Exciting News!

It's been awhile! I have exciting news (which most of you already know). I'm pregnant! I'm officially 18 weeks tomorrow. We are due on July 25, 2010. The first trimester was really tough, but I've moved into a good place...for now at least :-) We are excited to find out the sex, but have to wait a long 4 weeks to find out. Mike is crossing his fingers for a boy and I just want him/her to be healthy. I'll be blogging more about my pregnancy journey and all the fun details that come along with it. I've been eating up a storm, but still working out so that I don't turn into a blimp ;-). Sadly, no running for me, but after Lil' G is born, hopefully I can get back into that routine. The dogs have definitely sensed that something is up...they are super cuddly with me lately. It's crazy how dogs have that 6th sense about them.

Cheers to Lil' baby Garcia!


The Google Game

Today I am posting a fun little game that I discovered while visiting a great blog entitled Creative Attempts. This is how it works: Read the questions below and do a google search of images pertaining to your answers. Post your favorite image.

1. My favorite beverage

2. My hometown

3. My favorite TV show

4. My occupation

5. My first car

6. My favorite dish

7. Celebrity I have been told that I resemble

8. Celebrity crush

9. Favorite childhood toy

10. Any random picture

Sara's List of Feel Good Things

So, it's been awhile since my last post! I have been inspired to create a personal list of feel good things. One of my dear friends from high school has applied for a job with SAM-e to blog about good moods. He truly deserves this job because everyday he posts questions to ponder, and positive things to think about throughout the day. (Check out his blog @ http://detavio.com)

Which brings me to today's post. My list of feel good things. A gal named Lisa did this on the SAM-e website and I, in turn am borrowing it.

Here it is, in no particular order:

1. Friday nights.

2. An unexpected hug from someone just because.

3. It's cold outside, but the fire is on and I'm under a blanket, with the dogs right by my side.

4. Coming home after a long day at work.

5. A compliment from someone you barely know.

6. A long, hot shower after a hard workout.

7. Feeling like you could run for hours.

8. Connecting with old friends.

9. Receiving a note letting you know that you do make a difference.

10. Taking a bite of a chocolate chip cookie that came right out of the oven.

11. Going to an NFL football game and cheering your team on. (Go Broncos!)

12. Browsing through the new issue of your favorite magazine.

13. Reading a great book.

14. Laughing until it hurts.

15. A delicious home cooked meal.

16. Sitting in the sun on a perfect fall day.

17. Discovering an awesome new song.

18. Reading an old journal entry, and remembering exactly how you felt that day.

19. Going through old pictures and remembering what brought you to where you are today.

20. Throwing a party for someone you care about.

This I Believe

Children Learn What They Live
by Dorothy Law Nolte

If children live with criticism,
they learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility,
they learn to fight.
If children live with fear,
they learn to be apprehensive.
If children live with pity,
they learn to feel sorry for themselves.
If children live with ridicule,
they learn to feel shy.
If children live with jealousy,
they learn to feel envy.
If children live with shame,
they learn to feel guilty.
If children live with encouragement,
they learn confidence.
If children live with tolerance,
they learn patience.
If children live with praise,
they learn appreciation.
If children live with acceptance,
they learn to love.
If children live with approval,
they learn to like themselves.
If children live with recognition,
they learn it is good to have a goal.
If children live with sharing,
they learn generosity.
If children live with honesty,
they learn truthfulness.
If children live with fairness,
they learn justice.
If children live with kindness and consideration,
they learn respect.
If children live with security,
they learn to have faith in themselves.
If children live with friendliness,
they learn the world is a nice place in which to live.

Glee

Okay, these kids have some serious talent! I haven't been this excited about a show since Beverly Hills 90210, back in high school. I just finished watching the season premiere of Glee and it is an amazing cast, with lots of humor, and such an original concept. If you missed it, tune in next Wednesday on Fox. You won't be dissapointed. Makes me wanna sing!!

Denver half-marathon

"The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start."

~ John Bingham, running speaker and writer

With the inspiration of co-workers, I have decided to run this year's Denver half-marathon. I have about 7 weeks to train. I am so excited to be back in the racing mentality. This summer, I made a mental list of things I wanted to accomplish before my 30th birthday, and a half-marathon was one to check off. Sunday marks the beginning of my long runs. 6 miles... here I come!

Through the eyes of a 6-year-old

This week marked the beginning of the school year for teachers. On the first day back, our Head Master read this excerpt, as a thought starter for the year. Because I connect with, and love children and dogs so much, I had to post it. It is a reminder of what is really important in life:

A Dog's Purpose
(from a 6-year-old)

Being a veterinarian I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the
family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.

As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's
family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting
the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.

The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any
difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's
death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are
shorter than human lives.

Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, 'I know why.'

Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next
stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation.

He said, 'People are born so that they can learn how to live a good
life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?'

The Six-year-old continued, 'Well, dogs already know how to do
that, so they don't have to stay as long.'

So live like a dog:

Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things
like:

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
Take naps. Stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass..
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
Be loyal.

Never pretend to be something you're not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle
them gently.

ENJOY EVERY MOMENT
OF EVERY DAY