Wordless Wednesday

Ghosted!

We were "ghosted" last week. If you've ever been "ghosted" you know what it means. A package of Halloween goodies arrives anonymously on your porch with a note that reads something like this:
Thursday, Jonathan and I gathered our three gift bags full of goodies just as the sun set and early evening settled in. He was already in his jammies and super excited to play "ghost". We walked up the street hand-in-hand and looked for houses that did not already have the phantom note posted in their window or door indicating they too, had already been haunted. I love my little guys giddy laugh when he's truly excited about something. He would run to the doors, knock or ring the bell and run around to the side of the house to join me. I'm really surprised he didn't wet his pants. Sincerely. We had a nice conversation on our walk back to our house about random acts of kindness. That is the lesson I hope he remembers on a fall night in October of 2010................rather than his first experience of "ding, dong ditch" & "ring and run" with his own mom.

Family Movie Night

After a wonderful Parent's Night Out hosted by our young adult group Friday night (Jason and I were able to get out of the house-childless-to visit with my grandfather together at St. Luke's....then we had a quick bite to eat), we decided a nice Family Movie night was in order for Saturday night. I fondly remember "junk food night" growing up. My mom would let us get anything and everything we loved to eat, yet were seldom allowed to eat, and we would binge! Jason and I let them pick their favorite candy (in celebration of no cavities this week at the dentist), we popped a huge bowl of popcorn, and dare I say, allowed them to have their very own (mini)can of pop. Scandalous!

Dern Dog

I love the newest member of our family. I really do. However, we are quickly learning to leave NOTHING of value (sentimental or otherwise) within reach of her puppy teeth. I feel like I'm back to baby proofing my home....again.

Kate's dolls have taken a big hit. I randomly find little feet, (sometimes just a set of toes), little hands and disfigured bodies of dolls. Morbid. Just plain morbid.

The worst? My 3 week old $135 Brooks running shoes. WHY? WHY OH WHY NOT THE $15 pair of Target shoes? WHY? WHY?

Waddell and Reed KC Kids' Marathon

Jonathan is lucky to have such an amzaing elementary school who happens to have an amazing principal who has a passion for running. He organizes a Friday morning running club for the students as well as group participation in the Waddell & Reed Kansas City Kids' Marathon. Kids have the opportunity to log 25 miles of running over a couple of months in preparation for the last 1.2 miles of the KC Marathon course. Jonathan and daddy rode the bus with the rest of the Manor Hill crew down to Washington Park in downtown KC. They watched the mascots dance and race (in thier own special Manor Hill KC Kids' Marathon T-shirts) and then ventured together to run (and walk). Great job little buddy!

Neighborhood pals

Flashback Friday

This photo always makes me chuckle.

Halloween 2007

"I don't wanna be a chicken I don't wanna be a duck......"

You know the rest.

Are those leaves in my underwear?

Nothing says fall better than a backyard romp in the leaves...made even better...

in a costume.

(even if you aren't really wearing underwear underneath)

BIG TIME shout out...

...to my parents who took the kids (oh, and the puppy), Friday night thru Monday evening. I had every detail planned when making arrangements for the kids while Jason and I were out of town and as life would have it, nothing quite worked out the way we planned. I'm so grateful I have parents that stepped up to the plate and held down the fort...even when arrangements fell through, kids were pukey, and the dog was beyond naughty!

So thanks Mom & Dad, for driving back and forth, for putting up with Tilly's puppy behavior (and helping get her vaccinations), being flexible, coddling our two sick babies, and being the best grandparents ever.

We owe you BIG TIME..and we'll probably not go out of town again for a while!

Chicago Marathon Do-Over?

Crash & burn...two words that describe my performance at the WARM Chicago Marathon.

I just didn't feel it. The first half was a 1:43 (which is exactly where I wanted to be pace-wise), but even before I got there, It was clear that it was not my day. Despite my disappointing time, the experience was, BY FAR, the most amazing race experience ever. Fifty thousand people registered, 39 thousand started and just over 36 thousand finished. I was 8,586th . Really, I can't complain that I ran faster than 27 thousand people...even if a man running and juggling passed me at mile 13. To be a part of something so LARGE and experience a running tour to see the entire city is something I will never forget. There had to be no less that 2 million spectators. There was not a single point in the entire 26.2 miles where no crowds cheering and supporting were present. While struggling to find the strength to keep running, the amazing volunteers energized me with their encouraging words, high fives and motivating signs! Thank you volunteers, you ROCK!!!! Chicago is a BEAUTIFUL city. I will definitely be back for another go at it!

So what do I mean by do-over? I'm stubborn...and I tend to set my sights on a goal and don't let up until I conquer it. In this case, a Boston Marathon qualification. Sooooo....I am registered to run another marathon in 6 weeks. The Gobbler Grind in Overland Park. Call me crazy. Everyone else does!

In Milleniumm Park. We had lunch at the outdoor Park Grill, the last day it was to be open before winter.

View from the balcony of our hotel on Michigan Ave.

The Marathon Expo Training partner, Amy, and I

My biggest fan! 5:30 am...up before the sun to head to Grant Park. It was insane trying to get into our seeded corrals. 13.1 miles-halfway mark (my biggest fan took this picture) After...ouch. I vomited a half a dozen times behind some rose bushes in Grant Park...then later on the corner of Michigan Ave next to the Chicago Institute of Art. It was just that bad! After some Portillos the night before (with an old friend) and Pizano's that afternoon, we headed to Navy Pier before flying home.

I found this picture on the Chicago Tribune Newspaper website marathon gallery. What are the odds? Ha!

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/chicagomarathon/chi-101010-chicago-marathon-pictures,0,909751.photogallery

Flashback Friday

Twenty years ago this month....

I lost my brother. I'm so grateful that just a few months before his passing, he shared his passion for running with me. Thank you, Danny. I promise to keep doing it until my body fails me.



His story is HERE

Wordless Wednesday

Happy

I live for afternoons here. Yes, it can get a little crazy...I call it the "witching hour". You know? That period from about 4pm to 6pm when the kids let their hair down after a structured day and go a little WILD? This is "my time" with them. Pushing them on the swings, playing ball, watching them ride around the cul-de-sac with the neighborhood kids (playing mediator and nurse). Life has been soo busy lately...in fact, crazy busy. I'm overloaded with my online teaching responsibilities on top of being a wife, mother, maid, cook...well, you understand. At the end of the day, it's about my family. So here's a pic of Kate running around the backyard. Unfortunately, the boys rarely stop and let me photograph them. Besides, they're usually dirty and smelly.

10-10-10

The four months worth of hard work is done, but it doesn't mean I'm not a ball of nerves! I keep looking at my Participant Guide...and it's a strange mix of both excitement and anxiety. This week is nice and light as far as training. Jason and I take off early Saturday morning with my training partner (and neighbor), Amy, and her husband, Bryan. I pray for great weather in the windy city on Sunday. Whether or not I meet my 3:40 goal to qualify for Boston, I know it will be a blast in an atmosphere of forty five THOUSAND participants!

Daddy's Birthday

We celebrated intimate family style! :) Chinese for dinner (daddy's favorite) and Baskin/Robbins Peanut Butter & Chocolate ice cream cake for dessert.

Alldredge Orchard

Pedal cars are fun....until mom says it's time to let others have a turn. Poor Nick!

A PERFECT fall day...sun shining, blue skies, puffy white clouds, a breezy nip in the air. No better day for a trip to the apple orchard. This has become a favorite place for us...a quiet little orchard out in the country. Nothing fancy...but perfectly autumn.