Running Mad...

In exactly 11 minutes Jeremy will begin running his 8th marathon!

He amazes me.

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We had a fun family running weekend!

It all started Friday afternoon - with the Whipper Snapper races for the kiddos...

Both boys got numbers, but only one boy raced...

This was his practice run.  He was determined to win.  

He said he was going to, and I think his mind was set on winning the race...

This is serious business.

Emotions were high, it was about nap time after all.

And then the race started...

The next part we are still figuring out the true details of.

All we know is that one boy was NOT in first place, he turned around and daddy tripped over him.

Tears.  Lots of tears.

But they continued on...

...and they did finish what they started...

...even though someone was sad about not winning. 

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Later that day we had a yummy spaghetti dinner and mommy ran her 5K.  

Best time ever...just under ten minute miles!  

30:43
You don't want to see pictures.  It looked painful.

Maybe that was from the spaghetti burps throughout the race...

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Starting very early on Saturday morning Daddy ran his 8th Marathon!!

We were up bright and early, ready to cheer him on.

Our favorite spot along the course is mile 12.

A church close to the course does a little fundraiser...

Parking, flush toilets, donuts and COFFEE!

What could be better???

Especially so early in the morning!!

Jack was a great spectator.  We were intrigued by all the fun colors of shoes.

Mitch only sat this still until the chocolate frosting was off the donut...

A kind lady offered to take a picture of the three of us cheering for daddy...

Wasn't that sweet?  

Daddy at mile 12...Looking very good.

At mile 19, Jack creatively made his own fireman's pole while he waited for daddy to run by.  

Daddy at mile 19...still looking awesome!

He did great!  His best marathon time ever.  

3:16:43

531 out of 6,337 participants!

Charging...

From the point where life begins, a child is connected to his mother, physically and emotionally. 

There is something about this connection that brings comfort, reassurance, connection.

My boys still need this connection - sort of like a phone charging.  From the first snuggle of the morning to the last hug and kiss at night.  Every once in a while though, that just isn't enough.

Last night both of my boys needed a re-charge while they slept.  First it was Mitch.  He was fussing, so I went in to comfort him and rest with him in his new big boy bed.  He was restless and whiny until I put my arm underneath him.  Sudden calmness.  He began to soothe and fall asleep.  As sweet as that was, my arm began to fall asleep too.  As I gently removed my arm and rolled over the other way, fussing began again - until I placed my hand on the small of my back.  Again, calmness, sleep. 

I somehow made it back into my bed only to be greeted by Jack.  He was eager to go outside to ride his four-wheeler...although it was still too early for anyone to be up.  Instead he crawled up into our bed to fall back asleep until he could go outside for a ride.  Slowly but surely the charging began.  First it was his hand on me, then his head on me, then his feet on me.  For every moment that he was in my bed he was connected to me the entire time. 

I am happy to be their charge source for now.  It comes with a great deal of responsibility and reliance on a power source that is more brilliant than any other. 

Blessed be the LORD!

For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy.

The LORD is my strength and my shield;

in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;

my heart exults,

and with my song I give thanks to him.

The LORD is the strength of his people;

he is the saving refuge of his anointed.

Oh, save your people and bless your heritage!

Be their shepherd and carry them forever.

- Psalm 28:6-9

Pee-Pee in the Potty...

Mitch had his first potty in the potty chair today!

He took off his diaper and told me that he had to go. So, we went with it.

We went into the bathroom and he stood at the potty just like a big boy…trying so diligently to go. He couldn’t do it…stage fright, maybe! So, Jack went. I went too. Then Jack and I left the bathroom only to hear that all too familiar tinkle sound. Yes! He did it!! Pee-pee in the potty…and all over the wall and floor too. Nonetheless, we celebrated with song, dance and M&M’s! Mitch emptied the potty pot into the toilet all by himself and flushed the toilet. He then put the cleaned up potty pot on his head, a way of celebrating I guess…

Now Mitch is refusing to wear any underwear or clothing today because he wants to keep going potty!!

UPDATE:
After our celebration, Mitch tried to go potty again. 
He could not figure out why his potty was not coming out anymore.
He kept saying, "Broken!"
Not to worry though...before the end of the day I cleaned up three "oops, I pee'd on the floor" moments!
Potty training will begin this summer, I am sure...just not quite yet.  We need more evidence of readiness.

Farm Style...

Sometimes there are no words.



I'm Back...

Have you had a chance to meet my big sister?

She is simply amazing.

I love her.

She moved home for the winter.

I have heard that other people read my blog from time to time,

but I mainly write for her.

To keep her up to date on the happenings of my circus.

Fortunately, or maybe unfortunately (although I hope not),

she has been deeply embedded in my crazy this winter.

Thus, the need to blog seemed unnecessary.

But alas, she has moved back to the beautiful state of Oregon as of last night at 6:00pm.

BOO.

So, I blog.

Let the creative juices flow.

Introducing Maddie...

Our very first niece...

Madeline Marie

November 23, 2010

10 pounds 15 ounces

21 inches long

Two Little Monkeys Sitting in a Zoo...

Where are our bananas???

Or should we say Boo?

Peek-A-Boo and Trick-or-Treat...

Here are two of the cutest little monkeys I have ever seen, Jude and Mitch!

We started a Halloween tradition last year...Trick-or-Treating cousins.

All the boys pile into the wagon (or some sort of riding toy) and embark upon our neighborhood insearch of sugary goodness.  It would be great if the houses were closer together - but this nearly three mile trek certainly helps in earning chocolately rewards for both the little boys and their daddys.

TWO Suckers - at one time!

Only one day a year...



Of course, we also celebrated the season at school with harvest parties for both of the boys...

Miss Marlissa's Class

And this little monkey had lots of fun at his party too...which included frosting and eating cookies.  I think I washed his costume between every event because it was covered in some sort of stickiness.

Playing Pass the Pumpkin

Of course, Thing One and Thing Two made an appearance at the Zoo Boo and the church Harvest Festival...

And this Monster Truck made several appearances too.  It has been smashed and crashed and loved. 

Happy Halloween!