We had a great turn out for our Team Caroline weekend. We had so many friends and family members that were able to travel into town for the weekend. It was overwhelming!
On Saturday night we had a come-and-go dinner at Koppe Bridge. One of my friends compared it to a wedding- I got food at 6pm but was so busy talking to people and walking around that I didn't eat until after 9pm! Our pediatrician and my OB came. Even Angel {my nurse from Texas Children's Hospital} came! It was an amazing experience.
After dinner we headed to get tattoos. I had been wanting to get something in memory of my sweet Caroline for a while, and with a little push from my sister-in-law I decided that this was the perfect time to do it! We stayed out way too late but made so many fun memories. I ended up with a white outline of a fat little bird on my left inner wrist. It is perfect and just what I wanted!
The next morning it was race day! We woke up at 4am to the bitter cold and headed to the hotel to pick up our family members. Talk about craziness!
I asked everyone to be there early (around 6:20am) to get a photo.
The first picture is of the people who made it in time for the picture. We ended up having eighty people join us! Some ran the 5k, and some walked it with me. A few of the really brave {or crazy?!?} ones ran the half marathon {including Mandy, Wendy, and Julie!!!}.
It was such a sweet, sweet time of remembrance and a beautiful way to honor baby Caroline. A group of my friends reached the finish line and actually turned around {without crossing it} to join back up with me so we could all finish it together. When I saw them coming back to get me {I was not too far out from major surgery and wasn't moving too quickly!}, I almost couldn't handle it. I truly have the most amazing friends.
With the tears flowing we neared the finish line which was lined with everyone who had already finished. They were all cheering. The announcer then said "Go Team Caroline!" on the loud speaker. I think we all lost it at that point!
Jason was waiting for me just on the other side.
I will never forget the feeling of crossing that finish line while literally being held up by all of those who had held me up in prayer and love over the course of the past four months.
I will never be able to express what that support meant to me and I will be forever grateful.
Here are some pictures from race day. Of course I took over 200 {good ones!} so these are a very select few of my favorites...
Rounding the corner... almost at the finish line!
Go Team Caroline!
We set a goal of raising $2,500 for the Spina Bifida Association and ended up raising $5,375! We were completely blown away.
Thank you to everyone who donated and supported us in so many ways.
We are blessed beyond measure and continue to marvel in this amazing weekend of honoring our sweet girl.
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