I'm a Warrior Chick...who just completed the Warrior Dash!

Remember how during cancer I was a Warrior Chick?? Well, now I completed the Warrior Dash...and it was an absolute blast! Ask me a year ago and I probably would not have said that.  But since I have been on this healthy eating/work out kick, I have had more energy and strength than I have ever had in my entire life! So why NOT do the Warrior Dash with some of the other strongest women/men I know?!  I mean if you are married to a firefighter, you have to be pretty tough yourself, right? So that's what we did.  Andrew and some of the other firefighters did the Tough Mudder (a 13 mile course where you run through mud and other insanely ridiculous obstacles) in April, so some of us wives did the Warrior Dash (with the great accompaniment of our handsome firefighter husbands too :).  Warrior dash is a 3.5 mile course that has lots of different obstacles, like climbing up walls, crawling under barbed wire, running through fire, and army crawling through mud, just to name a few.  It was a test of strength and mental toughness and we had an absolute blast doing this as a group.  The weather was great, the mud was gross, and I even have some warrior wounds from going through the creek and sliding off a rock.  Nothing too major though dad. ;) But I tell you what, after all of my health crap this past year...it was powerful to overcome something like this.  I had some family members in a tizzy for sure, but I didn't care.  You live once, and now I have a memory (bib tag and medal too!) to look back on and see how much I have over come. Despite my fear of getting cancer and my neck and spine getting worse as I age, I won't let that get in my way of Living. You can not let limitations stand in your way.  You have to work to fight through them and keep going.  Maybe one day I will be in my wheelchair, but until then, at least I can say I had fun in the mean time!  You know this whole blog has been about a Pursuit...I'm finally living the Life that I was always meant to live.  And I couldn't be happier to take risks, succeed or fail, and then keep on pursuing...to God be the glory for this life after cancer.
“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” Ephesians 4:20

My partner in Life and I before the Dash

These five ladies are a force to be reckoned with!

After the Warrior Dash, a bit dirty :)

Another one of us after the race

The ladies and the gents'

**WE HAVE SOME MORE PICTURES COMING NEXT WEEK OF THE US RUNNING THROUGH THE COURSES...I'LL LET YOU KNOW WHEN I POST THEM...THEY SHOULD BE GREAT!**

Just another day in paradise...

 Today is National Cancer Survivor's Day and I am so glad I am a survivor because I just came back from paradise!

Dreams Palm Beach Resort - Punta Cana

A palm tree that was right outside our balcony

Over Memorial Day weekend, one of my very first friends I ever had got married in the Caribbean!  I can honestly remember Mandy at my 2nd grade birthday party and us getting into trouble because of our blue mascara in Mrs. Cornwell's class, then in Mrs. Lane's class, and again in Mr.Renner's class...my stories with Mandy go on and on throughout middle school and high school.  She then went to college in Missouri and our emails/calls and holiday Fat Jack's dates kept us in touch throughout the years.  I was so glad to be able to celebrate her big day as she married her love, Vince Chamov, in the Dominican Republic at Punta Cana.  Here's our vacation through some pictures...

The airport we flew into at Punta Cana.  The weather was perfect there, even cooler than it was in Ohio!

Oh yes, my adventure began when I found out there was a monkey on the resort...so my last day I finally found him!

Our tropical room in paradise

Our building where all the guests stayed

One of the MANY gorgeous views at the resort

Ocean front resort lead straight to the Caribbean!   The hours that we weren't on an adventure or doing wedding things, we were at the beach and pool!  I got some good sun, a little burned the first day...but I call it my base tan ;) 

My travel adventure buddy Kayla and I on the white sandy beaches!  

On our snorkeling excursion with like 35 others that were there for the wedding! This boat was a blast!

The view as we headed out on our Deep Sea Fishing adventure!

WE GOT SOMETHING!

It's not a marlin like we had hoped for, but a Mahi Mahi will do!

Good Job AJ!  We named him Bo after a beer that's in the Caribbean

And then we ate him!  Josh and Andrew took Bo back to the resort's Seaside Grill restaurant and they cooked him and served us.  It was SOOO good!

Just another day at the pool with the ladies

The Conner/Chamov wedding on the beach

Where the wedding and reception took place...The Jellyfish Restaurant

A beautiful wedding!

Mr. And Mrs. Chamov!

The Lima boys chilling before the reception

A little cocktail hour before the reception

He thought he could crack a coconut I guess :)

My hubby and me of almost 3 years :)

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In Bulgaria where Vince in from, they have a tradition of breaking bread at the reception, whoever gets the bigger piece is supposed to be the leader of the house.  I think it was a tie :)

Lots of dancing, lots of laughs, was a perfect night to end our vacation.

 We have this tradition among the 4 of us...we always get a picture of us as our weddings...

Here we are in 2008 at Tara and Josh's wedding

Here we are in 2009 at my wedding

And here we are in 2012 at Mandy and Vince's wedding...our last picture will be taken this fall at Kayla's wedding!
I can't wait!  :)

Everything went perfect for this trip - the whole itinerary was just filled with fun wedding activities and lots of relaxation.  I even forgot my camera so I thank Tara for loaning me some pictures and I'm glad I moved up to the age of smart phones...I got one for my 28th birthday :)  The only bump in the road was our trip back...without going into details (cause I'm over it now ;) our flight got cancelled and after one hour of sleep and many tears, I made it back to Ohio the next day in time to say good bye to my PM class on their last day of school.  I missed both of my classes End of The Year programs and was devastated.  But there wasn't anything I could do.  Well, the summer is finally here now and it's time for some more adventures to begin...Warrior Dash is tomorrow!

A hint of God's faithfulness...meet Ezekiel Timothy Groman

The most amazing thing happened last week....
This little bundle of joy was added to the Groman Family :)

Meet Ezekiel Timothy Groman...a baby that opened me up to God in a whole new way.

Proud Aunt Laura seeing Zeke when he got home from the hospital!

Here's the story...

As you all know, my in laws Tim and Beth have been trying to adopt for about a year now and when I got the call in March that there was a possibility that a new addition could come in May, ON MY BIRTHDAY, I was way more than psyched!  Well, Zeke didn't make his arrival on my birthday, but he did make it eight days later.  But here's the thing, I had no idea this little boy would impact my life so much.  You see, I have always prayed since I was a little girl, but this new addition had me praying like never before.  I have never in my whole life prayed for something so often, so consistently, and so intensely.  For the first time and with someone so dear to me, there was nothing I could do to help Tim and Beth have a child.  I couldn't make them have a baby, I couldn't pull any strings to get a baby to them any faster, there was nothing I could do...but pray.  And I have never felt such an urge to pray for something so passionately than in March when I heard the news of a possible birth mom choosing Tim and Beth.  From that day, until 5:30 AM the morning he was born, I prayed every single day, multiple times a day.  Every time I thought about Beth (which was quite often) I prayed.  Because of Zeke, I has seen and experienced God like never before.  Because of Zeke, I learned that what the Bible says is true, that God will give you the desires of your heart.  I whole heartedly had every piece of my heart praying for this little boy to be the child that God had planned for Tim and Beth from the beginning.  And when I saw him for the first time in Fort Wayne the day he came home, tears welled in my eyes as I saw God's faithfulness through this little baby.  Zeke to me is a physical form of God's faithfulness that I have never experienced before through such persistent prayer.  I am blessed to be apart of this little one's life and I owe him a lot for showing me how truly big our God is.  I love you Zeke and can't wait to give you a cousin to play with soon!

Tim and Andrew setting up the Pack And Play

Uncle Andrew with Ezekiel

How do you not fall in love with him?!

This is going to be one spoiled baby :)

And this is the face I will never say NO to :) Sorry Tim and Beth!

Although it is out of focus, I love it :) Mommy and Zeke...so happy!

Something to be proud of :)

Happy 28th Birthday to me and Happy 5th Birthday to Jaeden!

Hi Everyone! I have a few more things to be proud of lately...

First and foremost, I have lived to celebrate another birthday and for that I am grateful! Although the teaching life has consumed me once again and I have been spending HOURS working on IEPS for the kiddos, I haven't had much free time, but my hubby made me leave work so that he could take me to my favorite sushi restaurant in Findlay...and it was amazing as always!  I woke up the next morning (my real birthday) to a card and a Reese's cups, and to even more of a surprise, and small box behind the card. The chain on the necklace he got me last year for my 'I beat cancer' gift broke, so he bought me a NICE new chain that won't break :) Love him!  Andrew had to work on my actual birthday, but I didn't spend it alone! My brother's girlfriend's son, Jaeden and I share the same birthday so my whole family went to Chuck E Cheese! I had a blast! Pizza and family...couldn't ask for a better night!  Our whole family got together again on Saturday for Jaeden's birthday party and we had such a good time, first cook out of the year and first family baseball game!  So funny, I got Jaeden a cowboy hat and western gear for his birthday, so he wore it while we played baseball...well he didn't like some of the calls we made, so he would get his play gun out of his holster and shoot the pitcher :) It was hilarious!!!  All in all, I thank God He gave me another year and I cherish having another year on this earth to seek out the plan God has intended for me.  

                                        

I also ran my second 5K for the Abilities Baseball team last weekend.  Some of my kiddos at school play for this team (it's a nonprofit organization that allows children with disabilities to play baseball and have fun).  Well, we have had awesome weather lately, except for this day...it was 44 degrees and on the last mile, it started HAILING!! Although it would have been easy to stay at home...I ran it anyways and even improved my time...WITHOUT AN INHALER!! YEA! :)  I was certainly proud of myself that weekend, but not only because of my personal running accomplishment, but also because I was asked to speak at the Elida Relay for Life event and share about my cancer story.  It was a very informal event, but it was nice to be able to reflect on my story with cancer and share it with others. Ironically, I love to perform, but I am NOT a public speaker...I get crazy nervous before hand being front and center and would always prefer behind the scenes.  So I knew what I was going to say going in there, but once you have eyes on you and no notes, I just started to speak from my heart and hopefully those were the words God intended for the people there to hear. A lot of teenagers were there, so I wanted to make sure I spoke to them and have them leave thinking more about Life than prom :)  And I could have gone on and on (my blog proves that ;), but I knew people only really listen to the first 5 minutes of a story, so I wanted to make it short and make it relatable to the Relay for Life event.  So needless to say, although it was an incredible experience to share my story verbally for the first time, I think I will just stick to my comfort zone...writing :)  Like always, if it's raining - it must be a Relay event.  It was the same day as the 5K, so it was cold and rainy, but Elida did a great job and while I walked a few laps for all those that have a cancer story, I thanked God once again for my Life. What a birthday weekend!  The video below is a little bit of my story that I shared at Relay :)  Thank YOU for sharing this Pursuit with me!

P.S. I have some more really, really, good news coming up and I can't wait to share, so stay tuned to this Life after cancer!  It's about to get VERY exciting!

Finally living the healthy life...and I love it!

I wanted to show a picture of my very first 'updo' hair style since cancer! I was very proud that it was finally long enough to use a curling iron AND bobby pins! Can't wait until the PONY TAIL!

Sorry about the delay in posts...my home computer was quite sick, but it's up and working now so here are some updates!
I was able to make it back down to see the neurologist in Columbus about my back and neck.  The good news is that there is no blockage in my veins or arteries!  The other good news is that besides the scoliosis and cysts in my back, there is nothing else that is causing the back pain...no tumors, no bulged discs...just sore/bruised muscles from the curve (and begging Andrew to dig his hand into my back to make it better -Note from the doctor...digging into the muscles until it's numb is not a good thing, even if it does feel good! :) The only thing he said (other than the things I already know that's wrong) is that I have degenerative disc disease and arthritis in my neck and he says that we won't know the day when it will start to effect me neurologically.  Until then, we wait :) And I am perfectly ok with that because I have no neurological symptoms yet, and I would know what they are because of my past with Chiari.  The reason why I was referred to this doctor was because of the pressure in my head I was feeling when I would get up from bending over...and he was able to tell me that it's probably because of my consistent low blood pressure.  Since cancer, I have had lower blood pressure than usual and he says that the blood just isn't working its way back up to my head fast enough.  It makes sense!  So to help my blood pressure (as well an anemia) I really need to up my iron intake.  Which leads me to my 40 day diet wrap up in just a minute...but at the end of the visit and after the doctor was very pleased with my new diet and the positive results I have been having from working out and eating healthier, I'll never forget the last thing he told us...he closed his folder, looked at Andrew and I, and said that at this point in time we should just be thankful for each day we have with each other after everything I've been through.  It's so easy to take Life for granted and it was humbling to hear that from his mouth.  He's right, after a major car accident, my health issues, Andrew's occupation, ect...we are blessed for each new day we have to be with each other.  If anything has come out of the past year with all these tests and doctors, to end it with this doctor telling us that, was completely worth every trip down.  Thanks Dr. T!

Well, my Maker's Diet is done and those 40 days certainly opened my eyes to new insights just like they had been when I had more cancer cells running through my veins than healthy cells.  Only this time around, I HAD CONTROL of my circumstances.  I had the choice to either make myself healthier or go back down the road I was on that could lead to more cancer.  In 40 days, not only did I discover how to keep my physical body strong, I learned how to keep all of me strong.  We all have the ability to make choices and those choices have consequences (both good or bad).  I chose to take 40 days to intentionally make myself healthier by eating foods that my body could easily process and to workout until I sweat (yes sissy... Hochstetler's CAN sweat :).

This diet showed me 3 things...
1) how to make my body happy - this body is crazy sensitive I have found out.  I took out all processed foods and foods that are hard for your body to digest...and trust me, I now know what makes my stomach hurt.  For some reason, potatoes are hard for my stomach to digest...I get a stomach ache afterwards and I always thought it was because I ate too much.  Actually, I found out that potatoes contain some kind of compound that naturally makes it harder for your body to digest.  There is such a science to food and it's amazing when you start listening to your body, what it can tell you about what you are eating.  I like knowing what I'm getting myself into now when I eat certain foods :) Here's the other way to keep your body happy and healthy, don't eat from your cupboard.  In 6 weeks, the only thing I ate from the cupboard was nuts and almond butter.  Everything else came from the refrigerator.  Eating this way can be expensive, because produce isn't exactly cheap, but I'd pay anything to feel this good again.  Also, we have saved money by not eating out...and now the times we do eat out, it is extra special!  But don't get me wrong, now that I am off of the cleansing diet, I still treat myself once in awhile.  I just know that I shouldn't expect my run to be easy when I eat a donut right before :)

2) how to trust in myself - I found that I have the ability to say no.  Many times I was tested to just take 1 M&M as I passed them out to the preschoolers...but I didn't.  Did I have 2 bites of cake at my parent's 40th anniversary party? Yes, because celebrating them was more important to me than a little extra sugar in my body.  I had to make choices...but it got easier everyday because as the weeks went on I was able to eat more and more foods (because the diet was about cleansing out your system, then rebuilding it back up with natural foods).  I grew more confidence while on this 40 day journey too.  I set goals, and I achieved them, and I was very proud of myself.  I knew I could do this, but to prove it to myself on the outside was a different story.  I also did a lot of workouts during this time as well as started running again.  And you know what...the more I run and recondition my bleomycin chemo'd lungs, the less I am needing my inhaler.  I have another 5K this next Saturday and my goal is to run it without an inhaler.  That would be SO amazing to me to beat those odds.  I'm up to 2.5 miles without taking a puff, and I trust that if I keep working hard I can go to 3.2!

3) and who I am living for - I have prayed for some things during this diet or fast if you will.  It is no mistake that I did this 40 day diet right before Easter.  Making sacrifices reminds us of the sacrife that God made when He put His son on the cross for us, for me.  God revealed Himself to me once again.  He helped me heal these last 40 days. This past Easter, I remembered why I am on earth.  It's not for me, but for Him. That through all of our circumstances, we should glorify Him and reveal to the world who He is and the healing only He may be able to bring.  I am reminded of a verse in 1 Thessalonians lately...simply put 'Be happy, pray often, and thank God for all circumstances because that was His will for you.'  I am learning so much through all of the situations that God is bringing me through.  Although I may not like them, or understand them right away, or be grumpy about them at first, I know that down the road God will reveal why He had me go through each trial.  So thank you God.  I pray that You will always be the Living God inside my heart that guides me in all my adventures that lead to new understandings and a Life I can be proud to tell to my children about someday.  But You by far have been my ultimate adventure!


P.S. Look what finally made it's way to my house :)

The Maker's Diet meets Pampered Chef...

I should be writing my paper for grad school right now...it’s about motivation in the classroom.  But in Life,  we are supposed to do what motivates us right? And writing a paper for school is NOT motivating to me, so I'm writing you instead :) What motivates me right now is my health, this cleansing diet, the act of helping another, and what motivation plays into my life.  I believe that I am a motivated person when I really want something and set my mind to it.  My motivation lately in this Life is to remain in remission and my passion is to make that happen. This diet has been energizing and uplifting for me.  I used to be such a pessimist, but as I read in a fitness magazine this week 'Pessimist tend to view events as beyond their control, so remind yourself who's boss the next time your nervous about a goal you set or a deadline.  Success is in your power; all it takes is disciplined steps towards your goal.'  I've challenged myself, disciplined myself, pushed myself, and have seen my potential, endurance, and inner strength.  I am strong- now mentally AND physically (I can see muscles!  Along with this diet, I have been working out at the Y and I am seriously in the best shape of my life! I have been having less headaches and stomach aches and so much more energy...It's really unbelievable until you try it!).  You have no idea how much this diet means to me.  Not only has it made me healthier, it has helped draw me even closer to God in many ways I just can't put into words yet.  He heals, He answers, He is God...and I am thankful.  Now, I'm not going to become a crazy health nut after this 40 day cleanse (by the way, I'm HALF WAY DONE ALREADY!), but this diet has shown me a new way of life.  A new positive step into my future for a healthy me, husband, and family.  What I eat now, when I'm pregnant, and when I'm raising a family is so important to their own health.  If I can pass on good health to my children, maybe their risk of getting cancer will decrease...as well as my own coming back.

So this past weekend, The Maker's Diet and Pampered Chef had a duel!  I hosted a party for my sister in law Beth.  She became a Pampered Chef consultant to help with the Operation Baby Groman adoption funds, so when she asked if I'd host a show, I said OF COURSE!  She is such a blessing in my life and she loves to cook, so this was a perfect fit!  I love my own Pampered Chef products (my moma got me started when she was a consultant!) and I'm not much of a 'party host-er', but this was such a success thanks to many people whom I love dearly and would help out in a second if they ever asked.  THANK YOU ALL who put in an order...please know that you are apart of something so much bigger than that awesome Salad and Berry Spinner we all saw - you are helping a great family become an even bigger great family!  Also, with this Maker's Diet cleanse, I have been shown some really neat recipes that I want to continue making after the 40 days is up...so I finally have a new recipe book that will be filled with all my favorite recipes I try!  I love new adventures!! Cooking nutritiously may just be the next one! :)

Day 5 of The Maker's Diet

It's getting better people....

It's been 5 days without any sugar, pop, or processed foods.  And I'm still alive!  I can honestly say that as the days went on...this diet became easier and easier.  I have only been tempted one time and that was on Day 2 when I was just SO hungry.  Andrew was working and I was just watching TV, and what do you do when you watch TV?? Yup, eat.  It's actually hard to sit and watch a show without incorporating your other senses, don't ya think?  But I was just hungry and I literally went to the kitchen and about pulled something out of the cupboard when I stopped myself and literally said 'God, I do not want to fail at this.  I'm doing this to make this body healthy again.  Healthy enough to not get cancer again, carry my own baby, and to live as long as possible.  What do I do?'  And I swear, as soon as I took my next breath, I came upon a thought in my head that I hadn't had before.  I am supposed to eat veggies in my eggs in the morning, but I hardly ever wake up in time to eat breakfast at home, so I just take my hard boiled eggs and carrots/yogurt and eat on the way to school.  But then I remembered...I hadn't eaten the veggies yet from breakfast...and you wouldn't believe what my favorite thing to order is from Mexican restaurants...yup, grilled veggies!  So I chopped up some red and green peppers and onions and grilled them up in some evoo and it was SO good as I watch TV!  So I have not cheated yet, and I'm actually feeling good.  I have some headaches off and on, but it could be the change of diet and also my neurology stuff.  I'm also exercising and running again...life is good!

So I wanted to share two recipes with you that I was very 'iffy' about cooking, but after I made it...OH MY was it SOOO good! And trust me, I typically HATE salmon, but with this recipe, I would eat it every week!  We have made it 5 days now and I told Andrew how proud I am of us.  And it's gets even better because next weeks menu includes chili, fajitas, meat loaf, curry, and hamburgers!  It's all in how you cook it and what you eat with it!  We are past the mostly fish days and I am so happy to see menu items that I have actually cooked before! :)

Oriental Red Meat Salad
1 1/2 lbs. flank steak
1/2 cup lemon jiuce
6 tbsp. soy sauce
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil or expeller-expressed peanut oil
1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
1 tsp. grated fresh ginger
pinch of red pepper flakes
2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
1/2 lbs. snow peas (lightly steamed and cut in half)
1 red pepper (chopped)
1 lbs. bean sprouts (steamed lightly)
~Cook the meat however you prefer (skillet, broiler).  Mix lemon juice, soy sauce, oils, ginger, and red pepper flakes together.  Cut the meat into small slices and marinate with the soy sauce mixture for several hours in the fridge.  Then mix together the meat, salad, sesame seeds and veggies just before serving.


Wild Alaskan Salmon with Pecan Pesto
4 wild salmon fillets
1/3 lbs shelled pecans
3 oz. butter, cold
2-3- fresh jalapenos
1 small lemon
1 3-inch sprig of rosemary
olive oil
celtic sea salt
pepper
~Toast the pecans for about 20 minutes at 300 degrees.
Rub salmon with olive oil and coat with salt and pepper.  Cook in in a skillet on med heat until it is totally pink inside with a nice golden crust on the outside.
Meanwhile, add chopped jalapenos, chopped rosemary, the zest of 1/2 small lemon, pecans, and butter in a food processor about 8 seconds until it becomes a paste.  
Put the pesto over the salmon and WOW is it SO good!  And I can hardly eat salmon!


Some other updates on the Life of Laura...my brother bought a house and when the moving truck gets his stuff, I get my piano so I am very excited when that day comes!  We are stripping wall paper tomorrow in his house, I've become a pro at this throughout my years of moving.  And my sister in law Beth became a Pampered Chef consultant to help with the expenses of their adoption.  We have hit the 6 month mark (most children get placed within 6-9 months with the agency they are going through) so any day now I could become an aunt again! I am having a party to help her out, so if you need anything, let me know or go to her website at www.pamperedchef.biz/bethlikestocook and order under our products!  AND...Andrew finished the bathroom!  It is so much better than the yellow walls, linoleum floor, and white counter top that used to be there.  We don't have a new shower curtain or a new window curtain yet, and the pictures I took don't show the true colors because of the flash, so you'll just have to see it in person :)  The best part is that there is this low lighting for when I take my bath in the whirlpool tub...totally relaxing and a man after my own heart! He tiled and framed in the window too! Great Job Andrew! Now, off to the next project...he ordered my new closet doors for the bedrooms! :)

One more thing...today marks another moment in Life that was very sad, yet brought 2 people together.  It's been 5 years since the Bluffton University baseball team bus accident that killed 5 students.  I remember going to my 8 o'clock class at BU and hearing the news.  Commotion on campus started very quickly with the accident on CNN and news vans pulling up more every hour, and as we started hearing more and more names of students who didn't make it, I started getting scared.  At that time, Andrew and I were 'on a break', but on that day, he was the only person I wanted to be with.  He had a way to calm me down, but on that day, he was away at Army drill and I knew from that day on, I didn't want to be with anyone else.  I knew then that Andrew was something more to me than anyone else in this world is.  I knew I had to call him when I heard about David, and that phone call changed us.  I'm not sure what he felt during those days, whether he was thinking about me the same way I was thinking about him, but all I can say is that we have grown closer together every day since then...  

Andrew and I, back together after the accident in the Spring of 2007