Thanks to the genetics of my father, I can tend to be a forgetful person.  Writing things down or saving them into my phone helps me remember and keep track of where I need to be when and my to-do’s.  I am so fond of writing things down that when I was in school I would re-write or type up my notes and chapter highlights to study.  Doing so helped me commit it to my memory to do well on tests. 

Floyd on the other hand is not one for notes.  In fact, he loathes them. 

Next week, my parents are coming to visit–and there is a ton of stuff around the house that needs to get done before they arrive.  So I started to jot down a list to, in my mind, help Floyd manage day-to-day tasks he could simply check off and get done at his leisure.  He was not very happy with this idea, and said, “I know what needs to be done.  Don’t worry about it.”

I was admittedly a bit miffed initially.  Sometimes it’s just hard for me to think that other people approach getting a job done differently than I do, or how I might  best like it to be done.  Even after 6 years of marriage, and 11 years as a couple, that still doesn’t always sink in through my thick skull I suppose.

At any rate, yes Floyd’s been getting it done without my dreaded list or nudging reminders.  I just have to sit back and practice my imperfect patience and not delegate responsibilities to the point it makes him go nuts. 

We just finished our small group study of “Love & Respect” and I got to thinking about how I should sometimes “practice what I preach”.  It’s all about recognizing our different perspectives as a man and woman to make a perfect union in God’s eyes.  The author puts it in terms of how men see through blue glasses and listen with blue hearing aids, while women see through pink glasses and listen with pink hearing aids.  Together, our challenge is to become purple–a melding of the best of us both.  Just because we do things differently doesn’t make it wrong.  It makes us “us”.  Ultimately, when we let ourselves blend into purple, it glorifies God.  We set an example of what a strong, healthy marriage looks like for the world to see.  It’s a hefty, but important burden.  And sometimes I just have to take a step back, think before I speak or act, and let purple take its place.

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We bought a cute small baby pool for Drake to wade in on the back deck.  Sunday afternoon when it got so warm, we had him take his first dip!  After a few minutes of just sitting there, he really started to LOVE IT!  He splashed around, kicked and had a glorious time!  It makes me excited to get him the “real pool” and beach later this summer.

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With each passing year, it gets harder to believe the rising toll of how many years Floyd & I have been together.  He’s been such an integral part of my life for almost 11 years now, that it sometimes is  hard to remember what life was like before him–which is a good thing!  Today marks our six-year wedding anniversary!  Cliche, yes, but gosh it is so hard to believe!  It has zinged right past our eyes.  This is probably one of the most special years of all, though, thus far.  After all, as we reflect on the year leading up to number six, we announced we were pregnant, I successfully carried and gave birth to a healthy, wonderful little boy.  Drake is pure joy!  With every smile and giggle, my heart just melts.  Floyd & I were sitting at the table having lunch today before I had to come in to work, and Drake was laying on the floor just smiling and playing with toys.  I just couldn’t wipe the grin off my face.  He is just so incredible, beyond words the feeling he brings.  Then Floyd looked at me, and I just felt that rush all over again like the day he was born–pride and feeling so blessed to be sharing in this journey with my absolute best friend in the world. 

Floyd’s been by my side through so much.  We’ve had a lot of “firsts” together in our journey through life, each one special and unique.  Every day, he gives me reasons to smile and be happy, even if I’m having the crumbiest and most stressful of days.  I’ll never forget my senior year in high school when I was competing at the state qualifying drama meet.  I’d done well all year, but had a cold going into the final rounds.  I ended up being two places shy of qualifying for state in my key event.  I was so utterly disappointed.  Floyd came to me with this tiny little cherub angel he’d found in the hotel gift shop and it had a little tag with a sweet message–something to the effect of everything being okay.  It was just the right little thing at the right moment to make my tears dry up, and for me to smile and hug him tightly.  I know full well that I can be an emotional basket case at times (something I blame on my mother!  haha).  But Floyd’s cool, calm, collectedness never fails to make me feel safe, secure, and so very loved. 

My parents sent us an anniversary card this week, and one of the lines said something about how we were an inspiration…I thought, “Wow”.  I’ve always thought that about them, but to know they think that of us is pretty amazing.  With each passing year, Floyd & I have just grown stronger & closer together…and I couldn’t for one second think of anyone I’d rather spend forever with.  So cheers to six years–and many more to come!!

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Floyd is almost done with teaching duties for the year.  He’ll be spending a lot of time at home with Drake this summer, playing role as daddy day care!  I know he’s really excited and that he and Drake will have so much fun together (and make me jealous of it all!).  We’ll only be sending the little man to daycare two days a week to hold his spot for fall, which hopefully will also help keep him on the same eating and sleeping schedule through summer, too. 

We’ve also decided that once Floyd is home, we’ll begin the dreaded task of moving Drake into his own room, sleeping in his crib.  Since I’ll be stopping nursing soon, and Drake’s a master of sleeping through the night now, the transition can be made.  His room is only steps away from ours, but just the thought of not seeing him in his bassinet when I walk to the bathroom or first thing when I get up out of bed is a little sad.  It just makes me realize how quickly it all really does fly by!  But it will be nice for Floyd & I to have our room back.  I know the first couple of nights will be particularly tough.  I may even sleep on the floor in his room on night one just to assure myself he’s okay!  It’s just his first step in “growing up”–in a long journey yet to come!

 

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So as part of my new venture into eating better–I’ve been digging around for healthy, EASY recipes.  This one was pretty darn tasty and even got Floyd’s approval! 

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts 2 Tbsp. honey 1 Tbsp. orange juice 1 Tbsp. ground cumin 1 Tbsp. garlic, minced Salt and pepper

Preheat oven to broil.  Mix honey, orange juice, cumin, garlic, and salt and pepper to taste.  Dip chicken breasts in cumin mixture.  Broil chicken for 4 minutes.  Turn chicken over and brush on more of the cumin mixture. Broil until done, approximately 4 more minutes.  Remove from heat and serve. (courtesy teambeachbody.com)

It comes out moist, tender and tasty!  The best part–only 120 calories per serving!!  I served it with broccoli and fresh fruit.

If you’re looking for a healthy sweet treat–I recently re-discovered an old favorite I had kind of forgotten about:  Edy’s no sugar added fruit bars.  I get the variety pack with black cherry, kiwi strawberry, and mixed berry.  Each delightful popsicle has just 25 calories!  So you can even have two if you’re really hungry and not feel guilty!

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After my first week on this “healthy” course, I decided to make the trip to the basement and get on the dreaded scale.  I was honestly just hoping to stay the same or maybe be down a pound.  Much to my delightful surprise–down three pounds in just my first week!  I don’t expect this to be a typical result, but it certainly is great motivation to keep sticking with it!    Thanks for all of your kind and encouraging words,too–it means more than you know!

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Two days in a row–I’ve managed to get out of bed around 5:40 a.m.  That’s almost an hour earlier than I normally get up (and that’s an hour earlier than I got up before I had Drake!).  I decided that if I’m really going to get back to pre-baby shape, the mornings are my best shot at getting in a good workout.  Drake sleeps until at least 6:30 most mornings, if not 7.  When I get home from work, I’m in a whirlwind of housework and enjoying time with Drake, so exercise gets put WAY on the back burner.  So far–so good with this early morning stuff though!  I have not wanted to get out of bed so much either day.  But after my workouts, I feel so good.  I have just been reminding myself of that when I worm my way out of bed and go downstairs to turn on the workout DVD.  I’m keeping a private log of my progress, and hopefully I’ll have some good results.  I am watching what I eat, too.  It’s not easy—but should get better this summer, when Floyd will be around in the mornings (out of school) to help out with Drake.  I just hope I really can stick with it…I have faith I can do it..Now the task–prove it to myself!

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I think over the years I’ve come to learn more and more that you just simply never know the difference you can make by your actions and the way you treat others.  As a believer, of course, I feel there’s an obligation to try and be a good model of Christ-like behavior–particularly in how I interact with people in my job. 

In six years of doing TV, I have probably interviewed literally hundreds of people by now.  Part of the reason I see it as my calling is because I’ve found there are far too many people in this business that are focused on the “task at hand”–get the story, get it on air, nevermind the people that are impacted and how you have to go about getting your “scoop”.  I’ve been convicted that doing my job is much more about being relatable, and that old golden rule of treating others how I myself want to be treated.  I’ve had to interview families of murder victims, a girl who was allegedly abducted, parents of very sick children, and some very other difficult subjects.  It’s never easy–but part of why I do it is for the compassion I know I can show to these people.  I truly empathize with their situations–and try my darndest to put myself in their shoes, even if just for a moment.

I’ve shared a bit about this particular family in the past–but the Scotts continue to hold a special place with me.  This family lost their teenage son in a car crash a few years ago.  Their son, Drew, was a unique kind of guy.   He LOVED red tractors (a kind of abnormality in John Deere country to say the least!).  When he died, he was working to restore an old tractor.  His friends ended up finishing the job and showcasing it in a tractor ride with family and friends through the plains of Grundy County.  It was a touching tribute to a young life lost.  That day, I interviewed Drew’s dad, Lee.  He and his wife Janet were so incredibly positive and driven by faith, despite all the tragedy they’d endured.  Last year, I revisted this family when their community came together for a fundraiser for THEM.  Lee’s health has not been well.  I made sure to speak to he and Janet personally that evening, and they were so glad to see me and that I reached out to them again.  Still–their resolve and committed faith wowed me.

So what happens next in this story made me tear up.  Janet wrote me a very sweet email a few weeks back saying that she had something she wanted to send for Drake.  I said that was incredibly uneccesary and thoughtful beyond measure.  Fittingly enough, the gift arrived in the mail this Mother’s Day weekend. 

Inside–a wonderful hand-written note, accompanied by a red farm t-shirt and two toy red tractors.

The note said in part, “Thank you again for your wonderful coverage of Drew’s story…You weren’t just another reporter.  You really seemed to care.”

She went on to  explain that any time a baby was born when Drew was alive, he wanted to make sure they had one of his signature favorite red tractors.  So she wanted to make sure–in Drew’s honor–that Drake had one, too.  It was just such a touching moment. 

This reminds me of my calling and purpose and teaches the important lesson to all that you truly never know the difference you can make–it might be a handshake, a smile, or a hug at just the right time.  Those actions might just plant seeds that can make someone’s day—or have an ever more far-reaching impact that you’ll just never know.

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My first “official” Mother’s Day weekend was pretty gosh darn great.  Our little family went to a graduation party last night, then stayed at home and watched a movie (of my choosing) while I got caught up on putting pictures into photo albums.  This morning, Floyd cooked up bacon & eggs for me, and put three cards on the table–one from him, one from Drake, and one from our doggie Aleah!  It was so sweet!  Then we went to church and had lunch out together.  Drake was such a snuggly good boy this morning.  It still feels surreal at times that I really am a momma now.  He’s such a sweetheart and has bested any anticipation of what I dreamed motherhood would be like.  The lady sitting next to me in church this morning was so sweet.  She said, “People always tell you that you never know the joys of parenthood until you’re holding your child, then you know how true it is.”  I told her that I’m absolutely discovering that, and Drake makes me feel so special each and every day.  I am so blessed and honored to have he and Floyd in my life, and hope Drake continues to find me to be a good momma with each passing year!

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I never cease to be amazed at just how amazing “modern medicine” is.  We do stories all the time here at KWWL about the latest, greatest developments in treatments for diseases and research studies that might provide insight into healing any number of ailments. 

After my miserable night of sleep I detailed in my last blog– I was pretty sure something was wrong with me.  My chest hurt so incredibly bad that when I woke up that next morning I was in tears.  I picked up the phone and talked with the on-call physician.  She said to call the office when they opened and tell them I needed to be seen that day.  So they squeezed me in.  Sure enough, after the appointment, the doctor confirmed my suspicion:  mastitis–a painful infection that can afflict nursing moms.  Thank heavens though for that “modern medicine”!  The antibiotics have taken effect nicely thus far.  I feel TONS better today than I did just 24 hours ago.  Pain is not my friend.  So I’m quite grateful for the meds!  Now hopefully I can feel great this weekend–our first sand volleyball game is Sunday night!  GO TEAM!

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