Notes From a Blessed Life

6.27.2013

a good run

I was so pleased to recently participate in a 5K run with my 12 year old son, Geoffrey!

Just to be clear, distance running is not Geoffrey's favorite thing. He is a sprinter... in fact, on his school's track team this past spring, his two running events were the 100 meter and the 70 meter dash. He is f-a-s-t! While a 5K (3.1 miles) isn't a really long distance to most runners, for Geoffrey this was a big deal. And we only decided to participate a few days before the event, so he wasn't even training for it.

Above, we are gathered with the other runners at the starting line. We had different plans for how we intended to approach the run. Not surprisingly, Geoffrey wanted to start out as fast as possible. He planned to alternate sprints with walking phases. Myself, I planned to set a steady, good pace that I would be able to maintain and to run the whole race without stopping or walking. We both stuck with our plan and ran the race we wanted. I'm proud to say that I finished the 5K only a minute behind my boy!

Approaching the finish line... can you see how he's getting ready to pass?

Finishing strong!

Here's to an active and healthy summer!

6.16.2013

Heather's Story

I want to share a special story that was recently brought to my attention. It is the story of Heather Von St. James. In 2005, at the age of 36, Heather was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma and was told she had just 15 months to live. Today, Heather is a seven-year cancer survivor! I invite you to watch Heather's story...

All the best to Heather and her family.

5.31.2013

Hope's Big Moment

Recently, as in just a few days ago, Hope was introduced to a song entitled "Feel This Moment." After she heard it only once, Hope began singing along to the chorus (well, belting it out really). If you've heard this song, then you know that's the part where Christina Aguilera sings "Whoa, I just wanna feel this moment. Whoa, I just wanna feel this moment." There's something pretty cute about a 4 year old singing that line! (...Said her mother!)

Where am I going with this? Well, Thursday night was a big moment for Hope, one that began months ago...last September in fact. That was when Hope began taking ballet classes every Friday afternoon, something she excitedly participated in each week. She really found something she loves! And Thursday night was Hope's dance recital... her moment!

As one of the moms who was helping with Hope's class, I had the privilege of escorting the girls backstage. As we waiting in the hallway, I said to the girls, "This is it! Are you excited?" to which my daughter Hope answered, "This is the moment!"

I was so proud of Hope as I watched her before and during the performance. For, while other girls were nervous (which is totally normal and to be expected!), Hope was simply excited! She loved every moment of the experience, which is just how she lives every day of her life. If you know Hope personally, then you know this to be true, and it is that spirit in her that I really admire.

Check out this video of the performance:

(It's a bit blurry, but still too cute!)

5.27.2013

happiness looks like...

last day of preschool!

Back in September, my girl Hope had a very important milestone--her first day of school! Eight months have passed and Hope has grown so very much. A couple of weeks ago, for the last day of preschool, Hope and her classmates hosted their families for some play time, a special program, refreshments, and even swimming! Big brother Geoffrey even took the day off from school to be present (not that sixth graders really have to have their arms twisted to do such a thing!), so it was extra special.

Hope has already been asking about going to school. She was not at all happy about preschool being done for the summer, and I know she will be so excited when September arrives and it is time to go back to school!

4.19.2013

Some Friday Inspiration

(original source)

Just needed this today... maybe you did too.

Blessings,

Nikki

4.06.2013

a blessed Saturday

Pure Happiness

Today Hope received her final birthday present from me... yes, I do realize it is April 6th and the girl turned 4 back in January! See, I gave Hope a gift certificate on her birthday for Build-A-Bear Workshop, and had every intention of taking her there right away so she could create her gift. Only... well, intention just doesn't always cut it. We just never made it over to the nearby town that has the nearest Build-A-Bear store... until today.

So, maybe I'm out of the running for 'Mother of the Year.' Oh well. Not in Hope's eyes! This girl had fun, and it never occurred to her to wonder why it had taken Mommy so long to bring her to make her present. It was a perfect 'Girl's Day!' We started at Build-A-Bear, then went out to lunch (where Hope showed off fabulous 'restaurant manners,' a very pleasant lunch companion indeed!), and shopping for bedding for her new big bed! (Yes, Hope graduated from her toddler bed to a twin bed this week! Exciting times!)

Anyway, back to Build-A-Bear... Since this blog is, in fact, mine, I have creative license to now do the shameless Mommy thing and post a bunch of photos of my beautiful daughter having a lovely time making her bear. What you'll see in the photos is a happy girl, but what you can't see in the photos is just how incredibly polite and well behaved Hope was at the store. I was so proud of how she acted with the salesperson who was helping her, and especially proud that she required no reminders from me whatsoever.

On to the shameless Mommy's pictures...

Bringing the unstuffed bear over to get stuffed...of course, Hope's choice was a pink princess bear!

The stuffing machine was fascinating...

...and working the foot pedal was so much fun!

The first hug!

Picking a heart to place inside her bear

Here Hope had been instructed to make her biggest wish on the heart that she was getting ready to place inside of her bear, who she named "Punky Bear."