I'm happy to say I had another GREAT experience walking in the Breast Cancer 3-Day here in AZ last weekend. All 60 miles walked and not one blister!!! Did mess up my knee a bit but nothing that won't heal.

Thought I would give you a quick run down on the event.

Day 1… It all began on Friday morning with Opening ceremonies out at Freestone Park in Gilbert. Even thou it was very early and pretty darn cold out there, everyone was super pumped up and ready to walk! We walked through the Islands of Gilbert and down the city streets. The community welcomed us with open arms, including school children that stuck there little hands out through the playground fence to give us "high fives" and tell us to "keep walkin" and "your doing great". After a long day of walking, we made it to "camp" which was at Benedict Park in Tempe. A nice hot shower, (in a mobile shower truck) and a yummy spaghetti dinner were waiting there for us. We stopped at the "Camp Post Office" and picked up our cards and letters from friends and family. Took them back to our pretty pink tent, crawled into a nice cozy sleeping bag and read our letters from home. Thank you to all who sent me a letter or a card. After reading the cards and getting all emotional AGAIN, we were ready to pass out for the night. Lights out 9pm.

Day 2…Saturday morning started bright and early. Up at 4:15, had a huge breakfast, and was ready to walk when the route opened at 7am. We walked through the community of Guadalupe, the foothills of Ahwatukee, South Mountain Park and other parts of Phoenix. There were several "cheering stations" along the route to keep our spirits up. It is amazing to see all the people who come out to cheer us on. Family that has made signs to show their support, people dressed up in silly outfits, seeing the same car driving by who knows how many times during the day just honking, and waving and Walker Stalkers who just seem to be there every time you turn around. We worked our way back to Tempe and Benedict Park to our pretty little pink tents we call home for the weekend. Had a great dinner and enjoyed some of the entertainment. We spent the rest of the evening roaming the camp. They have a few tents set up so you can shop for 3-day stuff, get a foot massage, send post cards from camp, play bingo, and sign up for next year…which I did so be prepared, I'm already to do it again!!!! They also had a web cam set up which was really cool. I didn't even know about it till Nate called and told me. No voice but he could see me there. Pretty neat! I'll have to remember that for next year. Enjoyed the last of the evening taking goofy pictures of my toe socks and sharing some great laughs with my old and new friends. Lights out early again. (thank goodness!!)

Day 3…Sunday starts out early and bittersweet. Your so excited to make it thru the day and be able to say "I did it" but sad because the 3-Day is coming to an end. That's when you tell yourself, the 3-Day may be over but my fight in finding the cure is not! I will not stop till a cure is found! So finish this walk and get started on next year.

Our route Sunday took us through Arizona State University, Papago Park, Desert Botanical Garden, and Old Town Scottsdale. Absolutely beautiful to walk thru all of those places. The weather was perfect for us! About 84. So many people came out again to the cheering stations to cheer us on during our final miles. The day seemed to go by so quickly. Bobbye and I got to holding at about 1:45. Our families were there waiting to watch us walk over the finish line into the holding area. The holding area is where we all hang out and wait for everyone to complete the route then line up for our victory walk into the closing ceremony. The final victory walk took us into Scottsdale Stadium where thousands of people were there to welcome us. Closing ceremony was very powerful and emotional as expected. Doubt there was I dry eye in the house, I know I went thru my share of tissues. I truly can not find the right words to describe what an amazing sight it is to watch over 2100 people walking together into this huge stadium and the incredibly overwhelming emotion that hits you when all survivors walk thru and the walkers and crew all hold up one of their shoes in honor of them. Ugh…pass the tissues again. It's something so powerful it will stay with you forever. If you ever have the opportunity to witness any part of the 3-Day, I hope you will.

Ok so this turned out a bit longer then I expected but oh well. I have just more think I'd like to add… I'd like to thank all my friends and family for the incredible amount of support that you all have given me. Whether it was through a monetary donation, purchasing shirts or cookbooks or just telling me how much you support me, I could not have done it without all of you! Your support thru this all means so much to me. Special thanks to Ashly, Nate, Bekah,and my Mommy and Daddy. Thank you guys for being at every one of the cheering stations to support not only me, but my fellow team members and all of the other walkers. We needed you there to cheer us on and you did! I also want to send an extra special thank you to my wonderful kids Ashly and Nate. You two are truly the worlds best!!! Thank you for all you have done to support me. Everything from your positive attitudes, dealing with my obsession for pink thing that are all over the house, telling me I better get out there and walk, and best of all…surprising me by decorating my car windows and filling the inside with all the pink balloons and streamers while I was at dinner. That right there was one of the best memories I will have this year. Oh but, if you guys ever decide to move my car and make me think some one stole it…you will be grounded till your 30!!!!! I love you two so much!!!!! Thanks again for being there for me!