Pictures!

 I didn't take nearly as many pictures while I was in South Dakota as one would think. Normally I'm the shutterbug capturing every moment. Here's what I have gathered from other people - Amanda, Julie, Carla. and a few from my cell phone. If you have pictures from Mom's funeral, Relay or other shots of her last few weeks, please send them to me!

So without further ado...

This one turned out blurry - but it's Tony using his "Indian Purse" - Our funeral director Chad got a kick out of it, though I'm not sure Brenda was impressed.

We decided Momma needed to go out in style - This is Crawford's 1957 Cadillac Hearse.

The inset of Mom's Casket - In God's Care

Her Solid Oak Box... we really thought it fit her.

Mom's temporary grave site marker

Momma's Grave site.

We thought it was only appropriate that we went to Relay after Mom's funeral. Dianne's Determine Dreamers came out in 6 fold... There were a LOT of us...

Our Tentsite - Great Job Julie!

Erica Walking for Grammi

Brenda walking with her Family

Our  group (Plus or minus a few)

Shannie, Brenda & Erica

Erica with Tysen

Waiting to take a team picture.

More waiting.

Walking with my gradeschool classmate Angie.

It was Kathy's Idea that we all wear one of Mom's hats while we walked. So she brought the bounty and let every one choose their favorite to wear!

Dianne's Battle is OUR Battle

Our Survivor Jackie - Double mastectomy just a few months ago !

Shannie

Kimmy Sue - entertainment chair!

Elio & Tony

Erica was pretty determine to walk for her Grammi.

LOOK! Tony's HOLDING MY HAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our Family :)

It was so fun to walk with this many people - we just wish we would have been walking in Honor of Mom instead of in Memory of her.

Jason, Tony, Eric & Luke

Lisa - Rhonda - Carla & Jackie

One Full campsite!

Our Luminary

Adding her Survivor pin

Me with our Luminaria

About the time I lost it... tears, tears and more tears. Relay is going to be a lot harder from now on.

Carter's Luminary for Grammi - Great job buddy!

Luminaria

For Grandpa PaPa

By Erica

By Julie (?)

Such a pretty time of Relay...

That's by Troy - He drew Grammi watching him play Tee ball...

I think this is the back of Carter's - He drew Grammi in her Vikings Gear!

Lighting them up!

One someone else made :)

By Julie

So pretty...

Funeral & Visitation Schedule

Visitation at Crawford Funeral Home on Thursday June 23rd from 4pm to 7pm

Funeral at Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer in Watertown on Friday June 24th 2pm,  coffee and cake reception to follow.

Also, Come join us for a few laps at Allen Mitchell track for Codington County Relay for Life after the service and reception to continue our fight against Cancer to honor Mom.

The Hope Corps Walk On

Due to slow internet connection please go HERE to see the pictures...

Any ways... Last night was Relay for Life in Des Moines Washington. I would have done anything to be there for it - but I am where I need to be ... which is here with my Family.

Mom had a good day yesterday - there were a lot of people around and she enjoyed the company very much.

Today we celebrate her Birthday with a picnic ... eventhough her Birthday is tomorrow technically.

Thanks Hope Corps for walking for Mom... she appreciates every step!

Lots of People Lots of Love

Every single one of Mom's siblings, her Grandchildren and Children were by her side at one point in time or another today.

She had a good day - awake, talking and happy.

She did sleep a little, but I think she'll sleep nice and hard tonight.

Thanks for all the visits....

Pictures of Highline Relay & The Hope Corps to come tomorrow!

night everyone,
a

Not to be left out

I also have the link for Dianne's Determine Dreamers page for Relay for Life.
They will be Relaying on June 24th in Watertown South Dakota if you'd like to join them - if you'd like to donate click HERE!!!

Go Dreamers Go!

Let the Fundraising Begin!

Dear Family and Friends,

Mom has had a great year, and continues to fight her Cancer; hard. Her Two year mark is on June 11th and with summer just around the corner and it’s almost time for the American Cancer Society’s Highline Relay for Life. You may remember hearing from me the past couple summers, as I became passionately involved in this event to honor my Mom by raising money and awareness to help make a difference in the fight against cancer. Thanks to all of your generous support our team The Hope Corps was able to raise $4,500 in 2010!!!

This year I am volunteering on the committee that plans the relay as well as participating as a team captian for the Hope Corps Team to participate in the 18 hour relay on June 11th. My fundraising goal of $1,000 for this year’s Relay is even greater than my goal last year, and I really need your help to meet this challenge.

Being 1,500 miles away from my Mom is hard, and my way to help is to Relay in her honor.
I fight for my Mom and with my Mom by raising money for the American Cancer Society!

I can’t reach my goal without you!
I am asking you to please consider a donation to help me reach my fundraising goal for Relay for Life. If you’re able to donate $1 or $100; every penny counts!
The online donation page can be found here
http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLFY11GW?px=18759155&pg=personal&fr_id=33977

If you have a loved one who has or is fighting cancer, please send me thier name and what type of cancer - I would love nothing more than to light a luminaria on the track for their memory or honor.

Thank you so much for your continued love and support, You are the best!Love, Abby

American Cancer Society Plug

I forgot to post a few things for the American Cancer Society that I wanted to mention on here.

First, My co-worker Mindy is raising money for the Hope on the Slopes event at Stevens Pass! The event is a lot like Relay for Life in the fact that you sign up, raise money, and do a physical activity all night long in the name of fighting against Cancer. There is a lot of cool things in this event particularly if you like Skiing or Snowboarding. Last year I went with her and Phil to support their team and make coffee. I will not be heading up to Stevens Pass this year (it's the same weekend as COMICON) but I hope you will join me in prayerful support of Mindy and financial too! Mindy Ski's for her Mom who they lost three years ago to cervical cancer. Best of Luck Mindy!
Secondly, the Great Western Relay for Life circut is trying to "Purple" Facebook with support for Relay for Life. They have these pictures on their facebook page to put up as your profile picture to show who you support with cancer. So Join us! Find one that works for you - and make it your profile pic! The pics can be found by clicking the links above!

Going Strong

There's something beautiful about being home with your Momma.
I spent the first week of the year with her, and it was the best. week. ever.
I haven't had a chance to blog much - I haven't been real inspired.

I do have to say that I'm pretty happy there hasn't been much news over here. Posting news here can have good and bad connotations, so I'd rather not have to blog than be posting frequently.

Mom is doing well.
She's continuing Chemo in hopes that it will zap some of the Cancer inside of her body.
She's pretty tired most days, but has been working only 30 hours a week (as opposed to her 45+ she has been working). She's been living with Kathy & Todd, and it's helped her exponentially to be around people, and not have to worry about heating that damn trailer house ($244 this month and NO ONE WAS LIVING IN IT).


We had an excellent visit, and I'm working on a little piece about my visit with her to Chemo appointment, her nurses are a hoot!In more news... Missy Sinner took these fantastic photos of us while I was there.
Thank you Missy... from the bottom of our hearts... Thank you.