It's been a whirlwind for the last couple of months, the days are just flying by. I keep asking God to slow down the time a bit but I guess even God is showing me how to enjoy every minute instead of wishing for more hours in a day. Makes sense. The kids are in school, Brody has football everyday, comfirmation classes. the girls start dance again and just when I think my little business from my house is slowing down, I get more appointments booked. My job at the school is great, I simply love it. It's wierd to have a "real job" after all these years. But still getting to be at home with my kids makes it perfect. Everything seems to have fallen into place.

So all of this explains my lack of blogging. I read yours though, everynight, as I sit up late getting caught up on pictures. I always wish my posts were as good as yours, as interesting and inspiring as yours. Lately my words are having a hard time coming out on paper. Which is why I run. It's a great time to think. Someone asked me once how I can run so much. I laugh and say it's the time for just me. Which it is but there is another reason. Before running came along, I had really low self-esteem. I had a hard time believing i was a good mom, a good wife, a good daughter, a good sister, a good friend. I remember praying for something to make me feel pretty, to make me feel like I am doing an okay job. Then God brought me to try out this running gig about 8 years ago. It's the one thing I do that makes me feel good about everything I've done up to this point in my life. Just when I start thinking crummy thoughts, running puts my mind back to where it should be. Aside from the fact it's good for my heart, it's also a theraputic exercise for me! and it seems like I'm getting faster as I get older so that's a good thing!! And now I've introduced my son to the world of 5K's and it's something I can do with just him. It's so special to me.

So last sunday, I ran the Sioux Falls half marathon again and didn't know how I would do. I had the nasty flu the week before which kept me down for a few days. But I came in excited and anxious to run. And run I did. I want you to know, even though my lack of blogging and commenting has happened lately, I thought of every one you. Carey, Chris, Bobbi, Karen, Rani, Jill...you guys are kept me going, especially through mile 9. My kids and my mom were sitting at mile 12 cheering and hollering, that made me pick up speed. I was high fiving complete strangers. When I came down the home stretch and saw the time clock, I almost started crying. I shaved 5 minutes off my time from the june half. 1:41:53. I met up with the Yankton group for a photo and just soaked in all the festivities. My adreline was flowing. It was 13 miles of blessed thoughts of God, Seth, Brody, Madison, Emerson, my friends and family. That's ultimately what made me go faster.

So to answer that question of why I run so much? I just love the thoughts God puts in my head while I'm out there. Seriously. I do it because it makes me feel close to all the people around me. It's awesome and I'll do it as long as I can.

Exciting moments in school:

*My Madison was elected to student council! Woohoo! She had to write and give a speech, put up posters and her peers voted. She was so excited, she could hardly speak! 4th grade is starting off good for my girl!

*Brody is playing tackle football this year and his pads are worn in already. It's the highlight of 7th grade...getting to knock his buddies down on the ground! He has the official playbook for the first game is coming up, I hope his limbs survive!!

*Emerson loves 2nd grade! She got to make her own ice cream sundae and eat it for being a super summer reader achiever! Yum!!! She's as happy-go-lucky as ever with school!

I can only hope these little moments that make 'em smile last for a long time. I know they won't but for now, we're savoring them...

It was the first triathlon I had ever been a part of and our team did great! I somehow talked my hubby into doing the 1/4 mile swim, another friend did the 14 mile bike and I finished with a 5K. After watching a couple hundred serious triathloners, I know I could never do it myself. It's a very tough competition and it was amazing to watch these guys transition from one event to another. Seth had the hardest part of the race...the swim in the lake which was over his head except for about 100 yards! So you never get a rest in the water. The men team competitors went out first in the water...he's in the first photo swimming his heart out to the orange buoy. He really thought he was going to die, no joke! I lost him when the individual men started their swim. I got even more worried when I saw a rescue jet ski motoring into the group. But 11 minutes later, he raced in. He was tired but I was so proud of him!!! Then Kevin took off on the bike ride and Seth got to rest and cough up any lake water inhaled! 48 minutes later, Kevin came pedaling in, transferred to me and I ran my 5K. I came in at 21:59 giving us a total time of 1:24:05. We didn't win first but we didn't place last and we had such a great experience doing it together. I especially loved being in a team with my hubby. I don't know if I'll ever get him to do it again...the swimming part anyway...he's just glad to still be alive!

I am too!