Summer has officially started for me. Last week marked my last final and class of the semester. I completed my first 5k of the race season, the family participated in a very successful Angelman Syndrome Foundation walk a thon in Buffalo NY, and I am looking forward to the 8k race this weekend at GLASSFEST!
I would like to take a moment to thank everyone who came out to the walk in Buffalo last weekend. It was great to see you all and have your support as we raised money and awareness for Angelman Syndrome. I know Arianna enjoyed seeing everyone and meeting new friends. It is such a short time we get to spend with you all but we look forward to it so much! I think Ari's favorite part was the "pool" in the room. Rob booked an amazing hotel with a 4 person hot tub in the room (the girls had a blast).
Thank you to the Sell family who hosted us on Friday night for dinner and drinks. Such a fun and relaxing time to get to spend with one another.
Arianna is having a blast in her Challenger Little League. She is finally getting the concept of the game, but still thinks that the outfield is for snack time :)
She prefers dad to piggyback her around the bases (she is a Dutchess after all).
We are celebrating Amelia's birthday this weekend with cake for both girls this weekend(since Ari's birthday was snowed in last February). I can't believe how grown up they have become. It seems like overnight they have grown two inches each in the past month!
Race fundraising is going to kick into high gear soon. I will be sending out personal emails and letters to all our friends and family asking for support. We are hoping to raise $5000 for Angelman Syndrome Research. My philosophy is if everyone can contribute a little ($1-$5 and up)we can meet and exceed this goal. Please consider sharing our goal with your friends and family. Your donation could be the dollar that funds the cure and major therapeutic to help Arianna speak, be seizure free, and participate in school the way she so desperately wants to.
You can donate at the link here on the blog or cut and paste:
If you want to come out to Glassfest this weekend... the 8k is Saturday morning beginning at the War Memorial Stadium in Corning at 8:30am (I will probably finish at 9:30 at the stadium--- I run, but not fast :)
Thank you to those who have contributed so far:
Eileen M Wayne
Lisa Webber
Candelyn Tong
Jenn Basler
Nana Nance
Beres Family
Ilyse Seven
Leslie Morris
Harli Kirkpatrick
Angelrunners.com
Jeannie Stith
Sue Cook
Stacie Vetterli
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
What time is it? Summer Time
I am officially 1/2 way through the Registered Nurse program. It is no joke the sacrifice you make to survive Nursing school. It has put a strain on everything in my life. What has made the difference is the strength that existed prior to the introduction of this strain. Without this foundation, I am certain I would have failed (either as a student, or as a mother and wife, or both). I have sacrificed time with friends, family, and important events. I have missed birthdays, showers, and other celebrations. But knowing that at the crossroads of this journey, the sacrifice will be justified, I can enjoy the pictures and the stories of the time I missed and cherish the moments I do get to have in person.
I look forward to spending time with my family celebrating the simple art of hanging out and playing! Late night snuggles, early morning coffee, letting the girls skip school to watch the marching band practice are some of the things I look forward to doing this summer. I will also read one non medical book!
Marathon scheduled training begins tomorrow. 16 weeks. I have raised about $500 so far for the Foundation for Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics Aside from Nursing School this is probably the most difficult thing I will accomplish in my lifetime. It is 90% mental and 100% worth it. Worth it to know that Arianna will one day speak, be seizure free, and have the independence she desires.
Ten years ago when I graduated from UC Irvine with a Master's degree in Fine Arts, I would have never guessed I'd be where I am today. I would have never imagined that I would have the strength, determination, and stamina to complete all of this. But what I have come to learn about myself is that "until I try I'll never know". So as I encourage people to look at Arianna with the least dangerous assumption, I have learned to look at my life this way. Is it dangerous to assume I am able do/try something, or is it a bigger detriment to think I can't?
I would not change any of my experiences in life. They have all made me the person I have become, a person I am happy with. I do not regret my mistakes. I celebrate my triumphs and learn from my failures (some of the most amazing discoveries have been made by a failed experiment).
So I challenge you to join me in my adventure, inspired by my girls. Go on a run with me, donate to the cause, send me some encouragement, or start your own adventure. Just don't passively sit by and watch it all happen. It's so much better to be a part of it all. I dare you, take the leap and be great!
Happy Summer!
I look forward to spending time with my family celebrating the simple art of hanging out and playing! Late night snuggles, early morning coffee, letting the girls skip school to watch the marching band practice are some of the things I look forward to doing this summer. I will also read one non medical book!
Marathon scheduled training begins tomorrow. 16 weeks. I have raised about $500 so far for the Foundation for Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics Aside from Nursing School this is probably the most difficult thing I will accomplish in my lifetime. It is 90% mental and 100% worth it. Worth it to know that Arianna will one day speak, be seizure free, and have the independence she desires.
Ten years ago when I graduated from UC Irvine with a Master's degree in Fine Arts, I would have never guessed I'd be where I am today. I would have never imagined that I would have the strength, determination, and stamina to complete all of this. But what I have come to learn about myself is that "until I try I'll never know". So as I encourage people to look at Arianna with the least dangerous assumption, I have learned to look at my life this way. Is it dangerous to assume I am able do/try something, or is it a bigger detriment to think I can't?
I would not change any of my experiences in life. They have all made me the person I have become, a person I am happy with. I do not regret my mistakes. I celebrate my triumphs and learn from my failures (some of the most amazing discoveries have been made by a failed experiment).
So I challenge you to join me in my adventure, inspired by my girls. Go on a run with me, donate to the cause, send me some encouragement, or start your own adventure. Just don't passively sit by and watch it all happen. It's so much better to be a part of it all. I dare you, take the leap and be great!
Happy Summer!
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
The END of the semester is near
One week from today my semester will be over. Tomorrow morning I will face the odds and have my clinical performance exam. Everything must be perfect or that's it, I'm done. I will not be able to return in the fall. It doesn't matter my grades, my scholarship, nope. It all falls on tomorrow's moment.
What I have learned in the two years I have spent married to my science with my whole soul devoured by text books and lectures is. I am prepared for this, I know this. Whatever happens in the moment is my control, but the outcome is out of my hands. Much like anything in my life. I can only control so much and the rest just happens. Of course I am stressed out and worried. That is in my nature and can not just be turned off at will. But throughout the course of this academic year I have had some great friends supporting me, helping me to ease the type A inside.
Marathon Training officially begins one week from tomorrow! Of course I've been to the gym and done some cross training up until now, but next Thursday begins NO EXCUSES. 16 weeks till the marathon. 16 weeks until 26.2 16 weeks until $5000 is due.
This weekend I will run my first race of the season. Susan G Komen 5k race for the cure. The following weekend is our National Angelman Syndrome Foundation Walk. Both of these causes have devastated my life. They have contributed to who I am but will not decide who I become. That is my choice.
Almost 20 years ago my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. She was slightly older than I am now. She is the first female survivor of this disease in her family. She is my hero. Raising two children, going to school full time, working, surgery, round after round of chemo and radiation... I never question how I have time to do it all. I learned from the best. We do because we have to and will not take "can't" for an answer. I am running on a team for school to support an instructor recently diagnosed, but I also run in celebration of someone who exemplifies hope and determination through this battle... My Mom!
Next weekend I walk in honor of another amazing girl in my life. Arianna, my oldest daughter. She was diagnosed with Angelman Syndrome 5 years ago. Each year since then we have participated in this national walk to raise awareness and funds for Angelman Syndrome, meet other families that are going through the same adventure as we are, and celebrate the lives of our exceptional children. If you know Arianna, you already know she is extremely happy, energetic, loves water, and is very opinionated. She also struggles with being non verbal, sleep disorders, seizures, and intellectual disability. She chooses to push through her obstacles in order to find her favorite things in the day and explore them. She leads her adventure by example and challenges us all to be better people.
I am in the middle of two generations of women who are fighters. That is how I "do it all". I don't do it alone, and I will not give up because it is hard.
This is not to say I don't have bad days, because I do. But I refuse to get stuck there. I am thankful to be blessed with each day, whatever it may bring.
What I have learned in the two years I have spent married to my science with my whole soul devoured by text books and lectures is. I am prepared for this, I know this. Whatever happens in the moment is my control, but the outcome is out of my hands. Much like anything in my life. I can only control so much and the rest just happens. Of course I am stressed out and worried. That is in my nature and can not just be turned off at will. But throughout the course of this academic year I have had some great friends supporting me, helping me to ease the type A inside.
Marathon Training officially begins one week from tomorrow! Of course I've been to the gym and done some cross training up until now, but next Thursday begins NO EXCUSES. 16 weeks till the marathon. 16 weeks until 26.2 16 weeks until $5000 is due.
This weekend I will run my first race of the season. Susan G Komen 5k race for the cure. The following weekend is our National Angelman Syndrome Foundation Walk. Both of these causes have devastated my life. They have contributed to who I am but will not decide who I become. That is my choice.
Almost 20 years ago my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. She was slightly older than I am now. She is the first female survivor of this disease in her family. She is my hero. Raising two children, going to school full time, working, surgery, round after round of chemo and radiation... I never question how I have time to do it all. I learned from the best. We do because we have to and will not take "can't" for an answer. I am running on a team for school to support an instructor recently diagnosed, but I also run in celebration of someone who exemplifies hope and determination through this battle... My Mom!
Next weekend I walk in honor of another amazing girl in my life. Arianna, my oldest daughter. She was diagnosed with Angelman Syndrome 5 years ago. Each year since then we have participated in this national walk to raise awareness and funds for Angelman Syndrome, meet other families that are going through the same adventure as we are, and celebrate the lives of our exceptional children. If you know Arianna, you already know she is extremely happy, energetic, loves water, and is very opinionated. She also struggles with being non verbal, sleep disorders, seizures, and intellectual disability. She chooses to push through her obstacles in order to find her favorite things in the day and explore them. She leads her adventure by example and challenges us all to be better people.
I am in the middle of two generations of women who are fighters. That is how I "do it all". I don't do it alone, and I will not give up because it is hard.
This is not to say I don't have bad days, because I do. But I refuse to get stuck there. I am thankful to be blessed with each day, whatever it may bring.
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