Relay For Life

Saturday was this year's Relay For Life event for our community.  I love participating in this event as I have had so many people in my life touched by cancer, many still ongoing.  It is a nasty disease that knows no age, race, religion, or gender.  Our team worked SO hard preparing our "world famous" Poppy's BBQ for sale.  It was our 5th year making BBQ to sell for the event and I'll have to say, we have our procedures down to a science.  My dad and sister are our fearless leaders and they know exactly how to set up the tables, the food line, etc.  I really enjoy serving food and seeing all our old and new friends alike.  This year was a bit different in that Dustin & my brother-in-law Wayne were unable to help us at all.  They were both working because of the Derecho storms or whatever they were that hit the East coast.  Bummer!  I had 4 straight days of the kids myself, with no Daddy.  Everyone usually pitches in to help me, but of course there are many hours when Dustin would normally help me and no one else could.  Bedtime, for example, is rough by yourself.  I compare it to the "Whack a Mole" game.  I get one kid to lay down, the other pops up across the room.  I get that kid back down to find the one I just left back up again.  It can get crazy.  I am glad it is over!   We finally get Daddy back today after work!  Yay! 
Back to Relay, I honestly have no idea how much our county or team made.  Our county usually raises about $50,000 give or take per year.  Our team total varies, but I know we did well and sold almost every bit of BBQ.  My sister and I have decided we should hit the road in a food truck!  Haha!  Can you get carseats in those things?  :-)
As for Relay day, it was tiring and fun, and as always-emotional.  I had the kids with me for the evening part of the day.  I did have to take a few people's money with Henry on my hip.  My sister Madison kept the kids for the morning thank goodness, and then they made it through the rest of the night.  They bounces in the bouncy house a ton, played with friends, and Carson even walked a whole lap by himself!  He was so cute slowly making his way around.  My uncle Jimmy who has been battling brain cancer was able to make it for a few hours, and I cried when the fire department brought him in on the fire truck.  He said it was his last ride in the truck, but you know, only God knows if that was really the case.  It was truly touching to see the department rally around him and make his day so special.  I know he enjoyed it so much, and he even drove a golf cart around the track (which he totally should not have done-I think he got away from them!). 
All in all, it was a special and touching day.  I am glad we were a part of it for the 5th year in a row.  It was hard to explain to the kids why we were there, except that we were raising money for sick people.  Carson said, "Sick in their tummy, mom?"  I said, "yeah, kind of."  I think for their age, that is enough understanding for now. 
Maybe one day I won't have to try to explain what cancer is to my children.