This situation just came back to me -- and every time I think about it, I laugh again.

Last week I had to fly for work. I sat down next to a young couple with their adorable 14 month old daughter. I have no problem with traveling next to young children - in fact, this little girl reminded me a bit of both of my kids. She was a good little traveler.

Her dad, however, was not.

Not that he was a bad traveler; he was fine.

But he was sick.as.a.dog!

Seriously, this guy had the worst allergies / cold / sinus issues that I've seen in public. If I weren't so grossed out, I'd have felt bad for the guy. Truth be told, I did feel bad for the guy -- he sounded miserable. I just wished he wasn't sitting right next to me!

I'm totally NOT a germophobe (in fact, I usually get quite a kick out of grossing out my germophobe friends)... but this guy seriously had me wishing I habitually carried hand sanitizer (which I don't). Every time he sneezed, he ever so politely turned, put sneezed into his elbow -- but I'm sure covered his wife and daughter in the process. And I'm sure of this, because on a couple of extra-powerful blasts, I was nearly certain I felt a bit of collateral moisture hit my arm.

But that may have been simply in my mind...

OK... so all that gross stuff to get to the funny part. Sorry if I have you crawling in your skin!

Aside from the sneezing, he was also incessantly blowing his nose and sniffling. That sniffer was just dripping and there was no stopping it. It was a bit of a later flight, and he and his family took turns napping. When it was his turn, I happened to glance over at him...

He was laying with his head on his wife's shoulder / headrest.... and he had a kleenex wadded up and hanging out of each nostril!

Oh my goodness... I nearly died laughing!

Admittedly, I've done that myself before... but it was in the dark of my own bedroom and in the comfort of my own home. On an airplane.... in public!?!?!?

Bwahahahahahahahaha!

Oh my.... once again I was left wishing that my phone had a camera.

I "met" Tiffany through the Bloom Book Club. I've really enjoy reading her blog - she has the sweetest spirit. Hop on over to "A Moment Cherished" and meet Tiffany as well as join in this blog hop!

In Tiffany's words, "The concept is simple - share with us an everyday moment that you were able to cherish from the week before. It can be as simple as a photograph that you captured or as elaborate as a lengthy post - the option is yours."

It's a delight to slow down and recall the everyday moments that make life so special... yet I certainly don't do it often enough.

- Last Saturday Jon let me sleep in and he and the kids hung out in the living room. I love those mornings where the kids are content to read and play; there's no thought of turning on a video. As I woke up, I could hear their conversations, and I realized that they were browsing through the scrapbooks I have been making for them. I think their favorite is their respective albums from their first year of life. I heard a lot of "tell me about" and "who is that" -- makes me want to get caught up on the scrapping!

- I had to travel this week for work, so missed out on a lot of the every day. When I got home, I had Good Friday off, so took advantage of the time to catch up with the kids. We got lots of snuggle time in reading books, hugging, sitting in my lap. These are the golden moments that I know won't last long enough.

- Also on Friday afternoon, I decided that I was as tired as the kids were, so I laid down for a nap as well. But the beauty of this nap was that we all snuggled into the big bed together and took a 2 hour nap. Nothing like falling asleep with both kidlets snuggling close.

- Sunday afternoon, I was outside digging dirt out of our driveway (the silt washes down the hill with rain / snow, and it all lands in our driveway - I hauled 3 wheelbarrow loads full to the ditch). When Amara woke up, she came right outside and stole my broom -- she was determined to help me with whatever chore I had to do. I love the helpful spirit of my kids.

- Sunday evening as we were hanging out in the basement after the kids had gone to bed, we heard the pitter patter of little feet. Jon said to me, "I know it's annoying now, but I'm sure going to miss that sound when it's gone." I assured him it's only annoying when they're supposed to be sleeping.

The moments are gone too soon! So count these: Moments Cherished.

Now go link up to yours: A Moment Cherished / Momentous Mondays

This morning on my way into work, I was listening to Christian radio, per usual. The DJ read this article in between songs - reflecting on Easter. I thought it was SO powerful.

You can read it in its entirety here (I pulled an excerpt):
The Comma
written by Jonathan Acuff

I’m talking about the “comma of grace.”

I found it in Luke 22. In that chapter, Jesus is being led away. He is headed to the cross. A million prophecies are coming true and chaos is breaking out a little amongst disciples that up to this point have sworn to serve until death. In the midst of that, he pulls Simon aside because he knows that Simon will soon betray him.

He says to Simon in Luke 22:31-32:

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail.”

And then, he drops the 9 words that I can’t write about enough. The 9 words that I often turn to when I’ve failed and messed up again and feel hopelessly undeserving of hope.

Jesus tells Simon:

“And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

Do you see what Jesus is saying in that first half of the sentence, And when you have turned back? He’s saying:

You are going to fail.

You are going to fall.

You are going to lose it.

You are going to make commitments and break them.

You are not going to always be the man you family needs.

You are going to sin.

But, but, but, you will turn back.

You will come back. You will know redemption. You will know return. You will know a God that not only allows the “comeback” but actually celebrates it.

When I read the phrase “And when you have turned back,” I read a loud, wild picture of what grace really looks like.

And then, if you go too fast, you’ll miss the comma. You’ll miss the gap that sits quietly between the next thought. You’ll miss it because like me, you might misread the second half of that sentence.

Here’s what it says:

“And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

But here’s how we write it sometimes:

“And when you have turned back, repent for a long time and stay a long way from me until you are clean enough to return to my presence.”

“And when you have turned back, please stay far away from any ministry opportunities. You are too broken to help other people. How can you minister to others when your own life is so messed up?

“And when you have turned back, here are the 57 things you need to do in order to earn back my good favor.”

But Christ doesn’t do that! He drops a comma like a grenade.

He gives us the gift of the comma and then asks us to strengthen our brothers. Not beat ourselves with emotional whips. Or lay in a hole of shame. Or stay to the shadows of church afraid to be seen.

He wants you. In his arms. By his side. Surrendered and free in his presence.

Not because you deserve it or have earned it or are perfect.

Because of Easter.

That’s it.

We all get the comma of grace.

I am SO grateful for that comma of grace. I'm so grateful for Christ's redemptive love for me. I'm ashamed that I don't always offer that same love to others.

Lord as you've given me your grace, also fill me up with it so that I may offer it to others. Amen

We wore ourselves out today, so I'll have to write more later.

For now, here are some pics of the day.

He is Risen! He is Risen indeed. Thank you Jesus for your incredible sacrifice and promise.

In high school, the answer to "Why I Run" would have been: to stay in shape for basketball.

In college, the answer to "Why I Run" would have been: to avoid the Freshman (and Sophomore, Junior and Senior) 15.

After I got married the answer to "Why I Run" would have been: to stay in shape, so I can eat what I want, and it's fun to go to the gym with Jon.

Then I had kids.

Then I took 5 years off of running.

I lost any shape I was ever in, gained the 15 anyway, needed to watch what I eat, and didn't go to the gym with Jon.

All bad.

In November 2009, I changed that. It's still hard to fit running into my schedule -- VERY hard. But now, this is why I run:

I run because it keeps me healthy. I run because I like to eat. I run because I want to set a good example for my kids. I run because the outdoors in springtime (except for the allergies) is the best place to be. I run because I want my kids to enjoy exercising.

This little guy...



... would go all day if we let him. He's a mile a minute, barrel of energy, go getter of a dude. Sure, he gets tired -- but he is only 3 after all. He boogied so fast on that bike of his that we couldn't keep up! We were shouting to get him to stop and turn back -- but he was so far ahead he couldn't hear us! (Not exactly a wise plan on a wooded bike path -- thankfully we're in a safe area... but still!)

He's a whiz on that bike, and loves every minute of it.



Can you tell?

This little gal...



... would probably prefer to watch movies and eat ice cream all day if I'd let her. She's about as chill and relaxed as they come. I love that about her -- she's a very "go with the flow" girl, and always has been. She adapts quickly to basically any situation we put her in.

But... she's never enjoyed exercise. Of any sort.

Until Friday.

Crazy girl wanted to ride her scooter, but couldn't keep up. So she ran. And ran. And ran. And ran. We followed a 1.8 mile loop, and she probably ran a mile of it.

And she's begging for more!

When we finished, she said, "Whew... I tired myself out so I can be healthy."

My heart swelled with pride! Way to go, kiddo!

Then last night, she said, "Mommy, when we go visit Uncle Greg again, can I run a half marathon with you?" Apparently I made it look too easy. *cough, cough* (how about swamp land in Florida?) I laughed and told her "let's start with a mile."

All weekend, she's been begging to go out running again (it's been raining though).

And at the end of the day... that's why I run. And why I can't let myself take a 5 year break again. It's not good for any of us!