Can you handle the news?

Well....all we can say is: I guess blessings come in threes!?!!



We had our first sonogram on Tuesday and what do you know.... We are having multiples! Triplets to be exact.... Um can we say uh oh! Here are the first couple of images.....




As you can imagine, this news has stunned us to say the least. Obviously our house will be full and I will not be returning to work to handle all the children we will have! As we soak in the news and prepare, keep us in your prayers!

Till next post!

Links Out!

The aim of life is self-development....

The aim of life is self-development is: To realize one's nature perfectly - that is what each of us is here for. Oscar Wilde

Sometimes life throws you curve balls…. I am sitting here today with two announcements. One is not the death of a dream but just a dream on hold. The other is a blessing from above. While I must announce that I am unable to continue my half marathon training at this time and that I am putting my dream of running 13.1 miles on hold for a year. I am pleased to announce that the Link Family is growing yet again! Oh yes, it’s true, our family will be welcoming another member this fall! I have to admit that I did not expect to get pregnant so soon after the birth of Jake and it does kind of terrify me to think of having two small children about thirteen months apart, we are ecstatic just the same and I will keep you posted on our progress!

Thank you all very much for supporting me throughout my training! Your words of encouragement and donations helped me pound the pavement (ever so slowly) towards my dream. Your efforts are not wasted or forgotten! I have worked out a deal with my Team in Training coach and we are rolling over the majority of my fundraising efforts towards my training next year. I have made the commitment to achieve my dream of running and raising money for a cause and dog gone it; I am going to do it! Albeit a tired mess I’m sure but determined just the same!

Thank you again for your support and I hope you can cheer for me with the same fervor as I begin my journey towards another baby!

A baby makes love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, bankroll smaller, home happier, clothes shabbier, the past forgotten, and the future worth living for.
Author Unknown

The worst feature of a new baby is its mother's singing. Kin Hubbard

Alright so my quote is a little off topic but it's funny just the same!

Jake has his six month visit today. Here are the stats for our growing bruiser:

Weight: 17.4 lbs 75th percentile
Height: 28.5 inches 95th + percentile (off the charts!)
Head Circumference: 50th percentile

Our boy is growing too fast!

Take Care!!!

Building strength for crawling and sitting!

Jake is now five and a half months old. He is drooling like crazy preparing for some teeth that will surely pop through at any moment (as you can see below).



Jakers is also scooting to grasp toys and stregthening his arm and leg muscles for crawling. Jake is not quite sitting up but he has mastered baby crunches and is always trying to reposition himself into a sit. He will actually sit for about thirty seconds without support but as soon as he realizes what he is doing he topples forward. I am sure the many mile stones he is working on will come to fruition soon and we will be chasing a crawling boy! He has developed quite the personality as well...I can already tell from this picture he is going to be a handful!



In addition, he has found his new favorite sleeping arrangement, he scoots himself way up into the corner of his crib, lays on his side and nuzzels the bumper, it is soooo cute, but it does make mom nervous!



Jake is becoming increasingly aware of his surroundings as well, he recently discovered these giant beings covered in fur. Yes he has discovered the dogs and there is nothing more interesting! We often bring him into the kitchen to feed him dinner while we cook our own dinner, since we have a big glass slider, the dogs will come up to the glass to peer in and enjoy some time looking into the house. Jake is so delighted in this visit that he starts sqealing and cooing, peering at the pups. When we let them into inspect, Jake grabs at thier faces, kicks his legs and sqeals even louder! I am sure they will grow to be great friends. Since Mastiffs have a shorter life expectancy than regular sized dogs we are happy that they will be a part of our childrens lives if even for a short time.

Poke Poke as we call him has a Dr visit coming up so we will update you on his growth progression soon!

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a gift...

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a gift and not giving it.

I have to share a wonderful thing that happened to me this weekend! As you know I have been training to complete a half marathon in May with Team in Training benefiting The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. During my journey, I have received an out pour of support, thoughtful words of encouragement, monetary donations and most importantly I have gotten to know some wonderful people and some stories of survival! This commitment has made me aware of so many people in need and made me realize how blessed I am even on my toughest days!



Meet my neighbor Donnie Hodge, he is 25 years old, married to his high school sweetheart Chessa and has two beautiful children (Maddie’s daily playmates) 9 year old son Donnie and a 5 year old Andi.

This February his family was hit with a disheartening blow. Donnie been feeling ill for months experiencing terrible headaches, dramatic weight loss, inability to sleep and some days he is in so much pain he is unable to even stand or walk. Donnie is battling Stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, multiple brain tumors and bone cancer.

Since learning of his condition and his wonderfully positive attitude towards battling these illnesses, I wanted to help his family! His mother Vicki, wife Chessa and I hosted a fundraiser this weekend featuring Gold Canyon Candles, Gigi Hill Bags, Mary Kay, Cookie Lee and Avon. Each vendor donated at least 20% of their total sales (most being any commission they would have received) back to the Hodge family to cover their mounting medical bills. I have to tell you it was a smashing hit! I would guess we had about 800-1000 people that came through my home to purchase goods to benefit the Hodge family! In addition, we raised over $1500 dollars in just 3 short hours! I am astounded how many people came out to support this family even in such tough financial times. It just goes to show you that when times get tough, the tough get going!

If you would like to help Donnie and his family
Donations can be made at any Wells Fargo Branch reference account number 2323995361
Identification Number for Tax Purposes is 32-0270736

A special thank you to the vendors who helped us make this fundraiser possible and gave selflessly!

Cookie Lee: Christina Meek
Gold Canyon Candles: Seidi Woods
Gigi Hill Bags: Shawna Moriaty
Mary Kay: Lisa
Avon: Betty Meyers!

From the frontlines, over and out!

"You can't keep those women down...

"You can't keep those women down...You can't get them back in the kitchen."



Deeper and deeper into the Abyss..... Yeah, that’s all I can say at this point. I have trained for probably about two weeks total during my three weeks of training….and while I tweak everything within my normal lifestyle I realize the magnitude of what I have signed up for. I walked/ran about five miles today....While I do not feel totally exhausted (mainly because I walked a great deal because of the side ache that persisted because of the burrito I ate for lunch…) my feet feel much better than the blister I experienced last Monday (because of the old shoes that were heavy and washed too many times). Excuses.......but valid ones! Let me see you run fives miles after having a baby (less than five months ago) and straight of the couch!!!! In fact, the blister I had was so bad that I held off my first real week of training until I got my really expensive "over-pronation" correcting shoes... Yes apparently, when you gain 52 lbs during pregnancy your weight shifts causing you to walk on the outsides of your foot, obviously trying to over compensate for the added weight on your joints. Needless to say, all of my shoes in my closet are rendered useless (weather stilettos, flats or running shoes) they’ve all stretched, worn or mutilated. In fact they are so uncomfortable to wear that I feel I need to have an overhaul preformed on each and every one.....There goes "My shoes were soooooo less expensive than the ones you bought" excuse.... Urgh! I do however feel fantastic! Who knew that putting your body through mortal combat would conjure up some "women’s runner" mentality; granted, this excitement lasts about two minutes into a training session but it’s all worth the while none the less... I mean, who can really run on the track, in the rain, in 40 degree weather and count the laps before one mile? If you were wondering, it’s four! I actually drove home today from work (before my training session) trying to calculate other running routes to spice it up.... Did you know I can plan my next days to do list, create a grocery list, figure out what my daughter needs on her first overnight trip (two nights and three days for school) and plan my weekly shopping list in a matter of minutes while driving? I can't even imagine running while thinking. I believe I may start hyperventilating and forget who I am completely.... None the less the whole running and planning my day went into the garbage....

Anyway, I am positive that I am not a runner by trade and that I will have to work at it. Not to mention that missing Jake’s (my missing 2 nights a week) nightly feedings and daily baths provide the perfect excuse for ditching ……but its time he gets to spend with Daddy and Sister and I am off living the dream! I talk about my fitness expertise but never show it. Here’s to raising money for a cure and challenging myself in ways I've always read about but never saw coming to fruition.

Cheers!

If you feel so inclined, please support me by donating at http://pages.teamintraining.org/rw/AveGiant09/klinkfw1hp it will help finding a cure for these illnesses, save my pocket book from having to write the check myself, with all the fundraising obligations it’s getting a little tough.

Thank you!
Kashala

I'm running a half marathon, no kidding!

Yes, I am a crazy woman.... I am training to run a half marathon in May. The motivation is simple- I lost my dad to cancer when I was eight. My next door neighbor was just diagnosed with Stage 4 Lymphoma he is in his 30's, is married and has two kids. One of my friends has a friend who was diagnosed with Leukemia, she is in her 20's, married, pregnant and has two young children. I can't imagine not doing anything to help these families. I want to help so I am going to “just do it”....Would you be my cheerleader?

I am raising funds for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society(LLS) as a participant in their Team In Training program and I'm asking you to help by making a donation to my fundraising campaign.

Please use the link in this email to donate online quickly and securely plus learn more about my progress. You will receive a confirmation of your donation by email and I will be notified as soon as you make your donation.

http://pages.teamintraining.org/rw/AveGiant09/klinkfw1hp

Each donation helps accelerate finding a cure for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. More than 823,000 Americans are battling these blood cancers. I am hoping that my participation in Team In Training will help bring them hope and support.

On behalf of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, thank you very much for your support. I greatly appreciate your generosity.

P.S. I would appreciate it if you would forward this link to as many people as you can to encourage them to donate as well. Thanks again!