Long Overdue Catch-up post

How can our summer have gone by so fast!?

We've been go-go-go-go since the middle of May! Even before school was "officially" over!

My mom arrived on Wednesday May 20th and we left directly from the airport for Iowa. After two days of driving, we arrived...tired, messy, but oh so happy to see Aunt Angie and Cousin Noah. We spent two days in Pella before heading for Altoona and the Dykstra Clan. Aunt Maribeth was graduating from high school and we were to spend the weekend with them. Many spoilings, gifts, and graduation parties later, we were back in the car on our way to Illinois.

Although only 20 miles from our old home in Plano, we didn't make it back to see friends. :( We crashed at the hotel and got ready for my cousin Katie's beautiful wedding. It was a wonderful wedding with many happy tears and laughs as the bride and her father (battling lymphoma) took to the dance floor followed by my little footloose and fancyfree kids. :) From the reception we took off for Michigan and more family time.

We had a great visit and a number of memorable momments, including a priceless moment from Hannah. My uncle Jim had a stroke many years ago and has many aids around the house to help in daily living. Hannah headed for the bathroom the first evening, and as usual, with the door wide open. Soon we heard, "Hey guys! Check it out! There's an arm rest on this toilet! Come see!" We just about died laughing. I finally had to go in there, observe the wonderful thing and how it could be used. :) Quite the kiddo!
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Of course, Isaac had many memorable momments as well. Including when he was being restrained from running crazy around the nursing home and he started yelling, "Let my people go!!" Oh dear...what will they come up with next. :)

The 2009 Zoo Run Run

At the last minute I actually changed to the 5K from the 10K. They close that race at 1:15 and I was just worried about squeaking in under that time. So...Chip pick up was from 7-8:15 and the race was to start at 8:30. All the info was that parking would take 45 mins and we live about 25 mins away.

So at 6:25, I downed a bowl of oatmeal, and headed out the door. Made it to the zoo in 20 mins, parking took all of 30 seconds...and there I sat...what to do now for the next hour and a half!? At this point, I almost considered changing back to the 10K, but knew that mentally I just wasn't ready...seeing all these long lanky runners wasn't helping!

So at 7:15 I wandered over and picked up my chip, wandered back to the car, sent some texts, tried to relax. The parking lot actually didn't even start to fill up until about 7:45-50. And there are 2 other huge grass lots right across the street...so, note to self. At 8, I wandered back to the race start area and got in line for the all of TWO portopotties...a little nervously I might add. Chris and I had gone to his boss's 25th wedding anniversary party the night before and something didn't sit well, nope not alcohol...let's just say between nerves and the food...I was up a few times last night! About 8 people in front of me, a lady went in, stuck her head back out for some kleenex from her friend, and I never saw her again. so I was really freaking out....but all was fine despite no TP in my side either...again, note to self.

The start of the race was really frustrating. The 5K timed/Fun 5k was all lumped together. So although lots of people were walking and pushing strollers, I was right in the mix. I think it took me about 25-30 seconds (although it felt like hours) to get to the start. And I had to weave through walkers/strollers/kids goofing off for probably the first 1/2 mile. Made the actual part where you're going through the zoo rather frustrating.

As soon as you come out of the zoo, there is a long slow hill...my first in a long time! It wasn't too bad and I think at the top of that was the first water station...1 of 2 I think. I had to walk through the aid station because it was so wet (it had rained all day yesterday too) and I had forgotten Karah's little straw trick! I really needed the water because of last night's events and I've been super congested for the last 9 days.

I had to take about a 30-45 second walk break somewhere after mile 1 (race was really poorly marked) but did manage to run all of the hills in the race (and there was 1 doozy!) There were two runners with me that were doing the sprint and walk which was frustrating, but I did beat them both! I took a 20-30 sec walk break again about mile 2 (I'm guessing because that's what the aid stations marked?) But did run the whole rest of the race! Chris and the kids were waiting about 200-300 yards from the finish which was so nice. My chip time was 35:59.11! Considering the hills and that my best "treadmill 5K" time is 36:10, I was thrilled!

Wow...this is sad. :)

It's sad how long it's been since I've posted here!! And of course, I just got called away to play "Bingo" - "cause it's not fun to play with 2, Mom. And Isaac choosed it." :)

Only 2 weeks until my race and I must say that having 2 house guests for 25 days certainly puts a crimp in training...back on the treadmill today and it wasn't very pretty. :) But my sister made excellent meals (and desserts) while she was here so hopefully, a few normal meals and I'll be back on track. :)

A very late Three things....

Okay, like I mentioned, I will almost always be late...but here goes.

1. I ran 4 miles today! I think that's the furthest I've ever run without stopping to walk at some point. I think in HS I ran 5 miles on the track during the 1 hour challenge but I know I walked some of that! So, yeah me!

2. I'm listening to the kiddos yelling from Hannah's room. Hannah is really kinda giggling and Isaac is doing the "I like this, but only just a little" screech. I wonder how long it will be until one of them is in here. :)

3. Chris and I watched "Don't Mess with The Zohan" this weekend. LOL Quite funny in a "I'm so glad it's just the two of us watching this and not with either of our mother's" sort of way.

So how's that for a random Three things. :)

Off to rescue some kids....

Three Things Thursday - part II

It's Christmas! And as I wait for the dryer to stop running, I thought I would post a quick blog.

Three things.

1. We made a birthday cake for Jesus .... and it's still sitting on the kitchen counter, uncut, uneaten. Why? Because we went to a fellow "family-less" friend's for lunch...and had Baked Alaska birthday cake instead!

2. The kids had a wonderful Christmas. I heard, "Just what I always wanted!" three times, all from Hannah. :) Apparantly, a "Hello Kitty" toothbrush, a miniature doctor's coat (made by Grandma,) and a doctor's - excuse me - ANIMAL doctor's kit, all fit the bill. :) Isaac was thrilled with his matchbox cars and Thomas toothbrush (why, oh, why did I show him it played music.) And I got my GPS system! :) Chris got socks...well, he needed them, had asked for them, and I had given all my other good ideas to his mom. :) He'll get something else when I figure out what it is! :)

3. I was disappointed with our Christmas service at church. No hymns, a strange play about "Christmas Town," and a churchwide "snowball" fight. ("Mom, these aren't real snowballs! They're just balls!") Yep, three things I didn't like about it. We'll try the Lutheran Church next year!

Three Things Thursday

I've been a bad blogger...I've been gone too long! I need to catch up on some posts (I'm sneaky and I just change the date to make it look like I stay on top of things!). But a friend did this in her blog, so I thought I would copy it. :) And as usual, I'm only 2 days late. :)



1. I'm glad to be home. Yes, Texas is starting to feel like home. It was great to be in Iowa for 3 weeks but I could start to tell the difference in my kids. I'm not kidding when on the plane I said to Hannah, "Listen to me. You need to remember that in Texas you listen to Mommy and you obey her...the first time!" *rolling eyes* Yes, 3 weeks of spoiling from aunts, uncles, and grandparents is just a little too much.

2. I have a new beautiful nephew. Noah Daniel Van Gorp is an adorable little boy and I'm so glad that he's here, healthy, and happy. And I love seeing my sister and her husband being parents. Angie is so calm and collected, and Jason is so protective and cuddly. Such a blessing for their new little one.

3. I finally finished a book that I have been reading for more than 3 months. Possibly longer. :) Now, I've read probably 10-15 other books during this time...but that book just sat in my work bag and taunted me! So after a slow day at the clinic and some time this morning (my first Saturday in Texas that I didn't work since the beginning of August!), the book is done! Finished and in the box to go to Half Priced Books!

I'll see if I can keep this up every Thursday...probably not though right! :)

My baby is 2 tomorrow!!

I don't know why I'm having such a hard time believing this! I mean, he's really going to be TWO! I think I'm in a little bit of denial. I only just bought his presents today. :( Now, granted, it's been a busy last two weeks, but seriously...I'm a bad mommy. :)

This time two years ago, I was supposed to be leaving work...my last day of work in fact. But instead, I was stuck in the office cleaning up someone else's mistake and didn't get off until 5 pm. Two years ago I spent 2 hours at the airport waiting for my dad's flight. And then found out that Chris wouldn't be arriving until 3 am because of bad weather in Dallas...my parents ended up picking him up.

Two years ago tomorrow, I arrived at the hospital at 7 am...went to the wrong floor (LOL), and got checked in. Had a wonderful epidural (that actually took on the first time!) and headed off to surgery. I remember talking to the doctor through the whole procedure, chatting about how cautery on me smelled the same as cautery on a dog (what was I thinking?) and being incredibly nauseous from anesthesia.

And then my little man was born! They let me say hi to him, and then whisked him off to the NICU. I don't even think they told me anything was wrong until I got back to my room.

I think the worst part of that day was not really understanding what was wrong with him and not being able to see him. The nurses wouldn't let me go see him until I could sit up without vomiting...yeah, anesthesia does wonky things to me. I didn't get to see him until 10 pm that night when my mom and I just put our foot down and told the nurse that I hadn't just vomited when she helped me up and into the wheelchair...by that time, I was already halfway down the hallway too!

Oh, little man. How much you worried your mommy and daddy during the first few days. It's hard to believe you were so small....and now so big and strong. Can we just start working on the talking now? :)