JDRF Gala

In February we went to a JDRF Diabetes conference. We brought Kai along and she got to go to the kids club and met a bunch of other kids with Diabetes. She had fun just hanging out with other kids regardless of the fact that they had diabetes plus two of her favorite adults were there, Sister Swigert her  old Sunbeam teacher and Miss Megan her old dancer teacher both of whom have type 1 as well. While we were there, Kai was picked by an artist to be apart of a project he was doing for the JDRF Gala that they were doing in May. We agreed and they took some photos of her and of our hands.

We were invited to attend the Gala. Kai and I got free tickets, we had to buy Jared's, it was a $100 which was a good deal because for most people it was $250. We got to get all dressed up, I borrowed this beautiful dress from our friends Kris and Jamie West. Andrea came over and helped us get ready which was a huge lifesaver. Then we were off. Kai was excited to go to the ball even though she didn't really know what it meant!

The first part was cocktail hour and the silent auction. We walked around and looked at all the cool stuff up for auction and bid on a bunch, I really wanted these marble toys but they went up way to high. We did end up getting some fun stuff though. The ball was at the JW Marriott here in SA and it was a beautiful. Kai wasn't having very much fun during the cocktail hour. The poor girl was starving since it was already almost 7pm and all the appetizers they had she wouldn't even try. Finally, we got into the dining area, she got some rolls and was pretty happy the rest of the night!

The food was pretty amazing. Polenta, steak, with pulled pork and sweet potatoes. The dessert was a let down, I didn't even try it because I was already 5 weeks off of sugar and Jared said it was not worth it. So I didn't try it.

 

Me and my girlie having fun together. We sat with 2 other kids with T1D and their families. Justin who was 8 and had been diagnosed for a year and Abigail who was 15 and had been diagnosed for two years, so Kailie who was 4 and had been diagnosed for over 3 years was the diabetes expert at the table, how crazy is that!!

The art project was the last thing of the night to be auctioned off, before the event Jared and I were thinking we would probably be buying the art. We didn't realize it was all going to be together and after the first live auction bid item sold for like $10,000 we quickly realized we would not be buying the art. One trip to go see The Voice live sold for  $17,000. So crazy.

The four kids with type 1. The artist's goal of this was: " The hands in each portrait are significant to each child and also represent an essential force outside of these children, they represent JDRF and our mission of outreach for the children. One face looks up, one looks directly at you, two faces look towards each other and all four collectively look out into our community, the world and ultimately for a cure.!

The artist, with Abigail!

Kai's portrait. It was definitely not what I was expecting but the more I look at it the more I realize how well it depicts her, don't really understand why it is so dark on her face though. Mine and Jared's hands are above her.

Justin and Kailie with one of the Chairs of the night. His mother was actually the one who ended up with the portraits. Which sold for $27,000!! Pretty Awesome!!!

Was such a little rock star up there. There was about 800-1,000 people in attendance and she did great. She is so cute. I love her so much!!

I am so grateful to all the super wealthy people out there that attend these events and donate their money to help find a cure and just to make this disease easier for all those who deal with it everyday!

All night Kai kept trying to hold up our number, which of course would have been horrible if she accidentally bid on a $19,000 trip to Africa or something else so when they got to the part where we could donate some she was so excited to stand up and hold up our number. We are grateful that we are able to help out as well.

Andrea helped me with my hair. I just wanted something simple and this worked. I definitely am not talented enough to do it myself.

The final evening total was  $1,824,487!! Soooo incredible and amazing. In one night they raised that much. Jared and I hope to be able to attend next year as well, but we will probably leave our little Cinderella at home!!

Our goodies we won. We won two different things at the auction, the first was Pampered in Austin. A hotel room for one night, plus a hair and make-up appointment plus a whole slew of redkin hair products. Pretty awesome and we got it for $180. The next was like a road trip basket full of games, movies and various other gift cards and treats. We shared some with the other families we met that night and with our besties the Keck's who graciously watched McKean for us even though they have a brand new baby!!

Kai was so good all night but she got really tired at the end. Her part wasn't even until 9:30 which is way past her bedtime. She had a blast and kept asking the next day if she could go to a ball again.