Week 2 Sturf about MVBL

Navigating my way through the first two weeks of MVBL.


Here are a few lists of
'On my mindness'

Stuff that is helping: My father in law saying, "Go for it", Nils Nelson (who I am determined to take down), stopping by in his van and cheering me on (dang it, I am trying to stay ornery :)), My team mates and their brilliant rhetoric while we walk, My stalwart friend Julie Wilson who sent me a scale that would blow your mind... It does everything but brush my teeth! Recording all my efforts on our blog helps, Getting all junk food out of the house helps, Having better songs on my Ipod helps (thanks Adam!), and preparing food that I can eat helps..

Stuff that continues to confuse me: Why does it seem that EVERYONE else can eat the stuff I cannot and not have it make them a tub O'L? Can I ever include sweets again in my diet? What do I do when someone gives me something or brings me something or invites me over for something that I cannot eat, is it ruinously rude to refuse? Do I want to be THAT person? Do I like her or want to spend time with her? I didn't before, so.... What about my kids? Should I let them still have junk food? How much? How little? At all? Ever? What do I do when we go camping and its time for S'mores? Seriously, stuff like that swirles in my mind in week 2. Been here plenty of times before and STILL have no 'moderation' answer that lasts forever.



Stuff that's bugging me: New gel inserts for my tender heels, which then in turn made some gnarly blisters in the middle of my foot, Tuesday pain, because I take my medicine once a week and by Tues night, I'm hurtin' b.a.d., Tapering off my steroids causes me great amounts of fatigue and pain, it is a giant sized bummer (just like my giant sized bummer!) Trying to stop my diet coke a day addiction, I'm convinced 1 a day helps my motor run, but need to give this one up soon, Trying to remember every detail I need to be successful, I'm a lazy remembererer...

Stuff that stressing me: I think there is a dark level of pain I am going to have to face and go right through the middle of to get where I want to go permanently. I'm very afraid of all that damage surfacing. It keeps knocking on my psyche and its getting louder and louder as this change happens. Crappers, don't want to face that stuff, EVER. Alas, its a giant piece of my missing puzzle. Will have to excavate soon :(






HOWEVER - I have lost 12 pounds in my now 2 weeks.

So...... I'm kinda stoked.

Something is working.

Week 3 here I come!

"I've got my bus pass and my sandwich..."

True greatness, does not come in the driveway filled with sports cars and luxury boats, grand vacations or season tickets. Not to me anyway, not to Mrs. Marc Reeves. That's me, and I am so proud to be.

I married the single sweetest man on the planet. I really did. So sorry to take him off the market for the rest of you, but he is MINE. All mine!






Our life together started almost 20 years ago. This fall will be 20 years since we met and began... As I reflect on that I can't help but smile and truth be told, I still get those butterfly thingies that float around the chest and make you feel like you just swallowed an entire bubble bath, every time I think of him.




Marc took a temporary gig selling solar powered device chargers for Goal Zero at Costco. Yep, we are there. Just trying to keep our heads above water. Gulp.

We now have one car. Which has cost us $600.00 this week to repair. Ugh and a big fat O.U.C.H. His last job provided a car, so we were spoiled into one car payment.

With the one car, life can be extremely tricky. Accepting this job which is far away, has meant that we are doing a ridiculous amount of juggling between end of the year kids events and programs and activities etc..

Marc bought a bus pass.

To save some headache, I dropped him off at the transit center so he could catch a connection to this job. Selling is against Marc's very essence. He hates selling anything with a vehemence only comparative to the likes of say... " an inexperienced proctologist".

Before he walked away, I kissed his face and told him I adored him and cast my worries over him as to his ridiculously long day and his needs.

He said, "I'm good, I've got my bus pass and my sandwich."

I can't begin to even try to share ALL the times this man has done this kind of thing for us. I can't. However, as this is a sort of 'family journal' , I want this written record so when he is 80 I can read it to him. I want to read it to his children and grandchildren to remind them and him what a great man he was when things were tough. :)



I can't tell you how many times:

Marc has been up before the sun working on everything....including baby bummies, scouts, his career, his church jobs, extra time on household projects, helping kids with early morning sports/music/seminary, volunteering on hundreds of things. First one there, last to leave Reeves.

Marc has given up what he wanted to someone else. The good piece, the biggest piece, the best seat, the shady spot, the biggest towel, the cleanest one, the non-squished one, the not bruised one, the cozy spot, the dry spot, the warmest coat, the best pair of gloves, the coveted place by the fire, the best of everything...

Marc has listened to those no one will listen to. He offers this concernedly. He wants to be kind and helpful. Aware that few others are willing to listen and take time, he intently listens and loves. He is available to just hear you, when most others never take the time to offer themselves in that way.



Marc has done without. Without new anything, EVER, while his daughter is dancing in a new costume on stage, his son is wearing Nike cleats on the offensive line, his wife buys a new outfit, his son rents a trumpet, his daughter gets the cotton candy at the fair, his son plays electric guitar, his wife goes to the beach, his son has the new church pants and tie.....and on and on and on

Marc has been stronger than everyone else. He just keeps trying saying, "I'm just doing what I can." "I will just hang on a little longer." "I'll be fine, you go ahead." "I'm not leaving until its done right." "I'll be last"

Greatness in men can be measured. Greatness in the souls of men cannot. I believe what the scriptures say about how "The first shall be last and the last shall be first". When earth life is all said and all done....

Marc will be in the front of the line.

He has his bus pass and his sandwich.