Okay...if overall general health and well-being does not get you to put on your running shoes, put the doughnut down, or get you out of the In and Out drive-thru line- then what about an impending zombie apocalypse?

Imagine you are now living in the post-apocalyptic America and survival is the name of the game.  You are responsible for a small group of non-zombies and a few family members in the pack.  Stellar health would be an important weapon ... Here is what I know...I can run 3 miles in 32 minutes...I am no Allyson Felix, but I will be faster than zombies and can put 3 miles and 30+ minutes between me and the flesh-eaters.  Think about how far you are able to run? I can walk up 5 flights of stairs without being winded. I figure fear, adrenaline, and fight mode would get me up 10 flights running.  My workouts last upwards of an hour...so I am hoping that will allow me at least an hour of zombie slashing!  

But I am no Mishon, a lone fighter, my husband has joined the fight and has moved to the "lighter" side.  I now know that I have a partner to help me protect our children and with his increase stamina and energy he will be ready to smash some zombie heads!

Crazy?! Far-fetched?! Maybe.  But the moral to my hypothetical post-apocalyptic zombie infested world is that we only have one body-our one physical "weapon" to move through the world.  Every time you make an excuse not to exercise or eat a little healthier puts you at risk for long term health problems and will ultimately make you a nice juicy rump roast for the "walkers".  

Just saying...

Thank you Lord for restoring my sons hearing and giving him a voice!! He can say his prayers which now include more specifically his cousin Oliver, Vei, and his hot wheel cars!! dont worry family he prays for his "ol famlee" too

                                                ---My Facebook Post 2/20/13




This is my little man, my baby, my "yanyan"!!  This kid can drive me nuts and makes me laugh all in the same instance. He runs, jumps, rides a scooter (too fast in my opinion), and gives hugs that will melt your heart.  And if you were to meet him, you would never know that he suffered hearing loss, had a surgical procedure, and is slowly but surely catching up developmentally to other children his age.  

When he was 9 months old I noticed he was not making any baby sounds-the usual "mum mum or mama" you would hear.  At his one year visit when the pediatrician asked me what words he said, I told her nothing.  She dismissed my concerns saying that since he is the baby of the family he has no reason to talk since he has siblings to take care of him and that I shouldn't compare his milestones to them.  At eighteen months I brought him back to the pediatrician and told her he is not saying anything so she said I should put him in school to "socialize" with other children his age.  After several weeks of research and interviews I found him a preschool and in hopes it would jump start his speech.  Not too long after starting preschool the teacher pulls me aside one day to tell me that she believes he has a hearing problem.  

A hearing problem?  As a mother, it is one thing to think your child has a problem but it another to have your suspicions confirmed.  Long story short, we went to several doctors appointments, he took several different tests, and in the end the specialist explained that his hearing is comparable to that of someone under 12 feet of water.  Surgery was the answer to help with his hearing, followed by speech therapy, special education, lots of prayer by family and friends, and lastly affirmation that he was perfect just the way he is.

One year and 3 months out...my son is doing phenomenal!  His speech has improved and he is up to 3-4 word sentences.  He tells me "NO" all the time which I do not like to hear but glad he says it!  He likes music and he can "sing" although not clear you can hear the melody and intonation in his voice-he can "Gangham Style" like nobody's business. (He also likes Justin Timberlake/Jay-Z song, "Suit and Tie" thanks to daddy).  My husband and I think he may be a singer!!  And the best part of all, he can say his prayers.  I love hearing him say his nightly prayers.  It's not clear but I know what he is saying.  Here is a translation:

"Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray the Lord my soul to keep
God bless Mommy, Daddy, Cameron, Brucey, Vei, Meki, grandmas and grandpas, Oliver, my cars, and my whole family tree. Amen"

Our family believes in the Lord Jesus Christ and we thank Him everyday for blessing our son.  If his situation would have been worse I would still thank the Lord for bringing me a wonderful little boy.  And as a family we would still do all we can to make his life as wonderful as it could be.