Krazy for Kristen

This is in support of my dear friend who is a survivor. I did this walk for her last year and it was an exceptional experience. If you can help in any way to show your support that would be amazing. Please read her letter below:


Dearest Family & Friends -

I hope all of you have enjoyed your summer, and are gearing up for the 2009 KOMEN HOUSTON RACE FOR THE CURE, Saturday, October 3rd, 2009, at Sam Houston Park Downtown Houston! For the second year, I am so excited to be able to participate in this event with my family and friends. Thank you for being my support and angels throughout my recovery since being diagnosed last March. I am feeling great and thrilled to join my mom, another breast cancer survivor, in this year’s race!

Through our “Krazy for Kristen” fundraising efforts in 2008,
We raised nearly $17,000!

Thanks to you and our team, I was #33 of the Pink Honor Roll Top 100 fundraisers! Our teammate and my dear friend, Constance White, was honored as #25 of the Pink Honor Roll Top 100 fundraisers! In addition, our team efforts ranked #19 out the top 100 fundraising teams! We couldn’t have done it without YOU!

Please join us in participating this year, and register with the “Krazy for Kristen” Team! If you choose not to participate, please consider making a donation to the team (ANY amount will help!).

To donate to Komen under my team or me individually, visit http://www.komen-houston.org/goto/2009KrazyforKristen


To participate on Race Day: Go online to http://www.komen-houston.org/goto/2009KrazyforKristen
Click on the link “Join Team” located at the top of the team list.
Follow registration process. Most of the team participates in the 5K Walk, but you may register for the run.
The registration fee must be paid by credit card.
Race day packet including Race bib and official Race t-shirt will be mailed directly to registrant free of charge. (If you are joining our team for the first time, I will have a “Krazy for Kristen” t-shirt for you on race day!)
Once I confirm your registration “Krazy for Kristen” team site, I will send an update via email on details, such as our team meeting location*, check-in requirements, race time festivities (tentatively set to begin at 7:45am)...etc.

*Krazy for Kristen participants will plan to meet at 6:30am for fellowship and a light breakfast snack. This will also give us plenty of time to be in the Race staging areas by 7:45 am.

Thanks again for your friendship during the last 18 months!
Compassionately yours! Kristen Barley

Road Mommy

I am back at work and traveling tons. We are really pulling together as a family to connect on the phone, on video chats and to set up as many visits as possible. I miss Lincoln & T so much, but Lincoln has asked to, "Stay home. No more hotel, Mommy. I want to stay home."

So that's what we're doing...for the most part. He is coming for shorter visits rather than the full work trips and getting much more time at home. He's also getting into his new routine of going to a Montessori school three days a week. It all seems to be a good fit for him for where he is in his life right now and I'm so proud of him for expressing his needs so clearly already. I do miss him terribly when I'm away, but it won't be forever and we all seem to be a more balanced family in spite of all of the challenges.

It truly takes a village!

What a Summer!

We are all just coming up from air and we've been having a grand time.

In a nut shell:
L: "No more cuputer Mommy. No more cuputer."
M: "I'm sorry you're frustrated about Mommy's time on the computer, but needs to use it for work sometimes. I will try balance my time with you more and be on the computer less when we are together."

This was meet with much approval. And equalled me having almost zero computer time. A tough call for a Mom who is wanting to develop a blog, write more, etc. Ah well. Lincoln comes first and I'm getting better at balancing all the time.

In August Lincoln broke his arm, doing a nose dive from Daddy's drum kit. He chose a blue water proof cast, only had to wear it for a couple of weeks, was able to wear a splint for our awesome beach vacation in Rhode Island and is now visiting me on a job in New York. We are back to Mommy on the road for business, he is in school and spending a lot of time at home with Daddy, the kitty and the turtle and I miss them all terribly when I am away.

Life is good, the journey is incredible and I am happy to be both participant and witness.

Many blessings,
The traveling MamaMelly