Ironman Wisconsin 2013

If you're a spouse/partner of a triathlete, especially if the triathlete has an "Ironman problem", then you know what I'm talking about. Nine months of training for one very expensive day, where the end result is kind of like getting hit by a truck-only you paid them to let it happen. It kind of doesn't make sense. Until you arrive at the race site. 

I can only compare my husbands relationship with Ironman to my relationship with pregnancy. Unfortunately, my track record for having awful, home-nurses-needed pregnancies are 3/3. So why did I keep having kids? Because pregnancy was just a means to an end for me. I knew that if I just hung in there, I would walk away with the sweetest little chunk of a baby. Pain? Vomiting non-stop? What? Who was puking?  The amnesia sets in real fast...then guess who is having another?

Over the past nine months, my husband has trained for Ironman Wisconsin.  He has gotten up for 4am swims, fit workouts in between shift work, and has tried to do it while the kids have been at school. 

I'm extremely proud of him, and I really can't wrap my head around his dedication to his sport. But I would be a liar if I said this training has been all roses. I know I have wanted to ring his neck at least 642 times. Why? Because we have three kids, and when he says I need to go out on a bike ride....an 80 mile bike ride...well, you would will want to ring his neck too. It's as mentally exhausting for me as it is physically for him. If you are an "Iron-widow", you know exactly what I mean.

It all seems rediculous, until you get in the car, drive 900 miles, and arrive in Madison, WI. 

The entire town has embraced this crazy race. And you spend the day walking through crowds of these people all as anxious and excited as your husband, and it starts to make sense. 

The energy here, amongst all of these other people is amazing. It's like this restrained euphoria...they're all on the starting block, just waiting for the horn to blow, setting them free. It's the kind of joy you get from holding your baby for the first time. The one who made you sick as a dog and swell like a tick for nine months. 

Nine months if hellish training pays off for a week of pre-race/race day accomplishment. Because after race day, the memory of the pain getting to that medal around your neck is all but gone. After all, you're an Ironman now.  

My husband has already asked if he can sign up for next years race. I just stared at him....God help me. 

"I wish you more than luck" to everyone in the race tomorrow, I'll be cheering for all of you with tears in my eyes. You all have a drive I'm not sure I'll ever understand. But your energy? I'm already feeling that like crazy. I get that. 

Above all, happy 40th birthday to my husband, racer #1833. You're spending your special milestone by creating another one-the day you became an Ironman, twice over. Your drive, determination, and guts to withstand my "I'm gonna hurt you" stares during those last workouts are unmatched, and I love you!  Enjoy the day, look around and soak in the race, and know that I'll be waiting at the finish line for you. Can't wait. The 75 minute Dogfish head beer is iced down and ready to go. 

Go Daddy Go!

Have a great day!

{Jenn}

PS-please forgive any format errors, I'm typing this on my phone...I'll eventually get to a laptop to make it pretty ;) 

The Sweetest Gift

Over the past few years, when I un-pack Christmas decorations with my girls, one of them always asks about the dog in the Christmas box.  I have many ornaments from students that have always gone on our tree, but this dog has the best story by far.

I was co-teaching first grade at the time, and a little boy in the class had gone through a tragic event.  It was beyond heartbreaking.

Being as it was the week before Christmas, the students were all in a flurry, with many of them bringing in gifts for myself and the other teacher in the class.  I can remember seeing him out of the corner of my eye, as day after day kids lined up at my desk with their special presents.  He just watched as he unpacked his book bag.  

After the third day of non-stop present giving, he came up to my desk telling me he was getting me something too, but just forgot it.  I was pretty certain he wouldn't be bringing in anything, and I tried to explain that I didn't expect a thing.  My present was him trying his best everyday, and getting hugs from a happy first-grader, and that was more than enough.  

But it was really clear that it bothered him.

The next day, he unpacked his book bag and ran up to my desk with something in his hands.  He was smiling from ear to ear holding something wrapped in tin foil.  I unwrapped the ceramic dog and gave him a big hug.  I'm pretty sure he took it off of an end table in his house and wrapped it up himself, but it's the sweetest present I've ever gotten from a little one.  I asked if he was sure I could keep it, and he said yes, it was just for me.  Then he ran over to the other kids hanging up their coats, telling them how I loved his gift.  That little one had endured more than any grown up could handle, and just wanted to be like all the other kids. 

I can't help but think of that little one this time of year.  He is not so little anymore.

Have a Merry Christmas :)

{Jenn}

Signs

I needed balloons, and I was in a big hurry.  

My sisters baby shower was going to start in a few hours,  and we were hurrying to get there to set up for her big day.  I ran into the dollar store, and after seeing the huge line, I approached an employee in her teens, asking how I would go about getting balloons.  She tapped her ear and shook her head, indicating she couldn't hear.  So I signed, "no problem, I'm hearing but I know ASL".  Her eyes got big.  Then I asked her about the balloons, and she was easily able to help me.

She had the best smile on her face.  

As I finished paying for the balloons, I could see her glancing over at me from another aisle.  I signed "thank you for helping me today", and she signed back, "sure, happy to help you".  

You already know I was a special education teacher way back.  When I went to back to school for ASL {American Sign Language} at Delaware Technical and Community College, my intention was to become a freelance interpreter.  It was some of the most challenging course work I ever took {linguistics of sign language?  Wow.  No words....}.  But by the time I advanced through the program, there weren't enough students ready to move on to pay the teachers for the interpreting program, so it was cancelled.  I was pretty upset, but soon found out I was expecting our first daughter, and life changed a bit.

Now I can look back and be grateful for the experience of how in-depth that program was {taught by Deaf teachers~the D is capitalized on purpose..}, because it has clearly stuck with me over 11 years later...and when I am able to use sign, it's awesome.  

Our school district has been teaching ASL to students in middle and high schools, but I really wish it was in the elementary schools as a staple.  Why don't we emphasize languages more in the elementary level, when all the research about language learning revolves around children?  When my friend from Madrid calls me, and her 5 year old is fluent in English, it's pretty embarrassing that we are so "behind" in language learning.  Myself included.

It would lead to more people being able to communicate, and the girl working at the dollar store would have way more people to talk to at work.  When I started signing to her, she looked at me like she was seeing a unicorn in the store...  Could you imagine?  Being at work  8 hours a day, and no one could talk to you without playing a bad game of charades?  Or those people who thought if they TALKED LOUDER you could hear them?!  Every. Single.  Day.  Not really fair if you ask me.  

Since way back when I took classes, there are WAY more resources online to help you learn sign...check this out.  Even if it's just a few basic signs, it might make someones day {and yours} when you get to use it.

Have a great day!

{Jenn}

Infinite Giving

It's that time of year...you know, when we all go nuts trying to find the perfect gift for the people we love.  It's kind of overwhelming, especially when there are so many people to buy for {and thank} for so many reasons.  

There are the teachers {thank god for them}, the bus driver {the man must be a saint, I can barely drive my bus with three kids in it}, the countless therapists/practitioners who help our kids everyday {so important!}.  I'm trying to keep it simple this year, but still, the list is long.

My own kids have made their lists for Santa, and I can't help but think, what DON'T my kids already have?  {Clearly we're blessed to have this problem}

So when a friend posted on Facebook today about donating an animal from Heifer International, I instantly knew it would bring us right back from the "I want" list, to the "what can I do to help someone?" list.

I called my three girls in to huddle around my laptop, and I explained how Heifer International provided animals to families in need all around the world.  The gift of these animals is a gift that gives indefinitely, because as their animals {whichever you choose} reproduce, the family promises to gift the offspring to other families in their community, and so on....it's the perfect way to pay it forward~forever.  My business has given me the opportunity to give back in such bigger ways this year, and I have total appreciation for that now.

So it's the initial gift of the animal or animals, that helps end hunger in their family or provide an income {selling eggs, wool, cheese} which can, in turn, send children to school, maybe for the first time in their lives.  When I tried to explain that part, I kept welling up.  It's kind of overwhelming when you take a minute to consider all the things we really take for granted.  I know I don't stop to appreciate basics like that enough.

We browsed the "Animals" section on the website, and they all agreed on the Basket of Hope.  It will provide rabbits and a flock of chicks to a family, as well as education on how to care for their animals, and the importance of passing the gift on to others.  It's not the most expensive item by far, but it's a start.  

One of my daughters asked, "How will they know it's from us?".  I tried to explain that the family will know the animals came from people somewhere in the world who cared for them, and it gets written on your heart, so it's OK they don't know who you are.  That's kind of the fun part.  It's our secret {except I'm telling all of you, in hopes that maybe you will do the same...}.

Check it out.  Maybe make it a family gift?  From this point on, it will be a tradition, for certain.  I typed up Honor Cards that each of my girls will get in the mail in a week or so, thanking them for their gift.  

Just make sure your kids realize they don't get to keep the animals, since mine are still asking how many chickens we will be housing.... :)

Have a great night!

{Jenn}

HOPE BASKET

The Hope Basket includes a gift of rabbits and a starter flock of chickens. Families also receive training and education in the animals' care to make sure their hope becomes a reality.

The gift of a Hope Basket:
Provides eggs and protein for nourishment
Boosts income through sales of extra eggs and offspring
Passes on the Gift to others, since animals multiply quickly

Rabbits are easy to care for and can reproduce in a short amount of time. Chickens lay eggs and provide manure for vegetable gardens. Your gift provides hope for struggling farmers looking for a way out of poverty.

Up To9XThe Impact

TO END HUNGER & POVERTY

Families who receive your gift become donors as they pass on the gift to other families in their community. This allows them to help others as you have helped them.

Lasting Impressions

I'm home for the second day with a sick little one, and it has given me some time to think about a conversation I had the other day with some co-workers.  We were talking about the importance of connecting with the kids we work with on a daily basis. It brought me back to my job as a direct care worker at a very special place.

Years ago, when I worked at Divine Providence (a residential institution for girls & women with disabilities) I was struck by a message shared with us by a priest during a community mass.  It was a story that described how every single interaction with a human being, child or adult, disabled or not, created an impression.  

Imagine the child as a ball of clay.  Every person who has contact with the clay, creates an impression.  Even if it seemed trivial, or fleeting,  even a minor interaction would  leave a fingerprint.  Regardless of how little it seemed, it still mattered.  It still left something lasting, tied to the person who held it in their hand.  Over time, the clay gets handled frequently, but HOW it is handled matters.  If it's treated gently, it remains in it's shape, pliable.  If it is roughed up, or forcibly handled, over time it becomes less pliable, hardens, dries up and crumbles.  It's kind of what happens to children who can't catch a break.  The kids who don't have someone looking out for them.

Maybe in that child's life, that ball of clay, gets tossed around, no one noticing how it is roughed up, disfigured, drying up, hardening....then what do we end up with?  A child lost.  The kids we see on the news.  The kids who end up hating their life, and everything around them.  


Teachers have an important role in this story...we interact with so many children throughout the day.  I saw this TED talk video today, and it seemed to make perfect sense.  It's worth watching.  Focus on the good.  Focus on the relationship.  Build kids up, and they won't let us down.

Have a great day~
{Jenn}

March On...

As parents, we would do anything for our kids, right?

Imagine that your child wanted a bike, but there was nothing available for them that would suit their special considerations.  I'm pretty sure I would be frustrated...and annoyed...

But let's say you were a really positive person who doesn't give up easily, and instead of complaining, your wheels started turning.  After some diligent research, you find the perfect bike, only it doesn't cost $99 from your local Walmart.....it costs $2300.00.  Oh, and you're going to have to build it yourself.  Sure!  No problem!  

I recently met Deb Buenaga, Supermom and Executive Director of Preston's March for Energy.  That situation wasn't a hypothetical for Deb, it was reality when she tried to find a bike for her son Preston.

Deb is an amazing mom who has turned her own difficult situation into a machine that now grinds it's wheels to produce and gift bikes to children with special needs all over the country.  I met her during the vendor show at the Garden for Hope unveiling at the Herman Holloway Campus in New Castle County.

While my kids sat and read to the therapy dogs on site at the Garden Fair, (who they already knew from their own AI duPont Hospital visits) I talked with Deb, her son Preston (who sat on his awesome adapted bike) and her friends who are board members for their organization, Preston's March for Energy.  I looked through the photos of bikes they gifted to children with special needs, and could see that their mission was very clear~to make other kids as happy as Deb's own son.  I asked her how they got started, and why it was so important to keep paying it forward:

Preston loves to go outside and be outside but he used to just sit because there wasn't much he could do. When he was smaller we had small trikes, big wheels etc... When he got bigger there were less opportunities to adapt to his needs with less expensive options. When I saw the bike on FB I knew it was what he needed, but it was too expensive to buy. That night my friend set up a fundraising page on FB and in 5 days raised $2300 for the bike. All of our bikes are bought from either Triaid, which is based in Scotland, or from Top End, which is based in Rhode Island. The bikes are shipped to Brandywine Cyclery, which is located in N. Wilmington and they build the bikes for us. Then we deliver them!

Could that be any more awesome?  After those Facebook friends extended a kindness to her son, she instantly knew she wanted to pay it forward.  Now Deb and her husband go all over the country gifting bikes to children who would be sitting on the sidelines otherwise.

Even though I was a special education teacher before having my own kids, I had not had experience with Mitochondrial Disease, and really didn't know anything about it.  So I came home and jumped on their website to understand it better.  Click here for the nutshell explanation of Mitochondrial Disease.

Or just listen to Jack Black...who doesn't love Jack Black?

Preston's March has a fundraiser coming up, and if you are moved to do so, consider coming out to the event below, or make a donation to help a child experience the freedom of riding a bike!

Deb, you are an inspiration, and I'm so glad I got to meet you that day and make a new friend :)

Click below for event information on their upcoming event:

Corks and Cookies

November 8, 2013

Arsht Hall, University of Delaware

2800 Pennsylvania Ave. Wilmington, DE 

6:30 pm to 9:30 pm

Gourmet Hors d'oerves, wine tasting provided by Kreston Wine and Spririts and Moore Brothers Wines, silent auction music.  Local pastry chefs compete for the Top Cookie Award with their cookie extravaganzas!

Celebrity Judges include Lt. Governor Matt Denn, The Honorable Jane Brady, Richard Killingsworth, DPH's Division of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention,; and Dr. John Gould

Join us for the fun and cheer!

Have a great day!

{Jenn}

Peace

Love this. 

Have a great day...

{Jenn}