My Husband: A Graduate of Distinction

On June 8, Jonathan was recognized as one of the four inaugural winners of the new Graduates of Distinction award from Rainier High School.

It is quite an honor for Jonathan, as two of the four recipients as slightly older, having graduated from Rainier in the 1940s and Jonathan is the youngest award winner, having graduated in 2000.  The award is designed to recognize graduates of Rainier who have made an impact on their world -- post-high school -- in a very significant way through their communities, professions or careers.  It's also to give current students a vision of what they can do as well. 

I found it a little amusing as to what the high school students picked out of his biography to highlight -- definitely things that are important to them (being college student body president, graduating with honors, and was president of his fraternity).  Those are great, but by no means the only things that make him worthy of the title. 

I wanted to share part of his application for the award -- which also required 5 letters of recommendation from people in the community.   For those who recommended him, Chief Rita, Tom, Mark, Noah and Chris, it means so much to us that you took the time to do so.  Thank you!

This was (and is) my perspective that I submitted:

“My papa makes people happy.” 

Our three-year-old son, Thomas, thinks the world of his papa.  I think the world of him, as well.  Five years ago, we met by chance.  Three short months later he proposed, and six months later we married. It was one of the best decisions I have ever made. 

Though he lost both of his parents by the time he graduated from college, he never let his circumstances define him.  He pursued excellence in high school and on through college.  He is not a man to complain of the challenges he faced, he simply focused on overcoming them.  He put himself through law school, earning a doctorate and building a successful law practice in the South Sound. 

A close friend of ours called Jonathan his “Yoda”.  Wise beyond his years, patient, hardworking, and dedicated to serve those he cares about.  He desires to serve – currently through his role as Fire Commissioner and as our team captain for the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life.  Having lost his mom to cancer, our involvement with the Society is one of the greatest ways that we work to ensure that neither of our boys has to say goodbye to us as parents because of the disease. 

One of my proudest moments as a wife and Relayer was after Jonathan was invited to speak as a keynote about “estate planning to men and women diagnosed with cancer” at a cancer survivors’ fair at St. Peter’s Hospital in Olympia.  Admittedly, this is never an easy topic to present or discuss, as it is with most end-of-life discussions.  Jonathan approached the topic with grace, candor and humor…and received the highest reviews of all presenters at the conference.  They would have been stunned to find out he was still in his 20s when he presented.  He was the very first person invited back to speak this year. 

Amidst people’s most difficult moments and discussions, he’s strong and steadfast.  He brings those around him joy, as Thomas observed.  “He makes them happy.”

If the “Graduates of Distinction” are to inspire future Rainier students in their quest on how to achieve in their lives, I recommend my husband without reservation. 

My greatest joy in life is that our two sons, Thomas and John Paul, have a papa who loves them unconditionally and gives them an incredible example of how to live their lives.  We are blessed beyond measure by him. 

Congratulations, Doc.  We are so very proud of you!

To my sweet husband...

from your boys and wiffie...

You are an amazing Papa and husband...we couldn't ask for more. We love you so very much! 

Happy Father's Day!

Sweet design goodies...

Just a quick post to point you over to a sweet little design giveaway on the Finian Road blog...celebrating the launch of my personal design line over at Etsy!  Don't delay - the deadline to win is tomorrow night (Tuesday, February 1) at 6 pm Pacific!

A spotlight on...

My husband.

Who normally shuns the spotlight, unless, of course, he took out the diaper champ on his own without being asked. Then he turns a 15-million-watt Cabelas spotlight on himself for the next week and proclaims himself 'king of the farm'. :)

The Independent Colleges of Washington did a feature on him as an alumni in their 'hall of fame'.

I am so proud to be married to him. An excerpt is below, click the article to read the whole thing. :)

My favorite part?  The very last paragraph.  Emphasis mine.  :)

Washington invested in Jonathan Sprouffske. He graduated from two independent colleges at little cost to the state. He is a full-time lawyer, Thurston County Fire Commissioner, and former HECB appointee. He volunteers for Relay for Life raising funds for cancer research, and is the owner of the family Christmas tree farm in Rainier. And most important, a devoted husband and father. Jonathan Sprouffske exemplifies Washington's return on investment.

My Blackberry Is Not Working

After Debbie's "Facebook 101" and "Digital Camera Downloading 201" last Friday, she sent me the most hilarious British skit.  I'll be honest -- I'm impressed that she viewed the YouTube video AND sent it over to me!

I remember when "email" was brand new to her, and she said it was so impersonal...and now she's quoted as saying "Why can't I just use an old-fashioned email to communicate? This Facebook stuff is just so impersonal!"

This for anyone who has ever tried to teach others about updated technology.  :)

The Best Second Birthday Ever.

We celebrated Thomas's birth today. With 66,333 other Hawks fans at the first round of the playoffs at Qwest Field.  We sold our normal seats to one of our friends, and picked up 4 seats together for Jonathan, Thomas, my uncle Tim and my cousin Brandon.

You could not have picked a better day for football!

We woke up to a snowy forecast, so we were layered for sub-zero weather, but it ended up a pleasant 39° and felt almost balmy.  We carpooled from the farm with Uncle Kevin and Auntie Heidi, and hit Touchdown City for some calm-before-the-storm inside Qwest Field.  After Jonathan played chicken with a train.  Which, thankfully, he won, otherwise I would not be here to write this blog post.  Just for the record.

And we got to celebrate Thomas's birthday in a big way with his name on the Jumbotron.  

Anyway, back to the game.  The Hawks pulled out a stunner -- beating the defending Superbowl Champion Saints, bringing their record this year to 8-9.  Jonathan had posted this story to Facebook earlier in the week and it couldn't be more true!


Thomas with Heidi and Kevin, after he somehow roped Kevin into carrying him up the ramps


The start of the game.


Jonathan and I have a running joke that he doesn't cry at ANYTHING.  Anything at all.  Except for pets.  And now, for Walter Jones raising the 12th Man flag.  He teared up at that.  So did I, but that's not the point. 


Getting high fives from Brandon and everyone else around us after the Hawks' first touchdown.


The Wee Ski promptly fell asleep at the beginning of halftime AND SLEPT THROUGH THE ENTIRE THIRD QUARTER.  Throughout the insane noise and false starts and craziness.  We like to think he was passing his mojo down to the field. 


After the shocker of an ending...the Mausskis were pumped!  Check out the random dude who is in a ton of our photos.  L-R:  Jonathan, Tim, random dude, Brandon  :)


Cheering on the Seahawks after a sleepy nap


We headed to the Cheesecake Factory to finish the celebration. At first, we were going to celebrate with my red velvet cheesecake, so Thomas was ready to blow out candles.  READY. TO. GO.


And then our server brought him his own sundae and everyone started singing.  When he realized we were singing for him, we put his hands in the air.  Cheering for himself. 


They're really singing for me?


Yup, kiddo.  And that sundae is all yours. 

Happy birthday, sweet boy!  Your third birthday will be a tough act to follow!

And in case you missed the incredible 67-yard touchdown with three minutes left in the game.  ABSOLUTELY AMAZING.  The Wee Ski 2.0 = Marshawn Sprouffske?  :)

The 2010 Christmas Mix winners!

Rachel E and Kate, let me know which edition you'd like to receive (this year's or a previous edition), and I'll drop it in the mail to you! Send me an email at shelley {at} finianroad {dot} com with your preferred mailing address.

And Rachel, we used Pachebel's Canon as well in our wedding!  :)

Type A personalities like me will notice that as per usual, the CD matches our Christmas cards.  I think I may need help with my nerdiness.  :)

Celebrating 40 Years

Last weekend, on 10/10/10, my parents renewed their marriage vows as they celebrated their 40th anniversary.  Our family gathered together just after 10 o'clock Mass for the vow renewal and blessing from Father Mike.

This year has been a reminder of the beauty and gift that we have in life, as my mom fought off a debilitating autoimmune disease last winter (celebrating her 63rd birthday in the hospital) and my dad was diagnosed with cancer.  You never know the day or the hour that God will call you home...and we are all so grateful that we had the chance to celebrate their marriage and love together.

They each wrote their own 'vows', and while my dad ended up just paraphrasing through tears (as is his custom), both passages of their words are beautiful and I want to share them with you. 

Above, Mom is sharing her thoughts:

From Song of Solomon 2:10-13:
My beloved spoke and said to me:
Rise up my love, my fair one, and come away.  
For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone.
The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come,
and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.
The fig tree puts forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grapes give a good smell.
Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away!


Tom, God has loved me through you.  I understand and have experienced mercy, grace, and unconditional love because of you.  


Wherever you do, I will go.  Wherever you stay, I will stay.
Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.

---

My dad's thoughts were a reflection on marriage:

My dearest Karol, when we got married 40 years ago, it was just a beginning.

Marriage is a covenant relationship, not a contract.  By contract, I mean marriage is a permanent commitment.  Viewing marriage this way gives us security and freedom.  Under covenant, I have a lifetime to learn how to bond together with you, my bride.  The "I do" I said on our wedding day was not the culmination of a relationship, but the beginning of a new commitment to work on my relationship with you for the rest of my life.


Covenant provides us with the challenge to grow in our marriage.  If I am committed for the long haul, I can either live in solitude, emotionally divorcing myself, or I can build friendship with you by working on communication and continuing to discover new things about you.


In a sense, then, covenant encourages me to know you and you to know me.  And it gives us a lifetime to grow together in deep friendship.  


I love you.


The Washington half of our family (left to right):

• Jonathan, Thomas and me
• My dad's brother Tim and his wife Sue, their son Brandon (who is the godson of my brother and me)
• My parents in front
• My cousin (my dad's brother Bill's son) Ben
• Mike, Kristine, Max and Avila

And it wouldn't be a Mauss family event if we didn't have brunch at Anthony's following.  One of my  favorite moments was when Dad was playing peek-a-boo with Avila and Thomas.  It was hilarious hearing everyone giggle. 

Legacy and Leadership

At the end of September, the American Cancer Society hosted an evening at the Space Needle [sponsored by Amgen -- so no donor dollars were used here :) ].   The Legacy and Leadership Awards Ceremony is the annual event where the ACS awards the current year's Research Grantees (for 2010-2011).  This year was special for our family as they also recognized 'special friends' to the Society in addition to the Research Grantees.

Currently, the American Cancer Society is funding 25 researchers with more than $6.3 million in research grants in Washington State, in addition to serving more than 8,500 cancer patients and their family members in this region.  Dr. Mary Claire-King from the University of Washington was the highlighted speaker: she is known for proving that the "breast cancer gene" (now known as BRCA1) existed at all.  She is always fascinating, and we loved having the chance to hear her speak.

For us, being able to hear and meet American Cancer Society-funded researchers is always a treat.  Not only are they brilliant, but you get to see the 'real people' behind the life-changing research that is happening.  You get the chance to put a face behind the funds you are raising...and this time, it's not a face that you simply celebrate or remember, but a face that can potentially hold the key to the future of cancer in our world.

The invitation to the evening said:
"Celebrate with us those current and promising leaders in science who are finding a cure,
and those individuals and organizations, who by their various contributions of time, talent
and treasure, are leaving their legacy in the fight against cancer."

And it's with that second part that the Sprouffskes from Rainier got thrown into the mix.



With Mark Horoszowski, one of my good friends and co-Nationwide Leadership Training Team trainers, as the emcee, he told our "Relay love story", and a little of how we both became involved with the American Cancer Society.  From Jonathan's Relay proposal to fundraising to a major fundraising focus at Merrill Lynch and now with Connolly Tacon & Meserve to our family.  It was, at the same time, both very humbling and an incredible honor to see our names along side the other award winners (especially Team Aloha -- led by our good friends Karen and Dave Conley) and the Research Grantees.

I love that Erin Sheahan (pictured above, she is the Regional Vice President for our area), titled our story as she did.  The American Cancer Society is a part of our family in how we choose to fight back against cancer, and it was a very meaningful evening for the Skis.  I just wish that Jonathan's parents, especially his mom, had been able to be there with us.  I hope they were, at least in spirit. My parents were able to make it that evening -- delaying the start of their 40th anniversary getaway to make it happen.  Mom and Dad, thank you for being there.  It meant the world to us.  ♥

One of my favorite parts of the evening?  Being stopped by one of the Research Grantees to be thanked for how we've supported the Society.  It was incredibly ironic, because the thanks, in our eyes, belong to the Researchers.  It deeply touched our hearts.

And it's then that I was reminded how important everyone is to this fight.  As it's said at Relay...

Survivors make it personal.

Researchers make it happen.

Supporters make it possible.

A journey of a thousand days...

...it's been since Jonathan and I married.

Our whirlwind courtship, surprise proposal at the Relay For Life, and wedding...all within 10 months.

Something that's never changed?

I still miss the joy of having my in-laws with us -- and I'll be honest, it still irritates me when people complain about their own in-laws and take them for granted.  At least they have them to complain about.  But I hope I've made Larry and Mary proud by how I've cared for their son.

Things that I love?

Being able to always be myself with him -- through the good, the bad, and the ugly.  We never anticipated a difficult pregnancy and birth with Thomas during our first year of marriage, a year of infertility when trying to get pregnant again, losing several people close to us, or struggling with health issues in my own family.  The experiences gave our marriage and life a richness and fullness -- even and especially through suffering -- that gave us the chance to learn to love through challenges and heartbreak. 

Jonathan grounds me -- teaching me to always be honest with how I'm feeling, and loving me enough to never be dishonest with me -- even though I may not like or fully appreciate the honesty in the process.

Especially during these past few months, we've carved out time for just us.  Spending time every evening over dinner and after Thomas goes to sleep, reconnecting.

At the same time, we've both given each other the chance to grow on our own -- I've taken cooking courses in Seattle and he's worked on his golf game with pro lessons.  I've toasted with yin & yang martinis at the Melting Pot with my girlfriends at happy hour, and he's had monthly poker nights.

One of the best ways that I've seen our marriage grow?

Our ability to enjoy the good and the not-so-good.

Last Sunday night, we came home from a day at the fair (with my mom and Thomas) and football (for Jonathan and my dad).  Exhausted and ready for bed...we walked in to the house to find what can only be described as 2010 Dog Poo Armageddon.

All over Thomas's room. 

Sprayed, all over the carpet, disgusting sickness from a 100+ lb. dog who clearly wasn't feeling well. Jonathan immediately got sick.  Tears just welled up in my eyes since the Wee Ski (who was sound asleep in my arms) was obviously not going to sleep in his room that night unless we wanted to risk his life with the worst fumes ever.

Jonathan got the pack & play set up in our room and we laid Thomas down.  Within a few minutes, we were cleaning up the disaster while laughing so hard we could hardly concentrate on keeping the icky grossness off us.  It was so bad...that it was beyond funny. 

And I realized, with our son's room covered in dog poo, that this was the life I wanted.

Because my very best friend in the world was holding the black garbage bag as I cleaned up. 

With a big grin on his face since he'd called the carpet cleaning people already and they would be coming in to salvage whatever they could this week. 

And today, 1000 days after our wedding, I'm in Chicago, 2000 miles away.  And my heart is full of joy because I know that I'm heading home tomorrow to my two favorite guys in the world -- Jonathan and Thomas -- and they have given me the best gifts I have ever received.

Unconditional love.  Patience.  Joy.  And knowing that they are always in my corner, as I am in theirs. 

Even if that corner is covered in dog poo.

A football weekend...

There's nothing better than being away from home, missing your boys, and finding this on your camera when you get back:


The big Iowa/Iowa State football game was this weekend...and Jonathan and Thomas watched the game together.  It's a family rivalry between us -- since my parents met at the U of Iowa, and Jonathan's family back in Iowa are Iowa State fans. 

You see the awesome Iowa State outfit from the Gangestads, and the sweet Hawkeyes jacket from the Bottenfields.

I followed the game from the Jackson, MS airport on my BlackBerry.

Never mind who won.  :)

And how much do I love my husband for taking this sweet photo?  Straight out of the camera.  Sweet blue-eyed goodness. 

Saying goodbye, for now

A few weeks ago, the Skis headed south for a "going away" party for one of our friends, Matt, who is headed down to the Discalced Carmelite Friars in San Jose, California.   He'll begin the next step of the discernment process this month as he settles in. 

Matt and Jonathan were roommates and good friends at St. Martin's...and Matt was the one who wrote "The Ski Song" -- which he played for everyone that night.  He's so talented -- playing the guitar/keyboard for The Thirsting -- and we had the chance to hear him play a few months ago.  Thomas was in heaven -- singing + dancing + a big crowd?  Everything he's ever wanted.

In the photo above, Richard, Matt, Jonathan and Thomas show that real men use pink sippy cups.  :)

There were a few games, including "Name the Brother" and he had a chance to share with everyone about the upcoming journey.  We all prayed together for him.  As he is preparing for a simpler life in the monastery, he gave away a number of things, including a beautiful crucifix which he gave to us.  An awesome reminder every time we see it in the living room to keep him in our prayers.  There's a chance he'll be back up at Mt. Angel sometime in the next few years, so we'll be able to visit then. 



Performing "The Ski Song"...


So excited to see what's ahead for him.  Please keep him in your prayers as he continues his discernment in California!

With love from the northwest...

Flashing back to MY 3rd birthday, when Grandma came out to visit...I was so excited to have Grandma there to celebrate!

Now it's your celebration day, Grandma! Celebrating with you from afar...thank you for being such a blessing to me and my family.  Jonathan and Thomas send a big hug and a giant sloppy kiss (guess which one is from each of them)...and know that we love you so much!

Happy Birthday!

Celebrating 65 years.

65 years ago today, my grandparents married in Des Moines, Iowa.

This year is a bittersweet milestone year, as it's the first anniversary that Grandma's celebrated without him here on earth.  

Their 65th anniversary year marks a milestone year for many -- my aunt Darcy and uncle Tom (40 years) and my parents in October (40 years) as well as what would have been 40 years for my in-laws/Jonathan's parents (40 years).  Evidently, 1970 was THE year to get married in the 70s.  :)

I am so grateful to my grandparents for the example they set for their family: their devotion and care for one another and lasting love that now spans the heavens.  Grandpa treated Grandma like a queen, and loved her so dearly.

Grandma, congratulations on your anniversary.  You looked so beautiful on your wedding day.  We are so lucky to have you two as a model for us in our own marriage. 

And I love this photo of Grandma looking at Grandpa...from 56 years ago, this month. 

How cute are they?!?

Our Field of Dreams

What a weekend.

On Friday and Saturday, the Relay For Life of Thurston County was held at Black Hills High School in Tumwater.  For 24 hours, we celebrated our survivors, remembered those we've lost, and fought back.

Lots of firsts this year: first time that Thomas stayed overnight (outside the womb), first time that we attended a funeral during the Relay: spending a few hours away and coming back with a renewed fire for eliminating the disease, and finally, the first time my dad walked in the Survivor Lap during Opening Ceremonies.   A great deal of emotion all rolled up into one day.

The event's theme was a movie theme -- picturing a cure.  We adopted the movie Field of Dreams, after one of Jim's favorite movies.  In his advice card to Jonathan and me at our wedding, he told us to "go the distance".  This weekend, we all did.

Awesome tent decor by Danielle and Theresa...with real corn and all!  A beautiful corn mural is behind...


Thomas and Dad, before Opening Ceremonies...


Rich and Sandy came down for the third year in a row to Thurston...I love their shirts together.  :) 


Awwww......


We were blessed by an awesome number of visitors from "the north"...including my parents, the Brownrices, Erin Sheahan and her son Trent, Stephanie Christensen, Karen and Dave Conley, Michael G and Marian Swanson below...

It was so good to see Marian.  She was always one of my favorite captains in Tacoma...she surprised me on the track.  The son of her good friend, Lucinda, had formed his own Relay team in the Thurston event, so she came down to support him...and realized that it was the event I was at now!  They both walked in the survivor lap as well.  And as always, the six degrees of Ski continues...and the son and Jonathan went to college together at St. Martin's.  :)


Mom and Dad with me


The Conleys!!  YEA!!  It was their turn to crash our event!


My favorite bunch of survivors EVER.


This year, we rallied around Jim Connolly.  As his fight continues, we hoped to give him and his family and awesome weekend of support and love...and raise a little money to honor him in the process.  He joined his dad in the Survivors Lap, carrying our team baton.


Finian Road designed these sweet vinyl banners -- using two smaller ones instead of one long one because of the giant wheels that  the Connollys used on the track.  :)  One had our baseball team logo (also designed by Finian Road) and the other simply had "Connolly's Crew", the Relay logo, the date and their family motto for Jim's journey:  Choose Life and Expect the Best.

One of the most bittersweet moments was when Gayle Lieberman, captain of our main "rival" team (but one of the sweetest ladies in the entire world), asked if she could be part of Connolly's Crew after she walked in the Survivor Lap herself.  I started crying when she asked if she could "borrow" a team tee.  She joined us in support of Jim.  So awesome.

We organized the "Connolly's Crew" lap to fall in with the caregiver lap -- as the Crew are all caregivers in some way to them.  Cathy pushed Jim in the wheelchair, and everyone followed in behind. 


Everyone together on the bleachers...Jim is surrounded by his mom and dad, with wife Cathy and daughter Caitlin and son-in-law Shaune right behind him.  Lots of family (both related and CTM) filled the rest of the seats.


Mom and Dad tended the lap beads while we were walked the "Connolly's Crew" lap and took the team photo.


At 10, we lit our luminaria around the track.  Each luminaria beared the name(s) of those we love who have had cancer.  They glowed throughout the night, giving light to walk the track.

Michael G joined us then, and it was the first time ever at a Relay that he and I just got to sit together and enjoy it.  Usually, he's MC'ing Tacoma and I was either chairing or captaining.   IT. WAS. AWESOME. 


A few of Thomas's luminaria...


Below, shot by Michael G


Six years ago, two luminaria that I'd never thought I'd see together...


The Skis


Thomas LOVED everything about Relay.  The people, the bubbles, running all around, waving to EVERY SINGLE PERSON THAT WOULD WAVE BACK and every single person who wouldn't (he'd just wave harder).  He was in heaven.  Everyone loved his little Grand Club shirt, showing that he raised more than $1000. 


Just to show you that tantrums do happen at Relay on occasion...here you see:
DOWNWARD DOG IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TRACK.


But two minutes later, he's recovered and ready to rumble.


Want to know how to get your wife to bid on a handmade fire pedal truck?

Ask the guy who made it to use your son as a 'model' in the truck for a lap around the track, advertising the silent auction.  I think I cost myself an extra $50 with that...because I found a number of new bidders when we finished the lap! 


Driving is very serious business.


And of course, after the Skis were the lucky winners of the silent auction, Thomas and Stephan rode it ALL AROUND.  And then the Heritage Bank team delivered it to the farm early Sunday morning because we didn't have any extra room.  How's that for service?!?


The Skis, late Saturday afternoon...


The Wee Ski, sound asleep on the drive home.  He's taken 3+ hour naps EVERY DAY since then.  He earned them though, he was a super trooper. 


But you know, there is still one thing to celebrate!!

Thomas, throw your hands up to celebrate with us!


At the end of the event, we finished with more than $46,000 in the bank...as of right now, we are just $1356.43 away from our $50,000 goal!

If you have two minutes (which if you're reading this, you've already spent a few minutes here, so why not click the link?!?), take a minute to watch our thank you video...

And know that we appreciate every bit of your support over the past Relay year.

And we look ahead to 2011...because there's no finish line until there's a cure! 

CLICK HERE!