Life As I Know It

Pregnancy Update: Week 36 + WYRW

2012-02-15T07:00:00.000-06:00

Swollen, blobby mess. That about sums up my physical and mental state these days! I think a ban on all photos of me should be enacted now through D-day.

Last Friday, I went to the OB for a check up and to get the OK to travel to Minnesota for a quick weekend getaway. I have suspected I've had low iron at various times throughout this pregnancy, and a hemoglobin test confirmed that - so more steak, broccoli, and spinach for me! Hopefully that will help curb my lightheadedness, extra fatigue, and irritability I've been experiencing. Yes, I blame all irritability on the iron deficiency, and not that fact that I am an emotional roller-coaster anyway and have a tiring toddler to contend with everyday. The attitude of a teenager with a toddler's body and mind. It's just such a treat....

I gained three pounds in two weeks, which was more than past weeks, and I have a feeling between vacation, my couch-potatoness, and swelling, that trend will continue. But we did discover that I have started dilating (tmi? sorry!), which could mean nothing but is encouraging nonetheless! I KNEW all these contractions aren't just practice :)

The doctor also said once I was considered full term, they would probably order an ultrasound to check the baby's size. It took a couple seconds and then I realized what she was saying. "He's big, isn't he?" I'd been saying for the last two weeks that he just all of a sudden felt HUGE. She said yes, he seemed to be a good size little guy. Good news - maybe I will go into labor early and/or be induced (ick) closer to 37 weeks rather than 40 (or 41). Bad news - I am not a large or tall person, and I have a short torso. My ribs, lungs, and back are at their limit NOW!

As soon as we got back from Minnesota, which was an adventure in and of itself that I will write about shortly, serious swelling set in. And I've had about as much of our mattress as I can take - it USED to be comfortable due to our nice feather topper. A couple years ago after a suspected bed-bug incident, we purchased an expensive casing to go over our mattress and feather-topper. Well, since then the feather-topper ripped, and the thousands of feathers that are now loose in the casing have nestled into every crevasse where our bodies DON'T lay. Basically, we need a new mattress - NOW.

Complain much, huh? I do want to acknowledge that I am very grateful for relative health and well-being for both the baby and myself. I know I sound ungrateful - around 8 weeks I was annoyed and irritated with my nausea. I felt terrible and couldn't muster the energy to do anything. Granted, our scare at 10 weeks gave me a little boost of "I will endure anything I have to if the baby can just be ok!" But, the woe-is-me attitude returned once the pregnancy was back on track.

I have close friends and family who have struggled with fertility. In all honesty, it’s nothing I have experience with. I can’t imagine how couples endure who wait months, or years to have a baby. Or how women who have one, two, three, more miscarriages, well into that first trimester. They endure over and over the gross symptoms I complained about so routinely, with no baby to show for it in the end.

It’s true, at least for me, that much of pregnancy just sucks. But I hope I never, ever forget how lucky I am to even be married and able to carry children naturally, without intervention. My prayer today is for those who are unmarried and desire children, those who are married and struggling with conception, and those who have tried everything and still continue to wait. That God would choose to give to them what He so abundantly has given to us!

Even if all I feel like today is a swollen, blobby mess :)

Would You Rather Wednesday: Would you rather take multiple, small trips each year, or one bigger trip every year or two?

I'd say a combo! We haven't been on many big vacations, but like to take smaller ones more regularly, especially a warm-weather escape in the winter. However, even with the new baby and basement expenses, we are going to try to get in a nice, big trip this fall to celebrate our five-year anniversary. How far we've come in five short years!

Pregnancy Update: Week 35 + WYRW

2012-02-08T07:30:00.000-06:00

Whew, what a long week it's been. The first time the weather decided to dump any kind of measurable snow this entire season was before and during my Pampered Chef brunch on Saturday - lovely, eh? I've battled extreme backaches most days, and even though I've done well so far, I managed to gain more weight than I cared to. I think the swelling has started, and I wake up every morning with ribs that feel like they are broken they are so painful. Well ok, I don't actually know what a broken rib feels like, but the sharp pains and aching is no picnic. Thankfully once I stretch out and stand up, it starts to lessen....

Speaking of sharp pains, I don't recall having this with Brady, but I have heard about it. When the baby sits just right, usually when I'm standing, I get this sharp pain down my right leg. I don't know who this alien baby is, but he won't stop moving!

I don't mean to gripe, and I'm sure I'm just painting a lovely picture of pregnancy :) I just feel like this baby is full size and out of room now....how can we have five (or more) weeks to go?! And yet, I need those weeks....the nursery isn't decorated, birth plan isn't finalized, pre-registration has yet to be sent to the hospital, baby book hasn't been purchased, hospital bags aren't packed, etc. etc. Yikes! I guess I better be off to do something productive.

As for Would You Rather Wednesday: Would you rather be caught in ice, snow, wind, or rain?

I think I'd have to say rain, if it's a warm rain! Ice is dangerous (right, mom?) and cold, snow is cold and can be dirty/slushy/messy, and wind just messes up my hair on the rare occasion I wear it down. If I'm driving, though, I actually like to drive in the snow!

Recipe: Mini Corn Dogs

2012-02-07T19:27:00.000-06:00

Ever since I received a mini-muffin pan for Christmas, I have been OBSESSED with making everything, well, MINI. I won't even touch my regular muffin pan. So, to kick off the first of many "mini" recipes, I had this post planned for awhile now. Then a couple days ago, I popped on over to my favorite foodie blog, Iowa Girl Eats, and what did I find? THE SAME RECIPE! AHHH!

I will admit, I've made several of her recipes, and do get inspiration from her blog time-to-time, but this was just UNCANNY. I thought about not posting my recipe because it just seemed too fishy (not actually fishy, but you know....). Upon further investigation, I realized they weren't quite the same, so I don't feel like I'm stealing her idea, even if it appears like I am :)

Plus, my version is way easier - BONUS!

So I present to you, my not-ripped-off, uber-easy recipe for....

Mini Corn Dogs

The Stuff

1 package Jiffy cornbread mix

1 T. brown sugar

1 egg

3/4 C. milk

1/2 C. cheddar cheese

4-5 hot dogs, cut into bite-sized pieces.

The Sauce

Ketchup. Or Catsup. Or however you want to spell it.

The Stir

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Whisk the egg and milk in a medium-sized bowl, then combine the Jiffy mix, brown sugar, and cheese. Using a spoon, scoop mixture into a well-greased mini-muffin pan, filling each about 1/2 to 2/3 full. Add hot dog pieces until each cup is basically full (how many pieces you add to each cup will depend on how large or small you cut the hot dogs). Pop 'em in the oven for 10-12 minutes, although it could take less time so check periodically for the muffins to start lightly browning. Yield= 24 mini-muffins, or you can use a regular, 12-cup muffin pan at 400 degrees for 14-18 minutes....but why would you want to!

Bullies

2012-02-03T09:00:00.005-06:00

I didn't really think about it until recently, but I was bullied quite a bit as a child. I had frizzy hair. I had freckles. I didn't understand sarcasm. I rocked my head all day long. And I was teased for those things....a lot. Only back then, no one talked about bullying. I started using my imagination to escape reality or pretend people liked me. I don't make excuses for my mistakes, but I do remember the desperate feeling of just wishing someone, ANYONE, would like me for who I was, and being willing to change myself to try and gain "friendships." I didn't value myself as I should have or have the confidence to be strong in who I was - I was easily molded by my peers, simply because I was relieved to have friends and would do anything to keep them. I can't say if I would have made any choices differently, and I wasn't really a "bad" kid, but I can see now that the reason for some of my thoughts or actions didn't start in high school or even middle school....it started in kindergarten when a boy mocked me on the swing set. I remember it still, so it obviously bothered me back then.

We have recently made it our national crusade to end bullying. We tell kids to come forward, to speak up, to tell someone about their troubles. But I am so bothered by the simplicity of this message, as if it is just as simple as these kids telling an adult or peer about what is happening. That if we just get the message out there that bullying is not tolerated, it will somehow translate to support that actually makes a difference to that one kid.

But who is going to step in to actually MAKE these bullies stop? Who is going to be there when these kids are further bullied for "tattling"?

Who is going to realize the awful choice these kids have to make: risk making things exponentially worse and being branded a tattle-tale by telling someone, or wonder if anyone will even believe them, or realize that people just might not care enough to step in because, well, it must not be TOO bad since they aren't dead yet.

It is a thin line kids teeter on between choosing to become the "dork" or liar who tattled, or choosing to end their life.

See, even though we wear bracelets, post images on Facebook, and cry OUTRAGE at the latest teen suicide over bullying, no one is providing these victims any sense of confidence that the bully will actually be punished and stopped. So, they just endure, until they can't anymore.

It's a nice idea, to start organizations, create awareness, post things, and put out all the lip service you want about the issue. But at the end of the day, who is actually going to make things better?

I'm sure this is what most bullied kids across America are wondering, and why the suicides keep happening.

Basement Project: If You Build It, They Will Come, pt. 2

2012-02-02T10:00:00.002-06:00

Joel and I both grew up in great homes with amazing families. We realized, though, that neither one of us spent a particularly great amount of time "entertaining" friends at our houses. We were usually more likely to spend time at another friend's house before inviting them to hang out at ours. With all of the influences kids have these days, it was super important to Joel and I that our kids have a place where they can bring their friends for a fun, safe environment to "hang".

Now, we aren't naive. We know there is a great chance our kids will want nothing to do with our house. Or that we may move before our kids are teenagers. Or a million other variables. I just know that I'd rather provide the space and fun for our kids in our own home and have the friends come to us than wonder where they are and if they are up to no good.

So, we set out to make a practical, yet livable and fun, area in our basement.

Looking into the office.

Standing in the office looking out into the "rec" room.

Standing just outside the office in the "rec" room. SAY CHEESE!

After the drywall guys did their thing, my dad primed and painted all the walls.

Much easier with a sprayer!

Not much to see yet, but at this point in the progress, you could see the drywall is up and painting was going to be commencing soon. Eventually, the main room is all set to contain a ping-pong area with a corner-mounted TV, a flat-screen swivel wall-mounted TV with comfy seating, a fully-equipped wet bar (more like mini-kitchen), and potentially a high-top pub table/chairs. We can't wait to show you some Before's and After's, and where the basement is now! Carpet was just laid today, so we are making good progress!

Pregnancy Update: Week 34 + WYRW Revival

2012-02-01T23:08:00.000-06:00

The weeks are starting to drag along now that sleep is elusive, back and contraction pain is frequent, and a million other "woes" have set in. At my latest appointment, everything looked and sounded great. Baby seems to be head down, so that's a plus! I'm still trying to mentally prepare for a 40-41 week pregnancy, but I still feel like this little guy is coming early. Of course, I thought that with Brady, too....and that went well.

Fuzzy camera photo! Getting ready for Joel's fancy company party.

Same ensemble as last post? Yep - company parties two weekends in a row!

On another note, I've decided to revive WOULD YOU RATHER WEDNESDAYS! To start things off, I have a couple "Would you rathers" and can't wait to hear your thoughts on some of these things :)

WYRW #1: Sticking with the pregnancy theme of the post, would you rather have all girls, all boys, or a mix?

I would definitely love to have both genders someday, but I do think it might be easier/saner to raise all boys if I had to choose. And, well, so far so good there :)

WYRW #2: To acknowledge the political season that is upon us, would you rather vote for a president who has poor leadership qualities but good vision, or a candidate who fires up the call for change but doesn't really have a plan for how to follow through with that vision.

I think far too many of us are voting for the "cool" guy these days. We want someone relatable and likeable, and even charming or witty, but at the end of the day none of that really matters as much as having a plan of action that is executable. I have no idea who can provide that....

Pregnancy Update: Week 33

2012-01-27T22:17:00.000-06:00

It's been since, what, 18 weeks that I last gave an update? Geesh! Well, maybe no one really cares all that much, but one thing I wish I had done a better job of when I was pregnant with Brady is document my pregnancy. Mostly because in the 3 1/2 years that have passed, I have forgotten what aches, pains, highs, lows I had the first time around, so I find myself constantly wondering things like, "When did heartburn kick in? How much did I weigh at week "X"? When did my energy wane? When did I start sleeping poorly? When did the Braxton Hicks start?" You get the idea....

So, even though we have a mere seven (EEK!) weeks to go, I wanted to give an update, a photo, and plan to do so weekly from here on out.

The second trimester was basically uneventful, but did bring regular headaches, lightheadedness, and digestive woes. Thankfully I managed to get a control on the first two by not completely eliminating caffeine some days (doctor suggestion!) and by ensuring I regularly took my vitamins and consumed as much iron-rich food as possible. I passed my glucose screening (YUCK!), maintained healthy weight and blood pressure counts, and generally just had a boring time of it, thankfully!

The third trimester began with the new year, and despite it usually being the worst trimester, I found myself energized, productive, alert, and generally feeling great! Plus, the mild winter has been a bonus as I have no winter coat that fits me, and after my mom's spill on the ice last March, everyone in my family is extra-cautious of slippery surfaces!

Cue week 33....

In a matter of a few days, I went from feeling big but good to exhausted, achy, emotional, non-productive, no energy, heartburn, infection, sleeplessness, crankiness, on and on and on. I'm a pleasure to be around, I'm just sure :)

I honestly feel like my body is wrapping up this pregnancy very soon, although I need to mentally continue to plan for another late arrival. Braxton Hicks started at week 31, and while they were annoying and regular in the evenings, they weren't bad. This past week the accompanying cramping has been so bad I have woken from a sound sleep and even started timing them one evening thinking they were progressing. It's so weird how regular and strong they are, and yet....nothing. It could be a LONG 7 weeks at this rate!

Baby is over 4 pounds now, and after this week, his lungs are basically mature. We FINALLY have his room set up, thanks to the help of my parents, and even though basement progress is slower than we'd like, we at least don't have to bring him home to a room that looked like it belongs on "Hoarders."

I asked this question on Facebook, and I think we know what we are going to do, but I thought I'd post it here, too: Assuming the pregnancy remains uncomplicated, would you rather deliver at downtown Mercy hospital which is over-crowded but fully equipped with a NICU, or deliver at Mercy West where you are basically the only patient but has no NICU? I know, I haven't presented all information in this question, as both have distinct advantages/disadvantages, but it's good to get opinions in case someone shares something we haven't thought about yet!

Farm Boy Casserole

2012-01-23T14:49:00.000-06:00

I don't think cooking gets much easier than this: take a bunch of comfort food-type ingredients, throw 'em together, and call it a casserole. Joel is a meat-and-potatoes kind of guy, so I know when I make this for supper, he's gonna love it! Give this fast, easy, cheap meal a try while it's crazy cold outside!

The Stuff:

1 lb. ground beef

1 can drained green beans

1 can drained corn

1/2 c. chopped celery

1/2 c. chopped carrots

1/4 c. chopped onion

The Sauce:

1 can cream of celery soup

1 c. shredded cheddar or monterrey jack cheese

2 T. olive oil

The Stir:

In a large skillet, brown and drain the burger. Set burger aside, and using the same skillet, coat the bottom with the olive oil and layer in the frozen hashbrowns until the bottom of the pan is well covered. Let simmer on medium-high.

While the hashbrowns are defrosting, mix together the vegetables, burger, and celery soup and pour on top of the hashbrowns. Cover the skillet and let everything simmer until veggies have softened and it is warm throughout.

I like to use my Pampered Chef skillet that can also be used in the oven up to 400 degrees. Once the casserole is done, I sprinkle the cheese on top and stick the uncovered skillet under the broiler at 400 degrees until the cheese starts to brown on top.

Try adding or substituting other veggies, or give ground turkey a try instead of beef - the sky's the limit! Bon Appetit!

Basement Project: If You Build It, They Will Come, pt. 1

2012-01-22T15:19:00.000-06:00

Who is they? I don't know. Friends. Family. Rodents. Hopefully not rodents.

Stealing a line from the famous Iowa movie, the basement project began as a sort of vision. No one whispered random remarks in our ears - not that kind of vision. But more of the kind of vision when two people talk about what the future might look like and their hopes for their family as it grows.

When we purchased our house in 2008, we immediately began thinking about what to do with the 1,600+ square feet of unfinished basement we had to work with.

View into the Office.

Bedroom and Bathroom

View from the bedroom closet into the bedroom and family room.

Middle of the Family Room.

We knew the necessary items: an office, a 4th bedroom, a large rec/entertainment room, storage, etc. But we started dreaming about how and why the space should be used. It went beyond simply "slapping up some walls and calling it good". We developed a purpose, a vision, for the space. And my-oh-my has it been a roller coaster of fun, chaos, headache, confusion, indecision, vision, expense, and creativity. I'll be posting much more in the coming weeks on our basement progress - stay tuned!

Baby B

2012-01-12T09:32:00.003-06:00

I apologize in advance for the lengthy post. Chances are you know we are expecting baby #2 mid-March. I wanted to share the other part of the story that not many know. Some people may think it’s private and shouldn’t be shared. For whatever reason, I just don't feel that way.

At around 10 weeks, I was working on a normal Thursday when I (sorry if this is TMI!) had some spotting, which is not really what you want to see at any stage in pregnancy. Back at my desk, my phone was at 5% battery life. It was 4:30 so I shut down the computer, left work quietly, and texted Joel: “I’m spotting, low cell battery. Call the OB to see what we should do, text me back.” I then used what little battery life I had to call my parents to get them in the loop. Between all of us, we got the message that the OB said to go to the ER since their offices were closing for the day, and my parents would be waiting with Brady at our house for the plan of action while Joel came from Ames.

I drove the 25-minute drive from Adel to home as fast but safely as I could. A million thoughts went through my mind. I knew the risk of miscarriage was significantly greater in the first trimester. I don’t tend to panic prematurely – I am the type who tries to stay calm and cool until I know the outcome of a situation. But it was a long drive home.

At home we decided my mom would accompany me to Mercy West, since it was close by and Joel was not due home for another 40 minutes or so. Check in went pretty fast, and Joel arrived soon after I was admitted.

At the exam, everything looked good. We were waiting on the final piece of reassurance, the ultrasound, but due to some complication at the downtown hospital, we decided to go home after three hours and do the ultrasound in our doctor’s office the next day. We felt pretty confident that nothing was wrong, but still anticipated the results of the ultrasound.

The next day, the technician got right to work. After checking a few organ-type things, she focused in on the baby. She told us, “I have good news and bad news.” That was not at all what we expected her to say! She started by telling us that she didn’t see any concerning signs or sources of bleeding, and that the baby seemed healthy and normal for 10 weeks….but that we were pregnant with twins and, unfortunately, one didn’t make it.

That was…..totally unexpected. Aside from some several jokes on my part about carrying twins, (maybe I just knew??) we never expected to hear that kind of report. We could clearly see, though, the larger, thriving baby with beating heart, and the smaller, less defined baby measuring a couple weeks behind.

The tech left Joel and me, and we didn’t quite know what to say or think. We were sad and happy at the same time. What a strange range of emotion, to be relieved I was still pregnant, but to also mourn the loss of the other baby. While I’m not sure I would know what to do with twins, no one wishes for the loss of a child.

Healthy Baby "A" at 10 weeks.

Baby "B" at 10 weeks, stopped growing around weeks.

The twins - you can definitely tell size and developmental differences.

We met next with an OB in our practice. He came in and didn’t quite look at our chart closely, making a couple errors. Most notably, he didn’t realize one twin was no longer alive, and he was just Mr. Jolly about the whole thing, asking us if we were surprised by the ultrasound and what not. I think he thought we were ungrateful and weird when we replied with melancholy faces and indifferent expressions. After he explained the whole twin thing to us for awhile, he finally flipped the chart and realized his error.

I was still unsure what to feel the whole time we were in the appointment. The hardest part was seeing the lost baby on the ultrasound and in the photograph. I did manage a little humor, telling Joel, “You know, Dwight was a twin.” Referencing a favorite show of ours, The Office: “Yeah I was a twin. I reabsorbed the other fetus. I now have the strength of a grown man and a little baby.” It made him smile, and I think he was glad to see I was doing ok with the situation.

We are now just weeks away from delivery. We weren't sure if we'd see anything of Baby B on the 20-week ultrasound, and to our untrained eyes, we didn't.

It’s a strange feeling, knowing we lost that baby. Many people who miscarry don’t tell people about it. I can understand why some would want to keep that private. For whatever reason, I think I’m the opposite. It feels unfair to just pretend he or she never existed. Most people would never know they lost a twin since you don’t actually miscarry the fetus. I’m so thankful we didn’t plan on having twins and then find out otherwise: we found out at the same time that we had two and lost one.

In the book Heaven is for Real, the author claims that his son met a girl in Heaven who was the miscarried child of his parents. That she was alive and well in Heaven, and anticipating the day her parents would get there and name her and meet her. I don’t know if that is true, if unborn children, who would never be viable outside of the womb, are in Heaven, but I like to think that could be the case. And maybe someday, we will get the joyful surprise of meeting a child we never got to hold and love here on Earth.

So, this is our recognition of little Baby B. We can't wait to meet Baby A in March :)

On a side note: our neighborhood has eight houses, with three pregnancies at once. The other two families are expecting or just had twins and, well, we were on that path, too. We marvel at how statistically impossible that is! So, I don’t know what’s going on, but if you don’t want twins, don't move here :)

New Year, New Blog

2012-01-09T06:00:00.003-06:00

Back in September 2009, I had no concrete ideas or intentions for this blog. I thought "Hey, I love to write, I need to be better about documenting life and memories, and someone somewhere just might like a thing or two I write about." So, I just dove in!

Over the last 2 1/2 years, I have been quite inconsistent, very text-heavy, and super sporadic in my blogging efforts. And that's been ok. But one of my main goals in 2012 is to actually make this thing a tool of use, for myself, my family, and hopefully you!

I thought about all kinds of strategies and themes, and determined that, while I have specific things I love and am good at, I couldn't just narrow it down. For example, I love cooking and baking, but don't want to be another food blog. I enjoy deep-thinking and reflective writing, but doing that all the time would hurt my brain, and who wants to read that?! Gardening and crafting are fun, but I'm so so SO amateur, and not necessarily year-round. I love writing about my family, but that is only interesting to, well, us :)

So I'm not limiting it, simply focusing the blog. I intend to have more of a schedule of sorts as well as themes to the posts. Some of my goals for January-March include three posts each week, theme-ing the posts so you know if you want a certain kind of post, which day of the week it will occur, and increase photo usage. If all goes well, the second quarter of 2012 will include a blog re-design.

When I decided I was going to run the half-marathon in 2010, the only way it was going to happen was if I told people about it. The more people I told, the more I felt like, "Oh crap, I have to actually DO this thing now or risk failing!" So, that's what I'm doing here. It's so easy to have good intentions, but unless there is some form of accountability from others, I usually hop off the bandwagon.

So, I guess that is kind of my New Year's Blog Resolution (Blogolution?). Some exciting things to write about coming up: pregnancy/baby news, travel plans, fitness tips & efforts post-baby, projects (including our massive basement finish), and much more! I hope you will continue to join me!

A Mother's Love

2012-01-03T13:56:00.000-06:00

One thing I've wondered since Brady was born is how I could possibly love another child as much as I love him.

From the moment Brady was put into my arms, he had my heart. It truly is a miraculous connection, which I've written about before, but I couldn't help but wonder how I would be able to love another child as much.

You see, once Brady was born, he had my whole heart. All of it. No other kid even held a candle in comparison. That's normal, I think. So what happens when baby #2 comes along? How is that 100% distributed? Do you lose some love for child #1 to accommodate for another child? Do I care less about the new baby than I did about Brady when he was born? How can you divide a mother's love?

I guess time will tell, but I have this funny feeling it won't divide, but simply double. It's a concept that puts mathematics and logic aside. The 100% love I have for Brady will remain, and instantly my capacity to love will be doubled. It's probably a lot like God's love for us: we don't get a fragment of His love, we get 100% of His unconditional love, all the time.

I guess I'll find out soon enough :)

Crucifying Tim Tebow

2011-12-16T14:28:00.004-06:00

I don't understand the football world's fascination with Tim Tebow. I would get it if it were based on his skill, or his ambition, or his success. It's the current obsession fans and commentators seem to have with his faith. Or, I suppose more accurately, their lack of it.

Tim Tebow has never been shy about his beliefs. Is he perfect? No, I'm sure not. But do I believe he is sincere and truly believes what he says he does? I do. I hear so many athletes insincerely thank God for their successes, it is refreshing to see someone appear to genuinely mean it and live it out.

And yet, people complain. They whine. People are all up in arms whenever his arms are up. I don't hear nearly this much commotion about Steeler's Troy Polamalu, who in my opinion is far "showier" in his faith. So what's the big deal with Tebow?

Is it because he's the new golden boy? Fresh blood? People just love to have something to complain about? I mean, in the grand scheme of college/professional athletics, is Tebow REALLY the one we should be complaining about?

What about the druggies who think they are above the law? What about the quarterbacks who cheat on their wives, send explicit photos to random women, beat or harass their latest conquests, take animal cruelty to a new level? The coaches who shower with young boys, or the college players with dollar signs in their eyes much too soon? I have heard far more negative reactions to Tebow's faith than I have over the aforementioned horrors...

And I've certainly had enough of the whining.

Why do we try to bring down a success story instead of embrace it? Are people just that jealous? Bitter they didn't have the God-given talent and work ethic to "make it big"? This young man was not supposed to be great at college ball: he worked hard and became the best. He was not supposed to translate well to the NFL: he busts his butt each day to silence the critics and give hope to his team. I believe that drive and ability only comes from realizing it is a GIFT, and how quickly it can be taken away. And yet, he is still faced with constant criticism: shame on him for raising his arms to God. He recognizes where the credit is due, and takes a half-second to acknowledge that after a touchdown pass or big play. BIG DEAL.

I say, shame on all of you critics. You cry for free speech, and in the next breath want to take his away because it doesn't suit you. It's a two-sided coin, my friends, and his actions hurt you not the slightest. Let's begin celebrating not a perfect person, but a far superior young man in his efforts to become great, and the fact that he knows to whom all the glory should be given. I only hope my son(s) pursue their dreams and goals with such gusto, and have the courage to remain steadfast in their faith, even if the world is set on crucifying them for it.

Cajun Chili

2011-11-17T09:02:00.000-06:00

To continue with my obsession with cold-weather soups, I have been trying to perfect chili for quite some time. I didn't really look up recipes or anything, but just kept throwing stuff into the pot that I liked until I came up with what I think is the perfect combination for the best chili! It was a total whim to take a Cajun twist, but I'm so glad I did - check it out!

Cajun Chili

The Stuff:

1 lb. ground beef

1/4 to 1/2 cup chopped onion (I like red onion but any will do)

1 can chili-ready tomatoes

1 can chili-ready beans

1 can black beans, rinsed until water runs clear

1 can corn, drained

2 cans tomato sauce (cans are the same size as the corn/beans/tomatoes)

The Spice:

3 Tb. chili powder

1 Tb. onion powder

Cayenne pepper, to taste

Cajun seasoning, to taste (I think ours is from Penzey's Spices, but hopefully you can find this at any grocery store)

The Stir:

Brown burger and onions together, crumble, and drain of grease. Put the burger/onion mix in the crock pot. Add everybody else into the pot (I'm channeling my inner Rachel Ray and personifying my ingredients). Set crock for the amount of time you want the soup to simmer (I recommend at least 4 hours to let the flavors mix). Once it's hot, do a "taste test" to see if you need more spice. I usually add quite a bit more chili powder and several tablespoons of Cajun seasoning to mine. If you like spicy, go heavy on the Cayenne pepper. Being pregnant, and married to a guy who likes middle-of-the-road spice, I don't do this, but you could add jalapenos. Oh, and speaking of the hubs, he doesn't like beans, anything too spicy, or tomatoes, and he LOVED this recipe!

Serve with the usual: shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, and crackers or chips. I prefer Fritos Scoops with mine! Jiffy corn bread is the perfect, simple accompanying side, in my opinion :)

I sure love a hearty, healthy, EASY dinner! If you come up with a chili variation I need to try, let me know!

Boy or Geal? ANNOUNCEMENT

2011-11-03T09:40:00.000-05:00

So who was right? If you remember, Brady was pretty sold on the idea of the baby being a boy. In fact, he recently told me that if it was a "geal", that he wouldn't like the baby! Ahhh, the words of a two-year-old :)

Well I think everyone predicted a girl, even Joel and I! We were a little surprised on Wednesday when the technician turned to us and said, "Well, he's right....we have a boy here!"

Brady, not so surprised, declared with a smirk, "I KNEW it was a boy....I told you...."

It's true, we would have loved to add a girl to the family, but are excited that Brady will have a little brother to ~~harass and bully~~ love and play with. And, needless to say, Brady is pretty excited! He also likes to point out the "wee-wee" on the ultrasound photos....oh dear.

We are currently in the midst of finishing our basement, which in a ranch home is quite an undertaking (more on that some other day), and while I had grand plans for a little girl nursery, it will be so much less stressful (and easier on the checkbook!) since we already have what we need for this little guy.

Most importantly, everything checked out normally, baby is growing perfectly, and, maybe not so important but still - I'm not yet a whale! :) Although Halloween candy might do me in.

Hopefully soon I will be getting to some posts on the basement project, the nursery, a garden recap, some pregnancy updates, and more....stay tuned!

Brady: 3-Year Photos

2011-11-01T17:07:00.000-05:00

I may be a tad bit biased, but could these photos really be any cuter??

Creamy Kielbasa and Veggie Soup

2011-10-20T09:55:00.000-05:00

I am a summer girl through-and-through, but Fall is such a fun time, if only it didn't lead into that one dreadful season. One of the things I love most about the cooler weather is soup. I think I could eat a different kind of soup every day of the week and never get tired of it. French onion, Italian wedding, vegetable stew, baked potato, chicken enchilada, chili....you name it, I love it. A steaming bowl of homemade anything from the crock pot....

My mom sometimes made a soup that I really liked, and I think I've perfected it now and am ready to share the recipe for a delicious, easy, healthy Creamy Kielbasa and Veggie Soup. The nice thing about this soup: you can throw just about any veggie you like into the mix!

Creamy Kielbasa and Veggie Soup (photo from recipebridge.com)

The Stuff:

1 Kielbasa sausage, any variety: beef, pork, turkey, etc.

5 large potatoes, washed, cubed

1 can corn, UNDRAINED

1 can green beans, drained

Handful baby carrots

1/2 onion, sliced

1 stalk celery, cut in bite-sized pieces

Add or omit any veggies you like!

The Sauce:
12 oz. can evaporated milk

32 oz. chicken broth

milk, if needed

hot sauce

salt and pepper

parsley flakes

Prepare all of your veggies and dump 'em (and the sausage) in the crock, including the corn "juice". Warning: you may not want to use the entire sausage because it's pretty big (insert "that's what she said" jokes here....) Once your veggies are all done, add the evaporated milk and chicken broth. To ensure all the veggies are covered, you may want to add a little bit of regular milk, too. Add a dash of hot sauce, salt, and pepper to taste, then finish with some parsley flakes. It's so simple and versatile. If you like it more milky/creamy, add another can of evaporated milk and less broth.

Set your crock to whatever setting you need depending on when you want your soup to be done. I like to make it all the night before, put the crock in the fridge, then in the morning before work, plug 'er in and a nice aroma will be waiting when you come home. Couldn't be easier!

Anything else you would add? Experiment and let me know!

Boy or Geal?

2011-10-12T15:51:00.000-05:00

Boy or Girl? Our ultrasound is scheduled for November 2 - 21 weeks! Although with three nephews and a son ourselves, having a girl seems like the impossible :)

What does Brady think? When we ask him, he gets this cute smirk/smile on his face with his eyes rolled up in the air like he's searching for the answer and he declares, "Maybe it's a boy!" Once in awhile we can get him to say "Maybe it's a geal (girl)!" but even if he does, he always comes back to "Or....maybe it's a boy!"

Needless to say, big brother is hoping for a little brother - we'll see if he's right!

18 Weeks and Counting....

2011-10-10T11:59:00.000-05:00

I've been on a bit of a blog-cation lately, which tends to happen in the summer. But I had an added reason the last few months to be less-than-inspired when it comes to anything that required work, effort, brainstorming....energy of any kind really!

Joel and I are expecting a new addition to the family in March, and we are excited! Although, the first 14 weeks, I was not excited about anything....ever.

When I was pregnant with Brady, I remember feeling really sick and nauseous, eating gross and random things, and never wanting to get off the couch. Which, lucky for me, was doable since I didn't have a job. I'm not sure if I really was sicker this time, or if it was just the the fact that I have a job now - oh yeah, and this little thing called a TODDLER to keep up with - but I was miserable.

I stayed home at all cost. I went to bed at 9pm (before Brady). I slept as much as I could, including naps. One silver lining: instead of craving canned ravioli and fish sticks this time, I turned to Claussen pickles, ginger ale, and Mrs. Grass chicken noodle soup to calm my stomach. I felt sick most all of the time, but especially toward the evening hours. So yeah, I was a LOT of fun to be around.

We found out about our little bundle on my birthday, July 8....20 minutes before our closest friends came over for a party in my honor. It was hard to keep our excitement to ourselves (and to not drink alcohol and go un-noticed!) but we managed. Girls, if you thought I was adamant that night about our period-math discussion, it was because I had just calculated it myself, and my "suppose you got pregnant mid-June...you would be due mid-March" assertion was not purely speculatory :)

At any rate, I FINALLY made it over the first trimester hump, and am feeling exponentially better. After a scare at week 10 (which I'll write about more another time), I was really reminded of what my body is going through and why this temporary YUCKINESS is really all worth it.

For now, my main battles are lightheadedness/faint feeling, round ligament pain (I do NOT remember having that with Brady....Yowch!), massive headaches, and weight gain. Although I swore to myself I would be more responsible and not gain 50+ pounds ever again, and I thought my marathon training last year would give me a head start with that, so we'll see. I'm hoping I can eat smarter and exercise more than I did during Brady's second trimester to curb that trend. I have no desire to relive looking like Princess Fiona - Ogre version (Joel's words!); to explain to people that yes, I was smiling in the post-birth photos with Brady, but my FAT FACE prevented my cheeks from moving; or to use any other photo of myself as birth control for my teenage youth group ("see what I looked like? you better be married before you have children because NO MAN is going to stick by you looking like that unless you are married!).

Ah, the joys of pregnancy. 18 weeks down, 22 to go!


Around 15 weeks: I intentionally wore a shirt to hide things for our annual family photos :)

Colorado Vacation: Day Four

2011-08-05T11:00:00.041-05:00

Quite a change from the day before.

Monday, May 30, 2011

The last day of our vacation was chilly, windy, and SNOWY!

Paul and Macy got up early to put the fishing licenses to use. I do NOT fish. I don't catch fish, touch fish, clean fish, or eat fish. So, Joel took a little stroll up the road from the cabin while I slept in, got myself ready, and made a scrambled egg and toast breakfast once everyone returned. It was a late brunch really, so we packed some snacks and headed into Estes once again.

As soon as we got to the park, it was clear the weather was not going to be on our side. We drove up to Bear Lake and Alberta Falls where it was blizzarding! While it was beautiful, it really messed with my head!

We didn't even attempt to make it to the Falls with the wind whipping us in the face, but we did "hike" 300 feet or so to Bear Lake. Macy and I exchanged looks of disbelief as a girl walked by with flip flops in the snow. I thought WE were ill-prepared! It was just too frigid to do much outdoors up in the mountains, so we drove around, spotted some Elk (they are EVERYWHERE and don't really care what people are doing!), found a beautiful stream to snap photos:

and ended up back in the town of Estes to shop the stores in the afternoon. It was strange: although it was snowing wherever we went, the sun managed to follow us, keeping the weather somewhat tolerable. Back in town, the temperatures were warmer, the sun was out at times, but that WIND! Somehow, we managed to keep our feet on the ground, and ended our last day with some fun tourist shopping and a walk along a river.

Elk Crossing

We decided we wanted to dine out for the last night, so we made reservations at the Dunraven. With some times to kill, the boys checked out the brick house of some Mills guy (one of the men who created Estes Park), and we drove to the restaurant. We were a tad early, so we drove to the YMCA of the Rockies, saw MORE elk just hanging out all over the place, and then sat down to an amazing Italian feast!

While it wasn't much to look at from the outside, the Dunraven was dim and quaint, cozy and fun. We all enjoyed our meals an garlic bread, and were stuffed to the gills!

Back at the cabin, we cleaned and packed as much as we could, started a roaring (finally!) fire, took down basically a whole bag of marshmallows and the other s'more ingredients, and played some Catch Phrase to unwind. Well, Macy and I played while the ~~boys~~ Joel sulked....apparently they weren't enjoying themselves but didn't say so! I tell you, we can only do so much.... :)

Tuesday morning, we started for home around 7am, and pulled into our driveway right at 7pm. My parents had Brady at that point, so after sending Paul and Macy off to Oskaloosa, we headed over there to get him. It was pretty funny when he saw us - usually he cries and screams because he doesn't want us to take him from "gammaboppa's" house, but this time he just kind of slowly walked to us as a look of realization came over his face. He started laughing and jumping for joy, saying, "Mommy AND DADDY!!" It was really cute and nice to be missed, although ten minutes later I was ready to leave again! I knew he had a ton of fun with Joel's family all weekend, but that kid was CRA-ZY. I'm sure it will take some time and discipline to get back into the swing of things!

We are so grateful to Rebecca, Paul, and Macy for making this such a great trip! Joel ranks it just under our all-time best trip (honeymoon in Hawaii), and I might have to agree!

Colorado Vacation: Day Three

2011-08-04T11:00:00.082-05:00

Sunday, May 29

We woke up a little later and took our time getting ready around the cabin. There was an art fair in Estes Park all weekend for the holiday, and we decided to check it out around 10am. We looked at all the vendor tents, bought a few items, and strolled the streets of the pretty town.

Macy and Paul bought fishing licenses for the next morning, and we picked up a new map for the cabin. Somewhere along the way, we caught wind of the fact that the forecast had changed and that while it was originally supposed to be a cool, rainy day, it was, in fact, gorgeous and the yucky weather would be moving in that evening. Hearing that, we high-tailed it back to the cabin, grabbed some leftovers for lunch, and headed out to hike our pants off.

At the cabin, we looked at the easy-to-medium trails and decided on Lily Mountain as our hiking destination. We all wanted to reach a summit, didn't want anything TOO incredibly long or steep, and this seemed to provide the perfect mix of both. At four miles round-trip, it was the shortest summit hike we could find.

Enter side-story here: In May 2004, Macy and I (and another roomie, Nancy) went on a college service trip to Colorado. Part of the time we stayed at the Salvation Army campgrounds in Estes, and on one of our "free" days, several of us decided to spend a few hours in the mountains. Macy and I were interested in a little light hiking, so we started up a trail, only to realize it was more of a short path than anything. So, we made our own trail. On a mountain. Without cell service. Or backpacks. Or water. Now, Macy is a very cautious person, but once I started up that mountain, I think I was bound and determined to get to the top.

"C'mon Macy, just a little farther! It's not too bad. We still have a lot of time. We've gone this far, we might as well keep going!" I think maybe she thought I wasn't going to turn around, and it was better to go up WITH me than down WITHOUT me! We made our way to the summit of this mountain, had breathtakingly beautiful views of the range, and then figured we should start the decent to rejoin our crew. Only we were kind of stuck. We didn't realize it was easier to crawl hands-and-knees to the top of a mountain than it was to try and walk back down it! It was too steep, so we went to the other side of the mountain where we at least had some trees to hang on to and keep us from just rolling to the bottom.

After climbing down a little bit, I started to think about how a mountain gets wider at the bottom, and how climbing down the wrong side of a MOUNTAIN would not make it easy to find our starting place, and our group. We tried to weave a little bit back to the other side, but again, being trailblazers instead of trail FOLLOWERS, we just had to kind of go where the terrain allowed us to go. After many harried moments, a run-in with a bee (Macy was ready to fall off the mountain instead of get stung by a bee), a somewhat terrifying leap off of a rock plateau, and a slightly twisted ankle, we saw....a highway! It was truly amazing to see the ground :) And although I appeared calm at the time, I later told Macy I just wasn't quite sure how things were going to turn out. We made it to the highway, but didn't have a clue where we were. I knew the general direction we needed to head, and lo-and-behold, a few minutes later, our group just HAPPENED to drive by us on the highway and stopped to pick us up. Hands down the dumbest thing we've ever done. And I do a luh-HOT of dumb things....

End side-story.

So, we pull up to Lily Mountain, and as soon as we pull into the park area, I got this weird, deja vu feeling. I said, "Macy....does this look familiar??" She immediately responded, "This is it!" We had been reminiscing about our previous hiking experience for two days, and here we were, out of all of the mountains in Estes Park, ready to summit the very same one. I was super excited to re-live our experience, only this time on an actual trail, with two other people, and plenty of snacks/drinks!

It took just over an hour to hike the steep, bendy two-mile trail and summit the 9,786 ft. mountain. The weather was absolutely perfect, and the views were spectacular!

Doesn't this look like some kind of reality show promo?

There was no wind, the sun was shining, and a couple little ground squirrels came up to the peak to say hello.

The top was so flat, we could wander around without feeling like we would fall. And yet, when you looked straight down or turned too fast, it was quite a woozy feeling!

Paul and Macy headed down first, while Joel and I enjoyed the views a bit longer (all that work to get up there, I couldn't just leave!!).

About 20 minutes later, we started running down the mountain and caught up about a third of the way down. I don't think the running was a good idea - while it seemed easy and fun at the time, by the end of the hike, my elbow, knee, and thighs were BURNING! Talk about total body workout! I was still very sore three days later....

Tired and happy, we decided to drive around a little bit and find another short trail we could visit. Not knowing what the weather would hold for our last day, we wanted to make the most out of the absolutely gorgeous, sunny, 70-degree day we were blessed with!

Lily Mountain Lake

We were famished around 4:00, so we ordered some pizza (Poppy's was good, but $40 for pizza? Yikes!), hiked a little ways up the mountain the cabin was perched on, started a more roaring-ish fire, and began a looooong conversation. We all four talked about everything: marriage, friends, family, the good, the bad, the ugly! It went on for hours, but it was so great to reconnect with one of my best friends, and see just how eerily alike our hubbies are, for better and worse :)

Around midnight, we crawled into our beds to get some rest for our final day in the Rockies.

Colorado Vacation: Day Two

2011-08-03T12:26:00.000-05:00

Saturday, May 28, 2011

We woke around 8am hoping to find some decent weather on our first day. The forecast for our whole trip was less than pleasing (cool and rainy!), so we were glad when it was at least dry.

We put on our hiking gear (Joel and I were seriously unprepared for this whole thing: we didn't even bring water bottles or backpacks while Paul and Macy had real hiking pants and shoes!!), drove 20 minutes to Estes Park, and started driving the winding roads up the mountains. We stopped at the Moraine Visitors' Center to pick up a map and get some advice on where to hike on a cool, cloudy day. The lady who was working knew EVERYTHING about the park, and she let us know it! The only problem was, she used a highlighter to indicate everything she told us. Road closed: highlight. Recommended trail: highlight. Wildlife sightings: highlight....it was quite ineffective for us when she got done because none of us could remember what was what because the whole freakin' thing was a yellow mess! Well, she tried, right? We picked up a stuffed Eagle 'Bee' puppet for Brady, (he calls any large bird an "eagle bird"), and went on our way. We decided the Ypsilon Trail seemed promising, so we took our packed lunches and started hiking the trail.

It was a looooong trail, with medium ascent and not the greatest of views. We hiked along a river that created a huge gorge when a dam broke and washed out the ravine. The river was nice, but the thick trees prevented us from really seeing a lot as we hiked. Once we got to the river crossing, we got to witness some really beautiful scenery.

On the other side of the river, we kept hiking, but decided we weren't going to make it to Ypsilon Lake. It was a 4.8 mile hike one-way, so we turned around and drove upward instead.

We went as far as we could to the Rainbow Road pass, which was closed due to snow. SNOW! Oh my, the snow....these banks were what, 40 feet tall? It was surreal to imagine that kind of snow at the end of May. Although it was pretty, my mind was having trouble digesting the cold temperatures (below 40 degrees!) and massive amounts of snow I was seeing. Well, we still got some pretty great views and a few stops along the way.

After driving around the park for awhile, we decided to head back to the cabin for tacos, games, boys cheating at Monopoly Deal, a heated discussion about the definition of a light year, and another, slightly more roaring fire :) A great end to a pretty decent first day!

Colorado Vacation: Day One

2011-07-13T08:55:00.000-05:00

I can't believe it's already JULY! I always want to rush rush RUSH through late winter/early spring, only to get to August and wonder where May, June, and July went....well hopefully I can slow down and enjoy my favorite time of the year :)

Over Memorial weekend, Joel and I road-tripped to Colorado with one of my college roomies (Macy) and her husband (Paul). See?

It was actually very random how this trip came about. After Easter, Joel and I were saying we should take a trip somewhere outside of the Minneapolis/Omaha/Chicago/Kansas City area, but not like a full-blown tropical/expensive destination. He suggested Colorado, and I suggested we go with Paul and Macy. So, via the lovely communication vehicle that is Facebook, Macy and I chatted about our spring plans. It turned out they were ALREADY planning to on vacation, to COLORADO, during the ONLY five consecutive days we had available. Crazy, huh?!

Even though it kind of felt like we were inviting ourselves along on their trip, they were more than happy to extend the trip to include us :) On Friday, May 27, they drove from Oskaloosa at 5am to pick us up around 7am at home. Joel's sister, Rebecca, was kind enough to come stay at our house with Brady, so we took off and drove 10.5 hours to the Estes Park area of the mountains!

We stopped for some groceries, then headed into the mountains to stay at Paul's family's cabin. Now, it may not have looked that big from the outside, but it had a huge living/dining room, stone fireplace, fully-equipped kitchen, full bathroom, a master bedroom, and a "porch" room that really served as a second bedroom. And a basement they are working to finish. Oh, and Paul's grandfather built the entire thing himself. It was probably more "cabiny" than "housy", which is a perfect combination of rustic living and everyday amenities for this girl :)

After the long drive, we cooked up some frozen chicken masala (I took the ingredient list home because it was sooo gooooood), frozen lasagna, and frozen broccoli. For such a quick, easy, eclectic meal from the freezer section, we all loved it! Then we started a ~~roaring~~ barely lit fire in the fireplace, also built by hand, munched on some s'mores, and hit the hay early since we were all exhausted and the altitude took some getting used to.

Evaluating Relationships

2011-04-26T13:32:00.002-05:00

I've been thinking a lot lately about the people in my life. It seems like no matter how hard I try, I can't keep up with all the relationships I'd like to. Over the past few months, I've been trying to determine why certain people are part of it, why others aren't, and how it has shaped who I am versus who I was six months, a year, five years ago.

When I was in high school, I didn't have a young adult mentor or any positive adult influences in my life outside of my family. I didn't go to church youth group because no one from Waukee really went to Hope (can you believe that!!). My biggest influences were my peers and the media. While I was fortunate to have a pretty solid group of friends who stayed away from the drugs, drinking, and partying, I still made a few poor choices, as we all do, due to the activities my friends were engaged in. While many people probably thought of me as a leader (good grades, pageants, singing success, etc.), I was a follower through-and-through.

Now fast-forward a decade (YIKES!). The picture looks different, but I think the pattern is still there. I'm a people-pleaser, and I have this crazy need to "help" people. But what I've begun to see is that in my quest to "help" people, be there for people, influence people positively, I've neglected to surround myself with people who do all those things for me. As a result I've become bogged down, worn out, and poorly-influenced by all the muck. At some point, "helping" people starts to hurt who you are if you don't counter it with people who do for you what you are trying to do for others.

Sometimes, it even causes me to let certain people walk all over me. My ideas/activities/thoughts change with the relationships I am building. But instead of changing who I am for other people, the relationships I have should simply spur me to be a better version of who I was created to be. This is true, whether you are a leader or a follower, or both.

I know we all like to think we have things figured out. We know who we are, we have our beliefs, or values, our convictions. But where did we get those? Wasn't it from the influence of other people?

I've found this to be more true than anything else when it comes to relationships: the way we think/act/behave/become is a direct result of the company we keep. Good or bad.

It doesn't matter if it's a casual friendship, a new dating partner, a childhood friend, or a long-time marriage....both people in any relationship should add to each others' lives, positively influence each other, and make time for the other person. If any of those things aren't happening on the other person's end, they aren't going to just all of a sudden change (at least not long-term). If they aren't happening on your end, then it's time to step up, or determine that the season for that friendship/relationship has come to an end. Don't let yourself be dragged down by someone, don't change for someone, who isn't adding to your life. Just the same, don't hang on to people who you feel add value to your life if you aren't willing to add to theirs Relationship is a two-way street, and being influenced negatively, even if it seems harmless, can cause you to look in the mirror one day and wonder who is looking back at you.

So while I'm trying to make more time for the people in my life who steer me and encourage me to be better/do better, whose life directions build me up, and who really WANT to be there, I will challenge you to ask yourself these questions:

Who is influencing your life the most? Have you been a better version of yourself since that person/those people started influencing you?

Are you sugar-coating an unhealthy or stagnant friendship out of fear?

How can you surround yourself in good relationships?

If you have impacted me positively, I hope you know who you are, and I hope you know I'm grateful :)

2011 Garden - Fail #1

2011-04-20T23:39:00.000-05:00

I planted some seeds April 1st, and by April 10, a few rogue zucchini and summer squash plants were busting out of their tiny peet pods. So, I transplanted them. It was 80+ degrees out, I took everything out to the driveway, and began placing the plants in styrofoam cups. Just like last year, we rigged up a light under the workbench in the garage, and that is where all the seedlings will grow into big, strong plants before being moved to the garden.

BUT, it was so darn nice out, I thought it wouldn't hurt to leave them outside for just a BIT. True, they were really young plants, but it wasn't a big deal, right??

I probably should have thought about the wind. And the fact that even though the cups were all in a sturdy cardboard box, said wind was still quite, well....WINDY.

I finished my transplanting, I laid down on the drive to enjoy the sunshine, and WHOOSH....one gust of wind and all my hard work, all my little seedlings, were overturned and dumped over. MAJOR FAIL.

I think two of the six or so plants survived. I remember when I started planting the seeds thinking "gee, why do I really need to plant so many of each vegetable?" Well, I think I answered my own question: because of stupid, rookie mistakes I will inevitably make along the way.

So round two of the garden has begun....

Masters of Our Own Sandcastles

2011-04-05T14:49:00.000-05:00

:: Masters of our own Sandcastles ::

So here we are, yet another day I wait for you.

Up in my tower, another half an hour...or two.

Day by day the plans, you promised to make.

The tide rolls through but they, can't possibly break.

Down we fall, a graceful crumble. People left to stare and stumble.

Nothing here to prove this ever existed.

We are all masters of our own sandcastles,

Playing king and queen of reality.

One by one, we build them up high, reaching up to the sky.

It's not your fault, you couldn't come last night, so when?

On my knees, working from the ground, again.

Clouds looming in the sky, still I turn my blindest eye.

If you see what is at stake, it won't be that way tonight.

Down we fall, and nothing lingers.

People like to point their fingers.

Nothing left to prove this ever existed.

We are all masters of our own sandcastles,

Playing king and queen of reality.

One by one, we build them up high, reaching up to the sky.

The waves crash in.

And wash away the foundation.

We start again.

Clinging to the memory of remember when.

We are all masters of our own sandcastles,

Playing king and queen of reality.

One by one, we built them up high, then they fell from the sky.

I pick my shovel up, and turn around.

My feet sinking on, this shifting ground.

A handful of sand,

A scattered dream that maybe tonight....

Cinnamon Rolls, with a Twist!

2011-03-29T11:39:00.003-05:00

Who doesn't love a good cinnamon roll? Warm, gooey, melty....but if you are like me, you can't really eat a lot of them if you want your pants to fit :/

SO, I reached back to my childhood days to recreate what has to be the easiest, fastest, and healthiest way to recreate those tasty treats.

When I was growing up, my dad didn't cook....really at all. He made pancakes, the occasional egg (which somehow ended up looking like a pancake), cream of wheat (which I thought was disgusting but I ate anyway because I wanted to be like my dad. I also watched Field of Dreams every night with him for the same reason!), and these cinnamon treats! Maybe it's the memories associated with these little guys that make them taste that much better to me, but you NEED to try these. Do it. Right now.

Tortilla Cinnamon Wraps

What you need (measurements approximate): One large flour tortilla, one teaspoon ground cinnamon, one-two tablespoons white sugar, half tablespoon of butter or margerine.

What you do: Lay your tortilla flat and generously spread the butter/margerine all over (don't forget the edges!). Sprinkle the cinnamon and sugar all over the tortilla, and pop it in the microwave for 10-20 seconds. Roll up the tortilla, watch out for drippy sugar and butter, and DEVOUR! You won't be able to eat just one, I promise. They are so easy, so yummy, and the perfect fix if you are craving a sweet snack cinnamon roll-style. I know, they aren't exactly nutritional, but they are a heck of a lot better for you than a Cinnabon :)

These have been resurrected from my childhood vault, and I know Brady will enjoy these yummy snacks as he grows up, too!

2011 Garden - Pregame

2011-03-24T09:54:00.001-05:00

Remember This?

And This?

That's right folks. Spring is here....sort of. We had tornadoes on Tuesday and will be having snow on Saturday. Lovely :/

Well regardless of the weather this week, a warmer season is upon us, and so is gardening time! Last year, as I blogged about somewhat irregularly, I grew my first ever fruit and vegetable garden. It was quite the undertaking considering we had to build it into the side of a hill, surround it with cement blocks, and fill it in with bagged topsoil because the walnut tree roots in the forest behind our house are not vegetable-friendly. It cost a lot of money and time but was so much fun, and will become more and more profitable each year. Growing plants from seeds is pretty cool when you harvest a zucchini the size of your leg in August :)

Some things I learned last year:

1) Plants need room to grow. Planting 6-inch vine plants a foot apart may seem like they have space, but I had no idea! Each leaf was like, the size of my face! So, I will not be cramming 9 squash and cucumber plants into a 4-foot radius. I'm pretty sure this issue is also the reason my tomato plants didn't produce fruit until like, September. They were dwarfed by the vine plants that were crowding their area.

2) Similar to the first one, carrots and onions also need room to grow. I thought, "Why thin these out? I'll just let them all grow and thin them as they get bigger!" Well, turns out they won't really grow UNLESS you thin them....so I had miniature carrots and green onions that were never edible. Doh.

3) Some plants will produce fruits throughout the growing season while others are a one-and-done kind of plant. This just takes research and experience to figure this out.

4) Sweet corn does not grow in a garden. I think I will try planting it outside the actual garden this year since hey, that's what the farmers do. I think their roots just need more room than my 8" soilbed can give them. I got corn - but again, they were miniature and inedible (I tried one. NOT good.)

5) Deer fencing is a hassle and is ugly, but it works.

6) I am not my grandmother....yet :) She knows everything about everything garden-related. While I operate under a more trial-and-error method, I think I'll use her expertise more this year - and hopefully she will be able to come down and help me plant this year!

Ok, so last year was the year of the miniature: my carrots, onions, sweet corn, watermelons, and cantaloupe were busts. They never grew to their full sizes. So what DID grow? Snap peas (need to plant more so I don't just have like, four to eat at a time!), summer squash, zucchini (oh the zucchini!), tomatoes (a few before it got too cold), rhubarb, and my potted herbs of peppermint, parsley, and basil.

I was a bit ambitious last year, but I wanted to learn as much as a could that first year. I'll probably scale back my variety this year, be more intentional about placement in the garden, and hopefully will reap the benefits in a few months! Stay tuned, I'll keep ya posted :)

DUUUUUDE!!

2011-02-24T14:21:00.003-06:00

The other night, I was reading bedtime stories to Brady. He wanted to read a book where a bunch of animals just say "shhhhh," which I thought was too boring, so I changed it.

"Meeeooowww" says the cat and "Ruffff" says the dog. I changed everything from "shhhh" to the noise that particular animal makes. Then, we came to the turtle page.

Now, I can bluff my way through most animals, doing a blubbery noise for fish, a nibbling noise for bunnies, etc. But that turtle completely stumped me. After a few seconds, I just said, "I don't know what turtles say; turtles don't say anything!"

Brady waited a second, looked at me, and told me, "No, nemo turtle say DUUUUUUDDDDEEE!"

Losing Control

2011-02-17T19:33:00.000-06:00

I am a control freak. FREAK.

I distinctly remember a project in sixth grade where I had to write a screenplay based on the Underground Railroad. We were assigned groups of maybe four or five students, and away we went with this major project. The problem was, I didn’t like my group; they were not hard-working or capable enough in my mind. Before long, I was taking on the entire project myself. They gave their input and I typed up the entire thing alone, adding and editing the script as I saw fit. It was a ton of work, my mom had to help me because I couldn’t type fast enough (this was before emails/texting/online chatting was around), and the rest of the group got to slack off.

When I was younger, this need to be in control was thought to be a good thing: I was a leader, I was strong, I was smart, I was capable of handling things on my own. As I’ve gotten older, my need to do things “my way” has become a stumbling block in my relationship with others, in my ability to manage my time, and in my relationship with God.

Control freaks detest the unknown, and the unknown is squandered when we have our way. When we are in control, we feel powerful. We are convinced we know best and are the only ones capable of doing something “right”. Or at the very least, the way that will be least hurtful and surprising.

This seems like a simple, no-brainer statement, but I am really learning you cannot control life. As will happen so often, when something slips out of my control, the anxiety kicks in. The very thing we think we have complete control over is turned upside-down. The proverbial rug is pulled out from under us, and all that is left is a pit. That feeling of spinning out of control gets unbearable.

For me, that pit is like being in quicksand (or at least what I think it feels like to be in quicksand!). I struggle, I writhe, I worry, my heart beats faster as I sink, I think I’m making progress only to be knee deep the very next moment. The harder I grab for something, anything that I think might pull me out of the sand and back into some semblance of control, the worse it gets and the more I sink.

All the while during my flailing and suffering, God is standing patiently by, I think not so much shaking his head in shame or disappointment, but in the way a parent shakes their head at a young child, intent on conquering a difficult task himself that you know he needs help with. I think God looks at us in our sandy mess and just gently says over and over, “I am here. Stop grasping at the things of this world that you think will pull you out of this mess, and just be still. Be STILL, and know that I am God.” And the moment we decide we’ve had enough pain, we are too tired to continue on (which can take a VERY long time for a control freak), the moment we are finally still, God lifts us out of that gunk, cleans us off, takes our hand, and leads us to solid ground.

I don’t remember what grade I got on that project. It was probably an A. But what I do remember is my inability to let others take the reins and help me, even if they didn’t necessarily do it “my way”. And I see now how this need to be in control has dictated much of my life.

I’m trying to let go and be still. I’m trying to let go, lose control, and let God. It’s not easy for this control freak, but I’m trying.

Perspectives on Miss America

2011-01-27T16:46:00.000-06:00

When Miss Nebraska won Miss America on January 15, I was thrilled to see a young, poised, talented, confident contestant from a neighboring state win out over the “Seasoned Southerners”. I applaud the judges for looking past the “pageant patty” certain states have a reputation of producing year after year and crowning a fresh face.

When a young woman wins Miss America, one of the first things that state has to do is find a replacement for her at the state level. Logic says it would be the 1^st runner up, right? I mean, we all know the shpeel that the contestants get once it’s narrowed down to the final two ladies: “If for any reason the winner is unable to fulfill her duties, the 1^st runner up will assume the title of Miss FILL-IN-THE-BLANK”.

Over the past several years, though, I have noticed states are having a tough time finding someone willing to serve the remainder of the year as that state’s representative. Points in case: 2009: Indiana wins Miss America, and no one in the top 5 is willing to take over as the new Miss Indiana. 2010: Same scenario in Virginia. 2011: Nebraska has to look to the 3^rd runner up to find a state titleholder.

Here is what I don’t understand: why are these 1^st runners up given the option of saying no to the job of Miss “STATE”? As 1^st runner up, that is part of the gig, part of the risk of competing. You are accepting the fact and the chance that if your state titleholder pulls a Tara Connor and drinks her way out of the title, is kicked out for some reason, or wins Miss America, you are responsible for taking her place. End of story.

Now, I do think some rules should be amended. For instance, if a state titleholder is removed from her position for any reason, including winning Miss America, she should have to forfeit her state scholarship money and remaining prizes to the new state titleholder. Otherwise, you are asking a young woman who was very close to winning the title to give up her eligibility to compete next year for what….no scholarships, prizes, and five months to do the job? Not that it should be a choice, but I can see why so many turn it down.

Here’s what I think should happen: if you are named 1^st runner up, you are expected to take the state title if the winner is removed from her position for any reason, including winning Miss America. If you don’t, you are required to sit out from competing for one year, and possibly even forfeit your 1^st runner up scholarship since you are not adhering to the rules that you signed in your contract. The former Miss “STATE” will relinquish all state scholarships and unused prizes to the new titleholder. This is fair because Miss America gets her own hefty scholarships and prizes, and the contract is already set up so that if you are removed/leave for any other reason, you forfeit your winnings. The new titleholder, then, would get her 1^st runner up scholarships as well as the winner’s. That makes the job a little more attractive, I think.

I get why these ladies turn the job down: they want “their shot” at Miss America. They want a full year to be Miss State. They want to win with all the glitz and pomp and circumstance, not a crummy crowning ceremony. They want the scholarship money. But I think it speaks volumes about the character and intentions of the girls who say “thanks, but no thanks” to the opportunity of serving as Miss STATE.

So let’s pretend those girls who turned down the crown go on to win a local and come back next year. If I were a judge, I would have one question I would be sure to ask each of them: “Why do you think you should be Miss STATE this year when just five months ago you were given the opportunity to have this job and turned it down? Why should I have confidence that you are interested in the job of Miss STATE and not just using it as a stepping stone for a 1-in-53 shot at Miss America?

I would love to hear those answers.

FATS!

2011-01-19T15:58:00.000-06:00

The other day, Brady and I were at the mall. He is in a phase where he likes to hold my hand and run as out of control as possible, which he calls "fats" (he means FAST, but it sounds like fats). So we were running "fats" all the way down the center aisle of Jordan Creek. He particularly enjoys it when we both yell out that we are going "fats". Some people laugh, some people are probably annoyed, but overall it's really pretty harmless. At least he is holding my hand and not running half way down the length of the mall, turning around every few seconds to see me chasing him only to squeal and run faster, duck into a jewelry store, and cling to the leg of some poor guy looking at rings with his girlfriend....but that's a different story.

So there we were, doing our thing, when we came to the section where those back massager guys are. You know what I'm talking about: those guys who always try to get you to put your face in the chair hole for a few minutes so they can rub your back and make a few bucks. There was one young woman taking advantage of these services right as Brady and I whooshed by. At this moment, Brady chose to stop talking so the only thing you could hear was me randomly shouting "FATS". To a young woman. With her head down in a hole. Who was more than slightly overweight....

She kind of looked up at me, and I quickly proceeded to "tell" Brady we were running FAST, in hopes she would think I actually said FAST, and wasn't just giving her a run-by insult. I have no idea if she heard me, if it was coincidence she looked up as I said FATS, or if she got that I was running "fast" with my son; but I felt bad nonetheless! Mommies say the darndest things....

It's Never Too Late To Apologize

2011-01-08T14:54:00.000-06:00

Never.

I think I am a somewhat gullible and naïve person. I always see the best in people, even when it doesn’t exist, and believe everyone’s motives are good. I trust without it being earned, and it’s led to some hurt in my life. Hurt that probably wouldn’t have happened if I had been more careful with my trust.

I know I’m not the only person who’s ever been hurt before, I know I will be hurt in the future. It’s part of human nature. But for goodness sake, if you hurt someone, don’t avoid it, don’t excuse it - just apologize.

I don’t mean a half-hearted “I’m sorry”. I mean give that person more than a second of your time: reflect on your actions and explain why you are sorry. Do it in person if possible. Let them ask questions. Be sincere.

The apologies I’ve received have allowed for self-healing. For mended relationships. For admittance of mistakes or wrong-doing and for letting go of the past. They have helped me move on toward forgiveness. The ability to apologize, to admit a wrong, shows character. It’s closure to an argument or situation.

So the flip side – those who don’t apologize: who either don’t see it as necessary, don’t care, or don’t think they did anything worth apologizing for. It doesn’t matter if it happened years, months, or days ago, the hurt from your actions is there. Forgiveness may have happened, but the pain has not been forgotten. Instead, the person you hurt ends up confused, unable to reconcile in his/her mind who they thought you were/knew you to be, and how you ended up not only hurting them but not even caring enough to apologize for it.

If you cared about someone enough to cause hurt, you probably should care enough to apologize for it. And if you are honest, simply ignoring the fact that you hurt someone in your life isn’t all that freeing for you, either. I’ve never heard of an instance where an apology was a bad thing.

It’s never, ever too late to apologize. Do it.

2010 Music Countdown, Final Day

2010-12-31T18:47:00.000-06:00

The last day of 2010 - what did this year bring for you? How do you want 2011 to be the same? Different? If you had a great year, I hope 2011 brings more joy and happiness your way. If 2010 wasn't so great, I hope 2011 is filled with moving forward and many new beginnings for you. To ring OUT the last year, here's one of my favorite songs, which in it's own right is amazing. This Sing Off Acapella version is outstanding as well. If you don't know the lyrics to this song, Google them. And if you are wishing for a better 2011, this song is my hope for you. Happy New Year, and goodbye 2010.

Fix You - Coldplay, as sung on The Sing Off

2010 Music Countdown, Day 11-14

2010-12-30T14:01:00.000-06:00

More catchup on the Countdown! Here are days 11-14!

JTR – Dave Matthews Band, live at Folsom Field

You don’t have to like Dave, but you can’t deny this band is insanely talented. Their live shows blow me out of the water. This song in particular blows me away – once you get to the instrumental part, you’ll see what I mean. Carter is a beast on the drums – and who Brady is aspiring to be someday :)

And So It Goes – Billy Joel

Just a beautifully-written song. Sung by David Archuleta of American Idol a few years ago.

All I Wanted – Paramore

I couldn’t really choose just one Paramore song, but I’m really in the mood for this rock vibe right now, so this song wins. Other favorites are Turn It Off and My Heart. A great example of young musicians who really get music. So sad to hear they are breaking up :(

Iris – Goo Goo Dolls

This song is so interesting to me. So many time signature changes, interesting guitar tuning, it's just simple and complex at the same time which I love. And the lyrics are great, too! This live version in the rain is amazing!

2010 Music Countdown, Day 7-10

2010-12-27T16:43:00.000-06:00

I've gotten SO BEHIND! Posting during a crazy Christmas weekend didn't happen, so here are days 7-10 in the countdown, all in one post. ENJOY!

September – Daughtry

I generally like Daughtry, but this song stands out because it reminds me that I don’t want to live with regrets in my life. No matter what happens or what I do, I’ve seen good come from it, I’ve grown from it, I’ve lived because of it, and that makes it all worth it in the end.

What Can I Say – Carrie Underwood

While I don’t love Sons of Sylvia or the guy’s voice, this duet is powerful. I also heard this for the first time at Carrie’s concert and it was insane. She is definitely one of the most powerful singers around.

iPad Christmas – North Point Church

Just watch it. Pretty amazing sound from “fake” instruments.

Shake Up Christmas – Train

What a fun song! So much better than other “contemporary” alternatives for Christmas (If I never hear “Simply Having a Wonderful Christmastime” again, it will still be too soon.)

Christmas Letter

2010-12-24T23:27:00.005-06:00

Here's our version of a Christmas letter - what we've been up to in 2010! Merry Christmas!
(Click on the image to expand, then click on it again to make it even larger!)

2010 Music Countdown, Day 6

2010-12-22T09:11:00.000-06:00

Yesterday got away from me! So today will be a double-post day :)

I love Paramore, but this version is incredible. It’s so different from the original song, and the piano parts are outstanding. I know they aren’t actually playing this live, but it’s so fun and different, I just love it!

Brick by Boring Brick –Michael Henry and Justin Robinett

2010 Music Countdown, Day 5

2010-12-20T20:41:00.000-06:00

The first time I heard this song was at Carrie’s concert a few weeks ago, and it just grabbed me. So simple, so heartfelt. Anyone who has ever been on the short end of heartache knows what this song means.

Someday When I Stop Loving You - Carrie Underwood

2010 Music Countdown, Day 4

2010-12-19T21:11:00.001-06:00

I love One Republic – they are incredibly talented. These guys, though, do a superb job of taking an enormously popular song and putting a spin on it that at the same time retains the key elements of the song and creates an entirely new R&B piece. I know some of the high notes are just a bit under pitch, but come on, it's pretty darn good. Harmonies are just terrific, and they arrange all of the music themselves! If you like their sound, go to YouTube and search for "Committed The Sing Off" - they have some really great stuff!!

Apologize - (One Republic), as performed by Committed

2010 Music Countdown, Day 3

2010-12-18T20:01:00.000-06:00

Day One. Day Two.

I could not get this song out of my head after the first time I heard it, and the story of how it got to be popular is awesome, too. She didn’t need a big record deal for the world to hear her music – just one well-timed circumstance. I love the haunting melody and fresh lyrics. “You’re gonna catch a cold from the ice inside your soul….” Now that’s great writing! I would write songs like this if I ever actually finished one :)

Jar Of Hearts - Christina Perri

2010 Music Countdown, Day 2

2010-12-17T16:42:00.001-06:00

Here's Day Two of the 2010 Music Countdown. Post one is here.

When I close my eyes and listen to this song, I always see the same vivid image. A young woman in a simple, flowing white dress and dark hair blowing in the breeze as she walks toward a young man whose smile is so big he almost can’t believe he’s so lucky to marry her. The sun is shining, and there is a small gathering of friends and family, but they don’t notice any of it – just each other.

I have no idea why I see this same thing every time I hear this song, (well besides the fact that the song is called MARRY ME!) but I hope someone somewhere gets to experience what I see it in my head, because it’s simple and beautiful, just like this song.

Marry Me - Train

2010 Music Countdown, Day 1

2010-12-16T10:53:00.004-06:00

I love music – anyone who knows me at all knows this. I sing it, I play it, I dream it, I live it. I take for granted things that come naturally to me, but I’m trying to be more aware and appreciative of that lately. Sadly, though, I am largely embarrassed by what my generation considers to be “music”.

I am ALL for creativity – don’t get me wrong. But seriously – Black Eyed Peas, Lady Gaga, Willow Smith, Justin Beiber, Kesha….oh excuse me….Ke$ha....the list goes on and on. The “music” is all. the. same. Techno beats with endless monotone nonsense rhymes being autotuned to the point of losing any raw vocal inflection. Instrumentation done purely by computers. How is this music?!?!

And I don’t know what is worse: the fact that people who are devoid of any talent whatsoever have become these pop icons, or that extremely talented artists, like Lady Gaga, feel the need to sell out to the pop industry through songs that in no way express their true talents. And what message does this give future generations? Kids, kids – don’t worry about learning to play an instrument, to write songs, or develop vocal skills! Simply wear less, lip sync more, and the fame is yours!

Well, thankfully this world is not completely devoid of originality and creativity in music! It might not be on the radio when you turn it on, but it is certainly out there – you just have to look for it. I am grateful for interesting artists and great musicians who are truly talented. So to ring in the new year, I bring to you my 2010 Music Countdown. Here’s what I’m listening to these days. If you find yourself feeling the same things I do, take a listen to any one of the songs I post today through the end of the year – and enjoy!

Use Somebody: King's of Leon, as performed on The Sing Off

While I don't love Kings of Leon, Paramore does an acoustic cover that is fantastic. Then, I heard it on NBC’s The Sing Off, and I’m truly a fan of the song now – this is all A Capella! Amazing! A great way to kick off the Countdown!

Ho, Ho, Ho: Part Three

2010-12-10T16:25:00.000-06:00

This post is a follow-up to Ho, Ho, Ho: Part One and Ho, Ho, Ho: Part Two.

I have to wonder why are some families so quick and ready to embrace the tradition of Santa, yet unwilling to live in the faith of Jesus Christ? How is it any scarier to believe in Santa, who clearly does not exist, than to believe in Jesus, who has been proven to at least have existed? Why would anyone want their children to believe in something that ultimately doesn’t exist and not want them to experience faith in one who does? I honestly think anyone who can allow their children to believe in Santa, even the most stubborn atheist, in their hearts are longing to believe in a Santa that does truly exist.

I think these people should look at the parallels between Jesus and Santa. Both are believed in all over the world; both have a small group of close followers who are present wherever they go (Disciples/Reindeer); both have the ability to know your thoughts and actions without being present; both require faith in the unseen; both have beards (at least our perception of them does!), both spread joy; and both are celebrated at Christmas time. Seems to me that whoever “invented” the idea of Santa was perhaps taking the idea of Jesus, dressing him up in a fat suit, and stuffing him down chimneys and into our homes.

I know a lot of Christians who debate whether or not their children will or won’t believe in Santa. My children will definitely celebrate the tradition of Santa. But more importantly, I will use that belief, that faith, to help them form and understand what faith in Jesus looks like. They will know the true meaning of Christmas, and when the time comes, their faith in Santa, I believe, will help solidify their faith in Jesus Christ.

Ho, Ho, Ho: Part Two

2010-12-08T19:32:00.001-06:00

This post is a follow-up to Ho, Ho, Ho: Part One.

When I was in fourth grade, my classmate started hinting at the notion that Santa was not real. I didn’t want to believe it – but it planted the seed of doubt in my mind. Then I noticed the wrapping paper and handwriting of Santa was the same as my mom’s. Then I started planting the seed of doubt in my sister’s mind….if I was going down, she was coming with me!

Ultimately, I had my first taste of making a choice about my convictions: stand by my beliefs, or question what I knew was truth. My faith was tested and tried. I attempted to bring others (i.e. my sister) into my doubt and hesitation. I was teased and mocked for my steadfast belief that Santa did, in fact, exist. It was up to me to decide if I would allow that seed of doubt to penetrate myself and others, or if I would remain steadfast in my convictions.

To me, belief in Santa is very much akin to belief in Jesus Christ. Now hear me on this: I do think it’s important to make a clear distinction between faith in Santa and faith in Jesus when a child gets to a certain age. Otherwise, the kid just might lump Jesus in with all other fictitious characters (Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy, Santa, etc.). And I do realize the outcome (Santa not actually being real) isn’t comparable to the outcome of Jesus. But how can we expect a child to understand faith in the unseen, joy in multiplied gifts, and the desire to do good works? How can they understand the concept of what faith produces if they have never experienced it? And how can we expect them to remain steadfast in their convictions when the pests of this world try to invade their thoughts and change their ideas?

The answer: Santa. To deprive a child of experiencing the joy and faith of believing in something they cannot see actually deprives them of forming their first ability to experience the joy and fruit that comes from faith in the unseen and a desire to do good, even when the world tells us not to.

Ho, Ho, Ho: Part One

2010-12-07T16:16:00.000-06:00

When I was growing up, I LOVED waiting for Santa to bring our Christmas presents. Sometimes, due to traveling, we had to write letters to Santa to get him to come early, but he always came. Without fail, every year, he faithfully brought our gifts. Oh the joy of waking in the morning to find our gifts had doubled overnight. To wait expectantly with anticipation, knowing he would deliver the goods, but curious to see just what exactly he would bring. Hopeful anticipation.

You can’t see Santa, but your belief that he exists will produce a much larger yield of presents than unbelief. You have faith that if you just believe in him, he will gift you with the desires of your heart. Your desire to do good and be good will in turn allow you to reap the good you have sown in the form of gifts that bring joy to your life. If you are good at heart, Santa will deliver. Why wouldn’t you believe in Santa?! Why wouldn’t you believe…

Lofty Glances from Lofty People

2010-12-01T22:09:00.007-06:00

I would like to think my life experiences have made me a more compassionate, understanding, supportive person. Far too often I think Christians are prepared to deal with sin and brokenness only to a certain degree. Once you cross that line into the "really bad" sins, you are met with judgment, condemnation, anger, and even people turning their backs. It's too much to deal with real life situations, so we either try to take too much into our own hands, or we turn away and run. The "judgmental Christian" might be a stereotype, but behind every stereotype is some truth. Well Christian readers, I have a challenge to extend to you; one that has been heavy on my heart:

What would it look like instead of crucifying people for their "really bad" sins, we loved them even when they don't deserve it? What would it look like to reflect the grace and love and mercy of Jesus instead of the whispers and gossip and ridicule? What if we stop making their issues about us and how they offended us? Not everything is about you; you just aren't that important. Let's get back to being Jesus and not just bible-thumping and banging people over the head with Jesus. Let's forgive and love. Let's take our grievances before people individually and before the cross. Let's show compassion, because we must remember this: we all have a part in how people change, for better or worse. And our response to a person who is struggling will either help bring them closer to God changing their heart, or will push them further away from the truth. You aren't responsible for changing them, but you are responsible for leading them to or away from God. Let's be kind and gentle, not arrogant and lofty. Afterall, tomorrow brings a whole new set of troubles, and tomorrow it could be you. Jesus abandoned the people who have it "right" to go search for the one lost sheep. So if it's Jesus you are looking for, stop looking in the mirror and start looking at the very people you think have it all backwards. That is where you will find Him.

I challenge you to think about people who have come to you for support. Do you think you truly helped them, or did you simply spew advice and bible verses until they either felt so bad about themselves or so turned off from Christianity that they left you alone. There is a time for calling a person out in love, for rebuking the sin. But sometimes, the best and only thing we should do is put our arms around someone and walk through the fire with them. We are so afraid of getting burned, too, that we forget fire also refines.

"Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you." Eph. 4:31-32

She is running
A hundred miles an hour in the wrong direction
She is trying
But the canyon's ever widening
In the depths of her cold heart
So she sets out on another misadventure just to find
She's another two years older
And she's three more steps behind

Does anybody hear her? Can anybody see?
Or does anybody even knows she's going down today
Under the shadow of our steeple
With all the lost and lonely people
Searching for the hope that's tucked away in you and me
Does anybody hear her? Can anybody see?

She is yearning
For shelter and affection
That she never found at home
She is searching
For a hero to ride in
To ride in and save the day
And in walks her prince charming
And he knows just what to say
Momentary lapse of reason
And she gives herself away

If judgement looms under every steeple
If lofty glances from lofty people
Can't see past her scarlet letter
And we never even met her

He is running
A hundred miles an hour in the wrong direction

How May I Help You?

2010-11-18T13:26:00.000-06:00

It will never make sense to me why companies believe the best place for their non-or-barely-English-speaking employees is in customer service. I understand that many people who immigrate to the United States have not had the educational opportunities that we do here in America. I don’t fault them for something they can’t control. And customer service positions don’t typically require any form of higher education, so it seems logical to use these people to fill customer service positions. But it is so frustrating for me as a consumer when I call a customer service line and can’t understand a word the person on the other end is saying to me. Or I order food from a waitperson who clearly does not understand what I am ordering or asking about. My impression of the entire company lies in the hands of someone whose words I can't even decipher. I'm usually tempted to ask to speak to someone who can be understood more clearly, but I suppose that would be insulting or discriminatory.

It's even worse when the customer service representative is clearly from this country, but due to his or her slang, poor speech skills, or drawl, I STILL can't understand the person! So let this be a reminder to anyone who uses vocal communication in a professional setting: please speak slowly, clearing, and in English!

I LOVE KNOWING!!

2010-11-16T15:55:00.000-06:00

When my good friends Missy and Tommy were pregnant with their triplet girls, I found out one of the names of the babies. None of our friends knew, but I did. And I think I rubbed it in - one of these friends eventually said, "Enough, we know you know!" Which led me to yell in the middle of a restaurant, "I LOVE KNOWING!" And it has become a running joke ever since.

Well, I started thinking about it and you know what? That really is indicative of who I am as a person. I really DO love knowing.

I love knowing stuff. I kind of hate the process of learning, but I love to know things and feel intelligent ( I just misspelled "intelligent"....wonderful).

I love knowing people. I mean REALLY knowing them. Not the person they try to be or want to be, but the person that actually exists. It's only something that happens with a few people, but I love knowing who people really are and for them to know who I really am - the good, bad, and ugly.

I love knowing every line of every episode of F.R.I.E.N.D.S.

I love knowing why things happen. I love knowing why or how things have occurred in my life, and what is going to happen in the future. This is kind of a problem since life is one big mystery, and becomes an issue for me in the way of anxiety. When I don't understand or know why something is happening, or what might happen in the future, I get really, really anxious.

So while I was looking at loving to know things as a generally positive thing, it actually causes a lot more stress in my life than if I would just be content to sit back, let God take the wheel, and know that I don't get to know everything....and that's ok.

Happy Birthday, Boy!

2010-11-09T16:07:00.002-06:00

It's a couple days late, but I wanted to wish my little guy a happy second birthday! He is so funny, strange, crazy, stubborn, sweet, and irritating all at the same time :)

We were happy to have another unseasonably warm birthday party for him on his actual birthday this past Sunday. Thank you to all our family for visiting us on Brady's special day :)

I can't believe how the time has gone so quickly. My prayers for his next year of life include patience, health, and for the year to go SLOWLY!

BLESSED

2010-11-08T23:54:00.003-06:00

Blessed are the poor
Blessed are the weak
Blessed are the ones
Who can barely speak

Blessed in your hurt
Blessed in your pain
Blessed when your teardrops

Are falling down like rain

Blessed when you're broken
Blessed when you're blind
Blessed when you're fragile
When you have lost your mind

Blessed when you're desperate
Blessed when you're scared
Blessed when you're lonely
Blessed when you've failed

Blessed when you're beat up
Blessed when you're bruised
Blessed when you're tore down
Blessed when you're used

Blessed when you're heartbroke
Blessed when you're fired
Blessed when you're choked up
Blessed when you're tired

Blessed when the plans
That you so carefully laid
End up in the junkyard
With all the trash you made

Blessed when you feel like
Giving up the ghost
Blessed when your loved ones
Are the ones who hurt you most

Blessed when you lose your
Own identity
Then blessed when you find it
And it has been redeemed

Blessed when you see what
Your friends can never be
Blessed with your eyes closed
Then blessed you see Me

Blog Gone Haywire!!

2010-10-25T23:52:00.001-05:00

The background of my blog is all weird....stay tuned, I will try to get it fixed soon :)

It's Ovah!!

2010-10-21T10:44:00.004-05:00

It’s over! Months of running and training are finally done, and I did it. I ran all of the 13 miles in 1 hour and 55 minutes, much faster than anticipated. And the weather was GORGEOUS! And even though I’m ready to not run for a long, long time, after all that hard work it feels like I should keep it up instead of just letting myself get all soggy again. I’m too sore right now to think about extra movements :) but I am planning to run the Race for the Cure 5k downtown this Saturday! Three miles is NOTHING!!

My thoughts about the half-marathon:

Des Moines is a really beautiful place when you are forced to look around and not just whiz by in a car!

Your body can do things you never thought it could.

Running is very much a mind game.

I will be forever grateful for Beyonce’s “Single Ladies” for getting me through mile 8 when I hit my wall. And for Greenday for ending the race with me!

It was really strange to be running and running for what felt like forever until my legs wanted to fall off and then….I just stopped. I got to the finish line and all of a sudden the thing I was trying so hard NOT to stop just stopped.

The body types and ages of people who could run well amazed me. Some people who look like they should be really good or fast are not, and others who you’d never guess could run a mile were right up front.

Some people can run crazy fast. Just about 15 minutes after I crossed the finish line, the first marathoners were finishing their race. That is CRAZY fast!!

Go to the bathroom before you start running.

Don’t drink too much while you are running. One girl did, and it wasn’t pretty….

If you are there to watch a runner, maybe consider the fact that they will probably run faster than expected, and be at the finish line a few minute early. Just sayin’….

I can’t imagine getting to 13 miles and being like “well, I’m halfway there!” Marathoners are crazy….

A giant HILL at 11.5 miles?? Not cool, Des Moines, not cool at all….

I got passed by a guy who looked 80.

I passed a guy who was wearing a t-shirt that said he’s run a marathon in every state….twice!

And last but not least – the Des Moines Marathon web site needs a MAJOR overhaul. At midnight the night before the race, Joel happened to notice something on the site that said you had to pick up your registration stuff BEFORE Sunday morning or you couldn’t race. I was devastated – all that work for nothing! I had read the website, registered early, and read the emails they sent to me. Nothing anywhere said I had to pick up my stuff before race day, except for this one buried page on the site. Thankfully, we e-mailed someone right away and they let me know I could pick up my stuff in the morning. Geesh, talk about total panic!

What an accomplishment for this non-running girl to complete this race. When I said I wanted to do it two years ago, I think I was mostly kidding. At that time I couldn’t even run one mile, and the most I had run before that was 4 miles during Miss Iowa training. And honestly, until I crossed that finish line, I had my doubts whether I could run the entire race or not. People were dropping like flies during the last mile. But I pressed on, and am so glad I did. What goals are you going to take steps toward tackling today?? Get out and do it!!

Update with official results: I finished 938th out of 4,369 half marathon runners, and 328th out of 2,522 female participants. My official 10k time was 53:10, and my half marathon time was 1:54:11, placing my rank at 79th for females ages 25-29, whatever the heck that means!

Just A Dream

2010-10-14T12:02:00.001-05:00

I have a confession to make: I am a dreamer. Most people probably don’t know this about me because my life seems so ordinary, regular, and put-together from the outside. But for as long as I can remember, I have dreamed. I would daydream for hours; I would lay awake at night dreaming up scenarios or situations. Sometimes my overactive imagination isn’t a good thing, but I also think life would be boring without it. My mind is random, spontaneous, and chaotic – if you know me very well at all, you know this….just try to have a conversation with me for two minutes and you’ll see what I mean :)

Well, the last few weeks at church have been about dreaming. Sermon series’ about dreams, purposes, fulfillment, etc. always hit me like a ton of bricks. I feel motivated and driven for a minute, but then the weight of life’s disappointments hits me in the face. It’s all stuff I need to hear, but sometimes wish I could continue living in my little oblivious bubble, just barely content enough with life to get by. But then these sermons happen, and it stirs in me what I have been pushing down since I was oh, probably fourteen or so. And the only thing I can think is, WHY.

Why is God doing this to me again? Why can’t He just let me be happy with my nice little life with my nice little family and my nice little house? Why isn’t that enough for me? Every once in awhile, I get this feeling like maybe something more is supposed to happen, so I slowly, cautiously start pursuing it. Well, last time that happened, a week later I found out I was pregnant…so that was a pretty clear sign to me that I was barking up the wrong tree. Brady is a huge blessing and a wonderful distraction, but I feel sometimes like that is all life is for me: one giant distraction from what I’m really supposed to be doing, whatever that looks like. And when the distractions go away or minimize, I am left with a giant hole where my purpose is supposed to be.

And then God surrounds me with some of the most incredibly talented people, kind of like dangling a carrot in front of my face, but never getting to actually eat it. And I see the dreams, aspirations, and goals of some of them and I feel so encouraged and discouraged at the same time. I have more obstacles and complications to pursuing my dreams than a lot of them do. And I begin to feel like my dreams are too big, too unattainable, too silly. And the fear of failing is always there, always present. I would rather not try and wonder what could have been than to try my best and fail.

I know the motivational verses: God won’t give you more than you can handle, everything works together for good for those who love him, do not worry about tomorrow, worry is fruitless, trust the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, strength, lean not on my own understanding….(I’m sure I’m butchering these, but memorizing scripture is NOT my forte!). I know all these things, and yet I can’t help but worry. Worry that I’m missing out on my purpose. Worry that if I don’t let go of the control, I might never find it. Worry that I’ve already missed the boat. Worry that maybe what I would like my purpose to be isn’t what God has called me to be. Worry that I’ll never figure it out.

But I still dream – even if that’s all it ever becomes, just a dream.

Fall Time

2010-10-12T09:35:00.000-05:00

Hello total blog abandonment!

What has been going on in my world? Everything and Nothing! Life feels stressful, but I'm not sure why really. Maybe it's because this fall has been and continues to be jam-packed on the weekends. Between out-of-town weddings, races, birthdays, family mini-vacations, pumpkin carving contests, church activities, football games, etc., I think the rest of this year is just booked. Thankfully, my weeknights have cleared up now! I have a love/hate relationship with being busy.....if I'm not I get bored, and if I am I get stressed.

So, T minus five days until race time. I am so ready....for it to be over! I am looking forward to accomplishing this goal, but man have I been unmotivated to run the last few weeks! It's even been unseasonably warm lately - mid to upper 70s and even the 80s - and so pleasant for outdoor running, and yet I think I began the "tappering" part of training oh....three weeks ago! Well regardless, Sunday is Go Time, whether I'm ready or not.

I'm hoping I can stop feeling so stressed and enjoy this wonderful fall we've had so far - because soon enough, it will be winter.

Name That Town + Would You Rather Wednesday

2010-09-30T09:04:00.000-05:00

What's the deal, Arkansas? You can't come up with clever enough city names on your own, so you just start taking other city and state names, sticking "ARK" in there somewhere, and calling it a town? What's next? Ark York? Los Arkeles?

All I know is, West Des Moines might be a pain to spell out, and might get mispronounced all the time, but I sure am glad I don't have to say I am from "Arkadelphia" or "Texarkana"... Who ever thought THAT was a good idea?

And even though it's Thursday, I'm still doing the "Would You Rather Wednesday" today, lol! Would you rather have the ability to fly, be invisible, or read minds?

I have no idea how to decide this one! If I could fly, I could travel the world - for free! I think I would pick that one, because being invisible or reading minds would just get me into trouble! Gotta have some privacy!

Would You Rather Wednesday

2010-09-15T12:08:00.001-05:00

Would you rather never eat your favorite food ever again, or have to eat it every day? What about for every meal?

This is a no-brainer for me for the first part of the question. I would eat Tabouleh everyday, no convincing necessary!! And I always said I could eat it for every meal and never get tired of it, but I do think eventually I would want some other foods. So if I could ONLY eat it for the rest of my life, I guess I'd have to say PASS.

What's Your Color?

2010-09-14T11:36:00.002-05:00

Even though I say summer is my favorite season of the year, there are so many things I love about fall. A relief from the humidity, football, bonfires, smores, hayrack rides, pumpkin carving, jeans and long sleeves, blankets, hot chocolate, and of course the colors that comes with the season.

I have always loved the turning of the trees from vibrant green to varying shades of red, brown, yellow, and orange. I learned a few years ago in biology that these shades are actually the true colors of the leaves; something about chloroplasts or whatever mask the actual color of each leaf, making it green (sorry for the less-than-technical explanation!). Then when the season wears on, temperatures cool, and the life of the leaf is drawing to a close, its true color comes out, each one a different shade from the other.

I don't know about you, but I would much rather see trees full of vibrant color, each a little different, than a bunch of all-green leaves. I never notice trees in the summer, but when those colors start to turn I immediately see all of the life around me. It always makes me think about the masks we wear, especially while in school. We try so hard to be somebody's shade of green when it isn't our true color. We desperately want to blend in - to go unnoticed. But what a BORING world it would be if we all allowed our green masks to cover the vibrant color that makes each of us unique.

Next time you see a tree full of leaves that are "changing" color, remember those beautiful colors are exactly what God made them to be - and go be your own shade of vibrance in the world!

Would You Rather Wednesday

2010-09-08T15:29:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the first edition of "Would You Rather" Wednesday.

This week's question: Being the age you currently are, if you were single would you rather date someone five years older or five years younger?

I think I'm finally to an acceptable age where I could say younger. I mean, if you are 20 and say younger, that's just gross. And where I would have always said older before, my mid-20's crisis has set in and I don't want anyone making me feel older....so I guess younger it is. What do you think?

Cheese!

2010-09-07T10:31:00.002-05:00

Yesterday was Labor Day and I went boating. It was windy, but it was great to get out on the water again. Since I have a fancy new Samsung Intercept (I hate the word intercept, I don't know why), I had to try the new camera feature.

As I was perusing the images later in the day, I noticed one shot of me that looked particularly odd. I was sitting in a boat seat, and due to the angle of the shot, it looked like my suit bottoms were ABOVE my belly button. At closer inspection, it wasn't actually the case that they were hiked to my navel, but the illusion was immensely worsened because of my incredibly short torso. Steve Urkel, anyone?

I hope you have a fantastic Tuesday, and channel your inner Urkel sometime today :)

You Get What You Pay For

2010-08-31T22:24:00.000-05:00

I was so proud and excited about my new $20 running shoes. At Scheel's, the cheapest running shoes they sold were $100. I was laughing in Scheel's face as I put on my new shoes, stepped out the door, and headed out for a run.

I started off on my usual one-mile loop. Man, these shoes feel great! I was really patting myself on the back for this great find. Then I hit mile two. And the discomfort started to set in. I told myself to push through, it was just temporary. My feet weren't used to them yet. But as I rounded the corner of the second mile, I decided I had better just quit before I really hurt my feet.

I had developed big blisters on both of my arches. After giving the shoes one more chance, and experiencing the same result during my first mile, I headed back to the mall and got myself some real, high-performance running shoes.

So far, so good with the new kicks, and I still only spent $50. I'm less than six weeks from the race now, and hit a wall at eight miles, so I really need to pick up the pace, literally!

Where In The World....

2010-08-25T22:32:00.011-05:00

....have I been? Let's see with a quick recap:

August 1-7: Vacation with my family to the Ozarks. Seven days of fun in the sun, on the boat, or in the water. We had excellent weather, Brady didn't burn, and there were no major fights or injuries!

Post-Vacation: I have been busy running, coordinating music for Meals From The Heartland, and enjoying my summer with Brady. Things have been incredibly busy with planning MFTH, but things are coming together nicely now for the event at HyVee Hall this Labor Day weekend.

Running: I bought shoes last night! The best part: with clearance prices and a coupon, they were $20!! I haven't run in them yet, but I love the arch support already! I hope the shoes light a fire under me because my running has plateaued....

Garden: It survived vacation thanks to my neighbor. After several zucchinis that were literally bigger than my thigh, I made mounds of bread with them, and think I'm done with squash this year. There could be a surprise summer squash in the mix, but it looks like the plants are winding down. My tomatoes, though, are FINALLY growing and will be getting ready any day now to pick! My corn....well, let's just say we picked some ears, they were tiny, and they tasted awful. Next year, the corn will go OUTSIDE the garden :)

Sickness: Last Monday and Tuesday, Brady got sick. Having never thrown up, he was scared and very tired after getting ill more than 20 times the first night! He was fine for more than a week and then this morning woke up sick again. Prayers that he will recover quickly and that it was simply a virus and nothing more are appreciated! We took him to the doctor last week and everything checked out then. I am praying hard that it's not the migraines I grew up with....

That's pretty much been our month around here. Oh, I guess we also remodeled our second bathroom - SO CUTE! Bye bye palm trees, and hello sleek, sophisticated purple :)

The Race Is On

2010-07-29T21:27:00.002-05:00

Last week, I ran seven miles - SEVEN MILES! I just kept going and going....in 74 minutes I ran my hilly circuit seven times, followed by a half-mile walk. It was hard at the end, but I've never run that far before! Then the blisters set in...

I knew I needed to invest some money into this running thing if I was going to continue. My seven-mile run was proof: I got blisters on both feet, one which was about an inch in diameter. I couldn't put much weight on it, I had to wear flip-flops for a couple days, and I was worried about the 5k on Saturday. Thankfully they cleared up enough by then that I could run just fine, but it lit the fire under me to start shopping for proper running attire!

Wow, are shoes expensive! Real running shoes are heinously ugly and run $100-$150. I opted to just get some shorts and socks last week, but they really made a difference! No blisters, no chaffing - horray!

Saturday was my first race: I ran the 5k in 26:37, which isn't record-breaking by any means but not bad for me! It was hillier than I expected, so I guess running my hills at home was a good thing. It was also good for me to learn how to pace in a race: my tendency is to run too fast at first and poop out at the end. This time, I kind of did that but overcompensated in the middle so that I had TOO much energy left at the end. I wasn't completely sure of the route, and they only posted the 1-mile mark, so I was trying to reserve energy when I was unknowingly nearing the end of the race. So all-in-all it was a great experience, and I can't wait to do it again!

Here are my official results: Finished 65th of 205 total runners. Finished 16th of 110 female runners. Finished 4th of 23 female runners in their 20's. There were some MAJOR serious runners here, which was I wasn't expecting.The winner finished over a minute before everyone else at around 16 minutes!

Now I just have to hope this weather breaks (temps in the 90's, heat index in the 100's!) so I can get back outside and keep trucking toward my goal of the half-marathon. And hope that I don't gain major weight on vacation next week!

In other news, Brady totally schooled all the other one-year-olds in his race :) We have a fast little bugger on our hands!!

Baby Einstein

2010-07-19T14:17:00.004-05:00

I am a HUGE fan of Baby Einstein. I know not everyone is, but I definately am. I know the pending lawsuits against the makers and marketers of Baby Einstein. But none of that matters when a mother needs a few moments of respite from a high-energy child!

I've done all the research on the impact television has on children under two. I also think people make way too big a deal about the effects of television and videos on children. I really don't believe that a little television is going to have adverse effects on Brady. Many people decide not to let their children watch television and that is just fine; I hope people understand my decision to let him. When he gets up and dances to "Word World", learns about spelling, remembers animal names, and develops favorite characters, I view it as a good thing.

From the first few months of Brady's life, he's been watching Baby Einstein. No matter what he's doing, if the World or Neighborhood Animals videos come on, he sits perfectly still and is mesmorized. This has been a wonderful tool in our household! I don't know how or why some animals, puppets, and babies have that effect on him, but I don't care - it works. And beyond the "sit-still" factor, Brady has learned a lot from these videos! I can talk about animals and make sounds all I want, but when he actually sees them in action on his television is when that animal becomes real and memorable to him. And living in Iowa, we aren't exactly able to go see the dolphins, bears, monkeys, parrots, etc. that he gets to see in these videos.

Sadly, some people think it is necessary to sue Baby Einstein because it was originally marketed as having positive effects on babies' brainwaves, and thus actually making children smarter. While I don't know all of the details, I think this is just a shame. Any parent who buys a video believing it will turn his or her child into a genius is just silly. Parents who are looking for a "quick fix" for their child's intelligence without actually putting in the time to teach them should maybe reconsider the parenting thing. No video will ever be a viable substitute for active parenting. I don't think the makers of Baby Einstein intended for it to be, so however misleading the marketing may have seemed, maybe we should be wagging our fingers at the parents who actually thought it would do these things.

Couch Potato

2010-07-16T14:50:00.002-05:00

Ugh, the last couple weeks have been VERY bad for my marathon "training". I've been sitting on my butt, eating cake and ice cream, and just plain living lazy. I have run a few times, but nothing like I need to be, and all my healthy eating habits seem to have flown out the window. I blame my birthday, anniversary, and the rain!

So assuming I can get things back under control, I need some advice! So far I have not invested anything into this running thing, and I think it's time that I did. What is the best running attire to wear for distance runners? Now that I am getting used to the longer runs, I find that t-shirts don't breathe well. I like to have my chest and arms exposed to keep me cool. So do you distance junkies out there like to run in tanks, too?

More than the shirts, though, I am having trouble with the shorts. I don't know if I need tighter or looser shorts, but the ones I have currently cause (or don't prevent) MAJOR chaffing (sp?). Should I be getting tight spandex-y type things? Or those short, poufy ones? I really need advice on the shorts, people!

I have officially entered my first race: Lutheran Church of Hope's 5k which takes place the morning of Taste of Hope. That is in ONE WEEK. I know a 5k is really short, but still, the get-off-my-butt-and-back-to-running mentality really needs to kick in now. It should be a nice, easy way to get used to running with other people, in a "race", and test out my abilities on flat terrain. Wish me luck!

Three months to go and I'll be half-marathoning downtown....YIKES!!

Happy Anniversary

2010-07-14T15:30:00.000-05:00

Lots to catch up on! The 4th of July holiday weekend was terrific: we played Frisbee golf (Joel did, I pushed Brady in the stroller!), we watched fireworks, we ate, and we (mostly Joel again) stained the deck. Then, the 4th came….RAIN all day long. But that was ok since we ended up in the hospital that night. Yep, Joel has a reoccurring back injury that flares up every six months to a year, and all the Frisbee throwing, deck staining, and chair sitting caused a MAJOR spasm. He was on our floor for 10 hours on Sunday, face down, mostly unable to move. So finally in the evening he let me call an ambulance, and he spent the night and whole next day in the hospital until he could move enough to get home. After some intense pain medication, rest, and relaxation, he’s back to (mostly) normal. However, I think it would have been cheaper and quicker to hire someone to stain the deck! Hindsight, I tell ya…

Since this last bout landed him in the hospital, we are going ahead with x-rays and physical therapy to get his back strengthened and fixed. Working at a computer all day does nothing to help the situation, but he’s too young to be experiencing this kind of back trouble already. So, prayers for his strength and healing are appreciated!

Then, Thursday was my birthday. I turned the big 2-6, and while we didn’t do much on my actual birthday, Joel surprised me with a party the next day! It was great to have all of our family and good friends celebrate with me :) He also took my gigantic hint and got me Carrie Underwood concert tickets when she comes to town in December! I’m not much of a concert person because they are so dang expensive and it’s hard to find artists for whom I want to sit through an entire concert, but this was a no-brainer for me – LOVE HER!! I also got a variety of other fun kitchen, beauty, and garden gadgets from my family, which was awesome! My in-laws had a terrific idea to get us a fire ring for outside, but sadly we already got one a couple weeks ago :( So, I’m excited to return it and get a jewelry tree since my current box is full and overflowing onto my dresser!

Today is my three-year anniversary of being married to Joel. I was standing in the bathroom last night just thinking about how much longer it feels. So much has changed in just three short years: our house, our jobs (oh, the jobs and insurance!!), our baby who really isn’t a baby anymore, our figures (not really for the better, but we are working on that!), our travels, even the people we hang out with has changed.

I wonder what life will be like three more years from now: what we’ll be doing, where we’ll be working, how many kids we’ll have, where we will have traveled to, what new friends we will make…if anything is certain, it’s that a LOT can change in just three years!

Happy Anniversary to my best friend and husband: here’s to another year of great memories :)

Let It Grow: Garden Update #5

2010-07-08T22:13:00.001-05:00

It's harvest time! Well not exactly, but my garden is really growing again. The corn was more than knee-high by the Fourth of July, the zucchini and summer squash are getting big, the melons and tomatoes are flowering, and LOOK!

These little snap peas are the first things to come from my garden. Aren't they cute? :) The squash will soon be following, and it's nice to see that everything is blooming so well. Last week, it seemed like everything was stagnant; I guess that's because all the plants were storing up for growing veggies :)