What We've Been Up to This Fall

We've been gearing up for Halloween! The kids had a great time at Grandma and Grandpa's for their annual "Halloween dinner."

We also went to the annual dinner pumpkin carving party at our friends' dentist office but ended up bringing our pumpkins home to carve so Jared could join in after football practice, which means . . .

Yep! We're still going strong. The Cowboys are in the playoffs and are one game away from the Superbowl. This means we schedule everything around football, including Halloween (smiling through gritted teeth here).


This also means soccer and volleyball are finished! Yea for Megan and Amanda! Amanda's last game was at mine and Nate's old middle school, Desert Hills, so I love going there and taking pics in the gym! I'm glad CMS won, though!

Last but not least, Bradley and I decided to get to the pumpkin patch on our own this year. We took advantage of a preschool field trip my sister teaches for and as a bonus got to hang out with my dear friend, Kirsten, and her daughter, Hayleigh. Kirsten teaches with Mindy at the preschool. They are in the center of the picture.


This is Bradley with cousin, Maddie:

Also, check out Kirsten's blog (forhisblessedchildren.blogspot.com) to learn about her exciting mission trip to China!
Happy Halloween everyone!

Eventually, if you eliminate the competition . . .

I've been somehow lured into the world of running over the past year and a half. Originally I thought it was just a more efficient way to get fit for the time I was lacking with four children to do so. Then, I ran my first couple of races and I found myself enjoying it a bit. I think the icing on the cake has been being able to run a race with some very important people in my life. As mentioned before, I ran my first couple of races with my sister who still drives me to compete and improve like no one can. We have so much fun together and this is one more way we enjoy being a part of each other's lives when we get a chance.

My longest race to date I was able to do with Jenny, who was the first person I wanted to share my "running adventures" with. Jenny has been passionate about running which was one of the first things I knew about her when we became fast friends our senior year. She has also been a roommate and supportive friend through college. I knew she would be encouraging and supportive even though she can run circles around me. It's fun to see a glimpse of what she's loved and worked at for years.

Just a few weeks ago kind of last minute I decided to do one more race before the weather turned cooler. This time I didn't have my sister or Jenny and my mom said, "I'll do it with you." My mom is very fit for her age but she does NOT like to run and I'm pretty sure she can walk longer and faster than I can run. However, my mom being the supportive mom and trooper that she is, got on board.

As the race progressed (just a 5K) I felt good and seemed to be staying with the pack. My time had improved (again, nothing spectacular but a PR for me)but I wondered where all the other runners were. I ran back to get my mom to finish with her but still didn't think that many people could be doing the half marathon instead. The next day I got a call from my sister saying a friend we knew who had stayed for the award's ceremony picked up my ribbon for me--I had won first place for my age group! She also picked up my mom's ribbon for second place for her age group. Not too shabby for two non-runners who run. I checked the race results later that week, wondering how I could have ran faster than anyone in my age group. As it turns out, there were five of us. I'm guessing the other four were pushing strollers or riding in wheelchairs or something. Everyone else my age seemed to be driven and capable of doing the half marathon. Whatever the reason, I'll take my first place ribbon--I don't think I've ever won first any individual athletic competition in my life and it was pretty fun! And of course, thanks to my wonderful mom who is game for anything if she can do it with her daughters. I love you!