3Day Inspiration

Hi all - You'll be getting and update along with everyone else about the Breast Cancer 3-Day walk this past weekend...but I thought I'd give a quick update and send a few photos. It was an amazing experience on every level. At times overwhelmingly emotional - like watching a man and his wife (survivor) holding hands as they walked the last mile together smiling and carrying a flag stating that they walk for their children, or at the opening ceremony when they asked us all to shout out the name of the person(s) we walk for and Kris and I were sobbing so much we couldn't get the word "Mom" out of our mouths. And at times completely ridiculous or silly - like letting every child along the route spray us with water to try to beat the 90+ heat - the giant pink Energizer Bunny that visited camp so we'd keep going and going and going - the volunteer crossing guard dressed as a pirate or the Jug Heads who wore decorated bras on their hats, and carried jugs of water and gatorade for constant replenishment we needed. You've never seen so many positive, helpful, dedicated, and inspiring people in one place in your life. Amazing.

Well that was fast, I'm impressed....

OK Gang

As requested! Here is our new blog and we can stay in touch - blogs really are amazing ways to keep everyone a little more connected, but they work best when people actually post on it! So you should each have recieved an invite to be an author on this blog.

You can post pictures - etc.

This blog is open to be viewed by others, but I did not enable the search engine so it can't really be found unless someone is looking for it - if you have any questions let me know:-)

Couple of pictures above - my parents with many of their grandchildren (Brian's 4 were not on vacation with us), myself with Brooke's baby Johanna, Luke catching a major wave in the Outer Banks -

School starts here on Aug 26th and that evening Den and I fly out to attend Sam's orientation at BYU and then have a little getaway weekend out there. We are actually going to the Charlotte area for Labor Day weekend to visit some friends - and then will settle back into "school" life. Sigh. I am not overly enthused for summer to end, homework and packing lunches, and a SCHEDULE. But it must be:-)

Love you all - now POST!
Lexi

Atlanta

That's an incredible summer, I am so sorry you and are family are going through all of this. You've had your share of health issues.

It sounds like your daughter Mary has continued on a successful track. Hope your foundation is continuing to grow, what a fulfilling thing to have started and grown.

My kids actually started school this week, I'd assume Lisa you would be the only one with kids starting since you are in the South. Seems the North doesn't usually start until Labor Day.

I'd love to see a blog started....Lexi....you may be the only one who knows how to get that started.
-Becky

NC News

Hi girls!

Well, another summer has come - and is almost gone - WOW!

Sorry I'm late chiming in regarding the girls weekend. My planning ability is in flux right now, as I'll explain. I have spent a large portion of my summer with my parents in Kentucky caring for my dad (and basically my mom, too, as her arthritis has really disabled her).

In February, Dad was placed under Home-Hospice care due to his declining abilities from prostate/bone cancer. In mid-May, Eric and I received what we thought was "the phone call" to come, as Dad was completely unable to move and taken to the hospital. We were told that Dad had only days/few weeks left, so Eric and I decided to stay to turn his office into a "hospital room", bring him home and basically be his in-home nurses. (Eric and I sure are blessed with wonderful spouses who managed the kids, end of school activities, the house, and shuttling kids to various activities - 30+ soccer games! in our absence!) We were there until June 19th!!!, at which time, we were able to seek out a wonderful skilled nursing facility to place him in that's close to my parent's home - so mom can be with him every day. On June 20th (Happy late birthday Kim), Chris, our girls and I took a much needed beach vacation - and then in mid-July - we all (Eric's and my family) returned to Louisville for a "reunion" for Dad. I stayed, with the girls, for 2 more weeks to spend time with Dad and help Mom organize the house. Bless my Dad's heart, he's hanging on..... without much pain, but pretty disoriented. So much for doctors' assessments as to how much time a person has left.

WHEW! That's quite an explanation of "How I Spent my 2009 Summer". Although it's very sad to see Dad and mom decline in health, it was great Carlson Family time together --- particularly with Eric. It's been so long since we've been together as "Brother and Sister" -- as we're usually all together and busy parenting. Despite it all, Eric and I really enjoyed our time together.

All this being said, my life right now is functioning kind of as normal in NC, but on alert for an emergency trip to KY. Chris and I have wanted to plan an end of summer get away, but just can 't commit to any reservations due to Dad. I do (did?) have the girls' Sept weekend blocked off - and still could come (depending on Dad), but it looks like that isn't going to happen with everyone else's schedule. I have considered myself very lucky to be able to see you, Kim and Lexi, during our annual trips to Cleveland for Thanksgiving (which we are planning on again).

I would really like to get together for some girl time and catch up on all the "snippets" of information that were briefly shared in the emails between us all..... college, family, jobs, vacations....... If we can't get together, Lexi you mentioned the ability to set up a blog --- can you still do that so that we can stay in better touch?

That's it for now.... get ready for Fall, it's right around the corner!

Miss you all,
Lisa