In Sickness and In Health

Today is Bruce and I's eleventh wedding anniversary.  It's also Bruce's birthday.  We did marry on his birthday and to answer the question everyone always asks, "No, it was not so he wouldn't forget our anniversary."  He doesn't forget things like that - truly he doesn't, it just ended up being the perfect date.  The day isn't exactly going as planned - Caris is sick with coughing and wheezing, and we took turns being up with her all night.  He did get to play golf this morning; we often have the fun discussion of how we will celebrate this fine day with "Well, it's my anniversary and well, it's my birthday!"  I had my whole morning planned to run errands - buy the perfect cards (no, I have NOT bought a birthday or an anniversary card yet - who wants to drag 4 kids into Hallmark!), get a cake, buy wrapping paper, and spend some time relaxing with the kids before our date tonight.  Instead I dragged Caris and myself out of bed at 6:45 a.m. to watch cartoons with a bucket in my lap hoping to catch her vomit (she's coughing so hard from the phlegm).

Little did I know that 11 years ago when we said our vows, "in sickness and in health" would pertain more to our kids than ourselves, at least at this point!.  Between Toby's special needs, twelve surgeries total between two of our kids, three in glasses, and recently Caris' upper respiratory issues (or asthma - they did put her on Pulmicort today), it certainly has tested our faith!  Through it all, I am thankful to God that I married my best friend and he is the only person I would want by my side through these mountains and valleys.  He keeps me sane when I'm panickingl, he has me laughing when I cry, and he's the love of my life.  I love the quote from a book in the At Home in Mitford series by Jan Karon - a character named Billy Watson is married to Rose, his schizophrenic wife, and the main character asks him why he's stuck with her all these years, he says something like, "I gave her my word, don't ya know."  We gave each other our word and that's that!

Jut a bit ago, Bruce tore apart the car seat that is filled with vomit from our ride home from Caris doctor's appointment.  We had enough time to squeeze in some present exchanging - complete with his present wrapped in a cardboard box and a brown paper sack with no card (that's the Fabian way!).  Then we cleaned out the car seat, he took a shower, and he's off again to see a movie with Conor and Garrett.  I am ready for a nap after only three hours of sleep.  At the risk of shedding a few tear over the day not turning out the way I planned, I'll relate what his anniversary card said because it sums up today perfectly:

"Real love takes more than flowers

and beautiful words

It means keeping promises,

holding on when it's difficult

and supporting each other 

And despite the passage of time and change,

your love remains

quietly in the midst of it all

forever alive and real

forever beautiful."

Happy Anniversary to my sweetheart - I love you with all my heart! 

Piggy Tails

I've done it...I've actually been able to get Caris' hair up into a ponytail.  I'm often asked if she holds still to get her hair done, and she does...somewhat.  Usually I have to put a video in or hold her down with my legs, but she's fairly cooperative.  Having a girl has been an entirely new experience for me - more screaming, more emotions, but oh so much fun.  The hair is certainly a challenge, I'm used to not even combing the boys' hair - just running out the door on the way to church or school.  I cut their hair with clippers (buzz cuts), and so Caris's hair frightens me.  I can't cut girls' bangs to save my life.  I did try to snip them the other day and the front of her hair looks like I gave her a bowl cut - (I won't post pictures of that debacle!).

I ended up cutting them entirely too short.  One of our night nurses gave me some good tips on cutting Caris's bangs.  She said to twist her hair and then snip - I did that with the rest of her hair, so it did cover up the mess I made (but just a bit).  Here's a picture of matching pony tails - mommy and Caris.
She is also learning many new words - the latest one is very clearly "Shoes" - you can hear the "sh" sound and the ending "s" sound...definitely a girl - that her first really understandable word would be shoes!  Her favorite shoes are her generic crocs, and she puts them on and asks to go "side" - which means outside.  Girls are certainly a whole 'lot of fun!

Why I Run

I really do love to run.  There's something exhilarating about having an end goal and reaching it.  It truly is in my blood - have you noticed that people either love running or you hate it?  It started when I put my first pair of shoes on in eighth-grade track!  In those days (and through high school) I ran the two-mile relay, the mile, two-miler, and get this - hurdles!!  Yup - you heard me...hurdles - these short legs ran hurdles.  (My mom held the record in the same high school for awhile on the 100-meter hurdles - and we are the same height!).  I wasn't ever very good at it, never went to states.  I would place a few times, improve my times, but I doubt I'll ever place in the top-three in my age bracket in any race - even when I'm 60 and still running (hopefully if my knees don't give out!).  This year I've decided to run the Columbus 1/2 Marathon - my training is spotty at best (with 4 kids, a child with special needs, and a busy schedule it's hard for me to find the time to consistently run every day), but I'm trying!
I have a few reasons for decided to run this race this year. One is because this will be my first 1/2 marathon. I've ran a few longer races through the years - the Crim (10 miler) in Flint, Michigan, a few 5K's, and then ten years ago was my longest race - a 30K (18.6 miles) in Hilliard - it was a race that was a part of the Columbus Marathon Training circuit.  I haven't ever run a marathon, but my goal is to do one either next year or the following.  I've always wanted to run one, but the last nine years haven't been conducive to training for a race like that.  Finally, I think our kids are at an age where I might have time to train a bit!  
The second reason I want to run this race is that I am using it as a tool to raise money for Marathons for Moms.  (Please go to the web-site and read about their purpose!)

So this year I am running with a purpose - to raise money for M4M.  It's a fund-raiser that is close to my heart especially after having Toby.  When I was pregnant with him we found out at 21-week through ultrasound that he had Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus, and ultimately a high risk doctor even presented us with the choice to terminate my pregnancy.  For us it wasn't something we even considered, but for many out there they feel it's their only option.  Many unborn babies, especially ones with special needs are NEVER given a chance at life.  Let's be honest, society doesn't exactly treasure children, let alone children that will need many resources (education, money, therapy) for their entire lives.  So in a way I run for Toby - because of God's grace, we had the knowledge and resources to have our baby and give him the best possible life.  I run for all those babies out there that need a chance, but ultimately I run for Christ.  I heard this song this morning while I was attempting a 7-miler.  It's by Barlowe Girl and it's something I am striving to do even though I fail miserably.  See the words below.  Also if you would like to support my efforts - it's just a $1.00 per mile donation (that's $13.10) and if you are a runner and feel led - you can also join the fundraising effort by going to the link that says "Marathons for Moms".  Any person can do it - in any race they are running (or walking too!!) across the entire nation.  Here's the link to my fundraising page. Carrie's page 

"Keep Quiet"

Jesus, Jesus why's your name offensive Why are we so scared to tell this world You've saved us When all of the hope of the world's in Your name, yeah Why are we so scared to say Oh Jesus Oh Jesus If I avoid to speak Your name Tell me would You do the same to me If relevance becomes my goal Tell me will I lose You to its hold But if I keep quiet they'll never see I'm different Jesus, Jesus why's your name offensive Why are we so scared to tell this world You've saved us When all of the hope of the world's in Your name Why are we so scared to say Oh Jesus, Oh Jesus I'm sorry I cared about my name more than Yours I'm so sorry how could I hide You anymore But if I keep quiet They'll never see I'm different Jesus, Jesus why's your name so offensive Why are we so scared to tell this world You've saved us When all of the hope of the world's in Your name Why are we so scared to say Oh, Jesus Oh, Jesus Oh, Jesus