What happened?

Has anyone seen my background because it appears I have lost it... along with my creativity to blog.

Bella must have gotten her creativity from her Daddy...

My first 5k

Yes you read that right!

I participated in my first 5k this past Saturday!

I started running 8 weeks ago with a podcast program from Running Mate Media called 5k 101. I instantly fell in love with it. "Todd" starts you out really slow and builds your confidence and endurance. Every week when it was time to run further and longer I would think "there's no way I can do that" and then I would do it! It is such a sense of accomplishment that it makes you want to keep going.

The only problem is I ran the entire program on my treadmill and at the end you are encouraged to enter a 5k near you. Well that meant running outside and since I had not been running outside I knew my lungs were not going to like the 38 degree weather that was forecasted for the time of the run. I signed up anyway and as anticipated I wasn't able to "run" the entire 3.1 miles BUT I did finish and I helped raise money for Paradise Bound Ministries. That is the mission that my oldest 2 daughters and I served at this past summer in Guatemala.

My friend Karen and I discussing our strategy. She was only on week 7 of the program and still decided to join me. Very impressive! She has been running the outside for the entire program.

And we are off!

Karen ran the entire way! She finished before me. She rocked it! Libby joined me at the end to cheer me on... in her FLIP FLOPS! Who raised that kid?

See? I finished! That was the goal.


We did it! I was SO bummed that I couldn't run the whole thing. I can complete a 5k on the treadmill... in the warmth but I am now even more determined to complete one outside. I am going to start running outside tomorrow. My wonderful family was cheering me on the entire way. I love them. Karen already sent me a link to a 5k in March so stay tuned my 5k story has just begun.

Top Ten {Tuesday}: Why my kids text me

In no particular order because I'm random like my kids....

1. I forgot my ______ can you bring it to school? (The secretary knows me on a first name basis.)

2. Can I have some of the ______ in the fridge? (At least they ask first.)

3. I'm running late. (and I am hoping this text will save my butt)

4. I got a great grade on my exam! (The first one all semester so I am going to be sure to tell you)

5. Can you put some money on my card? (Interpret as: I haven't done my laundry for weeks and I have a date tonight.)

6. Can I go to ______ after school?

7. When are you going to be home? (This ranks right up there with "are we there yet?")

8. What's your plans for this weekend? (Interpret as: I need a ride home from college will you come get me?)

9. Skype? (Interpret as: I love you mom and I miss you.) <--- I love that one!!!

10. I found a great deal on __________ will you pay me back if I buy it? (Interpret as: I don't want to waste my money on it but I will gladly waste yours on it.)

(for more Top Ten Tuesday posts, visit ohamanda.com)

MSU Homecoming Weekend

Can you see him? Can you tell who he is? We (we being my 16 year old daughter) were so hoping to get a little closer to him. As in so close we (16 year old daughter) could get a picture WITH him not just OF him. If you are still wondering who "he" is... It is Gerard Butler from the movie "300" or for those of us (me) who don't watch that kind of movie (super gory) you might know him from "PS:I love you". He has a line in the movie "300" where he is playing King Leonidas and he shouts out "SPARTANS, WHAT IS YOUR PROFESSION?" and the army of Spartans yell back "HA-OOH! HA-OOH! HA-OOH!" It has become an MSU tradition when it is 3rd down for the opposing team they play that clip from the movie on the "big board".

This weekend was Homecoming and for those of you not following MSU football (is there anyone who doesn't?) they went into the weekend 6-0. Head Coach Mark Dantonio got Gerard Butler to come to East Lansing for the weekend to get the players pumped up for the game. He also opened the game with yelling into the crowd the chant from "300".


Note the lady in front of us fist bumping too soon... she couldn't handle the excitement either.


Here he is again (leather jacket and sunglasses). He watched the game from the sidelines, on the field, right in front of us, slightly distracting... for the 16 year old of course.


Another really fun part of this game is who was playing in it. #37 was Zack's roommate last year and is a fellow thrower for the MSU track team. He decided to go out for the football team as a walk on and he made it. This was the first game he was allowed to dress for. Very exciting!


I wish I had taken my camera along but it is big and bulky so we had Mark's and it doesn't take the greatest of pictures. If you are wondering why our other 2 daughters aren't in the picture, well they aren't such big sport fans but they do like to shop. Does that make any sense? Maybe this will help, it is $50 a ticket and we only get 2 free (Mark played for MSU) so we let the kids decide. Come with us or stay home, get fun snacks, rent a movie, and get $20. We come out way ahead on that deal. I wish they would come with us but not if they are going to keep asking "home much longer is this game?"


Saying goodbye to the "big guy". He stole some toilet paper out of the back of my suburban (what? don't you store extra toilet paper in your trunk? OK I confess I was lazy getting groceries and left it in there.) apparently the toilet paper that the dorm supplies isn't so soft, poor baby. He also stole a mint from his momma. That can cost you your life or at least a slapped hand. I take my mints seriously.

Oh wait I almost forgot.... MSU 36 Illinois 6!!!!!!!!!!
MSU is now 7-0.

Wordless Wednesday - Fall love

On a side note... does anyone have any tips for making the trampoline stop letting off black?

See other Wordless Wednesday participants at 5 Minutes for Mom.

Face to face time!

Kristine, Ginger, Melissa
Me, Denise, Sue
(I "borrowed" this picture from Ginger's facebook page)

I had a wonderful time with some wonderful women Friday night. Sue from Praise and Coffee opened her house up so that we could come meet Melissa from Mel's World who was visiting from Florida. We forgot to take the picture at the beginning of the night (when everyone was there) so Jaime isn't in the picture. To read about the night hop over to either Denise's blog or Ginger's blog.

I received a request from Melissa and Ginger for the recipe for the Apple Dip I brought. What a better way to "wake up" my blog then to share a recipe. Wink!

Apple Dip

1/2 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. chopped pecans
1/2 c. sour cream
1/2 c. mini chocolate chips
1 c. chopped dry roasted peanuts
8 oz. cream cheese

Mix all together and serve with tart apples.

Hint: To keep cut apples from browning soak in pineapple juice after cutting.

Camping

Last weekend we went camping with my family. We have been doing this for quite a few years now and I really look forward to it. We also celebrated 3 birthday's while we were there that we hadn't been able to get everyone together for until then.

Mark and my sleeping arrangements.

Kaylyn and Libby's sleeping arrangements.
Anna slept in a different tent and Zack slept at home to care for the dogs but joined us during the day.

Everyone getting their birthday desserts and Mark looking for seconds. Wink!

Emily trying out the party favors.

Emily thanking Aunt Jodi for her birthday gift.

Isn't she beautiful!

The first day we arrived at the village that we were building 4 houses in a sweet little old lady came up to me and took my hand and kissed it. I don't speak Spanish and she didn't speak English but it was communicated loud and clear how thankful she was. The funny thing is none of the 4 houses being built were for her. The family that was recieving the house by her had taken her in. Her husband had passed away and she didn't have any children. The little structure in the picture is her house. Did you catch that? That structure, not much bigger than an outhouse, is her HOME! The amazing thing is she happy. She feels blessed by the family that took her under their wing. She is overflowing with joy that they are getting a home. Pretty amazing lady!


When one of the guys with us asked her if I could get a picture with her she immediatly started "tidying" herself up. She took the shawls off her head, pulled her hair back, wiped her face, it just made me chuckle inside. We woman have to look our best no matter what country we live in.

I am so glad Kevin quick snapped a picture of her "preparing" herself. He thought it was as cute as I did.

Now what he didn't get a picture of is us trying to get her to smile in the picture. He wasn't translating it right and she didn't know what he was asking of her so I took my hand and pushed up the corners of my mouth to try to explain "smile". So she took her hand and did exactly what I was doing. Oh my goodness it was hilarious. We gave up and just took the picture. Of course as soon as the picture taking was over she was smiling from ear to ear again. Sweet lady!

Coming Soon?

Hopefully I will have time soon to share about our trip to Chimaltenango, Guatemala.
It was truly amazing.

Guatemala or bust

I leave tomorrow for Guatemala with my oldest 2 daughters. We are going to be building 4 houses while we are down there. Here is a link to the mission we are going to be staying at for anyone who wants to follow along.

Team Allendale

Wordless Wednesday - Another thrower in the house.

Kaylyn was a freshman this year and qualified to go the state track meet for discus. She set a new personal record at the meet breaking her old one by 4'. She had a great day. We were so happy to see her excitement.

See other Wordless Wednesday participants at 5 Minutes for Mom.

Summer is here!

I am hoping with summer will come a more laid back life that offers some time to blog. Time will tell.

This picture is from last Sunday. Mark and I were just turning out of the parking lot at Karmanos Cancer Center in Detroit from visiting my sister and this was in the sky. Right after I took the picture another plane came through and drew the arrow piercing the heart but by then the heart was getting hard to see anymore.


Unfortunately my sister is still in the hospital following her bone marrow transplant. She is on day +54 bmt today. She has developed pneumonia now and could use prayers that she stops throwing up as she tries to eat again and her body just isn't accepting it well.

Strong willed dog.

I tried to get her to come inside before I left but I didn't have the time to "argue with her". I knew it would rain before I got home. This is what I came home to. Think she will listen to me next time?

My sister Jodi.

I haven't spoken much about my sister and her battle with Multiple Myeloma on here. Mostly because I want to honor her privacy. She needs prayers. Her white blood count is still at zero and she is 18 days since her bone marrow transplant. White blood counts usually start coming back up on day 10-12.

I wanted to post today more to tell you how amazing her and her husband are through all of it. I have seen love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control demonstrated in them throughout all of this. It can't be comprehended or explained from a worldly perspective. Jesus has them in his arms and is carrying them through this physical battle. Thank you to those of you who have been praying for her. Prayers are being answered. Please continue to lift Jodi and Randy up in prayers.

This song was sang in church this morning. It really moved me even though I have heard/sang it many times before, it has taken on a new meaning to me.

"Lord our eyes are fixed on you and we are waiting for your garland of grace as we praise your name."

I was reminded that my joy can ONLY be found in Christ. Any other joy, including a positive report on my sister's health, is only temporal. True joy and peace can only come from God. I pray that you have found the true joy and peace that only God has to offer.

If you would like to read more specifics on Jodi's journey let me know and I will give you a link to her care page.

Too Funny!

Not sure why it is falling off my screen because it is the smallest size option so you might want to view it at YouTube. I think if you click on it you will be re-directed to it on YouTube.

Taken by Libby

Libby loves to use my camera and I love finding pictures on it that she has captured. Here is one of my favorites from our Spring Break trip. This was taken while we were visiting the Arch in St. Louis, MO. Isn't it a beautiful picture from a 10 year old?

Wordless Wednesday - Hiking in Arizona

My dad and my daughter, Kaylyn, while hiking in Bear Canyon up to 7 falls during Spring Break last week.
I love this picture!

See other Wordless Wednesday participants at 5 Minutes for Mom.

Wordless Wednesday - You're his mom?!?!

Why do people find it so how to believe I am his mom? It's not like he was born this size.
He wasn't even my largest baby.

See other Wordless Wednesday participants at 5 Minutes for Mom.

Have you forgotten?

Have you forgotten about Haiti and the earthquake? I pray that you haven't and that you are continuing to pray for Haiti. Here is a link that Tara Livesay posted today about living through those first few hours after the earthquake. Grab some tissues before clicking on the link. I think you will need them.

The Livesay [Haiti] Weblog

Pictures from July 2008

Anna walking through the village with some of the kids.

A sweet young boy who was fascinated with my camera. That is Zack behind him.

A precious little girl waiting for her lunch at a food distribution program.

A beautiful mother who actually wanted her picture taken even though she doesn't appear to. She was all smiles when I showed her the picture after I had taken it. I showed it to the mom and kids in the background also and they were so excited to see themselves in the picture.

There is so much death in Haiti (even before the earthquake) that I often look at these pictures and wonder how the families are doing but even more so since the earthquake.

Let's not forget to keep them in our prayers.

Guatemala bound this summer

This is a letter my oldest daughter wrote to mail out to family and friends about our upcoming trip to Guatemala this summer:

This summer from July 19 through July 26 my sister Kaylyn, my Mom, and I will be going to Guatemala on a mission trip with Lighthouse Community Church youth group and Paradise Bound Ministries. I am sending this letter to ask for your support. I would like to share with you more about the trip, why we are going, and what we will be doing there. I would also ask that you consider supporting the trip either financially or through your prayers.

The time spent in Guatemala will be spent building homes for local villagers who currently reside in mud floor, corn-stalk huts. The homes we will be building are steel frame houses with dry wall interior, cement-board and stucco exterior, and a poured concrete floor. They are 12’x12’. They are incredibly nice homes compared to the corn-stalk huts of the villages.

In addition to the home building, we will also be holding two medical clinics. These clinics will be located in remote mountain or coastal villages many of whom have not seen outsiders for many years. The medical clinics will open the door to sharing the gospel with these people through the Jesus film, and through a local pastor’s preaching.

I would simply ask that you prayerfully consider how God may lead you to support our mission project. The cost for the 3 of us combined is $3900, plus we are raising money for supplies to build the homes. You can send your donation to us. Please make all checks out to “Lighthouse Community Church” and note “Hill family” on the memo line. If you need a receipt for a tax deduction please include a note stating that and we will make sure that church writes you a receipt.

Thank you for your support,

Anna Hill

I added a PayPal button on the side of my blog for anyone who feels moved to supporting us.
-Thank you for your consideration.

Happy 1st day of Spring!

Just another one of Michigan's cruel jokes.

Libby's solo

Libby is in a school choir called "Singing Falcons". They had a performance Tuesday night at the Fine Arts Fair. She is the first solo in the song.

We went back!

You heard it right. Mark got re-admitted to the hospital last week Thursday. The infection stopped getting better and started growing again. He was put back on IV antibiotics which was a nightmare in itself. His veins were not playing nice. He had 4 different nurses attempt 14 times to get an IV started!!! I have never seen my poor husband so white and pasty (did I spell that right?) looking.

He was set up to see an Infectious Disease doctor and they also ordered an ultrasound for his neck and his elbow.

He had formed a blood clot in his right arm where the previous IV had been and had to go on blood thinner and a gel that he has to apply on the skin that soaks down to help break up the blood clot.

He was released Friday night with a oral prescription that get this.... cost $1600! Thank goodness we have health insurance. I can't even imagine if we didn't. The doctor asked us about insurance before he wrote the prescription because he knew it was costly. However, it is cheaper than paying to keep him in the hospital so that he can be on the IV equivalent.

So we are home now. My house still isn't back to being under control and I hate that but it will get there.

On an interesting side note, while Mark is on the expensive prescription he can't eat anything pickled, smoked, or aged (like cheese) and he can't have red wine. Both the doctor and the pharmacy technician warned us and highlighted it so we wouldn't miss it. Apparently it could raise his blood pressure to a dangerous level. So what did I almost buy yesterday morning? Corned beef and cabbage. When I set it on the checkout belt it dawned on me that it is probably considered "pickled"! My family LOVES corned beef and cabbage but we will have to wait a couple weeks for that meal.

Wordless Wednesday - Do they ever out grow it?

How old do boys have to be to stop trying to wrestle their dad's?

Poor Mark. He was just trying to rest.



It looks like Mark can still take the "Mighty Man" even when he isn't completely back to good health.



Awe! Father son love!

See other Wordless Wednesday participants at 5 Minutes for Mom.

Well that caught us off gaurd!

Sunday started off like any other Sunday. While we were still at church Mark complained that his neck was starting to hurt like he had slept wrong on it. I felt it and I could feel a small lump at the base of his skull. We both thought it was like a knot in his muscle. When we got home from church he grabbed an ice pad and went and laid down for a little while to see if that would help.

As the day went on he started feeling like he was getting flu symptoms. He had fever and chills, sweating, and was getting a terrible headache.

I left around 5:30pm for a mtg at church and then Youth Group. The girls mentioned when I picked them up for youth group at 7pm that Dad really wasn't feeling well.

While we were gone the pain got really bad. Mark said he almost called me to come and sit with him. That is NOT like my husband. He's a pretty tough guy.

When I got home at 9pm he asked me to take a look at his neck for him before he tried putting ice on it again. Oh my! When I seen what had become of the little lump from earlier I said "You ARE going to the ER to have someone look at that." It had gone from only feeling a little bump to seeing without even touching it a huge swollen lump on the back of his neck that was about 3" by 6"!


Here he is in the ER. I laid his coat and sweatshirt over him because he was freezing. The ER doctor took one look at the back of his neck and said, "OH BUDDY!" I thought that was an interesting response. LOL! The nurse had told us within being there not even 20 minutes, "You do know you are staying right?"

It turns out Mark had cellulitis which is a deep skin bacterial infection and he would be admitted for 3 reasons.

1. He's diabetic and therefore doesn't fight infections well.
2. Because of how fast this took off.
3. Because of how close it is to his brain and spinal cord.

All of these meant they couldn't just send him home with a prescription for antibiotics he needed to be on a stronger medicine that would need to be administered via IV.


We were hoping that the hospital beds were a bit longer than the ER beds. We do find humor in all situations. Wink!


This is a picture I took while Mark was sleeping Monday.


Monday afternoon the nurse drew an outline so that we would know if it was changing in size. Mark said it felt like a neck roll (that is what football players wear between their helmets and shoulder pads to protect their necks) on the back of his neck.


I took this picture Tuesday. Mark was starting to get a little stir crazy from being confined to a small hospital room so we went and sat in the patient visitors lounge and watched tv together. He was hooked up to IV but it was the kind that can roll down the hall so it could go where he went. He still looks tired to me in this picture. Both of us ended up falling asleep on the couch. I woke up to his snoring. LOL!

We are home now and he will be on 2 antibiotics for 2 weeks. We feel very loved from everyone that prayed, called, shuttled kids, visited and left messages for us on Facebook. We had no idea how many people cared about the big guy.

That being said 2 of his friends (cough, MIKE, cough, ED) asked if they could have his guns if something happened. NICE!

Why I love Friday's...

It means I get Emily. I also get her on Tuesday's while my parents winter in Arizona. It never gets old. In the picture she is yelling "Gunner! Come here." Even though she knows he is in the garage and will tell you that if you ask her. So cute!

Esther

I have done a lot of Beth Moore studies and I have enjoyed them all. I am currently doing the study "Esther - It's Tough Being A Woman" by Beth Moore. I have to say this is my most favorite one so far. It has really been speaking to my everyday life challenges. I highly recommend it.

Here is a video promotion clip on it:

Subway endorsement?

Zack was presented his award last night for being named Mr. Track and Field of Michigan.



Zack's Head track coach was also selected as Coach of the Year for the 2nd year in a row.