Terra Firma Believer
May 29, 2009
After weeks of preparations and 3 ½ hours of blood and sweat (no tears have been admitted at this point), Dustin successfully competed in and completed his first adventure race, the Terra Firma National Sprint Adventure Race that was held in Burnet, Texas on May 9th. The grueling race consisted of several mountain biking, trail running, and kayaking legs as well as multiple mystery events. Held at Camp Longhorn, it was the first in the 2009 Terra Firma race series and proved to be one tough endurance event for all involved. As proof to how technical the course was, one of the national collegiate competitors from Florida was eliminated before the race even began when she fell from her bike on the pre-ride and compound fractured her arm!!
With high expectations Dustin and his teammate Shey (team name ‘Menace to Sobriety’) started on their adventure at 9am race morning (we actually left San Antonio at 6:30am to make it to the pre-race meeting on time). After running 1 mile, they hopped on their bikes for a 8 mile journey into the wooded paths of the camp. An hour kayak across a lake followed and another 3 mile uphill trail run greeted them on the other side. After retracing their run back down the hill, they kayaked again and returned to their bikes for another 5 mile ride (at some points Dustin and Shey both had to push their bikes up inclines too steep to ride!). Scattered throughout these legs were obstacles (monkey bars, rope climb), the last of which had them swimming about 100 yards around a lazy river and then crossing the finish line hand in hand (required, by the way).
I was so proud of these 2 when I saw them approaching the finish line and elated that they were able to finish (several teams dropped out during the race due to injury, cramping and fatigue). It was an accomplishment that I am so glad I got to witness!
WAY TO GO GUYS! Your training and determination paid off and you have made me a <Terra> Firm<a> believer in being able to hang with the big dogs when you have the will and right preparation. Your finish was not only a testament to your fitness, but to your sheer perseverance (and your competitiveness) as you hung with the nationally ranked teams competing along side of you. I can’t say enough how proud I am!
Floating Away Peacefully
May 29, 2009
Where to start….no way to know…no good way to put it….no easy way to ease the pain…
It is with the heaviest of hearts that I am writing this blog to let all of you know that my cousin, Jon Jon, passed away after an 11 month battle with Leukemia and Lymphoma. I got the call the morning of May 4th, but I’m not sure that it’s really set in yet – nor do I think it will until our first family get-together when there will be an undeniable void. And we’ll just pass that road when we have to…
Upon getting the news, Dustin and I packed up and headed to Granbury to be with my family. The mood, although somber, also centered around the celebration of Jon’s life, the memories he made with each of us, and the love and dedication he showed to so many friends with his little time on Earth. Sad and happy, we recounted his silly humor and sarcastic nature, his courage and heart, his devotion to his profession, but mostly his love for family – a family that was not only made up of blood relatives, but of friends he had made throughout school and life and those special people he had created friendships with while they were his patients. The service was one that undoubtedly showed that he was loved back by all who knew him – picture slideshows played for nearly 20 minutes with each friend rarely being shown twice – a testament to how many lives he had touched and bonds he had forged. Although all who had gathered strongly agreed with the pastor when he opened the service with the phrase “We are not supposed to be here today”, we all knew in our hearts that God had already made other plans and no matter how badly we wanted to do otherwise, we had no choice but to follow His lead.
The burial was one of the most angelic I had ever seen (given my <thankfully> limited experience). After a short passage, my aunt Donnie (Jon’s mom), Cassidi (Jon’s fiancé) and Bobby (Jon’s brother) released white doves to fly over the crowd – the point at which my aunt was handed the dove was the only time I saw her smile that day…it gave me hope knowing that she would reluctantly find peace in the small things as she tries to move on. Upon release, the doves flew freely towards heaven giving us a small hint at the peace we will all one day know.
In the days and nights since Jon’s funeral I’ve been in a rather strange place. I didn’t like seeing him in the casket – he didn’t look like Jon Jon, yet that’s the resounding image I have in my head, my dreams, the darkness at night. I must admit that I had grown further away from Jon each year since I had moved away from Granbury, but the sense that he is actually gone has been something I’ve struggled with on a daily basis. I’ve gone through waves of sadness, especially when I think of my grandparents and his mom. I catch myself wondering how holidays will be (especially this year) and what Mandy and I will say to our kids about the ‘uncle’ they never got to meet. One of the strangest things about the death of someone young, in my opinion, is that they will not age along with those of us left behind. I always expected that Jon and Mandy would age with me, Jon 2 years behind, Mandy 3. But now, Jon’s time has stopped and I’ll only know him the way he was and never again the way he is.
My heart aches for Mandy – she’s the one whose bond with Jon had grown stronger with every day as we’ve all grown older. A very good counselor friend of mine wrote me an email about ‘my new normal’ and how hard it might be to find any sense of normalcy in the chaos I’m currently feeling…it was such a comforting email and I pray that Mandy is able to find the comfort that she needs to get through the next few months or years that it will take to move on without Jon. I pray that she is able to accept her new normal quickly and find peace in the past as well as the future.
And so, to commemorate his life once more before I truly try to move on, I’m posting his obituary – a true eximplification to the compassionate person Jon was. I look forward to the day when his memories can be recalled without tears and for the day in which I will see him again.
In Nomine patris et filii et spiritus sancti
Jonathan Charles Ward, a proud and caring young nurse and our “JonJon,” slipped peacefully away from this life in the predawn hours of Monday, May 4, 2009, after a year-long fight with acute T-cell lymphoma/leukemia and multiple complications from stem-cell transplant. When he left us, Jon was literally in the protective, reassuring arms of his mother, Bene’, who gently guided him into the arms of awaiting angels with orders to deliver his sweet soul directly to God’s feet at heaven’s gate. Jon was 26 years old.
Jon was born Jan. 6, 1983, in Fort Worth and spent his elementary school years in Watauga attending Keller schools. The family moved to Granbury, where Jon grew up on the lake, surrounded by close friends and family. He graduated from Granbury High School in 2001 and decided to follow in his family’s footsteps and chose nursing as a career. Jon was an “all-guy” kind of young man, playing high school baseball, riding his jet-ski, shooting pistols, running with his testosterone-driven buddies and he took their gentle-natured heckling over his career choice in stride. They all admired him for his decision to take care of people for a career.
Jon graduated from Weatherford College and earned his nursing license in 2003. During nurse training, he became interested in geriatric and rehabilitative care and decided to pursue that specialized interest. It was the right choice. Jon went to work immediately after graduation at Southwest Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Fort Worth, where he was still employed up to the onset of his illness in May 2008. Jon flourished as a nurse and became known for his advanced knowledge and technical skills, but even more so for the depth of compassion he demonstrated daily in caring for the elderly, sick and injured.
In his brief six years as a nurse he positively impacted the lives of hundreds of his patients and their families. Jon became a mentor and teacher to new nurses and was an unyielding patient advocate who demanded excellence in care and attitude. Nursing came naturally to him and he was completely immersed in the profession. He was proud of being a nurse. After his cancer diagnosis forced him to leave work and begin immediate chemotherapy, the first concern he voiced was not about him, but about who was going to take care of his patients. He maintained and demonstrated this depth of character during the next year as he battled daily with his deadly opponent.
Jon was a healthy, strong young man who enjoyed physical pursuits, working out, riding his bicycle, Darth Vato music, dancing, laughing, and sharing his outgoing sense of humor and practical jokes with his friends. During his treatment, multiple surgeries and eventual stem cell transplant, he never learned how to, or accepted being sick. Even as multiple complications ravaged his body, he never lost his will to fight, which was motivated by his desire to return to nursing work and start a family with his fiancé Cassidi. He will be remembered most for his courage, dignity and character in the face of great odds against him. Doctors were constantly amazed at his ability to rebound from near-deadly episodes after the transplant and Jon was pleased that they learned much about human immunology and treatment combinations from his struggles through the months and months that followed. During the last few months, Jon spent more time in the hospital than at home, but never surrendered to the illness. Jon was still fighting when God finally relieved him of his burden.
Forever a warrior in our memories, Jon is now a warrior angel in God’s elite corps of protector angels. He passed every earthly challenge and test and earned the spot. He continues to offer protection to those who cannot care for themselves, as well as those of us who has been left behind. Jon, dance again in heaven with the perfection that has been restored to you and know you are missed and revered for the days we were granted with you here in our lives. In your absence, this world is now a less colorful place and gaping holes are left open in the many hearts you touched during your too-brief time with us.
Jon, secure our places there next to you until we meet to hold hands together again in heaven.
Jon was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Donald Boon, and uncle, Robert Hodges.
Survivors: Hundreds who loved him, including mother, Bene’ Ward LaFayette of Fort Worth; fiancee, Cassidi Corbitt of Cleburne; father, Charlie Ward and wife, Bonnie, of Burleson; brother, Bobby Morton and son, Josh, of Fort Worth; grandparents, John and Opal Ward of Granbury and Jane Aills of Granbury; uncles and aunts, Garry and Kay Baker of Granbury, Johnny and Terrie Ward of Granbury and Beth Hodges of Granbury; and cousins, Jennifer Ward Trimmier and husband, Dustin Trimmier, of San Antonio, Mandy Baker of Granbury and Bobby Hodges of Granbury. Jon also leaves behind his beloved English Bulldog, Reggie.
I love you, even with the swine flu
May 28, 2009
As if the week leading up to your wedding weren’t stressful enough, imagine throwing the swine flu into the mix. Drew & Anne (my brother & sister-in-law) had to deal with just that when the outbreak occurred in Mexico a few weeks ago. Not only did they have the normal week-of-the-wedding stresses, but they also had to deal with rearranging flights, canceling hotels and re-planning their (what was supposed to be) Mexican Riviera Honeymoon at the last minute!!! All said and done, it worked out o.k. and they scored an awesome suite at Treasure Island in Las Vegas, but I sure did feel sorry for them during the fiasco that ensured!
Once the reservations were straightened out, the couple was able to get down to real business – getting married! The wedding festivities took place in Alice, Texas (Anne’s hometown), a tiny place just southwest of Corpus Christi with an atmosphere that reminded me so much of the place I call ‘home’ (Granbury). Small shops and stores lined the downtown streets along which we found Jean’s Steakhouse where Tim & Deb hosted the Texas themed, boots and jeans party following the rehearsal. Family and friends roasted and toasted the happy couple and a few even showed off their Texas style!
The happy couple @ rehearsal dinner
Deb & Cindy - Tim & Dustin - Anne & Jenn
Us in our boots
Almost everyone at the rehearsal dinner
On Saturday, before the ceremony, the Lacey’s (Anne’s parents) invited us out to their ranch to blow off some steam and shoot some guns. All guests took turns shooting clay birds and various other targets setup around the grounds. Mr. Lacey was very patient with the new and seasoned shooters showing some how to hold, aim and fire while challenging others with multi-bird shots. The guys even created several games to throw a little competition into the mix. While Dustin was a pretty good shot, I was horrible, not even hitting 1 bird!
The wedding went off without a hitch – the church provided a beautiful backdrop to a moving ceremony.
Wedding Party
Brothers & Sisters
Trimmiers & Ecrettes
Once officially husband and wife, the party moved to the Alice Country Club where everyone ate, danced (at one point there was even a soul train dance line), and sang (the karaoke machine was such a fun addition to the reception) their way into the night. The bride serenaded her groom multiple times throughout the evening with dedicated songs and several guests tried their hand at performing for the crowd. The end of the night came way too soon (as it always seems to do) and we ushered the couple off to their honeymoon and to their new life together.
Reception fun
Dustin and I are excited to have a new Trimmier in the mix (especially since it’s a ‘sister’!) and excited for what the future holds for the new Mr. & Mrs.
*To check out all the pictures from the rehearsal dinner, shooting, wedding and reception, click here and select the album you want to view!
Labor of Love
May 13, 2009
I HATE yard work (it hurts my back and is in no way, shape or form satisfying to me), but I LOVE my husband, so a few weekends ago I put my pride (and back bones) aside and picked up a shovel all in hopes of making the hubby a happy man. You see, Dustin went out of town for his brother’s bachelor party and while he was gone I shoveled, hauled, loaded, planted, and grovelled to make our backyard garden what he had always dreamed of. If you know Dustin, you know he is a perfectionist, so although he had bought stones and supplies to finish the garden TWICE, he had never even started the actual construction of it….I’m not poking fun or complaining…I mean, I never once stepped in to help and I know that kind of stuff isn’t easy…so that’s why I decided to suck it up and give him a hand (and a break so he didn’t have to do much). My neighbor Chris was in on the scheming and helped me design a multi-level garden area in the back left corner of our yard where we hadn’t planted grass (of course we didn’t put grass there 2 YEARS AGO because we were going to plant a garden…2 years later…well, you get my point!). In 2 trips to Lowes and less than 5 hours, we had a result that, to me, was too good to be true.
Before (really old picture from when we had just laid the grass) and After
Our new flower garden
Another shot
When Dustin got home he was so surprised and it made me happy to see his eyes light up at the new garden and multi-level wall. He’s treated the plants like babies ever since…hand watering them every night…better him than me!! He does have a little more work to do on our new garden…since Chris and I didn’t have a truck to load dirt in, we weren’t able to fill the back area or plant the big plants around the tree (you can see that the big plants are still in their pots in the pictures)…but soon enough we will have a completed flower garden to enjoy – next purchase, patio furniture so we can sit outside and enjoy it! Chris has even volunteered to help us put lighting back there to enhance the ambiance (yippee!). If you’ve never seen Chris’ yard, you’re missing out – he’s a horticultural/landscaping genius!
Off to water…eeerr, to watch Dustin water 
Hey batter, batter – Sa-wing batter, batter
May 13, 2009
As traditions go in any Aggie household, we made our conventional trip to College Station this spring to visit Dustin’s grandparents and to watch the beloved Aggies play baseball (Dustin & his grandad are Aggie Baseball Alum). The weekend was filled with sports and fun family time although the weather wasn’t as near as fun as we would have liked. Friday night rain made the baseball game wet and muggy, but Dustin and his grandad didn’t dare miss one inning…I opted to stay home and visit with Nanie. Saturday morning storms forced me to forgo the much anticipated Run Thru the Vines 10K, a race held through the Messina Hoff Vineyard. I was happy to see that the race was canceled – it made me not feel so bad for indulging in a few extra hours of shut-eye!
AWFUL rain in Bryan and College Station = no fun run for me
The stormy weather finally cleared up Saturday afternoon and while the boys were out watching the spring football scrimmage the girls went to the nursery to pick up some plants and then baked some goodies for later that night.
I was finally able to catch some baseball on Sunday when the weather was more in our favor — the Ags had such a big lead, we left after about 7 innings!
Take me out to the ballgame!
Me, Papa and Dustin enjoying a great ballgame (and the sunshine!)
Always good times in Aggieland!
Love is in the air
May 13, 2009
A few weekends ago, we had the pleasure of spending some time with Drew (my brother-in-law) and Anne (his fiance) in Dallas, two people we don’t see nearly enough. Dustin and I traveled to D-Town to host a couples shower for them in celebration and anticipation of their upcoming wedding. Dave & Buster’s provided an awesome atmosphere for both the girls and boys to catch up and play while celebrating the reason for the season (yes, wedding season is officially in full swing!). While the event was a small one, it was a wonderful time spent amongst the best of friends and family.
The guys playing pool - Ryan showing the guys up at pool - Dustin and Drew
Dustin, Jenn, Anne, Drew
Perhaps one of the best memories from the trip was our (mine & Dustin’s) first trip to Ham & Eggs – an awesome little eatery close to Anne & Drew’s apartment. It is said that many of the Dallas Cowboys choose Ham & Eggs for breakfast because of their huge portions and although we didn’t spot any sportsmen that morning, we did indulge in the ridiculously large pancakes and biscuits.
Seriously, is it necessary for pancakes and biscuits to be that big??? Check out their size in relation to the body parts they are near (Anne's hand and Dustin's arm)!
Anne & Drew – thanks for your hospitality and remember, now that it’s all over (I’m a little last in posting this!!), you can sit back and ENJOY! We love you and look forward to many fun weekend trips to Dallas in the future!
Conquering the Big D
May 13, 2009
It seems a little strange to me that just 12 months ago there was a handicap parking tag hanging from my rear-view mirror…I couldn’t walk or stand for more than a few hours without getting extremely weak and tired and working out was not something my body would be doing for at least a few more months.
It also seems a little strange that just a little over 12 weeks ago, I started a journey to fulfill a lifetime goal and in just a few short weeks, I did just that. on April 5, 2009, after following an online training program and with the support of my family, friends, and training groups, I ran my first half marathon — I CONQUERED THE BIG D!
It started as something that I just wanted to do, a personal challenge that I knew would be tough, but I never imagined the setbacks I’d have along the way. The goal I started working toward nearly 2 years ago has finally been accomplished! Once I chose my training plan, I promised myself I’d stick to it no matter what and I’ve been amazed that I kept that promise with only a few slight deviations (at week 6 a strained Achilles caused me to miss 2 runs and at week 8 a trip to Granbury to help out with family duties made me miss 1). I guess this time around I was just ready…or as my friend Anne would say: “Lungs…Legs…Brain….Check” – to me, meaning I had kept myself healthy and well, conditioned myself in all the right areas, and convinced myself mentally that I would succeed!
I took it one day at a time...and boy did it feel good to mark each day off!
The best part in making this dream a reality was that I wasn’t alone in my journey. My great girlfriends Sharon, Caty and Maureen were also along for the ride…the only difference between them and me was that they have each run at least 1 half marathon before and the Big D was my first.
The actual weekend of the race was an awesome experience. Sharon, Dustin and I drove to Plano on Friday night and met Maureen and Caty at their aunt and uncle’s house – Bebe and Tom graciously opened their house to us so that we would all have nice comfortable beds to rest in before the race (the other option was blow-up mattresses in Maureen’s apartment).
Our welcome 'sign' at Bebe & Tom's house
Saturday, the girls enjoyed manis and pedis and afterward we let Dustin join us for our pre-race carb-load at Macarroni’s 
That night, I went to bed nervous and woke up plain scared. The temperatures were in the 40s on Sunday morning and the wind was gusting at 25 to 35 miles per hour! As I dressed in my running shorts (I hadn’t even packed pants!), all I could think was ‘it’s ok, you’re prepared” and for the most part I was.
Caty & Mo getting pedicures - Sharon getting a manicure - My nightly preparations
When we arrived at the Cotton Bowl, we took our time in the car, putting on our race numbers and chatting, not really wanting to get out in the cold wind any earlier than we had to. But then it was time…at about 15 minutes to race time, we eagerly climbed out of the car and began doing last minute checks…inhaler (yes, I’m the dork with asthma) check, energy goo (Caty, Mo & Sharon eat that stuff) check, MP3 players check, watch…..uuuhhh oooohhhh….I forgot my darn watch 
Well, I was off to what I thought would be a bad start…I didn’t have anything to time myself by and since the race was a small one, there weren’t any pace groups…so at the gun, I had to remind myself to start slow and listen to my body so I didn’t over do it.
The race went like this:
The finish line in Fair Park!
Me & my running buddies (Sharon, Caty, Mo) - Some of my biggest supporters (Von, Mom, Dustin)
I know I’ve said this before, but THANK YOU to everyone who has helped me reach this goal…so many of you have been so supportive and without your kind words and uplifting comments, I would have never made it! A very big THANK YOU to Dustin who has put up with my grumpy moods and late-night workouts over the past 3 months…he’s had to eat sandwiches and cereal many more nights than I would have liked him to (because I haven’t been home to cook). Dustin, you are my #1 fan and it meant the world to me to see your excitement as I finished my first half marathon.
*On a random, but interesting note, during my training I used an online system to keep track of all of my training runs and within my 12 weeks of training I ran over 100 miles! Crazy, right?!
And so, my friends, I leave you with a few inspirational quotes I so often turned to during my training in hopes that they will give you the same type of courage I found within myself during the past few months:
“Champions do not become champions when they win the event, but in the hours, weeks, months and years they spend preparing for it. The victorious performance itself is merely the demonstration of their championship character.” –T. Alan Armstrong
“In running, it doesn’t matter whether you come in first, in the middle of the pack, or last. You can say ‘I have finished.’ There is a lot of satisfaction in that.” –Author Unknown
And perhaps my favorite and the one that truly helped me keep putting one foot in front of the other – “Run like hell and get the agony over with.” –Clarence DeMar
