It's been busy... but here's an update!

The family is growing! ~ Not what you were maybe thinking... but be we are excited to welcome home Adon's new cousin on his mommies side of the family, Makeda Rose Hirut Hausman!  Ash's cousin Val just adopted from Ethiopia and returned home last Friday.  Makeda joins her cuz's Adon, Flannery, and Colden (Nate's pup)!!!

Teen Camp ~  Year #5 as a counselor at teen camp was again very rewarding and very difficult.  It becomes harder and harder to leave Ash and Adon... especially knowing how much work that puts on Ash when she has to single parent.  Thanks Momma H. for coming down and helping out a few days!  This picture is one of many embarrassing and potentially career limiting photos now circulating the internet.  It was a contest to see which counselor could keep 3 Alka-Seltzer and about 3 oz.'s of Sprite in their mouth the longest.  I'm flanked by Heidi and Colleen who went on to be the final 2... I was the second person who erupted!

Strep-Throat ~  I came home from a week at teen camp totally exhausted but feeling rather well despite that.  Life was slow to resume as it's no longer "sleep in all day Monday" with Adon around.  Business as usual when Wednesday rolls around and my throat is a bit scratchy.  Went for a run that night with Robert and Andy only to feel like a truck had hit me at mile #2 of the 4.2 we ran.  Came home and just started to fall apart... woke up at 1 AM with fire shooting out of my throat... Doc's at 9 AM... Amoxicillan at 10 AM.  Serioulsy... I haven't had strep throat since I was 12.

Running ~  This Saturday, August 1st, is my first ever 10k [New Leash on Life 5k/10k Celoron, NY pic is of the park where the race will start and finish on beautiful Lake Chautaugua].  Prior to camp and the plague we (coach Robert and I) had gotten my pace in the 9:40 range.  Post the 2 above mentioned experiences I'm back  up into cruise-control pace but that's OK.  It's never been about racing... always about finishing... so that's what I hope to do on Saturday.  Looking forward to boosting my fitness as much as I can this week for a nice smooth run.  Robert keeps saying, "Just take your time and then start picking people off the last mile!"  This also means I have about a week to decide if we keep pushing the training and register for the Kwik-Fill half-marathon in October here in Warren!?!?!?  Gotta be honest, the thought of having just started running in May and then doing a 5k, 10k, and my first 1/2 marathon in 5 months is a pretty crazy and possibly doable goal!  Remember, God told to me to run... because on my own I never would!  I'm finding more and more that if "it" is something we would never think to say or do on our own... there's a strong chance God is behind it!

Monday Update: Croutons & Applesauce!

Everyone has their twin out there somewhere right?  Well, as much as I hate cliche' garbage statements like that... apparently mine does exist... or Jeff Lieberman's exist = me (click pic to ENLARGE)!  I was watching a great Sunday marathon of Deadliest Catch when TLC previewed a new show on the Discovery Channel called TIME WARP.  I thought, "That dude looks like me!?!?".  Hit the google and BUGGED out at the freaky creepy resemblance.  Posted this on FaceBook and got much of the same in response.  You can check out his Wikipedia by clicking here

Adon has notoriously been a picky eater and really sensitive to texture.  It's been insanely frustrating because he eats a very small variety of foods and really hasn't eaten anything meat related.  BTW ~ If someone tells us "Just keep giving him foods and have him eat what you're eating" one more time they're likely to get busted in the chops... WE KNOW... WE DO... HE DOESN'T EAT IT!  ZIP IT and go give your kid a steak already!  Well, we went out to Bob Evans with my folks on Friday and Grandma proceeds to get him to eat croutons and salad even.  Then he wants Ash's applesauce!  A few rolls and a packed PB&J later and we we're pretty shocked.  The rest of the weekend he's been trying just about everything... not always eating it... but willing to try it!

Yes, I started my 3rd week as a wannabe runner... I still hate  running but it is bittersweet because I'm constantly reminded about why I'm running!  There has been significant progress made which is physically encouraging but I'm still not sure about the 5k run July 11th in Mayville, NY.  I don't want to walk any of it... I don't care how slow I run... I just DON'T want to walk any of it and I'm just not sure 2 months is going to be enough training for that goal.  Today was about 2.3 miles and the longest non-walk stretch was 7 minutes.  Total time with my warm-up and cool down walking was under 30 minutes.

Other stuff has happened... other stuff is scheduled to happen... just life... really nothing interesting.  I've got some pics and video that I've been too lazy to sync and upload but hope to soon!  Is it time for vacation in Ohio yet?

Monday Update

The Week that Was ~ Last week was a crazy week as I continued (and still continue) to nurse a lingering sinus infection now going on 2 weeks.  3 years ago I expressed to my friend Chris that I really felt God was challenging me to run.  Seriously!  I loathe running and have been relatively inactive in a cardiovascular sense for about 5 years now.  I do anaerobic activity but that's about it for my fitness level.  This would be a spiritual discipline challenge in the sense that I'd never personally desire this.  So, fast forward 3 years and I spent a good bit of time at Finish Line last Thursday picking out a pair of kicks... for running!  As many friends noted on my FaceBook that it could all be a subconscious ploy for a new pair of kicks!?!?  Here's the FB note I posted Saturday:

I certainly won't write about every run but I thought #1 deserved a little something!

- I was anxious and woke up unaided at 6 AM
- Wasn't sure what to wear... I don't really have running shorts so I threw on the shortest gym shorts I had and a long-sleeve tee... didn't need the long sleeve
- Took the advice to eat 1/2 banana and did a small glass of OJ
- Cooper and Bo were really confused so I decided to take them with me which meant a retractable leash in each hand and poo-poo bags in my pocket

Things started out well and I did a solid 5 minutes before the first brief walk. I was huffing and puffing but I am severely out of cardiovascular shape. The whole run took 14:30 and I'm not sure the distance but won't bother to figure it out. It's the normal "loop" that Ash takes the dogs for a walk on that takes her 25 minutes. I made sure to run/jog a good 10 minutes. Cooper almost died (he won't join me again)... Bo was all about it and stayed ahead of me the whole time! Got home and did some stretching and then walked 1/2 a block.

The Expected: I'm WAY out of shape and on one of my brief walks I was reminded of why I'm doing this... because I hate running and I really really believe that God challenged me to do something I just flat out wouldn't do on my own.

The UnExpected: Carrying a long-sleeve tee, retractable leash in each hand, and a bag of poo thanks to Bo's activity inspired bowels. The worst part is the pain (and snot) I experienced from the remainder of my 10 day sinus infection that still lingers. 

Run #2 Monday morning!

Monday's run DID happen... I'm not sure if that makes me a "runner" yet or not?  

Adon Update ~  Adon's speech therapist, Gina, came for the 4th time and really the second workable time.  We noticed a lot of progress in their sessions as well as in his responsiveness.  Just this week he started playing with his toy guitar making noises and "singing" while it is turned off.  This is a step that Gina is encouraging during play as it stimulates verbalization.   He's added the sign for dog and has been working on the word duck... though we're not sure if he's trying to say duck or quack?  ... either way it's positive!  So many other little things that we notice and are encouraged by!!!

Mother's Day ~ Sunday was an AMAZINGLY AWESOME day with the family.  Pastor was out of town asked if I would preach so it was a pretty busy morning that involved play (drums), preach, teach (Sunday School), play, preach [2 services].  No PM service as we encouraged everyone to be with family on Mothers Day!

Adon commissioned Daddy to finally (after 4 years post-removal of the old shrubbery)... rebuild the flower bed in front of the house.  This has been a week long project with about 12 hours total invested.  Pictures will be posted once the mulch is added and it's all cleaned up.  Cooper, Bo, and Sammi gave Mommy some money because she likes to shop and already got some dress pants on super sale with it.  Linner was had at Applebee's and then we rented BRIDE WARS for a mommy day mommy movie pick!  It was just a great day!

The week that was:  Adon started things off rough last Sunday (although technically that qualifies as last week...) by eagerly running out onto the porch when Ash let the dogs out.  He then eagerly wiped out and bounced his moosh off the porch (trauma pictured).  The result was a bit of Angelina Jolie meets Octomom!  It healed up by Thursday.

It was nice to return to playing the drums this week as it has been almost a month since I last played in church (I've been filling in running our sound board while our sound dude was on a short-term missions trip).  Working out 2 new songs was refreshing.  One of them is actually a hymn that has been re-worked, "Fill Me Now", and the other is called "Sing to the King" that has a great bass line!

Nothing else too exciting until the weekend...

The Weekend that was:  VIDEO [click for link to all videos] "Kitchen Chaos" in the previous post captures the excitement of Saturday morning!  Ash had to work so it was a part-time Dudeday.  We surprised mommy by showing up with McDonalds for lunch and then spent the last 1.5 hours of her shift with her helping at the desk and chasing the cats around!

Sunday was great!  Playing again gave me such a fresh filling of purpose musically.  Now that I've been playing drums most of my life it can feel more like my duty than my desire sometimes.  The 3 weeks off was too much but sure did center me in offering drumming to the glory of God!  In Breakaway group I'm teaching through an adaptation of the Johari Window.  I will post that when it becomes more fully developed.  It's great if you're a sociology or psychology geek!

Sunday afternoon was spent with Mom & Pops H.!  Sue brought some yummy stuffed shells for dinner and we just spent a very relaxing afternoon together.  Sunday night was a childrens talent showcase and ice cream social at church.   Then it was back home to watch the CAVS eek out a win against the Hawks!

Our friends Mike & Andrea let us talk them into stopping by IKEA for us on their way home from Pittsburgh.  We got 2 new chairs (pictured) and a footstool for the family room to add some much needed seating when people come over.  Time to get rid of the ratty ol' recliner... Cooper will miss that the most!

Recommendation of the week:  Quaker QUAKES (Cheddar Cheese pictured)  Simply Amazing and only 70 calories per serving!

Monday Update (A New Thing... stolen from a friend)

Disclaimer ~ My buddy Aaron does this (almost) every Monday.  I find his blog to be a really good read.  In fact, I was honored to find a link to our blog on his list of "Blogs I Read Weekly"... which is funny because I don't post weekly.  Thanks "A."!  Moving on... I will eventually have my own list of recommendations in Blogosphere and certainly recommend Aarons!  He's got a good handle on his A.D.D. and it really seems to add nicely to his blogging!  

the weekend that was:
- After over a year off (b/c of Adon) I was set to begin ordination classes again this weekend.  I'm only 6 classes away from completing my course of study and will be gone every other weekend Jan. - June.  All of NW PA was calling for snow as well as the Pittsburgh area.  Traveled to Butler on Friday... class dismissed at 10:30 AM Saturday due to the heavy amount of snowfall on the ground and projected sleet and freezing rain.  It took me almost 4 hours to make the 100 mile drive.  My GPS recorded an average of 28.9 mph!  Arrived home to the joy of a quick meal and an hour-and-a-half of running the snow-blower!

- Mom and Pops H. were here on Saturday... rocked some Pizza Hut and then I was out working the snow.  I don't really remember Saturday night due to the P.T.S.D. of the day???

- Sunday I shared with the teens some scriptures from Paul regarding marriage.  a)  Marriage doesn't erase Gods purpose for us as individuals (1 Cor. 7:17).  b)  Marriage is the combining of two complicated lives to equal... a bigger complication but at least you've got someone along for the ride (1 Cor. 7:28).  A few other random things happened:  Ash was told (by the teens) to grab my butt to imitate how people who are "infatuated" act in school, and that going #2 with your spouse in the bathroom is a part of intimacy reserved for marriage... it was a good time!

- Sunday PM:  CONNECTIONS (which is a combined program) with Aaron's group at the YMCA!  Extreme Dodge-Ball/Musical Chairs without music... ask Aaron about that one!  Good Lesson for all about doing what Jesus tells us to.  Oh yeah... STEELERS WIN

where i am at the moment: Kitchen table / Adon's napping / I'm making Burr-Aco's for dinner so I don't have to do it after weight-lifting.

on my to-do list this week: Start weight-lifting again (Mon. & Thurs.).  Ash had to do some extra work in November and December was just psychotic so I haven't lifted in a long time.  I feel flubby and lazy!  Tuesday night is already mapped out and will be part 2 of a lesson on not letting others change how we view and feel about God!  Nothing else to note as of now.

procrastinating about: Reading assignments for my class.  It's a history class with three texts... I SHOULD read a little each day... I'll LIKELY start that next Monday.

book I'm in the midst of: Above mentioned texts / New issue of American Iron Magazine

music that seemed to catch my attention this past week: Starfield's latest disc I WILL GO [specifically the song "Reign In Us"] / Scott Phillips latest Cd LAST STOP WILLOUGHBY

grand revelations this past week: We got a "Spoonula" for Christmas.  Both Ash and I think it's a mighty useful utensil!!!