So I don't blog much anymore on here....or at all really. But I experienced something today that really made an impact on me. I participated in the Susan B. Komen Race for the Cure. It's a 5K run/walk to support breast cancer research and celebrate life. I participated with a team from my sisters work but a group of my friends from work made a team as well. My friend (who introduced me to my husband :) , Beth, was diagnosed with breast cancer May 5, 2008. She is a great woman and is doing very well today! There was also a local news anchor that passed awayof breast cancer this past year. Though i didn't know her, there was something about her on the news that I connected with. All this to say.....I participated today because....well basically because I could. I am not personally or physically affected by breast cancer but I felt that this was a way that I could celebrate this and support those who are affected.

The race started at 8:30 this morning. I knew there would be a lot of people but when I got there and saw....get this....46,000+ people there I was overwhelmed and tears came to my eyes. 46,000+ people all gathered for one cause. There were survivors, people walking in memory of, in celebration of, or people like me......because we could. Some people wore tags on their backs stating who they were walking for.... survivors wore pink shirts. 7,000+ people wore pink wigs in honor of the news anchor who passed. Men, women, gay, straight, rich, poor, young, old......we were all there for one cause.

It was amazing and overwhelming at the same time. Bands were set up on various corners throughout the course to play music and entertain, local cheerleaders were set up along the course to cheer everyone on. At one point I looked down High street (a main street in down town columbus that runs almost the whole length of the city) I looked behind me and in front of me.....I couldn't see the road. It was just seas of pink wigs and white shirts....people for one cause.

What would happen if 46,000+ people gathered in one place for a Race for Christ. Not a Bible thumping preaching fest....but simply a race for Christ. What kind of impact would that make? I thought of this as I was walking and processing the day.

If you have a chance to participate in a Race for the Cure in your town or in columbus next year....DO IT!!!! You WILL be impacted. You WILL be amazed. You WILL make a difference!

I am not really sure if anyone will read this (meaning..not sure if I have any followers on here) and I typically don't do the whole comment thing.....but leave me your thoughts. I am just curious!



Thanks,
A.L.B.

Well my last entry was about school ending and now here I am about to start school again.  I would love to say that the stresses of life have lessened this summer but that would be a lie.  The stresses of life have increased dramatically.  I won't go into detail (because I am not sure how private this is anymore) but life has thrown us MANY LEMONS and lemonade tastes nasty! 

I am on about 5 hours of sleep at the most in the past 3 days so my optimism (i can't even spell) isn't so high right now.  And the next two nights ahead look like even less sleep!  But it's okay.  I wouldn't change how I have chosen to deal with situations for the life of me.  I am where I need to be and want to be under circumstances.  I know this is vague but again..I feel some things are meant to be detailless!  (I made up a word)

Anyways.I have parent orientation on Tuesday...NOT READY.  But thanks to my incredible mom I will be. 

I have been asked to be a mentor to the new kindergarten teacher at my school I am honored.  It is not often that a teacher is asked to mentor another teacher when I have only taught 3 years myself!!!!!  I am excited about it!!!!

Well i am off to try to sleep until I am awaken in about 20 min.

A.B.

What a whirl wind of a year it has been!!! 2007 took me from being single and hoping and praying for the man of my dreams, and I enter 2008 being married to the man of my dreams!!!

January..... started with being set up on blind date #5 by a co-worker of mine.......but for some reason this one felt totally different. January 27th I showed up at Beth's house at the exact same time as this guy....the guy that would become my husband. After a GREAT night of Skip-bo we hugged awkwardly exchanged numbers and drove off (secretly he drove the wrong way because he was following me and didn't realize it until he was lost!!! so cute)

Two days later he called and we talked for 4.5 hours.....the next night 4 hours....Thursday...we saw each other again for the first time!!!!

February was the month that our relationship blossomed. Feb. 3 he asked me to be his girlfriend! It was a month of a feeling and a desire I have never experienced before! A seed was planted and growing!!

March brought stronger feelings and that thought in my head....HE IS THE ONE!! Even though it had only been a few months I knew David was the one for me!! The one I wanted to be with forever. (Katie got pregnant!!)

April we started talking about marriage. Joking we could get a tax break if we got married this year...thinking it would NEVER happen. Then we casually talked to my parents....they were totally for it!

May....I bought my wedding dress! I got engaged with the most perfect ring ever!!! Wow!!!! I never thought!

June.....We went on vacation together with his family....what an experience...we learned a lot about each other and grew stronger together.

July, August, September, October.....a complete blur. A lot of wedding planning happened. Well all of it happened in these months!!

November...my life changed, my name changed, my dream came true!!! The day I have dreamed of for a lifetime....I got married!! It was a perfect day!!!! I became.....Mrs. Alice Brooks!!!

December brought heartache..two of our close friends from when we were younger had parents pass away, David had to have a biopsy on his kidney, but we had our first Christmas together and that made everything PERFECT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This year has been a year I will never forget.....It has truly been a life changing year!!

2008 is going to be just as amazing but in a different way. I get to spend the rest of my life with David Allen Brooks II.

(P.S. Katie had her baby January 1, 208 at 1:40 am......Garrett Robert Ruffell.....I am so happy for her and Dustin!!! I can't to meet my little nephew!!!)