Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Life in Perspective

Sometimes something happens in life that reminds you to slow down. To take stock and give thanks for the gifts you've been given.


Sometimes something happens in life that makes you realize that love and pain are so intertwined that it can be hard to tell them apart.

I haven't prayed much since I lost my mom.  My faith and belief have been shaken.  But today I'm putting my gripes with my maker aside and praying.  Praying with all my heart and soul for a little life that has already touched so many.  Praying for his family.  Praying.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Beyond the Pink Ribbon

Who does not know what a pink ribbon stands for?  The color pink has become synonymous with breast cancer.  Throughout the month of October virtually every store and business finds a way to go pink in support of breast cancer education. I would say the effort to educate the public about breast cancer, the risk and the need for regular screening has been a screaming success.  

On the other hand we have so far to go in the search for a cure.

  • Every 3 minutes one person in the U.S. is diagnosed with breast cancer
  • More than 1.4 million women are diagnosed with breast cancer a year globally
  • Every 69 seconds a woman dies of breast cancer

It is my belief that as a community we need to shift our focus from education to research.  Cutting edge research that will one day find a cure for this horrific disease. 

That is why I am so proud that 75% of funds raised by The 3-Day go to ground-breaking research focused on decreasing breast cancer incidence and mortality over the next decade.

Monday, November 28, 2011

Finding Time

So I'm training for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day where I will walk 60 miles in 3 days to raise money for breast cancer research and education.  Right now this sounds very daunting to this out-of-shape, post-baby body.  Thank goodness I have close to 11 months to get my body ready for this challenge.

BUT . . . 

I have great intentions, I really do.  I plan to get up early and walk.  But in order to walk and get to work in time I need to leave the house by 5:30 and with two little ones who are still learning how to sleep those early morning hours are REALLY REALLY HARD.  It's dark by the time I get home with the boys and I'm a afraid of my own shadow so taking the boys on a walk after work is out of the question.  Weekends are a whirlwind and with the holiday's coming up time is at a premium.

I'm at a loss and need a workable solution otherwise I am going to be one sorry lady in 11 months!

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Where did my Baby Go?

Today my Sam turned two! Two years since I first laid eyes on that beautiful baby. The child that would remind me what true joy and happiness was again.

Dear Sam,

Today we celebrated your second year of life with a day of play and fun with Grandpa Jay and Uncle Joe Joe.  You played "night night" with your uncle and read books to your baby doll.  It's like you knew it was a special day, you were too excited to nap!

You have grown so much over the last year.  Learning to walk and run and dance and talk.  You always waited until you were sure before doing anything.  Not walking until 15 months or talking until 20 months.  It's like you wanted to be sure you would succeed before trying.  But I could watch you thinking about it.  Working it out in your head.  You are such a thoughtful and deliberate boy. 

Once you decided to walk you took off and now I can barely slow you down.  And once you decided to talk we couldn't get you to stop.  You learn at least a dozen words a day.  Today you said the words that I will forever hold in my heart "I love you!"

You are always on the go but I can still get you to slow down for an occasional snuggle and I secretly love when you ask me to "rock" even in the middle of the night.  When you bury your head into my neck I realize that you are still my baby boy - I want to hold onto those moments as long as I can!

You love Elmo, your brother and your Daddy.  You love to stack blocks, and count in both English and Spanish, and you adore buses.  You dance and sing and spin.  You love books and will read them over and over and over again.  I hope you never lose your love of reading.  

Sam, you have taught me so much over the last two years - patience and love beyond bounds.  You have filled a broken heart with so much love -- mending it piece by piece.  You have brought joy and light to my life and because of you I am a better person.

I am so blessed and lucky to have been choosen to be your Mommy.   

I love you my sweet boy and can't wait to see what lies ahead for us.

Forever yours,
Mommy

Friday, November 25, 2011

Thankful

Yesterday I declared that this year I will focus on giving thanks for the things that I do have instead of what was taken away from me two and a half years ago.

In that vain:
I am thankful for girlfriends to share laughter, and walks with.
I am thankful for my two boys who fill my life and heart with joy on a daily basis.
I am thankful for my husband who reminds me constantly what unconditional love is.
I am thankful for a brother that continually surprises me with what a caring, supportive and loving man, and uncle he has grown into.
I am thankful for a father whose resiliency inspires me.
I am thankful for a strong and supportive family who held me up, while my heart began to heal.
And I am thankful for having my mom for the time that I did. I was blessed with a relationship few people have with their mom and for that I am most thankful!

What are you thankful for?

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Walking so my Children Don't Have To

This past weekend my team mates and I ventured out on our first training walk. Babies in strollers and sneakers tied tight we were off!

The girl talk started and carried us the full five miles. Somewhere about 4 miles into the walk we started talking about the amazing adventure this is going to be. How moving the stories we would hear and share would be. We looked at the babes in their strollers and one of us -- quite frankly I can't remember who -- said "We are doing this so our kids never HAVE to walk."




Enough said!