I feel like I am cheating on Nike.

Saturday evening, we headed over to The Running Depot. I have been needing new shoes. Since my 10K is one month away and The Crim in 90 some days, the next pair of shoes will be the ones I will be wearing. I have worn Nike shoes since at least 10th grade...nothing else. I was willing, this time though, to go with whatever they recommended. The guy measured my foot and then brought out three different shoes. I had to remind myself that it wasn't about brand or looks, it was about comfort. So, I walked out of there with a pair of Asics. They are super comfy and I ran 4 miles in them this morning and my feet feel fine. It usually takes me a good two weeks to break in a new pair of shoes and by then, my heals are so blistered up that it takes another two to where I can take off my bandages. So, I love 'em! Kinda scary that these will be taking me the distance of The Crim though.

Ugh!

I have an early dentist appointment and the crim countdown is down to double digits...ugh!

Our Addition...

Meet Macy! We were so excited to welcome her to our family on Thursday. We got her from a shelter. As many of you know, I am NOT a puppy person! They are really cute when they are someone else's, but I can't stand them in my house. I had secretly been looking online at dogs mainly as a family pet but also for protection. I knew that if my hubby got wind of it, I would not have time to think it through as much as I needed to. I went online and had three dogs in mind, all at the same shelter. We went on Thursday afternoon to meet them. We didn't have any expectations. The first one was really nice looking, but a hyper mess. We asked then to see our second choice, Macy. After playing around with her a little, we took her outside to walk around. I was impressed with how calm and sweet she was...and how trained. We took her back in and asked to see the third one. She was pretty, but again, too hyper. It was a long process. Dan and I talked it over, weighed our options, and decided that we would be going home with a dog. We chose Macy, a four or five (they really don't know) year old bull mastiff mix (we think with a pit bull or something). She has been a sweetheart! Her and Curtis took well to eachother. He even slept beside her crate last night. She has been wonderful with the kids...it was pretty cute watching Kaitlyn walk her around the yard today. She actually listened pretty well to Kaitlyn. We took her for her first run this morning. I think she is going to make an excellent running buddy and will make us feel extra safe not only while we are out with her but at home too. I think this one is a keeper. Dan is happy. I think I redeemed myself after the whole taking the dog back after 24 hours, leaving him a note, and going for a pedicure (it's a funny story now). Finally.

Beauty in Death?

I don't know if any of you have heard of Randy Pausch. He has been on Oprah and has also written a book. He is famous for his "Last Lecture" and was named on of the top 100 most influential people in 2008 (just google his name and you will find it). He is in the last stages of pancreatic cancer and has an amazing outlook on life. It was said about him that he is shining a light on a beautiful part of life that we often forget about...death. I know that it's a part of life. We all will die...although, I am hoping I am raptured...I just never thought of it as a beautiful part of life. It's all in our attitude, I guess. I think it's an awesome witness when a Christian has a positive outlook and points to God through it all. It speaks volumes about where their hope is. I don't know, it just got me thinking. Never thought there was any beauty in dying but I guess if you look hard enough, you can find the beauty in anything. Any thoughts?

Blog Worthy Announcement...

This past weekend, we went north for my brother's college graduation. We were glad that we could celebrate with my whole family. It was also exciting because Dan and I got to meet his girlfriend for the first time. Well, not only did he graduate last weekend, he also asked Amber to marry him! Dan and I were wondering if that would be the weekend. I am looking forward to having a new sister in the family. I am just disappointed that they will be so far away that I really won't have the chance to see them all that much. Holidays will be fun though!

Bitter Sweet Goodbye

Well, today was the dreaded day! My sister and her family were here for a visit over the weekend. We were all looking forward to it. I thought it would be a perfect time to ask Landon if he would like to "give" his ya-yas to his little cousin who is a little over a year younger than him. He was very excited to give them to his cousin because he is a "big boy now". Well, they left this morning along with Landon's ya-yas (well, they didn't physically go with them). You have got to understand that for the first two years of his life, these things barely left his mouth. We didn't think he could talk until we started limiting his time with them. He is quite attached and I was ready for the worst. He didn't ask about them until a little before lunch. He was getting tired and hungry and so I made him his lunch...not a big deal. Then nap time came. He was fine until he got in his bed and asked for them. I told him they were gone and reminded him of what he said that he was going to do with them. Which, I am now hoping this doesn't create a rivalry or bad feelings toward my precious little nephew. Poor kid, Landon thinks he has his ya-yas but they are really tucked away in his memory box. Anyway, he cried this heartbroken cry for about 5 minutes. All I could do was hold him (and get a little teary myself). I had to keep telling myself to stay strong and not give in and go and get one for him...in this case, just one would hurt him...it would be a major set back because he would know that they were still in the house. I hated the things but it's a bitter sweet milestone...no more pacifiers in my house....when the bottles go, I think that I might actually cry. :-) So, that was about it. I explained to him that he was a big boy now and I was so proud of him for giving up his ya-yas. He put his head down and went to nap. I think my precious little big boy needs some strawberry whoppers when he wakes up.

Happy Mother's Day, Shirley

(it's a long story, but just for the record, my Mom's name is NOT Shirley. She has recently stepped into the 21st century and gotten high speed and has been reading so this is for her!)

Mom,

You clothed me, fed me, rocked me

When I was too young to even know

Cared for me when I was sick

Loved and nurtured, watched me grow.

Had patience that was heaven sent

Kissed my boo boos, washed my face

Gave me confidence, taught me much

Home was always my safe place.

Looked to God for guidance

On your knees through my teenage years

Still your love remained, unshaken

So thankful for your hard work and tears

Opened your hands, released, and let me fly

Was what you raised me for

I have no words to thank you with

Since becoming a Mom myself, I love you even more.

I want to tell the world today, that you are truly a gift to me. You have blessed my life. You are not only one of my best friends but you are such an example of what a wife and mom should be. Thank you seems too small, but my hope for today is that you feel how much you are loved. I will forever rise up and call you blessed. I love you!

It's that time again...

...time to give blood.

It's something I have been doing (not so regularly because of pregnancies, but I am on a roll since giving birth to Collin) since August 2004. Tonight, I am going to give again. If you are able, look for a blood center near you or go to the Lifesource website...especially if you are rh neg. or have O blood type! Afterwards, Hollie, Bonnie, and I are treating ourselves to a good Mexican meal! Can't wait, girls!

The missing piece...

I went and picked up my littlest man's six month pictures from the photographer today! They turned out great. There has been an empty picture frame on my wall for about a month now and I am so happy that it's finally filled. I wanted to be able to have a constant reminder to cherish every moment because they are growing up way too fast. Six months is when we first had all three of our kids photographed professionally for the first time. I have caught myself just sitting and gazing at this wall several times today already. It's just perfect.

This is what I need: More Belief (cont.)

If some of you read my previous blog, you might remember the post I did entitled, "More Belief". If not, it was talking about my uncle who had been diagnosed with lung cancer for the second time around. He was given 6-9 months to live and I had basically accepted that as his fate, not really thinking of praying for a healing. I guess I figured that I had already used up my "healing card" on my Mom and who am I to ask for another...yes, sounds crazy to think like this about a God who can do anything and everything beyond what we can comprehend.

Matthew 7:7 ~ Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

Matthew 21:22 ~ And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

Mark 11:24 ~ Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

Luke 11:9 ~ And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

John 15:7 ~ If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

My grandparents would always say that they were praying for God to heal him and knew that my uncle would beat it. My grandparents are Christian people that are truly prayer warriors. My uncle had many people praying for him. Here is an email I got from my Mom this afternoon:

What a praise!! Bruce got the results of his PET scan that was done last week and was told today that his cancer is in remission! The one spot on his left lung is completely gone along with the other little spots. There is no other cancer in any of his organs either. They can't say that he's completely cured because there is still fluid in his lungs that he will have to have checked in two months with another CT scan. But, for now, there will be no further treatment required. What an answer to prayer! Wanted to pass the good news along to you all. Love~Mom

I read this email over about three times because I didn't believe what I was reading. My God is good no matter what, but it's answers to prayer like this that just blow me away, make me fall on my face and cry, "I am not worthy." God is good!

O taste and see that the LORD is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! ~Psalms 34:8

Go ahead and laugh, but I bet you wish your cat could do this...

Yes, we are leash training our cat Curtis. He has been apart of our family now for a little over a year. He showed up last winter in our garage and out of the kindness of our hearts and a little begging (Dan gave in) we had him checked over, fixed, and brought into our home. My little princess will tell you that he is her best friend and there was even talk of marriage when he eventually "will turn into a people". So, when asked what she wanted for her 4th birthday coming up the end of May, she told me a stroller for Curtis. She has been wanting to take him outside with her for a while now. Well, they actually do make them, believe it or not. The cheapest being $39.99. Now, I know it's her birthday but I just don't know about a stroller for a cat. So, the next best thing is being able to walk him on a leash...right? He wasn't even supposed to be able to stand up the first day of our training session (3 x a day for 15 minutes each time). Well, by the second day he was walking around and seems to like it. We got some stares the other day when my little princess and I put him in the double jogger and I pushed him and my little girl down to the pond to walk around. C'mon people haven't you ever seen a cat in a stroller on a leash??!!

Nine Months!

My littlest man is nine months today! He has got an evolving little personality and starting to not be so baby-like to me anymore. He is on the go, getting into everything, and putting everything in his mouth. He is walking around furniture and loves walking around holding onto Mommy's hands. He has also gotten pretty good at waving bye-bye. He has a sensitive little personality but also loves to be around people. I am afraid he is going to be a talker (guess he will fit right in)because he is always trying to put his two cents in when Dan and I are trying to have an uninterrupted conversation...between the three of them, it's getting rather impossible! I am surprised though because the whole "stranger danger" thing has set in and is no longer happy being passed around to just anyone. He has had a rough couple of months with an ear infection that wouldn't go away but hopefully the next few months will be healthy ones. He especially loves being outside, playing in the tubby, and being squirted with water (my princess found this out using the spray bottle we use to spray the cat and water our plants)...and yes, he has curls!!! He's such a joy!