We have so much going on for fundraising, that I just had to put it all in one place!

I will be hosting an online auction again this year, these have always done so well for raising money, so we are doing it again!  Previous auction items have been jewelry, Scentsy items, books, photography services, scrapbooking items, and gift certificates.  The auction will be July 31st through August 2nd, and I'm searching for people who would like to donate an item or a service.  If you are interested, please click here.  It will take you to the form to fill out if you are interested.

Thermal Lunch Box Fundraiser in memory of Ellie! My friend Jessica will be donating 100% of the commission from the sale of these thermals to CureSearch for Childrens' Cancer in Team Princess Strong's name! I hope you help us out! To order one of these... it's simple!! They are $25.00 each including shipping and tax!

Just click on this form, fill it out, and she will contact you for payment!

http://goo.gl/forms/pnQBa9ojR0

Jamberry CURE SEARCH FUN-RAISER! Another great friend Kristi is donating her commission which is 30% which will be donated to CureSearch for Children’s Cancer’s mission is to end children’s cancer by driving targeted and innovative research with measurable results in an accelerated time frame. This donation will be proudly given to this organization on behalf of Team Princess Strong! Invite a friend, encourage them to attend, learn about Jamberry, but more importantly LEARN why it's important to keep researching and supporting organizations such as this! Come one, Come All... Let's make CURESEARCH, Team Princess Strong and Princess Ellie proud of what we can do, when we do it together!!! http://kristikellison.jamberrynails.net/party/?uid=db1412f2-9f90-4bc1-a0f5-ab2d5f49e9c4

The Pink Heals 5K Color Rush is September 12th.  Proceeds of this fabulous race to benefit two wonderful LOCAL organizations:

Mary Washington Hospital Foundation- Color Rush 2014 created the "MWH Foundation Pediatric Oncology Fund" to benefit the MWH Regional Cancer Center! This Fund was created in memory of Princess Ellie Marie Blaine. http://www.marywashingtonhealthcare.com/mwh-a-sh-foundations/foundations

"Strong For Dom Foundation" whose mission it is to:

-Raise awareness about Neuroblastoma and other childhood cancers

-Raise funds for research for Neuroblastoma and childhood cancer in effort to treat/cure such disease

-Keep their son Dominic’s spirit alive and sustain his memory and strength

To register for this awesome event...trust me, your kids and you will love it...visit http://www.imathlete.com/events/EventOverview.aspx?fEID=23687 and choose team Princess Strong when you register.  We will be making new white shirts for this year, stay tuned!

CureSearch Walk is coming up September 26th.  This walk is held in Charlottesville, VA and is a wonderful even for families to come to!  We'd love to have you join our team!  To register or to donate please visit Team Princess Strong Page.  I will be reopening the tshirt link if you didn't get a chance to order a shirt.  25 must be order for the shirts to print.  I will post a link once its open.

Noah is still raising money for St. Jude!  He is almost at $2000.  His goal is $3000, that's when he gets to dye is hair green in August!  To follow his progress and see all his thank you's and videos, his facebook page is Noah Goes Green.  If you'd like to donate directly to Noah, he has his own fundraising page.

I do hope that our friends and family will join us in these upcoming events!  If you cannot, I ask for your prayers for all those that help put on these events.  They work very hard to organize these amazing days, and I know they would appreciate prayers for guidance and peace as their events get closer!

Prayers, Praise and Pink
~ Carly

Getting Away

We did something we've never done before this week, we went on vacation, just us. We've always done family trips with my parents, and I don't think a trip to st. Jude quite counts as a vacation, although some days I miss it as much as the beach! Once I realized how short our summer was this year, with the new school calendar taking effect, I thought it would be the perfect thing for our crew. Nothing over the top, nothing life changing, just a week away from our everyday lives to recharge.  I felt like such a big kid as I contacted the realty company myself...something my mom has always done. Great stress and feelings of responsibility went into our menu for the week and our massive grocery shopping trip. I made lists upon lists to make sure we didn't forget a thing (I love that part!) I felt super domesticated and Betty Crockerish as I baked, tried new recipes, and froze meals so I didn't have to cook on vacation. As I watched Richard carry every Thirty One bag I own...good thing I have so many...to the cars (yes we had to take two) I had a huge appreciation for all that my parents have done for the numerous years we have gone on vacation (Thanks Mom and Dad!) and even though they weren't coming with us, Dad's truck and canoe still were...always looking out for us! 

With as much as Richard has been working this past month or so, this week was so needed.  It has been so beautiful to watch my family, be a family. We have played in the water, canoed, ran around, ate, climbed that big hill back from the lake (all that walking should make up for all the eating!) played board games, watched movies in black and white (because we can't figure the TV out) ate some more, thrown water balloons, played in the rain, taken naps outside, read, gotten bug bites, walked and giggled. 

It's an odd thing to go on a "family vacation" when someone in your family isn't here. At times it has been overwhelmingly obvious that Ellie isn't here. There was a point I was coming inside and I stopped and caught my breath as I looked in at everyone sitting on the couch, and perfectly placed between Noah and SG was an empty seat. 

I see that space a lot. Ellie's not here. As much laid back fun as we've had, she still not here. Noah would correct me at this point and remind me that Ellie is with Jesus, and Jesus lives in my heart, so technically (yes he would use that word) she is here're with us.  But I can't touch her, hold her or hear her, and that's what I want!

It's been interesting though, to watch little bits of Ellie continue to shine though SG. Physically SG wears a lot of Ellie's clothes now, so sometimes from the back, I see Ellie...well from the waist down. 

But SG has so many of Ellie's mannerisms, the way she dances, some of her sounds, her hair twirling when she's tired...things we could have never taught her. I can take credit for the clothes, and yes there are days I put certain clothes of her because it takes me back to a sweet memory, and then there are days that I cannot handle an Ellie dress, so she wears something brand new.  However I cannot take credit for SG doing the Ellie dance, or that silly noise that I could never describe, that SG has just started doing. I give that credit to The Lord who understands that I can't physically see my girl right now, and He knows that hurts, so He's going to bless me with some sweet reminders, a silly noise, a funny hop, and sweet snuggles. 

I'm so thankful to The Lord, for knowing my heart, knowing my needs and continually providing for me and never leaving us alone. http://youtu.be/DavJ9UKS2ps

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

Prayers, Praise and Pink

Carly