A Father's Day Story Everyone Should Read

If you don't know Dick Hoyt and his son Rick's story, well, you will now. And if you have heard it before, then you know that it's worth sharing. Maybe, you will even pass this on to someone you know. All I know is that I often struggle what that image of a perfect parent looks like; how to honor God with the children he has given me... I know that the best thing we can do for our kids is to give them our unconditional love, and when I think of that kind of love, I often think of this story:

"I try to be a good father. Give my kids mulligans. Work nights to pay For their text messaging. Take them to swimsuit shoots.
But compared with Dick Hoyt, I suck.
Eighty-five times he's pushed his disabled son, Rick, 26.2 miles in Marathons. Eight times he's not only pushed him 26.2 miles in a Wheelchair but also towed him 2.4 miles in a dinghy while swimming and Pedaled him 112 miles in a seat on the handlebars--all in the same day.
Dick's also pulled him cross-country skiing, taken him on his back Mountain climbing and once hauled him across the U.S. On a bike. Makes Taking your son bowling look a little lame, right?
And what has Rick done for his father? Not much--except save his life.

This love story began in Winchester , Mass. , 43 years ago, when Rick Was strangled by the umbilical cord during birth, leaving him Brain-damaged and unable to control his limbs.
"He'll be a vegetable the rest of his life;'' Dick says doctors told him And his wife, Judy, when Rick was nine months old. ``Put him in an Institution.''
But the Hoyts weren't buying it. They noticed the way Rick's eyes Followed them around the room. When Rick was 11 they took him to the Engineering department at Tufts University and asked if there was Anything to help the boy communicate. ``No way,'' Dick says he was told. ``There's nothing going on in his brain.''
"Tell him a joke,'' Dick countered. They did. Rick laughed. Turns out a Lot was going on in his brain. Rigged up with a computer that allowed Him to control the cursor by touching a switch with the side of his Head, Rick was finally able to communicate. First words? ``Go Bruins!'' And after a high school classmate was paralyzed in an accident and the School organized a charity run for him, Rick pecked out, ``Dad, I want To do that.''
Yeah, right. How was Dick, a self-described ``porker'' who never ran More than a mile at a time, going to push his son five miles? Still, he Tried. ``Then it was me who was handicapped,'' Dick says. ``I was sore For two weeks.''

That day changed Rick's life. ``Dad,'' he typed, ``when we were running, It felt like I wasn't disabled anymore!''
And that sentence changed Dick's life. He became obsessed with giving Rick that feeling as often as he could. He got into such hard-belly Shape that he and Rick were ready to try the 1979 Boston Marathon.
``No way,'' Dick was told by a race official. The Hoyts weren't quite a Single runner, and they weren't quite a wheelchair competitor. For a few Years Dick and Rick just joined the massive field and ran anyway, then They found a way to get into the race Officially: In 1983 they ran another marathon so fast they made the Qualifying time for Boston the following year.
Then somebody said, ``Hey, Dick, why not a triathlon?''
How's a guy who never learned to swim and hadn't ridden a bike since he Was six going to haul his 110-pound kid through a triathlon? Still, Dick Tried.

Now they've done 212 triathlons, including four grueling 15-hour Ironmans in Hawaii . It must be a buzzkill to be a 25-year-old stud Getting passed by an old guy towing a grown man in a dinghy, don't you Think?
Hey, Dick, why not see how you'd do on your own? ``No way,'' he says. Dick does it purely for ``the awesome feeling'' he gets seeing Rick with A cantaloupe smile as they run, swim and ride together.
This year, at ages 65 and 43, Dick and Rick finished their 24th Boston Marathon, in 5,083rd place out of more than 20,000 starters. Their best Time? Two hours, 40 minutes in 1992--only 35 minutes off the world Record, which, in case you don't keep track of these things, happens to Be held by a guy who was not pushing another man in a wheelchair at the Time.
``No question about it,'' Rick types. ``My dad is the Father of the Century.''
And Dick got something else out of all this too. Two years ago he had a Mild heart attack during a race. Doctors found that one of his arteries Was 95% clogged. ``If you hadn't been in such great shape,'' One doctor told him, ``you probably would've died 15 years ago.'' So, in a way, Dick and Rick saved each other's life.

Rick, who has his own apartment (he gets home care) and works in Boston, and Dick, retired from the military and living in Holland, Mass. , always find ways to be together. They give speeches around the country and compete in some backbreaking race every weekend, including this Father's Day.
That night, Rick will buy his dad dinner, but the thing he really wants to give him is a gift he can never buy.
``The thing I'd most like,'' Rick types, ``is that my dad sit in the chair and I push him once.''
{Article by Rick Reilly; Sports Illustrated}

And the video is below...

Happy Father's Day.

“New Use” Tuesday!

The only magazine I subscribe to is Real Simple Magazine and one of my favorite sections is their “New Uses for Old Things” feature! I love that they take everyday items and use them for unusual or random things. Personally I LOVE using items for anything EXCEPT what they were meant to be used for! {That trait comes in handy when garage sale hunting.} ;o) SO, Tuesdays around here are going to be “New Uses for Old Things” Tuesdays. {Does Real Simple have that phrase copyrighted? Maybe I’ll just call it “New Use Tues.”} ;o)

Anyways, today’s first “New Use” for something old is … {drum roll please}… ALUMINUM FOIL!!
Why aluminum foil? Because I’m getting ready to do some painting this summer and in my blog hunting, I found this picture:


New Use #1: Using Aluminum Foil as a hardware protector when painting! Genius right? This is my favorite “new use!” Since foil hugs and takes the shape of whatever it covers it’s perfect for the job! This is so cool in and of itself, I could stop there, but in case you need more, here are some other new uses for aluminum foil:

#2: Aluminum foil as a make-shift funnel. In a pinch, you can roll two layers of foil in the shape of a cone and use it as a funnel.

#3: As a kitchen scrubber. Roll foil up in a ball and add some dish soap. Use to scrub stubborn food off of glass bakeware.

#4: Sharpen your scissors!! Cut about 6-8 layers of aluminum foil with a dull pair of scissors. The cut alone will sharpen the scissors! {I'll have to try this one!}

almost done…

#5: Wrinkle remover! For those of you who iron. {My current criteria for clothing is no dry cleaning and no ironing!} Place aluminum foil under silk, wool and rayon clothing that can’t take direct heat. HOLD the iron 3-4 inches ABOVE the garment and the foil will radiate the heat and help take out the wrinkles! Nice…

And the finale…. Cat toy (Rolled up in a ball or with a string tied to it), baking pan covers, pie crust edge covers or wrap cheese in foil to keep it from molding. Any other ideas??

I hope you enjoyed the first “New Use Tuesday!”
Some of these ideas I got blog hunting and many I got here: Real Simple Magazine. Check ‘em out!

Children’s Artwork: It’s not just for the refrigerator anymore!

I don't know about you, but my kids are always coming home with or creating cool art projects. The problem is -- where to display it all? Some I give to grandparents, but the special ones I like to keep -- and love to display! I once read that displaying your child's art let's them know you not only value their work, you value them. So, I knew it was important!
The refrigerator was my 'go-to' place for the longest time - until I got a stainless fridge that is non-magnetic. :( My boys, out of habit, will tape their work to the front of the fridge (now reserved for the newest piece of art or most proud work.) but I knew I had to find another system. This is what I came up with:

I had four 12" square cork board panels already on hand. (I think I bought them at Target – sorry I don’t have any before pics) I had been waiting for something to do with these panels and when I bought my new fridge, I immediately knew!

I went to Michaels craft store when they were having a frame sale and bought four black 12" square frames.

General Directions:
1. REMOVE the glass from the 12” picture frames.{Maybe you can save the glass for another project?}
2. Insert the 12” cork board panel like you would a picture. {Depending on your frame, you may need to trim down the cork board - I didn't though.}
3. Insert the backing to the frame and you are done!!


Here is a picture of the four frames hung in my hallway:

Close up:

And the final display – I bought clear push pins to easily pin up, display, and change out the artwork!

Close up:

My boys love that they have a place that highlights their hard work! I even pin up things they write! I hope you enjoy this project! I would love to hear of any creative ideas you have for displaying your child’s art!
God Bless xoxo

This project is linked up here:

5 Things You Should Know About Boys

{According to a 7 year old that is!} 

TAKE 1:

Aaaand, Take 2305 TAKE 2:

In case you missed it, here they are again:

1. They like to get dirty.
2. They have to get washed off. {Sometimes against their will.}
3. They like to do pillow fights and wrestle! 
4. They like to snuggle. {He was almost peer pressured out of saying this one by a 10 year old who shall remain nameless.} 
5. They like to eat! 

Words of wisdom! The funniest conversations happen at the dinner table! :) Love these boys! Oh -- and in case you missed it -- we are SO GLAD to have THIS GUY back home!!!

  {Is it just me, or does he look older?} :(

They grow up so fast....

I can't believe that today, I had to send my 5th grader to Science Camp for a whole week!!! Okay, 4 days, but it FEELS long already! Time flies! I remember talking to him last year about going and he was SOOO excited! And this year, that is ALL he could talk about. {Seriously, NON STOP.} But  guess what? Last night, he said he 'felt a little weird about it' and 'wasn't sure about going'. Was someone homesick already? :( He started getting nervous about - who would be his room buddy? And what activities would they be doing? And would he HAVE to do the ropes course? And so on... My poor little guy. We talked about all the fun activities, and mom even told him a story about when she went to Science Camp in 6th grade - on AN ISLAND called Catalina, far, far away... and then we prayed and asked God to give us peace about the trip and talked about all the FUN things there would be to do at camp! And this morning - he got up and was back to excited!! (Although several times I heard himself saying "It's just like school, only longer." And "really mom, it's only 2 days, since I'll see you today, be gone Wed. & Thurs. and then I'll see you Friday." Thanks for making me feel better kiddo. ;-) It was still hard to say goodbye. Here he is all ready to go!:

 Sean and his friend Carson waiting to get on the bus!

 I guess it's just me and little man until Friday!!!

 I suppose we'll find SOMETHING fun to do...;o)

{The school update at 2:45 was that all students arrived to camp safely - just in time for lunch!} I'm trying not to neurotically check my email for camp updates! :):) Sigh... Is it just me? Or is it hard for everyone who has to "let their kids go" for the very first time... how did you deal with it?? Let me know! :)

Memorial Day = Day of Service!

Memorial Day is a day to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country and those who daily lay their lives on the line to serve our country. Sooo, what better way to honor them than to perform an act of service ourselves? Saddleback did a day of service today and my friends and I were at Rancho Capistrano doing our part! There were over 700 people there this morning!! WOW! Projects ranged from landscaping and window washing to major paint projects. We helped in the tape & painting department. Here are some pictures from the day & of our handy work:

First, the beautiful Rancho Capistrano...

 Shaina and I taping away! We were working in the Sunday school classrooms, prepping them for paint. We taped inside the classroom & the guys taped the hallway. With so many volunteers, things got done really fast!

 Heidi taping like a pro!

 The final product -- before paint that is :o)

 I loved serving with you girls! {Thanks for being on camera duty guys -- next time we'll have to get you in the pics!}:o)

 It was a wonderful opportunity to bond with great friends and meet new people! I even saw some of my former students painting and digging away! It was awesome! I wish we could have done more! And THANK YOU to all the military men and women who serve our country with more than just a broom, or tape. You serve with your life. Those of us back home appreciate the sacrifices you and your families make every day!

Some final 'deep thought bloggage': Today was not only reflective of Memorial Day for me, it also reminded me of why I like to serve in the first place: It ALWAYS brings me closer to God and ALWAYS connects me closer to those I serve with. We may not have done much, we may not have changed the world, but one little corner of the world looks a little better today thanks to all those who came out & gave of their time and love. I truly believe that there are no small acts of service.  In fact, God keeps reminding me lately that life is not all about me and reminding me how good it feels to do something for HIM. My prayer is that I remember to wake up each day and live a life pleasing to Him. {I don’t know about you, but there are SO many temptations and things in this world that try to get in the way!!} But I do know that I am going to try to honor God with whatever it is I do.  Where is that taking me? I don’t know. Today, it was Rancho Capistrano. Tomorrow? I’ll let you know. ;o) 

Happy Mother's Day - From a Single Mama

Five years ago I was ‘celebrating’ my first Mother’s Day as a single parent. While I’m sure I did something special with my mom and maybe decided to skip cleaning the house that day, the reality is, that when parenting a 2 and 5 yr. old alone – Mother’s Day is pretty much like any other day. People would ask me then ‘How do you do it?’ and I would smile with grace and say, ‘It’s not so bad’, ‘I’m used to it’ or ‘that’s just life. No big deal. I love my kids.’  All of that was true, but at the same time, the REALITY was this: parenting a 2 and 5 yr. old alone is HARD. Their dad saw them about 41 days – that ENTIRE year. Getting divorced meant I couldn’t stay home with my babies & I had to get a job. My day-to-day went something like this: wake up to a busy, and often grumpy, 2 yr. old who didn’t want to go to daycare, so cried and sometimes threw a tantrum until I dropped him off {crying} and got ready to take my Kindergartener to school. I’d walk him to line {if we weren’t running late after all that} and then I’d drive to school. The whole drop off & drive took about 45 minutes – & then I started my day job. I’d teach young minds the value of English and History and answer the same questions 5 times a day and love it. Then I’d do the reverse of my morning routine – pick up 5 yr. old, pick up 2 yr. old and head home to make dinner. We got our nighttime routine down pretty fast – eat dinner, take a bath, read books, go to bed. Most times it went smoothly, sometimes we forgot homework, threw up dinner, had an accident, cried for attention, dealt with daddy issues, or just plain couldn’t sleep. Those hard nights I asked myself ‘How can I do this one more day? I barely made it through THIS day?’ The reality was, I couldn’t. The reality was, for every day I was swarmed with hugs and kisses, there was a day I was overwhelmed. I’d crumple and cry, NOT knowing how I was going to get from one day to the next. The reality was, it was only by God’s grace that I managed to get to the next day. If it wasn’t for 1. My own amazing mother who was a living example of the mom I wanted to be and 2. God’s amazing love for me, I wouldn’t have known how to love my children through this tough time. I would have given up. But I’m so glad I didn’t! Because this has been the best 5 years of my life!!

Because many mornings I woke up with a 2 yr. old cuddled next to me and a 5 yr. old tapping my nose. {Those were the best mornings!}  Because each day became a time of bonding for our little trio. Because each day it got easier and making it through that first year, made me feel like I could get through ANYTHING! Because they make me LAUGH every day. Because their dad now sees them almost twice as much as that first year. Because they became potty trained {yay!}, self sufficient {yay for dressing yourself and making your own breakfast!} and OH SO loving!! Now, at ages 7 and 10 they draw me pictures, are full of endless hugs, kisses and daily acts of love and appreciation. My boys have been known to say things to me such as ‘Let’s let the hardest working person in the house pick the movie tonight. Mom – what do you want to watch?’ and ‘Not all mom’s come to every practice and game. I’m lucky.’  ‘Thanks mom!’ and ‘You make my heart happy’ <3 And the most recent: ‘Mom, if you hear the toaster oven beep in the morning – just ignore it. I’m making you breakfast in bed.’ These boys make EVERY day feel like it’s Mother’s Day! 

This morning I woke up to toast, Raspberry Danish, and Sunny Delight Orange Juice {in a plastic Veggie Tales cup.}  {Love those boys!} <3

 So today, when people ask me ‘How do I do it’ I can answer with grace and a smile: ‘It’s through the grace of God.’ and ‘It’s hard sometimes, but I’m lucky – I have GREAT kids and I LOVE THEM SO MUCH.’ They are worth every minute of sacrifice and every ounce of my love. I try hard to be that woman in Proverbs 31, and a lot of times I fail, but I never, EVER give up. So, 3 cheers to every mother out there that practices the labor of love & sacrifices her heart and time for the love of her children. God Bless You and Happy Mother’s Day! xo

She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. ~Prov. 31

Shared with the lovely readers at Tidy Mom and Tatertots and Jello