1- Release my online babybook- my readers will be the first to preview this labor of love that I have worked on for almost 2 years.
The only explanation I have for my behavior is that I have been “hard-core” parenting for the last six or seven years. It is difficult for me to back off and let my kids just be…without constant coaching. I wonder if I am the only mom who has a hard time with NOT controlling every situation.
My boys do love music. My youngest son, Cade, has been using a Tinker Toy lid and 2 wood Tinker Toys as his drum set for about 6 months. And he loves to get his older brothers together to play rock band. So, Brad and I headed off to Toys R Us in search of drums.
Initially, my husband pulled a small wood drum from the shelf, threw it in the cart and started to move on. “HOLD IT!” I exclaimed, what about the other 2 boys. ”They can all share that drum, right?” he responded. We perused the drums, with Brad trying to get me to buy something small and sensible. Then, I came to a gorgeous blue 5-piece drum set. It was on sale too. Obviously, no parent in their right mind buys a 5-piece drum set for a house full of 3 boys. Well, I have to say, I must be a great sales lady, because somehow I convinced my husband that we had to buy this drum set: symbols, special seat and all. (more…)
While I didn’t get response from Cade or Roxy (the cat), I did get a phone call the next morning from one of my good friends who told me that she overheard someone else talking about my blog. (more…)
I heard that Jania was training for a half marathon in San Francisco with the Luekemia and Lymphoma Society when she sent out an email to her friends looking to raise $5,000 dollars. She made a brief mention of the fact that she lost her father to Lymphoma when she was in high school. When I asked for more information, she shared that her dad was quite sick for a period, yet she remembers his strength and focus on the kids. She said, “He was incredibly brave. Even though the Chemotherapy wreaked havoc on his body, he dedicated himself to taking care of my mom and his six children until the end.”
Now, 25 years later, she has found a way to honor his memory by raising money and awareness to help others who are in a similar predicament to that of her late father. Before taking on this challenge, Jania couldn’t run more than a couple of miles. Then, shortly after signing on to the team, her husband had to undergo two consecutive spine surgeries and one of her daughters broke her tibea. Rather than using these two setbacks as excuses, she kept the memory of her father’s strength in the forefront of her mind and has continued her training. She said something that encompasses the essence of what I am trying to accomplish with this site, ” It would be too easy to get lost in the traditional female caretaker/self neglect role. So, (in light of the obstacles this summer) I find it all the more important to carve out the ‘me’ time.”
I asked Jania for 5 things that keep her inspired during her long runs:
5. Those white jeans in my closet
4. Meeting new running buddies, some as young as 25, and thinking: I am totally keeping up with these guys
3. The image of my 2 year old looking at me, wide-eyed, in my running outfit and asking, “Is you doing running mommy?”
2. The fact that I’ve told too many people already. No quitting now!
1. Having some quiet time to think about my dad, and taking a minute to cherish my health and strength on behalf of all those who can’t.
To support Jania’s cause click the link below to donate:
If I motivate one mom, to take action to turn some goal or dream into a reality, then my efforts are not in vain.
“Those who try to do something and fail are infinitely better than those who try to do nothing and succeed.” Lloyd Jones
At moments I am paralyzed with fear that my efforts to build a website focused on inspiring other moms will fail miserably. Who am I to think that my words and the stories of others who motivate me, will have the same effect on my readers. I have such lofty goals for this site…can I even live up to my own expectations?
I can sit here on my living room chair (aka my home office) and fearlessly start typing, or I can continually look back on today and regret that I didn’t just give it a shot. There is a chance that I fall short of expectations, but there is also a chance that I surpass my expectations.
