Happy 10th Anniversary

Today is our 10^th Anniversary.

Our live together has been a really big roller coaster ride since we met. So many moves, so many histories to share. No one had faith on us, except us and my grandparents. But here we are, 10 years later and more in love than ever.

I love you and I wish the best years are yet to come, even though, we had an AMAZING first 10 years ; )

I love you!!!

I did .....

My first 5k race today.

Oh well, you all knew about it, since this is my main topic those last few weeks.

I finished the race in 43’12”, almost two minutes less than my 45’ goal. I am really proud of myself.

I chose a special event only for women. I thought I would be less intimidated. I was surprised to find out there were 6000 women running today. Can you believe it?

The industry behind this race is huge. (Ok, I haven’t been in any other races to compare, but…) AVON, Nike and Honda were the main sponsors.

Yesterday, I went to pick-up my running kit. There was this huge canvas bag full of AVON moisturizers, Sun block, Shampoos, a baseball cap, the race t-shirt, as well as my number and a chip to put on my running shoes to time my running. They have tents for all the sponsors where they were selling things with BIG discounts and tents with manicures, foot massages and back massages.

When we finished the race, we all got a Finisher t-shirt, a medal and a crystal pendant. All things were really cute.

Well, now to the main questions that crossed my mind during my race:

What running did for me?

It helped me to get out of that big dark role I was last December. If I haven’t start running, I am not sure I would have seek for therapy. I was really a life saver.

What I ran against it?

I ran against my infertility issues and my depression. (There were a lot of people running against cancer).

Will I keep running?

YES, I WILL. I will take my training and my race’s schedule month by month. The month I find out I’m pregnant, I will quit running until further notice, until then: RUN, FABIOLA, RUN.

And last, but not least, a special thank you to Gabs, who helped me to set up my goal and to Paulo who has been encouraging me all this time and went to cherish me today.

.....

American Wife

*** This post has spoilers ****

I’ve never hear of Curtis Sittenfeld until a few weeks ago, when I read a book review about “American Wife”, but once I finished it, I wanted to read everything she wrote. I was doubly intrigued when I found out that the protagonist of American Wife is a very thinly veiled Laura Bush.
The first three sections of the book are a gem. They are so engaging that I might confess I slept way too late on a week day; I left a lot of house work behind, because I couldn’t put the book down.
The book feels like Alice Blackwell, who is the main character, is talking directly to you. The character on the first three sections is a complex and interesting woman. It is full of details about her childhood, her teen years and a 30 year old single gal. The book describes when she meets Charlie (her future husband), their short and “hot” courtship. How her relationship with Charlie “destroy” her childhood friendship.

Unfortunately, the magic gets lost in the last section, when it becomes clear that Alice is L@ura B. and Charlie is G.B., when the author describes real facts like the controversial 2000 election, the terrorist attacks, the war, etc. The narrative becomes too dense as opposed to the book begin.

I wish the book stayed more fictional than real.

As for you, did you read this book? If so, what do you think?

Becoming a Step Mom - Part 2

Those are my random thoughts about the whole Step Family affair.

1. You all might be wondering, if I knew about Hubby's kids.
The answer is YES. As soon as he felt we were getting serious, he told me about his children.

2. Why didn't I encourage him to fight for them? I'm not sure, but I think it is because I'm selfish.

3. His kids are the reason why my parents didn't approve my marriage back then.

4. I never met their mom, and I hope I can keep this situation like this for more years to come.

5. I'm even more excited to have a baby now than I was before. I hope he/she can be good friends with his/ brother and sister, as far as age difference goes.

6. I have no clue who to behave as a Step Mom. I'm in constant fear I might step some imaginary line of what I should do or say.

7. It is fun to receive a grown up family. It is different to say the least.

8. I thought I would never say this: but I'm starting to love them as my own kids.

9. If all this affair is positive, I might write about on How to become a Step Mom. There is no good literature on the subject ; )

I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Becoming a Step Mom - Part 1

You all must think I going nuts, with this step kids talk. But grab a cup of coffee and read the part one of our story.

My husband has two kids. Eduardo is 17 years old and Paola is 18 years old. Due to custody problems, he haven't seen the kids in 17 years. He tried to talk with them when they were about 10 years old, but the mother didn't allowed. Since we were always moving, it was easier to just let it go and just pay child support.
Last year, he decided it was time to meet them, because his daughter had her 18th birthday and that is the majority age for major issues in Brazil. So the mother couldn't forbid any longer.
Long story short, Hubby went to Paris on Jan 8th and on Jan 9th Paola called us. Well, it was only me at home. I talked to her a bit, she didn't want to leave any messages, but I got her email.
She was so nervous and disappointed. I felt sorry for her.
Hubby wrote to her on the following Monday and the three of them started to email each other almost every day. They hit it off right away at least by email. They found out so many common interests and s many personality things in common as well.
On Feb 5th, we drove to their hometown in Minas Gerais to meet them in person.
We met them at the town square. Eduardo was talkative from the first moment, but the Paola is really shy and she was so nervous and biting her nails. She is so shy that she blushes when you talk to her.
They are both smart and polite young adults.
We had lunch together and later I retreated to my hotel room while they talked away for more than 04 hours.
They talked a lot and they set things straight.

Paola didn't want to have a honest conversation. She was happy to meet him. But Eduardo wanted to talk. He said he had a lot of resentment towards Hubby and he wanted to talk. After the conversation, Eduardo said a lot of questions he had about the relationship between Hubby and his mom were now answered. And he wanted to move forward on their relationship.

By the begin of the evening, they called me back at the room and we went to grab some dinner and we could bond with them a little more.

Paola accepted me right away and Eduardo was a little resistant in the begin. During their conversation, they revealed they have a bad relationship with their Step Dad.

As last week went by, Eduardo sent me an email telling me it was really nice of me to go and meet them and Paola.... Well, let me just put this way, she already is my heart's daughter. She might not be mine, but she already has a really especial place on my heart.

After all this, needless to say, my Hubby is happier, he is smiling more and it feels a burden has been taken off his back.

Talk about a roller coaster of emotions ; )

Miscellany Monday

Welcome to an unbearably hot edition of Miscellany Monday!!!

1. The weather is killing me. 90° F at 8:00 am, it is a BIG NO NO!!!!
2. I didn't run outdoors this week, it is way to hot for me.
3. My race is in two weeks.
4. I'm so nervous.
5. I'm getting along pretty well with my step daughter. It scares me a LOT!!!!

I hope you have a great week!!!

Depression

As I wrote before, I’m doing therapy. And I’m glad I did.

Last week, I did my 2^nd consultation with my doctor and after two sessions of 02 hours each, she diagnosed that I have clinical depression.

I’m glad I was brave enough I had a problem and I went looking for help.

She also said, I walking on a thin line between: “I need medication” and “I don’t need medication”.

She also knows I want to get pregnant again, so she said we must work really hard to help me stay away from it. But she also said that she won’t hesitate to prescribe medication if she thinks it is necessary.

So, for now, we made a deal: weekly therapy, weekly acupuncture and running three times a week.

So, tonight, off I go to one more therapy session.

Have a great day.

Miscellany Monday

Welcome to another edition of Miscellany Monday!!!

1. Is it Monday already? Really? Where did the weekend go?

2. I’m under the impression my laundry basket is like a revolving door, when one lap is over, the other one has already started.

3. I was diagnosed with depression last week (more on this later in the week).

4. I don’t want to take medication, so my doctor prescribed running three times a week, weekly therapy and weekly acupuncture.

5. I met my step kids this weekend (more on this later in the week).