T Minus 7 Months!

It's the 29th! Seven months from today, Georgia will be Officially Cancer-Free! Just thinking about that is so exciting, but you know what else is exciting? Getting to order your letter jacket!!!

What a milestone!

When we think about what Georgia has done, in and out of school, these special moments are that much sweeter. And as time marches on, and graduation draws closer, there will be more special moments and more milestones to celebrate - and we are so grateful for every one.

We're also busy preparing for another big day this weekend - Ivy's 13th birthday! How that baby is a teenager already, I'll never figure out, but boy, she is a special, special girl! We've got plans to celebrate her and do it up right, but for now, let's look back at her first birthday after Georgia's diagnosis. Her 7th. She was - and is - a Super Sib, indeed.

Super Sister

Slainte!*

Our first Fado Austin Shave for the Brave is done! It was a success, lots of fun, and hopefully, the start of something big. We finished up just before the rain poured down, but other than that, everything went off without a hitch, and just like with every St. Baldrick's event I've ever been to, the crowd was very complimentary, inspired, and asking how they can help. Mission accomplished! Officially, that was our last event for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and 2016 as a whole, but ... never say never ...! 

Today's moment to remember takes us back to our first September since Georgia's diagnosis and one of our first charitable events - the Austin CureSearch Walk. It just so happened to fall on the same day of our ice cream social, marking Georgia's transition to maintenance. Now that was a party!

Whew!

*Good Health!

Funds + Research = Cures

If you'll recall, last summer, I had the honor of informing a research doctor in Seattle that the Georgia and the Peachy Keens Hero Fund had funded her study on relapsed ALL. That was a such a good day! And again, it couldn't have been possible without your generous support and donations.

Recently, we received a report from St. Baldrick's and an email from Dr. Summers herself updating us on her progress and plans for the future. It is quite something to be able to see exactly where all of our dollars and hard work are going and to see that Dr. Summers is already answering questions and making a difference for children facing this diagnosis. Here's my favorite part of her email:

I have a picture of Georgia posted at my desk and use it as a reminder of how lucky I am to have the opportunity to care for pediatric patients like her.  It's also a constant motivator as I continue to push my research project forward in Georgia’s honor.  

Wonderful! Thank you, Dr. Summers, for keeping Georgia, and all kids in the fight, on your mind. And thank you, St. Baldrick's, for giving us a way to be part of the science, part of the hope, and ultimately, part of the cure.

All Good Things

Wednesday was Back-to-School Night at Ann Richards, and Trevor and I got a workout as we had to divide and conquer two schedules! I love meeting the new teachers and seeing the great work all of the girls are doing. We never take for granted the attention and opportunities Georgia and Ivy are receiving at this amazing school, and we're beyond proud of everything they've accomplished. They both volunteered at the Visual Arts Booster Club table, featuring coloring pages of Georgia's winning design for the 10th Anniversary t-shirt!

Yesterday, Georgia and I also volunteered at a free heart screening for student athletes, sponsored by the Championship Hearts Foundation. This non-profit is focused on the prevention of sudden cardiac death by screening young athletes for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) and other cardiac abnormalities. About 300 local teens were screened, including Georgia, and we're happy to report that her heart is perfectly healthy and swim training-ready! Check the CHF website for more information and for screenings throughout the state.

Even though we're halfway through September, in Texas, it's still swim weather, so we spent some time in the pool today, celebrating good news, good health, and good things to come. Have a good week, y'all. xo

Solid GOLD!

In honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Kendra Scott is going GOLD with us for two special events! This Friday, September 16th, and next Friday, September 23rd, I'll be playing hostess at a local store from 6-8 pm, and 20% of purchases made during these events will benefit the St. Baldrick's Foundation and childhood cancer research! The jewelry is beautiful, and these events are a beautiful way to make a difference for our beautiful kids!

Out-of-town friends who would like to support us can take a look at the website and then phone in their orders during the events. Thanks so much!

Phone for the Lamar store: 512-879-3422 

Phone for the South Congress store: 512-354-4737

In choosing each Moment to Remember as we count down to Georgia's Official Cancer-Freedom, I get lost in re-reading old posts, especially those when she was still in the thick of treatment, when she was missing her beloved school. That was one of many big sacrifices our girl had to make, so seeing this post, and that smile, today was really, really lovely. Thanks for looking back with us!

A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes

Viva Las Everything

Tonight in Las Vegas, Criss Angel is hosting a huge fundraiser for childhood cancer in honor of his son, Johnny. Even bigger news is that the St. Baldrick's Foundation is one of the beneficiaries AND a 46 Momma from the original class of 2010 is shaving her head on stage as part of the event!

The Las Vegas community is so supportive of these events, so it will certainly be a success. As a preview and promotion for tonight's show, Criss released this video, which is as heartbreaking as it is beautiful.

Speaking of Vegas, our 46 Mommas Lucky 7 Shave in July was such a great event and a great time for everyone - I have to say it was my favorite Momma shave! There is truly something in the air at McMullan's Irish Pub, and the positive energy just radiates throughout the whole place. It was a special day for new and returning Mommas alike, and I'm thrilled to report that we have passed $1.9 million and are on our way to $2 million! We also got the honor of holding the $34 million sign to recognize the year-to-date total raised by all events for the St. Baldrick's Foundation. The Peachy Keens will be adding to that with four events over the next two weeks, so look out $35 million - here we come! For now, here are some favorite pictures of our Lucky 7 Shave. Thanks for your support, and Viva Las Mommas!

Alyson with the clippers - again!

Bekah and I celebrating our third time shaving together.

 The amazing McMullan's crew!

Joining the Knights of the Bald Table as

Dame Courtney the Unbreakable, Maker of Mischief and Mirth, Daughter of the Lone Star, 

Mother of Brilliant Lights, Sister of the Brave 46, Weaver of Words, Teller of Tales, 

and Hopeful Citizen of a World without Childhood Cancer.

 My fellow Knights.

That's all, folks!

Until next time, Mommas!

Jumping In

Three weeks into the new school year, and Georgia and Ivy both are back in the groove - and Georgia's back in the pool! The first practice Thursday was a bit rough, as it always is after a summer off, but she pushed through, and in fact, her backstroke was looking really, really nice! As a junior(!) in her third year on the team, she'll need to be ready to literally jump in whenever and wherever the team needs her, so it's good to get some practice in several events. First meet is in four weeks!

Up with the chickens and in the pool before sunrise.

Just keep swimming ...

In other school news, we now have TWO members of the National Honor Society! Ivy was inducted into the middle school chapter, and Georgia was there to welcome the new inductees of the high school chapter. We are so proud of both of our smart girls!

For Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, we've decorated our Little Free Library, "An Unexpected Journey," and put out St. Baldrick's bracelets and pamphlets for our readers. The library has been a big hit, and we're excited to be able to share our love of reading and raise awareness at the same time.

The bookmark Georgia made for our readers. 

And finally, an update on our new "baby," Clementine. She is such a sweet girl, even in her crazy kitty moments, and we are having so much fun with her! She is also a big helper, eager to assist with just about anything, including ye olde blog ...

Enjoy your weekend, friends!

Just Imagine

I had a doctor's appointment today, and as I was waiting - and waiting - I once again gave thanks for my health and uneventful (save for two precious babies) medical history. And then I thought of Georgia and the full binder she will bring to *every* doctor's appointment for the rest of her life - especially those appointments that result from the toll treatment takes on a child's body. We have to do better, friends. We not only have to save these kids, but also ensure the long, healthy lives they deserve. And that's why we wholeheartedly support the St. Baldrick's Foundation and do whatever we can to raise awareness, hope, and funds for research. Just imagine if everyone did something ...

St. Baldrick's Foundation - Just Imagine from St. Baldrick's Foundation on Vimeo.

Someone who is doing their part in the fight against cancer is featured in our next moment to remember, when Georgia was invited to a special photo shoot, one of many cool opportunities she was given during treatment and after. There's that positive spin again! : )

Home Stretch

First swim practice of the season tomorrow! I'll be there watching and cheering and giving thanks because even though Georgia has some challenges now and may have more in the future, she's here and she's thriving and she's amazing. How lucky we are!

Seven Septembers

This is the seventh Childhood Cancer Awareness Month we've marked since Georgia was diagnosed. Hard to believe! We've raised a lot of awareness, hope, and funds for research in that time, and we have a lot to be grateful for. But sometimes, when we are reminded yet again that this is a lifelong journey, we get a bit tired. For the past week, Georgia has been dealing with another bout of significant fatigue and low blood pressure. A very full set of labs tell us that she is okay, and although her echo was normal in June, we are monitoring her blood pressure just in case. All this to say, for now, we're going to chock it up to a mystery virus - again. She started bouncing back over the last couple of days and should be ready to go when swim practice starts up on Tuesday! Thinking positive, as always! Even when it's hard to do. : )

And as a reminder, this is why we do what we do - during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and every month. Some of these statistics are improving, but the biggest one isn't. In fact, up until a few weeks ago, we believed that worldwide, a child is diagnosed with cancer every 3 minutes. Research now tells us that it's every 2 minutes. We're moving backwards, and that is not acceptable. Please share this infographic (click to see the full view), make a donation, donate blood, or join us at an event this month - just please do something for these kids. For Georgia.

Happy Seventh September, friends, and thank you for your continued support and for keeping our girl on your mind.