The Sum Total Is Love

 

I don't meet your eyes. I give you no time. I don't care to like you. I just don't.

What did you do to me? Nothing.

What are you like underneath it all? It doesn't occur to me.

I am better than you. I am more important than you. Is that what I'm telling you?

You do it to me too, you know. I've surely felt the stab of inadequacy. I've felt you don't care about me. I am nothing. I am less.

Did you know what you were doing anymore than I know when I do it? 

Is this all a lie? Do I really not know when I'm doing it? Do I walk away and know what I've just done and choose to not turn around and change the end of the story?

Are we that callous? How many times a day do we hurt someone and not even care to notice.

I know we're complete strangers, but maybe we shouldn't be.

Don't run up debts, except for the huge debt of love you owe each other. When you love others, you complete what the law has been after all along. The law code- don't sleep with another person's spouse, don't take someone's life, don't take what isn't yours, don't always be wanting what you don't have, and any other "don't" you can think of - finally adds up to this: Love other people as well as you do yourself. You can't go wrong when you love others. When you add up everything in the law code, the sum total is love. - Romans13:8-10 (MSG)

A Little Cancer Goes a Long Ways

For those of you that I haven't caught up with, my ugly mole came back as squamous cell carcinoma. It's a middle of the road skin cancer - worse than basal cell, but not as bad as melanoma. A little wake up call if you will - for many reasons - one being that I need to take better care of my skin and myself in general while I can...the other being that this life is not always as long as we think it will be and we need to make the most of the days we do have. Part of that, for me, means work that makes a difference...something that matters.

The past 8 years, our combined career in our home business has been an absolute God-send in terms of finances and most importantly in being home with our young children. There has not been a day where we've had to leave them to go to work and I know in my heart it was so incredibly good for our kids. Truly a blessing for them and us. Opportunities have recently come up that are allowing us to take a step out and test the waters to see what else there might be in store for us while continuing to run our business from home. Part of this includes me going back to school so to speak and I'll be hitting the books with NASM (The National Academy of Sports Medicine) to get certified in personal training. I have also come across the most fabulous fitness club that screams out my dreams of how I think my life is headed. Their mission statement is: We are passionately committed to changing women's lives in the Northwest by helping them achieve a more healthy and fit lifestyle so they can reach for their personal best. There vision is: A healthier world, one woman at a time. Their motto: Loving life!!

I'm very excited to see where 2010 takes Steve and I. Wish us luck and more importantly, keep us in your prayers.

Can You Believe...

...that THIS boy



was invited to read some of his works at the principle's Author's Tea at school yesterday. He was among 12 other 1st, 2nd and 3rd graders and did such a great job. I am one proud mama!!!

And as Daddy always taught him, "when in doubt, pinky out".

Adventure is Out There

Mai tortures her brother constantly. He is in a stage right now where she is the really buggy sister and he wants NONE of her. This is her most recent effort to drive him over the edge. A loving card from she to he...

Jack.
I am going to kiss you.
I mean it!
Love Mai

So, this was a pretty good weekend ~Yesterday I got to sleep in until 9am!!! Ki and I hit Triple Falls for an almost 3 hour hike, the DUCKS ROCKED in double overtime and I finally got to get back in the pool today. The reason for this was that my stitches came out. Now...I'm not sure yet just exactly how much this mole removal set me back, but I'm pretty sure it was enough to cover the doctor removing my stitches, but instead I was sent home with a kit to do it myself. I don't consider myself to be squeamish at all really, so I had no concerns about the suture removal. In fact, I told Mai that she could do it if she wanted. She decided she didn't want to do the cutting, just the pulling out of the thread. I sat down and started digging around trying to hook the dang threads and the final one would just NOT COME OUT to play. All of a sudden I felt myself get cold sweats and felt the nausea rising up and thought I might just pass out. Ran to the bathroom saying I was going to throw up with Mai on my heels saying she wanted to watch me throw up with Steve on her heels telling her to leave poor Mama alone. So after I pulled it together, we finally got the last one out and I have to say, it's not pretty. I'm having a tough time imagining that this isn't going to leave quite a bit more of a scar than doc said. Still awaiting results.

We spent a lazy afternoon watching my favorite kids movie of the year ~ Up. A must see. Remember...

ADVENTURE IS OUT THERE!!!!

Mission Statement

Polly had a birthday mantra "Life is just too short to spend it any way other than loving Jesus, loving people, and being kind to yourself".

Mai has a daily mission statement



I'm wondering...What do you tell yourself daily?

The Walk

For someone like me
With such short memory,
This Sunday walk was quite the surprise,
The ultimate gift that brought tears to my eyes.

Each memory quickly followed in turn by one more,
They came flooding back 'til I dropped my head to the floor,
Thanking Dear Father God
For such a wonderful life
That has gotten me here to this place,
As a woman, a mother, a friend, and a wife.

One Grandmother's whistling, the other one's yodeling,
Their houses, their presence, so warm and inviting,
Two such important women to a child back then,
The memories of them now, still etched deep within.

Grandpa's jerky so salty up on the fridge,
My cousins and I would take turns opening that crumpled brown bag,
Then passing each other as we took turns at the freezer,
Where Ran kept all the holiday treats,
Fighting a turn with the Aunties with their own fists full of sweets.

A call from Grandpa Frank,
He asked how I was.
I felt just awful. How did he know?
That one and only simple conversation over the phone
Saved in my memory from so long ago.

Floppies and card games at Grandma Ruth's house,
Surrounded by so many, so loud, so much laughter.
Do you know I remember not a single frown,
This family I was blessed with, bringing each other up, not down.

Little brother and I lying on the floor side by side
Toasting our feet at the hearth,
Perry Como crooning songs, keeping the Christmas spirit alive,
Mom's dinner smells so good as we wait for Dad to arrive.

Most days while walking
I don't pay close attention,
But today, quite alert, with my eyes to the sky
I was primed for God's gift and I tell you no lie,
These memories have shaped me,
They're all back clear in my mind.


And all of this I swear ~ no joke,
Happened because of some sweet chimney smoke.

Julie Arts 2009

Moles and Squash

Why is it that even if you are a back or side sleeper, as soon as you get pregnant all you want to do is sleep on your tummy? I'm experiencing the same dilemma with my ugly, scaly mole removal. I usually cross my right leg over my left leg when sitting, now it takes all I have in me to not cross my left over my right.

I don't know if it is appropriate to post this picture of lunch right after a picture of stitches, but here goes. I have never had acorn squash before and had no idea on why I bought one last week until I came across this blog post  yesterday morn and realized it was all set in motion for a reason - YUM>>>
I replaced the cheddar with pepper jack (I used less cheese than recipe called for) and added turkey sausage for some protein and had to remove the spinach because I'm not a cooked spinach type of girl and it was sooooo good!

I'm feeling a bit antsy to get back in the pool, but have to wait until the stitches come out. I'm ok'd for light running on Monday so I think a flat trail hike will be fine for today. I see no reason that would stretch the stitches, so since the rain is holding off, Ki and I will probably hit a trail today. Have a great Saturday everyone!!!!

Today Matters

Gosh, I love this boy! Sweetest one you'll ever find. I love that his eyes get all teared up whenever something is exciting or important to him. I love that he loves to hug me. I love that he's a lover, not a fighter.

Just for Today...

Just for today... I will choose and display the right attitudes.
Just for today... I will determine and act on important priorities.
Just for today... I will know and follow healthy guidelines.
Just for today... I will communicate with and care for my family.
Just for today... I will practice and develop good thinking.
Just for today... I will make and keep proper commitments.
Just for today... I will earn and properly manage finances.
Just for today... I will deepen and live out my faith.
Just for today... I will initiate and invest in solid relationships.
Just for today... I will plan for and model generosity.
Just for today... I will embrace and practice good values.
Just for today... I will seek and experience improvements.


Just for today... I will act on these decisions and practice these disciplines, and

Then one day... I will see the compounding results of a day lived well.


(From John Maxwell's Today Matters)

*************************************************************

You don't make decisions because they're EASY;
You don't make decisions because they're CHEAP;
You don't make decisions because they're POPULAR;
You make decisions because they're RIGHT.

(From John Maxwell's Today Matters)

Watch This If You Like Huffing & Puffing & Bad Videography

It's kind of pointless to put this video up except that I need feedback on what went wrong. When I was putting the video together it looked much better than it does once it's posted to youtube. There is so much blurriness - is it because I was moving? Again, this doesn't make sense, because the video was not this poor prior to posting on youtube.
UPDATE: I just watched the vid on Jack's computer and it looks pretty good. So let me know if you do manage to watch this...was it clear or sucky for you?

Anyways, Ki and I decided to play hookie for a couple hours today and went hiking up to Angels Rest.

Cloudy With a Chance of Laundry

Had an easy breezy weekend. Mai fell asleep as a sweet pea...

 

and as usual woke up a Rock Star. 

 

 

We had a nice hike up at Powell Butte. That girl can't keep her feet on the ground...unless of course, there is a mud puddle to jump into.

 

 

The brisk 50 degree Fall air out the truck window was the perfect way to dry her feet on the way home.

 

 

Sweet Boy got his very first soccer trophy at a fun pizza party. 

 

The Fast Girls running group met for the first time on the waterfront. 

 

 

Mama got to sit in a vibrating chair while someone else picked and scrubbed and trimmed and painted her dirty feet while talking to her wonderful friend, Sheryl, about what it's like to be an IRONWOMAN!! 

Enough fun, now on to the laundry...

Give me a "D" ...Give me a "Q"

DQ,  R.E.I,  B&N.
Alphabetical torture. This is what happens when I have no predetermined plans for those short 3 hours when both kiddos are in school. I hit DQ on the way to the mall. After I gave up my last $3.79 for a plastic spoon dipped in Heaven, I figured what the H and went shopping.Of course, having canceled my credit card in an attempt to follow through on Jack Canfield's Success Principle #28 and make my husband happy, I was forced to use said husband's own plastic for my purchases. Tomorrow I promise to be better. Or...
Monday by the latest.

Fast Girls

Had a nice night last night meeting with a new running group. The Fast Girls are working towards a 4 hour marathon in 4 months. Actually only 3 months because the race some are doing is in early Feb. There was someone there who has never run before. Someone who has only done 5 and 10ks and most everyone else has done 2 or more marathons. Sherrie's done 21!! Such a great group of ladies!

Of the 5 TNT peeps there, I was the only one that did not go on to do a full IM this year. Same training, same backgrounds, same approx age - made me start to wonder why I haven't gotten the bug like they did...oh ya...kids! IM is SUCH a commitment! I can't blame the kids for all of it though - the fitness level needed to do even the 1/2s has eluded me these last two years. Of all the TNTers there, none are going back to TNT this year and no one knew of any 1/2IM alum that are returning. The Coeur d'Alane IM is the same weekend as Pac Crest and also, I think many are taking a break from fund raising as most of us have done multiple years in a row. In a way it made me sad that we're not all able to fund raise again this year, but in another way it made me happy because that means that I'll have people to train with.

So my plan over the next months and the start of tri season is to get my legs healthy, concentrate on getting my mileage up to at least 15 mile long runs again and work on speed. I think I'll try some shorter tris this year and maybe save the 1/2 irons until late in the season or for next year (meaning 2011) altogether. This is, of course, all subject to change as friendly enthusiasm rubs off on me, but really, I just want to concentrate on getting healed and getting faster this season.

Today Jack Canfield wants me to take care of unpaid debts. I have one personal credit card that drives Steve nutso that I keep a balance on it. This in turn drives me nuts....So I guess the best thing is to just get it paid off and not use it anymore. I've cancelled it and should have it paid off next month. Well, that was simple...guess I can try to get some unfinished business from day 1 done today.

Pom Freckles

Mai and have come to love poms this week. Do you see her pom freckles that she acquired after I ripped apart two pieces? She has decided she doesn't like the seeds, so just de-juices them in her mouth and then out come the seeds. I, on the other hand, love the crunch!

Yesterday's biggest lesson for me from The Prayer That Changes Everything (PTCE) was that it is easy to praise God for the beauty of this Earth ~ the wonders of the world, waterfalls, beautiful sunsets, but that we often don't praise God for other people - in particular those that are hard to love. This entire chapter was worth the read for this reminder. He is my creator, he is their creator.

I managed to somewhat successfully complete Day one of Jack Canfield's task regarding former business activities. My shredder was kept busy and my desk got clean. Unfortunately, regular work took more time than I thought, so this will be continually worked on throughout the month.

Today I need to look at promises not kept, not acknowledged, or not renegotiated. I will respond to a client's question that's been on my desk since last week or longer and I'm going to ask Steve and the kids if they have something they want to remind me of. This should be interesting.

GREAT BREAKING NEWS!! I ran yesterday! Four miles and relatively pain free. Just before mile three I felt something pull in my heel and I immediately had pain up my ankle for about 30 seconds or less and then it went away and the rest of the run was fine!! As soon as I pulled it to a walk going up our hill though, the ankles started talking...BUT THE RUN WAS FINE!! My legs are sore today. I can't remember ever being this sore after a short run - that goes to show you how long I've been out of it! If Mike doesn't need me to take him swimming today, I might just try another run - otherwise tomorrow.

This is great timing because a TNT teammate is starting a running group to improve speed - most are trying to get to a 4 hour marathon for a Feb race, which I don't think I would be able to do with lack of base, but it would be fun to start running with a group again. We're meeting tonight!

November Challenge

VIDEO IS FOR GRAMMY AND GRAMPY



Before this month gets away from me, I decided to accomplish a couple of things. I've got three things in the works and I can't wait to see some great stuff come out of November. First, I am following through on Jack Canfield's Success Principle 28 "Clean Up Your Messes And Incompletes". If you saw me on Facebook yesterday losing my mind because I couldn't find a stinkin' library book that was due, you can understand why I need to work on the "messes" part. There are 25 things Canfield wants me to do. Today is:

Former Business Activities. For this, today, I will finish up all the unfinished business possible for an old client. Some things will have to wait, but what can be done today will be done. I will also get rid of anything I have lying around from other old business associates - I imagine that some office cleaning will happen in this process :-)

I am also committing to reading a chapter a day out of a book I got from the library yesterday. I'm not a huge fan of Stormie Omartian, but this book looks different for her. It's "The Prayer That Changes Everything - The Hidden Power of Praising God". It's separated into two sections. The first is Fifteen Reasons to Praise God Now. The second section is Fifteen Times When Praise is Crucial.

My third November goal is really exciting, but very personal. At the end of the month I will share with you if my goal was reached and how I'm feeling about it.

So...Welcome November...you're looking great!!!

Classic Jack

Clips from Mai's last soccer game (she's wearing long black sleeves) and some Classic Jack (NOT Classy Jack, "Classic Jack"). My favorite parts of Mai's video are the first clip where she throws the ball in to herself to score a point. Also at 32 seconds or so when she puts a boy down...down to the ground.