Archive for January 2012
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Back in December, Heather reached out to me to share her harrowing story as a mesothelioma cancer survivor. As some of you may know, my sweet friend, Brittney, passed away from colon cancer 3.5 years ago. Since Brittney, cancer survivors and their families have been very near to my heart. In fact, one of the biggest reasons I run the Austin Half Marathon is because they partner with LiveStrong, The Lance Armstrong Foundation. Heather has graciously allowed me to share her story on my blog.
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These are the last words you want or expect to hear, especially when you’re celebrating the birth of your only child. But on November 21, 2005, I was told by my doctor, “You have cancer.” Those three words were spoken to me just three and a half months after the birth of my daughter, when I was 36 years old. That’s when I found out that I had malignant pleural mesothelioma.
I have always been an optimist, a person who sees the glass as half full, not half empty. That optimism served me well as I prepared for the greatest fight of my life, the fight to stay alive, to live to be a mother to my little girl.
Everyone who experiences cancer has a different story to tell. Yet there is one common claim that all cancer survivors share; going through a cancer diagnoses makes us stronger. The three words “you have cancer” may have changed my life forever, but they changed it for the better. As with any cancer survivor, I had to make the choice not to be the victim. I had to choose life, not death, and I had to learn how to mitigate my fears. That’s when I vowed to help others who were facing the same situation as I was; somehow, knowing that I could use my experience to the good gave me the strength to do whatever I needed to do to survive. I wanted to give others the same attitude of hope that I was naturally blessed with, because hope is the thing that you lose first of all when you get a mesothelioma diagnosis.
As part of my cancer journey, I searched until I found one of the leading mesothelioma doctors to help me win my victory over cancer. When I found out that I was scheduled to have my surgery to remove the cancerous tumor on Groundhog’s Day of 2006, I even gave my tumor a nickname, Punxsutawney Phil, to encourage myself to believe that the tumor would no longer cast the shadow of winter over my life. I also gave a new name to Groundhog Day: Lungleavin’ Day, the day I would be rid of the cancerous lung.
Now, I celebrate this day ever year, because it is the day that my life began again, the day that I conquered my fears and had the life-giving surgery that would give me back my very existence on this earth. This is a celebration of happiness, of hope and love, and I get to share it with my beautiful daughter.
Because of this terrible diagnosis of mesothelioma, I met some of the most compassionate, remarkable people I will ever know, warriors in the battle against mesothelioma who have the strength to conquer and win over this disease. Because of my own battle, I now have the opportunity to join with these people on the front lines in the war against mesothelioma, bringing a message of survival and life to the millions of family members and loved ones who are going through the same ordeal as I did. You can win against mesothelioma, and I am here, alive and well, to prove it.
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Heather is wife to Cameron, mama to 6 year old Lily Rose and a survivor of mesothelioma cancer. She blogs about her survival story, gives people encouragement as they are battling against their own cancer, and talks about how she is doing now over at Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance Blog.
Tomato Bisque Soup
Posted on: January 19, 2012
- In: Life
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I don’t know why certain foods seem so complicated and difficult to make. Maybe it’s the fancy smancy name. Or the fact that I’m convinced I can’t make food better than a restaurant. Whatever the case may be, I’ve always wanted to make tomato bisque soup but have been too scared to try it.
Jonathan and I went for a date to La Madeleine a few weeks back. I ordered a side of tomato basil soup. It was divine. Over dinner I mentioned how I’ve always wanted to make tomato bisque but was too scared to try. So Jonathan challenged me – make it by the end of the week.
I did some research and found this delicious and easy number::
Tomato Bisque
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 stalk celery, finely chopped
- 1 carrot, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 (14.5 ounce) cans fire roasted diced tomatoes, drained
- 3 tablespoons white sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- salt and black pepper to taste
- Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the onion, celery, carrot, and garlic. Cook and stir until the vegetables are tender and beginning to brown, about 8 minutes. Stir in the flour and cook 1 minute longer, stirring constantly.
- Stir in the tomato paste, chicken broth, tomatoes, sugar, and nutmeg. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer 15 minutes until the vegetables are very tender.
- Pour half to three-quarters of the soup into a blender-depending on how chunky you want it-filling the pitcher no more than halfway full. Hold down the lid of the blender with a folded kitchen towel, and carefully start the blender, using a few quick pulses to get the soup moving before leaving it on to puree. Alternately, you can use a stick blender and puree the soup in the saucepan.
- Return the pureed soup to the saucepan and stir in the cream. Cook over medium heat until the soup is hot. Season with salt and pepper to taste before serving.
Aside from the very unusual, but thankfully short, protest of dislike from Julia, the meal was a hit. The recipe made enough that Jonathan and I both had seconds and there were still some leftovers. Double score!
Bon Appetit!
Visit Alicia at Alicia’s Homemaking for more Try New Adventures Thursday.
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Our family has been back in Austin for almost 14 months now. Each time we drive into downtown, I’m amazed at how much I still love living here. I loved it while I was in college, but I love it even more now that I have my four favorite people to share it with. I keep thinking that the love-struck feeling will wear off, but it doesn’t. And with each passing date night, trip out with the kids or chat with another Austinite, my love for this city grows.
Here are some of the things I love about Austin ::
1. Zilker Park
Being in Zilker brings a certain calm over me. I tend to feel closest to God when I’m out in nature, so having that closeness coupled with an amazing view of my city just impacts my love for Zilker even more.
2. Live Music –
You can’t walk downtown without hearing music. Whether it be from a bar, or a person on the street, the city is constantly filled with music. It brings an energy like nothing I’ve felt before.
3. Swimming –
Summers in Texas are hot. In fact, as I’m typing this, it’s 63*. In January. Swimming is a must from April through September {and even in October}. Which is why I love our community pool.
Technically, I’ve not taken the girls to the actual pool part of Barton Springs, but we’ve taken Jack swimming in the nearby reservoir several times. The water is cold and filled with tons of other dogs. It’s tons of fun for Jack and the girls.
5. The Style –
Austin is a laid back, easy paced city. With a few exceptions, the typical dress code is casual. Summer consists of dressed and flip-flops. Winter consists of jeans and lightweight jackets. Being a jeans and tshirt kinda gal, I love it.
6. The People –
You can’t have a laid back style without laid back people. Austinites know when to work, but know when to play. They are willing to chat for long hours, let you crash in their house, and are always up for running.
7. The Food –
We have a great book, Food Lover’s Guide to Austin. Packed full of great eats, sectioned off by areas of the city, we are slowly eating our way through the city. My personal favorites are Guero’s, Hopdoddy, Trudy’s, and Tarka, to name a few.
One of the hardest things about leaving Iowa, was leaving our friends and our church. I knew that God would grow us in new ways at the Austin Stone, but I never thought I’d love it like I loved Mars Hill. But I do. Completely. My church, or rather the people in it, have had great impact on my life.
9. Littlefield Fountain –
This fountain sits at the south end of the University. It stands out in my mind as one of my favorite spots on all of campus. Sitting on the south lawn {which is directly behind the fountain} looking off south to the Capitol Building {which is directly south of the fountain}. It is decidedly Austin to me.
10. Running Community –
While I didn’t run in when I lived here during college, I’ve thoroughly loved the running community since moving back. Because of the hot summers, spring and late fall are the best times to run here in Austin. And because of that, there are always great/fun runs to participate in during the cooler months. I’m racing in two next month and a third in March.
What is your favorite city? Why?
This post will be linked to Top Ten Tuesday at Oh Amanda and Things I Love Thursday at Diaper Diaries.
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With Joseph’s birth, it became so crystal clear to me just how big Julia has gotten. In the last year, she learned to swim, write her name, spell simple words, started school and countless other “firsts”. Daily I am reminded of how big she has gotten, how much of a help she is to our family.
And it makes me sad.
Makes me sad to see my baby girl turning into a big girl. Sad to have the last four years fly by and the fear of the next 14 years going even faster.
When I took this picture last week, one thing caught my eye above all else. Julia has chubby fingers. While so much of her body has become slender, her fingers still hold the resemblance of babyhood, the chunky goodness of days gone by.
Those chubby fingers gave my mama heart a smile. It helped me realize that my sweet Julia will grow older, but she will still be my baby. While she has chubby fingers, and even when her finger holds a wedding band, she will be my baby. Always.
Weekly Routines – Friday Joy
Posted on: January 13, 2012
- In: Life
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{via Abby Sokeland on Pinterest}
That quote pretty much summarizes my personality. Jonathan is complete spontaneity, and I am planned spontaneity. It surprisingly works well together. But with the holidays over, with nearly two weeks of no plans and just spontaneity, it has been a happy, happy feeling to be back into a real routine this week.
Julia started back to school on Monday which brings a sense of structure and order to our household. We have spent the week rooting out bad habits, like excessive television and sugar binges, while introducing new ones, like reading chapter books with Julia and Hannah {well, more Julia than Hannah}. This week we’ve read Pippi Longstocking, My Father’s Dragon and started Clementine.
Have I mentioned before that I love how much Julia loves reading?!
Hannah’s newest routine is acting like a 2.5 year old. And if you’ve ever parented, babysat, been in the same room as a 2.5 year old, you know what I’m talking about. That girl has some will power. Big time. Which has given her a new nickname :: Picosita or Picoso {Spanish for spicy/fiery}. But, no matter how picoso she gets, she slays me with her big eyes.
Joseph has been forming a routine of sorts. I’m a mama that doesn’t schedule feedings, naps, etc until my babies are closer to 6 months. And even then, I blur the lines pretty often. But, Joseph has been getting more dependable about when he wants to sleep and eat, which has been nice for scheduling play dates and trips to the store. I won’t go into his overnight sleep, because every time I mention it, people look at me as if to say “bless your little heart”. Then their eyes bulge out when I tell them I really don’t take issue with how much/little he sleeps, because it’s par for the course and my kids just don’t sleep through the night while nursing. Then they verbally say “bless your little heart” and make a mental note to send me to the looney bin.
Do you crave routine? Or do you blow with the wind?
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I’m not sure when I first heard about Downton Abbey, but when I saw the name floating around the internet recently I decided to finally check it out. I watched the first season on streaming Netflix. It took maybe 15 minutes of the first episode for me to become hooked. Seriously.
The series starts off with the sinking of the Titanic and the first season ends with the start of World War I. It weaves in and out of the lives of both the aristocratic owners of Downton Abbey as well as their servants. It paints a clear image of differences between aristos and working class peoples, giving the viewer a sense of understanding from both sides.
Downton Abbey contains the best of everything. Love. War. Intrigue. Not to mention characters that move you to love them, and characters that move you to hate them.
While you can purchase the second season off Amazon {the show is currently in season 3 in the UK, but only beginning season 2 in the US}, the second season has just begun airing on Sunday nights on PBS. I don’t pay much attention to dramatic television, preferring my dramatic theatre to come from Phil Dunphy, but I will say, Downton Abbey is everything I’d want in a new “hook me” series.
Have you seen or heard of Downton Abbey?
Visit Jill at Diaper Diaries for more Things I Love Thursday.
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It’s been a long while since I’ve written anything about running. But as February 19th approaches and I’m staring down the Austin Half Marathon, I’ve been thinking a lot more about training post baby. Of course, my first half was post-baby, but Hannah was 6 months old when I first started. But training at 6 months is different than 6 weeks.
Half Marathon Training Post Baby – Simple Tips
1. Hydrate – I’ve talked about this topic before, but I can’t stress how important it is to be well hydrated especially if you are nursing. As a nursing mom, your body is already draining itself. Top that with working out, and your need for water is essential.
2. Focus on Distance NOT Pace – When you’re starting out, don’t focus on your pace, working on your distance. Pace will come. I’m currently running 1-1.5 minutes off my normal pace. And I’m okay with that. Because the more I run, the faster I will become.
3. Make Running a Family Affair – If you can afford it, I highly recommend buying a jogging stroller. We were gifted a double jogger and I love it. We haven’t taken all three kids out yet, but now that Julia’s school has started back, I’ll be taking Hannah and Joseph out for a stroll.
4. Enjoy Yourself – You aren’t racing against anyone else. You aren’t competing against other runners on the street. You are only competing against yourself. So enjoy it. Enjoy running. Run with friends. Run in fun races. Just enjoy it.
{photo via Tara Chen on Pinterest}
What workouts do/did you do post-baby? Do you have any races planned this year?
*Disclaimer: All tactics/tips are my own personal opinions and not medically backed. Please seek medical advice before starting any running program.
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Typically, I try to stretch the Christmas holiday out for as long as possible. I’ve been know to keep our tree up until February {feel free to laugh, I’m like the cat lady of Christmas decorations}. But this year, I took down all our decorations by January 1st. It felt good to shed off the holiday, clean up the house and get the new year started.
With a little push from my friend Adriane, I decided to put out a few Valentine decorations. This is all new to me, since we’ve been known to not celebrate Valentine’s Day. Jonathan helped me cut out a big felt heart, and I made a cute banner to hang over our fire place.
It’s a sweet little ode to my type of Valentine’s. Not all about coupling up and exclusion, but about spreading love and opening up arms.
Do you celebrate Valentine’s Day with decorations?
A New Year, A New Friday Joy
Posted on: January 6, 2012
- In: Life
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My joy is sweet children
Beautiful babies
And daughters that make me smile
Today I’m reveling in starting a new year as the Fab Five. 2012 is going to be the best year yet.
What’s your Friday Joy?
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I ended 2011 by jumping, fully dressed, into a pool.
It was cold. It was crazy. It was awesome.
I’ve realized I’m not going to complete my 30 before 30 list by my birthday in March. Sure, I still have time to knock off a few items, but it won’t be fully completed. And I’m ok with that.
When I first wrote my list two years ago, it was a personal challenge. A challenge to push myself to try new things, be okay with failure, and most of all to say yes to life.
So on Saturday, December 31, when I had the chance to jump in a freezing cold pool, I went for it. It’s something I’ve always secretly wanted to do, but never thought would happen. Well it did happen. I said yes and made it happen.
What are you saying yes to? What adventure should you try?
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This post will be linked to Try New Adventures Thursday with Alicia’s Homemaking.
A Wife Loved Like The Church 
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