C.F.

I love my Mads G, Tootles, Moo Moo, etc...

By looking at Maddy you would think she is a normal thriving 10 yr. old. Some of the things she loves to do are to write, draw, design on the computer, play with Anabelle our cat, go to Claires to buy jewelry, go on random road trips, and talk Pokemon talk with her friends.

Some of the things she doesn't like to do are breathing treatments, taking pills before she eats (to help gain weight), taking extra vitamins, exercising her lungs (to loosen up mucus), doctor appointments, etc.

Maddy has Cystic Fibrosis. It's a cell disease that affects the lung and digestive system.



I never see my child having a disease. It's when we go to those CF check ups and Maddy has to have a facemask to cover her mouth is when I realize Maddy has to try and breathe clean air.



We had an appt. last week to check up on her weight. The doctors were a little worried because she hadn't been gaining properly. Maddy was so nervous to go to this check up in fear of not doing what the doctors wanted her to do.



Well, she did it! Weighing almost 80 lbs. at this weigh in, the doctors were overjoyed. I saw Maddys whole face change. That change gave her hope.



As a toddler and preschooler, Maddys favorite place to go eat after her appointments were McDonalds. Now that she is a preteen (EEK!) her favorite place to go eat is Panera. She loves the broccoli cheddar soup in a bread bowl, with a side of bread. I take great pride in watching her inhale 790 calories of pure bliss...after she takes her pills, of course!



I don't have much to say about CF. I do believe there is a purpose for it. I tell Maddy to hold on tight because when the purpose is revealed, God will show himself and it will be amazing! We tell Maddy, "love CF, live CF, you are CF...you are Christs Follower."

"Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes..."

"Maybe your going through a midlife crisis," my good friend jokingly says to me. All I can do is laugh! There's no way! I mean, just because I waited until I was in my 30's to get tattoos, a piercing, care about my fitness, buckle down and go to school. Does that mean I am going through a midlife crisis? And isn't that too early to? I don't feel "old" and what would that feel like anyway? I only feel "old" when I eat salsa or ranch dressing and TUMS is my only relief.

So...NO! I am not going through a midlife crisis.

I have always wanted a tattoo. Since my last name was Makepeace, I wanted a tattoo of a peace sign with the word "MAKE" above it and filled in with the Guatemalan flag colors. I am SMH now but then I was sure that is what I wanted. Man, I am so glad I didn't do that.

Twelve years later I get a tattoo of a "fleur de lis" and I love it. It roots from Song of Song 2:2 and I wouldn't change it for anything. This past summer I got a tattoo on my wrist of music notes. It's a reminder of who I worship and how our life is a song.

I heard somewhere that it takes you at least 5 years to think of your first tattoo and 5 minutes to think of your next one. So true!

I remember being in high school and wanting an eyebrow piercing because someone I looked up to had one. I was too afraid to endure that pain.

Twelve years later, I go with a friend to get the left side of my bottom lip pierced and I loved it! But, after 8 days, it started to irritate my gums and I removed it. Now, all that's left is a tiny scar and a photo. Maybe when I'm going through my midlife crisis I will get it repierced.

I wouldn't say that I was THAT athletic in high school. I honestly didn't feel that supported at the time. My brother and sister were the "stars" of basketball and baseball/softball. And that is totally okay, I agree they were amazing. I stuck to what I felt, at the time, was my purpose...singing. I loved choir and show choir. I loved the feeling I got when I would work hard and get a medal for accomplishment.

Eight years later, the tables would turn. I would no longer have that operatic voice but I would regain my support (from Christ) and run!

I know you have heard me say that running changed my life...and it did. It showed me so many things about life that I probably wouldn't have learned had I been athletic in high school or all my life for that matter.

But now, along with running, I have taken it up a notch. I have discovered Zumba, Pilates, and TRX suspension training. I am alternating my fitness and loving every bit of it.

I wasn't encouraged to go to college. College wasn't that big of a deal in my household. It was expensive and we definitely couldn't afford it. So, I just worked.

Eight years later is when my husband says, "you should go to college. I think you would enjoy it." After pushing my fear aside and checking it out, I started. It may take me more time than the average person but that's okay. I think sometimes thats what makes the journey worth the travel. Hard work and the final result. Now, my 10 yr old watches me do homework and talk about college. I even talk about how I have struggles just like her but we just have to do it.

So maybe there are a lot of changes. I am not sure why it all happened in my 30's but I do know because of the tattoo, I wouldn't have been able to minister to a friend who didn't think Gods grace was for her. Getting a piercing, with a friend who has them all over, and having lunch together was a ministry tool. With that time spent I was able to share my story with her. Fitness brings you in close proximity to others, there are ways to share the love of Christ. Going to school is more than a ministry tool, its a testimony. About how it's not too late...for anything.

I wouldn't say it's a midlife "crisis"...maybe a midlife "adventure." Realizing that sometimes you have live outside the box, like Christ did. Use every opportunity as a a tool for Him.

I do realize that some of you disagree and that's okay. I have been confronted, gracefully, by a good friend about the tattoos and all. I have also been encouraged by someone I take advice from in saying that, "if God gives you talents and you misuse them, He will deal with them." So, if you are getting tattoos that glorify God, then whats the problem?

Everyone has something in their life whether it be publicly displayed or in secret.

I would challenge those people to check their spending habits, why do you wearing make up, are you trying to impress someone other than your spouse, are you putting things before your family, are you being prideful in a situation to prove something, is forgiving someone your daily battle, are you doing things in secret, etc... It's all in your heart. You can say one thing to someone and do something else in secret-HE knows!

I have nothing to hide from Christ. HE is the only one who knows ME.

You may change outwardly but its the inside that matters.

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."-Hebrews 13:8

Now, if you'll excuse me I have an appt. to get an industrial bar put in my ear! I'm only kidding, I would never do that...or would I?

Happy New Tears!

Today was the hardest day! I had to say good-bye to the LOVE of my life, Babe. I have heard that you get used to the military life and the deployments of your spouse. False. You never do.

If you have kept up with the blog, you might have read that we have gone through some things this year, who hasn't? Everyone goes through things. And if you're married, you definitely go through things.

Jeremy and I have been married 11 years and I can honestly say it's better than the day we met. He is my best friend, my love, and my heart. Yes, we have gone through things, he has those little things that irritate me (as do I to him), and we don't always agree on everything. That is what I love about him.

So at midnight while everyone else was setting off fireworks, kissing their loved ones, and singing "auld lang syne" (never understood that song)...we were sleeping. We hung on to each hour last night and tried to savor every bit of it until we fell asleep, we didn't want to see the New Year just yet.

And then it came.

Taking pictures of 'daddy' and his kids, double checking luggage, and gripping on to one another at the airport... his time had come.

It doesn't matter what you have gone through, circumstances can bring you closer or drive you apart.

Marriage is like an oreo. Consider you and your spouse the chocolate wafer part and Jesus the middle...or the good stuff. The middle part of the oreo is the best part. Who likes wafers by themselves? We love the middle part and it taste even better when the cookie is intact and dunked in milk. We have to stick together to fulfill a purpose. Stick to the best part, stick to Jesus.

"Taste and see that the LORD is good..." Psalm 34:8

With that being said, I cried the hardest I have ever cried in a long time and it was good.