My Return...

I'm back!!! I have totally been neglecting my blog and most of you will understand and probably even be thrilled to hear why...here it comes...I just finished the "Twilight" series!!! I can't really put into words how great these books are. I didn't read them for a long time because they really didn't sound like something I would be into but I was so very wrong. That could be a post all it's own but I don't think I could write something that hasn't already been written. I will just say that I have joined the many fans that can't wait for the next book.

We have been having such a ball here. The weather has been nice with rainy days mixed in now and then. Caden finished preschool for the year and Brady got through his finals, so now we are just enjoying some time together. We have had some cook outs, a camping trip, went to the Indy 500 Parade, and spent plenty of time in the sun. Have I mentioned before how much I love summer???

I have some pics to share of all the fun things we have been doing but I will get to that tomorrow hopefully.

Here are the promised pictures.

Caden enjoying nature.

The kids chillin in the bike trailer. The big boys just before their ride.
Kamrie at the fountain, waiting for the parade to start.Our little family watching the parade.Kamrie and one of her favorite pals, Jonen (Jon)

Kamrie with her other favorite pal, Liny (Lindy)

The "Mini" Recap

I DID IT!!! Saturday was the day...we got up bright and early, (about 5:30 a.m.) got ready, and made our way downtown despite all the road closers. We had a little setback because we forgot our dental school parking pass so we had to search for a parking place, but we finally parked and started our warm up walk/jog to the starting line where we met up with the other 35,000+ participants. I was placed in Corral X, which was really far from the starting line so we didn't actually start the race until about 30 minutes into it. Once we actually crossed the starting line we had to do a lot of weaving in and out of people because we had started back with the "walkers." Because of all the weaving, our first mile took us longer than ever but once we passed a bunch of people we were able to settle into a better pace for ourselves. There were bands by the side of the road playing all kinds of tunes, people lining the streets cheering everyone on, and even kids standing with their hands outstreached waiting for a high 5. These little highlights and more made the race so memorable. Just after starting mile 6 we entered the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (for those of you who don't know, this is where the famous Indy 500 and NASCAR Brickyard Race take place). The track (speedway) seemed to last forever but we made it out and had just under 5 miles left. Things were going great and then I hit the wall...at mile 11 I hit a point where it seemed like every step was an eternity. I kept looking for the "12" mile marker and it seemed to be avoiding me. I ran for what seemed like days when I finally saw it in the distance I thought to myself, "Only 1.1 miles left I can do that, no problem." It was totally a mental struggle for the rest of the race. My body kept wanting to stop but my mind continued to override that desire. When there was about 1/2 mile left I gave myself a few seconds to walk, I was worried I wouldn't get going again but I did and Iwas surprised when I had enough energy to sprint (at least the closest thing you can do to sprining after runing 13 miles) the last 1/4mi. When I saw the finish line I can't explain the flood of excitment that ran through me. After crossing the finish line there are tons of volunteers handing out bottles of water, medals, bananas, apples, chips, gatoraide, and cookies. They dote on you, tell you great job and congrats, and make you feel like a million bucks. After that you get to go to the family reunion area to meet your family. This was definitely a highlight for me...As soon as I came through the gate my amazing husband and beautiful kids were standing there with flowers and open arms. It was so great to have them there and feel the excitment they felt for me. I loved this experience. Although at times I haven't always looked forward to the training, I loved it. I loved the anticipation building up to the big day, I loved the actual race, between mile 11 and 12 I wanted to die, but I loved it. I am so amazed at what your body can do when you train it and I'm even more amazed that I was able to do it. It is not just something I hear about anymore It is real for me. All of you that told me you are thinking about doing this...DO IT! I couldn't be more excited for those of you that are training, you will love it. Oh, I almost forgot, of course all of you I'm sure want to know how I finished...well I am proud to say that I came in 7225 place. Okay so that makes it sound bad but my goal was to finish in under 2 hours and I did it...my final time was 1:58:18. Here are some pictures of the big day.

The Finish Line before the heards started crossing.

Caden and Kamrie watching and waiting for me to run by.

The moment they had been waiting for. Brady said he actually got a little motion sick scanning all the heads as people ran by.

A couple of us from the dental group that ran, after the race. There were actually quite a few of us...I wish I had a picture with everyone in it.

My training partner and friend Aimee and I just after finishing.

I guess there are pictures taken as you actually cross the finish line but they aren't up on the website yet so I will have to post them (if I can) when they are up.

It's Here Already!

Well, it's almost here! This Saturday is the day so ready or not, after Saturday morning, I will have finished (hopefully) my first mini-marathon. I am anxious and pretty excited. I feel like I am really as prepared as I can be... I started late with my training but I have been able to get some long runs in and feel like I will be able to finish. I really have no goal for time I just hope to be able to finish the race strong and not have to crawl across the finish line or have the bus pick me up HOURS after I start. Right now I am in a whirl wind of trying to find out just what training is best right before the race, what to eat to fuel my body, and what to wear. It seems like everyone that has done a mini before has their idea of what is best and there really are no two that are exactly the same. So with with no experience and a whole lot of advice I will jump in with both feet and do my best. Wish me luck!

FRIENDS

So there is a disclaimer that goes along with this post...if you hate mushy girly stuff and you are inclined to make fun of things of a sentimental nature especially when they are posted for all the world to see, move on and pretend this post doesn't exist. This isn't my typical update or "this is how adorable my kids are this week" post. I have been thinking a lot lately and I cannot shake this feeling I am experiencing so on the blog it goes for all the world to see. Since I have been married I have lived in a lot of places and been blessed with many many friends (you all know who you are). Here comes the mush...I have been so very blessed at every single step in my journey. From all the way back to grade school and up through college, I always had some of the most fun, uplifting, and wacky friends who made life seem brighter just because they were there. When that part of my journey ended and I started moving around the country with Brady I found new friends at each little stop we made no matter how short the duration. And still, those friends from before remained in my heart, they were and still aren't replaced. With each new addition to my "Friend Pot" the place in my heart where I keep them just grows to accommodate the new found addition. As the school year comes to a close there are many who will be leaving, some sooner than others, whom I will miss dearly and as they go our turn comes a little closer. I am getting anxious to start a new chapter in our lives but can not tell all of you how your friendship has shaped who I am becoming. From the Costco pizza and hot dogs, the late night Cheesecake Factory indulgences, the chats at the park or in a car as we drive to some activity, the food you share when you just have to much, the American Idol shows you tape and share so I won't miss it, the kind words and sweet things you do for my kids...they love you all like family, the invites to have dinner or dessert or to share in your date night, the early morning runs, the late night talks, the email jokes you send and the comments that you leave on my blog. All these things and so much more brighten my world and make me want to be a better friend. So mushy, mushy, mushy...I love you all and just want to post a gigantic THANK YOU to everyone. By just being you, you make my life better.

I haven't posted in a while and I saw this on a good friend's blog so I thought I'd give it a try. You can only use one word to answer so they are kind of tricky.

1. Where is your cell phone? nonexistent
2. Your significant other? Brady
3. Your hair? Brown
4. Your mother? BFF
5. Your father? hilarious
6. Your favorite thing? family
7. Your dream last night? forgotten
8. Your favorite drink? water
9. Your dream/goal? mini-marathon
10. The room you're in? office
11. Your exes? friends
12. Your fear? loniness
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? home (wherever that is???)
14. Where were you last night? out
15. What you're not? patient (i'm learning)
16. Muffins? blueberry
17. One of your wish list items? house
18. Where you grew up? BL
19. The last thing you did? cleaned
20. What are you wearing? casual
21. Your TV? off
22. Your pets?kids
23. Your computer? works
24. Your life? content
25. Your mood? chillin
26. Missing someone? always
27. Your car? van
28. Something you're not wearing? shoes
29 Favorite store? many
30. Your summer? exciting
31. Like someone? sure
32. Your favorite color? yellow
33. When is the last time you laughed? today
34. Last time you cried? sunday
35. Who will/would re-post this? unknown

Update

I haven't blogged the everyday happenings in our lives for a while so I decided to do a little picture update. It's a little lengthy so just look at the pictures for the quick version.

*Caden has been really interested in taking pictures lately. He steals the camera every chance he gets and snaps some photos. His favorite two subjects...

Kamrie &

Spider man.

He's getting pretty good. Grandpa Steve would be very proud.

**We had another little bout with ear infection so poor Kamrie was down for a day or so. Her ears have been much worse than Caden's but she never acts like she is in pain. The only way I know anything is wring is the crazy high (like 104.8) temperature she gets. We have the routine down...keep the temp. under control until we can get her to the doctor, start an antibiotic, and she is better in no time. These pictures are so heartbreaking but I just had to share how adorably lethargic she was.

I was trying to get her to eat something but this was about the most interest I got out of her the entire meal. No objection really, just complete lack of interest.

Poor, poor girl!

***Caden got to attend a very "big boy" pirate birthday party. One of his very favorite friends out here who is quite a bit older but very good to Caden had an awesome party. The memory of the party lives on as he still dresses up and talks about the party often.

They all looked like this when I picked him up from the party. How fun!!!

Kamrie had to be a part of it all so here is her pirate suit.

****We finally got some warm weather here so we have spent a lot of time outside in the last couple weeks. The kids have loved it and I have to say the sunshine does a lot to brighten my world too. Here are some things things we've done outside...

Caden trying to perfect the art of kite flying. This usually involves getting the string really short and running as fast as he can to keep the kite in the air.

One of Kamrie's favorites...playing in the wagon full of rain water.

Caden and Daddy setting off a rocket he made at preschool. It was a hit.

Running, running, and more running!

And playing at the playground with friends.

All in all we have been keeping ourselves busy and having a wonderful spring. I didn't get any pictures of these ones but we also took a long overdue trip to the children's museum to check out the Curious George exhibit and took a trip to a local park to go hiking and play baseball. There has been studying, training for the mini, dinners with friends old and new, setting up summer externships, and vacation plans as well. We are looking forward to traveling to Idaho and Utah in June to my little sisters wedding and can't wait to see all the family and friends that are there.

The Big Decision

Thanks everyone for the feedback on the the mini -marathon post. I have decided to do it!!! I figure there are no rules that state I can't walk if I'm dying and this is probably a once in a lifetime chance. I'm going to take it! So a good friend and I have been training and I am excited to say that things are going pretty well. On Saturday we did a 10 mile run and despite the fact that my body wanted to stop we made it and I felt great after accomplishing such a huge goal. The weather is getting better and better here so we can run outside and that makes a huge difference. Thanks again for all the encouragement, I will keep you all posted.