February 2012 Recap

Today, Feb 29th, was a great way to end the month. Although Amy had an evening work function that took her away from us, I got to spend some quality time alone with Marisa and Mattias. Matt had a choir concert and it was great to see what a handsome young man he is developing into as he was all dressed up for his evening music program. Marisa and I got to spend a lot of time together watching Mattias and just talking. After the orchestra concert Marisa and I ran out for some dinner and to complete a few errands. We wrapped the evening up with the family laughing over this week's episode of Modern Family. In all it is these seemingly "normal" days that I remember fondly.

The end of February marks just over 11 weeks since Amy's surgery. Although recovery has been slower than she would like, I am very pleased with the progress she has made. She is gaining strength daily and her endurance will catch up. I know she is uncomfortable and tired of recovering but she is making fantastic progress. Not only has she returned to work and is close to being back to full-time, but also she is been the amazing party planner working to coordinate Jeremy & Cora's baby shower and Nanci & Becky's wedding. I am so blessed to have such a strong, beautiful and versatile wife .

The family has finalized plans for a Hawaii Christmas by booking lodging and airfare for Hawaii in December 2012. Mom, Dad, My family, Steve and his family including mother-in-law Peggy, Sam & Kerrie and Debbie & Bill will be staying in a luxurious 6 bedroom house that is large enough to comfortably sleep all 17 of us and is an amazing property overlooking the ocean. Most of the family has never been to Hawaii and this will be a memorable trip for sure!

Personally my quest for health is going well. I have balanced tennis with fitness by incorporating 4 days of tennis and 3 workouts over the course of 5 days. That generally means that Mondays and Wednesdays I double up with a workout and tennis on the same day. It feels really great to be exercising and gaining strength. I only wish that I didn't wait until 39 to start consistently pursuing this lifestyle. Starting late is better than never starting at all. I hope that our new lifestyle will continue to encourage a similar lifestyle in our kids.

I really need to take more pictures to add my memories and in March will begin an effort to add to my lifestyle changes. I am really happy with the changes we have made in our lives and although it is more busy and challenging than ever I am enjoying life more now than ever.

January 2012 Recap

January began the new-year with an awesome annual party we throw every year for family and friends on NY's Eve. We moved it to Mom&Dad's house this year due to Amy's recovery. It was a blast DJ'ing with my new MACBOOK PRO! Amy got me a rocking Christmas gift to start the New Year! We celebrated with family/friends and a highlights for the night included group dances to various "Just Dance" songs. Mattias, Jeremy and family friends Shelby (Moriah's) and Kelly (my buddy's fiancee) killed it with their "Rasputin" dance routine...AWESOME. An unfortunate part of the evening was Debbie had to leave early to take Bill to the ER for gall stones...yikes. He had surgery in Jan and is definitely on the mend.

Surgery recovery has been a central focus for this family. Our family and friends have been very supportive. I especially want to thank Marisa and Mattias for helping to lighten the load around the house. On Dec 12, 2011 Amy had an elective, preventative surgery to reduce the risk of breast cancer returning. Amy was originally diagnosed with breast cancer on October 24, 2006. She had surgery on November 17, 2006 and finished radiation treatments in February 2007. With a strong family history of cancer developing over the course of her "5-year" cancer-free period, she elected to reduce the risk as much as possible. After 22 hours of surgery she has spent the past 6 weeks recovering. I am grateful to God that she has survived cancer and the preventitive surgery and we are all working hard to get her to a full recovery. January was difficult with some some setbacks too personal to share, but her core health has remained strong. Again, through the grace of God and the support of family and friends we are happy that she continues to fight against cancer!

I spent most of the 6 weeks since the surgery away from the club and slowly began a return late in January. My tennis game and overall health took some steps backward but an easy trade for the progress made with Amy's health! February will be a strength gaining month as Amy slowly makes her way back and I will hit the club and the court hard!

Mattias celebrated his 12th birthday and is really becoming a fine young man who is mature beyond his years. He truly is kind, compassionate and smart. Amy and I couldn't be more proud.

Marisa was one of the leads and 5th billing for her first opportunity to shine as a major performer in her high school musical All Shook Up! She did an amazing job acting and singing especially considering she waited until her senior year in high school to become involved in drama. She has blossomed from the shy little baby girl into a confident and beautiful young woman.

The family has a full schedule this year and we are looking forward to events of the coming year...more to follow!

Fit at Forty???? A Year Later

Well it has been a year since I have last posted and almost just as long since I have even looked at this blog. I had a great start but I allowed "life" in 2011 to change my focus. Tennis acted as one outlet to help me get through the difficult year. Fortunately it helped me also keep my weight in check. My goal of losing 50 lbs is attainable but has been re-adjusted to a year later at 41 (June 28th). I have found "Pinterest" as a great source for motivating quotes along with other really cool things: "No matter how slow you go your lapping everybody on the couch", "You don't have to go fast, you just have to go" and "Be better than you were yesterday". It has been a good start:

August 2010 - Canon Beach, Oregon

November 2011 - Me and Mom @ a Big Luv show

I will "Keep On Fighting Til The End!"

Perhaps the most fitting quote of all for this past year........

"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's learning how to dance in the rain!"

2012 I will learn to dance in the rain and posting monthly blog entries is one goal I have that should aid in maintaining focus on all my other goals.