A MUST-READ.

Most people who have read my blog and/or facebook status updates know that the husband of one of my very best friends is battling cancer ... and he is putting up quite a fight. Dr. Matt Uday is a dentist and one of his patients writes for the News/Free Press and wrote a great story featuring him.

Please take a moment from your busy lives and read this article ....
( just put your mouse over the links to click to the article )

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009907120343

Then .... help fight cancer by supporting Matt Uday and his team of cyclists raise money to fight cancer here... This is from Matt and Megan's blog http://udayfam.blogspot.com


"I am doing everything that I can to fight the cancer within my body, but it is time to extend the fight. On the weekend of August 28-30 I will be involved with the Pelotonia, a bike tour for cancer. The event will be held in Columbus, Ohio, and 100% of the money raised will go towards cancer research at the James Cancer Hospital at Ohio State University. You may recall that this is where I received my second opinion. Lance Armstrong and his Livestrong foundation are supporting the event, and Lance will be participating in the ride as well as speaking at the opening ceremony. Each rider is responsible for raising $1000 towards the cause. My family has put together a Peloton (or team) in honor of me, and my parents, sister, and brother-in-law will be riding in the 50 mile tour. Megan and I will be volunteering.

This will be an amazing event, and an incredible opportunity to raise money for cancer research. Many of you have asked how you can help, and some of you have asked if there is a charity that you could donate to in my name. Well, here is your chance. 100% of your donation will go to cancer research.

If you would like to donate to the fight against cancer you can donate to our Peloton. Donations are tax deductible and can be made directly to our team on the www.pelotonia.org website. You can find us by typing in the team name, Amaizin’ Matt Domestiques, or the team ID #3679. If you do decide to contribute, please donate under the team name and not under my name. As a volunteer I am not required to raise any funds, but by donating to the team the funds raised will be shared amongst the riders in order to reach their fundraising goals.

I could not keep up this fight without your support, and only together will we ever find a cure.

Livestrong!"

PLEASE KEEP THEM IN YOUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS!! THANK YOU!!

bad blogger .. but this little one will cheer you up!

This little cutie's mom and I go way back.. and I mean way back.. we were born 20 days apart and lived two doors down. We spent most days playing in the yard, catching crayfish, or being harassed by our older brothers. ( Mom is the youngest of seven kids, I am the youngest of five.) My job is rewarding, incredibly rewarding, but very few things compare to seeing your friends become great parents. This little guy has a giant family who loves him, and even a cousin that was born three weeks after him, and if he is as lucky as we have been, he'll grow up to love and appreciate the big family that is already amazed by him. Welcome to the world, sweet baby c.

Pigtails and plants.

This little girl, J, and I had a great time. I brought over balloons, and got big smiles from her at the time. Her mom and I tried to get her to hold the balloons for some photos.. but she wanted no part of them by that point. I think of myself as a kid follower, you have to let kids be kids during photo shoots. J, was all about watering the plants, adorable in the cute way she 'd ask for more water. The poor plant! I hope it made it after all the watering.

Nothing beats the little Miss America wave and accompanying smile she did when she walked out the door and waved to her aunt driving up to the house. We had so much fun , running around, watering flowers and exploring the yard. I also want to thank J's mom, without her, I wouldn't have gotten half of the smiles I did. Also, I can't wait to meet J's little brother or sister in August!
Enjoy the pics!

It's rainy.. take your kids to Jungle Java!

Really.. they can run around in a super clean playstructure, you ( and they ) can have fabulous and healthy food and drinks, and then they go home and nap! How awesome is that??

While you are there.. take a look at the walls, there might be some cuties you recognize.

My incredibly brave friends..

Megan and I went to college together at Saint Mary's, when she met her husband, we couldn't stop talking about what a nice guy he was. Now we all know not only how nice he is, but what an amazing person he is. Cancer has entered their life and they have faced this struggle with bravery and faith like I have never known. I read their family blog and am floored by the wisdom, wit and faith that comes across the screen.

Matt is a huge Michigan fan ( that is an understatement.. he proposed to Megan on the field ) so we went back to capture some family photos there. Construction kept us from the field, but we took as many as we could around the stadium. I love this family with my whole being, I wish I could wave a magic wand and fast forward to a time when everyone is healthy and their days could revolve more around swimming lessons then chemo. I hope that should I ever be faced with a struggle like this, I can exhibit one once of the grace and faith I have seen in this amazing family. I am lucky call you friends. Love and Prayers!

love this family!