Days with the Dorans

I wasn't able to make this year's Trike-a-Thon at the kids' school, but thankfully I sent Nana and Papa with the camera. We assume that this is the summer that the training wheels will come off the bikes for the bigs. They are really great at riding their bikes and this could have been the last 'hurrah' with the extra wheels (but we'll see.) Although it was a blast, we did talk about why they were riding their bikes. They know that they were riding their bikes to help kids who are sick. So my kids being who they are- rode for the kids who are sick but also prayed for the kids who are sick. All in all it was a fun day and we are counting our many blessings. I'm so proud of them!! Papa came to watch Zach (it wasn't a school day for him) so that Nana could take some pics for me. Zach saw his buds though (out for a pre-lunch stroll to watch the bigs flying on their bikes) and ditched Papa for his peers! What a cool stoller eh? Wonder if the Octomom got hook...

Well they did it! I am late writing this blog- with the end of school and a week without power... Joey and Ali Jane raised $150 for the kids of St. Jude. It's a good thing that no one pledged per lap because Jonasen must have done 100 laps on his bike! Ali Jane on the other hand (who we usually can't get OFF her bike) wasn't as interested though she did manage a few laps. (Only once was she going against traffic...ooops!) It was great seeing them out there and they actually had a concept that they were helping kids who were sick. There is a little girl at our church named Maddison that we've been praying for. She is only 10 or 11 and has cancer. Her leg was amputated and things aren't looking good. The kids remember her every night in their prayers (without help from me) and ask God other things like the color of her room or her favorite movie. Maddison was in church a few weeks ago and my kids have never commented on why she has no hair or sometimes wears sunglass...

In a couple of weeks, the big kids are participating in their first community service event! They will be riding their "trikes" at their School's St. Jude Trike-a-Thon. I am so excited about this because at our school we raise money for St. Jude's and I know what an amazing place it is. My parent's neighbor's son recently went to St. Jude's because it is the best place to be when your child is fighting cancer. The things that St. Jude does for it's patients and their families is truly amazing. So if you would like to help Joey and Ali Jane raise money for kids fighting cancer at St. Jude, just let me know. (All donations are tax-deductable) The Trike-a-Thon is taking place on May 16th. (cough, cough) I think I might be sick that day! (Kidding of course- I do have personal days that I NEVER take!) Carpe' Diem!