Today was the day...

...Nick woke up and ditched the training wheels...amazing how he just hopped on and rode off! Love this persistent boy with all my being.

“The running became kind of like a death march” -The Boston Marathon 2012

"More than 2,100 runners were treated for dehydration, heat exhaustion and other problems at medical tents along the 26.2-mile course, according to the Boston Globe. Temperatures soared into the upper 80s and the number of runners requiring medical attention was 800-to-1,200 higher than in past years, Chris Troyanos, medical coordinator for the Boston Athletic Association, told the Globe. Troyanos said that 152 runners were treated at hospitals; eight to 10 were in critical condition at some point and were placed in ice baths. Boston Athletic Association officials had warned runners of the forecast and offered remindersfor coping with heat. Officials took the unusual step of offering runners the chance to defer running until the 2013 race." ~Washington Post

There are races to run fast, and there are races just to finish. With temperatures hitting near 90, Monday's Boston Marathon was the latter. It was tough to go through the grieving process in terms of letting all of the training and expectations go out the window...and accept that this race was likely to be the slowest and most difficult of all previous 6 marathons. As we boarded the buses to the start of the race in Hopkinton, the air was thick with chatter about strategy & hydration. As we sat in the Athletes Villiage, the sun rising, the heat bearing down...many were stripping off their GPS watches and coming to the same conclusion...lessen the expectations, be conservative and just enjoy the experience!

HERE'S THE ARTICLE IN THE LIBERTY TRIBUNE ABOUT ALL THE LOCAL RUNNERS, INCLUDING US: http://www.kccommunitynews.com/liberty-tribune-sports/30966871/detail.html

(The two and a half hour wait in Athletes Village in Hopkinton)

Very little shade, very little movement of air and not a cloud in the sky...a slight bit foreboding. The atmosphere was filled with both caution and excitement and we tried to remember the pressure was off and we had 26.2 miles to the city of Boston in front of us. The trick was getting there by running smart....and still knowing our names at the end!

It was 87 degrees at our 10:20 start....topping out at 89 at 12:30.

The spectators...amazing...encouraging...pitying! I was so impressed by the many garden hoses cooling down runners, ice, popsicles (I had a bomb pop...YUM), oranges, etc. provided by home owners and fans; all aimed at aiding a mostly suffering field of runners forging ahead. I was encouraged by watching our men in uniform (full fatigues) carrying our American flag, traversing the same course, in the same heat. I was inspired by passing Team Hoyte...watching a father help hydrate his handicapped son as he pushed him to their 30th Boston Marathon finish. I won't lie, it was one of the most physically and mentally taxing things I have ever endured...but aside from the births of my three amazing children, it ranks as a top life accomplishment. I felt it a privilege to be among the best...and to finish hand-in-hand with two amazing women.

(After...yes, we look happy and dry...but we were actually hurting and soaked...but oh so happy to be finished! Now...to find a cab to the hotel...)

Post race dinner on the Boston harbor...no worries, this wild crew was in bed by 9:30!

Easter 2012

The quintessential Easter....it really was (minus missing my brothers family!) The weather was gorgeous...clear blue skies, low 70's. I believe it was the first Easter we dined al fresco. I love how excited my children get for holidays with the family...for weeks they count down in anticipation of the spoilage they receive from their grandparents. We kept up with the tradition of going to the downtown Clinton square for the Easter egg hunt...although in comparison to the one held with family, it can seem pretty disappointing. Point in case: Kate was unable to fill her basket with any eggs. This was partially her fault as she became overwhelmed by the crowds of kids and clung to my side. When her bravery kicked in, it was too late, all the eggs had been found. I witnessed from afar...my big boy walk over to his sister and look in her basket (I expect this was initially out of competitiveness). He peered in, started to walk away, hesitated and then turned back and without a word exchanged, he placed some of his eggs in her basket. This made his mama and daddy very, very proud. A simple and fundamental lesson in sacrifice...a fitting one given the holiday being celebrated.

Boston...13 days and counting!

Can you tell I'm excited?

(It's a front. I'm extremely nervous)

I'm bib number
14017

:)

Emma is ONE!

What a blessing this little gal is...she is 99% sugar and 1% spice (although I keep teasing Katie that her sweet and mild baby girl may very well be more spicy like her cousin Kate!). Love her!

A good ride!

So proud to be a Jayhawk...what an unexpected and super fun season for the Crimson & Blue!!We watched part of Saturday nights Final Four game in Overland Park and quickly returned home during half-time to join the upper culdesac in the neighborhood to watch the Jayhawks surprise us again on two big screens. I was sorry to see them struggle with last nights game, but what a ride and what a fun season to be a part of! I will wear my K ring with pride!

Rock Chalk Jayhawk, GO KU!

Early Summer

I can't honestly recall spring arriving in the Midwest so early. I can't honestly recall a milder winter either. I'll take it, with great appreciation! It's been a really nice relief from the cabin fever of winter. Spring has always been my most favorite season. We've been enjoying trips to the park, bike rides, grass stains, skinned knees, soccer games, drawing chalk masterpieces on the driveway and late evening games in the culdesac...and we will be planting our garden soon.

FINAL FOUR, BABY!!

Soooo proud of my Alma mater...so proud to say I'm a Jayhawk!!! Keep in mind, I live in Missouri. Bravery is necessary to wear KU gear around these parts. Hey MU, how did it feel to be in the final 64? :)

I've had such fun watching Basketball with my little buddy, Jonathan. He gets SO into the games...throwing out stats and technical terms....and sometimes a six year old's version of smack talk.

My Little Valentine's

Valentine's Day...I'm so grateful for my three little Valentine's.

I'm so blessed to wake up each day to look into thier beautiful eyes, to watch them grow, to have their love in every moment of my life, and to give them love in every moment of theirs.

I woke early to sneak a balloon and a heart shaped box of Hershy Kisses into their rooms...I wanted them to open their sleepy little eyes and to immediately know it was a special day.

Kate received her first pink rose...her first flower exclusively and lovingly given to her by her daddy...in keeping with the tradition my father started for me(he stepped up his game this year by not only sending these beautiful tulips, but GODIVA...love him!).

She was so surprised and thankful.

We ended "love day" with our traditional Valentine's dinner as a family.

A perfect SNOW DAY!

Kate came tearing into my bathroom at 6am exaulting, "Mommy, there's a lotta snow outside...come (placing her little hand in mine and guiding me out into the hallway)...let me show you!"

The boys woke as giddy as she and ran down stairs to sit on the sofa and watch the swirling, glorious snow fall. We had a warm breakfast and snuggled a bit...and began the countdown to the magic hour of 9am when I promised we would search out the snowboots, snowsuits, gloves, hats and make our way outside.

It’s was a Snow Day.

I'm all to aware...these days of their childhood will pass by too quickly. I hope to make snow days magical and special and exciting for our kids. I hope to remember to keep things in perspective and not allow the worry of work and life to interfere with the Magic of a Snow Day. I hope that someday, maybe on their child’s first Snow Day, they can look back and say, “Remember when Mom and did that one thing on that one Snow Day? I want to do that with the kids today.”

So after literally 4 hours stright of climbing the backyard hill with the neighbors for that short thrill of sledding down at break neck speed, making snowmen, throwing snowballs, and chasing the dog...I finally forced them inside, at 2pm. They cried. I don't blame them...despite soaked gloves, wet socks, and red cheeks, they didn't want their magical day to end.

Sled riding. Snowman making. Hot chocolate.

Magic, indeed.