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Happy Birthday Kayleigh Blair McClendon! I know your first birthday in heaven was more amazing than anything I could imagine, but as far as earthly birthdays go – we rocked this one, Baby Duck! In true Kayleigh fashion we partied for two days, but this time it was with hundreds and hundreds of friends.

Most of you cannot imagine what it feels like from this side of things, and that is a good thing. I would not want anyone to have to walk this path – that is why the Prayers For Kayleigh Foundation is so important to us. We don’t want other families to have to suffer the same loss if we can help it. Today, we had our first fundraiser 5k & Fun Run. As I looked out at the huge crowed of people I saw love and support like nothing I have ever seen. And to be one of the recipients of that kind of love – I am so humbled, so thankful.

Friends from high school, college, softball, Facebook, church, the kids schools, and St. Jude were among the people here today. I told you I would share our amazing visitor tonight… Anna was here. Kayleigh’s Anna, her special friend from St. Jude, her battle buddy. Mike & Jodie loaded their car and all four kids up Friday morning and drove straight to Kayleigh’s birthday bash Friday night and were at the race this morning. Did I mention they live in Pittsburg??? Mike says it’s just a hop, skip, and a jump. But I think it’s more like a hop, skip, and a jump, and a jump, and a jump, and another jump!

Watching Anna today, it was so beautiful to see the sparkle in Her eye and bright smile. She is still battling side effects of the chemo and trying to gain weight but she is a fighter. She even ran & walked the fun run! Watching the video of her sprinting down the road, weaving in and out of runners did my heart good.

Once the race was over we enjoyed lunch with our friends, gave them hugs and they headed back to Pittsburg. Would you pray for traveling mercies, and that the Lord will continue to bless this precious family? And of course for Anna! Her last scans were clear, thank you Jesus, and now we pray they stay that way. Please be praying for her headaches to go away, nausea to subside, weight to come back on, and for peace without any fear!

This seems like the right verse for tonight. I know this family has helped us carry our burden and we will treasure them and their friendship always.

Galations 6:2
2 Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.

Happy Brithsay one more time Baby Duck. Your seven years were short but you rocked this world. You were the catalyst for change for so many of us, and we thank you for that. I miss you sweet girl, but I promise to fight hard for other kids like you and share the love of Jesus that gets us through each day.

Until tomorrow,
‘Carrow

A year ago today was when we made our very first journey to St. Jude. We knew almost nothing about the hospital, we had no idea what to expect, we were scared for our daughter but choosing to trust the Lord. My goodness how things change in a year.

You might think looking back on that memory is sad, but the things I remember most were the precious moments of that day. My favorite memory from that day is our pizza picnic on the hotel bed at 11:00 pm because Kayleigh wanted cheesy bread. She was so excited we said yes. So often the little things made her the happiest, and St. Jude was really good at the little things and the big things. I wish we had never needed their services, I wish there had been another way for the Lord to accomplish His plan – a way where our family stayed complete. But even while my heart wishes for it, I know that God’s plan is perfect.

St. Jude will always be close to our hearts. Our special safe haven where we met amazing people and received such attentive care. As we get closer to our first big fundraiser, we are so excited for the opportunity to give back to St. Jude. If you don’t have plans Friday night, come join us at Relay for Life at the Hartselle Civic center. Team Kayleigh will be hosting Kayleigh’s birthday bash. Or make your way to the race and blood drive Saturday morning. You can still register! Online registration is closed, but paper registration is available!

Together we can make a difference in the lives of children battling cancer!

Psalm 127:3
3 Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.

Thank you for helping us fight for these precious children and their families!

Until tomorrow,
‘Carrow💜

Waiting for the doors to open that morning at the pediatrician’s office

May the Huntsville St  Jude affiliate

Saying goodby to Brother Duck and Sissy Duck before hitting the road to Memphis

Cheeasy bread in bed? You betcha!!

May 9, 2017

Happy Tuesday Friends!

It’s been a long day around here. We are working to get all the details together for Friday and Saturday. It’s going to be a wonderful weekend!

As I was finally stopping to eat some dinner after 9:00 tonight I realized I had not had my amazing moment today. God has given us an amazing moment every day since Friday, and I’ve decided to keep my eyes open for them. And then Grace walks into the kitchen and hands me her phone. See, tonight there was a chorus concert and we had been invited to attend. Sadly, Tim and I could not go because tonight was Cole’s Boy Scout Bridging Ceremony, but my mom and Grace went for us. Months ago I had been asked for Kayleigh’s favorite song, we usually play the Christian radio station and she had many songs she loved – but there was one pop song that got her moving, “Can’t Stop The Feelin'” by Justin Timberlake. As soon as she started seeing trailers for the movie “Trolls” last summer she was hooked. It played on her iPad, in our car, everywhere. And whenever it came on she started singing and dancing along.

Tonight the chorus sang Kayleigh’s song in her honor, and Grace recorded it for me. As I sat on my kitchen counter, eating a microwaved sandwich, exhausted from a grueling string of days, listening to that song, I found myself smiling and swaying along to the beat. I could almost see Kayleigh in her sunglasses, in the back seat, bouncing in her booster seat. What a perfectly timed “amazing moment.” Isn’t God good?

Philippians 4:19
19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

I love that verse. Do you see the part where it says God will supply ALL your needs? It doesn’t say he’ll only provide the big needs, it says ALL. That means He provides even these little “amazing moments” for me – just because He knows my heart needs them this week. What a good, good father we serve!

Until tomorrow,
‘Carrow💜

I hope you enjoy the show!

https://www.facebook.com/187306011663522/videos/384344405293014/