Yesterday Jaycie yelled, "Nini! Wait!" as Nikelle ran into the bathroom to do her business. Jaycie followed behind and we got her situated on the little potty chair. She often likes to sit on her potty chair to immitate her big sister. I have not encouraged or discouraged this as I've had a few other things to think about.
I left them to themselves as I usually do until I heard Jaycie yelling at Nikelle, "Nini! Wa wa! Nini! Wa wa!" I wasn't sure if I heard correctly. Was Jaycie attempting to inform her big sister that she went potty in the potty chair? She did! We gave high-fives and cheered. I even allowed her to call "Ga Ga" (my mom) to inform her of what a big girl she was. So, why not allow her to go around without pants for a while? Besides, it's not easy putting a diaper on a child while I'm talking on the phone.
I hung up the phone with my mom and went to find Jaycie peeing on my carpet by her toys! Oh, well. It was an exciting moment while it lasted.
Jaycie did decide to use the potty chair again before she took a bath later in the morning. Both times, we were only dealling with a trickle. I guess it looks as though I'm going to have one more thing to add to my to-do list.
Friday, October 5, 2007
Thursday, October 4, 2007
4 Days and Counting...
This morning Rod thoughtfully asked me if I wanted him to leave some leftover pizza for me. I snapped, “No. I don’t want you to leave any pizza for me. I cannot continue to eat that crap! How am I supposed to complete 26.2 miles on birthday cake and pizza?” The poor guy; he just never gets a break being married to me.
I am determined today to start prepping for this marathon on Sunday. There seems to be so much to get read for the day. To give you a glimpse of how unprepared I am for this event, people will say, “Are you ready for Sunday?” or “I’ll be thinking about you on Sunday.” I just look at them dumbly and respond by saying, “What’s Sunday?” Oh, well. Thankfully, I’ve prepared by putting in the mileage.
Maybe I’ll do better today with my eating although that might requiring actually going to the grocery store.
I am determined today to start prepping for this marathon on Sunday. There seems to be so much to get read for the day. To give you a glimpse of how unprepared I am for this event, people will say, “Are you ready for Sunday?” or “I’ll be thinking about you on Sunday.” I just look at them dumbly and respond by saying, “What’s Sunday?” Oh, well. Thankfully, I’ve prepared by putting in the mileage.
Maybe I’ll do better today with my eating although that might requiring actually going to the grocery store.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
The Countdown...5 more days
There are only 5 days remaining until I tackle The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon. I can’t believe the day is finally approaching. When I started the training, I had a difficult time believing I would ever feel confident in completing the event. Today, as I look ahead to Sunday, I feel good about what I’ve accomplished in my training. Honestly, I wish I had watched what I was eating a little closer and made certain I was eating healthy. It seems a bit crazy that I have put on all these miles and still haven’t lost weight. At the same time, I will not allow that to diminish my accomplishment one bit.
Beginning today, I will be watching what I eat. Birthday cake and Rice Krispies Treats will not get me to the finish line. It is important that I make sure the calories I put into my body are beneficial. I want to be certain I can complete the 26.2 miles on Sunday morning.
The weathermen are not calling for great weather on Sunday. Rain is in the forecast. Thankfully, they’ve been wrong before and even if it does rain, we’ve run in rain before. It’s the spectators I’m concerned about. Please know (those of you who have expressed the desire to attend the marathon) I will not be disappointed if the weather is bad and you don’t come. We don’t need everyone sick because I needed support to complete this race. At the same time, if the weather is cooperative, I am excited to see some of you on the sidelines as I race for a cure. Look for me in the purple jersey. Let me know if you’ll have any way for me to find you on the sidelines. Purple and Teal are the Team in Training colors. I’m going to go out to see if I can find poster board that color for Rod to have signs so I can find him. If nothing else, after the race (probably about 5 ½ hours), I will be at the Team in Training Tent in Charity Village so I can always meet up with people there and Rod will have our cell phone with him during the race.
To each of you, thank you for your support through all of this. Monetarily, Prayerfully, Emotionally. With each step I take, you will be with me. I believe wholeheartedly in this cause. Research has come such a long way but it still has a long way to go, too. I just read recently that cases of lymphoma are increasing rapidly. And as I’ve said in the past, there still is no cure for the leukemia my father-in-law battles.
I hear the Cubs will be at Wrigley Field for the playoffs on Sunday. It sounds like Chicago will be the happening place to be for the weekend. I’m glad I already have a hotel room the night before. You might want to consider taking public transportation if you are headed downtown on Sunday. It will be one crowded city. The map of the course can be found at http://www.chicagomarathon.com/.
With a reason bigger than myself, I will cross that finish line this Sunday afternoon!
Beginning today, I will be watching what I eat. Birthday cake and Rice Krispies Treats will not get me to the finish line. It is important that I make sure the calories I put into my body are beneficial. I want to be certain I can complete the 26.2 miles on Sunday morning.
The weathermen are not calling for great weather on Sunday. Rain is in the forecast. Thankfully, they’ve been wrong before and even if it does rain, we’ve run in rain before. It’s the spectators I’m concerned about. Please know (those of you who have expressed the desire to attend the marathon) I will not be disappointed if the weather is bad and you don’t come. We don’t need everyone sick because I needed support to complete this race. At the same time, if the weather is cooperative, I am excited to see some of you on the sidelines as I race for a cure. Look for me in the purple jersey. Let me know if you’ll have any way for me to find you on the sidelines. Purple and Teal are the Team in Training colors. I’m going to go out to see if I can find poster board that color for Rod to have signs so I can find him. If nothing else, after the race (probably about 5 ½ hours), I will be at the Team in Training Tent in Charity Village so I can always meet up with people there and Rod will have our cell phone with him during the race.
To each of you, thank you for your support through all of this. Monetarily, Prayerfully, Emotionally. With each step I take, you will be with me. I believe wholeheartedly in this cause. Research has come such a long way but it still has a long way to go, too. I just read recently that cases of lymphoma are increasing rapidly. And as I’ve said in the past, there still is no cure for the leukemia my father-in-law battles.
I hear the Cubs will be at Wrigley Field for the playoffs on Sunday. It sounds like Chicago will be the happening place to be for the weekend. I’m glad I already have a hotel room the night before. You might want to consider taking public transportation if you are headed downtown on Sunday. It will be one crowded city. The map of the course can be found at http://www.chicagomarathon.com/.
With a reason bigger than myself, I will cross that finish line this Sunday afternoon!
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
An Eternal Perspective
This morning as I read the Bible, I came to a conclusion about my feelings. It’s not that my feelings aren’t valid. As a matter of fact, they’re quite human. It’s just that there is a bigger picture I have been failing to think about.
Anyone in my shoes would have a difficult time focusing on much other than what’s happening here. My dad is truly fighting for his life and my father-in-law has a battle of his own with this cancer. Daily, we hold our breath as the phone rings. There’s always that possibility that bad news could be coming our way.
At the same time, eternity needs to be my focus. I’m so consumed with wanting my dad to be here on this earth for the way I envisioned it that I’ve lost touch with what truly matters. I have this complete peace when it comes to eternity and my dad. So many do not share that peace. My dad has been so open with all the details of his battle as well as how he imagines greeting Jesus in the end of his life.
Eternity and the souls of men is truly the heart of the matter. This world is only temporary. Whether our dads are with us for 30 days or 30 years, eternity is forever.
"But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body." – Philippians 3:20-21
Anyone in my shoes would have a difficult time focusing on much other than what’s happening here. My dad is truly fighting for his life and my father-in-law has a battle of his own with this cancer. Daily, we hold our breath as the phone rings. There’s always that possibility that bad news could be coming our way.
At the same time, eternity needs to be my focus. I’m so consumed with wanting my dad to be here on this earth for the way I envisioned it that I’ve lost touch with what truly matters. I have this complete peace when it comes to eternity and my dad. So many do not share that peace. My dad has been so open with all the details of his battle as well as how he imagines greeting Jesus in the end of his life.
Eternity and the souls of men is truly the heart of the matter. This world is only temporary. Whether our dads are with us for 30 days or 30 years, eternity is forever.
"But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body." – Philippians 3:20-21
Monday, October 1, 2007
SURPRISE!
I am still in awe as I think of how oblivious I have been to everything going on around me these days. One of my friends reminded me that I had a few things to think about, but still…I normally pride myself on figuring things out.
As I walked through my front door after a weekend away of shopping with my cousin, I was totally and completely surprised. My home was filled with people that I am so blessed to share life with. “SURPRISE!” was shouted and although it took a few moments for it all to settle in, I just couldn’t believe he pulled it off.
Oftentimes, I inform Rod that he doesn’t “know me well enough”. After 11 years of marriage, I throw into disagreements the “I know the things you enjoy, why can’t you just understand me?” I guess I won’t be doing that for a while. He proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that he knows me…possibly even better than I know myself. Celebrating two months before my 30th birthday never even dawned on me as a possibility. It's actually a good feeling to be surprised. I should allow people the opportunity more often. I suppose I don't always have to be in control.
God has truly blessed me with an incredible husband. He is my absolute best friend and put forth all kinds of planning and effort to surprise me for my 30th birthday. What a memory! There was really only one factor that he had no control over and he didn’t know how it would affect the night. God knew, and my Dad and Mom were both there with us. My eyes fill with tears even now at the thought of it. It had to have taken every last bit of energy my dad had to make it to the party last night and I am forever grateful. My only fear in turning 30 was celebrating without my dad. I still hope and pray he is here to celebrate with me on the actual day but this is a memory I will cherish forever.
Not to minimize all the efforts my friends put in and everyone who came to celebrate, though. As I look at my life, I am so grateful that I am surrounded by a huge support system. I think friendships are proven during difficult times. There are those friends who just know what to do and when to do it: when to call, when to write, when to leave you alone and when to just cry with you. These past months have been extremely difficult and I am so grateful to each of you for loving me and cutting me the slack when I needed it. My heart swells as I think of everyone. I am truly blessed.
“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy…And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ – to the glory and praise of God.” -- Philippians 1:3-11
As I walked through my front door after a weekend away of shopping with my cousin, I was totally and completely surprised. My home was filled with people that I am so blessed to share life with. “SURPRISE!” was shouted and although it took a few moments for it all to settle in, I just couldn’t believe he pulled it off.
Oftentimes, I inform Rod that he doesn’t “know me well enough”. After 11 years of marriage, I throw into disagreements the “I know the things you enjoy, why can’t you just understand me?” I guess I won’t be doing that for a while. He proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that he knows me…possibly even better than I know myself. Celebrating two months before my 30th birthday never even dawned on me as a possibility. It's actually a good feeling to be surprised. I should allow people the opportunity more often. I suppose I don't always have to be in control.
God has truly blessed me with an incredible husband. He is my absolute best friend and put forth all kinds of planning and effort to surprise me for my 30th birthday. What a memory! There was really only one factor that he had no control over and he didn’t know how it would affect the night. God knew, and my Dad and Mom were both there with us. My eyes fill with tears even now at the thought of it. It had to have taken every last bit of energy my dad had to make it to the party last night and I am forever grateful. My only fear in turning 30 was celebrating without my dad. I still hope and pray he is here to celebrate with me on the actual day but this is a memory I will cherish forever.
Not to minimize all the efforts my friends put in and everyone who came to celebrate, though. As I look at my life, I am so grateful that I am surrounded by a huge support system. I think friendships are proven during difficult times. There are those friends who just know what to do and when to do it: when to call, when to write, when to leave you alone and when to just cry with you. These past months have been extremely difficult and I am so grateful to each of you for loving me and cutting me the slack when I needed it. My heart swells as I think of everyone. I am truly blessed.
“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy…And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ – to the glory and praise of God.” -- Philippians 1:3-11
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