Basketball, anyone?

Dinah had it in her head to get tickets from a coworker and take ME to the SEC basketball tourney for my birthday (as a surprise). It didn't work out for her and she couldn't go but she got the tickets for me anyway (for my birthday). Good for her, because I think Adam would have killed her if I took off to watch AU basketball while he sat home with the kiddos. I decided to surprise Adam and take him. I asked him the day before if he wanted to have lunch with me and I called his boss to let her know he would not be coming back. We drove to the restaurant and just as he was about to open the door, I pulled out the tickets and asked him if would rather go there. Duh! He had been hinting about getting tickets but to be honest, basketball is about the last sport I would willingly submit to watching, next to golf. So, I brought a book with me:0)

He spent the drive over filling me in on all the senarios...yada, yada, yada. He was excited!

We sat through the first session which was two games. Surprisingly, I got into it a little bit and didn't read at all. I took pics of all the mascots and watched the coaches and cheerleaders. There is just something about being in the college sport environment. After the first session, we had a break so we walked down to some restaurants and got some dinner and then headed back to the arena for two more games. Ours was the 9:45 PM game against Florida and we were sitting in the Gator section. It was an awesome game and we won it close. So, even though we didn't make the tournament, we beat the Gators and that, my friends, is worth it!

Run Like a Girl.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." Hebrews 12:1

13.1 Miles? Yep.

Looking back, four months is really not sufficient for taking on a run like this. I guess it might be if you plan to walk part of it or if you have a significant base built. I don't fall into either of those categories. I have never been a runner or any other kind of serious athlete. I would call myself athletic. I enjoy sports and can perform moderately well at most of them. I can hit a ball, catch and throw. I can play volleyball to an extent, and I enjoy playing kickball, flag football or whatever when we get together with a group of friends. In high school, I was a cheerleader. We competed so we had to have enough of a cardio base to get through about a 5 minute routine with dancing and in my case, lifting. We had to weight train and run about 2 miles a few times/week. So, It's safe to say that although I may have looked fit, I have never been what I would now define as "in shape."

All that being said, I set out on this mission with one goal...to run the whole thing. Aside from about a 20 second stop to stretch my knee, yes, my knee, I ran the whole thing. There were moments when my speed may not have been classified as running but I kept to the course laid before me. I ran with another girl, Jen. She is a teacher at our kid's school. She went out pretty fast. To be honest I thought I was going to have to let her leave me if I was going to finish the run. I never would have paced myself that fast if I were running on my own. Into the 10th mile, I was glad we had gone out so fast because my speed was steadily declining and my knees were more than feeling the pain of all the hills I had not trained for.

There were 4 long, winding over passes in addition to two pretty steep hills we had to conquer. They were spread throughout the course and there was one in the last 3/4 mile. We started outside of EPCOT and ran about 3 miles to Magic Kingdom, down Main Street, through Tomorrow and Fantasy Lands , around the castle, and through Frontier Land out the back past all the floats (not so magical in the daytime) and just kept running until we were back over by Epcot where we ran around Spaceship Earth. At this point, my watch was telling me I had just 1/2 mile left so I started running hard. I got to 13.1 miles according to Garmin and there was no finish line in sight! I yelled to one of the workers on the side line, "WHERE is the FINISH LINE?" I still had 2/10 of a mile...quite deflating. Never the less, I made it. I ran across the finish to the sight of my husband, all of my children and my mom and Joe, who all surprised me by buying their way into the finish line stands...all wearing "cheer squad" t-shirts and yelling encouragement to me! Andy was also there in the crowd. My official chip time was 2:28:38. BUT, I ran an extra 2/10mi. So, I actually paced 11:09/mile...only 9 seconds off what I wanted to pace in my "for real goal" which I kept to myself until now. My *NEW* goal is to do this race each year and, by the time I am 35 be able to run it pacing 9:30/mile.

I have to give props to Lisa who also ran but left us in the dust! And, I leave you with this:

"Toenails are indeed for sissies!"

(Tick)led.

We went camping...to central Florida...there were ticks...lots of them. We picked about 6-8 off each of the boys. Ellie and I both had one in our hair. Adam had two and Ruthie escaped without any. This was the first time we were able to go with a group of families from our church that go several times a year. In the past it just never fit into our schedule. This time was really no different. It didn't fit but we made it happen for one night and we had a nice time.

I insisted I take Gracious with me as a reward for her good behavior at school and she was so good! The kids all had fun playing with their friends that they only get to see at church. I use the word only loosely since we are there twice a week and sometimes more:0) For some reason, sleeping in a tent is the ultimate adventure for children and so nothing can dampen the fun, not even ticks!

We camped out, cooked out, played football and swam illegally in the springs. Of course at the time, although we knew we were not supposed to swim there, we did not know it was illegal! We packed our crew up after dinner on Saturday and headed back to civilization in time to kick off Global Focus week at church. We meaning: Adam, me, Ruthie, Rusty, Flip, Ellie, Grace, and all the ticks, of course.

Magical

We did Disney, again. It was different this time. I was much more low key, Adam and I were both training for different events and trying to get workouts in. We had various illnesses. We lost a child at one point. We had different ages, heights, and interests. But, we had a blast!

Just before we left, Ruthie came down with a pretty bad virus and she had a very high fever for about 2 days followed by congestion and a cough. I took her to the doc thinking that if we are all going to get this then I wanted to have whatever antibiotics I needed BEFORE we left. The doctor said, nothing would make it go away, just let it run it's course and treat the symptoms...great. So, wee took off for 8 days in the Orlando area but what we experienced was a lot different than the Disney boot camp my family is used to.

We started out at the Hoop Dee Doo musical revue at Ft. Wilderness. It was something we had never done and it was a lot of fun! The next day we hit one of the Disney water parks. Although the high got into the 80's it was a little chilly but we had a lot of fun! We ended the day with what they call a garbage pail...it's a small bucket filled with soft serve, fudge caramel, cookies, waffles, etc. We all shared it and it was awesome!

We ventured into the parks most of the other days but we did try Disney Quest this time and it was fun but by this point, both Rusty and myself were sick. I was popping Dayquil and Rusty was alternating Motrin and Tylenol. Ruthie and I created our virtual roller coater and then rode it in a simulator. We also conquered pirates on the open sea as a family and Adam and I found that we are compatible as a couple by killing spiders and other creatures in some weird video game! It was good reassurance after 10 years of marriage.

Ellie absolutely loved all of the characters. She ran right up to them and kissed and hugged them and even cried when we had to walk away from Stitch. I'm not sure why she chose him to like best over all the others but he was the most special of the trip! So, I would have to say that the characters were her favorite part. For the others, Ruthie really loves roller coasters and if she had to pick probably the Rockin' Roller coaster at Hollywood Studios. Rusty probably enjoyed Fast Track at Epcot the most while Flip loved the new Toy Story ride at Hollywood Studios. Adam loves all the fast paced rides but he really like Toy Story as well and I think he liked the new American Idol experience at the same park. For myself. I love all of the shows...especially the closing shows...

So, we finished off the week with a movie and souvenir shopping at Downtown Disney and then, HOME!

Hoop Dee Doo Hoe Down!

Blizzard Beach...Brrrr.

My First time..."Mommy, Mickey!"

I really Love Stitch.

But, I love you more.

Power Up!

Kiss and Hug.

All smiles.

Faster...

See you real soon!

AWANA win!

I just wanted to touch on our AWANA games. Each year kids from AWANA programs at various churches get together to compete in a sort of Olympics. The games are silly for the most part...bean bag on the head, crab walking, volleying a balloon...you get the point. Although the games are silly, some of us take them very seriously! Adam has been coaching the Truth IN Training boys (3rd-6th Grade) for several years and has yet to win the title. It should have happened this year but of course, the refs cheated!!! I'm not sure if this is all the reason, but if you ask the coaches, or any of the team, it is the ONLY reason:0)

Ruthie competed in the T IN T girls group for the first time and she did well in her events placing second in a 3 lap individual race. She, however, has her father's competitive spirit and in the end, there were tears of frustration that victory eluded her team. Rusty also competed but in the Sparks level and he also had moments of frustration but it was all made better when his Daddy's team needed an extra body and he was "called up" to play in the big leagues upon the completion of his games!

Me? Well, I get excited to go and sit in the stands and scream my head off! Yes, I am one of those moms! I was a little horse afterward and wasn't sure if it was from all the yelling or if I was getting sick...turns out, it was both!

So, we look forward to this each year...the kids train for the games from the beginning of school until about this time and they look forward to going and WINNING...but, not this time...maybe next year!

A Reprieve.

Ellie went to the doctor yesterday...we got to see the head honcho and my favorite doc. I told her what the other doc said about possibly sending Ellie to an endocrinologist because she is not growing at a steady pace. She managed to pack on an astounding half pound but she grew a whole inch! So, she now weighs a whopping 24 lbs. (or lubs as some might say;) and is a staggering 33 inches tall. Our pediatrician is not really in a big hurry to send her to the specialist. She (as well as Adam and myself) is against giving children growth hormones UNLESS they have a deficiency. Most endo docs will recommend the hormones to ANY child who falls below the growth curve regardless of a deficiency. So, she is giving us a three month reprieve. I will take her back for measurements at that time and we will reassess the situation then. In the mean time, we will continue to push Pediasure instead of milk and make the most of all of her calories.

On a related note, when we got to the doctor Ellie looked at me and asked, "Mommy, I get owie today?" Hmmmm...I told her yes, she did have to get some shots...the child is like an elephant...she has never forgotten that first trip or any of the vaccinations since. I asked her if she was going to cry and she shook her head no. I said, "oh, you're going to be brave?" She told me yes. Well, the tech came in the room and before he could even set the tray on the table, her face cracked. Poor thing...bless her little heart. I scooped her up as soon as it was over and she looked at me and said, "I call daddy now." This is what we did after the last set of shots and just telling him all about the pain somehow makes it all better.

All Banged Up.

Ok, so I made the classic mistake...I cut my daughter's hair...

A little background...A while back, Ruthie busted her head open doing back flips into the pool...my mom shaved just a little bit of her hair to see what the damage was and determine if we needed to make a trip to the ER...we did and she had stitches...so, she has to wear her hair completely back for gym and often times I just fix it that way in the morning before school so we don't have to rush in the afternoon. Well, she had just this one little section falling onto her forehead and I asked her if she wanted some bangs until it was all grown out. It was first thing in the morning...we were trying to get out the door and it was wet!!! I just grabbed the scissors and made the cut...kind of like pulling off a band aid. Hmmmmm...I'll just say that they weren't as short as the girls in Russia, they weren't as straight either...but, rather than try to straighten them (we all know how that ends) I just said, "Ah, very European." She has gotten lots of compliments and it really does look cute but, I have learned my lesson...it isn't just Flip who should stay away from people's heads with the scissors.

My Sweet Boy.

Rusty earns money in class...not real money, just these little laminated pictures of coins. They earn them for turning in homework, having their agenda signed, being on task...etc. It is mostly a personal responsibility reward system his teacher has set up. The kids keep a balance in their check book and they are allowed to shop in the store on Fridays if they have turned in their homework that week.

At the beginning of the year Rusty told me they had Webkinz in the classroom store and he was going to save up for one of them. I thought that was a great idea...I mean really, saving is a very hard thing for one so young. Anyway, he had saved up quite a chunk of money. He needed $11.00 for the small Webkinz. Now, he earns a nickle here, a quarter there so really this is quite an accomplishment! On Friday, he got into the car and he had a plastic grocery sack and huge grin with him! He opened up the sack and do you think he pulled out a Webkinz? No, he pulls out a little bath basket with bath beads, lotion, shower gel and scrubby. The scent was Sweet Pea, one of my favorites...He looks at me and he says, "I decided I didn't need another Webkinz, Mommy. I wanted to buy this for you." Tears! He continues, "I wanted to buy Daddy something too but they didn't have anything I thought he would like." I asked him how much of his money he had to spend...$5.00...that's half of what he has saved...Tears!

Ruthie begins to admire my little basket and smell the lotion...Rusty notices...He says, "there is another one at the store, next week I am going to buy it for you Ruthie...and he did...That is MY sweet boy! He's got my heart all wrapped up and tucked safely into his pocket everyday...

Feelin' Smugg.

Over MLK we went to Smuggler's Notch, Vermont...this has become somewhat of a tradition. It is our fourth annual trip. This year held new adventures for the kids...Ruthie is skiing unbelievably well...she has excellent control in her turns and more importantly, she can control her down-hill speed as well. Rusty is a good skier also but he loves the speed and approaches it all more matter-of-fact...like, yea, I can ski. He sort of heads straight down the mountain with very little side to side motion (which is what the instructors teach them to do to control there speed) and he get down safely and quickly. Flip, however, looks at skiing like he looks at most things in life...it's a race. We only got to ski with Flip for a very little time but each day when we picked him up from the kid's camp, he would inform us which "place" he came in on each of his runs down the mountain. We would then hear a blow by blow of who "wrecked," who "wrecked him," and who had the "pole position." I would repeatedly explain to him that it is not a race and that Miss Naomi who taught him last year and remembered him and Grant was trying to teach him to be safe. He of course replied logically, " I know that's why I wear this helmet!"


This year, My uncle Rick joined us as did my cousin, Cherri and her new little guy Ricky. Each day Cherri and I took her little one and my little one to the day care center they call Treasures. When I walked in the first day, I recognized one of the nannies in Ellie's room and I told her I remembered when she had Flip. She remembered him! How funny. She said, "Who could ever forget Flip?" Who indeed. Ellie really looked forward to going over there each day and took all the cold weather and bundling up in stride. Next year, she will be on skis too.

Other high lights include: Parent/child races in the play zone, tubing (which Ellie didn't like at first but then loved!), getting to know Mogul Mouse and loving him, toe warmers, Jacki's crash into the trees, flight delays and turbulence (which makes me sick to even think about it was so bad!)

It's All About Flip!

Yes, indeed, he is FIVE! We had a whirlwind weekend starting on Thursday when Flip and I hopped in the car and drove to Disney World for his "free" day at The Magic Kingdom. We wandered the park and started at a ride I had never done before...the astro orbiter that sits on top of the Lunch Pad. It is no big deal but it always has a long line and it moves very slowly!!! On the way Flip informed me that Daddy had told him it was his birthday and he could do whatever he wants..."and I want to ride the race cars...LOTS!" We did....4 times to be exact. We even sat at some tables overlooking the race track while we ate our lunch that we brought from home. If you haven't been, this ride leaves a little to be desired for most adults. The line is usually considerable, the fumes are disgusting and the ride is none too exhilarating...but to a newly turned five year old it is the equivalent of Daytona.

Other highlights of the day include the tea cups which he was fearless on and loved being spun as fast as I could possibly get them to go. We rode Space mountain but skipped Big Thunder...we're saving that for our Feb trip! His constant chatter was endearing to me on this day where as usually I am just beside myself answering his constant questions and following his sometimes confusing string of conversation. He was taking it all in, never getting tired and embarrassed to ride in the stroller I brought, just in case. "Mommy, do you see ANY big kids riding in strollers around here?" No, Flip...none as BIG as you!

We were late getting to the night parade...enjoying one last ride before closing down the park and I had to hold him on my shoulders for the entire 30 minutes of lighted Disney Magic. I have a new respect for my husband who usually does this dastardly deed...I thought I was going to expire right there...or blow out my back at the very least!

Although the crowd through out the day was considerable, we didn't have to wait longer than 20 minutes to ride anything! We finished off the night with the fire works and as many times as I have seen this particular light display, it still amazes me...Disney sure can close down in style!

So that was Thursday...Friday I kept him home to let him sleep...he was snoozin' soundly before I hit the interstate. On Saturday, we went to the circus...one of my mom's gifts to us every Christmas...This year it was Ellie's first time and although she loved the sights, she was more fascinated by the snacks. Our pediatrician has us a bit worried about her growth and so, I have made every effort to make sure all her calories are good ones that will encourage her to gain weight and grow big...as a result, she doesn't get to fill up on things like cotton candy, pop corn and snow cones...but what is the circus with out all of those yummy things? By the end of intermission she had eaten herself into a coma and missed most of the second act!

On Sunday, we had "Flip's Fall back into Fall Fun-time Birthday Bash!" Back in October Flip looked at me and in all seriousness told me he wanted to have a Halloween party for his birthday...in January? So, right after Halloween, I went out and bought up a bunch of fall decorations and we decided to make it a fall carnival theme...the kids dressed up and we had activities like bobbing for apples, a scarecrow craft, potato sack races and they all made caramel apples topped with chocolate chips, marshmallows and other wonderful treats. My mom made these really cute cardboard cutouts for the kids to pose behind. Adam and I dressed up with all of the kids...we finished the party off with an old fashioned game of musical chairs and a good time was had by all! Happy birthday little Man! Good grief, I love that kid!

The whole crew.

Our gang: Incognito

Rangers, Power UP!

For Meagen...she knows why!

Can we get back to the fun stuff?

Cheater, cheater, apple eater!

FIVE!









Just another lady-bug nibbling on an apple.

What party is complete without a melt-down?