Dear Five year old Self...

Dear Five year old Self,

I sit here and write this letter to you over 20 years down the road. I'm sure you can't believe you'll ever be that old, but I promise you will be and you'll be happy. Here's a few pieces of advice that I hope you'll think about as you go through school:

1. Be a friend to everyone. Too often you are going to be put in positions where you can either be a leader or a follower. Be the leader you know you should be. When the other kids tease the girl in the class who can't afford new clothes, stand up for her. In junior high, a girl you used to be friends with will be teased...a lot.You just stood by and watched her...and now she struggles with eating disorders and a lot of other issues. Be the friend she needs you to be. In about 13 years, you are going to need the same empathy/support that so many others deserved and didn't get.

2. Love your freckles. They may be cute when you're five, but I promise there will be a time that you will wish they were all gone. There will be a time when you are teased about them. Instead of becoming very insecure about them/yourself, love yourself for you who are. P.S. Your beautiful daughters only inherit a few of them.

3. Make sports/extra curricular activities your focus. You already know that you love school and do well academically. You will, at some point, grow out of your awkwardness and be really good at sports. Make sure you never put yourself in a postion where you aren't allowed to participate in sports. Your friends will understand. You will miss sports after school, so take every opportunity to play them and work hard in high school.

4. Be open with your parents. This may be a real shocker to you, but Dad will be one of your biggest fans/supporters when you are older. You may not ever see this during school, but know he probably has always been your biggest fan, but just didn't make the time to show you. The sooner you learn this and figure out how to be open with him, the better. When he makes harsh judgements without thinking them through, realize he has your best interest in mind. (You will not believe how amazing of a 'Papa' he is to your kids).


I could continue to give you ways to make your life better, but it really does turn out okay in the end. I'm not saying it was easy. You have some difficult years ahead of you. Just a few changes could easily make the end that much better. Good luck 5 year old self.

Love.
Jacque

P.S. Give Grandpa a big hug every time you see him. You'll miss those big bear hugs and yes, even the smell of his cigars.

1000 Words: The Warrior Dash!

July 14th may just be another hot, summer day to most of you, but it has a pretty special meaning in my house. July 14th is my husband and I's anniversary. This year, we marked 5 years of marriage. Although 5 years isn't necessarily a long time, it is a still a milestone to me.

It also happened to fall on the date of the Warrior Dash in Earlham. For those of you who don't know about the Warrior Dash, it is a 5k that has obstacles such as mud pits, rope walls, etc. See the link here for more information: The Warrior Dash.


I am more of a runner than my husband, but he agreed to run this with me since it was on our anniversary. He also agreed to wear costumes---he's such a good sport.


When I look at this picture, I think of how hot it was that day: close to 100 degrees heat index and we ran at 11:00 AM. I see my husband struggling through the course since he "didn't need to train for 3 miles." I see myself enjoying throwing mud in my husband's face a little too much.

But I also see the man who stayed with me the entire run to help me over the rope wall that I was the most concerned with. And I feel like that tells you a lot about our relationship: we stick together no matter what. Through good times and bad times. Through thick and thin. Through....well, excessive heat and mud pits. He is my best friend and I cannot wait to spend another 5 years (plus more) with him.

FALLing in Love!

Growing up, Summer was always my favorite time of year: swimming, no responsibilities, and especially NO SCHOOL! Don't get me wrong, as a teacher, I still love the no school part. But it has been so hot this summer that I couldn't wait to fall. I started to realize what I loved the most about fall:

1. Football!
I love watching football. From the Iowa Hawkeyes to the ADM tigers, I can spend most of my weekends watching it. I thoroughly enjoy attending football games. Although I'm not on the field, I get pretty intense and start yelling things like I think the players can hear me. "The Boys of Fall" gets me pumped for football every time. We are heading to the Hawkeye/UNI game this weekend. Let's hope for a better performance this week!

2. Pumpkin farms/Orchards

I love taking my family to the pumpkin farm in the fall. We usually head down to a place by Truro that has tons of activities for the kids and a huge pumpkin farm. We each get to pick out our pumpkin that we get to carve. I'm pretty picky about my pumpkins--I could spend hours looking for just the perfect one! These trips are usually on beautiful days where I get tons of pictures of my family just having fun being together.

3. Harvest

Growing up as a farm girl, I hated harvest time. I could go days without seeing my dad and we always had to be on call to run my dad to other farms, take him supper, etc. Now, I love getting to go back to my hometown and take my kids to ride with my dad in the combine. They are growing up as city kids and don't get to experience the country life like I got to. So I take every opportunity I get to make them a little "more country."

After writing about my favorite parts of fall, it makes me more anxious for them! I'm hoping this fall is perfect is every way!