Grateful...Especially For My Dad

I recently saw a video showing many impoverished, extremely grateful people receiving wheelchairs.  Even though the circumstances are different, of course, I couldn't help but think of my Daddy.  A few days after seeing that touching video, my dear Daddy posted this comment on this blog:

Bodies ARE a gift. Even if they can't do everything, I am grateful for the parts that still work.
 

Some of you know my Dad and some of you don't.  Let me introduce you.
 My Daddy is the man who was born with an insatiable desire for knowledge (especially historical) and life...


He is the eldest of three boys.  My Daddy is the one who learned about a religion called Mormonism at the age of 18, was the only one in his family to join then and was soon on the other side of the hemisphere teaching it to others in Bolivia for two years.

He grew to love the people, serve them...

...even dress like them (yes, Daddy, your Cholita photo is on the internet ;))  Eventually he fell in love with one of them.

My Daddy is the man who convinced a woman to marry him by doing tricks, bringing her ice cream, pretending to eat fish at Sea World and by letting her be her crazy self, even if that meant his face ended up with chocolate all over it...

 My Daddy is the reason I was born in Provo, UT, helping rear me while he attended Brigham Young University.  He is the man who all the other kids at the playground wanted to have chase them too because he wasn't too grown-up to be playing tag up and down the slides.

He is the Daddy who pushed his daughter so high on the swing she hung on for dear life and flew so fast on his bike with her sitting on the back she screamed down that hill at UC Davis.

 He is the Daddy that helped get his girls ready for church each week and was worthy to baptize them too.

 

He is the Daddy who drove us to Disneyland several times, made armor, a shield and weapons from scratch, and then chose 3 dragons as his crest representing his daughters, three Valley Oak Elementary "dragons."

 

 He is the man who graduated again and again, convincing me of the importance of an education.

My Daddy is the Dad who sat in the front row of every performance, the stage lights reflecting off his glasses, and then stayed up 'til midnight with me enjoying helping prepare me for Calculus tests.

 He is the Dad who took his family to all 21 California Mission, stopped to read Historical Monument plaques on the side of the road and spent his weekends at Civil War reenactments, firing canons and crawling on his stomach down a battlefield with his rifle. 

He is the man who taught his girls how to polka in the kitchen, played Elton John songs on the piano while they twirled in the living room, and waltzed with his daughter at a Civil War Ball, faster than everyone else.


He's the Dad who enjoyed chaperoning his daughter's Senior night and went river rafting with her as a senior gift...

My Dad is also the man who one day, unexpectedly, fell on his way to the bus stop.

He is the man who started to lose feeling in his legs and began using a cane in his forties.

He could not longer run and crawl with his Civil War battalion.

But he continued to fire the cannon on the battlefield.

 My Daddy is the man who for years stumped doctors, and then came in with his own diagnosis: Erdheim-Chester Disease.  He no longer earns a paycheck, but he still supports his family, traveling to graduation ceremonies for his daughters across the country. 

 My Father is the man who walked for as long as he could, drove for as long as he could and then, in a wheelchair, accomplished his goal of visiting all 50 states, finishing with his entire family in Alaska.   

 My amazing, super-woman Mommy has been alongside him every step of the way.

 

My Father is the man who is beating the odds, still laughing and persevering.

 

  He is the person I thought of on those dark days when ideas of how to take my own life came into my mind.  His smile, faith and resilience pushed out the despair and filled it with love.  
How could I give up on life when he, with his bright mind yet withering body still hadn't?

If he could continue to look at the positive, be grateful and keep going, I could too.

Now my father is the Grandpa who sends emails late into the night.  He is the Grandpa who asks to have his grandchildren ride on his frail lap and plays with them, even though I have to stand close in case his arms get tired. 

He is the Grandpa who searched the internet to find the perfect stuffed fox as a gift for his Granddaughter, who he lets pull on his beard and kiss his cheeks.

My Daddy is the man who was diagnosed with a terminal illness almost 10 years ago, and is now the Grandfather of three beautiful kids.

 He is the man who can't really talk, but continues to type.  He has interviewed, typed and created two family history books for my family.  He emails me every day and is even participating in the 1940 Census project. 

He is the Daddy who posted on his daughter's blog:
 Bodies ARE a gift. Even if they can't do everything, I am grateful for the parts that still work.

I love you, Daddy.  Knowing you through your illness has made me more compassionate, more loving and more motivated to take care of the body I have and not abuse it.

You are not the same Daddy I had growing up all those years, but somehow YOU ARE even better. :)

 I hope you don't mind that I thought of you when I saw this video.  The link is here.  The situation that led to you in your wheelchair is different.  But the enthusiasm you still show for life is the same as theirs and fills my soul every day with hope.  You may be quieter now, but your are still teaching me even without speaking.  Thank you for teaching me how to be grateful. 

Love, Number One

P.S. Please don't be embarrassed by this post.  I know you are a humble man, but that doesn't mean I can't brag about you! :) Besides, we all need some inspiration sometimes and you are just that...inspiring. <3

Where Is The Money Going???

Some of you have asked about what is being done with the money collected for either of the 5K's I'm participating in these next couple weekends.  Here is what I've found out...

ANGEL WALK May 12, 2012 Benefit for Baylor VanDyke

Baylor is a second grader who attends Sophia's school, living with Cerebral Palsy.  I wish I could post a picture of this sweet little boy, it would truly touch your heart to see his efforts.  ALL of the proceeds will go to this child in need of medical treatment.  Checks can be made payable to Angel Walk and can be mailed to me (please message me individually for my address) or you can email angelwalk2011@gmail.com for another address.  If you do that though please just let them know you are donating through me so it goes to our total and we can find out how much we helped raise. 

Our whole family is part fo this walk, and I want the kids to know they are helping someone.  Our family will be pinching pennies so we can donate $40, all get T-shirts and walk together.  I want my kids to feel how lucky they are as they ride their scooters with their friends and family. 

I am grateful we can play tag and basketball, and would love to lighten the load of a family who can't.  This is truly a community event, with fundraiser packets being sent home with each student, the walk being announced in churches and being posted on business sign boards.  I would love to help recruit some longdistance support too for this family struggling with challenges I can only begin to imagine.  Additional questions?  Please call 208-941-4163. 

JDRF WALK TO CURE DIABETES May 5, 2012

My donation page for this walk can be found here.
Typically, more than 80 percent of JDRF's expenditures directly support diabetes research and research-related education.  Your donation will make a dramatic impact as JDRF moves life altering research out of the lab and into human clinical trials.

 Facts about JDRF 
JDRF is the leading global organization focused on type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. Driven by passionate, grassroots volunteers connected to children, adolescents, and adults with this disease, JDRF is the largest charitable supporter of T1D research.

Research Funding Facts
JDRF's research mission is to discover, develop and deliver advances that cure, better treat and prevent type 1 diabetes (T1D). As the global leader in the fight against T1D, JDRF's research programs are comprehensive -- addressing the hopes and dreams of every person with T1D for the best quality of life and a cure for this disease.

You can find more information about what JDRF does at http://www.jdrfapps.com/eReport/index.htm#?page=0 by reading their 2011 Annual Report. 

Again my donation page is  http://www2.jdrf.org/goto/evamelissabarnett I am trying to raise $100 and am currently 35% to my goal.  Nothing bad happens if I don't reach my goal except that I will be a little disappointed and maybe won't get a T-shirt. :)  But that's OK.  I will be happy to help as much or as little as I can.  My Daddy has diabetes and I've tutored kids with diabetes.  I've sat there and watched them test their insulin before they could move on with their math homework.  I'm honored to be part of trying to find a cure so someday that won't be the case anymore.

Thank you to the friend who has donated so far and to those of you who are considering doing so!  I love ya and hope you will!

Love, Eva

Meeting Myself Again...And a Weigh-in!!!

When I started this blog a little over four years ago, it was to help get me through my postpartum depression with a more positive outlook.  I decided to title my blog "Things Always Look Better In The Morning" because growing up that's what my Daddy would always say to me when I had been up to late, was exhausted and stressing myself out.  Although it's a little frustrating to be in 2012 and still be fighting some of the same issues, it's also REALLY encouraging.  I haven't given up.  I'm still the same girl inside, I recognize her ever-positive voice.

 Although there have definitely been moments and months of darkness, this disease hasn't jaded me or defeated me.  So today, along with a picture showing today's weight (Yay for losing 2.2 more pounds this last week while on vacation!  Eating at Subway and walking lots-like, around the motel hallways at 10 PM for an hour while I talked on the phone, really did make a difference :)) I am also posting my first blog post ever.  I took these down when I was looking for a job, but little by little I will be re-posting them.  I'm excited to learn more from myself, laugh and cry a little and see how far I've come...

Saturday, March 22, 2008

A Kick From Being Sick

THREE weeks ago I spent my time making great goals for myself, like "Staying on top of the dishes...Losing the 'baby weight'...Losing the 'baby weight' by training for a marathon...Running a marathon this summer while helping find a cure, having a spotless home and getting ready for another baby!" and other positive, completely reasonable goals.

TWO weeks ago I spent most of my time making really good excuses for why I couldn't accomplish my goals, like "I need to watch 'Rock and Roll Sesame Street Classics' again...The sink's too full to do dishes...After that good run, I need to rest a little- like, a week..."

LAST week I've been sick. The kids have been sick, the hubby's been sick, and even though the cat isn't acting sick, I'm sure he's sick of us. What do I wish more than ever? That I was healthy enough to start on some of those goals.

Really, sometimes it takes being out of the running to help you realize how glad you are you can wash dishes or exercise. Even if it's painfully boring and tiring. I'm sure every now-legendary journey wasn't all that glorious along the way (remember, no explorer had concealer, tampons, textingoptions on a cell phone or chocolate to binge on.) But at the end of the day, they were that much closer to ruining another ancient civilization. And we're grateful for that. Just as I'm sure my kids are grateful for their clean clothes, even if they can't tell me (or maybe that's what all that cute cooing means. I'll pretend it does...)

So, with Easter upon me and no ham to cook or pie to bake (but lots of meds and OJ) I'm seeing spring as just that- a time to spring and pounce on whatever goals my heart warms up to...anyone else up for a marathon?

Love, Eva 

It's ON!!! 2 5K's Next Month...

Have you ever heard the theory that if it's really important for you to do something, something else will always try to get in the way? Well, that's how it's been trying to schedule and keep scheduled our first family 5K. First, I was excited and even my husband was excited about particiapting. Seriously! :) Then life happened and schedule conflicts came up, it looks like it's going to rain and there are a few projects that have to get done this weekend.

But I AM STILL RUNNING! Why? Probably because a couple weeks ago, I learned that a friend of mine's mother has recently been diagnosed with diabetes. Hearing her sadness and fear in that short email touched my heart. I would feel lame sitting this one out when I could add a little help towards helping find a cure for this condition that effects so many...
Did you know that:
•T1D is an autoimmune disease that comes on suddenly and strikes both children and adults at any age?
•T1D has nothing to do with diet or lifestyle?
•Those living with T1D must carefully balance insulin doses with eating and daily activities throughout the day and night?
•Those living with T1D must test their blood sugar by pricking their fingers for blood 6 or more times a day?
So PLEASE check out http://www2.jdrf.org/goto/evamelissabarnett and donate (even your extra change, your savings, or something in the middle :)) to help fight diabetes!

On a side note, I also believe things happen for a reason. Since we aren't doing the 5K together this weekend, that frees us up to particiapte in a local 5K called the Angel Walk. This event is being held for a second grader at Sophia's elementary school who has cerebral palsy. You can read more about the event here on page 18 of the Idaho Press Tribune. I also noticed that there happens to be an interesting article on diabetes on page 15...SO check out this link!

If you can donate toward's our family goal of $100 for this cause too please email or message me.

I ran my first and last 5K over 4 years ago. I think I stopped partly because I ran alone and hadn't signed up for one that had a cause that mattered to me. Well, families matter to me. Health matters to me. Supporting those who are struggling matters to me. If they matter to you too please donate as much as you can! Again, here is my Walk to Cure Diabetes link http://www2.jdrf.org/goto/evamelissabarnett or you can donate toward our family's 5K walk on the 16th for another family's welfare, by contacting me. Thanks and make it a great day!!! -Eva

Learning So Much!!!

So, I am at BYU Women's Conference. 16,000 women are here learning and growing- it's crazy and amazing! I am learning so much. One of the classes I went to was about living well, exercise and eating right. I am so excited to share some more amazing tips and perspectives that were shared with me. I chose to have Subway for lunch and a good salad for dinner which was great. I walked a ton! And then I had Dairy Queen's brownie sundae for dessert. The good news is I allowed myself to have some balance and enjoy a treat. It's also good that I didn't feel like I HAD to finish it. Once I told myself it was OK, my view was guilt-free and balanced and feels wonderful. The best thing I heard was the fact that our bodies are gifts. Whether you believe your body is from God or not, it is an incredible gift to be able to have a body to get around in, jump in and run in. Be grateful for the gift. Don't complain about it. We are not all meant to look the same. So, from now on if I have to think about my body or talk about it, I'm going to call it my "gift." Right now my "gift" is tired, so I need to get some rest. But first, some push-ups and balance exercises. Yay! Life is good! Write more soon! Love, Eva

Just Checking In...

YAY!!! That's over 12 lbs lost, although someone told me today they thought I'd lost 30! Thank you! I don't take that in an offensive way at all. I know I am changing the way I treat my body and it's changing the way it's treating me. :) Now, off to finish dinner, wash and fold my 6th load of laundry and start packing for my weekend away at BYU Women's Conference. I hope I can still have fun and fit in some exercise and healthy food choices...we will see! No. I KNOW I CAN! :) Luv, Eva

(Continuing) Healthy Food Ideas...

So, I probably shouldn't even try posting on the weekends. With dates, long runs, and family activities it just doesn't happen! But better late than never, right? So here's the post I've sat down to write three times...also, they changed the blogger site and the formatting is not agreeing with me, so plz bear with me as I figure out how to get the program to listen to me and format how I want it too! :) First, I want to post some internet sites I found recently at the request of a friend... These are diabetes-friendly recipes that are healthy options even for people not suffering from diabetes. Eating like this now can prevent getting the disease later. http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Diabetes/DiabetesToolsResources/Diabetes-Friendly-Recipes_UCM_313900_Article.jsp http://www.dlife.com/diabetes/diabetic-recipes/ http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20307365,00.html Flipping though these tasty-looking recipes reaffirmed to me my belief that there is a healthy option for every food you love. That truth is what has helped me stick with this change in lifestyle. Love omelettes? Great. Make them with egg whites or egg-substitute and pile on the veggies and low-fat cheese (mozzarella or provolone are lighter options! Love chocolate? Fine, whip out some sugar-free alternative and start baking. Crave mexican? Cook some ground turkey up with taco seasoning. There is always a healthy way to cook the same food! I don't even think about what "I can't have" because all I think about is what "I can have..." The options are endless. Here are some more ideas of low-calorie food options I've come to love... 6. Egg-White Skillet- It's basically what it sounds like. I cook up some eggwhites (which are only 20 calories per egg) with onions, tomotoes, mushrooms and freshly chopped garlic. I don't cook it in butter, but just give my non-stick pana quick spray of vegetable oil. Mrs. Dash helps me season my tasty creation without salt. So yummy and filling!

7. Veggies With Dip or Veggie Sandwiches- I know there are some vegetarians out there so this is a double option. Sliced cucumbers, tomato, celery with a little low-fat peanut butter, sour cream or hummus is a great snack option. For me, the protein is what really makes me feel full, so I also recommend string cheese with veggies, or lean deli poultry slices or tuna. Put it inbetween two veggies for a cute, healthy little veggie-sandwich! 8. A Bowl of Cereal with Lots of Milk (it DOES do a body good!)- Cereal is something else I used to eat four bowls of before feeling full. Now I know to choose cereals with some grains to fill me up faster, but even more important, I finish my milk! Chances are you will be getting most of your protein from the milk so give your body a chance to take that in and digest before filling that bowl of leftover milk with more cereal. You probably don't even need it. :)

9. Popcorn- One of the reasons I felt frustrated and put off healthy eating habits 100% of the time was because I didn't want to feel like I always had to be eating something different from the rest of my family. Popcorn was one of the first foods where I felt like I could make a healthy choice and include my family too. There are tons of light, low-calorie options for this snack. Just look at the label above to see the difference when you use a lighter oil. You can buy portion-sized packets, pop it yourself over the stove and omit the salt, or just use a little I Can't Believe It's Not Butter Spray for some flavor. Best of all, with this food choice you can enjoy your movie and still stick to a healthy lifestyle. 10. Creamy Goodness and Desserts- What else have I filled our fridge with to satisfy our sweettooths? Sugar-free puddings and jello cups, Greek Yogurt, light popsicles (some are only 15 calories), Fat-free cool whip to dip fresh fruit in...really there are SO many low-cal options I couldn't list them all. I can't say that I will always use sugar substitutes, but right now getting my waistline down is what's most important for my heart and health and eating fewer calories is part of that process. I'm finding that while the flavor isn't always quite tha same (although sometimes it is- I LOVE Greek Yogurt and Sugar Free popsicles and chocolate pudding) I'm satisfying a craving for something sweet without indulging and loving it SO MUCH that I have to have third and fourth servings. In other words, in a way I'm satisfied sooner because it's good but not so good I want to have the whole package. :) I hope these ideas for enjoying more fruits and veggies in your diet and ways of swapping out high-fat and calorie foods for lower sugar and lower calorie options make their way into your meal-planning. Again, I just have to mention that I am no a doctor or nutrionist. These are tips I've picked up from reading, watching The Biggest Loser and trying out myself and they are chainging my life. Have a great day! Thank you so much for reading and commenting! I love hearing your ideas too. Love, Eva