Announcing.....

"Team Four Bears"

We are so thrilled to announce that Brother Bear will be representing Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children (TSRHC) as a Patient Champion at the 20011 MetroPCS White Rock Marathon on December 4^th!

Most of you know that Brother Bear has been a patient at TSRHC since 2006 for Idiopathic Toe Walking and had surgery there in 2010. This hospital treats some of Texas’ most difficult and challenging pediatric orthopedic issues. But, did you know they do it all without charging their patients a single dime? That’s right! They conduct appointments, perform surgeries, make braces and prosthetic limbs and don’t expect any payment from their patients!

Since Brother Bear became a patient, our family has been discussing ways that we can give back to and support TSRHC. When TSRHC contacted us about this opportunity, we knew that this was PERFECT for our family! Seriously, support TSRHC through a marathon? This was made for us!

As a Patient Champion, Brother Bear will participate in various marathon media activities, helping to put “a face” to the patients of TSRHC. On race day, he’ll be at the start/finish line cheering on the runners too! TSRHC is the sole beneficiary of The MetroPCS White Rock Marathon. Last year The MetroPCS White Rock Marathon donated $560,000 to TSRHC! That’s the largest single check donation in the hospital’s history! Awesome, right?

This year, The MetroPCS White Rock Marathon is hoping to raise $1,000,000 for TSRHC! We are thrilled to be a part of this record-breaking year.

As a part of this effort, we are raising funds for TSRHC. We’ve named our Team, “Team Four Bears” and we’ve set our fundraising goal at $5,000. Will you help us reach it? No amount is too small. Just follow this link to our fundraising page.

Another way our family is getting involved is through running The MetroPCS White Rock Marathon! Mama and Papa Bear will BOTH be running the race this year (Papa Bear is running Lucky #13 and hoping for enough speed to cross the start line again in Hopkinton, Massachusetts! Mama Bear is running #14 and vows to beat her PR from last year – no matter the cost!).

Please know that there are many other ways you can support TSRHC through The Metro PCS White Rock Marathon besides donating money! You can:

• Run the Rock! That’s right! A portion of every runner’s entry fee goes to TSRHC. The more runners, the more $ donated. Papa Bear and I will be the first to tell you that running 26.2 will change your life. But you can also run a Half Marathon or the Marathon Relay (26.2 divided up into 5 portions). Get a team together! Run for Brother Bear! Run for another patient! Run for yourself! Just do it!
• Volunteer! The Marathon needs over 3,000 volunteers to make this race happen and it doesn’t cost you a dime! Looking for a volunteer opportunity? Our church, Wilshire Baptist Church, operates one of the many essential aid stations along the route. You can volunteer there!
• Cheer! What better way to support us than with your moral support? We’d love to see you along the route, or you can join Brother Bear and create a “Team Four Bears” cheering section at the start/finish line!
• Tell your friends! Please, let your friends know about TSRHC and what a difference they are making in the lives of children across the State of Texas! Spread the word. Light a fire. Make a difference.

Stay tuned over the next few months for updates on our fundraising and training efforts as well other fun information too.

Thank you for taking time to read this. Even more, thank you for being a part of our family’s support network! We couldn’t do it without you.

Most Likely To Succeed

This was a hard post to both process and write. But it desperately needed to be done. Do you ever wonder if you are a good friend? Me too. A recent event made me particularly aware of my shortcomings, so I wrote about it. Am now (trying to be) brave enough to post it on Facebook. Click here to read more.

Changes...

Okay. So I was trying to make a few small changes to the blog and, par for the course, got totally overwhelmed with the cyber options (oh, the options!), and clicking (oh, the clicking!) and then realized I couldn't go back (uh oh! the no-backy-button!). And, well, now we have this.

Cyberbears, if you know me, you know I don't like change. So this is killing me.

Hope it isn't killing you.

Thanks for bearing with me.

Seeing the Forest

Today on Facebook, I'm talking about being able to "see the forest." Click here to read more.

Hot Topics

A conversation in the car yesterday:

Brother Bear: Mama Bear, is there a law about when you can date?

Mama Bear: {Blink. Blink.} Huh?

Brother Bear: Is there a law that says when you are old enough to date?

Mama Bear: {TELL HIM YES! TELL HIM IT'S 21. OR 31!} Well, no, there isn't honey. It is actually Mama and Papa Bear who will decide this. The age when you can date will be based on whether we think you are mature enough, and that is something we will have to watch and decide when you are a little older {Oh, and picking your boogers and eating them? Not working in your favor regarding maturity...}. But, you know how sometimes you tell me, "So-and-so's Mama Bear let's them do X?" Well, it's going to be that way with dating. Some of your bear cub friends may be able to date before you. But their parent bears are deciding for them, and we will be deciding for you and Sugar Bear {NEVER}. Each family decides the right time based on what is right for their cubs and their family. Make sense?

Brother Bear: Yeah. Sure. I just was watching a show and the Mama Bear said, "You aren't old enough to date" so I figured there was a law or something.

Mama Bear: {Ooof. No more of that show} {I shoulda said there was a law. WHY didn't I say there was a law???} Alrighty then. Consider yourself informed now!

Cyberbears, this cub is SEVEN.

God help me.

Shew-eee!

My tongue is draggin' Cyberbears!

We just returned from a delightful and delirious 3 week family vacation. Twenty-four hundred miles logged on the Swagger Wagon for two weeks in The Land of the Bears, and one week at "The Most Magical Place on Earth."

After this incredibly bi-polar vacation, I've decided there are 2 types of bears in this world: National Park type bears and Amusement Park bears.

Any guesses which one I am?

Possible titles for this photo:

• "The things we do for our bear cubs"
• "I just thought I was a cool mom"
• "I want my money back"
• "Do they sell undies in the gift shop?"

(Feel free to add your own in the comments section. Also feel free to mock me. I deserve it.)

Needless to say, much fun was had by all (well, except when I was riding those rides), and we certainly enjoyed the time together no matter what park we were in.

Here's hoping you've enjoyed the month of July. Hoping to be back in the swing of things as soon as I finish the laundry and clean out the van.

Which, from the looks of it, should be shortly before school starts.

Freedom

This week on Facebook, I'm talking about Freedom. Click here to read more.

Surrender

Today on Facebook, I'm talking about surrender. And fear. Click here to read more.

Honestly?

Today on Facebook, I'm talking honestly about honesty. Want to hear the truth? Click here to read more.

My field trip

Curious where I've been this week? I've been on a Field Trip of Faith! Click here to read more about my journey (and, subsequently, why this blog has been so quiet!).

Parent Blessings

(Yours Truly, Mama Bear, the day my Parent Bears welcomed me to their Den)

Today on Facebook, I'm talking about the blessings of Parent Bears. Specifically my own. Click here to read more.

Need I say more?

Let's just say the transition to summer isn't just about them...

Fashionist-ahhh Friday!

Sorry I've been less than post-full this week. We had a very busy weekend. And, in case you didn't know, school ended yesterday. Of course, since it was the last week of school we had to cram 462 different parties, events, meetings, etc., etc., etc. into 3 teeny tiny days. And then either a large furry yellow animal took up residence in my sinuses, or I got a sinus infection. The jury is still out.

Fun times.

So, It's Friday and Schoooool's Out For Summer! (Sorry, couldn't resist.) That means it is time for another exciting week of fashion with our resident Fashionist-ahhh, Sugar Bear.

I'd like to say I took tons of pictures of her fabulousness this week. But, um, I didn't. Instead, I made love to my Sinus Rinse twice a day and culled through the eight million pages of scholarly work Brother Bear brought home every day.

But I did rise from my deathbed to take one picture this week. And it was worth it. Without further adieu, Cyberbears, I bring you Fashionist-ahhh Friday meets Summer:

Going to a pool-sleepover, you ask?

Why no, Cyberbears. Just heading out to pick up Brother Bear from school.

In all honesty, friends, this outfit is pretty genius.

I mean, you never know when a monsoon and nap time are going to collide and cause ultimate destruction. It's best to be prepared....just in case.

And prepared, she is.

So, that's about it for Fashionist-ahhh Friday. I hope to see you next week. As soon as I evict the furry animal. Or die. Whichever comes first.

A Sinner's Prayer

Today on Facebook, I've written and (more importantly) am praying a Sinner's Prayer. Would you like to join me? Just click here.