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.