Raising Money For NBIA Research

Help me raise money for NBIA research by making a donation as I run the Boston 2011 Marathon in April, 2011 in Brittany's honor.


Although I have crossed my marathon finishing line, the race isn't over for NBIA! Please consider making a donation...


We are so close to reaching $5000...only $135 to go!


Checks payable to:


NBIA Disorders Association


And can be sent to:

Boston for Brittany

c/o Sandy and Rich Leap
14852 Ashby Oak Ct. Haymarket, VA 20169 (Brittany's Mother and Father).


Funds will go directly to research in hopes of finding a cure. Also, they are 100% tax deductible.

Racing to Find a Cure

Friday, December 31, 2010

Inspired by Brittany

It's true...I have Brittany to thank. As you know, I am running the Boston Marathon this year for Brittany. I am currently raising money that will go directly to NBIA's research lab in California.

I have been running a lot lately (okay, nothing new). But I have more importantly been running faster. When I start to tire, I think of Brittany, unable to walk, talk or even move (except for her arm a bit). I make myself go faster...because I am able.

Today I ran another 5k. I took 35 seconds off my fastest time, clocking a 20:24.

I am grateful for my ability to run...for Brittany.

Please make a donation (however small) for my neighbor (and friend).

And after you donate, be sure to guess an appropriately fast finishing time for me!

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

You Can Make A Difference....


THE STARFISH POEM

Once upon a time there was a wise man
who used to go to the ocean to do his writing.
He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.

One day he was walking along the shore.
As he looked down the beach, he saw a human figure moving like a dancer.

He smiled to himself to think of someone who would
dance to the day. So he began to walk faster to catch up.

As he got closer, he saw that it was a young man
and the young man wasn't dancing, but instead he was reaching down to the shore,
picking up something and very gently throwing it into the ocean.

As he got closer he called out, "Good morning! What are you doing?"
The young man paused, looked up and replied, "Throwing starfish in the ocean."

"The wise man then asked, "Why are you throwing starfish in the ocean?"

"The sun is up and the tide is going out. And if I don't throw them in they'll die."

"But, young man, don't you realize that there are miles and miles of beach
and starfish all along it. You can't possibly make a difference!"

The young man listened politely. Then bent down, picked up another starfish
and threw it into the sea, past the breaking waves and said-

"It made a difference for that one."

Please donate as I run for Brittany at the Boston Marathon.  You Can Make A Difference!

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Give Said the Little Stream

There is a children's song entitled, "Give Said the Little Stream," that I have loved since I was a child. I was sitting with Brittany today and thought of this song. It's message, though simple, teaches such an important message:

We are never too small to make a difference.

We can see how a simple little stream, although weak, can give so much life.
Listen to the song by clicking here.

“Give,” said the little stream,
“Give, oh! give, give, oh! give.”
“Give,” said the little stream,
As it hurried down the hill;
“I’m small, I know, but wherever I go
The fields grow greener still.”


Chorus
Singing, singing all the day,
“Give away, oh! give away.”
Singing, singing all the day,
“Give, oh! give away.”


2. “Give,” said the little rain,
“Give, oh! give, give, oh! give.”
“Give,” said the little rain,
As it fell upon the flow’rs;
“I’ll raise their drooping heads again,”
As it fell upon the flow’rs.


3. Give, then, as Jesus gives,
Give, oh! give, give, oh! give.
Give, then, as Jesus gives;
There is something all can give.
Do as the streams and blossoms do:
For God and others live.


Will you give, oh! give! And help make a difference in the lives of the NBIA children?

Monday, December 13, 2010

Girl's Night!

We don't mess around...when Brittany's parents leave for their Christmas work party, Brittany invites her friends over for a rockin' night!



A serious game of Flip Uno, munchies, boy talk and music! Whew...I am tired.

I love these girls. Thanks for letting me in on all of the fun.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Running BEE-CAUSE


You all know I love to run. I will run in any condition.


It can be pouring rain.
It can be totally hot and humid.
Snowing? No problem.
Windy? Bring it on.
I will run if I have a sniffle, a cough, even a fever.
I ran while pregnant.
I ran with a crack in my heel.
I run when my hamstring hurts.
I will run fast, slow...any pace if you will run with me.
Hills? I will do 'em.
Rocks? I will climb them.
I will run while on vacation.
I will run in the dark...before the sunrises or the sunsets.
I will run around a track.
I will run on a treadmill.
Tired? It doesn't matter.
Achy? I will pop an Advil.


I love to run.


I have always run for me. But this time I am honored to run for Brittany's Cause, our Queen Bee (to see the story of the Queen Bee read about it on the left).


You know, Brittany loves life. She will live in any condition.


Her ability to walk taken.
Her voice is gone.
Unable to swallow food.
Sleeping is difficult.
Stomach can ache.
Coughing a chore.
Breathing sometimes impossible.
Sight decreased.
Ongoing pain from muscles that tighten.
Her life totally dependant on her loving parents.

And yet Brittany lives...with joy...in any condition!

Feel joy this Christmas season by giving. Please make a generous donation to NBIA...they need you.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Pepsi Shepsi..just be a Giver.


Don't get me wrong, I love me some Pepsi. I am just mad at them right now. Each year Pepsi picks charities to donate large sums of money to...and after much effort, NBIA didn't get picked! Boo!


But why do we need Pepsi anyway...(besides the fact they have millions of dollars to give)?

I mean, can't we all be givers?

I know we all want to be givers.

What's our hang up?

1. Too busy?
2. Too lazy?
3. Too Scroogy (I made that word up...Garth is in the Christmas Carol so it just popped in my mind)?
Why not start the giving now?

'Tis the season...to give and all.
If we all give a little...it can make a huge difference!