And ... Action!

It's the 29th, so Georgia is now 8 months away from Official Cancer-Freedom! Other than feeling a bit under the weather this weekend, the first week of the new school year went well, and Georgia and Ivy both are looking forward to a busy fall semester. Swim practice starts next week, and college visits at Ann Richards are just around the corner. Georgia has added a few more schools to her list, and we'll continue to gather information about them and then talk and talk and talk for the next year! It really is an exciting process, and we're so proud and grateful that she is at this point - even though it got here so quickly! : )

Also right around the corner is September and National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and we have several events in the works! Austin-based jeweler, Kendra Scott, will be hosting two proceeds nights at local stores on Friday, September 16th and Friday, September 23rd, and 20% of sales during our events will be donated to the St. Baldrick's Foundation! For those who aren't local, there may be a possibility of online or phone orders during our events counting toward our proceeds, so stay tuned here for more info.

Leading up to our big shave at Fado Irish Pub on Saturday, September 24th, we're hosting our annual trivia night at Fado on Tuesday, September 20th. Join us for another rollicking good time and a chance to raise some much-needed funds for childhood cancer research! We'll also be promoting our main event, the Fado Austin Shave for the Brave! If you have a hankering for a haircut or would like to volunteer or just cheer on our shavees, please contact me (46mommacourtney@gmail.com) with questions or ideas. It's going to be a great time, so come on out!

So lots of plans and fun and ACTION for September because we can be as aware as we want, but without action, we can't end childhood cancer. Thank you for your continued support of Georgia, our family, and all kids fighting cancer - we couldn't do it without you!

And as a moment to remember, here's the first time we took ACTION for one of Georgia's spinal taps - her first note to Dr. Neff!

And We're Off!

7/11

As of Monday, we now have a 7th grader and an 11th grader at the Ann Richards School! The year is off to a lucky start, methinks!

Both girls strode right in to the building, confident and proud, and it was a beautiful thing to see. They were looking forward to welcoming their cousin, who is a new 6th grader this year, as well as the rest of their new ARS sisters. I can't say enough how grateful we are that Georgia and Ivy are both in a school that celebrates learning, challenges its students, and supports their dreams for the future. On Monday, though, I did have my eye (and heart) on the past, too, as it was five years ago that day that our girl first walked in to that building as an Ann Richards girl - still in the throes of treatment, ankles and joints impeding her gait. It was a hard, but quick transition, and she has grown exponentially in every way since then. This is an extra exciting year for her, on several fronts, and we're going to soak up every bit of it.

Ol' Number 34

Happy August! Georgia and Ivy have been enjoying lots of fun - and a fair amount of rain - at Camp Mystic the past week or so. We're picking them up on Thursday, and then we have a nice three-day weekend, and school starts on Monday! It's been a wonderful summer, pretty busy at times, too, and I know the girls have both had a great break. We'll get more details on camp when they come home, but here they are on Opening Day - all smiles:

And how about this - the word from the St. Baldrick's Foundation today is that we've raised $34 Million for childhood cancer research this year! Some of the 46 Mommas' kiddos made the sign and we celebrated early in Vegas last month:

We've had that honor before, but we got there a lot sooner this time. If you've donated this year, you're a part of that amazing number, and if you haven't, you could help us on our way to $35 Million! Click HERE to donate - please and thank you, thank you! 

Tonight's moment to remember is the time Georgia made a new friend at the clinic. That was a great day, and we hope y'all have a great week. : )

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