Champion

"I hated every minute of training, but I said, "Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a CHAMPION." ~Muhammad Ali~

A friend of mine posted this comment on Facebook. It was particularly touching to me when I read it, especially in the midst of training for another half marathon.

I love running for many reasons (not that it is easy). I think it is most beneficial to my emotional well being. Sometimes I feel there is no other thing I can do quite like it to clear my head to relieve the stresses in my life. I love to be outside and as corny as it may sound I love to marvel at His creations. There are some amazing views from the routes I run. There is a spot from Bell Rd. that I can see the Cascade Range, the City's trees and fields, cows, horses and even deer. I am filled with gratitude every time I am out on the pavement. Amazed at the beauty around me, amazed with my body's ability...

My friend Emily and I at about mile 9 of 2008 Girlfriends Half Marathon. Finished in just under 2hrs and 9 minutes. Hope to beat it this year, as last year I ran on a hurt knee. But hey, I still feel like a champion!!!

Welcome...

Welcome Halloween!!!

Went to the store yesterday, and all the Halloween and Fall things were out on display. I decided I could wait no longer and told Avery after school that we could get out our Halloween decorations! The kids were seriously acting like it was Christmas. They were so funny.

My favorite door welcome sign....how often are you supposed to update these? I think I've had this one for 6 years. I still love it.


The kids with masks they made last year. Grace was actually walking around making Mummy sounds. Where do kids learn this stuff?



My all time favorite Halloween decor. A plaster of paris finger. This was actually a party invitation from 9 years ago. A group of us had an annual pumpkin carving party. It's amazing how competitive adults can get with pumpkins....but so fun.

I always loved this garland around my chandelier. I think Hill bought this for me one year....

I guess I didn't get in too many pictures of pumpkins, but you get the picture...

Happy Fall!

Dreaming

Brian is currently dreaming of one of these.....

He's been contemplating selling the boat (named 50 cent, because it runs 50 percent of the time)
and buying a Mustang to work on with Jake.

We took a look at this one in Sheridan on the way home from the beach.




Automatic

I love cars......as does my Father. And if you know him, you know that is an understatement. I would go so far as to say he is almost an expert. His knowledge really amazes me (and not just about cars, but that's for another post). I told him about Bri's latest venture, and he had a find for us the next morning at 8:30am. I think Brian and Dad will take a look at it tomorrow.

Will let you know.

Progress

Brian and I were able to take a quick day trip down to the cabin to see the progress. We totally lucked out and it was absolutely one of the nicest days of the year on the coast. 85 degrees with no wind! Just beautiful. This little cabin has taken on such a transformation, yet still retaining its original charm! Scott has done an amazing job heading up the project.

The view from the drive way at the front door. They were putting on a deck the day we got there.



The view from the street below. There will be a bunk room, washer/dryer, bathroom, and mini kitchen down there.


The sleeping loft above the living area.

View from the living room. The house you can see out the window just went up this year also.... It didn't block the view nearly what I thought it would.

The Pacific Ocean from the nook.

We continue to feel so very fortunate to have been able to use this wonderful cabin and can't even tell you the excitement we have about it for the future!

On the way home, Bri and I stopped at Roseanne's to celebrate a belated 12th anniversary. Got to go to soccer practice and back to school night on our actual anniversary ;) ...... What a fitting place to do it. We have a lot to be grateful for.

To Music....Oaks Amusement Park

Sorry for the original post with no words.... I had just finished completing the blog, when my computer froze and all my commentary was lost. So I begin again.

With two of the three being in full time school, I now have a little more uninterrupted time to do many things, one of which is going to be working on my blog/journal. I wanted to include some of the things we did over the summer.....

Yes, I finally did it. Took the kids to Oaks Amusement Park! I haven't been here in years, in fact the last time I was here I didn't even have kids! I was working at an elementary after school program while I was finishing up my degree. This is where I met Nell, one of my longest and dearest friends in Oregon. We met her and Leslie, another longtime friend, at the park at the end of this summer. At the risk of sounding cheesy, it's kind of amazing to see how far we've come from those days of working at Duniway..... Husbands, Kids, Houses, Degrees (Nell's a Masters) and pets.

It's such an interesting feeling to see your children playing with you friend's children. It made me feel a tad old, but also really accomplished. In any event, everyone had a really good time.

All the kids, minus Allyssa (in the front pack) on the Frog Hopper. Their height restrictions were somewhat, oh how do I say this, ambiguous?

My two year old 25 feet in the air with only a little bar holding her in place.... what kind of mother am I?

Ella, Madelyn, Avery and Grace with Smokey

Chandler was an old pro at the roller coaster and showed Jake the ropes around the park.

This little funny mirror seriously kept them entertained for 30 minutes.

This will have to do....as we do not have Disneyland planned for a few more years:) Although Kiran says that's overrated too.

Go Pink Lightning, Go Titans

Not a bad way to start out the season!!

Pink lightning's record: 1-0!

Titan's record: 1-0!

I generally hate talking about the weather....but it was just sunny and beautiful for the games. Avery had a 8:30am game and Jake's not till 10:50... What else to do with an hour to kill in between games?? McDonalds Breakfast of course. I generally am not a fan of McDonalds.....but their breakfast menu is to die for... The sausage McGriddle.

Might I digress, I was talking about Soccer right?

This is Avery's first year to play on a Soccer team and she is just the cutest. Those 6-8 year old girls can really be aggressive. She's smack in the middle of the picture.



Avery especially fond of the number six, she's six you know.


She did have a brief moment of acting like a dog (only the top paws) but then shortly got into the game. She blocked three or four goals!! And wasn't the least bit scared of the ball.

Running in for water.

Pep talk from Coach Emily

Jake, the seasoned soccer player, is excited to be on a team with a few of his good friends. Brian helped coach his side of the field and Jake scored one goal. That kid is such a hustler!!

Squaring up on the ball.

Max, Kelvin, and Jake...

Two kids in sports....... I think I will encourage Grace to be a TV watcher??

And So It Begins...

Two kids in full time school!!! Can hardly believe it.

Avery in 1st grade with Mrs. Kluver (Jake's teacher from last year) and Jake in 2nd grade with Ms. Kelly. I think it's gonna be a great year with great teachers and fun friends in their classes.

Asked Jake to put his arm around his sister for the picture, and he actually did it !!!!!! I can only imagine how Avery felt. She idolizes her older brother (when he's not being mean to her)


1st day of school outfit. Brown dress and pink leggings. She wanted to wear a sweat suite..... I vetoed it!


One more arm picture.

Jake's 1st day of school Mario shirt. Gaynea Shirli made it for him and he was so proud to wear it.

The backpack shot.

Grace also wanted a picture taken before we walked to school.

The cutest fairy shirts and striped skirts my mom embellished. The girls got so many compliments on them! Great back to school outfits for the future.

Mom made the trip down to give them their school clothes and go to get Avery's hair cut.

I was almost giddy with excitement.....got the kids to school and soooo much that I could accomplish with sooo much time. We went to Ray's fruit stand, came home to put groceries away, and Grace knocked over the bar stool and broke it in half. Guess that I will be fixing a chair today. So much for an unplanned day.... but even that couldn't kill the mood :)

Now with a little extra time, will be updating the blog from more of our summer fun adventures.