Monday, February 16, 2009

good weekend crazy week

This weekend was a lot of fun. Julie and I went to Arlington to spend the weekend with Mike and Barbara (in-laws.) Saturday was a great Valentine's day......I think Julie and I saw each other for maybe 4 hours all day.
She went with her mom shopping and I went with Mike and his brother Ken shopping......they were shopping for maternity clothes and baby stuff, and I was shopping for fun stuff - guns....at the gun show.
Let me just say that I love gun shows. They're awesome....but, some of the people walking around...looking at buying guns makes you think......hmmmm......I'm not really sure they should own a gun......but that's neither here nor there.
The gun show started at 9:00am - we drove up at 9:30 with a MASS amount of people. There was a line out the door and all along the front side of the building (literally about 200 yards of people) It was insane. So we finally get inside (it was frappin cold and windy) and you have to go down an escalator or stairs.....we mistakenly hopped on the escalator.....by the time we got to the bottom a crowd formed and there was no where to go.....either take out a line of people or start walking/marching/hopping/ or as we did walking in place back up the escalator.....yeah....we did....we were those people.....it was awesome. So after the 2 minute work out of walking up an escalator while it's going down, we finally got into the gun show.
It was awesome.....my new list of guns in no particular order are as follows:
1) Kahr CW 45 (great carry gun that's compact and light for a 45cal)
2) AR 15 (awesome gun that has so many capabilities and gadgets)
3) Tactical shotgun (just to own one)

After the gun show Mike and I went to eat and headed home to play with the gadgets he bought for his AR 15 (once again.....I want one:)

Now comes the more serious side of Jason. For the last 7 years I've battled an addiction. I never told or discussed it with Mike or Barbara but due to the fact that Julie's pregnant, and I'm trying to better myself for her, the baby, and for my overall health I decided it was time to be a man, swallow my pride, and ask for help.
For the last 7 years I've been a smoker. I started back in college and always said I could quit at any time. Never.....ever....did I realize not only how hard it would be to quit but also how addicted I've become. It's a disgusting, life altering, expensive habit that I wish I never would have started. But, here we are.....7 years have come and gone....my grandpa died of lung cancer from smoking....my grandma is dying of emphysema...and I'm still lighting them up. Why? Because I'm addicted and I'm afraid to quit. I've tried everything from Chantix (smoking cessation drug), nicorette, cold turkey, cutting back, etc. Nothing has worked. But, the reason nothing worked is because a) I wasn't ready to quit personally b) I kept making excuses for myself (ie - work is so crazy, etc.) c) I would try to quit, do pretty well for a while, get overly confident and think to myself - i can have one and be fine......that being said - now it's my time. Now I have the support and prayers of my entire family. Now I'm working on my preparations for the quit day (which is March 17th - my birthday.) Now I'm taking the measures, once again swallowing my pride, to get rid of this habit once and for all. Will it be hard? Abso-freaking-lutely. But, I know that I need to do it for my health, my babies health, my wife's health.

So.....there it is......my confession of being addicted to nicotine.
Please pray for me as I get prepared - pray for comfort, peace, patience.

Be blessed this day and this week.

6 comments:

Barbara said...

Jason,
I am so proud of you for making the decision to stop smoking! You are right...it wil be brutal. However our God is an awesome God and he will be with you every step of the way. Call on him and he will walk beside you. He can and will help you. Use this experience to glorify him for his love and care. Mike and I love you and are proud to have you for our son-in-law. If there is any way we can support you please do not hesitate to call. We will be praying for you.

Barbara said...

Jason,
I am so proud of you for making the decision to stop smoking! You are right...it wil be brutal. However our God is an awesome God and he will be with you every step of the way. Call on him and he will walk beside you. He can and will help you. Use this experience to glorify him for his love and care. Mike and I love you and are proud to have you for our son-in-law. If there is any way we can support you please do not hesitate to call. We will be praying for you.

Suzanne said...

hey jase! i'm praying for you, cuz! you are such a strong man, great husband and will be SUCH a wonderful daddy! my brother & sister-in-law also struggled with this and have overcome! hang in there! love you and cheerin' you on! ;)

M said...

BFF~

I am so proud of you! I know, without a doubt, that you can do this. I wish I could be down there with you to cheer you on... 'cause that's what I am, what I do, and 'cause you'd do the same for me.

I'm working towards the same goal and I am honestly terrified... mostly of the possibility of weight gain, and partially because I know it's gonna be difficult... and we both know how well I handle difficult.

I'll be praying for you, Jas. You can do it, you will do it, and the peanut will be grateful.

If you need me, CALL ME. I don't care what time it is. Heck, TEXT ME and I can even talk to you during work if need be.You've given me nothing but support and encouragement, and I'm here to give it RIGHT BACK.

"The clouds broke and the angels cried,
You ain't gotta walk alone,
That's why he put me in your way,
And you came upon me wave on wave."

LOVE YOUR GUTS!!!!!!
Mags

Lindsey Stokes said...

Way to go friend!! That is a huge step just being open about it. When you see your baby's face you will know quitting was worth it. Good luck and lots of prayers are headed your way!

Anonymous said...

Hey baby-----Dad and I are so proud of you! You know that our prayers are with you every single day. (We are always here for you--no matter what!)

You are a wonderful son and I know you will be a fantastic dad...Hang in there honey--You can do this..Love you so much---give Julie and "peanut" a hug!