Now that the mercury is not consistently dipping below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, our cat, Ozzie is once again banished to the front step. The outside exile started after he sprayed in the computer room and then peed in Belén’s room while I was still on maternity leave. Our hearts turned cold towards our long-time feline friend when he acted out in such a fragrant manner.

Because I desperately needed a stress-relieving, feel-better-about-myself run and because we were kicking off our 50K training schedule, Anna and I decided to brave the snow and head out on a Saturday afternoon run. To show how motivated we were, we initially planned to run at the YMCA at 9:30. I nearly choked my daughter by shooting Vitamin D liquid too quickly down her throat which traumatized both me and her so I texted that I was not going to be able to run until we had both recovered. That led to me wanting to take a nap with Belén because I was too nervous if I let her sleep on her own she might die because the Vitamin D was in her lungs or something. Which led to waking up around 12:30 starving. Which led to being lazy on the couch and then Andy going and getting us BURGERS and TATER GEMS (seriously, like that is going to help the situation…but yes, I ate EVERY LAST BITE!) which led to me delaying the run yet another 45 minutes so I could digest a bit. And we finally met up at Anna’s house around 3:15pm.

What so many wise parents had told us in the past is ABSOLUTELY TRUE, you have absolutely no idea how much you will love your child. I love spending time with Belén and Andy, I cannot get enough of it! Who would have ever thought?

This trip to China is starting to become real. Tonight we say good bye to our beloved yellow lab, Gus. Our friends, Beth and Mike Markley have agreed to take Gus while we are gone and potentially forever since they have two kids who we all imagine will become pretty attached to Gus. Despite our happiness of finding Gus a great family to go live with, we are still very sad to think that he will no longer brighten each of our days with his carefree and sometimes overly energetic ways. Tonight begins the sacrifices necessary for the opportunities of the future. (that sounded like something from one of the bad guys on “24”). I am just trying to remember that what is to come will be exciting and new and so many things I cannot yet imagine. The tears will be replaced with smiles.