6 Miles

Our town had a Safety Day yesterday hosted by the fire department.  In a large back parking lot of the local hospital the fire department, police department, water & street departments as well as various other vendors had booths and vechicles set up for kids to come and learn about how to be safe. As well as look at the fire trucks, police cars, police motorcycles, police helicopter, back hoe, front-end loader, mini-digger and other various equipment. Can you guess what we spent most of our time doing? 

 You can see in the picture on the left the set up, as well as two ladders supporting a giant American flag. Also, if you click on any of the pictures you'll be able to see them bigger. I remember seeing the set up last year at the end of the day and thinking "That looks interesting!"  I was glad we were able to go this year.

We went to the event soon after it opened to see a reenactment of a car crash. The boys were excited to see the fire trucks pull up but soon stopped watching the demonstration of the jaws of life because the helicopter started to circle overhead. We went over to see where it landed and then got to watch it take off again once the "victim" was loaded.  

Once that was done we started to walk around and see all the equipment. The boys were not interested in walking around and asking various booths questions to get a stamp and be entered in a grand prize drawing (this was a big draw for the older kids).  All they cared about was seeing and pretending to drive the different equipment. We were early enough, and the older kids were busy filling out the cards with the stamps, that we did not have to wait in line to visit most things! 

I was surprised at how willing everyone was to allow the kids to get on things–the boys were even allowed to sit in the helicopter!  I was also surprised with all the free things we were given (mostly dollar store junk, but the boys loved the stickers, chalk and toy cars).   It was a beautiful day and we had a nice morning of free entertainment.   

1. Our Cat. We haven't seen her for over 2 weeks. We're are the point where I'm about to give away the giant bag of cat food I'd JUST bought.  I hate to say it but I'm not that sad.  She was the cat that NEVER purred.  She just gave out an annoying "MEOW" that sounded demanding and/or whiny.  And when I was dealing with 2 whiny kids first thing in the morning, I wasn't that thrilled to be dealing with the cat as well. Her one redeming feature was how good she was with the boys. She'd put up with them–sometimes even lick their heads when they'd snuggle next to her (other times she'd run away and then they would have fun chasing her around the house).  They haven't seemed too phased by her missing. 

2. Fall.  We have had the warmest September in a long time, setting records (last week we broke the record with a high of 92) and keeping the need for shorts through this month and into the start of next. We'll get a cool day every now and then, and then we warm back up. This week we're going to be 15 degrees above normal for October.  I'm wanting the cool days of fall!  I keep reminding myself to get outside as much as possible and enjoy it, we'll be stuck inside with cold soon enough! But I find myself longing for a cool rainy day to make beef stew and cozy up inside. :-) While it's been warm, it's been much drier so it has been beautiful weather with lots of clear, bright blue skies.  Between the warmth and the dry summer/fall we've had, the leaves are predicted to fall pretty quickly this year, so we won't have a long, colorful foliage either.  So we're working on enjoying it while we can!

3. My Memory.  I'd been writing this in my head for a few days, and hand a few more idea of funny things to put here.  But I forgot them, I'm sorry you're stuck with the non-funny ones. 

But only if you want to read it…You have to click and go here (to my MOPS blog) to read more about it and see some more pictures–this time of people, not just the hotel.

On the way home from the airport, Will yawned and said, "I'm tired".

"You are?" I asked.

Then he said "NO! I'm not tired, I, um, I…I was streatching my mouth!"

What a nice weekend! Thursday morning I flew to Orlando to attend the MOPS International Convention.  We stayed at the Gaylord Palms, a BEAUTIFUL hotel/convention center.  The hotel and convention center were connected by a large dome with a tropical garden underneath.  There were trails to walk along, streams, ponds, waterfalls, flowers, fish and even gators!!!  (See the picture to the right? The alligators are mainly on the rock to the right, but a few are on the left as well. You might have to "biggify" it.) I also included a picture of the koi fish, for my dad.  Try not to drool over how large they are–it is Florida!

The gardens made it a beautiful place to visit.  The time away made it peaceful and mostly restful (there was a late night of talking). The sessions for the convention were inspiring and challenging.  We had Matt Redman (who wrote some popular Praise & Worship songs like "Blessed Be Your Name", "Here I Am To Worship", "You Never Let Go" and "The Heart of Worship") lead us in worship. Sarah Groves also preformed and had us laughing and in tears over her honesty. She's a mom! She shops at Old Navy like us!  She brought her 3 month old baby on stage, and she spit up on her mom–just like us!  She also sang some songs that beautifully expressed a mother's heart.  There were great speakers that I could go on and on about–but I know it's not the same to read someone's words. I may come back and write about a few as I go back, review my notes, and try to process it all.  It was also a fun time to get to know the women I will be working with this year.  

Now I'm coming back into "re-entry".  After such a crazy week, this week is very empty–which may or may not be good! (I sometimes do better with busy than without. I can get slothful or more distracted by the computer when I feel I have too much time.)  Please pray with me that the nine of us who went will be able to keep our enthusiasm, remember what we learned and share it with our families and the woman in our group. 

And the fun will keep on going!

I am doing Publicity for my MOPS group this year–did I mention that before? Today there was a big block party they call Hillfest at the host church (James mentioned running the 5K they had). We hosted a diaper changing/nursing station. (Pictures can be seen here). Since it was my idea, I had to make sure I was there to set up and clean up–but we had great help the entire time. Tuesday night is our first meeting. I have been busy preparing for these two events and entering in the early registrations. Last Monday I spent the morning at the church working on our final publicity push. This Monday I get to spend time at the church working on the final things to put in the folders the moms get on the first night. Thankfully the copy room is next to an extra play room so Alex can play while our coordinator and I work on coping, sorting and stapeling.

One of the highlights of the busy week was having some friends from church over to our house on Friday night. We had two couples over (all went to Taylor). One of the couples have 2 boys age 4 and 5 months, the other are expecting a baby in December. It was nice the older boys could go and play with trains in the living room while the adults could enjoy talking. We all enjoyed ourselves.

Saturday my parents came down and we had an early celebration of my birthday. They came down early enough to play with the boys and go to our local park. Then we had a sitter come so we could enjoy dinner out. Once we got home, EVERYONE enjoyed cake and ice cream.

Today was another busy time as James and I swapped kids back and forth while we did our various activites. He ran, I took the boys to church and then worked the MOPS information booth. He picked up the boys and got them lunch while I helped set up our tent. We all met at home and napped/watched the Colts game. Then I went back for a final hour and to help clean up.

This upcoming week? Monday I have the copy party in the morning and the monthy craft night at the church that evening. Tuesday night is the first meeting (somewhere in there I need to get the food I said I'd bring). Wednesday will be catch up on laundry day, clean house day and in the evening James and I have a meeting at church. I'll also need to pack Wed. since Thursday morning I am flying to Flordia for the MOPS convention! I am really looking forward to a weekend away to learn more about God, learn ways to be a better Mom, a better MOPS person and to relax! And after this week, I know I'll be ready for that last part!

I ran my first 5k today.  It was at Northview Christian Life's Hillfest.  They kick off the festivities with a 5k run at 9:30am. 

I decided a few months ago that I would run this 5k as a training run to guage my progress prior to the 5k that I am training for at Taylor's Homecoming 5k.  My goal for Taylor's 5k is 22 minutes.  This will allow me to "qualify" for seeding in the Indianapolis Mini-Marathon in May.  This morning I was discussing with my boss and running partner that my ultimate target would be 22(7:00/m) minutes, however, I would be happy running it in 23:10(7:30/m).  If you check out my running page you will see that I ran it in 22:40(7:18/m).  Unfortunately, the Nike+ I use isn't vary accurate and it claims I only ran 3.01 miles.  IT LIES!!!  It was 3.1m(5k).  Basically, I exceeded my satisfactory goal and feel that my ultimage goal is in reach 6 weeks from now.

SIL – Hope to see you running again soon.  Wanna run the Taylor 5k with me? 

This morning we woke up to a cloudy, cool breeze.  Cool enough that before we could go for our walk jackets needed to be found, socks put on, and shoes dug out of closets or storage areas. Oh what a production! It almost makes me wish for warmer days–but not quite (oh I love fall!).   Alex still fits in his shoes he wore last spring. Will doesn't. And the next size up shoes we have were passed down and he said they hurt his feet. We'll try them one more time, but I may be buying him some shoes soon.

We went on the walk and saw a garbage truck in the near-by apartment complex. They got to watch him pick up and dump the large trash container EIGHT TIMES–good times for little boys. I was afraid the driver thought we were stalking him, but he was going the same route we were going for our walk. Then we spent time watching the construction workers near the trail.  By the end of our walk the sun had come out and it was a beautiful morning.  Throughout the walk every little thing suddenly seemed like something Will HAD to do. I tried to let him have some fun doing different things but eventually we had to go home so we could have some lunch (which meant no time at the play ground, much to his sorrow).  Plus both boys took good naps this afternoon, so it was a really nice day!

I have various pictures of James and the boys playing around yesterday. You can see here when he tried to be a 2 passenger horse. If you click on this one you'll see other ones…the next picture is of the horse laying on the ground, collapsed from the weight.

These pictures are taken with my mom's camera. Mine has started to act up, there are lines in the pictures. We're thinking it's a good "Will" camera now, something he can practice taking pictures of. I'll try to put up a photo essay of the World as Will Sees It later in the week.

Other not so great things happening around here? Friday I got in a fender bender with our van. Thankfully, no one was hurt, I only broke the turn signal on the van, hit only the passenger side of the other car, and that Will wasn't in the car (so I didn't have to hear hundreds of questions!). It was completely my fault. I zoned out and didn't see the light turn red. I couldn't believe TWO people were turning in front of me. I hit the lady, looked up, and saw the red light. DOH! She was really nice. She was in town from out of state and had JUST gotten a flat tire fixed. Talk about a bad day! As my MIL pointed out, at least it wasn't my birthday and my finance's car and I totaled it (um, that would be one of my brother-in-laws birthday a few months ago). Overall it was a stupid moment on my part that could have been much worse, so I'm thanking God it wasn't.

In June of 2006 Tina and I decided to try Bill Philips' Body for Life program.  I think that it worked out well for us.  We modified our eating habits and lost some weight.  It was a 12 week program that we managed get 10 in due to having to drop my BIL off at school in AZ. For the next year I struggled with motivation to get out and excersize.  It didn't seem like anything I did made any differance. 

And then I found running.  I am sure have read the posts on my experience with running.  If not, view the archives.  I started running 15 miles a week in June and am up to 17 to 20 a week right now.  Since June I have lost 10 pounds.  Unfortunately my body weight is lower so I burn less calories each day and I don't feel like eating less so I am at a plateau.  I am planning of fixing that by adding some weight training to my routine to build up my lean body mass.  This should allow me to burn more calories and remove more fat.  Weight probably won't drop that much, however; I am not worried about my weight. 

So what you were all wondering:

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