So, who is going to be the first to check out my fundraising page?
Now....on to round 2!!
*A special thanks to my wonderful friends and family for helping me every step of the way & giving so sacrificially so that I could make my recommitment goal! You all are such a blessing to me!
Monday, October 23, 2006
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
So, here is the deal....
I'm 7 days from my marathon recommitment. The place in time where I am supposed to have $1,850 raised in order to continue my training. Right now I have about $1,200 raised, so I'm getting closer. IF I don't have $1,850 raised by the 26th.....then things don't look so great :-( Most likely I will have to quit training, turn in all my money to the society & tell them I "tried my best". BUT, I'm determined NOT to have to do that!! I've made it this far, and I'm going to do everything in my power to make it all the way to January 7th! I personally have raised nearly $600 on my own (working for it), and I'll continue that trend all the way through my fundraising. My letter writing campaign has been slow on the responses, but I'm patient :-). I keep sending out more letters & watching and waiting....and waiting-LOL!
You know, this whole marathon training has been such a learning experience for me. On so many levels. I started off HATING every training run & I've made it to the point where I can say I'm starting to enjoy running! I look forward to running (wow, did I just say that?).It's just as much a mental "game" as much as a physical one & I've learned that I'm a much stronger person than I give myself credit for. I've made it this far on one pair of running shoes, two pairs of socks, two pairs of shorts, no cold weather gear, no gym membership, and NO previous running experience. I've had to run at 10 p.m.(because that was the first "kid free" moment in my day), I've forced myself out of bed at 4:15 on a Saturday morning to go to a long training run in the rain, I've done ALL of my mid-week training at home...running on my neighborhood streets with no sidewalks, I've hurt my knee to the point where I had to walk all my miles instead of run them, and I've had to beg, borrow, and steal babysitting just so I wouldn't miss a day of training. I've completed a 1/2 marathon already & I've dedicated myself to raising money and awareness to a cause that is beginning to become a passion of mine. THIS is why I can't give up!
So here's my wink and nudge :-) IF, you wanted to give to this cause & you just forgot about it (we all get busy), or you can't remember what in the world my long letter was all about, or when I needed to have all my donations in by...then this is your friendly reminder-LOL! I really, really want to continue training. This means so much to me & for some unknown reason I feel like this is something I'm supposed to be doing right now. I totally understand if you are not able to give to me at this time (I have SO been there before) & if that's the case I DO NOT want to make you feel guilty. But, if you were wondering "how things are going"....this is just an update on my progress :-).
*I'll be running 16 miles this Saturday & hopefully selling beads again at Arrowhead on Sunday...so keep watching for more updates.
*Oh, and HERE is a link to my official fundraising website. ;-)
To all my friends and family that have helped me make it this far...."Thank You"!
You know, this whole marathon training has been such a learning experience for me. On so many levels. I started off HATING every training run & I've made it to the point where I can say I'm starting to enjoy running! I look forward to running (wow, did I just say that?).It's just as much a mental "game" as much as a physical one & I've learned that I'm a much stronger person than I give myself credit for. I've made it this far on one pair of running shoes, two pairs of socks, two pairs of shorts, no cold weather gear, no gym membership, and NO previous running experience. I've had to run at 10 p.m.(because that was the first "kid free" moment in my day), I've forced myself out of bed at 4:15 on a Saturday morning to go to a long training run in the rain, I've done ALL of my mid-week training at home...running on my neighborhood streets with no sidewalks, I've hurt my knee to the point where I had to walk all my miles instead of run them, and I've had to beg, borrow, and steal babysitting just so I wouldn't miss a day of training. I've completed a 1/2 marathon already & I've dedicated myself to raising money and awareness to a cause that is beginning to become a passion of mine. THIS is why I can't give up!
So here's my wink and nudge :-) IF, you wanted to give to this cause & you just forgot about it (we all get busy), or you can't remember what in the world my long letter was all about, or when I needed to have all my donations in by...then this is your friendly reminder-LOL! I really, really want to continue training. This means so much to me & for some unknown reason I feel like this is something I'm supposed to be doing right now. I totally understand if you are not able to give to me at this time (I have SO been there before) & if that's the case I DO NOT want to make you feel guilty. But, if you were wondering "how things are going"....this is just an update on my progress :-).
*I'll be running 16 miles this Saturday & hopefully selling beads again at Arrowhead on Sunday...so keep watching for more updates.
*Oh, and HERE is a link to my official fundraising website. ;-)
To all my friends and family that have helped me make it this far...."Thank You"!
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
My little monkey girl.
Maya has a new talent.....
...and I can't say I love it :-(
Yep, she's a "climber" now.
YUM...pizza crust!
Oh, and did I mention that she like to THROW things off the table once she gets up there.
This time it was just my camera case. But the time before that it was 2 glasses, two salad plates, and a dinner plate....all broken! (Sigh....) I'm not going to have many dishes left by the time this little girl turns two.
We all know that "what goes up...
must come DOWN".
The really bad part of her new "talent" is that she's only 14 months old and cannot predict a dangerous outcome from her risky behavior. Yep, she has taken 3 flying leaps off that table, all with the same outcome....a big bump or bruise! I swear that this little one is going to be the end of me! If I could only find a baby gate big enough to enclose the whole kitchen table....
...and I can't say I love it :-(
Yep, she's a "climber" now.
YUM...pizza crust!Oh, and did I mention that she like to THROW things off the table once she gets up there.
This time it was just my camera case. But the time before that it was 2 glasses, two salad plates, and a dinner plate....all broken! (Sigh....) I'm not going to have many dishes left by the time this little girl turns two.
We all know that "what goes up...
must come DOWN".The really bad part of her new "talent" is that she's only 14 months old and cannot predict a dangerous outcome from her risky behavior. Yep, she has taken 3 flying leaps off that table, all with the same outcome....a big bump or bruise! I swear that this little one is going to be the end of me! If I could only find a baby gate big enough to enclose the whole kitchen table....
Saturday, October 07, 2006
2 hours 30 minutes and 42 seconds....
That was my official race time in the 1/2 marathon this weekend. Now, I know that's not an "impressive" time by any stretch of the imagination, BUT it was my goal & I made it! I did actually run almost the entire race, but there were some KILLER hills that I had to partly walk in the beginning of the race & it took a little while to get going at the start of the race because it was so crowded at the start line.
Overall I had a great time! This was a wonderful experience & I'm so glad I got in one "real" race experience before my full marathon. As I was running today I actually started thinking "this is a lot of fun". Of course, there were bands playing and people cheering all along the way, so that helped :-). One good thing about running at the pace I do is that I have time to take everything in and enjoy it....for a really LONG time-LOL!
What a fun day!
"Going for it" at the end, so I could make it to my 2:30 goal.
My TNT teammates!
Tricia and Zion came to cheer for me too!
My VERY brave hubby even came with all three of the kids to cheer me on at the finish line. Thanks Babe!
Overall I had a great time! This was a wonderful experience & I'm so glad I got in one "real" race experience before my full marathon. As I was running today I actually started thinking "this is a lot of fun". Of course, there were bands playing and people cheering all along the way, so that helped :-). One good thing about running at the pace I do is that I have time to take everything in and enjoy it....for a really LONG time-LOL!
What a fun day!
"Going for it" at the end, so I could make it to my 2:30 goal.
My TNT teammates!
Tricia and Zion came to cheer for me too!
My VERY brave hubby even came with all three of the kids to cheer me on at the finish line. Thanks Babe!
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
It's 1/2 Marathon Time!!!
Already???? This is what everyone has been saying to me-LOL! Yep, I've been training for 6 weeks now & I'm going to tackle my first ever 1/2 marathon! I'll be running in the Kansas City Marathon this Saturday morning. I've only run this distance ONCE before, so it should be interesting-LOL! I've been feeling pretty good though. I'm exciting about getting some race experience before the "big" race in January.
Oh, and I had a mini victory yesterday in one of my training runs. I ran 3 miles in 27 minutes (go ahead and laugh all you "seasoned" athletes). When I started running 6 weeks ago it took me anywhere from 12-14 minutes to run a mile, so a 9 minute mile is huge for me :-). AND....I felt great after I ran! YAY me!!
SOOOO, if you don't have anything to do this weekend, come downtown and cheer on the runners in the KC marathon :-). It's going to be a beautiful day!
Oh, and I had a mini victory yesterday in one of my training runs. I ran 3 miles in 27 minutes (go ahead and laugh all you "seasoned" athletes). When I started running 6 weeks ago it took me anywhere from 12-14 minutes to run a mile, so a 9 minute mile is huge for me :-). AND....I felt great after I ran! YAY me!!
SOOOO, if you don't have anything to do this weekend, come downtown and cheer on the runners in the KC marathon :-). It's going to be a beautiful day!
Monday, October 02, 2006
YES!
Your results:
You are Wonder Woman
Click here to take the Superhero Personality Quiz
*So tell me....which superhero are you?
You are Wonder Woman
| You are a beautiful princess with great strength of character.  |
Click here to take the Superhero Personality Quiz
*So tell me....which superhero are you?
....and Arrowhead!
An now, for the "Arrowhead" portion on my post. I bet you can't guess what I did on Sunday? I SOLD BEADS again! Oh, AND....Jonathan and I got to go to our first ever Chiefs game!! We had a blast. Didn't make as much $$$ doing the bead selling this time, but we had a wonderful day...and the Chiefs finally won!
"Thanks Jodi" We had a blast!
The sea of RED!
Elvis is ALIVE!!
My "Bead Selling" buddies :-)
"Thanks Jodi" We had a blast!
The sea of RED!
Elvis is ALIVE!!
My "Bead Selling" buddies :-)
Apple Picking, and Acorns!
The "Three Little White's" (and two big White's) really enjoyed the fall season this weekend!
On Friday Chandler and I got to go on a field trip with his school to Alldredge Apple Orchard. It was a neat little farm with wonderful fall activities for the kids. Chandler and I got to feed chickens, goats, and rabbits. We also got to pick apples, watch them make cider with an old fashioned cider mill, go on a hayride, and watch bees make honey! It was a great day! I so rarely get to spend time with just ONE of my kids at a time, that I was loving every moment Chandler and I had alone. I'm so excited that his school is such a positive and fun place for him right now.
Here are a few of the apple orchard pictures!
Feeding the chickens!
Picking the "perfect" apple.
Giant pumpkins are so much fun to climb on!
Of course the baker in me just HAD to make an apple pie with our fresh picked apples (then we had to share it so I could stay on my diet!). We also picked up some apple butter and honey while we visited the orchard.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Oh, how I wish I had taken pictures of the "ACORN" part of my story....because this was a hoot! On Saturday (after my "short" 8 mile run) the whole family headed over to my sister Tiffany's house for an "Acorn Picking Party". It seems that this is THE YEAR OF THE ACORNS! I've never, in my entire life, seen SO MANY acorns in one yard. Racking them all up was a big job....but sorting them out and collecting them in "clean" bags was a whole other story!! You see, Tiffany found out that the conservation department is paying people by the pound for their acorns this year, so she thought that sounded like a splendid way to make some "easy" money. SOOOOO, she decided to invite the whole family to a fall "acorn picking party". She made yummy soups, breads, and fall treats, and I brought over my apple pie. Everyone had some snacks and then set about the task of picking up the acorns! The thinking was that if we all pitched in we would have the sorting of the acorns licked in a few hours. WRONG! After six LONG hours of picking through mountains of leaves and dried grass for "whole/uncracked" acorns, the troops were beginning to fade. There were grandparents in the ditches picking out acorns, aunts and uncles on the driveway sorting through piles of debris for acorns, and we even put the children to work collecting acorns in their Halloween buckets! At one point we started using a box fan, BBQ grill rack, and leaf blower to try and separate the acorns from the grass and leaves. It was a sight to behold folks!
*At the end of the day we had "picked" an estimated 350 lbs of acorns! And there was STILL 3 giant lawn and leaf bags to go through....the back yard was never touched!!
**The Sunday activities will be in post #2. My original title for this post was "Apple picking, Acorns, and Arrowhead"....but the "Arrowhead" part will be continued (thank you blogger)....
Monday, September 25, 2006
OH. MY. STARS!!
Gas is $1.95 a gallon! Well....I DECLARE! I never thought I would see it below the $2.00 mark ever again! My expedition may not be the end of me afterall!
*OK, now I'll go back to being disgusted that gasoline costs us 1/2 of our yearly income-LOL!
*OK, now I'll go back to being disgusted that gasoline costs us 1/2 of our yearly income-LOL!
Sunday, September 24, 2006
14 freakin' miles!
That's how far I ran/walked today. I was supposed to run 12 miles, but one wrong turn on *the trails* & I instantly added 2 extra miles to my route. I didn't even think I would be able to do all 12 miles because of my recent knee problems, but once I got out there I was feeling OK. I walked the first 6 miles & then I tested out my knee by doing a "baby jog" off and on for a few miles. It certainly wasn't pain-free, but I was able to actually run without a limp, so I took that as a positive sign that things are looking up.
Once I took the wrong turn on my trail, I high-tailed it back to the last water stop where my teammates were waiting for me (wondering what in the world had happened to me). As I was running at full speed (because I was freaking out about being lost in the middle of nowhere) it occurred to me that I was feeling pretty good! It only took me 10 miles to "warm up". I certainly hope my warm up time decreases as these long runs approach. I also learned about a product called "Bio-freeze" today. It's kinda like "Ben-gay" only better. I tried some bio-freeze at the 6 mile water stop & it really helped me during the second half of the run. For those of you who are interested, I am up to 20+ miles a week right now. Not bad for an out-of-shape-mama!!!
This weekends Marathon Training Lessons:
-Bio-freeze = Good!
-Being "directionally challenged" = Bad!
-14 miles isn't as bad as I thought it was going to be.
-Ibuprofen and an ice baths are my best friends right now.
-Running 14 miles in the rain really sucks!!
-So does getting up at 4:30 am on a Saturday morning (to go run in the rain).
-I still need to find a way to get a gym membership...fast!
-Knee problems are NO FUN!
Once I took the wrong turn on my trail, I high-tailed it back to the last water stop where my teammates were waiting for me (wondering what in the world had happened to me). As I was running at full speed (because I was freaking out about being lost in the middle of nowhere) it occurred to me that I was feeling pretty good! It only took me 10 miles to "warm up". I certainly hope my warm up time decreases as these long runs approach. I also learned about a product called "Bio-freeze" today. It's kinda like "Ben-gay" only better. I tried some bio-freeze at the 6 mile water stop & it really helped me during the second half of the run. For those of you who are interested, I am up to 20+ miles a week right now. Not bad for an out-of-shape-mama!!!
This weekends Marathon Training Lessons:
-Bio-freeze = Good!
-Being "directionally challenged" = Bad!
-14 miles isn't as bad as I thought it was going to be.
-Ibuprofen and an ice baths are my best friends right now.
-Running 14 miles in the rain really sucks!!
-So does getting up at 4:30 am on a Saturday morning (to go run in the rain).
-I still need to find a way to get a gym membership...fast!
-Knee problems are NO FUN!
Monday, September 18, 2006
Picasso...pshaw!
I am convinced that I am living with two future artists! I'm always complaining that I don't have any art work to put on my walls, but now all I need are some cool frames!
Check out these awesome "pieces" by Chandler (seems he has a "thing" for the color red)!
*Jeremy, it looks like Chandler will be able to fulfill my desire for an abstract piece in the dining room. I'll give up trying to save $3,200 for your red/abstract piece now-LOL!
*Jeremy's abstract piece....
*Chandler's abstract piece-LOL!
_____________________________________________________________________________________
McKenna is going for a different style.........
"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle"
"Sunflower Duty" (I have no idea what that means....you will have to ask the "artist" to explain it to you)
Check out these awesome "pieces" by Chandler (seems he has a "thing" for the color red)!
*Jeremy, it looks like Chandler will be able to fulfill my desire for an abstract piece in the dining room. I'll give up trying to save $3,200 for your red/abstract piece now-LOL!
*Jeremy's abstract piece....
*Chandler's abstract piece-LOL!
_____________________________________________________________________________________
McKenna is going for a different style.........
"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle"
"Sunflower Duty" (I have no idea what that means....you will have to ask the "artist" to explain it to you)
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Oh where, oh where has my "comment" box gone?
Oh where, oh where can it be?? If you find it will you please tell it to come back home....I really miss him. Because, it's freaking IMPOSSIBLE to report this little problem to the Blogger folks. They like to make it REALLY difficult to report these kinds of problems to them, because that means they would probably have to pretend to care! AND, the good folks over at the google "help" group aren't a whole lot of help either. SOOOOOOOOOO- I'm a little stuck right now.
Julie and Karen (aka :my only known commenters)- hang in there! I'll try to find out how to fix this one way or another :-)
Julie and Karen (aka :my only known commenters)- hang in there! I'll try to find out how to fix this one way or another :-)
Monday, September 11, 2006
Marathon Training Lessons!
1) When preparing to run 10 miles (for the first time ever) DO NOT decide to change the insoles in your new running shoes the night before. Doing so could cause MAJOR shoe issues if you have not tested out this new endeavor beforehand.
2)"ON THE LEFT"...really means "move over lady, you're too dang slow!"
3) Goose poop is REALLY slippery.
4) The hill right before the Antioch/College intersection is a KILLER when you have to tackle that monster at the very END of your 10 mile run.
5) Body glide is a good thing!
6) So is Nature's Path organic "Optimum Power Breakfast Cereal" (with flax, soy, and blueberry).
7) It's really hard to talk and run after the 5 mile mark.
8) *My City* sucks because we don't have any sidewalks to run on!
9) Taking an "ice bath" is a learned art form (notice how I'm trying to keep my toes from incurring any frostbite damage-LOL!).
*Can you say BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!
10) TWO 25 lb bags of ice is TOO MUCH ice for said "ice bath" (I'll be going back to the ONE bag method...)
_____________________________________________________________________________________
And now for the "Bead Selling" pics! (Just one of the creative little ways I'm trying to earn $$$ for my marathon).
* Don't worry Mom, we were just SELLING those beads. By the end of the day the "Mardi Gras" comments were getting really old!
MONEY, MONEY, MONEY!
2)"ON THE LEFT"...really means "move over lady, you're too dang slow!"
3) Goose poop is REALLY slippery.
4) The hill right before the Antioch/College intersection is a KILLER when you have to tackle that monster at the very END of your 10 mile run.
5) Body glide is a good thing!
6) So is Nature's Path organic "Optimum Power Breakfast Cereal" (with flax, soy, and blueberry).
7) It's really hard to talk and run after the 5 mile mark.
8) *My City* sucks because we don't have any sidewalks to run on!
9) Taking an "ice bath" is a learned art form (notice how I'm trying to keep my toes from incurring any frostbite damage-LOL!).
*Can you say BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!
10) TWO 25 lb bags of ice is TOO MUCH ice for said "ice bath" (I'll be going back to the ONE bag method...)
_____________________________________________________________________________________
And now for the "Bead Selling" pics! (Just one of the creative little ways I'm trying to earn $$$ for my marathon).
* Don't worry Mom, we were just SELLING those beads. By the end of the day the "Mardi Gras" comments were getting really old!
MONEY, MONEY, MONEY!
Hello out there!
Is anybody home? I think my blog has turned into my personal journal, as opposed to a way to communicate with the outside world. This is maybe not what my original intent was, but I think I am still fining it "therapeutic" nonetheless-LOL!
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
My "Good Cause"...
In my "Diet Coke Detox" post, I mentioned giving up my phenyalanine addiction for a "good cause". Well, the wait is over... (drumroll please).............
I'M TRAINING FOR A FULL MARATHON!
It's a long story how I came to the conclusion that training for a marathon was something I needed to do, but most of it has to do with my desire to discipline myself to do something I'm not good at. I HATE running. Let me say that again, just in case you missed it...I HATE TO RUN! It's not part of my genetic makeup & I often find myself muttering "Now, why did I sign up for this?". It's been 5 long years since these rusty "getting close to thirty-been bearing children for the last 5 years-hate to exercise" bones got moving! I guess you could say I've had it! I'm tired of hanging on to my 15 extra "baby" pounds, and I'm "sick and tired" of being out of shape, and out of breath!! However, I know in my heart the real reasons why I'm training for this marathon, and I believe I can do it! It's not all about getting back into shape either.
I do have a seemingly high mountain of obstacles to overcome in order to pull this off, but I'm a determined thing! For instance...I DON'T have a gym membership! This is something that I'm pretty sure I'm going to HAVE to have sometime soon so that I can pull this thing off. As the winter months approach I'm trusting that God will make a way for me to get a reasonably priced membership somewhere close. I don't even have "home gym" equipment, so "no" I can't run on a treadmill at home....because I don't HAVE a treadmill (silly). This too is something that I believe God can change. I'm learning the fine art of at-home yoga and pilates, and so far the video tapes I already own are taking me where I need to go for the time being.
I've only been "training" for 3 weeks & I've already completed a 6 mile and 8 mile training run with my team. I'm NOT at all fast, but I'm doing it! That's all I really want out of this whole thing. I just want to know that "I CAN do it". I will run 10 miles this Saturday & I'm confident that I'll be able to finish that run as well. I'm just taking things one day at a time right now. If I think about the whole 26.2 miles it seems impossible, but each time I run with my training team I feel myself "doing it" and I just tell myself to keep it up.
SOOOO, if your wondering WHO I'm training with, and why, you can check out my personal fundraising page right HERE. Yep, I said "fundraising" page. I'm really excited to have an opportunity to raise money to support such an awesome cause! Many of you know that I should have another "big sister", but I never had the privilege of getting to meet my oldest sister Andrea, because she died of leukemia before I was even born. The loss of Andrea was something that I always knew about, but because she died before I was born I don't think I put that connection together until I had my own children. I simply cannot imagine losing one of my children, and it breaks my heart even more to know that my own mother has had to feel that kind of heartache. My decision to train for and run a marathon through TNT is more than just a desire to "get fit", it's also a desire to see families given hope when they have a loved one dealing with this cancer. I feel like I am finally getting to do something for the sister I never got to meet. I may have been robbed of the opportunity to meet my sister, but I hope that in some small way by doing this marathon, I'm helping some other "sister" out there get the opportunity to meet her WHOLE family.
Thanks for taking the time to read my unusually long post! I'll be posting "training stories" and pictures in the near future, so keep an eye out for those. I promise to keep them entertaining-LOL!
I'M TRAINING FOR A FULL MARATHON!
It's a long story how I came to the conclusion that training for a marathon was something I needed to do, but most of it has to do with my desire to discipline myself to do something I'm not good at. I HATE running. Let me say that again, just in case you missed it...I HATE TO RUN! It's not part of my genetic makeup & I often find myself muttering "Now, why did I sign up for this?". It's been 5 long years since these rusty "getting close to thirty-been bearing children for the last 5 years-hate to exercise" bones got moving! I guess you could say I've had it! I'm tired of hanging on to my 15 extra "baby" pounds, and I'm "sick and tired" of being out of shape, and out of breath!! However, I know in my heart the real reasons why I'm training for this marathon, and I believe I can do it! It's not all about getting back into shape either.
I do have a seemingly high mountain of obstacles to overcome in order to pull this off, but I'm a determined thing! For instance...I DON'T have a gym membership! This is something that I'm pretty sure I'm going to HAVE to have sometime soon so that I can pull this thing off. As the winter months approach I'm trusting that God will make a way for me to get a reasonably priced membership somewhere close. I don't even have "home gym" equipment, so "no" I can't run on a treadmill at home....because I don't HAVE a treadmill (silly). This too is something that I believe God can change. I'm learning the fine art of at-home yoga and pilates, and so far the video tapes I already own are taking me where I need to go for the time being.
I've only been "training" for 3 weeks & I've already completed a 6 mile and 8 mile training run with my team. I'm NOT at all fast, but I'm doing it! That's all I really want out of this whole thing. I just want to know that "I CAN do it". I will run 10 miles this Saturday & I'm confident that I'll be able to finish that run as well. I'm just taking things one day at a time right now. If I think about the whole 26.2 miles it seems impossible, but each time I run with my training team I feel myself "doing it" and I just tell myself to keep it up.
SOOOO, if your wondering WHO I'm training with, and why, you can check out my personal fundraising page right HERE. Yep, I said "fundraising" page. I'm really excited to have an opportunity to raise money to support such an awesome cause! Many of you know that I should have another "big sister", but I never had the privilege of getting to meet my oldest sister Andrea, because she died of leukemia before I was even born. The loss of Andrea was something that I always knew about, but because she died before I was born I don't think I put that connection together until I had my own children. I simply cannot imagine losing one of my children, and it breaks my heart even more to know that my own mother has had to feel that kind of heartache. My decision to train for and run a marathon through TNT is more than just a desire to "get fit", it's also a desire to see families given hope when they have a loved one dealing with this cancer. I feel like I am finally getting to do something for the sister I never got to meet. I may have been robbed of the opportunity to meet my sister, but I hope that in some small way by doing this marathon, I'm helping some other "sister" out there get the opportunity to meet her WHOLE family.
Thanks for taking the time to read my unusually long post! I'll be posting "training stories" and pictures in the near future, so keep an eye out for those. I promise to keep them entertaining-LOL!
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
The "Little White's" go back to school!
Two of the "3 Little White's" are back to school now.
He had NO IDEA what he was getting ready for!
I LOVE this picture!
...sniff......sniff!
The confident "returning" preschooler :-)
Waiting her turn...
"OK, MOM...you can LEAVE now!"
Answers to two of my most common questions:
1)NO, I do NOT have more "spare time" now that the kids are back in school (2 different schools + 2 different time schedules = most of my time is spent dropping off and picking up).
2)Yes, I love that they both get to go to school this year because they BOTH really needed some fun time & that's exactly what they are getting at Preschool. I can "get a break" when they are a little older ;-). The fact that they both ended up getting to go to school at all this year is really a blessing, so I'll try really hard to not complain about the different schedules.
He had NO IDEA what he was getting ready for!
I LOVE this picture!
...sniff......sniff!
The confident "returning" preschooler :-)
Waiting her turn...
"OK, MOM...you can LEAVE now!"
Answers to two of my most common questions:
1)NO, I do NOT have more "spare time" now that the kids are back in school (2 different schools + 2 different time schedules = most of my time is spent dropping off and picking up).
2)Yes, I love that they both get to go to school this year because they BOTH really needed some fun time & that's exactly what they are getting at Preschool. I can "get a break" when they are a little older ;-). The fact that they both ended up getting to go to school at all this year is really a blessing, so I'll try really hard to not complain about the different schedules.
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Reason #101 why buying a FORD is not a good idea!
The pictures pretty much tell the story :-(.
Last night at about 9:30 I made a run to the grocery store, while our friend Jenny stayed at home with the sleeping kiddos. I got my groceries, loaded them up, started the truck & then went to put it in reverse, when.....SNAP! The gear shift snapped & rotated, therefore refusing to let me budge it past neutral. NICE!
Here I was in a "not so nice" part of town, with a car full of groceries, stranded in the parking lot with a truck that won't shift. By this time it was almost 10:30 p.m. & I didn't have a lot of options of people to call to come and rescue me. I had to call my hubby, (who was out of town on a business trip) and ask him what to do next.
Thankfully, Jonathan was able to get a hold of a family friend who came to my rescue @ 11:00 p.m. Dave (my rescuer) couldn't figure out what the problem was either, so we just loaded up my groceries and headed home. But not before I had one last little freak out moment! I couldn't get my key out of the ignition because of the gear shift being stuck! Yep, I had to leave my truck in the Hy-Vee parking lot (in the ghetto) with the key IN the ignition!! I locked the doors and said a little prayer. I also ran back into the store to tell the night manager at the grocery store what was going on (they don't like you leaving your cars parked in the parking lot all night). Thankfully, she knows me pretty well (I usually do my grocery shopping between the hours of 10:00 p.m & 1:00 a.m) & she said she would try to keep an eye on my truck.
So....my wonderful hubby - aka: "knight in shining armor" - left Nebraska at 4:00 a.m this morning, so that he could get home in time for me to take the kids to school. Today was McKenna FIRST day of school & I REALLY didn't want her to have to miss it because of this. After we got the kids off to school, we went to our friendly "City Name Transmission" shop (400 yards from the parking lot where my broken down truck was resting), and made the necessary preparation to have the STUPID thing towed.
So, for those of you wondering... 57,000 miles is about all it takes for a piece of crap FORD to start falling apart! Geez, my trusty little Toyota has 180,000 miles and has NEVER, EVER, EVER been "in the shop". That's right folks, I've never had a single "repair" of any sort on my corolla. Now, that's my kind of car! I'll NEVER buy domestic ever again!
F -found
O-on
R -road
D -DEAD!
Last night at about 9:30 I made a run to the grocery store, while our friend Jenny stayed at home with the sleeping kiddos. I got my groceries, loaded them up, started the truck & then went to put it in reverse, when.....SNAP! The gear shift snapped & rotated, therefore refusing to let me budge it past neutral. NICE!
Here I was in a "not so nice" part of town, with a car full of groceries, stranded in the parking lot with a truck that won't shift. By this time it was almost 10:30 p.m. & I didn't have a lot of options of people to call to come and rescue me. I had to call my hubby, (who was out of town on a business trip) and ask him what to do next.
Thankfully, Jonathan was able to get a hold of a family friend who came to my rescue @ 11:00 p.m. Dave (my rescuer) couldn't figure out what the problem was either, so we just loaded up my groceries and headed home. But not before I had one last little freak out moment! I couldn't get my key out of the ignition because of the gear shift being stuck! Yep, I had to leave my truck in the Hy-Vee parking lot (in the ghetto) with the key IN the ignition!! I locked the doors and said a little prayer. I also ran back into the store to tell the night manager at the grocery store what was going on (they don't like you leaving your cars parked in the parking lot all night). Thankfully, she knows me pretty well (I usually do my grocery shopping between the hours of 10:00 p.m & 1:00 a.m) & she said she would try to keep an eye on my truck.
So....my wonderful hubby - aka: "knight in shining armor" - left Nebraska at 4:00 a.m this morning, so that he could get home in time for me to take the kids to school. Today was McKenna FIRST day of school & I REALLY didn't want her to have to miss it because of this. After we got the kids off to school, we went to our friendly "City Name Transmission" shop (400 yards from the parking lot where my broken down truck was resting), and made the necessary preparation to have the STUPID thing towed.
So, for those of you wondering... 57,000 miles is about all it takes for a piece of crap FORD to start falling apart! Geez, my trusty little Toyota has 180,000 miles and has NEVER, EVER, EVER been "in the shop". That's right folks, I've never had a single "repair" of any sort on my corolla. Now, that's my kind of car! I'll NEVER buy domestic ever again!
F -found
O-on
R -road
D -DEAD!
Friday, August 25, 2006
Diet Coke "Detox"
Day two - feeling ill.....the headache is getting worse & there is no amount of coffee that has been able to soothe the dull ache I feel on the sides of my head. I CAN DO THIS! Diet Coke...you are EVIL-I curse the day I got hooked on you! You have no power over me!!!
*WARNING TO ALL BLOG READERS: As you you now know, I am going through a diet coke de-tox. I may be a little grumpy for the next week or so. Forgive me if I'm crabby or short with you, it's really just my lack of "PHENYLALANINE-containing-carbonated-drugs" speaking. This could get really ugly! If you see me in person & I look like hell, or am exhibiting "withdrawal" symptoms...go ahead and laugh at me. I got myself into this situation & now I have to get myself out! It's all for a good cause! But, that's a story for another post...
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Party "do-over"
We DID get to throw a birthday party for Maya last weekend. Everyone was finally well and puke/fever-free for 48 hours-YAY! Although, I must admit after this last party I told myself "never again"! My house is just way too small for big party functions. I think I like the idea of having birthday parties somewhere else...where I don't have to do so much work!
Despite all the work, I think everyone had a good time. Except, maybe...the party girl :-(! Poor Maya has been working really hard on her first molars & the little thing was just a mess that day. I really felt bad for her.
Nothing made her happy. Nothing!
Not the cake!
Not even the removal of the obnoxious "Birthday Princess" hat.
We had to hurry through the cake and present time of the party, so I could put her to bed!!
THIS was the highlight of the whole party (for Maya at least). Our good friends Grant and Emma bought her a "Lily Leap Pad" doll & She LOVED it! This was the only gift that she even acknowledged that night (she found a deeper appreciation for the other gifts the next morning).
Yep, the birthday girl had to go to bed with all of her guests still "partying". But, I don't think she really cared. As soon as her little head hit the mattress, she was OUT! So, there you have it, proof that we really did have a "real" birthday party for little Maya. Maybe next year she will enjoy it a little more ;-).
Despite all the work, I think everyone had a good time. Except, maybe...the party girl :-(! Poor Maya has been working really hard on her first molars & the little thing was just a mess that day. I really felt bad for her.
Nothing made her happy. Nothing!
Not the cake!
Not even the removal of the obnoxious "Birthday Princess" hat.
We had to hurry through the cake and present time of the party, so I could put her to bed!!
THIS was the highlight of the whole party (for Maya at least). Our good friends Grant and Emma bought her a "Lily Leap Pad" doll & She LOVED it! This was the only gift that she even acknowledged that night (she found a deeper appreciation for the other gifts the next morning).
Yep, the birthday girl had to go to bed with all of her guests still "partying". But, I don't think she really cared. As soon as her little head hit the mattress, she was OUT! So, there you have it, proof that we really did have a "real" birthday party for little Maya. Maybe next year she will enjoy it a little more ;-).
Saturday, August 12, 2006
Now here we are today!
WOW! What a difference a year makes...
"Happy Birthday To You..."
Maya is our little "cupcake".
*I bought this "party dress" for Maya to wear for her big "bash" tonight...but, we had to cancel the party due to sickness. ALL THREE of my kiddos have come down with a little bug, and we didn't want our friends to get sick, so we rescheduled the party for next week. But...I just HAD to try out the new dress ON her birthday...
"I'm so pretty...."
"Oh, so pretty..."
"Oh....OK, MOM...that's enough with the camera in my face!"
*I make my cakes 24 hours in advance and we had to cancel the party this morning...AFTER I had made the cakes :-(. Anyone want some leftovers?
"Happy Birthday To You..."
Maya is our little "cupcake".
*I bought this "party dress" for Maya to wear for her big "bash" tonight...but, we had to cancel the party due to sickness. ALL THREE of my kiddos have come down with a little bug, and we didn't want our friends to get sick, so we rescheduled the party for next week. But...I just HAD to try out the new dress ON her birthday...
"I'm so pretty...."
"Oh, so pretty..."
"Oh....OK, MOM...that's enough with the camera in my face!"
*I make my cakes 24 hours in advance and we had to cancel the party this morning...AFTER I had made the cakes :-(. Anyone want some leftovers?
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