Day #4

Today marks the fourth day in a row we have had at least a 2hour late start to school. While at first this teacher was excited to have a shorter day at work, now I am getting annoyed. It's not the school district's fault that we have ice & yesterday 4 inches of snow just in my neighborhood. So I can't be upset with them. I loved a couple days of a slow pace but now I am so so ready to be back to a regular school day. I have so much to do before report cards in 2 weeks & now I am so behind! Praying that I can make it out of my neighborhood this morning & into work to try to get caught up!

Please let it stop and warm up soon! Late starts are fun in moderation mother nature. Please hear my word-haha

sincerely,
Amanda stressed out 3rd grade teacher

Gone by in a FLASH

How did 2016 go by so quickly and without me posting on the blog like I intended? I accomplished a lot throughout my year but I am not sure it all went as planned. I saw my second son graduate from high school in June and my oldest continue into his second year of college. Both boys enjoying adulthood and new jobs. Jeremy staying so healthy at times one might forget he has a rare disease who doesn't really know him. Grateful that God has seen fit to bless Jeremy with his health and seizure free for awhile. Jacob deciding his path for the moment is the direction of one day attending the Coast Guard Academy. As a new freshman in high school he is already taking steps to make this happen. Paul home for two straight years, still blows my mind! We are winding down our time as an active duty Army family and it's a little bit scary to think about. But I know that Paul is so ready to make the switch and retire soon.
  I myself completed 3 full marathons this year, which wasn't planned. We succeeded in raising over $1,200 for the Sturge-Weber Foundation in Jeremy's Pile of Miles last May. It was our 3rd year and our most successful time at fundraising. We all agreed that in 2017 we would move back to a half-marathon distance for May. October brought the Portland marathon and so much rain that day I should have swam the race! October 30th brought me back to the Marine Corps Marathon for the 3rd year. This time in a much different capacity then just a runner. I had the honor of escorting my best friend's children who are two Gold Star family members along the course. It was a record breaking hot day of 81 degrees and so much happened along those 26.2 miles I shall never forget. But the most important thing was the kids finished their first ever marathon in honor of their dad SFC Clifford Beattie, May 27, 2011. Of course all this craziness happened while teaching my second year of 3rd grade at Eagleview Christian School.
  What I learned is early fall marathons are easier for me to train for then late fall races. So my goal this coming 2017 is to run Tunnel Light marathon in September with my best running friend so we can enjoy training together over my summer break. I volunteered at the aide station for that race this past September and loved the vibe! It will most likely be my only marathon this year. I have the "mini" Hood to Coast in June as well as my volunteer time on the wear blue mile at Seattle Rock N Roll. July will see me running Ragnar PNW for the second year in a row as well as taking Jeremy to the SWS conference in Ohio.
  I wonder if 2017 will go by as quickly as 2016?? I hope not but I can remember my grandmother saying as we grow older the time passes more quickly. I'll share some fun highlights & try to post more often. But no promises as I would much rather be out living life to the fullest then sitting around behind a computer screen.

 

Here We Go, Ready or Not 2016 is Here!

I fell asleep before mid-night not feeling so great & woke up to a new year! I don't really believe in the whole " new year , new you " thing but I do believe you can try to accomplish some goals or dreams in each new year. They may or may not turn out the way you pictured them in your head but you won't know unless you try. My thinking is to use the One Word 365 goal to focus on one word that can help me feel better about my year. FAITH is my word because I really think I need a big dose of it to tackle this year ahead.

 I have some goals that aren't necessarily new goals for me to accomplish. Run at least one marathon with no aches or pains from injuries. Watch my second son graduate from high school successfully and move on to the next phase of his life. Continue to teach 3rd grade for another school year. Enjoy more time with my husband as we seem to be in our own worlds a lot of time. They say this happens after years of marriage, kids, work etc. It's time to find something we both enjoy again. Find a stronger connection with my God and learn to have a stronger FAITH in him. That he will uphold me when I feel weak mentally & physically if I just ask. As I grow older I realize I am never going to be perfect and that's okay . But man is it hard to swallow for this type A, organized perfectionist lady.

 

noun: faith

1.

complete trust or confidence in someone or something.

synonyms:

trust, belief, confidence, conviction; More optimism, hopefulness, hope

antonyms:

mistrust

2.

strong belief in God or in the doctrines of a religion, based on spiritual apprehension rather than proof.

religion, church, sect, denomination, (religious) persuasion, (religious) belief, ideology, creed, teaching, doctrine "she gave her life for her faith"   Hopefully by not focusing on all that is "wrong" or "depressing" in my daily life but focusing on having FAITH that I can choose to make the most of each day with my family by choosing to have FAITH in what God has in store for me, I will have a happy, healthy, & blessed new year!

FAITH, my One Word for 2016

FAITH , what does this word mean? It has several different meanings to me and others I am sure. I picked the word FAITH as my one word for 2016 to use in my life. As we move forward into 2016 I realize that I used Faith a little in 2015 but I didn't lean on it, listen to what  God wanted it to mean in my life. We have several big things coming up in 2016 and I really tend to worry a lot about everything. I want to release the worry and have FAITH that God knows exactly what is suppose to happen in my life on a daily basis. It says so in the Bible so why am I not opening my ears to listen to his gentle voice? I am not sure but I hope by joining the One Word 365 movement I will be more receptive, more accountable for spending daily time with God in his word. To listening to what he wants for my life even though I may not see the big picture.

I know I should have been doing this all along in my life. But as an adult this crazy world steps in with everyday things that take my focus off of him and his will for my life. I know he only wants good for me, but in the throws of arguing with my teenager, or a sick child, or my husband making me upset, or my job not going the way I want it all gets lost. But what I notice is the "I" in all these phrases . I need to stop, be still and remember, it's not suppose to be all about me but have FAITH in my God that it's all about him and his will for my life.
 
Hebrews 11:1King James Version (KJV)

" Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

 

                           A Great song for me to listen to all year.......

 

 

                                          

Time Sneaking Up On Me

I know you're shocked I'm posting since it's been so so long! I went to write a check out this morning for the older boys lunch and realized the date. It's funny to me how some dates just never leave your subconscious even if you think they have . A small thing like simply writing the full date out makes a memory come back. It's been 7 years since the crazy deployment to Iraq. If you've been reading my blog for awhile you know exactly what I am talking about. 2007-2008 when 4th Brigade, 2/23 TOMAHAWKS went to Iraq. The date that suddenly popped into my head I know is because we are into our big Memorial Day campaign for wear blue : run to remember. I love honoring the service & sacrifice of those heroes that gave all. But it also triggered my memory of that horrible 13 months that I thought would never end. This Saturday May 17th I will remember the start of the sacrifice of so many brave soldiers during that time starting with PFC Aaron Gautier & SPC Jonathan Ham . Some days it feels like that time in my life was just yesterday other days it does feel like it's been seven years. I know in my heart for the families that the pain doesn't ever go away, that their world stopped.

As we get closer to Memorial Day once again I ask you pause and take time to remember those who gave you the freedom you enjoy each day. It's not about the cookouts, the barbeque's, the four day weekends you are enjoying. It's about honoring those who are no longer with us that allow you to do all these things. Here are a few videos I ask you to watch to see who the Heroes left behind and why it's so important they aren't forgotten. This weekend Aaron & Jon won't be forgotten by their families, brothers in arms, & wear blue. Their names will be called this Saturday and steps will be taken so that their sacrifice does not go unnoticed.

PFC Aaron Gautier

May 17, 2007

 



PFC Jonathan Hamm

May 17, 2007

 

Krista Simpson : Every Runner Counts

 

Mary Bradshaw: Every Runner Counts

 

James McMillon : Every Runner Counts

 

Think about going to the www.wearblueruntoremember.org this day and pledging your miles for Memorial Day and for those fallen heroes.

Page of Remembrance

He PASSED!!!

Yesterday I learned that our dog trainer from Island Grove Kennels of Limestone, TN had given Balto his Public Access Test on Sunday January 19th. We had no warning or knowledge that he was going to do the testing. We knew from prior conversations that he thought Balto was ready but we weren't sure when he would make the decision to test him. The wonderful CEO's from 1 Boy 4 Change  were in town dropping off some dogs for training so he decided this was the perfect opportunity to show off what Balto's strengths as well as weakness's were. A young eleven year old boy had stopped by to ask about training classes for his own lab so James the trainer asked if he would mind helping. The young man went along with the request and was handed Balto's leash. Balto is now over 80 pounds and 15 months old. The young man had never laid eyes on Balto before which is a HUGE deal. 

Not many kids I know would be okay just taking the leash of a German Shepherd who looks as big as Balto . Thankfully this young man did just that & listened to James. He ran Balto through all the required elements of the test so that Janet & Chris could see him at work. What we heard from them was he was "Fabulous", " passed with flying colors", & " Amazing Job!". I just can't even begin to tell you how relieved I was at this news. It's probably a great thing I had no idea ahead of time they were going to be doing this testing. I have been a wreck about Balto being okay around children that are small like Jeremy. Before he left he was not happy about them jumping around or approaching Jeremy. James had told me this was a stage that if corrected early would be resolved. But after losing one service dog in training I was just a nervous mom.
But now Mr. Handsome hear has proven us wrong & can now be called Service Dog Balto!!

 This DOES NOT mean that his training is over. He is still very young and has much more training to accomplish. What it does mean is that he has proven on Sunday as well as many other occasions that he can behave with manners out in public. No service dogs are required to pass the PAT or the CGC , but our organization as well as our family think this is extremly important. Not only does it speak well of service dogs who behave properly out in public it means I can have no fear or worry when Jeremy is in charge or left alone with Balto that he won't listen. We will travel to pick him up in February from TN and we can hardly wait! We have some training to do there so that Jeremy & I can learn any new commands he has learned. Also so that Balto can be reminded that Jeremy is his responsibility & who is in charge. Once we return home we will give them a week or so to adjust to their new schedules. Balto won't just jump into going to school with Jeremy full time. We will do drop off & pick up as well as see if we can sit in on classes some to get them both use to the routines. Balto & Jeremy will also go back to attending some form of obedience class to keep up with Balto's training . He also will take his Canine Good Citizens test with Jeremy as the handler. Once again this is not required but I think a good choice so if ever there comes a time we need to we can say that he has had a lot of training done the work & passed. 

We are just so thankful to everyone who has followed along on this crazy roller coaster ride for the past two & a half years. The heart ache of losing Banyan as well as the joy of receiving a second chance with Balto. We know in our hearts that Balto & Jeremy are meant to do great things together. We will continue to work and support them to make them a successful Service Dog team. We enjoy all our friends on Facebook we have made through this process and can't wait to continue to share Jeremy's Journey with everyone as they continue on into the future. Thanks for being a part of this, thanks for your kindness, love, & support. Now here are some fun pictures & videos to show just how far team Jeremy & Balto have come.

On the way home from Mi to WA first time in my SDiT Vest at 10 weeks

 

 Meeting Jeremy for the first time

 

Picking Jeremy up from School

Training can be FUN!

 Going to appointments with Jeremy

Taking walks in our cool superhero capes together

 

 

Going on our first sleepover 

 

Celebrating my 1st birthday, letting them make me look silly.....

These are just a few fun moments captured in time over the past 15 months of training. We can't wait to see how many more wonderful memories we can make.

Balto's first time at a beach, helping Jeremy dig

Jeremy missing me so he called, being away at training can make my boy lonely.

Celebrating a wonderful life!