Falling Behind

It's been a long time since my last update! I still feel like a chicken with its head cut off! Thankfully school is over, so I don't have any more running around to do for that. I've taken a break from Insanity, only because I can't find the time to workout twice in a day with all the crap I've had going on. I'm still running and hitting the arc trainer or elliptical at the gym, though.

Last Friday was Relay For Life and it was just incredible. The weather was perfect which allowed for us to be outside at the high school track, camping overnight to ban together to Celebrate, Remember and Fight Back for all of those who have ever heard the words "You have cancer." So far, our event has raised over $75,000!

My family and I were just thrilled to see our mom walking the survivor lap again this year. She is doing so well compared to how last year started out. She walked the survivor lap, then the caregiver's lap with my dad and then the next lap when all participants walk together. That's 3/4 of a mile! Not bad for almost 77! She's always been a trooper, no matter what her attitude might have been during treatment.

My friend Joann, a 2-time breast cancer survivor, and my mom walking the survivor lap!!

Mom, Dad and our brother John

Charlie entered the Ms. Relay pageant again this year. Unfortunately, he was not crowned the winner. Maybe the third time will be the charm?

Charlie's on the left- "Deidre O'Rourke- Irish step-dancing prodigy"

So, most of us stayed overnight and didn't sleep a wink, including my kids! The RFL committee makes it so much fun, between the contests (there was a scavenger hunt this year), entertainment (Legworks, my daughter's dance studio, had several of their competition numbers perform) and themed laps (like slumber and birthday party, pirates and princesses and tie-dye to name a few), you don't want to miss anything! At 5:30am, bagels and juice was served and then it was the closing ceremony. Another successful Relay behind us, which made us look forward to next year's!

Birthday lap!

Some of the luminarias we made in honor of our mom.

Sun's up! Final lap- we are the All-Nighters!

It took most of the weekend to recuperate after lugging all of our gear back and forth to the car and walking mile after mile while staying up all night! I'm so happy we do it, though! This week was more testing for the kids and on Thursday morning we had Chelsea's 8th grade award ceremony. She got 'Outstanding Academic Achievement in Science!' So much for THAT stereotype! I still can't believe I am now the mother of TWO kids in high school! I definitely don't feel old, I just may look it! But that won't be for too long...