Soccer Days...

When we first moved home from Hungary over a year ago (Has it already been that long?), our biggest move to join in suburbian OC was to buy our first minivan. We loved our Opel Zafira in Hungary and grew quite happy with those extra back seats with which we could tuck extra college students in the back when heading to town. We no longer seem to stuff our van with college students (We miss you all and all those pizza runs!), but we are still finding a way to fill it with good things. This month? Soccer equipment.

Yes, Elea's started soccer, and Jason's the asst. coach for the team. Thankfully, I managed to avoid the job of soccer mom this year (I figure I'll have plenty of other years to volunteer), but my mom, friend, I did make the soccer banner. We're having a blast watching Elea and Ty both fall in love with sports. So far, Elea says that when she grows up she wants to be a runner (Go figure with all our races this year), and Ty seems content with his recently acquired talent of a somersault, thanks to a new gymnastics class.

Jason's sister has also come up with an awesome idea to help support my sister, Julie. If you feel like more reading, and want to know what we'll be up to in February 2010, please go to our other blog Run 4 Julie (www.run4julie.blogspot.com).

Most of all, we're still rejoicing in Julie's latest cancer news (see blog from Sept.) and so thankful that we have been able to make new friends, reconnect with old friends, and get to attend the church where we grew up, Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa. Thank you so much for your prayers! Please stay in touch and let us know how we can be praying for you.

Blessings!

It's cupcake time!

Hi Friends and Family,
I can hear your complaints already...I know, I know, we are horribly behind in writing blogs. Hopefully, I'll make it up to you this time with some amazing news!  Below is a note from my sister about her cancer. God is so good and has been continuing to do miracles!!! See below.

The biggest news in our home is that Elea started kindergarten!!! (See pic) She's also started to play soccer and continues with ballet. That girl loves to be active.  Ty is now 2 1/2, talking a lot more, and as fun as ever. Jason is teaching two classes of Matthew at the Calvary Chapel Bible College Extension Campus at CCCM (in addition to his "real" job). And I'm still a stay-at-home mom that does an awful lot of work for non-profit organizaitons (to see what I'm up to lately, go to http://www.curesrocktour.com and www.run4julie.blogspot.com).  Jason and I also just ran the Disneyland Half Marathon. He creamed my time, but we had lots of fun and earned our Disney castle medals! (see pic...yes, I dressed like a princess!)


Don't forget to read my sister's note below about the latest news about her cancer. You won't want to miss THIS news!!!


Love,
Angie and Family

Note from my twin sister:

First, thanks to all of you for being my virtual cheering squad over the past 9 months of on/off treatments and up/down news. You've all joined me in mocking cancer, helped me kick some shins when I've been frustrated and prayed for a cure.  Who knew that as friends and family, we'd all band together in this fashion. Thank you for your support.  
 
I've been able to run some races, not run some others due to treatments, and then run again.  (In fact, Angie, Jason and I completed the Disneyland Half Marathon on Sunday! See pic!) However, I can now officially say that after battling cancer for the 3rd time....it's THREE STRIKES, AND YOU'RE OUTTA HERE, CANCER!  We're on the home team, baby! Cancer didn't stand a chance.
 
That's right! The official PET scan results and other tests came back today, and anything left of the tumor is dead cancer cells which my body will absorb.  And, although my momma always told me I was special, my doctor declared me, "unremarkable," and I am done with treatments!! ;)  
 
HAPPY 09-09-09! (My doc pointed out that nifty date to me today.) Yes, I'm planning on mounds of cupcakes to celebrate!
 
CURES ROCK! 
 
Love,
Jules
www.curesrock.com
www.curesrocktour.com

Less than 2 weeks 'til race day!!!!

I’m writing this blog in my car. Elea’s at ballet class and Ty’s having a hey-day playing in the back of our minivan. Jason just finished teaching his Genesis class at noon, and now he’s off to his ‘real’ job managing properties. Oh! And Elea just turned 5 years old last week, and Ty turned 2 years old at the end of March. Life is anything but dull in suburbia. God is good!

It’s less than two weeks until the San Diego Rock ‘n’ Roll marathon on May 31st!
Continue to pray for good health, little fatigue, and a strong race on the 31st for Julie & myself (we’re running together) and the rest of our TEAM. Pray for my amazing family that’s been so patient with my crazy running schedule, and who’s set and ready to cheer for us at the marathon.

The Top 10 Things I’ve Learned While Training for the San Diego Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon:

#1-GU and Gatorade are part of a new food group for runners.

#2-Eating a packet of salt is not as gross as it sounds.

#3-Running with a team is much better than running on my own.

#4-You really can do anything you set your mind to do. I’m stunned thinking that not too long ago I had a (very much) dreaded 7 mile run at Kit Carson Park (my last blog entry). I ran and ran, wondering how in the world I “got talked into” running so much. Times do change. Two weekends ago was a 20 mile run, and it was my “easiest” run of the training season. *smile* This past weekend I was back with my team training at Kit Carson Park for an “easy” 10 mile run. I kept thinking back to my other blog post, amazed at how far I’ve come in my training, thanks to my TEAM and supporters like you. Before, it would take me over an hour to prepare for a long run and set out all my gear & food. Now, it’s second nature to me. I've lost almost 15 pounds, gotten back into shape, and I'm a runner again, all thanks to TNT. Oh, yeah! And I've gotten to raise almost $10,000 (along with my sis) that will go towards cancer research to make sure that no one else has to go through cancer like others we love.

#5-Advil and Aleve make a good profit off of runners.

#6-Speed does not matter. Just take it “nice and easy” (Thanks, Mike!). My motto for my training is a saying by Charles Spurgeon: "By perseverance, the snail reached the ark." Go snails!

#7-It is possible to run with two kids and a dog, and still finish the 6 miles of an “easy” weekday run (thanks to a double jogging stroller).

#8-I run farther than I like to drive! (Four months of training x 35-45 miles per week = 650+ miles that I’ve ran since January!)

#9-What we’re doing DOES matter and make a difference in the lives of others. Our San Diego chapter alone has already hit its goal of raising $250,000 for just this season! There’s no way that we’re done with fundraising yet because we still need a cure for cancer, but the money you’ve helped donate is already helping in some pretty incredible ways. Did you know that Gleevec is a drug that was largely funded by LLS research money? LLS got that money from supporters like you...Over 4,000 lives were saved in the last year because of Gleevec. This is a pretty remarkable measure of all the hard work we’re doing. We are literally saving lives. Thank you!!

#10-There is nothing more important than the support of family and friends and teammates. There’s most certainly a team behind “TEAM in Training” with the Leukemia & Lymphoma society that has gotten me to this point in my training. I’ve had coaches watch over my training and minor injuries, captains and mentors that cheered me on through long runs and fundraising, and friends that have seen me at all kinds of highs and lows during these past four months. Some of those coaches and friends I even traveled with to cheer Julie and them on as they ran the Boston Marathon for Livestrong in April. (See Julie’s post on the Boston Marathon weekend at http://www.curesrock.com/ ). Family members and friends have helped financially, babysat my kids, made bracelets, manned aid stations during practice, given advice, and just overall managed to keep me focused and headed towards my goal. THANKS!!!

I’ll be sure to keep you posted on how the marathon goes on the 31st. If you want to catch it “live” online, catch the webcast at: http://www.rnrmarathon.com/home.html
You can look for Julie and I around the 5:30 to 5:45 hour mark (which might be later on the official clock because by the time I get over the start line, it might be 10-15 min. after the race has started).

We’re almost at our support goal, and we’re still accepting donations! Go to: http://pages.teamintraining.org/sd/rnr09/CuresRock

Included Pics (and I might add more later, so check back!):

(1) Elea's 5th birthday at Disneyland, dressed as Tinkerbell

(2) Our 2 year old, Ty, checking out the cars at California Adventure

(3) We did it! At the end of our 20 mile run, finishing at Moonlight Beach. Lft to Rt: My running buddies, Me, Gabbi, Erin and Donna.

(4) All smiles despite the fact we're getting ready to run 18 miles! My "usual" running group Lft to Rt: Donna, Julie, Janet, Erin, Kim, Gabbi, and me.

(5) Mom and Dad working an aid station--passing out Gatorade, water, and other goodies to TNT runners as they come by them (a 14 mile run that week)

Bracelets 4 Cures

Hi Everyone,

Please read my sister, Jenny's email below. She's helping us raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society by donating her talents by making jewelry. Not just any jewelry--very VERY special jewelry. Jen's very talented with any kind of of jewelry making, and even made my tiara for my wedding! Please read her note, and also check out the pictures of the bracelets. So, please--help her, help us! :) Let's turn an ugly thing like cancer into something beautiful by wearing pretty jewelry that supports cancer research!!Thanks for even thinking about us!Love,Angie

~~~~~~
MY SISTER'S EMAIL:
Hello Friends! As some of you know, my youngest sister, Julie, has been fighting the battle with cancer...and doing a great job at kicking it to the curb! In between the ups and downs of chemotherapy, radiation treatments, and full time work, she found time last year to train and run in the Rock n' Roll Marathon (San Diego, CA) with Team in Training raising money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. She has an unbelievable story and I am so proud of her dedication and focus to raise awareness for cancer research. This April, she has been invited to run with the Lance Armstrong Foundation (TeamLIVESTRONG) in the prestigious Boston Marathon. And in June, both of my sisters are running in the Rock n' Roll Marathon (with Team in Training). I totally applaud them. However, unless bears are involved, I don't do well running. So, I am getting creative and pulling out all my jewelry making supplies and getting back at it...except this time, all the proceeds will be donated to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Currently, I am doing a purple toned bracelet (general cancer awareness color--and K-State's color!) with a Swarovski crystal purple star (also have option of orange star for leukemia awareness), Swarovski pearls, star toggle and "awarness ribbon" charm, both in sterling, and faceted fire-polished glass beads in purple tones. All finishing components are sterling silver too. The bracelets are the traditional length of 7.5" long (other lengths -wider or children's- upon special request). They are $26.00 (flat rate shipping for up to 5 bracelets to same address is $2.50). I will accept checks, cash, and Paypal (bracelets4cures@curesrock.com) Again, all proceeds go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. If you have time, please check out my sister's blog at http://www.curesrock.com/.
Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely, Jenny Murdock

Seeing Purple!

Today, I just wanted to post a picture that represents so much more--Julie and I in our purple Team in Training jackets! On Saturday, I earned my purple jacket. That jacket symbolizes my love for my sis and my desire to see her cancer GONE. There is no other way to put feelings to words than to put on that purple jacket! Even better, Julie earned her "Cures Rock Star" award for hitting $1000 earned beyond her fundraising minimum. A huge accomplishment!

You ask, "So, does this mean you're done with fundraising?" My response will always be, "Is there a cure to cancer yet?" My personal goal is to also earn my "Cures Rock Star" status (and special race day singlet!) for earning $1000 beyond my minimum. Hey, twins will always compete with each other! :) I'm even working as a private grader for homeschooling parents with all proceeds going to LLS! Who knew that my teaching experience and cancer awareness would one day work together? More and more people are diagnosed with or die from cancer each day, and helping raise funds for research for a cure during an economic upheaval is the least we can do to keep on the road for finding a cure.


Thank you for the laughter and support. Last week was a 7 mile run at Kit Carson Park in Escondido (see pic of me, Julie, and Erin running), but next month the miles ramp up to 14 mile runs! I think I can, I think I can, I think I can....

Love, Angie

To donate:
http://pages.teamintraining.org/sd/rnr09/avanderburgh

Pics: (1) Julie & I in our purple TNT jackets (2) Myself, Julie & Erin on a 7 mi run (3) Julie and my practice tees: "Wonder Twin Powers, Activate!"

And we're off...!!!

It's hard for me to believe that I'm already running soooo much more than I have in quite awhile. The 'B' team that I'm on is already coming up to running 7 miles this weekend. Granted, we have a little under 20 more miles to go, but I'll take my achievements as I get them. LOL!
We had a great time at practice, yet again! The Carlsbad run had a lot of lights which meant a lot of stopping at odd times. Oh well! But eventually the 6 mile run was worth it for the view at the 1/2 way mark--the ocean! Before the run we had a shoe and form clinic. Those clinics are invaluable to me because I'm learning so much from them about the "art of running." Gotta get off to a good start!

The rest of the VB clan are being amazing supporters to me. I call Elea "Mommy's Coach" because she makes sure that I'm actually running and not walking out there. The other day during a run when I was walking she said, "Mommy! People aren't going to like you at the race if you're walking! RUN!" HAHA! I have to admit that Elea can really get me running!

Jason and I also both started teaching this week. I'm back for another semester of teaching English classes to a local Christian, homeschool network. Jason's teaching 2 Genesis classes at the Calvary Chapel Bible College extension campus at Costa Mesa. We both LOVE to teach, and I think we like the fact that there are two teachers in our house.

Thanks for your prayers and support!
Off and running!! (Literally!)
Angie

Please donate to help find a cure for blood cancers and support me!
http://pages.teamintraining.org/sd/rnr09/avanderburgh

Hi All,

It wasn't too long ago that you supported the "Tyson Twin" sisters by buying endless rounds of Girl Scout Cookies and sponsoring us during school jog-a-thons. Now in 2009, times have changed, but we are back to hitting the pavement and raising money for an amazing cause. We are raising funds for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) as participants in their Team In Training endurance program and running the San Diego Rock ‘n’ Roll marathon—Together!

How did we get here? First, it was our nephew, Andy, who found out he had leukemia. Then, just as our world stopped spinning with that reality, we found out that Julie had leukemia as well. Julie is a recent survivor of Acute Mylogenous Leukemia (AML), after already having battled cancer once before. She ran her first marathon in June 2008 as a celebration of survivorship, and we were at the race to cheer her from the sidelines. Recently, Julie's cancer came back and is a difficult reminder that a cure has not yet been found. We can no longer sit on the sidelines and watch the destruction this terrible disease causes.

And so, the “Tyson Twins” are joining together this year to raise more funds to—once and for all—kick cancer to the curb! Your donation will make a difference to some people you know –Us! For every $50 you donate, we want to run in honor/memory of a loved one of yours. Just send us the first name & last initial, and let us know his/her type of cancer so that we can choose the correct ribbon. Want to make me look like a running rainbow from all the ribbons attached to my shirt? I dare you! *smile*

To support us and donate to the LLS, go to:

Angie—http://pages.teamintraining.org/sd/rnr09/avanderburgh

Julie— http://pages.teamintraining.org/sd/rnrseatl09/jwestcott

(It doesn’t matter which account!)

On behalf of ourselves and our families, thank you very much for your support and prayers. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!" (Phil. 4:13)