The Carefree Adventures of the Larvin Boys: September 2008

Hello everyone, Today's post is a little different from the norm, I don't usually send out emails or repost about sob stories or anything asking for money but this one hits close to home for me. Below is an entry from my friend Wendy's blog. Her blog is mostly about her son Kaden, who was diagnosed in Dec. 06 with leukemia. I encourage you to check out their page: Kaden Kilburn & read more of his story. In the mean time, I'm posting this for all that read this blog to encourage those that can, to make a small donation to this fundraiser that is happening now. If you can't it is understandable, prayers are needed just as much. I've followed Kaden's blog for about a year now & in that time I have read of several children that lost their battle with cancer. Please do what you can. Hopefully they'll find a cure for this awful disease soon. Also this is a link to Kaden's team on CureSearch where you can make a one time donation: Kaden's Crusaders And remember that all donations are tax deductible & prayers are just plain free! Pass this along to friends & family, every little bit helps. Thanks, Kim

The CMN Country Cares for Kids Radio-a-thon is on all day today! To donate by phone call 1-888-499-KIDS! They are asking for pledges of $15 a month or .50 a day, but anything is appreciated. This money stays right here in Central Texas to help our kids!Tonight is Stand U 2 Cancer that will be broadcast on all three major networks ABC, CBS, and NBC at 8EST/7CST.I have heard through the grapevine (trust me that is not easy, these guys are very tight lipped about this show) that Katie Couric is going to focus on pediatric cancer, so hopefully that is a good sign that some of the funds will go to help our kids. All cancers need funding, and hopefully this effort will provide funds to researchers who do not qualify for government funds and cures can be found. It is my understanding (based on the info on their donation page) that funds will be awarded to those that have promising research in the works!Curesearch provides the funds for the trials that most of the children with cancer are on. Contrary to popular belief most kids are not treated at St. Jude (though they do great work), but rather kids like Kaden are able to be treated closer to home with a protocol funded largely by Curesearch. There are a few other independent hospitals also that treat our kiddos. My point is that Curesearch is responsible for the treatment plan that has saved my son's life. You can become a virtual walker and help Curesearch with a $10 one time donation. Their goal is to have one walker per child that is diagnosed with cancer every year, that is 12,500. http://host.curesearch.org/site/TR?fr_id=1170&pg=entry&JServSessionIdr012=nxji3g2be2.app13bThis is also Chili's month to give to St. Jude, and if you are going to eat out it might as well go for a good cause right! Our Chili's is donating proceeds from Sept. 29th to St. Jude. Check with your local Chili's to find out the date or dates for your town.Ok, I must go start school with the kiddos, but I will update on Kaden after his appt. Monday. Please pray for 'good' counts, not to low not to high. For those that need a specific number, we want the ANC between 750-1500. Have a great weekend and don't forget to do something fun with the kids!

Okay so we'd been here 8 months & had yet to go to the zoo in Albuquerque. Well we did something about that Sunday. The Rio Grande Zoo has something for everyone. There is a botanical garden, an aquarium & a train that connects it all. We started out at the zoo then caught the train & headed over to the aquarium. Which by the way was very cool for a small place. They had a big o' shark tank & a real life shrimp boat (from Texas) on display outside. We watched the botanical garden from the train (very pretty) & then headed back to the zoo. All in all a very pleasant Sunday afternoon.