All I want for Christmas

Being in the hospital is never easy, but it seems to be particularly hard for the families during the holidays.  I volunteered at the hospital today, and when I went into one of the rooms there was a team of doctors in there.  This is not new, as I work during morning rounds, so I checked back later.  I went in and they were talking with their nurse as their toddler daughter slept.  The nurses are in patient rooms all the time. and they tell us that we are welcome to come in unless they are doing a "procedure" with the patient.  So I went in, introduced myself and asked the parents if they needed anything.  The father replied that they needed a miracle.  Then he asked me if I had an extra healthy heart in my back pocket.  Apparently when that team of doctors was visiting moments ago, they learned that their sweet little girl was going to need a transplant.

It's Christmastime, and all of us are fretting over presents and decorations and parties and cards and travel.  But not these parents; all they want for Christmas is a healthy heart for their little girl.  It makes my heart ache.

Thankful - Day 30

My sister and some friends on Facebook are doing "Thirty Days of Thankful" for the month of November. Each day they are posting something in their lives for which they are grateful. I decided to do the same, but will write it here instead.

Day 30

Today I am thankful for my life.  I helped out with Alex's art class in the morning and then went for a long workout.  Then I picked Isabel up from school and we went to have lunch with Devin.  Then Izzy and I bought a couple Christmas presents and picked up the boys and their friends from school.  When we got to their friends house, the kids played outside and I got a chance to catch up with their mom (who is my good friend).  We left in time to run home, pick up Andy and go to a dinner at another friend's house.  There were about ten families there with kids of all ages.  The boys played football and basketball outside while the little girls colored pictures and watched movies inside.  The parents  talked and laughed and ate and drank.  We met new people, and we learned interesting things about people that we already knew.  Then we got the kids home and off to bed and Andy and I cuddled on the couch.  All in all it was a great day, and it reminded me that I have much to be thankful for.

Thankful - Day 29

My sister and some friends on Facebook are doing "Thirty Days of Thankful" for the month of November. Each day they are posting something in their lives for which they are grateful. I decided to do the same, but will write it here instead.

Day 29

Before my half ironman, I met with a nutritionist and coach to get some advice on how to train and fuel appropriately for a race of this duration.  She was great.  She created a training plan for me that accommodated my foot issues while building a sound fitness level for the race and created a nutrition plan that allowed me to drop a few pounds without dieting or feeling hungry. 
After the race, I assessed my weaknesses and decided to ask her to coach me in running and cycling.  Other than junior high track, I have never been coached in running.  Given that I was a swim coach, I know how important proper form and technique are for building strength and efficiency.  Yet, I never learned about proper running form or cycling strategies.  Until today.  We did a mile warm-up, and then moved on to a four mile tempo run (for the non-runners, a tempo run is faster than comfortable, but not race pace).  She coached me on my foot strike, body position and cadence.  She paced me well and pushed me when needed.  We ran four miles at an average pace of about 8:20.  I felt like a rockstar!!  Today, I am thankful for my awesome run.

Thankful - Day 28

My sister and some friends on Facebook are doing "Thirty Days of Thankful" for the month of November. Each day they are posting something in their lives for which they are grateful. I decided to do the same, but will write it here instead.

Day 28

Since the dog that I was ever so thankful for yesterday decided to poop on the carpet, today I am thankful for carpet cleaner and pet scent remover.

Thankful - Day 27

My sister and some friends on Facebook are doing "Thirty Days of Thankful" for the month of November. Each day they are posting something in their lives for which they are grateful. I decided to do the same, but will write it here instead.

Day 27

Today I am thankful for my dog.  I did not grow up with pets, and I'm not really a pet person.  While I like Buddy and I recognize that he's a good dog, I don't LOVE my dog. 
But my kids do.  I see their love in the way that they lay all over him and run around with him.  They fill his water dish, feed him each day, wipe his paws before letting him inside, and the boys even pick up poops.  They throw the ball for him and play chase with him every day.  I can tell that my kids are growing up to be animal lovers, and I know that having Buddy makes them happy. 

Thankful - Day 26

My sister and some friends on Facebook are doing "Thirty Days of Thankful" for the month of November. Each day they are posting something in their lives for which they are grateful. I decided to do the same, but will write it here instead.

Day 26

We had a really nice visit with Andy's family for Thanksgiving.  We had some great meals and fun trips and the kids truly enjoyed playing with them.  Today I am thankful for house guests, and for their safe return home.

Thankful - Day 25

My sister and some friends on Facebook are doing "Thirty Days of Thankful" for the month of November. Each day they are posting something in their lives for which they are grateful. I decided to do the same, but will write it here instead.

Day 25

We have had a fantastic time over Thanksgiving break.  I have truly enjoyed having the kids home from school and getting some extra time to do fun things with them.  We've gone to the movies, gone running, made animals at build-a-bear and I even managed a lunch date.  But as I sat the boys down at the table to finish up a few things for school, I was reminded of some people for whom I am very grateful.  I am thankful for my children's teachers.  Their dedication to, and nurturing of, my children is awe inspiring.  I truly feel that each of my kid's teachers values my child for the individual that they are and recognizes their gifts and talents (and challenges).  I have a good amount of patience when helping my children with school work.  I can only imagine the amount of patience required to help them and twenty five of their friends.  =)  Today I am grateful for my kid's teachers.