You agreed to what?!

Zac's family is a bit athletic.  To begin at the beginning, there are 6 kids.  A bit of a Brady bunch.  2 from his mom's first marriage, 1 from his dad's first, 3 after they got married.  Zac's half brother and sister, Brendan and Sara are the athletic ones.  Zac played golf in high school and a little baseball, but in the time we've been together the most athletic thing I've seen him do is carry heavy stuff...or push mowing the yard.    Anyway, Sara was a sprinter in high school and apparently a darn good one at that.  I don't know about Brendan then, but in the six years I've known him, he runs.  Long distance.  A super, hard to fathom it's so far, runner.  Last year at Christmas, Brendan married Katie.  Katie is a personal trainer for those interested in doing triathalons, marathons, and Iron Man competitions.  Katie just completed an Iron Man this May and she and Brendan are coming home in September to run the Quad City marathon.  

Katie knew I'd run a couple 5K's this year and asked if I'd want to run the half with her. I declined with the excuse, "I don't think I'd even have a moderately reasonable time."  She assured me this didn't matter.  I said send me the training plan and we'll see.  But, it seems Zac decided for me.  Katie, with all her wile, encouraged Sara to run it, as a trial for the Chicago marathon that she's currently training for.  Brendan's half-sister Jordan (from his dad's second marriage) and her husband Dan are gonna do it.  Zac's mom said he should do it, and his brother Chris is participating only if Zac would run and Zac agreed only if Sara's husband would do the half too.  Zac committed me when he committed himself.  I got sucked in!  Now it's on.  I've gotten in 2 runs, Zac hasn't made it yet.  He is not as worried as I am.  I am just sure he will end up with a better time than me and I'll have to be slightly annoyed.  There is no shame in being a poor sport....or so I like to pretend :)  Wish me luck guys.  It's gonna be rough.  

The boy is back in town

Zac's job drives me crazy.  It is true. I've talked and talked about it.  I am just not prepared to spend another year living half the week as a single girl.  Won't do it.  I always try to force things into happening.  If God's timing is slower than mine I will force it.  It rarely works out for the best but old habits die hard.  I did it again too.  The week of Ollie's surgery I applied for a job in St. Louis.  Three days later we found out Zac is getting transferred!  We are pumped!  Starting the first week of July.  He gets to keep his VW Bug and he will be taking care of over flow jobs from Decatur to Champaign to Bloomington.  It's a big area and he will be logging more miles than any of us know what to do with.  But get excited people!  Zac is home!
 

Keeping in mind

I have been thinking lots, I mean LOTS about my job.  I am completely unsure of what I will do when my contract is up for negotiation again in August. I constantly worry about what I'm being paid and where I could make more and have better benefits and be able to pay more on my loans and save for a house and a practice and on and on and on.  So, when this came across my Youversion today, I felt compelled to share....cause I forget it. 

Hebrews 13:5

⁵ Don't be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us, "I'll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,"

There's no place like home

Ollie is coming home today!! You read it right.  Day 5 post open heart surgery and our little trooper is down to just Tylenol and hugs to make her feel better!  Right now the family is waiting on paperwork and some follow-up appointments and they will be heading home.  I just can't wait!  I only hope that I get over crying each time I get to hold Ollie O.  I am just soooo relieved I can't help but cry about it :)  Just look at these picture and try NOT to cry.  I dare ya!

The latest update

Ollie O is doing great.  Her doctor said "remarkably well."  She finally woke up around 2:30 and was in and out of it a bit after that.  She got a little pedialite at 4 and now we just wait until she wakes up again for her to have a bottle with milk.  Thank you to everyone for all your thoughts and prayers.  It's obvious they've been heard!  We will keep you posted as she keepss getting stronger and gets closer to coming home!

Update!

Ollie's heart is all patched up!  The are doing sending in a cardiologist to confirm everything is repaired perfectly then after his ok, they will close and she will be officially done with surgery!! Keep up the good prayer work!

Abbie

Ollie Ollie Ollie Ol

Surgery is officially set.  Ollie goes in tomorrow at 7:30.  The surgery is supposed to be 4-5 hours which is fantastic cause we all were expecting 8 hours.  We are set.  We've got laptops and movies and magazines and kindles and a big bag of chocolate cookies from my very dear friend Angie.  I know that it will go well, I don't doubt that one bit, but I am nervous.  It's that special kind of anxiety you get when you know there is not a single thing that could be done differently, but if you had the chance, you'd change the situation completely.  I just dread that incision.  I'm not sure why....I think mostly cause she can't tell us how she feels yet.  At least if she could look me in the eye and say "this sucks Aunt Abbie" I'd know that she was sharing the burdeon in some small way.  That's all I want.  To be able to protect her. To spare her any difficulty or pain.  If this is how I feel about my nieces and nephews, I can only imagine it will be worse when I have my own kids.  But can you blame me?  I mean seriously, just look at this face!

Oh she is chubby up top and has skinny little legs.  She earned the handle "Super Squish."   I have taken every opportunity to squeeze those cheeks and kiss on her excessively.  And it's been good...every minute of it! 

I am getting ready to brush my teeth and crawl into bed.  I will then pretend to be able to sleep as I check the clock every few hours just to make sure I'm up on time.  Keep us all in your prayers.  We are so darn close to hearing the doctor say she did great and we can see her shortly.  I just can't wait for it!

Two years

I'm a sucker for this guy right here.  

How could I not be with a smile like this?

 Even though my ring was too small, it didn't stop me from putting it on and saying yes. 

How could I say no to a man that's not afraid to look girly drinking tea?

A man that's helpful when it comes to stuffing envelopes.  

That makes this face cause he can't believe how good waffels can be.

A man that looks so sweet when he sleeps,

But can trash a hotel room

A man that took this picture half a dozen times just to get it "right." 

A man that loves my friends,

and likes to dress up on occassion,

A man with blue eyes and a crazy beard

that make him look Amish

A guy who's hand fits mine, that is big enough to make me look small

He's my hoodrat

With him, I'm on top of the world.

Happy anniversary to my Zacman!  I've loved you from the get-go.