Sisterhood and Positive Thoughts

UPDATE:  Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers!  My nephew is now home and the bleeding in his brain has stopped.  They did not need to perform surgery and the doctors think he will be just fine.  I am so, so grateful for all of your kind words.  

Before I get started with my usual post, I need to ask for your thoughts and prayers.  My nephew is in the NICU back in Illinois.  His brain is bleeding and he is only 3 months old.  He's been transferred to a better equipped hospital and according to my sister, the neuro surgeon is wonderful.  I don't know very much right now but would greatly appreciate your positive thoughts, prayers, healing energy, or whatever it is you can send his way.

My niece, Bella, with my nephew, Leo.

Me and Leo, right when he was brought home from the hospital after birth.

I may be taking an unplanned trip home to help out with things while my nephew is in the hospital.  I am currently waiting for an update and the green light to fly home, all the while, only letting positive thoughts cross my mind. 

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Today is my fifth and final day off of work.  I have been hanging out with my 15 year old sister, Noelle, for the last four days and I am exhausted.  I guess I'm not 15 anymore.  She flew in from Illinois on Wednesday and in a few short days, we went to practically every beach along the coast of San Diego.  We took Holly to a few dog beaches, went hiking at Torrey Pines, and she even joined me at the gym.  It was a fabulous weekend of sister time.  Angela was in Chicago so it was just us two.  In case you're wondering about our age difference, she was my mom's surprise fifth child at the age of 38.  

Torrey Pines Hike.  Yes, my baby sister is taller than me.

Dog Beach on Thanksgiving

We spent Thanksgiving day with the beautiful women of Shakti Rising.  I took Noelle out of her comfort zone around a group of 20+ strangers.  For a shy 15 year old, this was brave! As a group, we wrote a poem of gratitude and sang a song around the dinner table.  This was all new to her and she did great.  I was so proud of her that I agreed to step outside of my comfort zone and see the new Twilight movie.   I survived and it wasn't all that bad.  

Our Thanksgiving Table

I am so grateful for this time with my little sister.  It is so rare as she lives over 2,000 miles away.  She is quite an amazing girl and I know she will grow up to do great things.  I miss the rest of my family like crazy and wish I could get this quality one-on-one time with all of them.  

Onto less important things... like running. 

I just left Dr. Todd's office.  He worked on my feet until I nearly cried.  In this case, the theory of "no pain, no gain" certainly applies.  I let him torture me because I know it works.  When I was dealing with peroneal tendinitis, he fixed me right up!  I am hoping the same will happen with this annoying and debilitating plantar fasciitis.  I haven't been able to run in about a week and Boston training begins soon.  I've been hanging out on the elliptical more than I'd like but it's definitely better than nothing.  I will take what exercise I can get and be grateful for it.

Short and Sweet Post-Thanksgiving Gratitude List

because we should be grateful year round 

The special time spent with my little sister

Medicine and the incredible doctors that save lives

Independent coffee shops (like the one I am sitting in right now)

Books that instantly suck me in, like the one I just started: Torch by Cheryl Strayed

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Thank you for your thoughts and prayers!  I will be sure to keep you updated.