The Pilates Engagement

For the best information of the weekend, my brother proposed to his wonderful girlfriend of a year and a half Friday evening! We are so happy for them and can't wait for the big day. This next year will be our year to have nothing but smiles and laughter. Pilates was wonderful! I'm going to let my brother, Matthew fill you in on this portion as he has a perspective that only he can express:

Yes, it's true! I gave Christy a ring this weekend and I couldn't wait to do it. She means the world to me and is the most amazing and beautiful women ever. Early Friday evening I was talking to Jen about my proposal and she said "the cool thing is right now you have a girlfriend and tomorrow you'll wake up with a fiancé." That was powerful and exciting. I love her very much!

Saturday night, Christy, Jen, Nick, Matthew #2 and myself, went out to dinner to celebrate and had a great time. We really regret our families weren't here with us but we will see them very soon.

So, today was Jen's Pilates seminar. For those who are wondering what this event is, I'll explain it by saying that it involves roughly 50-60 seasoned instructors from all over the world that gathered this weekend to share ideas and thoughts dealing with the art of Joseph Pilates. There were several instructors that have worked with some A-list people, including Madonna and Sting—pretty impressive.

A few learned from Joseph himself. Jen's instructor and good friend, Donna, is a great teacher. She and Jen had their own room today to display some of the exercises and poses that they've been working on over the last few months.

Jen was incredible. A women who was watching said Jen had better form than some of her clients of two or three years! Another lady asked "she has prosthetic legs!?" The machine they work out on is called a cadillac reformer and allows you to focus on all parts of the body especially the core. This thing is very innovative and now I can see how Jen has that six pack.

After three or four exercises Jen took a short break to tell her story to the people in the room and she did so very well. It was yet another reason that makes me so proud to sit in the same room and say that's my sister. She would talk liberally throughout the session and several questions were asked to which she answered with confidence and strength.

I told her tonight that all that she has gone through has miraculously allowed her to express herself more comfortably than I've ever seen in the past. The whole event was very cool and we did take some good pics of Jen working out with Donna.

Donna told the people in the room that "Jennifer has changed my life." That was really special to hear, and the closeness they have through Pilates and just life in general is something that they will both treasure forever.

Family and friends, I am tired and worn out from a busy weekend and it's time I get some shuteye. Remember, anything is possible with faith and love.

Godspeed,
Matthew

An Owl, Seriously?

So, I was walking out of Kinko's with a friend of mine when she says "Jen, watch out!" I look up and hit my head on an owl that was hanging from the overhead of the building. We laughed so hard, you kinda had to be there. :)

But, what on earth is the purpose of this thing? It is definitely not "art", not a bird feeder, it doesn't talk or greet you, nothing! My advice? Next time you are at Kinko's, always watch your step and wear a helmet!

Super Tuesday & Sweetest Hands

It's about 9:30 and I'm trying to fall asleep but seem to be addicted to reading about politics. I have found some great podcasts with great material. When you start debating out loud to your computer, it's time to take a breath, close the computer down, and try starting over. Things like that can get you called "Britney".

Anyway, this year's candidates are very interesting and, wow, look how far we have come on so many levels. I'm not going to endorse a candidate on the blog but, I have noticed that if you really believe, change can occur.

In my daily life I have the option to believe or not to believe that change, growth, patience, and strength can occur. But, if we never try, or go that extra mile, or take that extra step, or push ourselves, then its up to us to take responsibility for what we don't do. We can't expect others to change things that we can't even change ourselves.

However, we can look to others to give us hope. I was asked to go with Marcella to a doctor appointment yesterday as she was getting new prosthetics. She is so precious and always with a smile. She put them on and couldn't balance very well, she is only 5.

The sweetest thing occurred. She put her palm on mine and we walked together. It was such a touching moment in my day. She was walking but is going to need a lot of practice. Before I left, she gives me the best hug and then starts laughing, ha! It just warmed my heart. If she only knew the strength she had.

Having something or someone to believe in can give a person a sense of realness. It's all about building each other up as humans and giving each other the support to feel that we can run for president—if that's your thing.

On a lighter note, my hands are healing but doing well. I tried to color my hair—uh, well, scary. Don't think I'll be doing that again. Let's just say the reddish/blonde thing is not my look. I'll be getting that fixed as soon as possible. :) I am reading more and more and am hoping to get back to work in the near future!

I have so much more to share but I'm finally getting tired. I'll write in a few days!

Love,

Jen

Butter Phones, Lunch with Friends and HBO's "Flight of the Conchords"

First, to the Doc that put the beautiful comment on the previous post, thank you . That was very hart warming and appreciated so much more than you know. Thank you for saving me and helping me to be here today!

Just a really quick update about a few funny things. Well, I started off my day with the phone ringing so I picked it up and said "Hello?", as you would. :) Then, the phone slides off my shoulder, hits the floor, and the battery falls out and the conversation was uh, well—over. So, I took a deep breath and said to the phone "well, thanks for calling and better luck next time."

Anyway, then my day progresses by watching the best show ever. I watch it often but today was so great. Have you ever watched Flight of the Conchords? It's a very different sort of humor but makes everyday life so comical. I'll leave it up to you to find this little jewel but having cable will help you out.



My next step was lunch—tried a great place but the wait was 45 minutes, so my friends and I go to another place that was soo good. Nothing really funny in this one just wanted to mention that lunch with friends is always needed—make time for yourself to get connected or re-connected!

As my day progresses, I am asked to cross my fingers, to which I responded "you cross your fingers and I'll cross my elbows", and then I was asked to play rock, paper, scissors (remember that game). Clearly, the only one I could do was the rock—very unfair. So, I chose play the game verbally and it still made me loose.

Well, I ended my night with a great call from my two brothers, one of which fell on snow and ice yesterday and busted his lip and messed up his teeth. He is ok but in some pain. I think my family is just prone to falling. Did I ever tell you how my mom & dad met? Well, lets just say that there were a lot of books and stairs involved. :)

I just wanted to check in today and say hi. And, about that photo above? Dad's 60th, pretty happy dad, myself, and little Matthew. The blue around my neck—little party decor'. Check out the new photo to the right of Nick & Matthew—they have matching glasses!

If you only do one thing today, make sure you laugh!

Goodnight,

Jen

Young Marcella, My Biggest Fear and a Prosthetics Update

Bonjour! So, this update is well overdo but my little "assistant" idea didn't really go as planned. However, my hubby did step in—what a good guy.

For starters, my hands are doing a bit better but sill pretty tender. We ended up working on both hands but the bulk of the work was on my right. This was considered a "reconstruction" surgery for prosthetic fitting. If your curious as to what my hands will look like you can check out silicon hands on the web. I don't have a great photo as of yet or I would share with you.

It's all about change update—I am up to $88 in savings with my change. I can't wait to make my first donation. I had several recommendations to read the book Christmas Jars as it is about a similar concept. Very good read and I just found out that it is being made into a movie in 2008.

As Nick shared below, I have had a great opportunity to meet a wonderful 5 year old, Marcella, who lost both of her hands & feet due to a staph infection which turned into meningitis. When we met, she looked at my hands, then hers, but never asked me any questions. We played catch for quite a while—I wish the Yankees could have seen us. :)

She doesn't know she is any different and her spirit was amazing. I have been asked to go with her on her next doctor appointment and hopefully start to educate and get her to the best care possible. I feel really blessed to be doing this.

My biggest fear was somewhat conquered this past week. I received a call from a company after the Dallas Morning News article ran, asking if I would mind sharing my story with the sales team. I thought about it for a day or so and then just said 'yes'. For some of you, this is probably no big deal. However, let me give you a little history on my speaking apprehensions.

When I was in high school and college, speaking was a requirement. I never did understand this—why torture people? Both times, I took it my senior year with all the freshman—how uncool. They all thought I had flunked and had to retake it. Then, to add to an already bad situation, I would ask the teachers if I could give my speeches to them privately.

I would get an answer like "uh, doesn't that defeat the purpose?" to which I would reply "what exactly is the purpose of being so nervous that you can't talk, upset stomachs and a bad grade?" Somehow I ended doing about 50% to the class and about 50% to the teacher. The art of negotiation is beautiful.

So, how did it go last week? Great! I had such a good time. I think once you get started it becomes easier but I just always had the problem of getting started. Anyway, thank you so very much for wanting to hear my story and for giving me the tools to make my first time easier than my college days.

Swimming—still loving this. But, my hand can't get the chlorine so I'm on hold for a while. Pilates—Donna & I are getting ready for the seminar/workshop February 8-10. There are still spots available. Just go to Traditional Pilates: The Essence of Joe. It's going to be fun!

Human connection—Just wanted to share a quick story. I was out yesterday and went into a store where the sales lady starts spending time with me. After about thirty minutes she says to me "young lady, how did you hurt yourself?" It was a really sweet way of asking me what had happened. When I explained it to her she shared with me how she had lost her husband a few months ago.

I really felt for her because you could tell how much of a connection she had with him. I have the opportunity to engage in these type of conversations more & more now and it just seems to enrich my life everyday to know that I am learning the core of who people are.

I have had a few relationships that were surface or superficial that weren't very challenging. These intimate conversations are really what life is about—the real human connection. I guess I have changed, in more ways than one, but I hope this can become contagious.

Have a great rest of the weekend. I have more coming!

Amour,

Jen