Sprint for Life/Mother's Day

On May 7, 2011 we were still in Utah and got to go meet Maren's sweet new baby Anna--Anna was just 2 days old.  Meanwhile, back in Houston, my parents and siblings participated in the MD Anderson Sprint for Life for Ovarian Cancer research.  My mom was just one day post-op after having a new port placed for future chemo (a usually pretty minor surgery) and she was slow, but she walked the whole 5K!  Her team (Sweet Like Candy) was huge--close to 50 people and she was so moved by all the support from friends, neighbors, and ward members.  We were sad to miss the race and were looking forward to being home the next day.  You can see the video my sister made from the race day by clicking here. 

Megan was so excited to realize that if Maren's baby came out to play, ours would come someday too!

Maren (looking great at 2 days post partum) and Anna (Ah-dorable!)

Shad, Jamie, Dad, Mom, Carrie, and Tyler before the race...

The whole team!  Sweet Like Candy 2011

 

(L to R): My Mom Candy, Laura, and Linda (two of her good friends; Linda is the Mom of my good friends Kat and Jenn)

My Mom is one of the most amazing women I know.  She proved that yet again on her race day!  While we were flying home from Utah on Mother's Day (May 8), Mom was being admitted to the hospital for a collapsed lung--she walked that 5K on one lung.  It was most likely nicked during her surgery on May 6.

I was pretty sad that we didn't get to head straight over to Mom's when we got off the plane like we wanted, but we did arrive home safe and sound and looked forward to seeing her soon.  I feel so blessed to be surrounded by so many wonderful mothers--my Mom, Dan's Mom, Baba, Dan's Grandma, my sisters, sisters-in-law, aunts--it's amazing the influence each has had on my life. 

I wasn't expecting much for myself on Mother's Day this year, but Dan had planned ahead!  I arrived home to a lovely new food processor (that I'd been wanting for a few years)--it was a great surprise.

Mother's Day was especially poignant for me this year as I realized it could be the last one I'd have with my Mom.  I was so thankful that day for the chance to talk with her on the phone and express my love.