Rained Out

So I guess I'm in a blogging slump.  It's once again been a LONG time since my last post.  We've been working on the house most spare moments we get, but more on that later... 

My first March for Babies in Houston was at the end of April, during the weekend Houston got a monsoon amount of heavy rain!  Yep, you've probably guessed where this is going.  We had to cancel March for Babies, for the first time that anyone can remember.  We usually walk rain or shine.  It was a major bummer, but still a lot of fun being a part of the largest walk in the nation.

We started loading on Thursday and Friday.  Katie and I were in charge of this process which included moving around 24 foot trucks into our loading zone and parallel parking them.  This was a new experience for me, but left me feeling quite accomplished! 

Saturday we were out at the University of Houston all day setting up the walk site for Sunday. 

 

 

 

Everything was going great until about 3:00 in the afternoon when the rain started.  We suited up in ponchos and kept going.  Only the rain did too...  It started coming down pretty hard and the flooding started.  We had gotten quite a bit done though, so headed to Home Depot to get industrial squeegees and tarps to use for the next day.  People were pulled over to avoid high water, cars were turned the wrong way on the highway.  It was bad.

 

 

 

About midnight on Saturday night we got reports from the Houston and University police departments that the flooding had caused the bayou to crest and parts of our walk route were under water.  The weather report predicted more raining throughout the night and early morning and it was determined that bringing 40,000 walkers to campus in these conditions was unsafe and the walk was called.  We then spent half the night in contacting sponsors, vendors, and teams to let them know of the cancellation.  Being this tired and delerious made for some good memories sitting around in PJ's in Veronica's hotel room with cake for dessert (which we agreed the next moring we ate too much of).  We got about an hour of sleep before getting back out to the walk site at 5 a.m. to begin the process of breaking down and making sure stragglers that didn't receive the news were made aware of the cancellation.

This is what our picnic site where huge tents had been set up the day before looked like when we arrived.  Though the rain had stopped by about 8 a.m., we were immediately more confident in our decision to cancel.  With the damage to tents and the wind still blowing, it would have been a very unsafe environment for our walkers. 

It was a grueling day to break down a walk we didn't even get to have with hardly any sleep.  After a year of preparation, it was heartbreaking to not get to experience the excitement of walk day, especially the year of March of Dimes' 75th anniversary.  I think it is more work to cancel a walk then it actually would have been to have one.  We have a great staff team though and made it through together with quite a few memories.  We are looking forward to making 2014 bigger and better, and definitely praying for no rain! :)

 

Want to save babies?

Who doesn't love babies and want them all to be born healthy?  I wouldn't come forward if you don't.  As far as I'm concerned, this is a mission that everyone can get behind.  JW and I don't have babies of our own yet, but one day we hope to.  So, I'm thankful for the March of Dimes because they are working to make sure I have the best possible chance at having a healthy pregnancy and healthy full-term babies.

I don’t just work for the March of Dimes, I believe in our mission.  1 in 8 babies is born prematurely and premature birth is the #1 killer of newborns.  I'm walking in March for Babies because I want to be a part of changing these statistics.  No parent should have to leave the hospital without their baby.  I have worked for the March of Dimes over 4 years now, and I believe in the work we're doing.

This year, the March of Dimes celebrates its 75^th anniversary!  I am proud to be part of an organization with such a rich history of mission successes.  The money we raise is making a difference, and we’ve all benefited from the work of the March of Dimes over the last 75 years.  We conquered polio, discovered women taking folic acid could make a difference in reducing neural tube birth defects and now our grains and vitamins are fortified, influenced legislature to make sure all newborn babies are screened for detectable and preventable disorders, and many other advances that save babies who are born too soon.

I hope you will consider supporting me financially or joining my team to walk in Houston on April 28.  There is no registration fee, so you can join, make your own donation, and reach out to get people to support you as a walker.  You can join my team here: http://www.marchforbabies.org/team/MODHouston.  If you can't walk with us, please help me reach my goal by making a donation. You can do that online as well here  http://www.marchforbabies.org/AHance.   

I've also added a thermometer on the right so you can see how close I am to my goal, and to make it easy for you to join or donate.  Thank you for supporting March of Dimes research and programs that help moms have full-term pregnancies and babies begin healthy lives!

Spice it Up: Signature Chefs 2012

I have mentioned work has been crazy over the last couple months, and that is because we were leading up to our fall event, Signature Chefs.  It is a really fun food and wine auction event.  I did this event in Waco, but this was my first year to be a part of Houston's event.  Needless to say, it was on a much larger scale.  Houston's Signature Chefs Gala is the largest in the nation for the March of Dimes.  We had a team of people working on it, so that was nice compared to me being the only staff person in Waco.  Here in Houston, I was in charge of the auction and culinary aspects of the event.  We had close to 100 auction packages and 25 chefs that were a part of the evening.  It was a huge success!  There were over 750 guests in attendance and we hit our million dollar goal!  Check out this article in a social publication about our event: Culture Map article.

It sure was a lot of work, but was so rewarding to see great results and a successful event Thursday night.  I am honored to work for an organization with a great mission to help moms and babies.  I didn't do a great job getting pictures since I was running around most of the evening.  I'm kicking myself and will do a better job next year.  Here are the couple I got.  My mom and JW both came and worked a Big Board auction for me.  I am grateful they were there. 
 

I am pretty exhausted, and we plan to spend most of the weekend resting.  We are looking forward to a normal week next week... no more 12 hour work days and 8:30 dinners!  Happy weekend!

Working like a dog

It's been awhile since I published a blog post, and it's been in the back of my mind that I needed to write one, only nothing notable or interesting has happened around here lately.  I asked JW tonight when we were both finally home from work what I should post about, and he said work.  How boring, I thought.  Only he's right... we have both been working a lot lately.  I've always said that I write this blog to document what is going on in our lives, and well, sometimes it's not glamorous.

My Signature Chefs event at work is only a month away and we are all starting to feel the pressure at the office.  I worked some this weekend, started working a little early this morning, and got home late today.  I wake up thinking about my to-do list and have a pretty constant knot between my shoulder blades. I should probably be doing my yoga, but don't feel like waking up early to do it and by the time I get home, I just want to sit on the couch.

I love my job and don't intend to complain.  I usually make an effort to leave work at the office and to not work or be thinking about work while I am home, but there are just some busy seasons, and this is one of them.

JW is in his third week at work and has stayed pretty busy.  He is waking up early to work out before heading to the office.  I know it's been a tiring routine to get used to, so I am proud of him.  JW's firm has had plenty of work to occupy their staff and then some over the last year.  So, they have welcomed the new associates and the opportunity to share the workload.  Late Friday night, JW got an email from an attorney at the firm with a last minute research project he needed help with for a law suit that had to be filed on Monday.  So, JW went to the office on Sunday after church and worked until dinner.  Working on the weekends shouldn't be a usual occurrence, but as Joey said this morning, at least he is staring the week with four billable hours already. :)

Jennifer closed on her new house this week and enlisted JW to help her move on Friday night and Saturday.  They did all the heavy lifting to load the U-Haul, and then I helped JW unload while Jenn ran some other errands.  Needless to say, JW did a lot of the work, but I wish I had a picture of me carrying one end of a couch. One of Jenn's neighbors walking by brought over a dolly after he saw us struggling through the front door. :)

 

In other news, Papaw was in town this week on Wednesday and Thursday night.  JW and I had Community Group with our new church on Wednesday night, so we went over to my parents to see him on Thursday.  Mom had a girls' night out planned, so I brought over some things to cook for dinner.  It was a fun evening. 

JW's Aunt Donna and Uncle Jimmy were in town this weekend too, so we went over to Nana and Papa's to see them on Saturday night.  They live in New Jersey, so it was neat to get to spend time with them.

We have been working a lot around here lately, but life is good.  It's a busy season, but we can't complain. Hopefully I don't go missing here on the blog, but if I do, you'll know why!

Out with a Bang

This weekend was my last March for Babies in Waco and it was a big success!  I feel so blessed to have had so many family members come in to be a part and help out.  Here is a picture of our crew.

Jake, Erica, Aunt Gigi, Hunter, Dad, Mom, Me, Joey, Joe

Grandpa and Megan came as well, but had already left to drive back to Dallas before we took this picture.  It was a bittersweet day for me.  This was my fourth and final walk as the Director in Waco.  I have loved my time here, and my job has been a big part of that.  I will most definitely cherish the memories and all of the relationships I have been blessed to have with volunteers and friends.

After all of the event breakdown, our family came back to our place and we grilled burgers for lunch.  It was an exhausting, but really great weekend.

Monday when I got home from work, look what my sweet hubby had waiting for me.

Purple roses for my last Waco March of Dimes event and a gift certificate for a massage and facial.  I am so lucky!

Guess what today was????  JW's last day of class... EVER!

I have a feeling this looks a lot like some of the pictures Momma Hance has of him growing up on the first day of school every year.  So, now he has a couple of days to study before finals start this Saturday.  By this time next week, JW will be finished with finals and we will be ready for graduation!  Woo hoo!  I can't believe it's finally here.

We Made It!

Last week was a pretty intense week with my big fall event for work on Thursday and Joey's first week of a new quarter.  We both worked A LOT of hours, and I am thankful that life is not that demanding all the time. 

It was a team effort at the Hance House last week.  Even Harley was trying to help (or she was just being ornery).  She kept laying on my black fabric that I was twisting with purple ribbon and lights to go around the Big Board.

Poor Joey, I think I only cooked once... We had take out, skillet meals, pizza, and he made breakfast one night.  It was yummy!  Our moms both came in town on Thursday for support and to attend the event.  I was so thankful to have them there.  I don't think I will ever be too old to feel comforted by my mom.  Megan even made the trip from Coppell.  I was very appreciative for the love and support.

The event was a raving success!  We had a sold out crowd and raised more than double what we raised at this event last year.  Everyone had a blast, and I had fantastic volunteer leaders that I could not be more thankful for. 

I am also quite thankful it is over!  After dreaming, planning, and working on this event for months, it was very rewarding to see it all come together.  It was a ton of work though.  I had a restful weekend and have scheduled a massage for next week.  Momma Hance won an auction package that included a 60 minute massage, and since it was in Waco, she gave it to me.  I am very much looking forward to it!!!  It's been years since I have had one, and my muscles are still aching from being tense and from all of the labor that goes into setting up and breaking down an event.  Thanks for the thoughts and prayers last week!  We are now post Signature Chefs Auction 2011 and it feels good. 

My Help

Have you had those weeks where just thinking about your responsibilities and the tasks you have to get done puts your stomach in knots?  I have one of those weeks coming up with a big event for work on Thursday.  The event will be our second-annual Signature Chefs Auction in Waco, and our large fundraiser for the fall.  We have worked hard on it for several months and most everything is falling into place, but there are many last-minute details that need to be accomplished this week.  I have had a lot of volunteer help, but being a one-staff-person office leaves a lot of room for me to pile the pressure on myself.  I want everything to be perfect and am ultimately the one that the responsibility falls on. 

I was reminded by a devotional from "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young this weekend that I am not alone. Here is an excerpt that I will probably come back to more than once this week:

Walk peacefully with Me through this day.  You are wondering how you will cope with all that is expected of you.  You must traverse this day like any other; one step at a time.  Instead of mentally rehearsing how you will do this or that, keep your mind on My Presence and on taking the next step.  The more demanding your day, the more help you can expect from Me.  This is a training opportunity, since I designed you for deep dependence on your Shepherd-King.  Challenging times wake you up and amplify your awareness of needing My help.

When you don't know what to do, wait while I open the way before you.  Trust that I know what I'm doing, and be ready to follow My lead.  I will give strength to you, and I will bless you with Peace.

I know this will be easier said than done, but here is what I will aim to focus on this week:

The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with Peace.
-Psalm 29: 11

My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
-Psalm 121: 2

Even youths grow tired and weary; and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
-Isaiah 40: 30-31

Toes in the Sand

This week I have been in Fort Lauderdale, Florida for a national conference for work.  It has been fun, but super busy!  We have had almost every waking minute scheduled for us since we arrived.  We are staying at this beautiful beach resort and spa, but have been working too hard to spend any time enjoying this.

This is the view from our hotel balcony.  The beach is beautiful.  Tonight they had a big dinner celebration planned for us outside, and my toes hit the sand for the first time since we've been here.  It was wonderful!  The sand is white and the water is blue.  I wish my hubby was here and that I had more time to sit out there and enjoy it.  I fly home tomorrow though, and am very excited to see Joey and Harley.  I think we'll have a nice relaxing weekend at home all together again. 

Go March for Babies!

It's that time of year again!  We have our Waco March for Babies walk coming up this weekend.  I have been super busy getting ready for it this week, but wanted to let you know I probably won't appear here again until next week.  I would appreciate your prayers for sanity, calm nerves, and a successful event.  This is my third year to run March for Babies and I can't believe how much I've learned and how much our event has grown.  I am fortunate to love my job (most of the time) and the organization I work for.  You know I enjoy putting on events, and my job allows me to do that for a great cause.  Helping ensure that all babies get a healthy start is what the March of Dimes is all about.  If you would like to donate to our team or join us, I have posted the link below.  Thanks for your support!

http://www.marchforbabies.org/team/t1500530

Go March for Babies!