accomplished

Two years ago, when I turned the big 3-0, I began to run. I wanted to be healthy for my children and figured this was the way to go. When I began, running a mile was not easy. Not only was I slow, but I couldn't fathom being able to run a distance any greater than that.

Two years later, I am proud to say that today I accomplished my first 5K race. My best friend from high school, Mya, recently moved back to Grand Rapids and ran the race today as well. A first for us both. For the past several years, we have discussed the possibility of running races together once she was back in Michigan. Well, she's back and so off we went!







There were over 600 participants today. Here is our breakdown:

Linz:
time - 27:23
overall placement: 260th
placement among female racers: 64th
placement among females age 30-34: 4th

Mya:
time - 30:14
overall placement: 355th
placement among female racers: 127th
placement among females age 30-34: 16th













Not bad for a couple of old farts!

invasion

today we were invaded. invaded by frogs. plural. (stop laughing) i am not talking two, twenty, or even ninety frogs. in fact, i am not even talking about hundreds of frogs. i estimate this invasion to be well into the thousands (no, really, stop laughing)

when i left for work this morning, ky and i had captured about twenty from the pool and about seven from the basketball court. i figured at that point we had gathered about half of the invaders.

wrong...way off.

the boys and i returned this evening only to find kevin holding a bucket which contained about 400 frogs. (gross, i know...so why are you still laughing?) there were also about 100 frog carcasses on the bottom of my pool. frog count at this point...well over 500.






two hours later, after cleaning out the pool and eating our dinner...the boys all went out for a little game of b-ball. as i walked outside, i noticed all three of them sifting through the grass...bucket in hand and, you guessed it, more frogs. (this is truly becoming a scene from a frog horror movie now...seriously, stop laughing...this is becoming a nightmare!)










you walk in our grass and you can see the little buggers hopping...hopping everywhere! we began running, screaming, gathering frogs by the bucketful again. hundreds and hundreds of more frogs. "i just can't believe this!" is all i could say, over and over again.

finally, i turned to kev and said, "this is a complete waste of time. we will never catch all these frogs" he agreed to an extent (although he was still capturing them by the handful)

so, he took the box o' frogs and drove them off to another pond...a far away pond in hopes that they will never find their way back.




believe me...when we wake up tomorrow i know those little suckers are going to be back. i can hear them croaking now...AAH!!!!

seriously?

This being my second post of the day, you know it can't be good news!

Seems simple enough...Ky wants to make himself a glass of strawberry milk. He has just watched Koby successfully make himself a glass a chocolate milk...



Ky grabs the necessities from the fridge and moves to his workspace. He carefully places the strawberry sauce on the counter and then proceeds to shake the gallon of milk over his head. First, we are not quite sure why the milk had to be shaken over the head, which in itself would not necessarily be disastrous...however when the top is not on the gallon of milk, disaster ensues.





Seriously?

Shortly after the milk incident, Ky decides he would like a brownie for snack. He is hollering from the kitchen, "Mom! I want a brownie!" As I approach, I notice the saran wrap has been removed from the brownies and Ky is standing dangerously close to the frosted delights. Standing over the brownies, I notice that my scrumptious goodies have now become Ky's latest art project....



Seriously?



Oh, yes, SERIOUSLY!

last day

Today was Koby's last day of Kindergarten. To say that this year flew by would be such an understatement. I honestly do not know where these 10 plus months have gone. As I lay in bed last night I could vividly remember August 11th 2008, his very first day. While my emotions are more in check today then they were then, my gut still aches knowing that yet another year has come and gone.

He received his report card and it was exceptional. Not only was the year a success academically, but Koby also made some wonderful friends. It is scary to let go of your child and let them find their own way, even if only in Kindergarten.

When I asked him how he felt about this morning about his last day of Kindergarten, he replied, "happy." He is happy to be on summer vacation, he is happy that next year he will be a first grader and that means two recesses and finally the opportunity to play on the purple playground.

I am happy too. Happy to have him home. Happy to know that he is a strong boy capable of making good choices. Happy that he is a good friend and student. Most of all, I am so happy that he is mine.

Koby, we are so proud of you. You continue to amaze Dad and I every day. We love you probably more than you will ever know. Enjoy your summer vacation...first grade will be here before you know it!

Koby's first day of Kindergarten 8.11.08


Koby's last day of Kindergarten 6.8.09