The "Best You" Challenge

Before I get into the "Best You" challenge this week, I want to briefly comment on the cancelling of Mousefest '09. To put it simply...I'm bummed out. Just a few days prior to the announcement of the cancellation, I booked my resort stay for what was to be my first Mousefest. I'm hoping that some kind of underground movement will surface and some semblance of a spin off will survive. Does anyone know what that 16 year old kid is doing now that the EPCOT anniversary is over?? I nominate him to lead the insurgence.

On a more positive topic...

The "Best You" challenge, this week for Team Voice had a couple of unique components. The first part was identifying what makes you the best you possible and incorporating that into your workout. For me, it's all about fun. Having fun while working out is very important. It's been a struggle lately. After the joy of running in "The World", the treadmill and elliptical just can't compete. I much more enjoy running outside, but it has been almost impossible with the snow and ice covered streets this time of year. In order to add some fun into my workout, I recently got the Nintendo Wii with Wii fit. My wife and I have been fighting over it at night, and it has really been a fun, competitive way to workout.

Another part of the challenge included participating in the fundraising for Team Voice by coming up with a creative way to put aside a few bucks for the cause. I knew I wanted to contribute some money, but I couldn't figure out what I was going to do differently this week to put aside a couple bucks. Then...like a sign from the heavens...the phone rings. I had been planning on going out to buy Turbo Tax so I could do my taxes this weekend. The phone call was from my mother, who said she had just bought it and just finished using it, so why not borrow hers. Needless to say, I did, and as a result saved myself $40.00. So that's gonna be my donation this week to Team Voice. I know it's not much, but it's something. I'll be sending an e-mail to Jonathan to find out how to get the money to him. This has also inspired me to come up with some creative ways to fund raise. I've got some ideas, but I'll save those for a future post.

Boardwalkin'

I'm now all booked for a 7 day stay in "The World" in September. I'm really looking forward to this trip for a few reasons:

1) This will be my first stay at the Boardwalk (and we've got a Boardwalk view!!). I know this is a bit of a splurge, and some may even say a waste of DVC points, but I think it's really gonna be worth it. I'm looking forward to waking up in the morning and stepping out onto the balcony and looking down on the serene quiet of the Boardwalk, before everything gets going. Of course watching the fireworks from Illuminations and seeing Spaceship Earth lit up, from your room is pretty cool too.

2) It will be my daughter's first visit. My daughter will turn 2 while we are down there and I think she is really going to love it. She really enjoys all of the Playhouse Disney shows and giggles uncontrollably every time she watches Finding Nemo. I know she probably won't remember the trip when she gets older, but I will. I can't wait to see how she does with the characters *biting nails*. I know it can really go either way with a kid her age. Will she love them or freak out?? We'll see. Mike Fess and his daughter opened my eyes to the experience that is, character meet and greets with young ones.

3) We are taking my parents with us. My parents have been to Disney World a few times, but they have only been during peak seasons, usually school vacation. My Father calls it "Stroller Hell" and they are used to touring commando style and dealing with huge crowds. I think they will enjoy the slower pace of the parks during September. Another cool thing my wife and I are doing, is surprising them with the accommodations. They have no idea that we bought into DVC and they are under the impression that we are staying at Pop Century. The only time they ever stayed on property was at All Star Sports, so I think they are in for a big surprise.

A little over 200 days until the trip, and it can't come soon enough!! For anyone on the fence about purchasing DVC...my suggestion...do it if you can afford it. You won't regret it. While we're on the topic...Congrats to Jeff W. and his family who recently bought in!! Welcome Home!!

Twins!!

February is off to a slow start...but I've got a really good excuse. I'll try to keep this short, but the story is a bit complicated.

It begins with two friends who were going through a very difficult time. This couple is very close to my wife and I. She has actually known the husband since high school, and all four of us went to college together. We've all been great friends ever since, even though they live 3 hours away.

Anyway, a couple years ago, they found out that the wife couldn't physically carry a child to full term, and as a result, they would need a gestational carrier in order for them to have a child that was biologically theirs. That's when my wife makes the decision, that she wanted to step up to the plate and help them.

Without getting into detail...this past Saturday my wife gave birth to two beautiful babies, Samuel and Celia. Needless to say, our friends are elated. It's been quite a ride and an amazing sacrifice on the part of my wife. As a result of the pregnancy, she had to pass up on joining me in Disney World for marathon weekend. Fortunately for me, my buddy Bill stepped up and filled the void...well to an extent ;0)

Because of all this, the first couple days of the month were spent in the hospital, and now we are home, but I'm now responsible for keeping our 17 month old corralled and not bothering mommy. This has put a crimp in my training, but I'm hoping to get back to the gym in the next day or two. The plan is, late evening workouts. It's not something I've done in quite a while. The last time I worked out past 5:30ish is when I was working midnights and would workout at 10:30 before my shift. Now it looks like I'm going to be hitting the weight room at 8:00 or so. This will allow me to get my daughter all settled and in bed before taking off and leaving my wife to fend for herself. After a week or two, I should be able to get back to my regular pre-work, morning routine.

I know I've been away from the blogs for a while, but I've been reading and I'm trying to get caught up. It looks like everyone is doing great. Mike and Chris are battling injury, but god knows the rest of us need them to take some time off, so we can start to catch up!! Just kidding guys...hope you each have a speedy recovery.

On a closing note...it's great to see how much Team Voice is growing. This is what the Team Voice community is really all about...spreading the love and the message of getting healthy together.