Breast Cancer Awareness

If you know me, you know that I am passionate about finding a cure for breast cancer. Don't ask me why, except that it's a good cause. I guess God just placed a tender spot in my heart for this cause. I don't have a compelling story to tell about why or how this issue has impacted my life. All I know is that every story that I hear about breast cancer, makes my eyes well up with tears. I don't want another person to have to battle this disease. Two years ago, I personally made the commitment to take a stand and I raised $2,000 and walked 60 miles during the Dallas/Fort Worth Breast Cancer 3-Day event to help fund research for a cure. It was just something that I knew I had to do. It felt like a life or death decision (life if I took the challenge and death if I didn't). I chose life and challenged myself both phsyically and mentally. Let me tell you, walking 60 miles in 3 days is hard work. I trained for 6 months leading up to the event. I didn't know how I was ever going to make it, but I did it and it was so worth it.

We all need to be informed. So here are a few facts that you need to know. Early detection is key. Now is the best time. Believe it or not, the best time to check for breast cancer is when your breasts feel fine. If you can
find cancer early, there is a much better chance for survival.




Breast Self-Awareness
Except for skin cancers, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, but it can be successfully treated. Screening tests can find cancer early, when it’s most treatable.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure® recommends that you:

1. Know your risk
Talk to your family to learn about your family health history.

Talk to your provider about your personal risk of breast cancer.

2. Get screened
Ask your doctor which screening tests are right for you if you are at a higher risk.

Have a mammogram every year starting at age 40 if you are at average risk.

Have a clinical breast exam at least every 3 years starting at 20, and every year starting at 40.

3. Know what is normal for you
See your health care provider right away if you notice any of these breast changes:

Lump, hard knot or thickening
Swelling, warmth, redness or darkening
Change in the size or shape of the breast
Dimpling or puckering of the skin
Itchy, scaly sore or rash on the nipple
Pulling in of your nipple or other parts of the breast
Nipple discharge that starts suddenly
New pain in one spot that doesn’t go away

4. Make healthy lifestyle choices
Maintain a healthy weight.

Add exercise into your routine.

Limit alcohol intake.






Let's stay informed. Knowledge is power. Together, we can find a cure.

State Fair of Texas

On Sunday, October 12th, our whole family went to the State Fair of Texas together after church. It was so much fun. Taurus, myself, Trinity, and Madison went of course. My parents, Taurus's mom, my brother Adrian, sister-in-law, Tamesha, and neice Jayla went also. We had a blast. It was so much fun going as a big family. We loaded up into two cars so that we only had to pay the $10 parking fee twice. I strapped Maddi to my chest so that she could see everything and we brought her little unbrella stroller along just in case my back got tired, and of course it did. Carrying around a 20 lb baby on your chest is good exercise but after so long, I needed a break. Here are some pics of our family outing.



My mom & dad



Adrian & Tamesha


Trinity eating a big turkey leg and Mimi (Taurus' mom)


Trinity & Jayla on "The Tornando" ride


Madison and I


Taurus and Maddi


Jayla driving


Trinity driving

Someone is Watching You

This post came from a pastor that sends out weekly devotionals. His name is Marcus King. He pastors a church in DeSoto, TX. I thought this week's thought was worth reposting. So here it is.

Ruth 2:5 Then Boaz asked his foreman, "Who is that young woman over there? Who does she belong to?"


Hard times can make a person feel like their life is on a downward spiral and hope is almost gone. Ruth understood this just as much as anyone else. She had lost her husband, her income, her security, and found herself now in a situation where she was trying to do all she could do to honestly put food on her table. While going out into the fields to try and find something to eat, she went with that sole purpose in mind. She had no other ulterior motives. And while she was trying to start a new life, someone knew her harsh past and current condition. Listen to what Boaz's foreman told him about her. "She is the young woman from Moab who came back with Naomi...She has been hard at work ever since, except for a few minutes rest in the shelter."

Being a private person is a good thing. Yet, sometimes being so private can keep others from being a blessing to you. God knows who to get your business to. And yes, the devil knows the wrong people too! When God does it though, it will set you up to be in a better position than you could have ever imagined. Ruth was a widow with no money, but her character, sacrifice, and consistency caught the eye of the one God would use to bless her. You do know that Boaz checked her out some more and didn't just want to help her but marry her!

Note to self: "If I am going through hard times I should let my character grow stronger, and I should not start feeling sorry for myself. If I get up everyday even though it's hard, God will let someone know about my situation, and He will open a door for me I didn't expect. Depression and pity parties could have cost Ruth the husband God was preparing to send her. Her attitude gave her access! Someone is always watching me. The question is, what will I be doing while they are watching?" That answer could be the difference between a greater blessing or more hard times.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, please help me have a heart like Ruth to keep going when times are rough. I want to be in the right place at the right time with the right attitude so whomever you have watching me that you sent to bless me won't pass me by. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.