Closing Out 2012

I don't know what it is but time really does fly by...I feel like 2012 just started and then I blinked and it was over!  I didn't blog nearly as much in 2012 which I somewhat regret but the blog is mainly for our events and our last Team in Training event was in May.  Will and I are both hoping to do another triathlon with TNT in 2013, so watch for the Bacons to return with a new event and new goal, but now I'm getting ahead of myself : )

Back to the present...for the past 6 years I have personally designed our christmas card and as I started out the design for 2012...the word dozen popped in my head.  So my mission was to find a dozen moments in 2012 that were significant to our family.  I have to say there were many chuckles and tears as I looked through a year of photos and picking them proved harder than I thought.

In the end...you see the finished product and each of these photos brings back wonderful memories.

What didn't make it on the card was a mention of me finishing the Dallas Marathon on December 9...and that wasn't really my intention but I kept this race a bit more quiet than the past mainly because I wasn't fundraising and it was more of a personal goal/race.  Plus the kids visiting Santa kind of trumps race day : )

I trained with Luke's Locker and was fortunate to meet some really great people through their program and ultimately I believe I became a stronger runner.  My race goal was lofty...and unfortunately I didn't meet it probably for a variety of reasons...but there will always be other races.  I did shave 2 minutes off my previous marathon so that is a positive.

In the end...I am reminded of why I started running and that was to make a difference...in my life but more so in the lives of others.  And I believe if I can keep that my #1 priority in running than I'll always be proud that I make it to the start line AND cross the finish line!

Here's to finishing 2012 - happy, healthy and ready to take on 2013!

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New Marathon...New Mission

Occasionally things happen in your life or in this case a friend's life and you ask "Why?"...the moment might last a while or it may be fleeting.  In my case it made me ask "What can I do to help?" and this is why you are receiving this email so please take a moment to read.

I've been a long-standing supporter and fundraiser for Team in Training (Leukemia and Lymphoma Society) and that will not change as it is the heart and soul of why and how I've become a runner.  But for the time being...my mission is new and it is to help a friend and show my support.  

My friend is Jessica (some of you know her) and her 9 year old son, Grant, was recently diagnosed with Epilepsy.  Almost every day since the 2nd day of school Grant experiences what they call Complex Partial seizures.  They last less than 2 minutes each but that is 2 minutes with each seizure that is taken away from him.  And he can have multiple ones in the same day.  My heart hurts for Jessica as she is adjusting...and how this affects not only Grant but their family.  Her constant worry when she isn't with him made me want to do something...to tell her she isn't alone. She has said in several different ways..."I know there are worse things happening to kids (like cancer) so I shouldn't feel so bad but it isn't fair and we don't know what causes the seizures."   I couldn't agree more with her and I'd feel the same if it was my child.  It isn't fair...because the thing Grant loves most is swimming.  And he is an awesome swimmer and on swim team!

Grant seems to be taking most of this in stride. Except that he can't play sports, or swim, or even go to recess until his seizures are under control. He's not allowed to ever be alone at school. Or anywhere really. None of that is ok for a 9 year old boy. 

So...what are we doing? You guessed it...we are running!  We've signed up to run the Houston Marathon (Jan 13) in honor of Grant and his recent diagnosis of Epilepsy - we are calling ourselves Grant's Gang.  We will be fundraising for the Epilepsy Foundation.  And here's the kicker...it is 34 days after we run the Dallas Marathon (Dec 9).   

Most people don't know a lot about Epilepsy...here is a eye-opening fact: "While medications and other treatments help many people of all ages who live with epilepsy, more than a million people continue to have seizures that can severely limit their school achievements, employment prospects and participation in all of life's experiences. It strikes most often among the very young and the very old, although anyone can develop epilepsy at any age. In the U.S., it affects more than 300,000 children under the age of 15--more than 90,000 of whom have seizures that cannot be adequately treated."

Please help Grant's Gang reach our goal of $2000 by making a tax-deductible donation on our website. If you are a mutual friend...no worries...we are fundraising on one website so your donation is helping both of us!  Any amount will help and is greatly appreciated and if your company matches please take the steps to get your donation matched.  

Grant's Gang Fundraising Page

‘A mile for a moment. Not another moment lost to seizures.’

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One Year of Treatment Down

Gray's first day of kinder!

Today, September 19, marks the end of one year and the beginning of another for Grayson and his family.  I am beyond blessed to know this family!

Kalee wrote a beautiful post on FB today and it is also shared on Gray's blog.  Please take a moment to read it and look at the last year of their life in photos.  It really puts it into perspective what it is like to have a child diagnosed with leukemia.

My prayer for Gray....May God bless Gray with continued strength and good health and allow him to be the child he is meant to be each and every day!

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