My First 10K Ever!

Well, the title says it all. I am going to run/walk my first 10k! Yep, call me crazy call me stupid, but I am bound and determined to do this. I am starting my training now. The 10k will be in September on the 28th. So I have about 8 weeks to train for this. I have lost over 200lbs, and am determined to do this. I want to prove it to myself that I can do this. I want to prove to myself that I can stick to something, that I can finish something that's hard. I want to prove to myself that I have gotten myself into great shape, and that all my hard work has paid off. Now, I'm not saying this will be easy, and I'm not saying that I will run the entire thing, but I will no matter how long it takes me, I will finish it!! I've made my apt. with my doctor to follow me on my training, and I've programed my elliptical machine to help in this. I want to prove to myself overall that I can do anything I put my ind to, and right now I want to run a marathon. 6.2 miles shouldn't be too hard for me, since I usually run about 2.5 miles each night on my elliptical. So again I say call e crazy, or call me stupid either one, but I'm gonna run y first and probably last marathon.

Whats New?

Ok, so I'm sure if you are reading this, you have seen my new layout. See anything different? See anything worth celebrating? See anything family worthy? I sure do. Da da da da introducing the all new

WEIGT FAMILY - {Pronounced phonetically like Vight}

We are changing our name back to the birth name Will was given. We feel it would be a good thing for our family to do, and would mend some feelings. As well as we have a son who will now be able to carry on the family name. All the kids are excited to tell you their new name. It will take about 6 weeks to become legal and official, but we are starting to teach the children now, and we figured we would let family and friends know now. We love you all, and hope to not confuse all of you. I'm sure you will all understand, and be just as happy as we are to be doing this. This is a wonderful thing, and we are so excited for this change.

Will's Grandfather, and coming to America

My grandfather was the younger of 2 boys, and was born in Kiel (Northern Germany). He was only 2 years old when Oma took him, his older brother (Hans, who died just before last Thanksgiving) and herself to America.

Speaking 4 languages, but none of them "English", I can only imagine the difficulty is starting a new life for the 4th time, moving so far away from he family and the cities that she knew and loved. Oma was as proud and stubborn as she was intelligent. She had a husband who mistreated her and the boys, and worked in what today would be considered very menial jobs to support her small family.

In this background, my grandfather, Werner Weigt, was taught the vitality of finding work and working together as a family to make life all that it could be. Oma had a hard time learning English, and paid to take English lessons at night for 2 years before mastering the language (her 5th!). According to Werner, she rarely spoke German around the boys, so that they would have an easier time learning English. They were born far away, but they were to become Americans.

Becoming an American, for myself, was as simple as surviving my 55-hour birth (no kidding...ask Mom!). For my grandfather, being born in Germany became a problem as he entered manhood. Turning 18 in 1943, and having been born in Germany; his Naval Records were stamped: "ENEMY ALIEN" as he was drafted into the U.S. Navy. His brother, being born in Holland, was: "ALLIED ALIEN".

I bristled as my grandfather told me of his naval designation. I asked if he was bitter about a nation that forced him to serve while being suspicious of his exemplary life so far. He surprised me as he recalled that he was thrilled because it would allow him to do 2 things: 1) prove that he was only loyal to America, the only home he ever knew, and 2) earn his U.S. Citizenship.

Staying-on in the Navy after V-J Day in 1945, Werner did earn enough service credits to become an American Citizen. In the many years we shared, I have never heard this man complain about the sacrifices necessary to secure a better future for your family in America.

This Memorial Day, as you enjoy a grilled hot dog, and your favorite cold beverage as the sun sets...take the time to thank a vet for putting their future in jeopardy...to guarantee yours.

The Garden is in...

Will here:

I want the world to know what a great job Amber did in making this garden. While it's true that I helped with making the raised-bed, and putting most of the soil in it; I wasn't much help with the last of the soil, and the finishing-touches, like the cages and mulch. I insisted that she take a few pictures to show everyone (including the landlord company) what a great job she did with a barren, grassless patch of dirt. We'll post more pictures as the season progresses.

Wll's home again...minus his stomach

A big "Thank-You" for everyone's prayers, well-wishes (and caseroles)! Thursday afternoon the kids, Beth and I visited Will in the hospital again; and he was doing well. Imagine my surprise when, at 7PM, that I answered my door to see our friends the Kleinaus, AND WILL standing at the door! Apparently, shortly after my visit, the doctor asked Will if he wanted to go home. Will said: "OH YEAH!", and soon he was back home. Fortunately, all this happened right when the Kleinaus came to visit Will and see how he was doing. Will (being Will) used the opportunity to get a ride home for the best kind of surprise of all. What a booger he was! But I'm so glad to have him home safe...even if he was a booger.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDMA BETH!!

Since we have this blog now, I figured what a way to wish someone a happy birthday, but online. So happy birthday to my dear sweet Mother in law. Happy birthday mom. We can't wait to see you, and hope you travel safely. Have a happy and wonderful birthday. We all love you. Thanks for so many happy memories and many more to come.


Love, Sabrina, Vanessa, and Isaac

How to be miserable

Hey, Everyone, Will here:

A few years ago, I was asked to teach a lesson in church about happiness, and specifically on how to be "happy". It wasn't long before I decided that it would be far easier to hold everyone's attention if I turned the question on it's ear and added some trademark sarcasm. While I don't pretend that the list below is exhaustive, it is a well-rounded recipe for misery. Enjoy!

1) Think only of yourself

2) Make assumptions about your life

3) Make assumptions about others' lives

4) Convince yourself that you deserve everything that you want

5) Think of "happiness" as a object, not a "state-of-mind"

6) Never serve others without also serving yourself

7) Deny Christ, His Church, and all Scriptures as: "outdated", "foolishness" and/or "exploitive"

8) Surround yourself with miserable people

9) Make inappropriate comparisons between yourself and people you know

10) Make inappropriate comparisons between yourself and people you don't know

11) Forget every offense committed by you against others

12) Remember every offense committed by others against you

13) Consider your opinions and perceptions to be "The Truth"

14) Take all disagreements with your opinion as a deliberate, personal attack

15) Realize that there is never an "accidental" offense against you

16) Hold others responsible for your emotions and actions

17) Remember that you are better than everyone else around you

It is no secret that I am a huge fan of the life and works of Clive Staples Lewis. I must tip my hat to his masterwork: The Screwtape Letters for the inspiration of a couple of chapters that detail most of the above ideas. If there is sufficient interest, I'll post them from time to time.

MY MOTHERS

I am very fortunate to have three mothers on this mothers day. I have my mom whom I love dearly, and I have two mother in laws who are just the best. I want all my moms to know that I love them each individually for all they do for me. Here is my mom Karen. I love her so much. Isn't she beautiful. Will always teases her about her hair. He says it's a wig because every hair is always in place and she looks beautiful every time we see her no matter if its first thing in the morning or late at night. I just know my mom takes pride in her appearance, and it shows. And NO IT"S NOT A WIG!! It's all natural. Anyway as many of you may know I am adopted. This is the woman who adopted me and raised me and took care of me all these years. She cried with me and for me. She is my mother and always will be. I was never treated any differently than my sister or brothers. I was loved (and punished) just the same. She truly is an example of unconditional love. I was a tough teenager for my mom, and I feel bad about all the heartache I caused her, however through all that she was there for me, and never stopped loving me. For that I will always be grateful. She is truly my hero, and I love her always.


Here is my second mom Beth. She is such a wonderful person. She is loving, caring, and most of all beautiful. She has loved me from day one. I hadn't had a chance to meet her for almost a year after Will's dad married her, however we talked on the phone, and she was loving and kind to my children. Once we met all the love and kindness she showed me was proved to be completely genuine. She has one of the biggest hearts I've ever seen. She can take heartache and sorrow and turn it into sunshine and gladness. She truly is a unique and special spirit. We always tease her about what she saw in Will's dad. We know that because of her unique spirit about her she is able to see the good and the love in all people. She is truly the best thing that has ever happened to this family. She exemplifies the true Christ like spirit about her. I love her dearly and am so fortunate to have another mom like her in my life.
Here is my third mom Corrine. This is Will's mom. She is such a great person. She always thinks of others and then herself. Even though she may not have a lot, you are always welcome to what she does have. She is always good to remember Will and I's anniversary and sends us a little gift and card every year. She is such a cute mom. She loves all of my children and spoils them whenever she can. My children just adore her.

So there you have it. All three of my special moms. I love each and every one of them for all their unique qualities they bring to my life. All of my kids will agree that each one of them are very special. I give thanks on a daily basis for my special moms. I love you all!!

Family Vacations Here we Come!!

Here is our most recent purchase. Daddy worked some overtime so that we could afford to get this nice tent. Our good friends the Kleinaus are avid campers and fishers, and so we all wanted to go together. SO we have now purchased our tent. The sleeping bags and such will have to wait till we can get them, but it's a step in the right direction. The kids absolutely LOVED putting it up, and running in and out of the tent. They are so ready for some fun family time. And truth be told so is daddy and I.
Here they are peeking out with daddy. See how happy they are just to have it put up in the front yard. Imagine being out in the wilderness camping with hot dogs and a fire and some marshmallows. Sounds like so much fun. The kids are already trying to count down the days till we can go camping. We will go soon after daddy's surgery.
And here they are again peeking out of their new home away from home. It is a rather large 12 x 14 foot tent that is 7.5 feet high. It is able to fit two queen size mattresses inside with room to spare for all our stuff. SO we will be able to camp in style. We wanted to get a tent large enuf to fit us all now, AND when the kids are much older. This way we only buy one tent instead of one now and one later. Plus there is room for friends in case any of the kids want to bring some one day. They are really looking forward to our first trip. Our friends the Kleinaus have a lot of camping gear, and so we will use their stuff while we are buying ours a little at a time when we can afford it. I'll make sure to post our trips.

Happy Mothers Day

Here are the new dresses I mad for all three of us girls. I love the material. I have made a couple of these lately for all us girls. The material comes smocked on the bodice already and then you just sew down the back, and make straps. Its great sun dress material, but we put cute leggins with it and voila you have two outfits in one. Plus the girls love the fact that they get to dress like mommy. Isaac wanted to wear daddy's dinosaur tie, so daddy tied it for him. Isaac was so proud to be wearing it, and told everyone at church he was a big boy cause he was wearing daddy's tie. They also sand in the primary program at church. They all did a great job and were so cute.
Here is my new hairdo. I've been trying to grow it out so I can have it a little longer now, and t is still in that "ugly" stage. It's almost long enuf to be out of the "ugly" stage, but not quite yet. Soon I will be able to have it a little longer and not look too stupid, but my hair grow really slow, and so it will be a while.