Day 6: #HAWMC: My Hero

Today I am to share with you who my hero is...I don't have one; I have many. However, there is a certain group that I look to in the hemophilia community that I like to bounce ideas off, ask advice and look to when my son is getting ready to start school, a new sport or a new adventure. They are all around the age my hemophilia cousins would be if they would still be with us. If only I could go back in time and talk with my cousins. Ask their opinions on things. Listen to their stories. Seek their advice on how best to parent a kid with hemophilia. How I can be supportive and not restrictive. The tricks of the trade. Since I can't, I have Vaughn, Jeff, Ryan and Jay. They have survived the Hemocaust. They have seen loved ones and friends die from the bad blood in the 80's and 90's. Some of these guys have been through a positive diagnosis of HIV, Hep C or both! What I love about them is that first and foremost they live life! They take time to not only encourage me as a hemo mom but other new hemo moms, as well as, the entire hemophilia community. They have wonderfully different perspectives that I may or may not share but I respect them. Not one of them sugar coat anything and I like that. I know that hemophilia can be difficult but I also know I'm not going to bubble wrap my son. I want straight perspective from guys who didn't have prophy dosing as an option. I respect how they lived in an era of contaminated blood products and how they thrive now. I believe that we must respect our past to be grateful for our present and hopeful for our future. I hope that I am able to raise Jackson to be as awesome in advocating, spreading awareness and being a good role model for future hemophiliacs as Vaughn, Jeff, Ryan and Jay are to our community, family and me. Thank you guys for always being there for us! You are all my #hemohero. #hemolove

Day 5 #HAWMC: Breaking News

Happy Easter everyone!! Today's challenge is just that...a challenge. I have to share with you my greatest accomplishments in the last 5 years. Meaning I have to brag on myself for this post; which is sooo NOT me! My positive attitude with a realistic approach is something that I can brag on though. I'm not rainbows, sunshine and pots of gold everyday or any day for that matter as I feel that is just annoyingly gross; at least to me. What I am, is upbeat and a take it all in stride type of gal. I live by the "it could always be worse" which helps me get through the rough patches and makes me grateful for the craziness in my life. I often get asked "how I do it all" and honestly I'm not entirely sure. I kick in to beast mode and just do what needs to be done without a second thought. I also have a great support team that is there for me if I need them. I could share personal accomplishments but really, they are shared accomplishments; be it shared with my hubby, kids, family or community. So, I'll end here...enjoy your Easter!! I'm about to go enjoy some great family time at the Cincinnati Zoo!

Day 4 #HAWMC: Creatures of Habit

We are all creatures of habit both good and bad. This year I'm running the Flying Pig in Cincinnati, Ohio. It is a full and half marathon on Sunday, May 3rd. They also have 5K, 10K, kids run and dog runs the day before. It is the BEST event I've ever participated in over the years. This year I've committed to run the half marathon. I've been training since January 3rd when it was -13 degrees! I have run the half a few times and last year I ran the 10K with my hubby and I've always trained along the way. However, I've joined a running group and I wasn't sure if I was going to like it or not but now I can't imagine NOT joining...I really enjoy it. They have the routes all mapped out so I don't  have to even think about how many miles I'm going and what that translates into when running around my house. I meet new people; which I love! It's just a great group of people! So every Tuesday night and Saturday morning (at the crack of dawn...mind you) I drive about 35 minutes to the running store and go pound pavement.

I didn't always like running...in fact I would cuss while running...I hated it!! But then my eldest daughter started running cross country when she was in middle school and I really didn't want her running her off days by herself. So I ran with her and my cussing had to stop!! Cross country was short lived (thankfully) so I stopped running. Over the years I dabbled with the treadmills but it still wasn't my favorite thing to do. The year my hubby turned 40 was his bucket list year. Being the competitive person that I am I decided to join his bucket list adventures. That's where running came back into my life and I found it actually enjoyable. It became my stress reliever. Oh, yes. The bucket list...let's just say while we both competed in the Warrior Dash and had a blast I ran my first half marathon solo...and I never let him forget it!! :)

Running has become my habit. Sure it's great for me and healthy but I do it more for my mental health. Dealing with the daily stresses of my kids chronic illnesses, insurance, medical bills, Doctor appointments, working, living life...you get the picture...I need an outlet to get this built up stuff out. Pounding pavement works for me. What's your habit?

Day 3 #HAWMC: Good Samaritan

Today I am to share a random act of kindness. My family and I have been the wonderful recipients of random acts of kindness...so many that as I recount which one to share with you I am overcome with a sense of gratitude and humbleness. As some of you know I have two daughters with Type 1 diabetes in addition to my hemophiliac son. I have a friend in the diabetes community who makes these wonderful pouches for people to wear around their waist and it holds their diabetes supplies and insulin pump. She also makes medical alert bracelets and sent one for my son to demo. It was such a simple gesture and yet so unexpected. He loves it...in fact I need to order a new one for him as he has about worn his out! You can check them out here: Tallygear. I love when others think of our family. I also love being able to help others and do so every chance I have. I want to thank the many people who have helped us throughout the years and challenge you to pay it forward the next time an opportunity comes your way.

Picture credit to Tallygear at tallygear.com

Day 2 #HAWMC: Key to Happiness

Today I am to share with you what I think the Key to Happiness is...I think we all have the answer to that one and yet it's different for everyone. For me, my key to happiness is my family. They are the reason I get up in the morning, why I go to bed tired, why I stay up late, why I make their breakfast/lunch/dinner, why I go to the grocery, why I love fiercely, why I advocate, why I cry and why I laugh. You get the idea...they are my everything. When I think back about my most favorite and happiest memories they all involve my family. They are my biggest supporters (even when I ask them to do crazy stuff!!).

My Key to Happiness...My Family!

So I encourage you to find your Key to Happiness...maybe it's a spa day, coffee with friends, a night out, exercise, writing in a journal...whatever it is...GO find it!! 

Wordless Wednesday! #HAWMC Day 1 of 30

                That photo bomber, Captain Jackson, is the reason I advocate for Hemophilia! #HAWMC

Bleeds, Bleeders and Beards...oh my!

Have you noticed how hairy it's become lately?! I know I have!! Especially in my house. A few months back...actually, September 1st my mildly hairy husband shaved it all off. He was as smooth as a baby's butt. 

Look at that baby smoothness! 

So, what's the big deal? Well...fellow Hemo friend and Dad, John Bruno, came up with a plan...a movement if you will...

And thanks to fellow Hemo brother, Jay D. Bishop for the awesome design!!

It's all rather hairy if you ask me!! But what better way to raise awareness for Hemophilia OR any bleeding disorder than growing a beard. I know my hubby has been getting a lot of attention with his Grizzly Adams look. To which he happily replies "I'm growing my beard to raise awareness for my son's bleeding disorder, hemophilia". Oh...did I mention they are growing their beards for six months? Just in time for Hemophilia Awareness Month! You can check out the website HERE. The goal is not only to raise awareness but to raise funds for your bleeding disorder charity of choice. We are choosing our local chapter, the TriState Bleeding Disorder Foundation. Our local chapter has been wonderful not only to us but to all the families and individuals in our area. We would love to give back to them as much as they give to us through Educational Days and conferences, outreach events, hemophilia camp and support groups. If you feel so inclined we would love for you to sponsor Joe's beard!! While I'm setting up a fundraising page you can send your tax deductible donation to http://www.tsbdf.com/. Just let them know you are supporting the bleeding community AND some hairy bearded dude named Joe. 

Here's Captain Jackson growing his beard. 

Joe's 9 week picture!! Can you say Grizzly?!