Love, Georgia

       This year was a full one. Sure, there were the same 365 days, 12 months, and 4 seasons as there are in every other year, but this one was special. This was my first teenage year, my last year in middle school, and the first full year in what seems like a long time that I haven’t had chemo running through my body.
        It was a year that came with its ups and downs. There were less clinic appointments, spread out fewer and far between. But there was medical craziness like boots and scans and endocrinology and mono. It was a year where the 46 Mommas were led by the best of the bunch (you know who I’m talking about), and they raised a lot of money for St. Baldrick's – I’m still not sure how much. It was a year where I got awards and was recognized, and I made a few speeches, too. But I think I am more proud of the monotonous things I did this year.
        It was a year where I went to school almost every day and had all A’s and one B (curses, Algebra I!). It was a year where I served as NJHS president and got bronze theatre awards. It was a year where I went to sleepovers with ALL EIGHT of my best friends in attendance. It was a year where I sat at my computer, messed around on my phone, and doodled in the margins.
        As I look back and reflect on this year, 2013, I realize that through all of it, I had a great year. A studious year. An artistic year. A hilarious year. A year spent waiting for the class period to be over so I could laugh with my friends at lunch. A perfectly normal, (mostly) healthy year for a normal, healthy, healed, teenager. The first I’ve had since December 31, 2009. Now here’s to all the normal years to come! Happy New Year!

Love,

Georgia

Fourteen/Four

Fourteen years ago today, I was in a hospital room, surrounded by some of the people I love most in the world, heralding the arrival of my first baby girl, Georgia Lee Moore. Four years ago today, I was in another hospital room, with many of the same people plus a 6-year-old Ivy, trying to reason, pray, and will away a potential cancer diagnosis for that same baby girl, which was confirmed the next day. In those moments, my world changed forever, but fourteen years ago, four years ago, and today, I am grateful for them all. Happy Everything to the brightest, bravest, and most beautiful warrior on the planet - you are my hero and my heart. Love, Mommy

Holiday Cheer

What a wonderful Christmas we had! And the best presents of all were two happy and HEALTHY girls!

 

 

Didn't everybody put TEN books on their list? Half of which you've already read? : )

Our new Official Peachy Keen Timekeeper

 

New socks and slippers - yay!

A Kiss for Sis

It was a great day. As is today - 20 months off treatment! And tomorrow - Georgia's birthday! And the next day - drumroll ... Four YEARS since diagnosis! So much to celebrate!!!

Merry and Bright

That's our hope for your holidays, dear Friends of Georgia - that they are Merry and Bright and full of fun times with your families. In the last week, we kicked off our celebration with a visit to the Trail of Lights in Zilker Park (a beloved Austin tradition) and the annual holiday bash with our friends from the Children's Blood and Cancer Center. We've had caroling, ornament exchanges, and cookie parties, and now we're buckling down for the Main Event in two days!

In the meantime, Georgia was finishing off another straight-A six weeks at school, complete with acing her first-ever final exams. That girl! This semester has really flown by, and we are so proud of her continued hard work. And health-wise, aside from the typical end-of-school fatigue, she's feeling great - the best gift of all!

Speaking of, I realize we didn't get to post our usual gift list, but please consider donating to any of the organizations listed in the sidebar below or the charity of your choice. As we all prepare for a wonderful holiday, remember that 46 families are being told that their child has cancer. 46 more will hear those words tomorrow, and on Christmas Day, and every weekday until we END this. Give the gift of hope by helping to fund childhood cancer research or supporting other patient programs. As one of the 46 on December 31, 2009, I can tell you that it means the world. 

And if you're able, we highly encourage you to give blood. Donations typically decrease during the holidays, but the need for a safe, stable supply does not. Remember, Georgia received her first transfusion on December 30th (Happy 10th Birthday!) and had several more over the following days, and we are so still so grateful that there were blood products available whenever she needed them. 

We'll be checking back in over the next week - seems like something important is happening then? - but for now, we wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy New Year!

14 for 14 in 14

In 14 days, Georgia will turn 14! In honor of her birthday and her FOURTH diagnosis anniversary the next day, we want to hit our $14K fundraising goal - and we're less than $300 away! Please consider a year-end gift to all kids fighting cancer and help fund life-saving research. Click HERE or on the button in the sidebar to donate to my 46 Mommas' campaign in support of the St. Baldrick's Foundation. Let's ring in 2014 ready to conquer childhood cancer!

Saturday, Georgia attended a playwriting workshop at the UT Dept. of Theatre & Dance, aka Mommy's old stomping grounds. It was fun to see her in that environment and, as always, she was praised for her creativity and focus. Who knows what she'll study in college or what career path she'll take, but I have a feeling she'll be doing a lot of writing - even just for fun!

We Did It!

We hit $1.25 MILLION! This is amazing and gives us some great momentum heading into the new year! Thank you to all who donated, now and in the past, because you have helped make this possible as well:

The St. Baldrick's Foundation has raised $34 million this year, and here are some of the '13 46 Mommas Shave for the Brave celebrating the milestone in San Antonio this summer! I'm the sweaty bald one in the back. Georgia and Ivy made that sign, and I've still got glitter from it in my car. We were honored to be asked to do this, and of course, I'll take any opportunity to talk about the importance of childhood cancer research. We are so proud to be involved with St. Baldrick's and will continue to spread the word and raise funds until we've conquered childhood cancer - and we'd love for you to join us!

Georgia's appointment last week went very well - she's just a hair shy of 5'8"! Unfortunately, the next day, she was felled by a particularly nasty stomach bug, which now we're both recovering from. As bad as it was, it's still "good" to get sick, as Georgia says, "like a normal kid." True, but we know our girl is anything BUT normal, right? Indeed. Big days and milestones coming this month - think we might celebrate? Ha! 

Help Good Go Viral

Tomorrow is Giving Tuesday - a national day of giving. That has such a nice ring to it, doesn't it? Especially on the heels of two of the biggest, most hyped, most overindulgent "getting" days of the year. What if we could create that kind of buzz, that kind of energy, and direct it towards GOOD - imagine the positive impact that would make! We here at Peachy Keen HQ firmly believe it's possible, and we encourage all of Friends of Georgia to GIVE to your nonprofit of choice tomorrow. If you're looking for suggestions, take a peek at the list of childhood cancer organizations in the sidebar or click HERE to help us reach our fundraising goal for the St. Baldrick's Foundation. Let's all give, and help good go viral! Thanks, y'all!