Women's Half Marathon - Nashville

Leaving the Expo with my littlest love <3>

The morning was brisk at 68* but not nearly as cool as I was expecting. Unlike my origin of training, the air was light. There didn't seem to be much humidity if any. I looked at myself in the mirror. I resembled a typical runner with my Gu stashed in my Spibelt, my Garmin attached securely to my arm and my Women's Half Marathon visor ready to shade my eyes from the sun. I looked at my reflection and I thought to myself "What have you gotten yourself into?"







I shoveled my barely awake children in the car, and we headed to downtown Nashville. Although this was a quick 15 minute trip on the empty early morning roads, it seemed to take forever. My stomach was turning and scenarios of me sitting on the curb crying at mile 11 rushed through my mind. I can hear my kids whining something about "it's cold" and how they wanted breakfast, but my mind was on the task at hand and I really had little attention span for anything else.

Corral 4.

As we pulled up to the parking lot of choice, I notice a handful of women standing around the automated parking attendant. I quickly think about my friends at home who were pounding the pavement and how I wished at that moment I had them next to me to show me how this whole race deal works. This wouldn't be the last time I longed for their wisdom and companionship in all of this.

Before making my way to my corral, nervous but READY!

The start/finish line.

After an eventful parking experience we were finally able to head toward the START line. I walked up to a mass of women. Lights glowed from everywhere in the darkness of the dawn. Women were taking pictures; smiling, laughing and talking like women do. The sights were beautiful, breathtaking even and all I could think about is "where is the bathroom?". Standing in line, I met a local woman by the name of Joy. She quickly dubbed us the dish detergent twins. It was her first race as well.  We only spoke briefly. I took care of business, snapped a few precious pictures with my family and made my way to my corral.

My view from Corral #4.

Standing among all these confident, vibrant women, I listened to there conversations. Some were planning their race, some talked about what they did last night and many talked about previous races. I met two women who were friends but not running together. One had completed the half last year and was here to try her hand at a 5K PR. The other one was different. She told me to be careful because running is fun but racing is addicting. I quickly noticed that she was in combat boots. I said to her "I have to ask, how do you run in those things" She told me that they are well broken in and she run for a charity known as Boot Campaign. I was in awe of her dedication to this charity. I mean who runs 13 miles in knee high combat boots?

All of a sudden, the horn blows and we are moving forward. Walking at first and then the crowd begins to slowly increase the pace. I do my best to take it all in. Looking around at the start for my family, I reach for my phone and text my hubby and my friends that I am crossing the START line and press start on my watch. The course begins through the downtown area. On previous visits to Nashville I have been able to find my way around easily, but this morning I am so turned around I couldn't tell you which way was up. The first 3 minute run goes by very quickly and it takes all I have within me to stop and walk for one minute. The crowd I've found myself in rounds the second bend and I give up on the idea of seeing my family at the start. We make our way up this incredible incline. I think to myself, my bridges at home have nothing on this hill, which felt more like a mountain to my quads and calves. Groups of women are chanting things like "KILL THE HILL" and "EARN THE DOWN HILL". I realize that although I don't have my girls with me, I am certainly not alone.

The course continues with hills,up and down, with no rest in between. I hear a women shout from the top of the hill at mile two, "Never waste a downhill" and the crowd moves forward more quickly to utilize the downward momentum. I settle into a pace that feels good, ignoring my watch. Mile marker 4 approaches quickly and I decide it's time to refuel. Espresso Love Gu down the hatch. I look ahead and see the first water stop. Pressing the lap button on my watch, I walk energetically through the water stop. I am amazed how fast the first 1/3 of this race has flown by. I take a sec to text my friends "1/3 done".

Most of the spectators were awesome, interesting to say the least.  

By this time I am in the zone and I'm just going. My mind is on what I need to do, "I'll refuel again around mile 8", "Where is the next turn going to take me" "where on the course are we" (as I picture the paper map). I notice a woman (we'll call her Pink Shirt) in front of me with a shirt on that says "Dear God, please let there be someone behind me to read this." I silently say a prayer as I slowly trot past her, "Dear God, please do not let me be that person,". That young lady and I traded places all race.

As mile 8 appears, I do the math with the clock and realize that I'm doing well. Time to refuel again; Gu, Gatorade and Water. I am now almost 2 hours into the race. The weather is so beautiful; cool and crisp in the shade, slightly warm in the sun. Couldn't have asked for better weather. As my fuel begins to kick in, I round the bend at mile 9 and I see a glorious sight my son running down the sidewalk towards me. I take out my ear buds and smile at him. "Want me to run you in?" he asks. "No that's ok, I'm good" I say instinctively and then realize that I actually am 'good'. He runs with me for a 1/4 mile and my daughters trot along with me for a bit as I drop them off with my hubby. He smiles at me, I smile back but I have to look away. I know with that smile he is saying, "I'm so proud of you", "you're doing great", "I love you". Good tears well up in my eyes and I am completely aware for me, that was the winning moment.

Mile 8

During my training runs the going seemed to get tough around mile 10.5 - 11. I run past mile marker 10 feeling strong and amazed. However, not too long after my legs begin to reject starting up again after a walk interval. Even on a down hill they were screaming NO MORE. Mile marker 11 never seems to come. I knew it was because I was walking more than earlier. I decided from this point I would walk the uphills. Suddenly, I'm fully aware that I haven't seen Pink Shirt in a while. I look ahead and see her with her two friends about a 1/2 a block ahead. I begin to run. I am not going to be 'that person'. She is unaware that I have my sights on her, as I slowly catch up to her, suddenly her friend decides it's a good place to take a picture ("oh thank you sweet Jesus!"). They veer off the course out of my view. I see the mile 12 marker ahead and I think to myself, Amy would tell me "Every step from here is further than you've ever been." At that moment, I wish desperately that I had taken her up on having her run the race with me.

We begin to make our way back into the downtown area, I have 1.1 miles to go. This truly is the hardest mile, not only because it's the last full mile but we are now in the land of big hills again. Pink Shirt passes me, as her friends cheer her along. And I think, "Oh, who cares?" I see mile marker 13, as I round the last bend. And then not a moment too soon, I see my boy, running down the sidewalk towards me. This time I'm not smiling and I can't even manage to take my earbuds out. There are no words, he just comes along side me and runs. I can see the finish, I pick up my pace a little. As we approach the finish, my son breaks away to the sidewalk. I see the Marathonfoto people squatting at the finish and the announcer reads my shirt out loud "Not just another pretty face" he says as he completes his sentence with "Dawn, you are a Women's Half Marathon finisher!" YES!!! I did it!! Wait, it's over??? No, wait! All that work and that's it? It's over?? NO...wait!!! Glorious moment, COME BACK!!! I hear in the background the clanking of metal and realize this precious elderly lady is placing a gorgeous medal around my neck. I stumble through the crowd, half dazed but smiling. Today was a great day! I can't wait to do it again!!

A great big THANK YOU and hugs to my friend Amy who took me under her wing and taught me what racing is all about. Amy, you taught me how to fuel and keep going and you believed in me, even when I didn't believe in myself. Love you bunches, friend and I can't wait to cross the finish line with you in the future. xoxo

So, how's that half marathon training thing going for ya?

What's that, you've barely gotten started?

Well, yes, I am still stuck at the beginning. I spent March - May sick with some yucky virus that would not go away. Every time I ran I landed myself back in bed for a week or two. The beginning of June I finally got that all taken care of and now I'm going full speed ahead to be ready for this race.

We are just 11 short weeks away from The Lady Speedstick Women's Half Marathon!

I'm now 18 days away from my first half marathon, and I'm right on track with my training. Earlier this summer, I was finding it hard to get started. The fear of failure kept me from hitting the pavement...along with the extremely high temps and suffocating humdity. Now, I find that I want to experiment with going a little faster, a little hard, but I know that 2 weeks before the race is not the time to start changing things up. I'll save that for next time (did I just say "next time"?!?). I'm down to one more long run and then one week of taper. After running 11 miles, I know I can complete this race. I am going to have fun and be present at each mile. I look forward to the butterflies in my stomach as I stand at the start line. I'm not good with the unknown, but this time I will embrace it. -Dawn

This year is my year!

How do I know this you ask? Well, it's more of a decision due to circumstances. Specifically speaking there is this little race that happens once a year in Nashville, TN. I have wanted to run this race for a few years now. I always find a reason not to, mostly because I chicken out which is very easy to do when you are attempting something alone. This year my life long friend decided to run, and I have decided to join in. While she and I don't necessarily run together, it's nice to know she's training too. And at the beginning and the end...she will be there. 

If you know me, you know that I cannot do anything this big without a plan. So, here's the plan. Step 1: follow a 9 week training schedule for a 10K. Now I've run a 10K, before but it was a bust. I did it without any preparation because it was a once in a lifetime opportunity. It was a 10K on 10/10/10, and the chance to run that distance on that date will never come back around for me. I had worked the night before (7pm-7am), not had any water to drink in many hours. All that combined with the Florida heat I barely made it, but I did finish, so maybe not an epic fail. This time I will finish strong. I'm getting myself back on a running schedule and my body used to running for a reason not just a leisurely jog.

The 10K I am running is in St Petersburg Florida. It's the 2nd annual race for the fallen officers of 2011. I lived in St Petersburg at the time this happened so it falls perfectly in my schedule and I get to run a race that means something to me.

After this race, I will begin training for the BIG ONE. I'm so excited to push the limits I have set in my head. This is just as much a mental training for me as it is a physical one. Even more, this is about me. I'm gonna work hard, train hard and when it's over, I am going to celebrate what I've accomplished.

-Dawn

The Decision to Resign

Recently I've had a lot of questions regarding my commitment to Beachbody. If you asked me about this six months ago I would have told you "I'm a die hard". I worked out 1-2 times a day. Ate very well and my kids and husband were on board also. Somewhere around July, I realized that I was putting EVERY ounces of effort towards growing this business as a Beachbody Coach and somewhere along the line I lost my focus on my #1 priority and that is my relationship with God. Being a coach had consumed my life and everything came in behind that. I still love running and challenging workout. I eat pretty good most days, and well some days I don't, but this thing called fitness (as important as it is) isn't who I am, it's just a part of me. And you know what, I like it that way.

For those of you who are/were my customers and clients, I appreciate your business and our relationship. I hope that you are still working towards your goals and if you still want or need any help I have the perfect Beachbody Coach that will ROCK YOUR SOCKS OFF.

So, this is me resigning from being a Beachbody Coach and going back to just being me. I like running my own race. I'm not tied to a phone for a coaches call, the computer for a webinar or my phone to keep the business going. I am not an entrepreneur that's not how I was built. I am however a rather awesome wife.mom.nurse...I think I think I'll stick to these things.

Dawn

Panic or Peace....

I've been here before. I know what this is "supposed" to feel like; uneasy in my gut, a feel of scared and overwhelmed in my heart.  I see it in the eyes of my friends when they ask "So, what's next." I respond with "I don't know, I'm just going to enjoy my daughter's birthday and Christmas and God will lead me." I think they think I'm crazy. You see, I've just ended a travel assignment, and technically I'm unemployed. It's 10 days before Christmas and my daughter's birthday is next week. I guess I'm supposed to be anxious or worried about "what's next" but I'm not. I have this peace in my spirit that things are as they should be. You see....

The Bible tells me:
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6&7

I don't know where I'll be in a few weeks. To be honest, I don't know where I'll be tomorrow. The reality is none of us really do. Some of my friends would be very troubled by this concept, but it works for me and my family and to be honest I kinda like it. It gives me ample opportunity to lean on My Father and give it all to Him.

So, as you go through these last days of the Christmas season I leave you with this thought.....

Panic or Peace? The choice is yours. 

Merry CHRISTmas!
-Dawn

 

Loving My Slow Saturday

Today is my day of rest. Running around like crazy most days; with work (including the 2 hour commute to get there), kids, family and oh yeah the limited amount of time I set aside to take care of me (sleep, eat and run), I find that there is very little if any down time. So, today, I am thankful for the rain that has forced us to stay home and not do anything this morning.

I've started working on a new running goal. I feel like I'm starting over even though I've been running on and off over 2 years. I'm not an expert, some days I have a hard time even calling myself a runner but I run...therefore I am.

My first goal is to finish strong in an upcoming 5K (11/12). I have training a schedule that including some hill days that I will run on our bridges since I live in flat Florida and some cross training where I will use P90X to get my muscle mojo going again. I've completed a couple 5K's in the past. However, I've never truly trained for one or completed one feeling strong or like I met a goal that I worked towards. I usually struggle through just to be able to say I've finished. I'm learning there is a difference between being able to finish and being able to finish strong. More about my running later...

Taylor is doing well. Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) is definitely something that we have to manage on a daily basis, sometimes hourly. But like my friend (who also has a daughter with T1D) once said to me "There is life after being diagnosed".

Taylor can do just about anything that any other kid can do. We have found some foods that make her blood sugar shoot through the roof, so we substitute for those. One of those foods are fries, so we bake them. Fried fries aren't good for any of us so I've welcomed the change and the family doesn't seem to care either way. I find it interesting the responses I get when I ask for nutritional facts at a restaurant. Some of the wait staff and managers are very accommodating and other act like I'm a freak of nature for asking such a question. I get the same looks when my older two order sweet tea and my youngest orders diet coke and I smile with approval.

It's been 9 months since she was diagnosed. We've had some highs and some lows (literally), but we are learning how to deal with them and most importantly how to prevent them. I've learned that when she's sick, hurt or even gets an insect bite, we can bet she will be high(er). I've also learned that her lows will come when I least expect it, so I stay prepared with goodies in her "diabetic bag".

Recently we experienced a series of highs that we couldn't explain. She wasn't sick, hurt, or eating anything that we didn't know about (she's very compliant about telling us what she wants to eat so we try to accommodate her when we can). Tommy and I retraced our days and then spent the next 24 hours investigating the details. We thought it was the new needles were had just started using so we switched back to our old brand, but that didn't fix the problem. It was a frustrating problem that we couldn't figure out. We were ready to call her endocrinologist in the morning, but as Tommy held her insulin pen in his hand after giving her insulin, he noticed there was a crack in the glass that holds the insulin. AH HA!!! She was barely getting any insulin due to the loss of pressure from the crack. We are now private investigators as well as parents, LOL.

I'm going to leave you with a quote that has been on my mind today....

"...sacrifice is a requirement of life. You either sacrifice today to reach tomorrow's goals or you give up your dreams in favor of the fleeting comfort that's distracting you. The pleasant reality for those that chose the former is that comfort is abundant when long term goals are achieved."  -Dave Griffin

-Dawn

Florida living from the 'other side'.

Fort DeSoto State Park January 2011

 We made it back home safe and sound from our very snowy trip to Georgia. We had just about 24 hours to pack up and move to our new temporary home. We tied up some lose ends and it wasn't long before we were on the road. We were moved in, Uhaul returned and sitting at the nearest IHOP for dinner by 8pm that night 1/14/2011.We've been here on the west coast of Florida now for a month (is that all it's been???) and we are really enjoying it. We spent the better part of the last two weeks  sharing some crazy virus and we went home the weekend before so we could do the endocrinologist dance.

~ FORT DeSOTO STATE PARK~

~WEEDON ISLAND PRESERVE~

This is our first visit to Weedon Island Preserve. It's a nice little park with a neat dock to fish from. Caitlan used her roller blades and Taylor rode her scooter while Tommy Bryce and I fished. The park closes at dark and of course we fished right up until the last minute and  it being a preservation area there are no street lights...not an easy task to get out of there with my aging eyes (wink, wink).

Bryce and 1 of the 3 flounder I caught.

Hanging out on the dock.

~CARILLON PARK~

 Last weekend we spent some time at Carillon Park. It was very cold to this Florida girl so we didn't last very long but it sure was pretty. There are winding board walks that go over a few big lakes.

We saw some really cool sculptures at Carillon park. This was a really neat one it's of a cowboy that Caitlan and I thought looked a lot like Teddy Roosevelt (Night at the Museum). He was all decked out in chaps looking very old west like yet he was sitting in front of a laptop. We thought he needed some tunes, so we shared Bryce's iPod with him.

 ~HELEN'S HOUSE~

This is a pic of two of the nurses I work with here. Even though I was completely cheering for the Steelers (like I know anything about either team), I thought they were just the cutest pair so I had to share this...a little glimpse into my world here at "Helen's House".

SNOWED IN

After finding myself unemployed for more than a full week, we decided to take an impromptu trip to see our friends in NW Georgia for what was supposed to be the weekend. I thought it would be neat if we saw some snow before we left on Monday morning. Looking at the weather channel, we soon realized there was a "winter storm" headed right toward us. We almost left Sunday morning, in fear that we would get stuck in Georgia. We knew this was a big storm and could leave some significant snow on the ground (at least compared to what this area is used to). This would not only make for some great fun making memories with our kids, but it would also make driving dangerous. Eventually after having a family meeting, we decided not to run.  This was our first decision to live intentionally, even in the midst of fear and the unknown, in 2011.

Our kids had never seen snow and I had never seen snow fall. It was beautiful!! We all sat around bundled up, waiting for the snow to fall. The forecast said it would be 9pm but it was more like 10:30pm. It was amazing. I marveled at my children as they were busy taking it all in. They were running around and playing in it; catching it on their faces and in their mouths. We wrote our names in the snow, made snow angels and used a snow board to slide down a hill into the road and down the street. The snow was so fine and powdery. It was our own little winter wonderland. This was Sunday night.

Monday & Tuesday, we spent most of the day getting dressed and undressed to go out and play in the snow. We walked through our friend's neighborhood to the main road to check it out, but other than that never actually left the house. The fireplace burned day and night and the kids entertained themselves with the boogie boards and four-wheelers.

 

 
So, here we are in the early morning hours of WEDNESDAY and guess what...we are still SNOWED IN. We are planning to leaving in the morning to head home, but we had the time of our lifes these past 5 days with our kids and our extended family, the Kimbroughs. Since we didn't get to spend our annual couple of days together in December (2010) because we were in the hospital, we are calling this our 2010 visit. We've done a lot of nothing and it was great!. We sat around the house, made meals together, had conversations and lots of laughs. Our kids played in the snow and in the house non-stop. With 12 people, there was always something going on.

This was one of the most memorable family vacations we've taken. I'm thankful God gave me this time with my family and friends. He made me slow down and just be. That's something I hadn't been doing, so I grateful to have been snowed in. 

 **UPDATE - We made it home safe and sound Wednesday night.

Our life...forever changed.



Taylor and her friend Jenna, on our way to the movies.



December 21st has always had special meaning, in 1984 my little brother was born and in 2000 our first daughter was born. This year on Decemeber 21st our life again was changed forever. This is the day that our youngest daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes.



Caitlan & her friend Abigail, at the theatre.



We woke up early that day to take the girls to see the movie Tangled for Caitlan's birthday. Caitlan and Taylor both brought a friend. It was a special day, so I allowed each of the kids to get candy and a small drink of their choice, including soda. We all know I am the soda Nazi so I still find this ironic that I allowed this on the very same day all this came about. During the movie Taylor drank the equivalent of 48 ounces. She drank her own, asked for mine and then asked for her friend's. This was my first red flag of the day. We ended up running to the bathroom 2-3 times during the movie (not uncommon for Taylor). Then after the movie we walked to the restaurant. Taylor ran and played on the walk and had to used the bathroom, yet again, at the restaurant. As we were ordering lunch, she announced that she wasn't hungry and only wanted a drink. I soon learn she that she wasn't hungry because her stomach was hurting too much to think about eating. She ordered a 20 ounce Gatorade and drank the whole thing (except for the small amount she kindly shared with her friend). The wheels in my head were turning, as I sat waiting for the food I was thinking about all the little red flags I had noticed throughout the day. As our food arrived, I realize I too have lost my appetite. I grabbed my phone and google diabetes symptoms for the 200th time in her 7 short years. I knew we were teetering on the edge of DKA (diabetic ketoacidosis) and like a light switch I knew it was time to head to the doctor.



Our view from the window in Taylor's hospital room.
Can you see the helicopter on the roof? 



Taylor had made plans to go with her friend so first I went to the doctor's office without her. I think I secretly wanted them to tell me I was crazy. I asked to speak to her pediatrician, but she wouldn't see me without an appointment. I began to feel helpless, but the nurse in me afford me the courage to fight for my patient; my daughter..after all isn't that what we nurses do. I started to explain why I was there and at the same time began to feel as though I was over reacting. Like what I'm saying sounds so absurd. These people aren't going to believe me. They are only going to see this hysterical mother. I couldn't even get the words out. I found myself crying, and all I could say is "I don't know what to do". At this point I wanted to talk to the doctor. I didn't want the office manager to talk to me...I knew what I was talking about and I knew why I was there. I want to talk to someone whose degree says she knows more than me. The doctor still never came to the office where I was crying, but I was told that if I went to get Taylor they would fit her in to be tested that day. I left the office as quickly as I arrived.

When I returned to the doctor's office, we spent a few minutes in the waiting room. It was like I was looking at Taylor for the first time. Suddenly I was seeing her through nurses' eyes. My beautiful little girl with her pink flushed cheeks and her dark red lips was the poster child for dehydration. Her urine that I had to beg her to allow me to catch in a cup was as clear as tap water. God must have been holding me up at this point, because looking at that specimen cup as I placed it on the counter to be checked, I felt as though I could've past out right there. Sitting in the room, the medical assistant came in the do her vital signs and check her blood sugar. Attempting to hide the results of the blood sugar meter with her shoulder, I look over and notice that it says "HI". HI for that particular meter means >600mg/dl and normal is about 70-120. The rest is like a world wind...the next thing I know we are being handed a little pink post-it with direction to the only pediatric endocrinologist in the area (40 miles away). We were told not to go home but to drive straight to the doctor's office.



Just arrived to the hospital.



I did end up driving 3 miles to my house. There was no way I was doing this without my husband who was at home cooking Caitlan's favorite dinner for her birthday. I called my brother on my way home to have him pick up our older two. I walked in the house to tell Tommy. I must have scared the daylights out of him, but I wanted to say what I had to say before the kids followed me in the door. "The tests were positive. Taylor has Type 1 diabetes and we need to go to Melbourne right now. She's going to be admitted to (the hospital) for a few days and that's all I know for now." I didn't want to alarm the kids especially because I hadn't had a chance to talk to Taylor. My brother arrives, and he drives off in one direction with 2/3 of my babies, while we drive in the opposite direction to save the life of our littlest.



One of the therapy dogs brought in for the kids.
Taylor thought he was so neat.



When we arrived at the doctor's office, they smile and say they've been expecting us. We are taken back to an exam room after they weigh Taylor, recheck her urine and blood sugar and do her vital signs. In this room, we are given two bags of stuff. I think to myself "You're a nurse, you know what this stuff is," but I can't bare to look in the bags. The doctor comes in, says alot of things that I already knew, but could barely focus on his words. It wasn't until the end of the conversation that I realized that Tommy was hearing all of these things for the first time. I had taken for granted that I knew what was being said because I learned it in nursing school. I will never forget the look on his face when he realized this was life long. Soon the doctor was asking if we had any questions and then left the room. I looked at Taylor laying on the exam table playing a game on my phone. I rubbed her leg and said "do you have any questions?" Without missing a beat or even looking up at me she says "I just think I'm going to die". As I walked over to the door to call the doctor back in the room, he comes walking back in, and matter of factly looks my baby in the eye and tells her "you are not going to die". He then explains again to her that she will need to check her blood sugar and give herself the insulin that her body doesn't make...but that she "is not" going to die. When your child says those words and you can't fix the problem...that's a pivotal moment.



She called the IV a cast.



Sister signing her "cast".

We went to the hospital to be admitted. As soon as we walked in the door she was showered with gifts. There was an older man and woman volunteer at the admitting desk, who gave her a checkers game, a big pencil and a stuffed animal. When she arrived to her hospital room, there was a brown bag with a coloring book and crayons, a little game and a few more stuffed animals. The nurses brought her another board game for the pain of having the IV in and we woke up with a huge stuffed teddy bear at the foot of our bed with a note on it that said "Have a great day Taylor". The next few days we learned to take care of our daughter. As her blood sugars came down and she became more hydrated we began to see our vibrant, funny little girl emerge again.



She loved having us sign the "cast".



The symptoms had come on so slowly that it was hard to see how they had changed her into a different person, but now we were beginning to see a different yet familiar smiling face appear. Her energy increased, she wasn't waking up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom and we had successfully demonstrated that we could manage her care at home. So, less than 48 hours after being admitted (on the very same day that we brought her older sister home from the hospital ten years earlier) we were discharged home to enjoy Christmas as a family.





This is Taylor on Christmas Eve, the day after she was discharged. She is so excited because we are on our way to Memaw and Papaw's house to open gifts...she doesn't realize that God gave us our Christmas present early by keeping her safe in the palm of his hand.

Today is two weeks since Taylor was diagnosed. We are beginning to find a new normal and learn what it means to have a child with diabetes. There is so much to learn and we are approaching this together as a family. It's hard to believe that one day I am going to turn all this responsibility over to her, but like anything else in this life we will do it one step at a time.  **I'm very proud to say that she has already checked her own blood sugar TWICE.

Run Your Own Race

A very wise woman once taught me about developing a motto...a phrase or sentence in which to live by. This motto could be for a season of life or longer depending on how it applies. I myself found it difficult to come up with a motto that applied to me and my life. Most of the time it was something like "Keep your head above water" "Just keep swimming..." or "This too shall pass...". I look back at these attempts at a motto and realize that I was just trying to survive.

 Even though there are times in our lives when we find ourselves in survival mode (new parents,the toddler years,family tragedy, just to name a few), there is more to life than just surviving. And so was born my motto....

Run Your Own Race

(Luke 10:38-42)

 

This passage attached to my motto is the story of Mary and Martha. You see, Martha had a rather important guest, Jesus. As she was busy preparing her house for Him (possibly cleaning, cooking etc.), her sister was at his feet, hanging on his every word. Martha gets upset and says to Jesus, something like this..."I'm am running around here like crazy and you are just going to let her sit there and not help me? Tell her to get up and help me take care of you." Jesus anwers "Martha, dear Martha, you're fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing. One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it—it's the main course, and won't be taken from her."

Some see this well known Bible story as a way of describing how being hospitable is not always about being busy preparing for your guests. It isn't all about the acts that you do but sometimes it's more important to be like Mary. I whole heartedly agree with this, however I've gained a new perspective from this story. God made us all differently. We aren't all fulfilled by the same things. We aren't made to be good at the same things. This is where "run your own race" comes in. Run with your talents, run with your hearts desires, run with the flow and by all means run with God's gifts in your life. Some would be filled up by sitting at Jesus' feet (I know I would) and some are filled up by cooking him dinner. And sometimes the things that fill us up change throughout our lifetime. 

So, as I walk out this motto "run your own race" (no pun intended).....I am reminded that no one else is like me. I would love to be a mom like June Cleaver or Carol Brady, but I am not them, I am me. I am Tommy's only wife. Bryce, Caitlan and Taylor's only Mommy. I am priceless and cannot be replaced. There are important things in this life that I am here to do, and if I spend my days chasing what others think is important or trying to run someone elses race, because I think what they are doing is right, more important or more worthy than the things I have going on in my life. Then I will have wasted my life.


This coming year I encourage you to dig deep and find the courage to stay true to who you are. Keep your eyes on the road under your own feet and "run your own race".

Living Intentionally

So something's been missing in our lives and we weren't sure what it was. We've tried almost everything and it seemed that nothing fit the void that was there. I thought, maybe we needed to move and find it elsewhere. Well, we never ended up moving but we have decided to "live intentionally". We want to say the things that need to be said, do the things that need to be done, and enjoy the people that God placed in our lives as family and friends.

We've spent the days since the funeral totally engaged in our children and family. It has been so fulfilling. I am completely sure that God has had me on a journey while trying to move (over the past 4 years) to learn something. I was sure that the lesson involved actually moving, but I'm not so sure anymore. You see, our kids are with us so much of the time that we had become numb to the treasures in this life. Going through the day to day life had left us with a "same ol same ol" attitude and we had become stagnant. We have decided that we are not going to be that family. We want to enjoy our children, our family and our friends. We want our children to enjoy their grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins; oh and us too (wink, wink). The kind of connection I'm speaking of is not by chance. It is not developed by having the "same ol same ol" attitude. It is, however, something that is completely intentional. You have to be connected, plugged in and yes vulnerable. I look forward to living intentionally.