Jackie Moon and Bella Buttonian: Omaha.... Somewhere in Middle America!

Just like the words from the old Counting Crows song, we were in Omaha this weekend! We made the trip up Friday night for a weekend full of events. Saturday we headed to the Henry Doorly Zoo with Uncle Jason, Aunt Catie and Baby Lily. We got to see lots of exciting animals. The Omaha zoo is pretty amazing. It's a very nice zoo with lots of fun things to do. They even have an aquarium building where we got to see NEMO!!! A real, live Nemo. It was very exciting for the twins!! Aside from the zoo I got to sneak in a little shopping at Aunt Tina's stores and we got to have dinner with Aunt Tina, Uncle Dave and Nana. Good stuff!
Sunday was a big day for us...... Recently our friend and family member Sharon was diagnosed with breast cancer. Sharon is John, Jason and Tina's Mom. She has always been a part of family gatherings and special events so this news hit us all hard. Cancer can lead to helpless feelings for the one diagnosed and for the surrounding family members. I decided that the only thing I could do to help Sharon (since the Doctor's have to cure her) is run for her in the Race for the Cure and raise as much money and awareness as I could. The race was this weekend and was an eye opening experience for myself and other members of our family. 20,000 participants flooded the streets of downtown Omaha adorned in pink hats, scarves, t-shirts, shoes, shorts, hair and anything else that can be made pink. Some people walked and some ran. There was a one mile family fun walk. My Mom (Gloria), Tina and John walked the mile and pushed the twins in the stroller. Dave, Matt, Cindy, Kara (my sister-in-law) and myself all ran the 5k race. Jason and Caitie pushed Lily in the stroller and my mother-in-law, Colleen walked the 5k as well. What a crew! You learn in times like these that family is so important and that you can really depend on them to come through for you. It was the best thing I have done or been a part of since I married my husband and had my 2 beautiful children. I fully intend on participating and raising funds for causes such as this one for many years to come. I was able to raise $375 and I thank each and every one of you who donated to my run. It really means a lot!!! Sharon is currently in the middle of a 20 week chemo treatment plan which we pray, every day, will help her to heal and get to 100% again. It is in God's hands and I know he will not let us down!

"Other things may change us, but we start and end with the family. "

Big boy!

Jack loved the fountains so much he wanted to climb in!

Bella ran right up to the gorilla statues and did that. Cute!

The whole family in the rain forest.

Colorful fish were a favorite

So was the octopus which Jack promptly called a snake

NEMO!!!!

The back of our race shirts. "In Celebration of Sharon and Jodi" Jodi is Sharon's niece and Tina, John and Jason's cousin who is also battling breast cancer. What a great cause!