I'm ALIVE!

Although my back is killing me, the muscles in my legs are still in knots, and my feet are blistered as I type this...I have to admit that I would totally do it all over again. I ran the KC Marathon in 2002 and it was NOTHING like the experience of running this year. The weather was amazing, the course was amazing and the volunteers and spectators were amazing. Although I ran it 10 minutes slower than I did in 2002, I was still surprised to run a 3:47 (8:39 per mile pace) considering I was really only hoping for sneaking in under four hours. Yes, I missed qualifying for Boston by 7 minutes...but 7 minutes is a lot and I don't think it was in the realm of possibility for me at all anyway. Maybe next time... I have to send a shout out to my own little cheering section! My parents stayed at Crown Center and stood in the cold in the dark, early in the morning to see me off. Although I couldn't find them in the madness of over 8,000 participants, I did see them at the two mile mark. And when the 26.2 miles was over and I crossed the finish line, I had Jason and the kids waiting along with my parents (my most loyal fans over the many years I have run), my brother and sister-in-law, nephew Daniel, Jason's Aunt Dea and Uncle Al, Jason's cousin, and Eric and wife Ashli and family. It was so thoughtful of so many to join in support amid the chaos of downtown. THANK YOU ALL. You will never know how much it meant to have you all there.

Sick Baby

Well, Jonathan started antibiotics for an ear infection last Sunday, and Nick started antibiotics for one yesterday. Poor little miserable guy stayed home with daddy today. This was my mommy update (with pictures) courtesty of daddy while I was away at work:

Hi Mommy,

I'm feeling sick today. And a little sleepy too. My morning was good, but during my nap I started crying and needed cuddles.

Daddy's got me comfy on the couch now.

Love you,

Nick

An amazing comeback & meeting baby Jack...

Jonathan and I had an early start Saturday and traveled to pick up Aunt Katie and then went for a visit to see Grandpa Mac. It is absolutely amazing to me how he has recovered! He's at Kingswood Manor undergoing rehabilitation but appears to be his old self in every way. It's still a real mystery as to why he took the turn he did that made us all think we were losing him. Inappropriate medication (or lack of) mixed with a UTI? Regardless, prayers were answered and we have our feisty, sweet, talkative grandfather back!

After a special stop for ice cream and lunch (in that order) at McDonalds with Aunt KK, we headed to visit little baby Jack, the newest addition to the Colling household. Talk about baby fever! He's the sweetest, most handsome little guy. How soon you forget those little noises babies make when sleeping or that quivering chin when they cry, or those tiny, tiny fingers. He is perfect in every way! Congratulations you guys! What a beautiful family of four you make.

Votaw Family Reunion

I'm a little late posting, but here are a couple of pictures of the Votaw Family reunion we attended last Sunday in Eudora, KS. I didn't get a large group picture (but you can see one on the linke to The Votaw Family blog). Here is a smaller group photo...those belonging to Margaret and Everett Votaw (Jason's grandparents). WOW! I can't imagine having that much family surrounding me that are all decendents of the love between Jason and I! I hope we are so lucky.

Crazy to think about.

Fall Day at the Park

The kids and I headed to the park after school today...another gorgeous fall day we had to take advantage of before these warm days are gone forever. Here are a few pictures and a couple of short video clips of Nick and Kate.

Blew the dust off...

Yeah!!!
I finally had a chance to take some more pictures on Saturday...it had been quite a while and I really enjoyed the opportunity to break out the camera and play around with Photoshop again. This really is a little side passion of mine I wish I had more time for. But I'll take what I can get here and there to satisfy. *sigh*.
Little baby Payton goes to Nicole's with Nicholas and Katherine. He is such a cute little blue eyed baby boy...I had such a good time. Thanks to Melissa, Jason and Payton!

Pumpkin Patch

We made it out to Carolyn's pumpkin patch this year for the third time and met up with friends, Jennifer & Phillip Parks (and little Sydney). We've known Jennifer and Phillip as long as we can remember...

going clear back to kindergarten as we all grew up in the same town. I never in my wildest dreams thought our kids would be running around together. We had a good time despite the wet summer ruining the pumpkin crop this year...slim pickin's! But we found three little Kazmaier sized pumpkins for each member of our brood.

Full of Humor

I know I'll forget this one...so I'm writing it down. I most always pick Jonathan up from school before picking up Nick and Kate. On our drive over to Nicoles, Jonathan tells me about his day and we converse as much as a 3 year old can. He loves to make up songs as we drive along. As he was singing a song about Gaga's tree missing (random), I said, "I love that song, and I love you!" He replied, "I love you six". It took me a minute to figure out why he would say I love you six. He giggled and said, "not two, six! I'm silly!" Clever little jokester. This was about as funny as when I had a "talk" with him about not hitting Jake (Tommy's) dog with a stick. I said, "Jonathan, we don't hit people or animals with sticks. How would you like it if Jake hit you with a stick?" to which he replied with a thoughtful look on his face, "Mom, Jake doesn't have any hands." These moments always brighten my spirits...he definitely has his father's sense of humor. :)