Pregnancy and Pickleball

 In July, we returned to Smith Mountain Lake and it was a fun time with family. In August, my sister and I headed to Delaware to be with our sister, Kathy. She was hospitalized with stomach issues and they found that she had cancer. This would be our last time with her and I’m so grateful for the time with her. It was filled with laughs and sister jokes. I miss my funny and music loving sister, but I know she’s safely with my mom and dad.

I had my fifth breast surgery and this time it was a revision surgery. Things went well. 

John loves pickleball and has improved so much in such a short amount of time. 

Dawson and Lily maternity photos 

Baby Stevens

Breast Cancer Awareness at my surgeon’s office 

John the pickleball champ

Surgery time

Ready for surgery #5

Visiting with my sister Kathy

Shelly at Smith Mountain Lake

Shelly, John, and Hunter boating

Rocks of Love

For the past three years, Shelly has created pink bracelets to sell for the month of October. The money she made went to the Susan G. Komen breast cancer foundation. This year she decided to do something different and was inspired by this project.

Shelly has been painting shells and rocks with inspiring and happy messages and then placing them where people can find them and feel loved and filled with hope. 

Here are a few that she has created. We hid a few in the shopping mall, outside of Target, along a walking path, and various other fun places. 

Bracelets for Breast Cancer

Last year Shelly made pink Rainbow Loom bracelets and sold them. She donated the proceeds to the Susan G. Komen foundation. 

This October she made another batch of pink bracelets. She sent several with John when he headed off to work. His very generous colleagues donated so much to this cause and received their pink bracelet in return. Many others purchased bracelets from Shelly and she was able to donate $430 after her daddy matched the funds she collected. 

So happy she is such a giver. Her kind spirit is heartwarming. 

Birthday Candles and a Special Letter

Forgot to add the little video of Shelly blowing out her candles on her cookie cake.

And wanted to share a follow up to the bracelet money that Shelly donated to the Susan G. Komen breast cancer fund. I was so impressed that they commented on the bracelets and it wasn't just a form letter. It meant so much to Shelly and it brought a tear to our eyes. Sweet.

Bracelets for Breast Cancer

Shelly, like many other girls her age, is obsessed with her CraZ Loom bracelet maker. She has an inventory of over 150 bracelets and is always creating new and different bracelet designs, as well as, fun little charms and rings.

Back in October Shelly and John decided it would be a great idea to make pink bracelets and sell them. So, John sold them to some of his colleagues and golfing buddies and the proceeds have been donated to the Susan G. Komen breast cancer fund.

Shelly wrote them a note and included a bracelet along with her card.

I know my mom, a 12 year breast cancer survivor, would be so very proud of her creative and thoughtful granddaughter!