Go BIG or Go HOME!!!

I had trouble deciding the title for this blog.  This blog is special to me.  It's about my cousin Justine.  Justine was not only my cousin, but was also considered one of my childhood best friends.  We grew up in Carroll together and spent a lot of time together!  I have some funny memories with that girl.  I remember running away to her house in 6th grade.  I packed up my school bag, clothes and of course my violin because I had practice the next day and I marched across town.  What a walk.  I'm sure I looked like a hobo.  :)  I remember playing games with her at Harry and Marie's condo and eating cinnamon French Toast at her house.  Her mom had the frozen mugs that we would drink pop out of and I thought that was so cool.  I also remember going to MN with her to stay with her dad during the summer.  I'll never forget when we hopped onto her stepbrother's moped and went cruisin' into town.  Oh, and we did take it down the road to a dead end and when we tried to turn, we wiped out and scratched the moped.  Oops!!  (Mom if you are reading, you might want to ignore this next part).  I took my first drive in the Buick with Justine.  This drive didn't include a licensed driver, but I didn't drive far.  Promise mom!!  We took it around this triangle piece of land in the middle of two roads.  Let's just say there was the smell of burnt rubber in the air that afternoon.  Justine also shared in my love for the New Kids on the Block.  We really were their number one fans!!!  I have nothing but fond memories of her.  So I was emotional and stunned when I learned her little boy Axel was diagnosed with leukemia last year.  She had an eight year boy and was expecting twin girls in just a few months.  Not only was I concerned for her, but I wanted to help her out - BADLY.

I thought of her everyday and kept updated through their Caringbridge page.  This feeling kept tugging at my heart that I just had to do something.  But what could we do?  Sure, we could write out a check, but there needed to be more.  I was reading her journals and she had written about how their mothers were using their vacation and sick time to help watch the kids.  I'm sure she felt bad about that, but she made the comment that they told her "that's just what families do".  Exactly.  I'm family.  I can't physically be there to help, but I can do more.  And how do I do more?  I get more people involved.  And I thought of the saying, Go Big or Go Home!!

I'm a part of the Share & Care Committee at work.  We have quarterly fund raisers.  We have never had a specific request for a fundraiser though.  I was scared.  I hate asking people for money, but I submitted a request for a fundraiser for Axel and everyone jumped on board with the idea.  We planned a Bake Sale/Silent Auction -  Easter Themed.  I was so nervous because I needed it to be successful for Justine's sake.  It was the fastest planned fundraiser our committee has ever put together.  And we raised DOUBLE what we have ever raised at any fund raiser.  I was in awe - and still am!!!  We raised $1300 for Axel's medical expenses!!!!  It was amazing to me.  People donated without even taking any baked items.  Some donations were in the $50 - $100 range from people I didn't even know!!!  Chris sent out an email to his team and that added to the success also!!  Someone told us that they never participate in fundraisers, but wanted to after seeing his picture and reading his story.  One person wanted us to recreate two of the themed Easter baskets and would match the highest bid on them.  This experience has truly restored my faith in people.  And the best part of it was telling Justine about the check that would be coming her way.  For those of you who work at Principal and were able to stop by, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart.  Here is a picture of little Axel.

Onto a different topic.  We think Brady is teething.  And he has been sleeping a lot lately.  I can't believe a baby can be so cute even when they are sleeping, but this baby is...  Look at that butt sticking up!!!