SAHM I Am

In my pre-mommy days, I was a Special Event planner for two different national non-profits. In my positions, I planned culinary events, youth-focused fundraising events, a cycling event and most notably, many Walk events.  I remember speaking to individual walkers and team captains about the importance of fundraising for such events.  My advice was always to ask anyone and everyone.  People are very willing to donate when you’re passionate about the cause. 

I have done my fair share of donating and soliciting as well.  I donate whenever a friend or family member are participating in a fundraising event and for years I walked for JDRF and the American Diabetes Association as both my uncle and grandmother passed away due to complications from diabetes.  Yes, it was hard and sometimes uncomfortable to ask for donations, but I never fell short of my fundraising goals.

Now, however, the tables have turned.  When Audrey was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA) in March 2008, I turned to the Arthritis Foundation for support (www.arthritis.org).  We received invaluable information from them and were also informed that in April of that year they would be holding their annual AF Walk.  I signed up and formed a team immediately.  “Audrey’s Arsenal” had more than twenty team members and raised more than $2500 in our first year of fundraising and we vowed to be back in 2009.

The stakes are higher this year because Audrey was just named as the 2009 Waukesha County AF Walk Honoree. You will see her picture and bio in brochures, in press releases, and some time in the near future, she’ll make her television debut.  I was asked if I felt uncomfortable putting all this information about Audrey out there, but the answer is, not one bit.  This is our opportunity to educate people about the Arthritis Foundation and about JRA.    

My goal for this year is to at least double the amount we raised in 2008.  I have to follow my own advice and ask anyone and everyone to donate to our cause, after all, who is more passionate than a mother trying to find a cure for their child?  Donations to the AF Walk provide services, advocacy and, most importantly, research that may one day provide a cure for certain types of arthritis and maybe even prevent the disease from ever affecting another young child again. 

I believe everything happens for a reason.  Would I rather Audrey not have JRA? Silly question, of course, but the fact is, she does have it, and now it is up to us to decide how we’ll move forward.  Maybe the reason I spent those years working for non-profits has led me to be a better team captain and fundraiser.  Perhaps Audrey was chosen as the honoree to inform people that it doesn’t matter how old you are, you can still make a huge impact on people.  Whatever the reasons may be, I am very proud of our 2009 AF Walk honoree.  Now I just need to convince her that, yes, she is going on tv, but no, it’s not to sing on American Idol. 

http://www.arthritis.org/media/chapters/wis/PDF%20events%20or%20programs/Audrey%20bio%202009.pdf

For the past two to three weeks, Audrey has reminded us every day that she either wants a pet or a new baby brother (or sister, depending on her mood).  She’s fairly persistent in the pet area and would absolutely adore a cat, but I’ve told her numerous times that both of her parents are allergic to cats.  She then asks for a dog knowing that we’ve never mentioned allergies to dogs before. The truth is, I really want a dog too so I’ve started the process of adopting a rescued Golden Retriever. We have our home visit next Tuesday night.  I haven’t actually told her about this because I don’t need to be reminded of it on a consistent basis.  I mean what happens if we don’t get approved or if we have to wait a few months to get the “perfect” dog for our family?

The other part of the equation is the desire to be a big sibling.  She notices families a lot more lately and it really peaks her interest when there is more than one child.  She reminds me constantly that all of her classmates have brothers and sisters and even points them out as I pick her up.  “See mommy, there’s baby E and there’s baby F.  Aren’t A and C lucky to be big sisters?”  Yes, it tugs at my heart strings, but no, we haven’t changed our mind about having an only. 

She is very excited to meet her baby cousin, but he won’t be born for another three months.  She gets that babies come from mommy’s tummy as she told me the other day “I wish Liam would come out of Aunt Katie’s tummy now.  I really want to play with him.”  I mention this, because our conversation Tuesday started out normal and went quickly to bizarre.  Again she brought up the fact that she would like a cat and once again I told her “no.” “Then can we just order a baby brother?” she asked.

“Order a baby brother? Where would we order a baby brother?”

“We can order it from the pizza guy and then he can bring it right to our door.”

Holding back laughter, I explained that a pizza guy wouldn’t be able to bring a baby to our door and people don’t just “order” babies.  I heard a loud sigh from the backseat followed by “How ‘bout just a dog then?”

Last night I was recounting this story to my husband when Audrey chimed in with “We could order the baby from a catalogue if the pizza guy can’t bring us one. We can order a baby brother and we can name him Dongo.”  This time my husband reminded her that we have a very special family even without a baby brother.  Then she gave him her big ol’ grey eyes and pouty lip and said “Than can we please get a dog, daddy?”  He said that we were thinking of getting a dog and that it would be a big responsibility but it would probably make us all very happy.  With a giant smile, she whispered in response “How about three dogs, daddy? One for me, one for mommy and one for you then we can be really really REALLY happy.”  Don’t be surprised if you one day end up buying a used-car with two extended warranties from this child; she’s one heck of a saleswoman.