Super Blogger Strikes Again...

Two posts in a week..oh my something has come over me :) This time I wanted to write about running, or just being healthy in general. I've always been fairly healthy and have tried to stay in decent shape. Of course that has included some spurts of activity and some long stretches of none but overall, pretty balanced. Shaun had a very active lifestyle with lots of exercise, sports and lifting. Its one of the many reasons I loved him. We were a lot alike. I think I equated a healthy lifestyle with true balance in life as well. If I'm able to manage stress, work, home life etc and still workout, that means I'm doing well. But then I got pregnant, had a baby, and soon after, Shaun was diagnosed with cancer. Priorities shifted. My new goal was to spend every possible moment outside of work with Shaun and Bryce. We instituted the every weekend adventure rule. Every weekend, the three of us would go somewhere fun and make memories. Some of my favorites were running up and down the big sled hill (with Jeremiah and Elaine), mini golfing at Navy Pier (with Phillip Parnell), going to the botanic garden (with the Dunns or the Hubbards), so many adventures :) I don't know that Bryce remembers most or even any of them, but I'm certainly glad we did that. But all that time I felt like life was imbalanced. I had always equated working out with normalcy so I was disappointed in myself for not being able to find time/motivation during this time. Of course, it needed to be this way. I would have regretted missing out on time with Shaun. But now that 9 months have passed since he died, I get to re-evaluate my priorities and find a new balance. So I started running again. I really have to thank Katy Laux Albin for the motivation. She wanted to run a race with me. I was hesitant since I hadn't run in a long time. So my stipulations were 1.) it had to be a 5K and 2.) it had to be in the evening. I hate morning runs. So she emails me and says there is a Big Ten race downtown in July (this was in early June) to support our respective alma maters (UofI and IU). But, its a 10K and it starts at 7:30am. Ok so both my criteria were thrown out the window, but I accepted anyways. And hurried up and bought a treadmill within a week ;) The training has been fun. I actually kind of enjoyed letting my mind wander, listening to music, and just being free. I ran my first 10K ever on Saturday morning. And with Katy's help and support, I finished, even sprinted the last 100 meters or so. It might not have been the fasted time, but we didn't walk. I made my goal of finishing but more importantly, I managed to reach my goal of getting life back on track again. I know the new job and continued stresses around the house will challenge me, but at least now I feel better equipped to deal with them. I got this ;)

Long lost blogger

I had all but given up on blogging. I didn't feel inspired anymore. I didn't feel inspirational anymore. I didn't feel like there were critical updates to our lives that needed documenting. Life was just happening without my controlling it. So, I just didn't feel like it. But I'm glad I've found some focus and purpose. The updates on the blog will still be about Bryce and me and the everyday events in our lives, but I feel like they are more under my control. I'm driving this car called life instead of it driving me. So since the last time I posted (forever ago I know, back when Bryce turned 3, almost 6 months ago), a few things have changed. Bryce started preschool and was awesome in how well he adapted and fit right in. The program is through Wheeling High School (my alma mater, and where my dad currently works), its all day and chock full of preschool awesomeness. He learned so much in just a few months. I can't wait for him to go back in the fall, as are my parents I'm sure since they've been watching him all summer! He's broken out of his shy shell and really engages with the other students. So this summer, its been fun to hear of his playdates and excursions with his friends from preschool. There have also been several birthday parties this summer which Bryce has had a ton of fun at...pictured is his friend Ian's birthday where they got to learn everything about fire departments and fire safety. The other big news, drum roll please.... I got a new job!! I started at Baxter last week as a Research Scientist. Leaving Northwestern was bitter sweet. It had been a great job for me during the past two years. It was flexible and understanding of my family commitments and I think I achieved a good balance between work and family life, for what I needed then. But it was always the goal to move to industry. End my commute downtown, get something closer to home and that pays more money. I know money isn't everything in a career, but as a single mom, the money definitely helps :) My commute is about half the time which I love. I haven't managed to work in more time with Bryce since I'm leaving the same time in the morning and coming home the same time as I did, I'm just working a lot more!! But I think its a fair tradeoff. A few months ago someone asked me where I was going in my career. I thought to myself, career? I can't think more than a day ahead, let alone big picture right now. So I'm proud that I'm in a good place now. Able to take on change and not fear it. Able to take on challenges way too big for me to tackle just a few months ago. Of course my grief is still with me, it always will be. But with the help of those who love us, Bryce and I have really been able to move on and live our lives. I guess thats all we can do and all Shaun ever wanted for us.

Bryce is 3!!

Happy Birthday to my Little Dude. I can't believe how fast you are growing up before my eyes. I am so proud of you and the amazing little person you are becoming. I really shouldn't call you munchkin anymore seeing that you are as big as a 5 year old!! Your Dad would be so proud of all that you are learning. There is so much of him in you. I know I have my work cut out for me to keep you challenged and its just a matter of time before I won't be able to win debates against you. I love how logical you think and how you can use your negotiation skills to find solutions that make everyone happy. You have an amazing memory and grasp of context. Plus, I'm pretty sure you can add and subtract. How cool is that? Socially, you've blossomed and are comfortable enough to jump right in and play with other kids, no matter what their age. You are creative and funny and an absolute joy. Thanks for making my job as a Mommy so much fun. Love you more Munchkin.

My First Jimmy V Foundation Event = Success

Sorry about the delay but I wanted to let everyone know how the Jimmy V foundation fundraiser went a couple of weeks ago. Jeremiah and I headed up to Elgin Community College to meet with Coach Jerry McLaughlin and his women's basketball team. Coach McLaughlin is an inspirational man who's life, like so many of ours, has been unfortunately touched by cancer. But being surrounded by generous, loving people growing up has made him an unbelievably generous person willing to give everything he has to people and causes he believes in. Jeremiah and I were both blown away at how warm and generous he was to both of us. He's a pretty good coach too! His team won their conference last week and is playing an important playoff game tomorrow night that Bryce and I hope to attend. Its been awhile since I've seen a women's basketball game but I really had a lot of fun! The team is disciplined and organized and very talented. I think Shaun would have approved of Coach McLaughlin's coaching style as well. They pressed in the beginning to challenge the other team, built a big lead then backed off and coasted the rest of the game. I don't know if coasting is really the right word, they did still win by 34 points! The silent auction and fundraising efforts were also a success!! Thank to all our friends and family who donated, I raised $1000 for the Jimmy V Foundation. In total, the event raised over $5000 for cancer research. I am so proud of our efforts and for a first time out, I think we did a great job! There will be another fundraising event to support the Jimmy V Foundation in October so I hope to help out with that event too! Thanks again to everyone who donated, I know Shaun would be so proud of our efforts.

V Foundation

Its not too late!!

Thank you to everyone who has sent me checks and or items for the silent auction. You really are helping a great foundation. And if you haven't gotten your check in the mail yet, don't worry, there is still time! The event is February 4th so plenty of time for snail mail to do its thing. I apologize for not having an easier online method of donating through me but if you would prefer, you could always donate directly through the Jimmy V foundation website www.jimmyv.org

Thank you all so much for your support!

Fundraising Efforts

As many of you know, my husband, Shaun Thistlethwaite, died in October after a two year battle with colon cancer. But did you know he was a basketball coach? In fact, he took his high school girls team to the elite eight two years in a row and might have had a champion team if we hadn't moved away. Shaun believed in supporting scientific research (whew! considering he married a scientist) but Jimmy V's message also spoke to him. Coach Jimmy Valvano said " Don't give up, don't ever give up." And Shaun truly embraced that sentiment and never gave up despite his battle with cancer.

In 1993, The V Foundation for Cancer Research was established by ESPN and the late NC State basketball coach Jim Valvano. Their mission is to save lives by helping find a cure for all cancers. Since their inception, they have raised more than $90 million for cancer research, 100% of which is awarded to cancer research and related programs. Cancer does not discriminate and if trends continue, it will strike one of every two men and one of every three women in the United States in our lifetime. Therefore, volunteers (including myself) are joining together to create a fundraising event to benefit The V Foundation for Cancer Research. The Never Give Up Fundraiser will be held February 4, 2012, at the Elgin Community College in Elgin, IL. We sincerely request your consideration of support for this event and The V Foundation in Shaun's honor and memory.

The schedule of events is:

12:00pm-4:00pm- Silent Auction

1pm- Elgin Community College Women's Team vs. McHenry County College
3pm- Elgin Community College Men's Team vs. McHenry County College

We are looking forward to a great day of women's and men's basketball and raising funds for a great cause. Please help by donating an item for the auction, a check, or your time to this great cause. All checks can be made payable to "The V Foundation".

Please mail donations to
Melissa Thal
1451 Marcy Ln
Wheeling, IL 60090



Thank you so much for your consideration and support. I know Shaun was proud of the work done by this foundation and eager to support those who never give up.

Best Wishes,
Melissa

The V Foundation for Cancer Research is a tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) organization. Federal Tax ID number 13-3705951
www.jimmyv.org

Christmas Gifts

So this is hilarious....Thank you Nana and Poppa for the awesome piano with the microphone. I think Bryce might have a budding career as a rapper.