Marathon Mayhem!

The girls have packed more into the last month than I think Tone and I did during our entire childhoods! Their fundraising for the Gold Coast Hospital children's ward has been AMAZING - with the Paton girls joining them, and selling bands at a hospital BBQ, outside Australia Fair Cinemas, at the Convention Centre etc. And WOW - soooooo impressive to see them go up to strangers and sell their bands and their cause.

Tara's had to totally step up and be a real Junior Ambassador - talking to the media! She's had press, TV and radio interviews with the kindest journalists in the world. Too cute for words. Especially when, just like a kid, Tara says things like "I'm so proud of myself for being an inspiration." ARGH!

And the rest of the family went along with Tara last night to the Gold Coast Marathon Official Dinner. Absolutely fantastic. Their first real grown-up event! The three of them spent all afternoon getting ready - painting nails, brushing hair, painting nails again (many times! they kept smudging them) and putting on lippy...which was all made worthwhile when the MC announced they were the most glam there! And very exciting - they got to meet Ben of best-job-in-the-world fame (see pic above).

Tara had an appointment with Dr Pincus 2 weeks ago and he said how fab she's doing. Referring to her amputation, he said "sometimes you have to make a huge decision...and sometimes you make the right one".

Later on we went up to Rehab for a meeting...and met a gorgeous 10-year-old girl who has just had the lower part of her leg amputated. She honestly shone - just so beautiful inside and out. And today she sent Tara an email wishing her luck for the marathon tomorrow and saying "It was really nice meeting you. It is nice to know that there are other people out there in the world that have been through the same thing as me." Tara's definitely going to stay in touch.

Busy, busy now getting everyone ready for an early night (!) at Granny's tonight...so we can be up at dawn for the marathon. Tara's gonna be interviewed on the live web cam on www.goldcoastmarathon.com.au shortly after noon tomorrow (Aussie time) if you happen to be near a laptop.

No photos of June because we lost the camera! But we've got it back now...