City Deals Benefits JDRF

Have you ever used City Deals? If you haven't, you SHOULD! It's a huge site incorporating discount gift cards - it's seriously like getting FREE money. And even better is that City Deals just partnered with JDRF - we get 50% of all proceeds we generate! That's HUGE! Those links are to JDRF's actual deal page- so you can spread that URL like wild fire!

With Father's Day right around the corner, this would be a great option to purchase some last minute gift cards for dad - there are tons of golf courses, restaurants, automotive, and retail deals (and tons more I don't feel like listing).

This is also a great way to stock up on funding for places you visit on a regular basis - like your favorite office lunch spot, or your favorite date night restaurant. Seriously, I can't say enough about this site!

There's also great hot spots for the family for summer - Cowabunga Bay, Seven Peaks, Cherry Hill, Classic Skating, Clark Planetarium...on and on. Even some great hot spots for YOU - Got Beauty, numerous nail salons and spas...

AND, like I stated earlier, 50% of your purchases comes right back to JDRF to help find a cure for diabetes. City Deals loves us so much that they even created us our very own custom button for your blog:

If you have a vested interest in finding a cure (OR if you love me and want to help) you can grab this button for your sidebar. If you love me EVEN more, you'll re-blog about this awesome opportunity to help find a cure. I thank you in advance for your support. :)

I would be happy to send out the code for the button...shoot me an email or comment with your email address and it's yours. Thanks for playing.

Say a Little Prayer

My heart is so full right now.

I know the Flygare's through a couple different channels, most recently my association with them through my JDRF family. Mitch is the family's diabetic child - a burly 16 year old athlete with tremendous potential. I've known Mitch since he was a little boy, living in my family's ward, and have since fallen in love with their family as I have worked with them in our pursuits to find a cure for diabetes together.

Last Wednesday, February 10th, I heard from another t1 parent that Mitch was in a coma due to some complications with his diabetes. I was incredibly taken aback by this news, mostly because he is one of the healthiest kids I've had the pleasure to associate with and is in fantastic control of his diabetes. Immediately I had a panic and fear spread over me as I contemplated the implications of this. Earlier in the week, Laura and I had heard about a teenager from another chapter who had passed away from diabetes and we both remarked how awful it would be if one of our kids died. And here I was, faced with this very possibility.

On Thursday upon arrival at work, Laura, Jamee, and I let the tears roll as we realized what this family was going through. I always knew that these families touched and enriched my life, but I never thought that a situation such as this would affect me in such a way. Through a quick Facebook search, I discovered that Mitch's family had set up a blog to document his progress. I scanned the blog and realized the family was at the ICU at Primary Children's. We decided to head on up and visit to see if we could offer any comfort and try to get some answers ourselves.

Turns out, no one had any answers. The doctors are stumped at Mitch's condition. He presented with severe back pain and muscle spasms that were completely unbearable. In an effort to control the pain he was feeling, doctors thought it best to put him in a coma. They have tried to figure out where the spasms are coming from but haven't been able to. It breaks my heart to think about Mitch lying in a hospital bed, completely helpless, and a slave to his condition.

I hate this disease.

This week I also stumbled upon another heartwrenching story: the Staker family from Provo, and their sweet little Bronson's recovery. This family petitioned countless strangers throughout the blogosphere for prayers for their precious son. I know that the prayers of many can make a difference, and my testimony of that has been renewed this past week as I've read her updates.

I know that prayer can help Mitch in his fight as well. Mitch is a strong kid with an even stronger spirit, but even a simple prayer on his behalf could make a world of difference. If you're the praying type (or even not the praying type), please try to remember Mitch in your prayers. It would mean so much to me.

Weekend Hoopla

It's fun when friends meet. Especially when you know they would have something in common. This blessed meeting took place at, where else, the Rio. I'm so glad they let me be "in" on the fun.

Shamae needed to come down with her cute family for an endocrinologist appointment on Monday, but I managed to twist her arm into coming early so they could attend the SLC JDRF Walk.

After meeting up, Tib decided to host a BBQ on Sunday for their families, and again, they let me come. It was so fun! I decided I would be willing to have kids if I could clone Ethan and Sydney. Good thing they're gonna end up married someday - here's the first photo for their wedding video:

I had to buy the love of the children (except for Ethan...already won that kid over) so I brought some glitter-ific tattoos for the girlies. We didn't snag a photo of all the kids with their tats, but when I got home, I got one of mine - I think it's a keeper (it's two sparkly cherries with two STARS)!

Seriously love these ladies. Can't wait until we can get together again!

*If I look stoned in any/all of these photos, it is because I was running on a tremendous lack of sleep. The Walk doesn't plan itself!*

Syd's Vid

I feel the need to give a shout out. This is Sydney. I am completely in love with this little girl. She is one of my heroes. Her mom, Shamae, has put together this amazing video outlining Sydney's life with diabetes. Syd is Walking in Idaho Falls on September 12th and raising money for a cure. Even if you don't donate, it's a great eye-opener. Not to mention the Jonas Brothers providing the soundtrack - and we all know I love those baby boys :)

Tan Lines

During the course of my 14 hour work day today, I managed to soak up some sun. Today was our Golf Marathon (and marathon, it was). I arrived at Eaglewood Golf Course at 5:30am (an ungodly hour I only see usually 4 times a year) to help set up the affair, fully anticipating a drop in temperature and heavy rains after lunch. I was unequipped - no sunscreen. The day remained beautiful from sun up until I went home around 7:15pm. I set up shack on the 4th hole - babysitting the contenders for the hole-in-one Harley Davidson prize. There was a canopy, but because the clouds kept floating over the sun and causing me to contemplate putting my jacket back on, I opted to sit in front of the canopy, attempting to develop a little color. I pulled up the legs of my pants to just above my knee and bunched up the sleeves of my shirt, exposing my shoulders (*gasp*). I made sure my eyes were covered with UV protection 400 (the max provided in sunglasses), and tried to make the best of it.

The lines are quite comical. I'll start with the mildest and work my way up.

Exhibit A: above the knee. My legs now have two tan lines - one where my running shorts hit and one (slightly more crimson) where my pants pushed up to on the golf course.
Exhibits B & C: shoulders and neckline. I now am sporting a beautiful stripe down the inside of both arms and a tasteful red v-neck. Too bad my star necklace didn't stay place long enough to make a lasting impression.

Exhibit D: coon eyes. I mentioned putting on my sunglasses early in the day. As I felt my forehead burning, The thought of coon eyes crossed my mind, but I seriously underestimated the power of UV-A & B. Now I look somewhat akin to what I imagine Rocky Raccoon would have looked like, had the Beatles done a video (only prettier, and with blonde hair).

AND last, but not least (my favorite) Exhibit E: the Zong. Years ago, I had a few friends who lifeguarded during the summer and the season was validated once the imprint of their Chacos was left on their feet. I managed to validate my summer in just one day on the golf course.

Despite what one may think, I had a relatively good time today. And, even though I may have multi-colored extremities, I'm thinking of taking up the sport.

Overwhelmed...and Grateful

It's nice to know I have a boss who cares about me as a human being first, and as an employee second. We have very rigorous fundraising standards and love to come out on top, but when it comes to the well being of her employees, she shows the utmost concern and realizes that employee morale is truly important. I am incredibly grateful that she is often more in tune with my personal needs than I am.

Last year around this time, I got really overwhelmed with the duties of my job, but determined to rise above, I worked myself to the bone and got really run down. After a particularly taxing staff meeting, I went back to my desk and looked over the list of items I needed to follow up on or complete. Feeling overwhelmed I sat down and tried to absorb it all. Laura came back to add one more thing to the list and immediately saw the emotion in my eyes. She asked me what was wrong and I felt the tears start to fall. She could tell I was overwhelmed and exhausted and told me I needed to take time off - ASAP. I looked back down at the list I had just accumulated and felt like a day or two off was a complete impossibility. She explained to me that she and Jamee could pick up some slack for a couple of days while I took the time I needed to rest up and renew myself.

Well, this morning when I got to work, I had the following message in my text inbox:

"You okay girlie? You sounded tired last night! Is it only the training? Boys? (They are all retarded!) Or work? Can you schedule a couple days off? I'm a wee worried about you. Stac - see if Alex can come in and help you guys today? If she can't see if Peg can send someone over? I need you and Jamee to not get overwhelmed. Let me know what you think!"

I already had a little 15 year old juvenile delinquent stuffing invitations for me in our spare office, so the additional help wasn't necessary, but the fact that she cared enough to offer me an "out," of sorts, was so appreciated. I have to say, I feel so blessed to have a boss who understands that employees are also people who have a life outside of work. Laura has also been a fantastic mentor to me as I have strived to learn this role. She often compliments me on a job well done, but I have to say, I am her prodigy in this game.

Get your grill on...

...in more ways than one! I have two FAB ways to satisfy that "grill fix" of yours.

One of my awesomely awesome JDRF families is hosting a BBQ on Saturday (April 25th), courtesy of Macey's grocery store. Best part? All the proceeds will benefit JDRF (oh and the other best part is that you can get a juicy hamburger, chips and Coke for a BUCK!). Just come out to the Macey's in West Jordan (7800 S 3200 W) between 11 am and 2 pm. Be sure to find me and say "HI," because I'll be there with bells on!

KFC has launched their new line of Kentucky Grilled Chicken and they have aptly dubbed Monday, April 27th as UNFry Day. They are offering a FREE piece of their new grilled chicken to each and every customer that walks through their doors. All you have to do is ask! Click the pic for more info. Go check it out on Monday!

RUNNING for a cure!

Ok Friends...as you all know, I'm a Special Event Coordinator for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. It's a wonderful job and I am blessed to be involved with such an amazing organization with such a focused mission: finding a cure for diabetes. My job involves planning and executing our Chapter's FIVE Walks to Cure Diabetes each fall. Not only do I plan the Walks, but I am also responsible to guide the fundraising activities of the chapter around these Walks.

The past two years, I have asked for donations to support my family Walk team, Cap'n Mac's Mates, as THEY Walk for a cure in Utah County. They have been kind and supportive enough to hop on board and fundraise with me since i got my job in 2007. I couldn't ask for a better family! THIS year, while the funds will still be supporting their team, I will be participating in an additional feat of endurance. Since I am never able to actually WALK on Walk day (because I am working "behind the scenes"), I decided to run a half marathon this year to raise money for my Walk team.

The longest race I have ever run is a 4-miler on Thanksgiving day. A half marathon really will be a challenge for me, and I would like nothing better than to say that I was able to raise $1,000 for diabetes research as a "perk" to finishing those 13.1 miles on June 13th. My goal is always $1,000, but the most I have been able to personally raise is $500. I have been diligently training for this race, and have found it to be incredibly difficult and painful. I know how personally satisfying it will be to cross that finish line, but I also know how much it will mean to the families I work with that I did this for them too.

To learn a little more about JDRF and diabetes, there is a video posted at http://www.supportthischarity.com/cure2008. These kids are actually kids from Utah and yes, they actually have diabetes. You can also read about this on my JDRF post here on the blog.

If you are able, please take a moment to click on the thermometer on my Facebook page where it says "Donate Now." I will love you forever (and probably give you a shout out on my blog for your kind generosity) if you do. You can also click this link: http://walk.jdrf.org/support.cfm?id=87309357 and it will take you straight to my fundraising page. Thank you so much!

JDRF Video

I work for a wonderful organization called the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Our mission is to find a cure for diabetes through the support of research. I have the pleasure of being a Special Events Coordinator and organizing our FIVE Chapter Walks each fall. In my capacity at JDRF, I have had the opportunity to rub shoulders with some phenomenal individuals, whether they be on our Board of Directors, Corporate Walk Teams, or our AMAZING families who deal with diabetes on a daily basis. Because of these relationships, I have recognized the need for a cure for this disease. These kids and their parents have become my heroes. They deal with very specific challenges on a daily basis, but most of them never complain. They are troopers!

I have met several friends (Crystal and Tiburon to name a few) through JDRF, and have fallen in love with them (haha) and their families! Their kids are adorable, and you would never guess that they have diabetes. They are part of the reason I am so passionate about what I do. The photo is Crystal's son, Brenner. He is one of the sweetest, spunkiest boys I know.

Our Chapter produced a video this year featuring some of our GREAT kids and their families talking about their challenges with diabetes. I know each of these families very well and have developed a great love for them! It is for this reason that I am posting this video. We are hoping to raise $1 MILLION through the viral spread of the video through email, blogs, facebook, myspace, etc. Please take a moment to visit the site, watch the video, and (if you are able) make a small donation to the cause. Just WATCHING the video will help, as it drives up our ranking on YouTube. It can be found here (http://www.supportthischarity.com/cure2008). Feel free to spread the word to any and all who are interested.

To all of you who have supported me or my family in our efforts to find a cure, I thank you from the bottom of my heart!