13.1 miles

I would like to thank first my husband for always believing in me and supporting my dreams of the half marathon, I thought of him often during my training on how he would not of let me quit. I would like to thank Ms. Robin Burcham for giving my best friend the idea on her death bed that running a marathon would be a great idea, and Michelle for encouraging me to do it because she had already paid for her ticket to come and see me and if she could do a 26.2 I could run a measly 13.1 miles. I would like to thank my mom for calling me after every long run on my training runs to see if I made it or was killed over on the trail. But mostly I would like to thank my idiotic dog - who pulled me and the stroller to a faster speed and wouldn't let me stop or I would fall straight on my face. And God - thank you for keeping me healthy and listening to all my prayers as I wondered why each miles was longer than the last.

Running a half marathon is much better now that I have done it and don't have to think about doing it. I would make myself laugh when I ran thinking of what my exceptance speech would be if I had finished - so I promised myself if I finish it without stopping I would blog it - taking all bad words out of course. I ran the 13.1 in 2 hours and 10 min. without stopping. To do a run like this was really all the hype people put it out to be - it was an amazing experience - I would be sad if I didn't do another one. There was 9000 people in all that ran, some doing a full marathon and some doing a 5k. - it went through Kansas City with bands playing and tons of people out cheering you on. It takes 10 weeks to train if you can run 3 miles now - if you can't run 3 now you have plenty enough time to get there before next summer. Seriously, if I can do it.......... (luv ya Shell)

I was tagged

4th folder - 4th picture

Brooke's last soccer game

Brooke had her last soccer game tonight. It was so cold - we were frozen by the time we got into the car. She actually got picked up by a scout that came and talked to me after the game on how they want her on their indoor soccer team. Can you say "full ride" :)

Cade and his pup

So more than a month ago the girls got to pick out a webkinz, which is their new favorite toy. Cade saw this pug and had to have it. We are far from a pug family even though we love dogs but in all of our desperate attempts to con him into choosing a different stuffed animal he had to have this one. I was thinking great he is going to take it home and never pick it up again and the girls don't want anything to do with it, all I need is another stuffed animal. To all of our surprise that dog hasn't left Cade sight or hands since. It has made it through the wash more than its fair share, it doesn't go to bed without me kissing it goodnight. We lost it in Hobby Lobby once and I thought it was as a good as gone until I could not get him to stop screaming about it in the car so I took him back to the store and he ran right to where he had left it. It loves to get its picture taken and it is also Stone's favorite toy - you constantly hear Cade yelling at the dog to "drop it" and "mom, stone has my pup".

Just scroll down our blog and see how many times you can find the pug in the picture :)

Pumpkin carving

We carved our pumpkins today. Rylie and Ashlynn did theirs all by their selves. Brooke did something a little harder so she needed some help. By the time we were done there were pumpkins seeds all over the floor, table and somehow Cade got them on the ceiling.

This dog is a pain in my bottom!!! But I am hooked what can you say

Girls Best Friend

Boys Best Friend

Pumpkin Patch

Ashlynn had her first field trip to the Pumpkin Patch with her kindergarten class. It was a great time! Isn't she such a pretty little girl. She is doing so good at school. I have been very impressed with her teacher lately. Ashlynn has decided that it isn't much fun not to have Dad around. Her teacher told me that she got sad at school the other day about it and asked me if we could bring a picture of Braum to put in her backpack so she could look at it when she gets sad. Last Friday she brought the picture to show-n-tell and cried when she told the class about him. They have started a group with the social worker at school where all the kids with deployed dads can get together and do fun stuff together. I think this has helped her open up at school about her dad being gone. But not to worry she is doing great! I am glad that she is not afraid to tell people she misses her dad, we all do. Only 6 more weekends to go :). She is still a little fire ball that just has a really big heart! I love her!!

Happy Birthday Gramere!

Okay my secret is out - I have been a little worried about myself lately and how I just don't feel myself. A big bawl baby actually which I can date back to the beginning of the year with Braum leaving in January. All those who have known and been a part of my year it seemed to spiral downward since then. Since I seem to treat this blog as our family journal I should blog this year and all the crazy just so one day when our kids look back on it they won't think I am making it all up. I feel like I could write a book, but I know we all don't have time to read it, and frankly those of you who have permission to get on my site have already heard it. I really have felt not myself, weak - sad - putting on a brave front - not dealing with things people put in front of me like I want to. Then - - I call my Gramere just to wish her a Happy Birthday ..... and I was blessed! Without her probably knowing what she was doing for me - she made me feel normal, strong, and most of all understood. Some years ago she herself left a strong supportive community in Japan to where she knew no one to a place in Colorado. She too had 4 kids and her husband left her to go to Vietnam. She couldn't talk to him everyday and writing letters was all she had. She was bound and determined to put 200 percent into taking care of their children. She didn't tell me anything anyone else already has, but I found truth in her words. There is nothing wrong with missing your husband you love deeply, and its not easy, one day at a time sometimes one hour at a time and the time will pass and we will make it through it. I haven't been broke. My kids depend on me and there is nothing wrong with them knowing I miss their dad. Jesus made tears and there is nothing wrong with using them. :)
- happy birthday Gramere ...... and thank you!

Brooke is 8

Brooke had her birthday party at her new gymnastic gym. She had a great time. There were 12 kids in all that came.

Happy Birthday Brooke!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BROOKE!

Happy Birthday Brooke! We love you so much - thanks for being you for the last 8 years. Our little girl that can let stuff roll of her back and has no problem speaking up when she feels the need. She loves to have fun catching frogs, playing with her friends, and is able to entertain herself! She loves to stick up for her family and hates to see people get hurt. You fit right in with our family and we wouldn't be the same without you!

Happy Late Birthday Green Team!

Pure Joy

Happy Birthday Lincoln - I am sorry we are so late, but I love the first picture of you and couldn't resist putting it up on your birthday month! We love you and miss you!

Brooke's Soccer

AGILITY

DETERMINATION

AGGRESSIVE

CELEBRATION

It was really hard for me not to make a slide show out of all the shots I got of Brooke during her game. Braum said it takes to long to load them up, but somehow Braum if you click on the picture it should take you to our web albums and you should see the rest of the pictures. If I am wrong in this will someone please post a comment on how you get to my web albums?? Brooke did great - she had one run where she was near her goal ran to catch the person who was already half the field up from her took the ball turned it and controlled it all the way to the net but the goalie stopped the goal. In the picture of her celebrating the other girl actually made the goal but Brooke took it and made the pass to her - she was so excited as you can see. It's so fun to watch the girls play soccer! We miss you daddy and cant' wait for you to come home - we hate that you miss it, but your girls are doing you proud!