St. Cloud Kidney Walk

September 18 will be the Third Annual St. Cloud Kidney Walk...My family and I have taken part of the last two walks and we are planning to be there this year too. Here are pictures from the first walk we did (because I can't find pictures from last year).

Our team is called "Lauer Power" because we walk for Our Husband, Dad, and Grandpa - as you can see by the backs of our t-shirts in the picture above. He had a kidney transplant about five years ago and without that he probably wouldn't be here today. His kidney was donated by a teacher from Duluth. We didn't know who she was but we are FOREVER greatful. Below is the team from the first walk the second year we had more walkers this year remains to be seen...

Did you know????

1. 26 million Americans have chronic kidney disease and most don't know it.
2. Once kidneys fail, you need dialysis or a transplant to survive.
3. 367,000 people depend on dialysis.
4. 84,000 people are on the waiting list for a life-saving kidney transplant.
5. 1 person dies every two hours while waiting for a kidney transplant.

This walk will raise money for kidney research, patient advocacy, public education and free kidney screenings, because early detection and proper treatment can slow the progress of kidney disease.

As I said earlier, we walk for my Dad but since this disease is hereditary we are also walking for our children. Dan's old boss also has kidney disease and right before Christmas last year received a transplant. These are two lucky ones....please help in fighting this disease...and help me raise money for a good cause....even if you can only donate $5.oo every little bit helps! Click on this link to donate - St. Cloud Kidney Walk or talk to me.

Thank you so much!!! I appreciate your help!

The Girls 2nd Birthday Party

Getting ready for the party...Mom had a dress all picked out but because she knows exactly what she wants she chose this dress...."Princess Dress"Here are the Birthday girls....
Playing with her presents....
Yummy - "My Chocolate cake!"
D and her present cake....
It was a great day for a party....little on the warm side but there was a nice breeze and the rain held off until it was all over. Happy Birthday girls!

Happy Birthday K!

Here she is - after waiting until Dan could make it home from Canada - our perfect little princess. She was my biggest baby and Mommy was so happy that she was able to stay with her the whole time we were in the hospital.

The boys fell in love with her the moment that they saw her...they aren't so enamored with her today but they still love her. I can't believe this was only two years ago...she isn't the same quiet little girl she once was.

Now she is out running through life with and talking her way out of anything. She loves wearing dresses but has to follow the boys where ever they go and do whatever they do. I call her my Mud Princess. She loves playing in mud but has to have that dress on. :)

She definitely keeps me hopping and keeps a smile on my face! Happy 2nd Birthday K!!!

PS Thank you to Lisa for staying with me while waiting for Dan - you made the time go much faster - who cares if they got mad at us for not staying quiet!!!

Como Zoo Trip

Took two of my nieces with me to Como Zoo with some friends of mine...the kids had a blast. We had a nice picnic lunch and then walked around to see the animals. It was a little on the warm side but not too bad. Most of the animals were on the lethargic side and not very active.

T was in the stroller sleeping when this pic was taken that is why she was not in there.

K says she loves the giraffes, I think they are her favorites...but the orangutan mother came right down to the glass in front of her and she thought that was cool too. The boys both loved said they loved the polar bear but they both just kinda laid around...wish they had been swimming...then they really would have thought they were cool. It was a great trip - looking forward to going again...maybe this time in September or October.

Cousin Campout 2010

Last weekend was the cousin campout...all the cousins get together for an overnight campout at Grandma and Grandpa's house. My sisters, Joyce and Kay, started it and now it has moved to Grandma's house.

All lined up for the Scavenger Hunt...

The weather was a little ominous but the

storms blew over.

They built bird houses...as well as doing other crafts.

And in the end we got a picture of everyone

with Grandma and Grandpa...

And, while Grandpa is glad to get back to his peace and quiet...all the kiddos are anxiously awaiting next year already!

Perspective

One day , the father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the express purpose of showing him how poor people live.

They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.

On their return from their trip , the father asked his son , "How was the trip?"

"It was great , Dad."

"Did you see how poor people live?" the father asked.

"Oh yeah , " said the son.

"So , tell me , what did you learn from the trip?" asked the father.

The son answered:

"I saw that we have one dog and they had four.

We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end.

We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night.

Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon.

We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight.

We have servants who serve us , but they serve others.

We buy our food , but they grow theirs.

We have walls around our property to protect us , they have friends to protect them."

The boy's father was speechless.

Then his son added , "Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are."

Isn't perspective a wonderful thing? Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for everything we have, instead of worrying about what we don't have.

Appreciate every single thing you have , especially your family and friends!

New Blog I found...

If you want to see how the other half lives check out this website Catalog Living. It is hilarious...I added it to my sidebar so I can find it when I want a good laugh. The blogger takes photos from Catalogs and pretty much just makes fun of them. Check it out and you will see for yourself. If you don't find it as amusing as me - sorry to have wasted five minutes of your time!