CHOC WALK 2011

We had another wonderful walk today.
Team Bella walked through Disneyland with our fabulous socks.
Together we raised over $1,000 in Bella's name.
So wonderful to honor her again.

This was the sign outside the Little Miss Matched sock store at Downtown Disney.
How perfect for Team Bella!

Front of our sign, and our fabulous sock shot!

Back of our sign...I just couldn't use last years...had to make a new one!

Team Bella at the castle!
(see the fairy godmothers in the back? so cute!)

meeting Stormtroopers

Phineas and Ferb!

The cheerleaders cheered us on at the end of the walk.

Whether you walked with us, or donated...
Thank you.
And next year, please consider joining our team.
There is something very inspiring about being there...

one year...

Dear Bella,

Hard to believe it's been one year.
For one year, I have worn my fabulous socks,
and have thought of you each time.

It was pretty awesome to be with your family yesterday.
I hope you liked your purple balloons.

Did you hear your big sister's amazing words?
She's pretty remarkable...but you knew that already.

Can you believe all the wonderful people who sent letters to your dad!
How wonderful to read about you much you mean
to so many people,
in so many places.
Did you get my Jack's balloon?

He cried and cried a lot for you last night.
But, before bed, he thanked me for bringing him to the park.
He felt that you would've loved to have been there.

It's been one year.
But we love you just as much.
If not more.

We all watched quietly, as the balloons floated up...
closer to you...
You are so greatly missed.

Thank you, Ringgolds, again, for sharing your sweet, sweet baby girl with me.
My life is forever changed because of her.

(For those of you who didn't know,
I will be walking in this year's CHOC Walk,
leading Team Bella through the streets of Disneyland.
The walk is this Sunday, and it's not too late to sponsor me.
Should you want to donate in her memory, you can do
so on my page. Thank you!)

same sweet face

I took this picture WAY back when Molly was a tiny 15 month old.
(You can read about her blanket love here).

Yesterday at Disneyland, she decided to take a rest while
riding "It's a Small World" and I took this picture.

Same. Sweet. Face.

Tiller Days tradition

We go to the Tiller Days every year.
We meet up with friends,
eat good food,
and ride lots of rides...

It's lots of fun to go back and see how much bigger the kids are!
Last year, Molly jumped for the first time!
Here is 2009!

There's 104 Days of Summer Vacation...

...if you are a big Phineas and Ferb fan,
you know what I mean :)

When I found out that the Phineas and Ferb LIVE! Show was coming
to Long Beach, I knew we had to go.

The show, is something that BOTH my kids can enjoy,
and that makes a happy mom!
This picture, of my two kiddos,
seriously makes me laugh.
It's *so* them.

I tried to get a *nice* picture,
but these two were very silly,
and just wanted to go inside and wait.

Jack picked cotton candy as a treat,
and it came with this Phineas hat, which Molly soon claimed as hers.

Jack posed this picture himself...
copying the silhouettes of Phineas and Ferb on the stage.

It was really fun watching both my kids enjoy the same show,
when normally one TV has Star Wars on
and the other has Nick Jr.

Immediately after the show, both kids wanted to know if we
could go again...
and we sang show tunes all the way home!

on my heart

You may remember last year, when Team Bella was formed to walk for Bella Ringgold in the CHOC Walk. You may also remember that Bella passed away days before the walk, and we walked in her memory, raising about $4,000 together! This year, we again will walk together to celebrate Bella's life, and at the same time, raise money for CHOC.

However, something has come up.
I am still very much 110% Team Bella.
And I am 200% dedicated to walking next month.
But...now, I have another friend to walk for.
His name is Jamal. He started Kindergarten in my class on August 29th.
He turned 5 a week later.
And, a week after that, he was hit by a car while riding his bicycle.
And, last night, he was transferred to CHOC.
Right down the street from me.
While he is off all pain meds, and breathing tubes, and his bright brown eyes are wide open, Jamal is still unresponsive.
His family, including 4 other brothers, remains faithFUL.

I have always written that we have always felt so blessed
to have never "needed" CHOC for our own 2 kids. We have been so very lucky.
But, now, one of my "kids" is there...
and for that reason, I am encouraged to walk even more.
If you would like to support me in the walk,
you can join Team Bella...
or you can donate directly to my walk page.

I am so thankful for all have you that have donated in the past...
Thank you for helping me in this cause. It's very close to my heart.

I took this photo yesterday, as I left....
next time I visit him, he will be at CHOC.

Thanks, Koki's

Our favorite restaurant closed...
Too bad, because Molly was just starting to get good
at catching her dinner.