her body just didn't want to cooperate. Whether or not she continues to dance in a studio or on a stage, she is, was, and always will be a true dancer at heart, and we'll always be her biggest fans and most willing partners.

 Warming up backstage.

We'll also forever be huge fans of Will and Dianna Bacon! We met up with their family for brunch on Sunday and to wish them well in the CapTexTri yesterday. What an incredible endeavor! The more I learned about the events and the logistics and the gear and the crowds and ... the list goes on, the more I appreciate their dedication and determination to help find cures for blood cancers. They both finished with awesome times and represented Team in Training with great pride. We are so happy to know them and to have had their support throughout Georgia's journey. Thank you, thank you, Bacon Family - we love y'all!

 Still smiling.

 Here's Allie, Dianna's niece and first Honored Hero!

Diagnosed with ALL as in infant, she'll graduate from high school

this weekend and plans to study nursing - Go Allie!

Finished!

 Canvas designed by Dianna, now hanging on

Georgia's "Wall of Fame!"

Also, for all you fans of St. Baldrick's and bald heads and raising money to CONQUER childhood cancer, today marks two months until the 46 Mommas shave in LA! I'm so close to my goal and would appreciate your support!

And finally, if it's the 29TH, then it must be ONE MONTH since Georgia went off treatment! Let's just meditate on that for a minute, or all day, if you like. I do!

Art, Music, and Dancing

Our little art show made the CureSearch national newsletter! Check out the article here. Maybe Patty's vision will inspire other kids and other schools to do the same thing, and we'll have even more kids helping kids with cancer. What a great experience it has been for us, and we look forward to seeing where Patty takes it next!

Around these parts, Georgia is counting down to the last day of school on Wednesday! All of her big tests and projects are over and turned in, so she can just relax and enjoy herself. Her mouth sores have gotten markedly better, and she can eat almost anything she wants without worrying about them. And she's ready for her dance recital on Saturday!

Our sweet Ivy did some performing of her own yesterday at Parkside's Spring Cultural Challenge. You may recall last year's renditions of "Ring of Fire" and "The Grandmother Song?" Yes. This year, she chose to sing "The Climb" by Miley Cyrus, and I can't help but think she had someone very special in mind when she picked it. Have a great holiday weekend, y'all!

May It Please The Court

Georgia was one of a select few students chosen to attend a mock trial demonstration at the courthouse today. She headed out this morning, ready to fight for truth, justice, and The American Way.

 Introducing our junior partner,

Moore, Moore, and Moore 2026!

She fulfilled her duty as Juror #12 and thought the whole experience was pretty interesting. With just a week and a half left of school, everyone is scurrying about, trying to finish projects and wrap up their classes, so Georgia was glad to get a break, away from the fray. In addition, she's been battling some pretty angry mouth sores this week (ahh, cancer treatment - the gift that keeps on giving), so we're looking forward to a quiet weekend to rest and recharge for the final push of the school year. Have a good one, everyone - this court is adjourned!

Blue Lily 2012

Oh, boy. These pictures. So hard to choose a favorite - even 10 favorites! Once again, our day with Blue Lily was magical, as I think you can see. Thank you, thank you, Wendy for capturing this very special moment for our family - the celebration of love and life continues ...

 

May 5th in Pictures

Another wild and woolly day last Saturday, but oh, what fun! We started with the very special celebration of Ivy's First Communion. She did a wonderful job and looked so beautiful. And familiar. : )

 

 Georgia, May 2008

After lunch with the family, we went to set up for the Victory Party at our dear Parkside school auditorium:

 

The sign-in table - so many sweet notes for Georgia!

 

Georgia and Ivy chose their own cakes - one chocolate, one lemon -

from the amazing Becky at Bountiful Bakery!

 

Italian Ice from Rita's kept us cool - 

and they support Alex's Lemonade Stand!

We brought Georgia's Beads of Courage - three full strands!

We also had two big glass jars filled with little orange and turquoise chocolates to represent the over 4,000 pills Georgia has taken throughout treatment! But in all the excitement, I didn't get a picture!

We enjoyed spending this special day with so many wonderful friends and family members - I just wish I had gotten everyone's picture! And for those that couldn't come, we got your many cards and messages, and we appreciate every one. Thank you ALL for supporting us for the past 28 months! Georgia love to everyone!

 

 

Georgia loves her GG.

This is what HAPPY looks like.

Stronger than Cancer

Did you hear - It's National Nurses Week! We celebrated by taking a big chocolate cake over to the day surgery unit on Monday for the amazing PANDA nurses and staff - we hope y'all enjoyed the surprise! Between that group, the clinic nurses, and the 4N nurses, Georgia has received such loving care and made many great friends. It takes a special person to work in pediatric hematology/oncology, and these folks deserve a lot more than a week of recognition - how about eternal gratitude and endless love?! Thank you, nurses!

We also want to share this inspiring video, which has been making the rounds this week. Although it was shot at Seattle Children's Hospital, the spirit of the patients and nurses featured look so very familiar to anyone who's been on this journey. They are all full of hope, full of light, and full of life! Great job, Chris - you are STRONGER!

APRIL 29TH in Pictures

We've had so much going on the past week, I thought a few "photo essays" were in order. Besides, you don't want to hear me blabber on all the time, right? Definitely not. So, first up - The BIG Day.

After a surprise breakfast of chocolate cake in bed (a birthday tradition), followed by lunch and (ahem) cheesecake at a favorite spot, we headed to the art show, where we raised over $2500 and counting!

Ivy's "Seaburst"

 Georgia's "House Under the Rainbow"

Georgia also gave a couple of interviews, one of which you can see here.

Next up, we were off to the blood and marrow donor registration drive. It's always such a great afternoon, and we brought the total of units collected in honor of Georgia to 214! And we got 28 new marrow donors registered!

Thank you, Uncle Trent and Aunt Kate for your amazing support!

After such a long, hot, but really fun day, we saved the best for last! See those 2.5 pills right there? That's the end of treatment for Georgia!

NO MO CHEMO!!!

Coming soon: Victory Party report and pics!