Life Changing

Sometimes - all the time - it is so good to get outside of yourself ... outside of your comfort zone... outside of your head... away from your worries... by serving others.  

For the past few years, I have been so proud to be part of Rohr Rockstars - serving on the board, but also being a cheerleader for new programming and new ideas;  I am along for the ride, and the ride is fast, exciting, and life changing.  

With a new programming model in place, Rohr Rockstars partnered with Grier's Gallery to create the Artists in Residence {AiR}program; a monthly art education program that gets at the heart of what is important in life ::  finding a passion and sharing it with the world.  The first AiR artists had their work showcased at an art gallery in Uptown Charlotte - and a rocking reception/gallery opening.  To be sure that we could be part of this amazing event, we initiated a family date night.  Our time together - and the inaugural Grier's Gallery installation celebration - was a great success.  My heart is  so full!

 We'll pretend that Anderson was as amazed as I was!

Balloon to Heaven

Never far from our thoughts, 

we remembered Maddie and released a balloon 

in her honor after Anderson's birthday party.

We asked for donations to The Maddie Rucker Scholarship Fund 

in lieu of gifts for Anderson.  

We are so blessed with so much stuff, 

we'd love to pass along a little blessing to others.

Maddie's mom wears an awesome "WWMD" bracelet; 

and her dad always challenges others with the phrase

What would Maddie do? 

I think this is something she would do, 

and I want my boys to want to do the same.

Donations can be sent directly to Charlotte Country Day School 

in Charlotte, NC or delivered to us.

Checks can be made out to CCDS and earmarked with 
"Maddie Rucker Scholarship Fund" 

or can be made out to "The Maddie Rucker Scholarship Fund."

{A tax receipt will be sent for your records.}

Goodbye balloon.  We miss you Maddie.

Hoping our balloon made it up to Heaven!

A Delicious Process

We were able to take part in Cider Day 2012,

a fundraising event for the Carolina Refugee Resettlement Agency.

It was quite possibly one of my all-time favorite fall family activities.

We got to be part of the entire cider making process...

and we got to take home some of the delicious results.

the following photos :: courtesy of  s. waybright (organizer/host of Cider Day 2012)

It all started with 46 bushels of apples.

A hand-crafted apple press.

And lots of teamwork and muscle power!

Eating his fair share of the apples was Alekzander's favorite part!

 Dropping apples in to be ground to a pulp.

Helping grind!

 

 Pressing the pulp and "ta-da!"...

Fresh, amazing, delicious apple cider.

Rohr Family Foundation - Awareness

 

 September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.  

Now that you are aware, what are you going to do?

Say a prayer?  Read a testimony?  Support a Rockstar?

Eat frozen yogurt?! 

{Stay tuned for an exciting, yummy fundraiser later this month!}

Rockstar Claire's Daddy has committed to sharing
a cancer related story/fact/video/thought 

each day this month on Claire's CaringBridge site. 

Be a ROCKSTAR, spread the word.

 

{For more information about the cute Rockstars above, 

check out my other blogging home at Rohr Family Foundation.}

500

In celebration of my 500th blog post, 

I am going to ask a favor worth 500 pennies ... 

a penny for every single one of my 

silly, serious, wordless, heartfelt thoughts.  

But first ...

 Sully, Age 6                                         Riley, Age 5

On Saturday, Sully Hill and Riley O'Donnell opened up for business.  Sully and Riley ran a fresh produce and lemonade stand to exclusively benefit the Rohr Family Foundation and the kids they serve.  After several hours in the hot sun, everyone remained helpful and happy.  The kids helped pour lemonade, picked out veggies, and talked excitedly to their customers.  They were happy to share information about the foundation by passing out Rockstar stickers and other RFF materials.  

{As of late, my heart has begun to beat wildly for Rohr Family Foundation.  The founder, a co-worker, has started an amazing foundation to honor her husband and serve the kids in our area who are fighting cancer.  Trish was also able to help and honor some sweet friends of ours whose 2 year old daughter, Claire, is also fighting cancer.  Two weeks ago, I took on the blogging responsibilities for RFF, and I must say that I am IN LOVE!}

The kids raised over $500 from their produce and lemonade stands.  {Such a big, big number from two little entrepreneurs!}  A generous matching donation was also made by Marty Snider to bring the total money raised to just over $1,000!  {For the rest of this original blog post, check it out here!}

Now ... your turn!

First of all, $500 is a lot of money.

It is 50,000 pennies.

What I am asking of you, is to donate 500 pennies {or $5} ... or more to Rohr Family Foundation.  Click on all of the links, read the RFF blog, educate yourself about the mission, but know that I believe in this cause BIG time.  

Maybe it is the mommy in me ::  the wife in me :: the teacher in me :: the Christian in me, 

but seriously, this foundation is going to make a HUGE impact and I promise you 

that your 500 pennies {in exchange for my 500 thoughts!!!} will be appreciated

and used directly to impact a little life that is fighting cancer.

Please donate here:

... or head on over to the RFF blog 

and click on the "Donate" button on the left side bar.

Please leave a comment below to let me know you donated 

... or if you'd like more ways to help.

Alekzander's "treat" from the produce stand {courtesy of Sully}.  

Unwashed, unpeeled ... but he loved it!

The kids were concerned that he was eating it fresh out of the ground, 

but I promised them that he has had worse things in his mouth.

First taste of lemonade {courtesy of Riley}.  And still hanging on to his carrot.

If you look closely, there is a carrot 'crumb' on his collar!

Prayer for Claire

My heart is passionate about this family, and I sincerely ask you to pray along with Andrew, Alekzander, me, and the rest of Claire's Army.  For ways to help, email me!

“Since I was a little boy, I had the image of God being the captain and me being the ship. He guides me through these awful storms only to find calm waters and a soothing sunset on the other side. As hard as it is and as uncertain as things can become when the waves are crashing over the boat and the lightning is crashing down all around, I must look up to the wheel house and praise that old salty sea captain because I know he will get me through this storm,” Kevin Ratliff, Daddy to Claire.

For the Ratliff family, Kevin, Emily, and Claire, the storm hit over Memorial Day Weekend.  Sweet Claire (21-months) was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma, a cancer that affects the body’s sympathetic nervous system, and treatment began immediately.  As the family settles into a new routine at a new temporary “home” at Presbyterian Hemby Children’s Hospital, their faith remains rock solid.  At less than 2-years old, Claire’s strength and sweet demeanor has amazed her Mommy and Daddy; smiles, laughter, snuggles, interest in the “fishies,” and wagon rides in the sunshine are simple, yet beautiful gifts each day.  Without a doubt, God has his arms wrapped tightly around this precious little girl and her family.

The Ratliffs are facing this journey with family and friends, a prayerful Army, and the unconditional, unmistakable love of God. He is already visibly at work here in Charlotte, NC and all around the United States as Claire’s story is woven deeply and passionately into our hearts and our prayers.  We pray that you will become part of Claire’s Army and join us in prayer for Claire and the Ratliff family.

Follow Claire’s journey as a strong, beautiful ROCKSTAR fighting cancer.

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.  Hebrews 4:16

Cranes for Kids

“Make a crane. Clothe a child. Make a difference.”

For every paper crane that finds its way to Oshkosh – via the internet, snail mail, or hand delivery – a special child in Japan will receive an article of clothing. This is such an easy, fun, and free way to help survivors of the heart breaking devastation that was created by the recent earthquake and tsunami.

 

Visit Oshkosh's Cranes for Kids website here to get crane making instructions 

and more details about this sweet project.

 

 

{Most} Cranes by Andrew.  Pictures by Ashley.  Blog content borrowed from Tessa.