Going to 11

Even though it seems like she just started 6th grade, Georgia has been at the Ann Richards School for over four years, and this week, she's planning her schedule for her JUNIOR year! And equally hard for me to wrap my head around is that she'll be taking AP Calculus! Is there anything this girl can't do?!

She once again served as a tour guide at the Open House last week, and the mighty Ann Richards Swim Team - including your favorite relay anchor - qualified for the regional swim meet after a great showing at the district meet. They may not be the fastest ones in the pool, but all of the girls try their very best, and they're having a great time together, so it really is a win-win for all! 

We're working on our fundraising plan for this  year and will update soon with some of those details. For now, we thank you again and again for all of your support over the last six years. Georgia just marked 45 months off treatment, and you're a HUGE part of her continued success!

The Moon and Stars

Well, we've got the first two weeks back at school under our belts, and we're off to a great spring semester! Georgia has two more months of swim season, and Ivy has started rehearsals with her girls' advocacy performance group. Driving practice is going well, too! We're also planning our trip to Boston and already talking about some summer plans. In particular, Georgia is considering applying for a young writer's conference at Sewanee! It's a very competitive program, so it's a real long-shot, but she's up for the challenge. Besides, she's handled much bigger fish ... and she happens to be one.

We also know that Georgia is a STAR, in more ways than one, and the Moon and Stars happen to be on our mind right now. In case you missed the President's final State of the Union address last week, he announced a “moonshot” to cure cancer: a new national effort to conquer cancer once and for all. This is beautiful music to our ears, of course, but just as it took thousands of people and hours and millions of dollars to get us to the moon, it will take that and then some to bring an end to cancer. One quick and simple way to help is to contact your representatives on Capitol Hill and urge them to cosponsor the STAR Act. You've stepped up for us before, and we're asking you to please do it again - we've got the momentum, so let's use it! To the MOON, y'all!

Happy 2016!

We have to start this new year with a new, big THANK YOU! Because of your generosity and support, the Georgia and the Peachy Keens Hero Fund raised over $52,000 last year - FAR surpassing our goal of $15K for 15 in '15! We had several friends step up to shave, other friends organizing fundraisers, and one friend (thank you, Heather!) who directed her own team's fundraising to our Hero Fund. This cooperative effort mirrors the way things are getting done in the childhood cancer research community, with doctors and scientists across different studies and institutions collaborating and sharing their findings. We are all working toward the common goal of cures and safer, less-toxic treatments, and EVERY dollar makes a difference, so thank you, thank you, THANK YOU! And stay tuned for details of our plans for 2016!

After a grand birthday Day of Fun, we rang in the New Year with a delicious dinner and a round of vintage video games and pinball machines. We had star sparklers and sparkling grape juice at midnight and enjoyed one more cake! Six years past diagnosis, a phenomenal fundraising year, and a bright year ahead - we are so grateful!

Sweet Sixteen

Happy New Baby is SIXTEEN today. Sweet, to be sure, but also Smart, Silly, Strong, Soulful, and a Survivor. Six years from diagnosis tomorrow, and 16 months until she is officially cancer-free ... so much to celebrate.

We all enjoyed a Day of Fun together, starting with breakfast tacos and presents, then a bit of shopping, a second viewing of Star Wars (in 3D at the IMAX!), and a wonderful Christmas light show at a local coffee house. The highlight of the day, other than the obvious, was ... Georgia's first driving lesson! We went to the empty parking lot at the football stadium, and although she was a bit nervous at first, Georgia slipped behind the wheel and proceeded to do an excellent job. As with everything she does, she is a very thoughtful driver and made great strides in just an hour. And in the end, she had fun, too! We are literally miles and miles away from where we were six years ago, and to be sharing her 16th birthday and this big milestone with her is a gift for all of us. Happy, Healthy Everything to our Special girl!

Good morning, glory - ready for cake in bed?

 Favorite gift was the pro art markers for our animator!

 Festive way to end a perfect day

16. 

xoxo

May the Force Be With Y'all

Another wonderful Christmas is in the books! So much delicious food, fun presents, and our second year heading to the movies on Christmas Day made for a great holiday, and we're still enjoying our time together. The weather went from balmy and spring-like to decidedly winter in the last couple of days, so we've been hunkered down with movies and coloring books and lots of laughter. Perfect!

Christmas Eve with GG

Christmas morning, the traditional waiting on the stairs

St. Adele!

Star Wars Maniacs

Equal parts Star Wars AND Harry Potter Maniac

Finally! The Force Awakens!

And the celebrations continue ... #monthofgeorgia