March for Babies 2012

Today was our March for Babies walk, and I have to say we couldn't have asked for a better day.

The weather was beautiful--bright, sunny, and happy.

We were there with people we love.

We were surrounded by others who truly "get it" and understand what our family experienced because they went through it, too. As I watched these families touched by prematurity, it was clear there was strength in them. Resilience. Determination. Fight. And such love.

We were there to celebrate the miracles here with us or here no longer.

But most importantly, we were there, united together, to prevent other families from having to experience prematurity.

For me, it was a pretty powerful day. I am so glad we did it!

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Your generous support helped 3 for Team Lopez meet and surpass our $1000 fundraising goal. Really, I am just blown away. At last count, our team had raised $1295! From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for all you have done. To those of you who donated and walked with us today, we are forever grateful for your love and support!

If you would still like to donate to the March of Dimes, it's not too late!

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Registration for today's walk started at 7 am. For those of you who know me, you know that I am not a morning person. Frankly, my boys are not morning people either. lol.

We decided to divide the boys up to hopefully make things go a bit smoother. I took Jack and the rest of the walkers early to get us registered. My hope was that Jack would be the most likely to go back to sleep in the car once we got on the road. (I thought wrong! Too many ladies with whom to flirt!)

Here we are just after registering while we waited for Isaac
and the big boys to get there.

Isaac and the big boys came later. We hoped that the extra sleep would help prevent the "you got me up too early" cranks. While they weren't thrilled to be up and about, they were generally in a good mood today. :-)

Just starting the walk!

The whole team! (well, minus me)

The walk was three miles long. It started in Rancho Tapo Park in Simi Valley. We walked around the park, then through some neighborhood streets, and wound our way back to the park.

Hope, Yvette, and Martha

Laura, Martha, and Mona

Waving at the honking cars

The team (minus Isaac)

We finished the walk and took our group photo. We don't look too shabby for just having walked 3 miles!

Group photo! The whole team: Isaac, me, Hope, Yvette
Mona, Laura, Martha, Shawn, Jason, and Jack

Kisses for Tia Martha
Shawnie has a way with the ladies...

Daddy and Jay chillaxin on the stroller

Shawnie playing in the grass

The corporate sponsors of the event provided food and water for everyone.

We were all starving afterward. Yea for food!

They also had a t-shirt contest. Clifford the Big Red Dog was the judge.

Isaac and Jason are on the stage showing off our shirt.

Waiting to hear who won.

We didn't win, but we did have pretty cool shirts, if I do say so myself. :-)

While we ate, daddy took the boys to the play area. Jason loved the rocks.

Jason swears this is a lucky rock.

Once we got home, I had to take a picture of our MVPs with their daddy.

Look at how handsome they are!