2003 Los Angeles Breast Cancer Walk

Hello, everyone … Family and Friends!                              

In 2003, I had a remarkable experience that changed me and truly affected my identity. I participated in the Los Angeles Avon Breast Cancer Walk with my mother. The walking was tough, leaving me sun burned and with unbelievably sore legs after many miles on the LA cement. I kept on walking and talking with my mom all those miles. I met beautiful women (and some men) whose stories were heart-wrenching but also filled with hope. That is exactly what I learned through my eye-opening experience about breast cancer. People are still hopeful for more research, earlier detection, their loved ones, and for a cure.

It wasn't long after the Breast Cancer Walk that I had a miscarriage. It was our first pregnancy and it was a challenge for me to physically and emotionally recover. I can honestly look back and realize that the Breast Cancer Walk changed how I look at my own challenges in life. I became a stronger woman because of the stories, people, and hope I learned about during that walk.

I haven't been able to participate in another walk; college, moves, babies have come and I have watched others be affected by breast cancer. I think we all know someone who has fought this disease. My mom is participating in her last Breast Cancer Walk. I wish I could walk beside her and talk nonstop like she did for me. Unfortunately she will be doing this alone with thousands of other woman in Washington DC.

There is one thing I can do … I can ask you to help her meet the commitment to raise $2,300. She has already raised half of the amount, but during these tough times it's hard to ask people to donate. If the people I know and love are willing to donate any amount (no matter how little) to her I am hoping that I can help make a difference for her. Will you please make a tax-deductible donation for this breast cancer cause?

You can go online to www.the3day.org. Click on Donate to Participant and enter my mother's name, Julia Nebeker.

Please help me help my mom and we all can help fight breast cancer.

Update

It has been a while since I have sat down to blog. I don't really have a reason just pure simple life has been busy. So here is the run down on the Aston Fam  ...

Ty (poising above as Wolverine) has started baseball. Our family loves this time of year, baseball season. Ty is playing coach pitch this year. Dan also started coaching high school baseball this year. So, we spend a lot of time at the field. It's incredible watching Dan out there because he is so good at coaching and finally he is coaching "his" sport.

Em's had a growth spurt. She has these long legs and all her dresses are getting too short. Emma is preparing for her ballet recital at the end of May. (I'm still her teacher) She loves practicing anywhere she can, like on our walk down by the lake or in the middle of the department store. (sounds familiar, mom?) I  am also preparing for a ballet performance. This year is much more demanding than last year in both the number of dances and difficultly. But I love getting my butt kicked twice a week.

Elijah has a new buddy to torture, I mean play with. I have started a watching a friend of mine's daughter a few times a week. Eli loves having someone smaller than him to boss around. It is actually really funny to watch. We are also potty training, sort of. Basically, he runs around naked and goes on the potty. We put clothes on him and no go. Good thing we live in the desert.

Well, that's about all I have time for ... ballet class calls to destroy my toes.

Wii like to dance

For Christmas, Emma got a Wii game called Just Dance Kidz. My kiddos love it! They take turns choosing the dance and whose turn it is to use the wii remote but then usually they all start dancing. The video below is dark (sorry), but check out the head bobs and when Eli gets involved. 

Christmas Moments

Here are some of my favorite moments from Christmas 2010 ... 

 My sister had this adorable, quirky tradition that she likes us to have matching pj bottoms for Christmas. We had a blast poising for pictures in these but this is my favorite picture because it shows how goofy we are together. I don't think we will ever forget our guys reaction to our Target purchase. Next year, we are going to have matching pj bottoms for them too!

 Christmas Eve the kids watched the Grinch. I looked over to see all three of my kids on top of their Aunt Roo and Uncle Joe. The best is that Roo and Joe are smiling and are totally content with three kids on them.

 This was sooo funny. We have been telling Ty that he is going to get coal for Christmas. It was an ongoing joke with him and Dan. Christmas morning Santa had put a lump of coal in stocking ... a chocolate lump of coal. Ty thought it was hilarious. He kept telling us that Santa thinks he is funny. Yep, even Santa has a sense of humor.

 The picture it tells it all. Eli rockin' out on his guitar. 

Emma helped me make M&M Christmas cookies. She was a sweet little helper with her Christmas pjs on. I could have eaten her up right along with the cookies.

Christmas 2010

For Christmas this year, the Aston family all gathered together in California. It had been a while since we all have been together for Christmas. Although it rained almost the entire visit, we loved being together.

I stressed and worried as I tried to organize our family to head out there. I complained about not being home for Christmas, but none of that mattered.  I knew that the trip would be important and it clearly was so much more than I imagined. The kids loved being with their cousins. I loved being with my in-laws and my sister. Dan got to spend time with his siblings, especially his brothers. What would I do, what is worth having that experience? Again, I left realizing I would do it all over again.

I love our Aston family and every time I leave with wonderful feelings of family, friendship, love, charity and my testimony of Gospel of Jesus Christ is strengthened.  It was a Christmas that my kids talk about and will remember, not of gifts, but about family.

Eli's B-day

Before we left for Christmas break, we had Eli's 2nd birthday party. Eli had friends and their families over for hot dogs and Mickey Mouse cupcakes. It was definitely a "hot dog digity dog" party. 

 Eli getting his cupcake. Auntie Roo helped him blow out the candles. 

 One of Eli's favorite presents ... Goldfish crackers and dum dums. Vetter likes to support my kids addiction, especially since he started it. 

 Eli got his own car from us. Thank goodness he is a good sharer. Everyone wants to drive the police car. 

Well, it's true Eli is two. An adorable, independent, two year old taz. AND we love him!

All aboard ...

All aboard, the Polar Express. We took the kids to Williams, Arizona ... where we boarded a train for the North Pole. It was a magically experience for us all. 

 Ty's favorite part was the hot chocolate and cookies. He also loved being with all his friends. (We went with about 14 families. 78 in our group. We almost took up the entire train car.)

 Eli loved his bell. Emma's favorite was the story they read. She loved the whole train experience.

 After visiting the North Pole, we sang carols.  Guess who decided to join us ... yep, Santa boarded our train. He stopped and talked to each kid (and a few adults.)

 Emma was thrilled to meet Mrs. Claus. She was all smiles and even gave Mrs. Claus a big hug. Some of the guys joined in for a picture with the big guy's wife.

The group we went with all spent the night at the same hotel. The kids all played and even swam together in the hotel pool. (I could only handle the hot tub.) It was a wonderful, magical, exciting and all around fun trip. I think we have found a new family tradition.