Dear Abandoned Blog

So at least I know I am not the only one out there terrible at updating blogs in "blogworld."  When I logged in, I noticed the few blogs I follow haven't been updated in quite some time as well. (shew)

Anyway, several updates here at the Rohde house! I'm not sure where to start but just know that I'll have this blog up and running again soon-

The last post in here was about starting a running program. That was a gigantic FAIL!. Not because I chickened out and stopped, but because a few days after that blog post I broke my foot in a nasty spot and have been "benched." Here we are 8 months later and it still isn't working right. A recent MRI and a new Ortho specialist should have me jogging within the next 4-6 weeks (at least that is the latest news as of this week.)  I still feel this strong urge and leading from the Lord to work feverishly to take good care of my body and get stronger. I have no clue what for.... but feel like I am needing to prepare for something. Not sure what for yet but am okay with waiting on God's .

Oh- and even though my foot was being a big meanie, I lost about 35 pounds :)  yahoo! So the road to health and wellness is off to a good start.
More to come.....

Blessings

I did it!! (sort of)

Short post:
I completed my first session in the couch to 5k program (yeah, I may have forgotten to mention that I decided to give it a whirl) Anyway... I did it!!  I didn't puke, pass out or cry my eyes out! Let me be clear- I came very close to doing all three of those things...at the same time. But none less, I finished.
Will I go on to session 2... after today I'm crossing my fingers I don't chicken out.
In other headlining news here at our house- Amber is in the worst shape of her life! Pretty sure anyone who drove by got a good laugh at my attempt at running. But hey- I suppose you gotta start somewhere?
 Right??

After the podcast finished, regular music came on the ipod- random Goo Goo dolls song "iris" came on. I didn't pay too much attention as I gasped for air in the cool down walk back to the house but at the end of the song when it repeats, "I just want you to know who I am." I almost got a little teary. As completely cheesy as it may sound, I felt a little nudge from the Big Guy..you know, THE Big Guy in Heaven. Giving me some nudge like.."did you hear that? I just want you to know who I am."    You see- I have NO IDEA why I am starting this running program when I literally hate running *HATE* it (not a word I toss around lightly)  But I just feel like I'm supposed to do it. Oh Lord- where are you leading?? sigh....

Let's see if I can walk in the morning....

Much Love

To Run or not to run...

So Josh and I have had a conversation or two as to how we can take better care of ourselves in all aspects of life. Mostly to be an example to our son, but to also do it for our health and the longevity of our lives. Ironically this past Sunday Pastor Jeremy's sermon was titled "running" in his new series Surrender. It was awesome- you can check it (and any other previous sermons) at www.Epic-Church.org if you have a few extra minutes.
Anyway... his sermon was obviously much more spiritual than this post but it was about running from God. I'm not talking about running from God here today... I'm going to talk a moment about running from... running!!!

Josh started playing in the Bremen Summer Tennis league this past Monday, something he really enjoys doing every summer. Let me start off by saying that he played AWESOME for having not played since last year's tennis league!!  However, he mentioned being just a bit winded that day.  Then last night he says he has been thinking about starting up running. Like... outside....in the heat, getting up at 5:30am or some other nonsense hour of the day and go RUNNING!!  When he said that, my stomach turned and eyes bulged a bit as if he was telling me he wanted to dye his hair blue and start wearing kilts to work everyday.  I LOATHE running. I'd even go as far as to say.. I HATE running.

But then there is this small part of me that is tempted to give it a whirl. You see- I STINK at running. Always have...always. I don't enjoy it like some of you freakaziods that find it "fun" and "freeing" being out there on the pavement.  But I have heard from friends that once you get going and get through the initial "oh my- I want to die" feeling that it is awesome. Is this true?? Or is this some mass  attempt by all you runner types to get us non-runners in on your self-torturous cult??

So, I'm seriously considering running.... not willing to post some kind of "I'm committed to running even if it kills me" post and ask you all to track my progress. No no no no... Just sharing that I'm thinking about it... hahaha

Anyway... thoughts? Words of wisdom? Advice?


Much Love

Francesca Battistelli - This Is The Stuff Lyric Video

This is the link in the below post. Re-posted, for some reason the link wasn't working

One of those mornings- good for a giggle

So hello again blog world! It’s been a few months (forgive me!)

We reunite again because I just couldn’t keep my beautiful, wonderful morning to myself.

 Here goes it….

So our first baby, Bella was due to go to the vet, okay past due. So I scheduled her an appt for this morning at 9am. For those of you who have the pleasure of knowing the princess, Bella is fairly well trained here at home, however gets very anxious when we go somewhere. Her worst behavior is when we go to the groomer and the vet. My genius self thought that pairing her “vet behavior” with an early morning appt and adding an 11 month old in tow would be a great idea. (You already see where this is going)

1.)  Bella cried and spazzed out the entire drive to the point I almost turned around and went home because I didn’t feel safe driving with her acting like that all in my face

2.)  When we got to the vet she started howling then pooped in the parking lot while I was getting the stroller out of the trunk. Now, I am one of those people who ALWAYS…I mean ALWAYS picks up after her dog. But in my frazzled state could not find the little doggie poo bags so- now late for the appt I decided to leave it (feeling incredibly guilty) I started walking away when I was scolded by an old cat lady (literally- she had 3 in tow) “you know you can’t just leave that there, it’s unsanitary” aaarrggggg

3.)  Bella proceeded to demonstrate the most atrocious behavior I have ever seen out of her when we walked in the door of the vet- the kind of behavior that makes other people stare and judge your obviously negligent parenting skills. (Don’t lie- you know you do it)

4.)  While with the vet, she proceeded to spend 10 minutes telling me things I should be doing at home to get Bella’s behavior under control. She was extremely kind about it, but when I explained we do those things and have ever since we got her; I’m pretty sure she thought I was the worlds biggest liar. The eyes say it all….

5.)  Checking out she just got worse and worse…. I was paying for the morning’s humiliation (always fun when you have to pay to be mortified) Anyway… I was paying when she started howling again- which frightened Noah who then starts wailing at the top of his lungs.  After that I tried to hide under the fish tank in the lobby…wait.  I mean, I calmly spoke to both of them trying to calm them down. I turned around to get the receipt then Bella jumped up and nipped me in the butt.

6.)  Went back to the parking lot to pack up what appears to be circus animals that I have brought in public. The Monarch man (swapping out the rugs at the vet) was parked by me, he thinks he is funny and says..”so..(har har har) who cries more your dog or your kid” After mentally flipping him the bird, I reminded myself that I should probably conduct myself in a way that shows I know Jesus and kept the bird to myself.

7.)  Halfway home I began smelling something familiar- poo. Being a new mom, I smell poo from a mile away!   I discovered I had stepped in Bella’s poo from item #2 mentioned earlier it was smeared all over the bottom of my flip flop.

Sigh…. Got home and seriously contemplated what it would taste like to add a little tequila to my coffee. I wrote this instead.

So in honor of this morning and all mornings we ALL have like it…

This is the stuff that drives me crazy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqqdA8LHN7I

And yes, I have to admit I am giggling while I write because it was just so absurd.. J

Just a reminder...

Hello friends!
   I know it has been a couple of weeks since I have posted- but I just really want to encourage everyone to do something special for yourself today. Then when you are feeling refreshed and recharged- do something special for someone else! It can be small- it can be free- Just do something!!  

Let me know what you choose to do :0)

Much Love

As the New Year approaches

 I've been thinking today about how we look forward to each New Year and make lofty plans for what we want or don’t want for 2011.  As I ponder this annual process, I think a bit more about New Years Eve of last year. Last year I could not have imagined what was in store for me in 2010. I was about 4 months pregnant (thinking I was huge- HA) planning what I thought mommy-hood would entail and gearing up for the “best year ever!”  

It seems that I have a habit of only looking ahead to all the things that I think are the best, happiest, more positive events that may come in a new year and only anticipate those New Years Eve. However, tonight as I rejoice in the ‘fresh start’ feeling you get at midnight; I also wish to acknowledge some things that hurt in addition to the positive things. For in those times I grew, I was stretched and am so very thankful. This year Lord I wish to give you everything- the things that I may be expecting and the things that may creep up and smack my in the head for you are with me ALWAYS

* Last year I would have never imagined what the rollercoaster of becoming a mother would entail. I have blogged about Noah’s birth before and won’t go there tonight (for the sake of my sanity) :0) but many do not know that even Noah making it to delivery was quite a roller coaster. In my first Dr appointment to confirm the pregnancy an ultrasound technician believed the pregnancy to be ectopic and I was told I would have to have surgery immediately to terminate the pregnancy; but the Lord protected Noah through the hands of a wonderful Dr who thought maybe another test or two should be done. Long story short- apparently cysts can look very similar to an ectopic pregnancy in the beginning stages, the tech was wrong and because the Dr took another look instead of doing the surgery we have Noah.  

Praise the Lord for His protection.

* In April, Joshua’s elderly grandmother went to rest in Heaven after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Or at least I thought she was going to rest until the funeral when it was quite clear that Ms. Doris was not likely resting in heaven but singing songs, dancing to the accordion, and most certainly cracking jokes with other angels.  You see, it wasn’t until her funeral that I was able to know who Doris was. All I had even known was the thin woman who didn’t usually remember who I was. While we were in Wisconsin for the services I had the honor or hearing story after story about how Doris lived every moment for The Lord, this was a woman who truly made every moment count. It was hard to see my husband with so much sadness in his eyes. And yet

Praise the Lord for people He puts in my life as examples to grow towards Christ likeness

*In September Joshua’s mother was diagnosed with an incurable, inoperable brain tumor, she is only 59. I have to say this one took the wind out of our lungs; it is still difficult sometimes. Jeri takes after her mother Doris (see above paragraph); she takes after Doris in the sense that Jeri loves the Lord with all her heart; with every fiber of her being and every breath she takes. Through her illness, Jeri remains focused on praising God. When others might question (and have) why something like this could happen to such a wonderful woman- She tells everyone how fortunate and blessed she is to have minimal side effects from her treatments. She talks about having more opportunities to talk to people about God when they ask her about her illness. So as we wait for healing for Jeri…

Praise the Lord for His strength and wisdom

As 2011 approaches, none of us know what is in store for our lives! There is no way to predict what’s coming. However I rest in the assurance that

Emmanuel-God is with us.

El Shaddai- All Sufficient

We are never alone-

May you celebrate the New Year covered in His Peace, no matter what comes.

Much Love