Toss for Teri

This past Saturday an organization called "Toss for Teri" held a fundraiser for my sister and a little 4 year old boy who are both fighting cancer. My daughter is on the Varsity basketball team at her school and her team participated in the fundraiser. They had 25 minutes to shoot as many free throws as they could. It was neat to see all the girls get involved and to have their coaches supporting them in this.

Click on their names to read more about Jodi's and Oliver's stories.

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.