Amber's Fam: Amber's Fam Update

Happy Fall! Hope this email finds everyone well. Keep sending updates and pics of your families. We love 'em.

JILL UPDATE
Jill's last surgery was a couple of weeks ago to complete the breast reconstruction. While Mom tended to Peyton and Lainey, Dad and I showed up at the hospital at 6:00 a.m. (hard to do for this chick) to sit with Jill for pre-op procedures and to see her off. The surgery only took about an hour and was cosmetic in nature to complete the whole "look". I must say, she looks great, and the results are pretty darn good for making something out of nothing. Better than most at her age after having two kids. Before the surgery, the plastic surgeon (Dr. Arch Miller) quipped, "You'll be able to start a new career pole dancing now!" (or something like that...) Nothing like a little humor to put everyone at ease. He's quite the character but very talented for sure.

In August, Jill competed in Tulsa's First Annual Mud Run at Mohawk Park. The Angus Valley School team navigated an obstacle course rife with mud pits, water spouts, and slides. They had a great time slogging through it, and we had a great time watching. Check out the youtube video here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsqsimfJ7eQ

RACE FOR THE CURE
The Jogging for Jill team raised $1,510 and had 24 team members walking on September 20th this year. The team looked great in our snazzy new t-shirts with "Fight Like a Girl for Breast Cancer Awareness" on the back. Jill designed the t-shirts, and I was thoroughly impressed with her creativity! It was great to see the turnout this year for Jill's team as well as for the whole event. I read somewhere there were 12k people there. Makes you stop and think about how many women and their families and friends are affected by this disease just here in Tulsa, total population ~385k. Walking with thousands of people who showed up to support the same cause really invokes a feeling of solidarity. Kind of like when you go to church and look around and think... We're all here for the same reason. Thanks to everyone who walked and donated. Also, special thanks to Mandi Rivers, Jill's co-worker for organizing the team. Great job - much appreciated!! It was a lot of fun!

PEYTON AND LAINEY
Peyton is having a ball at school, especially since her momma is a teacher. She's in Mrs. Corbin's class, a good friend of Jill's. Dad and I picked her up from school the other day, and her mouth was so full of chocolate, she couldn't even speak. Guess a friend of hers gave her a gigantic choc treat after school. At my house recently, she wished upon a star for.... get this, #1) to be a Cheetah girl, and #2) that it could be Christmas every day. LOL... Lainey is learning to talk now, as she has mastered walking/running/dancing. Her favorite forbidden treat is DIRT. Yes, you read right... See pic below. You hesitate to compare one child to another, but really, she is just up for anything and never gets scared, compared to how Peyton was at that age. Very strong in spirit.

MOM AND DAD
Mom and Dad's house is going up fast. It is framed and roofed now with brick delivered and ready. Their business is steady, and they've been making plans for the office in the new home. The setting at their new place is beautiful, with hills and a pond for a view. Jill drives by often, takes pics of the progress, and sends them to us. They're looking forward to learning all the ins and outs of their new town of Sand Springs (Prattville). We can't wait to have them up here. Mom, hope you are ready to hone your cooking skills for regular dinners at ya'll's house!!!

AMBER
I've just been doing my regular thang. Working, doing the yard, hanging out with friends.... Recently attended a motivational speaking event at Tulsa's new BOK Center. Speakers included Colin Powell, Rudy Giuliani, Joe Montana, and Zig Zigler. The new arena is state of the art - holds 18k people. Jill and I have NBA tickets to see the Houston Rockets and the OKC Thunder (formerly the Seattle Sonics) this month at the arena. Also, recently had a peaceful assembly (a.k.a. party) here at the house involving old and new friends, food, drink, ping-pong, darts, poker, and Wii. Good times!

Love,

Amber

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PICS

"My name is Lainey, and I like to eat dirt when my momma turns her back!"