From Couch to Walt Disney with run GKTW

Been a long time since I last blogged and a lot has happened, but I want to begin with my new journey. On April 8th, 2013 a lot happened for me; I began a journey that would change my lifestyle forever. I began to Run. I'm not quite sure what made me make this decision then or even why. Mid Life Crises, a desire to look better, not wanting to see a therapist, wish to spend more time with wife and kids or maybe because I'm just getting older and fat wasn't so flattering. So at 212 lbs, a size 40+ waist and the inability to run down the block I began to run. I found a couch to 5K app for my Iphone, some music I wanted to hear and started on a five minute warm-up walk. Then the app said RUN well lucky for me it was only 30 seconds before I could WALK again, but after a few cycles that 30 seconds seemed to last forever. I made it home though and wanted to brag about my accomplishment on Facebook and that's when the second thing happened. I like a page called Give Kids The World Village (www.gktw.org), a magical place that grants vacations to children and their families that are going through life changing illnesses. My eldest daughter had the opportunity to visit back in 2009 and I have always had fond memories of there and a desire to give back. Well they had created a new way to give back... RUN GKTW.

This would be a charity run team that would offer the chance to do either the WDW Half Marathon or Full Marathon in January 2014. Disney! A chance to give back! A way to stay committed to running! I was in, I would run the WDW Half;  but there was one small catch. In order to participate you have to raise $3,000. Well I thought about how many people I knew, I have a Marketing/PR degree and I love the cause so I committed to making this happen. My friends and family would support me, or I would create other ways to raise these funds. So on that day things began to change, I went back to the YMCA a few days later and started a weight training plan, and on the 15th of April I bought my first real pair of running shoes. I went for a run that morning on a local trail called the Katy Trail and after feeling like my shoe and foot weren't matching up well I stopped by a local running store. I started trying on shoes with a very helpful sales associate and in the background a race was being run on the big screen. The 117th running of the Boston Marathon was playing and I had no clue what I was really watching. I saw past runners in the store enthralled with these men and women and knew I would never perform at that level but thought a new pair of shoes would at least help me run better. So I tried on quite a few and found one that fit best. The Brooks Ghost 5

, little did I know what would happen a few hours later and how the colors of this shoe would always symbolize to me the strength of a community. So today I start this blog again, a lot has happened since that tragic day and I have come a long way in my running and I look forward to sharing this journey with you the reader. Thanks for taking the time to visit and for more info on my run you can visit my First Giving page at (Matthew WDW Half)  I am very close to my original goal and would enjoy the support if available. May the Road Rise to Meet You!

Potty Training a Four Year Old...

So how was I too know how difficult it was going to be potty training a four year old. He tends to go every thirty minutes if you take him, but still doesn't want to tell you if he needs to go? I have taken over the duties for the next two days in order to Give Naomi a break, but I don't know if it is going to work. I have tried the reward chart, sticker after sticker, candy, toys and almost everything else you can think of. I have read the postings, blogs and other information, but I just don't know if I'm doing it right. Why can't my boy tell me "I need to Potty!" Is this really suppose to be so difficult and last so long. It seems we have gone four weeks now and we have some good days, but that is the days that we take him every 30 minutes. School is coming up soon and I want him ready by mid-august. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Been awhile

Been a long time since I have posted actually almost two years, but with the recent turmoil in the SN's Blogger World, it makes me want to write a little more and share the journey with others.

First off, don't trust people on the Internet. It's really the only way to start, because even some with the greatest intentions can burn you the most. If you don't personally know the individual and they haven't gone through proper federal channels, it's very easy for them to steal your funds and your dreams.

Well I wanted to write more, but I've got Daddy Duties so maybe next time.

Happy Birthday Mya Papaya!

I can't believe it's been seven years since we sat in the Hospital room on November 12th, being told the next morning we were going to deliver a baby by my Brother-In-Law. It's was 8 weeks pre-mature, but we were starting to see the same things happen right before we lost Griffin, and this time we had a doctor that would listen. So it was time. At 7:00 am Mom was in for delivery and I was putting on the scrubs with my sister and Naomi's Sister and then in we went. The doctor had already made the primary cut when I first walked in and I went to the wrong side of the table. What a way to see your wife in a whole new light!

Things went smooth and Mya was delivered, but taken soon after to Cook's Children Hospital for the next 17 days. What an amazing journey it has been!

Happy Birthday Princess! We love you very much.

Summers Over

Well it's been a while since I wrote and so much has changed with the kids, I don't really know where to start. So I will start working on getting updates posted, but let me just say for now. Mya is on to first grade and is really enjoying it and Aidan is starting to walk and talk. It's an exciting time!

Swine Flu? Why such a fuss

As I sit here in Baylor Our Children's House with Aidan during therapy, I really question this whole H1N1 thing. Is it really that big of a deal. They have us quaranteined for the next week. We just sit and wait for the next session while all the others move around us. I really want to thank the Media for over hyping this one... Am I wrong to think this really isn't as bad as it's being made out to be?

Aidan admitted to the hospital

Yesterday I had to rush Aidan to the hospital because he was severely dehydrated. He has been sick since Thursday night. Every feed I had given him had gone right through and he had diahrea within the hour. He was on Pedialyte only, all of yesterday. My parents helped because Matthew was working. My dad took Mya home and watched her while my mom stayed at the hospital. When Matthew came to relieve us from the hospital my mom and I came home to Mya who had been throwing up! So Mya has got the stomach bug that Aidan has. I’ve been able to get enough liquid down Mya that I am feeling good about her recovery but she is still very sick and weak. Needless to say she must stay home tomorrow. Aidan has a bit longer road ahead of him, His kidneys have had some trouble handling the dehydration so he is staying tonight as well and they will re-test his blood work in the morning. We think he is doing really well though at recovering. As far as Baylor I have to see if they will let him come in to the program later in the week. What a crazy weekend!