The A-Team

Yes, I am aware that it is April but hey, gotta start somewhere!

Some of his last days with his "binky" - but he sure wants my camera!

Color Wonder play time with markers!

Sticker fun! Abel LOVES stickers!!!

Mommy with her sweet little boy

Early morning race for Daddy. We watched from the car - It was freezing out!

Best $4 ever spent - pom poms and valentine's baskets. These kids had SO much fun!

Abel VERY proud of his tower of blocks

Abraham had to out-do his brother - His version of a TOWER!

Abraham's new bed! It will sleep 3 - the bunk with a trundle!!! He LOVES it:)

First 100 pc puzzle completed solo!

Buttons, buttons and more buttons - messy but SO much fun!

Moon Sand - very messy but again, oh so much fun!

Park play time! Cabin fever was taking over:)

They are just too cute! They couldn't WAIT to get outside to yell and scream!

This was our February in a nutshell! We had a good time even though mommy is always tired and moving rather slowly. That’s okay. They boys didn’t seem to mind too much:)

Last Tuesday, Aaron and I made the most difficult trip of our lives. We took Archimedes and Arugula to Guardian Angel Basset Rescue to find new homes. It was one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make.

We have had issues with our dogs for some time now and they really deserve a better life than I can provide. That hurts so much to say. I love them dearly (they were my first babies) and feel terrible that I had to say “I can’t do it all.” I am not a quitter and here I feel like I have given up. But that is just my flesh and the evil one trying to make me feel guilty for doing the right thing for Arky, Boog and our family. In the coming months, things are going to get very crazy and I don’t need the added stress of taking care of 2 semi-high maintenance dogs. They are super sweet and lovable and I miss them terribly but it was becoming more and more stressful for them and us all living together.

Anyway, I have good days and I have bad days. Today was a bad day. I cried most of the way to my doctor’s appointment this morning. I missed them so much. I regretted letting them go. I want forgiveness from them. I want them to understand why this had to happen.

See the irony in all of this is that they are probably having the time of the lives right now! They are getting super special attention and love from wonderful people. I was told about a potential adoptive family of a recently retired couple who have had bassets for years and just lost their beloved pet. They want a bonded pair (which ours are) and want to travel with them (they have a couple vacation homes) and just enjoy a couple of sweet dogs regardless of health issues. This family seems perfect! They are going to have SO much stinkin’ fun and will probably never think of me again. But it still doesn’t make the pain go away for me. It does lessen it a bit from time to time but it still hurts. I see pictures of them on the wall or Abraham says a prayer for them at bedtime – talk about rip my heart out!

All in all, I know this is right in my heart. Arky and Boog are going to be much better cared for and that is what matters. I love them and always will.

Aaron's goodbye

My goodbye...thankfully you can't see the tears running down my face

Dear Lord, I pray that you will help Arky and Boog find a great new home. Thank you for the time we had with them and thank you for the courage to give them a better life. Please help me deal with this loss and heal the wound in my heart. I love them so much.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

Friday night Abraham made the biggest decision of his life. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior!!!! Yes, I know he is only 3.5 but he really truly gets it. Of course his understanding isn’t like you or me but he does “get” the entire concept that Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose from the dead and is in Heaven preparing a place for us. He also understands sin. He knows that sin is when our hearts allow us to do something bad (like steal a toy from his brother).

Here is how it all happened. We were reading the Bible like we do every night (it is his special Bible for ages 4-7). We were on the last part of the Bible which explains the Gospel and supports it all with Scripture. At the end of the reading it states that if he is ready to make a decision for Christ, he just needs to tell us. We have read this several times and he has never feigned an interest (not surprising at his age) and we go on and start the Bible over the next night. Friday night was different. He shocked both Aaron and I when he said he was ready to make the decision and wanted to do so! Of course I grill him to make sure he understands the gravity of this statement and he stays the course and wants to accept Jesus! We pray the prayer of salvation together that is in his Bible and he is so excited (not to mention his mom and dad) that he has Jesus living in his heart! He could NOT wait for church this morning because he wanted to tell everyone! Aaron and I continued to grill him about his decision all day Saturday just make sure it wasn’t a fluke thing. He responded positively every time we asked him about it.

It is still a bit surreal for me. I was an adult before I ever even knew about Jesus (of course I knew about baby Jesus but nothing more).

Anyway, so last night was rough. Abel has been fighting something (allergies most likely) and it is keeping him up throughout the night. Plus he hasn’t been eating well so he wakes up around 3 am starving. Needless to say, mommy didn’t get to sleep until nearly 5 am and Daddy had to work late last night and also didn’t get to sleep until nearly 5 am. We were wiped out! The kiddos wake us up around 9 am and I gently let Abraham know we won’t be heading to church since Mommy and Daddy are so tired. He immediately welled up and started crying telling me how he HAD to tell his teachers at church that he accepted Jesus! How could I say no to that? I immediately recanted my statement about not going to church and said I had to HURRY! Momma got a move on and we scurried out the door in just under an hour.

Abraham was so happy to tell just about everyone that he accepted Jesus (the door greeter at church, welcome center folks, people in the hallway, his teachers and his friends). He also had 2 very proud parents who shared the news with some of his other teachers who have been instrumental in his development. We also had the privilege of telling our pastors. Abraham was “interviewed” by Pastor Bryan and I was very proud of his answers!  He was able to communicate his decision and his understanding of his decision to our pastor. It was awesome! We get to look forward to putting a rose in a vase in front of the WHOLE church very soon!

I am so thankful for a  loving, merciful God that has allowed my son to learn from his mommy and daddy that Jesus is our Lord and Savior and that even though I fall short daily of living as Jesus wants me to, He still worked in the hearts of our family to bring Abraham into the family of God. Now I have the new challenge of helping Abraham grow in his relationship with Jesus. I will have to do some research, lots of praying for guidance and hopefully find some good books to help direct him on his path!

Super Duper proud Daddy, Hammy and Mommy

We took this picture right after we prayed the prayer with Abraham for his salvation. We wanted to record the moment. It is so precious that God gave us this sweet life to bring to Him. My one main goal as a mother (who loves Jesus) has been to see my children come to know Jesus as their Savior (one down, two to go!). Words truly can’t capture the feelings I have about this. It is truly amazing!

We got the call back this morning with a new date for Aaron’s class, June 22!!!! Yeah! That means Aaron will be able to be there for the birth of our daughter!!! This is a HUGE burden lifted from me. Of course there are many other trials upcoming but this is giant answered prayer!!!!

We got the call, tonight. It was 8 something pm and we were wrapping up our evening with the kiddos by letting them watch a quick show to calm them down for sleep. Aaron’s phone rings and he mouths to me, “It is the FAA.” Those words changed me forever.

After about 15 minutes or less, Aaron comes back into the room and declares that he received a date for class. They want to send him on April 20! He did explain our current situation (me pregnant with child #3 and due on 6/18/12). The next date she had available for class was June 4 (Aaron’s birthday). Of course that doesn’t help much with the whole birth issue. The lady was cool and said she would be attending a meeting in the morning and see what she could do for us to push the date beyond Abilene’s birth but there is NO guarantee.

I knew this day would come…I really did. Somehow I just didn’t prepare myself enough. I am full of mixed emotions. I am excited for him to move on with his career choice but I am so afraid of what lies ahead.

1. Will he miss the birth of our daughter? If so, what will I do with my other kiddos while I am having her?

2. Will I be able to handle 3 small children all by myself?

3. Will I make it to my scheduled delivery date without him around to help? He is integral in our daily lives and I rely on him SO much…especially when the contractions kick in around 6 pm.

4. We won’t even broach the money subject. That is ridiculously scary and not even worth worrying about because it just doesn’t matter to me.

Many of you reading this probably have no idea how “easy” I really have it right now. I have a wonderful husband who is home with us 90% of the time. He is able to work from home and that has been a tremendous blessing. He works 2nd shift which means he is “all mine” during the morning and early afternoon hours and I really only have to handle the evenings “by myself” – kinda. He still bathes the kids most nights and is there to help at a moments notice. To go from having that amazing support to having him shipped off 750 miles away for 4 FULL MONTHS is unbelievably frightening for me.

Anyway, I guess the point to my post is this…

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE pray for me, the boys, and Aaron. We are in desperate need right now and want to follow the Lord’s leading (even if it is uncomfortable). We love our Lord and trust in Him and know He will see us through this. Just help (me) let go of my fears!

If you hate reading my running reports, PLEASE at least scroll down and read my praise report.

How time does fly, seems like only yesterday I wrote about the 5K race, and now the 10K race is now done and over with already.

Saturday, 3 March at 8am was the 500 Festival Training Series 10K race (6.21mi). As you may recall from my previous post one of the big goals I’ve been working so hard for all winter culminated at this weekend’s race. My goal was to run a 44:59 or less in the 10K which would allow me to make the 3/5/12 cutoff for corral seeding for the Indianapolis 500 Festival Mini Marathon this coming May. I am already qualified for Corral C/Level 3 seeding, but this goal of 44:59 (7:14/mi pace) would allow me to move up to Corral B/Level 2 seeding. More of an ego thing I suppose, but it is really exhilarating to start the race so very close to the start line with the international elite/professional runners like <100 feet away, as opposed to Corral Z which may literally take almost one hour and a mile just to get to the start line after the starting gun goes off (I am not exaggerating, it takes a long time for 35,000 + people to get moving).

Anyway, I’ve trained hard, and mostly without issue or injury this season. I had a small left hamstring problem in Dec/Jan that I finally dialed in as a slight over-stride on my left leg and once I adapted for that I’ve been training strong and pain free for about a month now. I really couldn’t have been any more ready for this race and quite honestly I wanted to be done with it because I’ve been waiting for about 9 months for this chance (10K races are sort of far and few between these days unless you want to travel).

The race got off to a great start. I knew I wanted to keep my heart rate between 163-176 beats per minute for maximum performance. I went out a little hard, but the first mile I always do that anyway, so what? Mile 1, 6:28. Need to slow down or crash too soon. Heart rate was right at ~169, perfect. Mile 2, 7:00, Okay, perhaps slowed it down too much? Dropped heart rate to more like 162-165. I don’t remember Mile 3 time exactly, but it was right around 7:20 or so. Time to kick it back in for the final half. I passed up the A-Team cheering me on with their crazy cow bells, hooting and hollering and plastic clappers around the 3.7mi mark and around the 26:30 time mark. Mile 4 @ 27:50? Hard to recall. My heart rate was in the 165-170 range every time I looked at my watch, good enough I suppose. Mile 5 came and went, probably around the 35:00 mark. I do remember at that point thinking “I’ve got this, I can almost walk 1.21mi in 10min.” Not to be too cocky, I reminded myself that I could always step in a pothole and break a leg or get hit by a car; it does happen in races even with lane closures. Time to focus, stay alert and stay on my mental checklist: form/body/stride check, heart rate, breathing, wind, overheating?, and on and on. It’s a constant battle. A fun challenge for me, but a battle no less.

Anyway, Mile 6 came in at 42:30 and I hit the go fast button (which seemed to be malfunctioning at the time, daggone it). I crossed the finish line at 43:50, 1min and 9sec on the good side of my goal!! A nice top 5% placing out of 1,447 other competitors. Pace was 7:03/mi overall and I am qualified for Corral B/Level 2 now! So, as I said, BOO-YAH.

Praise Report

I want to do a quick recap of where I’ve been in life. I started running April 16, 2007. I was never on a track team, nor a cross country athlete (though now I wish I had been as what a joy I find it to be!). I felt sorry for myself because I had been a very fit person my entire life up until I got too busy with a career and married life as a young man. When I started in 2007, I was miserable; 50-60 pounds overweight, fighting off what 3 different Drs told me what the late onset of asthma, terrible allergies, low energy levels, no fitness to speak of. I felt like what I thought old people must feel like yet I was still only 27yo. I began that day in April 2007 running laps around the block in front of the house. Lots of walking. First workout was 0.85 miles at an 11:45 mile pace. Over that year I got a little better feeling, dropped about 20lbs, but never really worked out more than 2x a week and only for about 20-30min each time. This pattern continued until 9/2010 when, still at 195lbs, I decided to get more serious about running and sign up for the 2011 Mini Marathon, my first real race effort since 1995 when I was a mere pup. The entry of that race in 2010 forced me to set goals and risk my money. Nothing like a little motivation of losing money to make things real.  As they say, everything’s history now as I’ve really taken off as a runner since 9/2010 and I feel there are still my best years ahead of me even today.

Anyway, this is a praise report, but since there are some of you reading this blog that didn’t know me before or have forgotten, I felt it necessary to give a personal history first to establish how messed up I was and compare that to where I am now. I run for my life, my family. I run for Jesus Christ. At times these blog posts of mine about running may seem like I’m bragging, or full of myself. If so, I am truly sorry for that. It is so exciting to share my personal successes with the world on this blog, but I must be clear: I attribute my 60lbs of weight loss, seemingly limitless energy (on most days), no more asthma (as in 110% G-O-N-E), almost completely gone allergies, increasing running speed and tremendous endurance levels to one thing and one thing alone: My God, my Savior, Jesus Christ.

When I’m having trouble getting motivated to get out and run; when I’m on mile 29 of a long run and still have miles to go; when the weather is terrible; I lean on my Rock, Jesus and I thank him for my strength, my good health, and for my freedom. I pray for whatever it is I need for running that day and drive on.

On one occasion when rain was threatening my final 2010  run on 12/31 2010, my first ever long run over 10mi, I prayed for the rain to stay abated for just a little while longer so this ill-prepared-for-the-weather-runner could finish dry. The wind was swirling the fast, low, black clouds; you could smell the rain in the air; and occasionally get hit in the face by a cold fat raindrop; I could see the rain falling in sheets very nearby in the direction the clouds were moving in from. I kid you not, the black clouds swiftly parted above me and there was golden sky above/behind that shone the most amazing golden rays of light down on that street I was running. This continued for several miles until I finished the run and got in the house. Moments later, the heavens opened up in a different way and emptied the clouds upon our neighborhood with a torrent of rain.

When I completed that run, dry and free of rain, I sat at our dining room table and cried one of the few times I’ve cried as a man. Deep, uncontrollable, heaving, sobbing crying too. That day, I experienced God in a way I may never experience again in my life; tangible, immediate, obvious answer to prayer.

It may seem perhaps silly, or small, or even stupid that I would maybe consider this answer to prayer a miracle, but it was and I know it. I was ill prepared for rain, and true evil had been attempting to thwart my running for a month or two at that time. You see, Satan will and does work his hardest to destroy and demean your efforts when you’re on the precipice of doing something great that will bring glory to God. Running is and will be an instrument for me to share with my family and the world that our need for Christ is real, and God loves us unconditionally. My health turn-around and examples such as the stopping of the rain are ways for me to try and give hope that He loves us and is always there ready to hear our plea for help. All we have to do is trust in Him.

Life is a race according to the apostle Paul. In fact, I’ll close this post with a few key scripture quotes that tie running to the pursuit of a Godly life and a means of doing the best one can for Christ:

1 Timothy 6: ¹¹ But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. ¹² Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have confessed so well before many witnesses.

1 Corinthians 9: ²⁶ So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. ²⁷ I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

Since today only occurs once every 4 years, we decided to do something fun as a family! I was so blessed to have had a great night’s rest (I actually slept for about 4 hours straight!) and felt AMAZING today. Because of said “feeling amazing” I decided to completely over do it today:) We went to Meijer and stocked up on a few things that were on SUPER sale and headed over to Incredible Pizza Company for a fun-filled afternoon! We had a blast and the food was fantastic! A picnic would have been cool except we would have all blown away in the wind. Speaking of which, it was too funny…tonight after dinner I took the kids outside to play and watch Daddy run his final mile of the month. We weren’t out but all of 10 minutes but the winds sure picked up as the sun was setting. Little Abel actually got knocked over by a gust of wind! He was so perplexed by it that he just giggled! So did I and of course big brother had to be “knocked over” too! So both kiddos are just laying on the driveway laughing at the thought that wind blew them over:) So silly!

This is too weird NOT to post. I finally gave in to Abraham’s many demands to open our game of Candyland and play a round last night. We played, I won (hehehe) and yes, I let him kinda cheat at one point. Anyway, so the kiddos are in bed and I am doing my nightly email check and I come across this email. I was beyond floored! It was too perfect for me to have read last night!

All that I Need to Know, I Learned in CandyLand

Posted: 27 Feb 2012 12:28 AM PST

The kiddos wanted to play a game of CandyLand. With strong nostalgia towards the game, I was happy to oblige.  Little Man got it set up and drew the first card.

The game teetered back and forth but towards the end we were neck and neck to the finish line.  That is… until Sweet Pea drew the dreaded gingerbread man.

Now for those of you who aren’t CandyLand savvy, the gingerbread man is at the very beginning of the board and can be a positive death sentence when the game is close to being over. 

Debating on how to handle the unsettling news, Sweet Pea looked at me for support (hoping I would tell her to draw again).  You could see her literally fighting between the two choices – move and have a good attitude or let the bad attitude win out.

Sadly, she chose the worst and became ugly very quickly.  She ended up going to her room screaming and stinking up the atmosphere with poor sportsmanship and attitude.

And at that moment, as Little Man and I calmly finished the game – that I won, by the way! - I realized the vast amount of life skills provided for us through the game of CandyLand.

• Sharing – Sometimes several players want the “blue” gingerbread playing piece.  Someone has to give in and share the favorite marker.

  Luke 6:38  Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
  

• Support - We need to celebrate with those who get double-colored cards or move ahead with a picture card.  We are to encourage each other as we travel this road of life.

  I Thessalonians 5:11  Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.
  

• Taking Turns – The game is only fun when everyone takes a turn and respects each other.

  Philippians 2:3  Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves.
  

• How to handle the good and the bad – Life gives us ups and downs which we have to face with a joyful attitude.

  James 1:2  Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds.
  

• Sometimes life is smooth sailing and sometimes life is really hard.  - Just when you think you will win the game, the gingerbread card can be drawn.

  Romans 8:28  And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
  

• Perseverance – Keep moving forward even when the cards don’t work in our favor.

  1 Corinthians 9:24  Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?  Run in such a way as to get the prize.
  

• The end will be so sweet – for those who have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

  Revelations 21:4  He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.

Heidi from ABCJesusLovesMe.com wrote this above email. She is a really neat lady and I couldn’t have been more blessed by reading this!

It started on Sunday when I didn’t feel the greatest (mostly congestion). By the afternoon, I had a fever. I was out for 2 days with a few hours here and there when I felt okay. Congestion got worse and ended up a sinus infection. Thankfully, I had antibiotics on hand to start taking right away.

Monday morning Abraham definitely doesn’t feel good. All he wanted to do was sit in the cart at Meijer. I knew something was definitely up. By the time we get home from our grocery trip, he was running a fever. This fever is STILL GOING ON as I write this. The fever has been the worst I have ever had to deal with. It started around 102 and kept climbing. He topped out at 104.6 F last night. We did make a trip to the doc’s office on Wednesday but he had NO other symptoms so they are just as unsure of what is the cause. The poor kid got so hot last night that he did eventually throw up. It was mostly medicine since the kiddo hasn’t eaten in days. After some fervent prayers over Abraham last night, the Lord delivered him from this severe fever. It is now around 99.9 F. The worst part of all of this has been seeing him suffer and being able to do nothing about it except let him watch way too much TV and keep him on Ibuprofen and Tylenol. He has tolerated it very well considering how bad he must feel.

Now we have Mr. Abel to contend with. He has been feeling great and doesn’t much care for TV at his age. Plus he is FULL of energy. He has not appreciated my attention NOT being centered on him…hence his CONTINUAL testing of every single limit known to him. It has been nothing short of frustrating but I can’t totally blame him. He is bored to tears and just wants some attention – good or bad. We are working through this. The blessing in disguise here is that Abel is healthy! He has shown no signs of sickness except for a minor fever tonight (which might be his teeth) and a little runny nose. Praise Jesus! I surely hope this gets no worse.

The man who has held us together for the better part of the week is now coming down with the sinus thing I have/had. Yuck. Figures. But it is also a blessing in disguise that he doesn’t get sick until AFTER I am able to pick up where I left off. I am also so thankful that he is not afraid and certainly willing to take care of the dishwasher and keep up with the laundry! God gave me a great man as my partner!

Now the dogs could not be out done by the family. We are still dealing with huge issues with them (skin irritation, missing fur, bleeding skin, lack of appetite one day, eating like crazy the next, so thirsty they drink too much and vomit it back up). In a nutshell, they are a mess! We are currently on the path to get them tested for thyroid issues. I am so tired of dealing with this mess. I just want a definite answer to get them better! Too bad they aren’t listed on my health insurance because continual vet visits are expensive!

Anyway, prayers for continued recovery would be much appreciated especially for Aaron to quickly recover as he has a 10K race next Saturday that is VERY important to him. Thank you in advance!

I am only 22 weeks, I assure you, but I sure don’t feel like it! I have felt great this past week other than my stretching abdomen! It is getting huge already! I mean seriously uncomfortable…like split belly button type uncomfortable. Ah well, the sacrifices and suffering we go through to bring about a new life. Once she is in my arms all of these things will fade quickly and I will remember nothing!

This was taken at 18 weeks...I need an updated shot but man belly is big!