Fall is Upon Us and So are Long Sleeves

Fall is upon us.  At least I think it is.  I don't feel as guilty about turning my oven on.  Chocolate chip cookies and casseroles have returned.  My counter is overflowing with veggies from the garden.  I have so many cucumbers!  I need to remember to pack a light jacket for Cecilia at school.  We've had several days that a cool enough for long sleeves spotted between the still 85* days. 

Speaking of long sleeves, Lillian Jeanne is NOT a fan.  Its actually quite funny.  The first day it was cool enough that she really should have had sleeves on she freaked out!  She was pulling on the sleeves and crying and whining.  Poor thing, she was so confused.  She still isn't used to the idea.  I think its very funny though.  Both Jon and I were giggling so much at her.  It still makes me laugh.  

5k Number Two

Last Saturday I ran my second 5k.  It was the 9/11 Remembrance Run and the best part was that it took place in my own neighborhood.  It was the morning of the Harvest Festival Parade, and the runners kicked it off and ran through the parade route.  My cheerleaders were my girls and wonderful husband. Jon rode his bike with the girls in the trailer, so they were able to send me off at the start line, cheer me on twice durring the run, and meet me at the finish line.  I cut a significant amount of time off of my last race.  I did this one in 31:07, with an average pace of 10:01/mile.  Whoa!  For my next trick, I hope to head to Houston in November to visit my friend and run the Firefly race again with her there.

Stuck in a Hamster Ball

Have you ever had the feeling that you were trying so hard to accomplish something and you found yourself going nowhere fast?  The hamster ball.  There are so many analogies I could go into with this one.  I'll spare you though.

However, there are two things I'd like to mention.
1)  Jon and I have found ourselves in a hamster ball of life recently.  We have found ourselves in unfamiliar territory and are having to handle some changes with extended family that are really quite unpleasant.  I'm being vague for a reason.  I'm also telling you all this because I hope it will explain some of the sporadic blogging that is going on.  It has us really stressed out, more than I have ever been in my life.  So, if you are the praying type, we'd appreciate prayers.  If you are the happy thought type, those are appreciated too.  We will get through this, and some day, maybe, I'll elaborate.  It is times like this when we are so happy to have each other, and these smiling faces to give us perspective and keep us focused on the happy things in life.





2)  Last weekend Cecilia and I found ourselves in a hamster ball.  Literally.  On water even.  It was quite comical.  It was the Harvest Festival in Olde Town Arvada and we decided to check it out.  This was one of the attractions.  It was so hard!  I ran another 5K the day before (more on that later), and this was way harder, and I was sore for a few days.  It was totally fun though.  Cecilia had a ball!

Labor Day Weekend

We were able to get away to my parents house for the long weekend.  We enjoyed our time with time very much, and we are so blessed and lucky to have them in our lives.  Uncle Nick and Aunt Megan were up too for the first night and we had the first campfire all summer!  Cecilia got a bunch of little thorns in her jammies when she walked through a bush out to the fire.  Her Jessie doll got some too.  Jon and I spent a good five to ten minutes de-burring her.  Once we made it to the fire, it was so fun to roast marshmallows and make s'mores with the girls.  

Jon was also able to go for a hike and try to find some elk.  It was good for him to get away and find some clarity.  He took these amazing pictures.  

My mom and I tried to go for a run.  HA!  Let me tell you, my Mom, she is super woman.  What they say about altitude, its totally true.  I about died about six minutes into our run.  I had to walk by eight minutes.  I felt so pathetic!  It was like I was being bear hugged by an elephant.  I could not breathe it was like someone stole all of the oxygen.  And, not to mention all of the hills.  There really is no even terrain up there, so my cadence was always different to compensate for going up hill or down hill.  I think I'll stick to running in town and walking in the mountains.

Cecilia and Lilly had a great time playing at Mammaw & Pop's house, so did Stella.  We even celebrated Jon's birthday a little early with chocolate cake. We had a nice getaway, and are grateful to have my parents!

Back to School

Cecilia started back to school on Tuesday!  YIPEEEEE!  We did have a great summer, but I am so glad to be back to routine and to be able to give her the space to have her own thing to do.  It is good for all of us.  She has a new classroom this year, but the same teacher as last year- Ms. Stephanie.  We love Ms. Stephanie!  She also has a class pet this year, Roger, Roger the rabbit.

Here she is on the first day of school with her new backpack :)