Courage, Bravery, Hope

I've been wanting to write this post for quite some time but I know how private my wonderful neighbor Andrea is so I held off. But I wanted to let her and everyone know how amazing I think she is. In September, Andrea (Avery's mom) was diagnosed with breast cancer. She is just 29 years old. We have loved Dustin and Andrea since they moved in across the street. Avery is just 6 months older than my twins and she is one of their best friends. Andrea has always been there for me. She has taken Eden for me countless times when I had to rush off to the hospital with Georgia. She's watched Georgia for me while I took Eden to swimming lessons. We've borrowed eggs and sugar from each other just like true neighbors. She was the winner of the ugly sweater party last year. Proving her friendship once again by catering to our crazy antics.

But what I've learned to love even more about Andrea is her courage and grace during her fight with breast cancer. She's never showed the "poor me" attitude. I'm sure she has her moments but on the outside she is the epitome of bravery. Last week we had a play date and I was able to really talk to her about what was going on. In some ways I could completely relate, I've said it myself "its not strength, there's just no other choice." She's attacked this whole cancer ordeal with the thought of lets just get it over with and move on.

Another reason why I love Andrea is even in her own struggles she still thinks about others. Yesterday, as Georgia was admitted to the hospital she was one of the first people to text me and ask what she could do for me. I had to laugh and tell her to worry about herself, we were fine. She is really a sweetheart.

When Andrea went for her lumpectomy, another neighbor and I decorated her house just to show her how much we love her. I'm sure she hated this outward attention because she is so private and it all was taken down very quickly, but we just wanted her to know how much we love her.

And decorating her house was pretty hilarious. I misunderstood when she would be home after her surgery so we ended up having to do it while she and Dustin were home. Dustin was actually in the family room playing videogames so we had to be stealth mode. The funniest was watching our other neighbor, Stacie who was 6 months pregnant at the time try to be like a ninja.

Andrea loves my kids and that makes her an even better friend.

She always wants to hold Georgia whenever we're together.

Avery is so cute with Georgia too. She loves to give her hugs and snuggles.

It warms my heart to see people appreciate how special Georgia really is. While some people are afraid of Georgia's condition (I don't blame them, I was that way too before I had a special needs child), Andrea has embraced and loved her from day one.

And now these two share an even stronger bond, they are both medically fragile but stronger than all of us.

Get well soon, Andrea.

We love you!