The Bailey Bunch

(click to enlarge to see the back of our shirts)

Well, Relay for Life had ended. For this year.
The Bailey Bunch will be a returning team!!

Last night was amazing. As I write this I am exhausted and weary (please excuse typos and nonsensical statements), but am on a "high".

First I want to tell you all that our team did a fantastic job. I truly could not be more proud of us and we accomplished. As a team we raised $5930ish. We won "Rookie Team of the Year" and was the only team to raise over $5000. As an event, we raised just over $85,000 and have more money coming in so the committee is confident we will reach our goal of $90,000. AMAZING! The committee did an awesome job orchestrating the entire evening. Stacey, Susan, Suzy, Tonya, and everyone else, job well done. Now get some rest.

Dinah, Alyssa, Jessica, Morgan, Bruce, Kathy, Judy and our new friends Robyn and Jeff: Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Our teamwork paid off to raise a significant amount of money for this great cause, as well as made for a great evening, night and morning. Thank you for your hard work, creativity, flexibility and friendship.

And finally, I need to share the biggest surprise of my life. Last night the survivors were lining up to say their name and how long they have been surviving cancer. I had moved up close to get some good pictures. There was a straggler Survivor being escorted from the sidelines. And as some of the committee members (see aforementioned committee members) stepped aside to allow her get in line, I see it is my mother. I was so shocked. I said "That's my mom" for anyone who was sitting nearby or cared, and cried, no - sobbed, as she said "My name is Jo and I am an eight year survivor."

I had no idea she was coming. She was supposed to be with her sister working on another project. She was supposed to be with me in spirit and heart. But there she was walking beside me. I cannot tell you what it meant to me for her to be here. I got involved in Relay for her, to honor her, and she was here for it. I am still crying about it even as she is resting in our guest room. She stayed up all night with me. Some times talking, some times not. Some times walking, some times not. But always thankful to be together.

So now, I say thank you to Dad and Aunt Jaye for sacrificing for me. Thank you, Judy, for having a heart that has always put others first. Thank you, Mom, Thank you.

Relay for Life

If you haven't heard already, Josh and I have put together a Relay for Life team. Relay is a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. Our event is THIS FRIDAY night. Our team will join others and walk around Plunkett Park at UCO from 7pm to 7am. Cancer doesn't rest and neither will we!!!

Each year, across the nation, this event brings together entire communities to take part in the fight against cancer. That event is the American Cancer Society Relay For Life®. It’s a time and place where people come to celebrate those who have survived cancer, remember those we’ve lost, and fight back against a disease that touches too many lives.

It’s not just an opportunity to celebrate, remember, and fight back your involvement will help the American Cancer Society work toward a mission of eliminating cancer as major health issue and will support much-needed services in your community. Thanks in part to the donations from Relay For Life and other events, the Society is saving lives, helping those touched by cancer, and empowering people to fight this disease all over the world.

If you are in our area, please come see us (on the Southwest side of UCO). Bring your families. There will be lots of activities going on, including an area for the kids. All moneys raised that night will go right to the American Cancer Society. If you are not in our area and want to help, please go to this website and make a donation or learn more about Relay for Life.

We truly appreciate any support you can give to this great cause. We all know someone who has been devastated by this disease. Let's work together to stop it!

My Mom, an 8 year cancer survivor, posing with B, P & me.

What are you doing RIGHT?

As I sat rocking my sweet baby who was crying inconsolably I found myself listing all the ways I am failing my children as a parent. I was amazed and heartbroken at how quickly I could make a long list of my parental faults... All the times I get distracted and forget their requests. The times I was lazy and didn't play tag. The times I read through their books too quickly. The times they ate junk for dinner because I was too tired/rushed/distracted to give them a balanced meal. The times they watched too much TV...

And then I was equally saddened (actually more so) at how difficult it was to list even one thing I do really well as a parent. Every time I would think of something, I would immediately remember a time I even messed that up.

I assume I am not the only who struggles with this. And while I believe we should all work to overcome the areas we really feel we are failing, I also believe we should feel good about what we are doing right.

So, I would like for my readers to tell me what they are doing right. Think hard if you must, but let us know what you are proud of. I'll get the ball rolling.

I am good at encouraging my girls imagination.
Now your turn...

added after 9 comments----------------------------------
This post was really intended to be less about me and more about encouraging all moms to take a moment to focus on the successes they have thus far. I appreciate all the kind thoughts and encouragement, but I want to hear about you!!!

It is just one of those days....

All Aboard...

We LOVE Squash Blocks!!!

Why are sleeping babies so sweet?

Even when they are not babies anymore.
This was taken some time ago, but I love Piper's expression in this one!

These last two were taken today. The one of Piper is hilarious. Who can sleep like that? But also, I wanted to vent. I tried ALL AFTERNOON to get these squirrelly girls to take a nap. They sat on the couch for 40 minutes with the lights out except a lamp. (Originally they were supposed to stay there 20 minutes to rest, but since they were arguing, it got upped to 40, 5 minutes at a time.) They sat back there and giggled and played until the 40 minutes were up. I couldn't believe it. And then, 30 minutes before we close the shop, they both crash hard! Looks like I might be working a little late today. ugh.

Back Yard Nature

About four years ago, a robin built a nest on our electric meter on our back porch. When she did it, the blue jays gave her such a hard time, she never laid eggs. No one used the nest the next year, but the year after that another robin made it her home. She laid two little eggs. We watched them for a couple days, then discovered the blue jays had gotten them. It was so sad.

The nest lay dormant for another year, but this year Robin came back. On Friday, we discovered three little blue eggs. We took pictures and the girls were so excited.


Last night, I looked at them again and found one egg had hatched and one more was working on it. Piper was so sweet. Every time a bird would fly by, she would tell us to be quiet and hold her arms like she was holding a baby. We sat and watched the mama bird sit with her babies off and on all evening. The girls were really excited. They kept asking to look again at the baby.

Late last night, we heard a strange sound on our back porch and went to investigate. Some wretched cat destroyed the nest and killed the baby bird and ate the eggs. I was heart broken. I know the girls will ask. I know they won't truly be traumatized by the truth, but I still hate to tell them how cruel the world can be at times.

If anyone in our neighborhood sees a rather fat Siamese looking cat prowling around, would you sic your dog on it? Please.