The Challenge for Lent

This is not typically the kind of post you see from me, but it is that time of year again, Lent. It is when everyone asks each other "so, what are you giving up?" I generally reply "I am not giving up anything."  Then, I get a look like what an awful person I am followed by "you know it is Lent and you have to give up something."  Personally, I believe that the Lent period of 40 days (beginning today, Ash Wednesday and ending on Holy Thursday, April 17th) is a time when I try to add something to my life, something that will extend beyond the 40 days.  Personally (again, personally), I feel that giving something up like, cookies, ice cream, coffee, soda and other things of this type don't necessarily contribute to my spiritual life.  In years past, I have done these things only to then binge on whatever I gave up on day 41.  I know that giving something up is a sacrifice and may be symbolic of the sacrifice that was made for each of us. In the past, I have felt better about the season when I have attempted to spend more time each day dedicated to my Faith. This year I asked my sister, Tamie, for suggestions and here it is..this year's Lenten Challenge

On the Mend

 This past Fall, against Joe's wishes, I purchased a new dog, "my" dog.  I had been looking for a female Goldendoodle and they are hard to find and often there are waiting lists for puppies that have not even been born yet.  I finally found one in Missouri that would be ready to go home in October.  I thought the timing is perfect.  It is football season and I can get the dog and Joe will not even notice.  He tends to be preoccupied with football in October so I can bring the dog home and she will be part of the family before he even realizes she is there, ha. Sadie has been the best dog. I love her and the kids do too.

Two weeks ago Sadie became very sick.  Sadie is a great dog but she does like to chew on things, specifically socks.  Sadie must have swallowed Keylee's sock and it got stuck in her intestines. She became very sick and was not able to keep food or water down.  I finally took her to the veterinarian and they gave me many different options.  All of the options were very pricey.  After seeing the estimated costs for the proposed procedures, I felt like I was not going to be able to keep any food or water down. Sadie had to have surgery and 4 inches of her intestines had to be removed.  Part of her legs are shaved because of the IV they and to put in her.  Nonetheless, I will say this is the most expensive sock and dog we will ever own.  I am very glad that she is ok. I was very worried about her and I am not sure I can handle the loss of another dog.

The dog....The sock. The Veterinarian was kind enough to keep the sock and before handing it to me she said, "don't worry we bleached it." Hmmm, probably not going to use that sock again, but thanks.

Ballin' on the Weekends

Most of our weekends are now consumed with basketball.  This year both Kira, Lady Cats, and Keenan, The Tribe, are playing on traveling teams. Last year, it was just Kira playing on a traveling team.  Luckily, Joe is coaching Keenan's team so he has been able to coordinate and schedule tournaments at the same location as Kira making the basketball season manageable for us.  

 Since my parents moved to Manhattan in September they have been able to attend many of the games and other events of the kids.  Keylee is always hoping for an out-of-town basketball tournament and hoping that she can stay in-town with my parents.  I am pretty sure she keeps them on their toes and they give her all the attention she wants.  Last weekend when I told her my parents (Grandma and Umpa) were going with us to basketball out of town she gave me a dirty look because she knew that meant she had to go too and she would not spend the day being spoiled by them.

 Sorry for the blurry photo but my iPhone does not take good actions shots. 

Kira shooting free throws

 Keenan shooting free throws

Keenan loves playing basketball. He loves all of it, the practices, the tournaments, the uniforms, everything about it he loves.  When I hear him talk about his games he gets so excited and it sounds like he is talking about a professional game on TV. Clearly his memory of some games is quite different than mine.  

A Second Bite at the Big Apple

Get ready for picture overload. Here we go... On November 2, 2013, I set out for my second attempt to run the NYC Marathon.  As you may remember, last year's marathon was cancelled due to Hurricane Sandy.  After the cancellation of NYC last year I ran the Dallas Marathon which this year seems to be questionable due to the winter storm Texas is having.  The trip to NYC was great. We actually ran on Sunday and hit the sights and sounds of NYC after the race. 

Here we are at Rockefeller Center in front of the ice skating rink.  

Freedom Tower at Ground Zero

Junior's Bakery a delicious bakery right across the street from our hotel. Yum

 And yes, I did force the group to go with me to Live with Kelly and Michael. We were on the show on Marathon Monday.

 Here is the group just before the show started.

 We hit Broadway for Rock of Ages.  It was pretty good. I would not say it was the best Broadway production I have seen but we generally enjoyed the show.

Picking up our race packets and race bibs at the Expo. 

This picture is Angela and I after we finished.  Angela was the only other one of the four of us who was suppose to run the race with me last year.  It was an emotional finish for us as we never thought we would see the finish line after the cancellation last year. 

 Angela and I at the start line. We never thought we would see the start line either but that was because our day started at 4:30 a.m. when we got up to get to the subway by 5:00 a.m. for the South Ferry Terminal to head over to Staten Island which is where the race started.  Once we got to Staten Island we still had several hours (our wave did not release to the start line until 10:05 a.m.). It was pretty cold so we tried to find places to sit, stay warm and waste time before loading the bus to the actual start line.  The morning was a marathon before the marathon started.

 The four of us with our medals and our ponchos.  Yes, no finisher shirts but we got lined ponchos instead.  We did have to walk another 1.5 miles after we crossed the finish line to get the poncho but we were ready for something warm by that point and the ponchos were a nice surprise.

Considering the cancellation of Sandy and the events of the Boston Marathon I knew that this marathon was going to be memorable.  I started to receive numerous email updates about how there was going to be a lot of security. We would have to be searched when entering the Expo, the Ferry and the race start. Police officers and dogs were everywhere.  When the race started we ran over the Verrazano Bridge.  There were helicopters on each side of the bridge and law enforce scattered throughout the route with over 2,000 surveillance cameras.  I know I felt like NYC really tried to take care of the runners and spectators 

 I anticipated a post of disappointment as it relates to the actual race finish time.  For various reasons, I had not trained as hard this year as I had for last year's race. I was resolved with the fact that I would just finish and enjoy the race because I was finally able to do it.  I would not focus on my time. I only looked at my Garmin two times during the race, once at the half-way point and once at the 20 mile mark.  Once I hit the 20-mile mark I realized I really could finish this race in under four hours and really without having to speed up any. If I just kept my pace I would finish under the four hour mark and have a few minutes to spare.  I was perfectly satisfied with the entire race experience.

So, there you have it, for all three people that may actually read this blog. It only took me one full month to get this posted. At this rate, you can anticipate a holiday post in February. Ha.

She is 6!

Keylee is 6 years old.  Her birthday was actually 11/14 but with all the chaos I have not posted birthday pics.  Keylee asked for bitty baby twins from American Girl Doll.  

Keylee took cake-pops  for her treats at school and they were delicious. I learned that my neighbor who owns 4-Cakes makes cake-pops and many other great desserts.  The class sang Happy Birthday and Keylee seemed to enjoy the day and the added attention she received. I have no idea where time goes. I can hardly believe she is six years old. It seems like yesterday that we brought her home from the hospital. We are so thankful for her and her sweet smile, hugs and genuinely kind heart.

On Keylee's birthday,  I took the kids out of school a little early to head to Topeka for an event at Barnes and Noble.  Jan Brett was there for a book signing and a demonstration on her illustrations for her new book Cinders. Kira has been writing back and forth with Jan Brett for years. The kids were happy to see Hedgie who appears in several Jan Brett books.

 Below is Jan demonstrating how she draws a Chicken like those in her new book Cinders. Kira actually videoed it, in case anyone is interested as I am sure Kira would be more than happy to share the video.

 The kids in front of the Jan Brett bus.  

After this picture we headed to Freddy's Frozen Custard to get some custard treats. We ate in the car and sang Happy Birthday to Keylee all the way home getting back to Manhattan just in time to drop the older two kids off at basketball practice.  It was a full, but fun, day.

Sisters Weekend

Every Fall we have sisters weekend and my sisters all come to Manhattan. We buy some sort of matching KSU apparel, we have Starbucks and Varsity Donuts, we attend a KSU football game (thanks to my sisters Tamie and Tisha, the season ticket holders) and eat out after the game. This year was slightly different because, in the past, I have always been the host and now I have to compete with my parents, who live in Manhattan. It is always fun to spend time with my sisters and as I reflect on the weekend I realize how truly blessed I am. It was a weekend full of family, memories and many laughs.

Up - Up and Away

Kira's 6th grade class did a balloon launch.  The students teamed up in groups of three to create their balloons and prepare them for the big launch.  The 6th graders were able to invite their parents and family. The other students from the school also came out to watch the launch.  There were about 18 balloons total and each group created a theme for their balloon.  There were some really cute balloons.  Kira's group did Superman.  Their launch was a success. Since my parents live here now, it was a special treat that they were able to come to watch.  It has been nice to have them so close. Kira was super excited to see them.