ten on tuesday

1. Chris started school. I think he is happy to be back. I am a bit sad because I get to see him less  often. but hey he is happy because he is productive again.

2. Saturday was the first day of soccer games. (our camera is broken thanks to me. so no photos. hopefully it is still under warranty). Jed was so adorable!  He is playing U6 with Jeffrey. I love to see him run around with kids much much bigger than him. He does great. The other kids were awesome as well. Jeffrey tries to box out other players as he is dribbling towards the goal. Will and Annmarie have a bit too much Sherwood soccer in them and tend to hang back unless encouraged by Chris or I to move up!

3. Saturday was a beautiful rainy day. We have had such little rain here it was so awesome. Coaching in it was fun, it reminded me of growing up. The rain lasted most of the day (I think see next one as to why not sure). It is so nice to see some green things popping up all over again.

4. I went to the temple alone on Saturday. I dislike going alone, it is a 2 hour trip one way. The trip there was hard because there was so serious down-poor plus semi splashing that made it very hard to see. but I arrived there. The session was wonderful. Coming home I was worried about not falling asleep. But I got to talk with my mom, which is always great. Then I got texted and decided that I should call my long lost friend from Vegas. We chatted for about 25 min. That was wonderful! Then I decided to call another long lost friend in NY! we chatted for another 30 or so min. It was so nice to hear the voices of friends and feel like no time ha passed. I love them! Plus it made the drive go sooo fast.

5. Sunday I taught about the 2000 stripling warriors. I am again blow away by how amazing they and their parents were. 2 comments really stuch out to me. 1. When talking about how they followed Heleman with exactness, and how we should follow our prophet with exactness. A man commented that President Monson is not able to be in our area all the time. But we have President Pense and Bishop Kohler who are and he would follow them with exactness and know he would be ok. I love our local leaders and also the local members who show such great faith. 2. The scriputure where it says they didn't doubt it because their mothers had taught them. Another man commented that maybe they only said their mothers because their fathers gave their lives earlier when the lay down and many lost their lives. This had never struck me. It made me think how one of our recent prophets has said that singles mothers are blessed. I love this gospel.

6. Since Ragnar ended I have no excuse to "take in easy" in my classes now. It is a double edge sword. I am so happy to be so stinky and sweaty when I'm done, but I can tell I have not worked out that way in a while. I also started lifting again. Ugh. I am one sore cookie.

7. I have loved spending some 1 on 1 time with Jed. We usually have a bit in the afternoon while Henry is sleeping. Jed is so fun and has such a love for learning. I really hope he enjoys pre-school that starts in 1 week. (what will I do 4 afternoons a week with 1 child?)

8. Henry is one crazy kid. He has another tooth (4 but there appear to be 2 or so more on the way). He is pulling up on everything. Empty laundry baskets, chairs, people, anything that is not moving at the moment. He is getting better at eating cheerios by himself. He is starting to move very very slowly along the couch. He is too little to be doing all these things! oh and he "turned" 7 months on Saturday.

9. Jeffrey seems to have finally adjusted to school. We went through a bunch on tantrums (mostly because he is just so tired) that have not really shown themselves yet this week. Tomorrow is very possible since they were up late with soccer tonight. But we have had 2 almost totally free days!!! so happy for these small moments

10. I will start teaching a new class at a different Y (the one closest to my house) after labor day. It will be a Bosu class. i am excited about this. I love learning new things to teach and different ways to get a great workout in. Hopefully I will find new things here.

Ten on Tuesday

What a wonderful week.

1. RAGNAR!!! Chris and I did the Great River (MN/WI) race this past weekend with Michelle Scott, Gwyn (my boss), Kelli (a friend from the Y) and Emily (Kelli's friend). This was my most favorite one yet! I could write 10 wonderful things about this race alone!!! Needless to say we had no clue who the other 6 racers on our team were. Which actually was kind of nice. Our team name was "Don't run with creepy strangers. Which we think there might have been 1 on our team, but we spent so little time with the over van we didn't know for sure.

2. Everyone asks why we run this crazy thing. For me there are 2 reasons. 1. I run to lose weight. I finally think I actually like running, but with out a race to train for I don't run very often. 2. I run this race so I know that I can accomplish something that is hard. It is amazing how you feel when you run an amazing run in the pitch black. you blow your projected pace away and you love every minute of it. That is why I run these races

3, It was so much fun seeing Michelle do this too. She had never run any race (5k etc) before and her first leg was 5 miles. I love seeing how proud of herself she was it was awesome!

4. Carmen came and babysat our kids so Chris and I could run this together. I am so lucky to have someone like her in my life. The kids were so sad this morning when they realized she was gone. They love when Grandma comes to visit. It was also so nice to get a "date" in with her and Chris last night.

5. Oh yeah the kids started school. I'm pretty sure they love it! Jeffrey is so cute to watch through the bus window. He sits in the very front (his choice) and waves and waves us. Then he blows kisses and does the I love you sign. It is so cute.

6. Chris started his internship yesterday that he will be doing during this semester. He seems to like it, but what can you tell in 1 day.

7. Soccer starts up again tonight. I'm coaching both teams so we made sure we only had practice 1 night a week. Hopefully I am still functioning in 6 weeks when the first team is done.

8. I've learned that I need to be better at recognizing my blessings. I have done a poor job lately at my other blog and am resolved to start that one up again today.

9. We got back from the race at about 6:30 on Saturday night. I was so excited to see the kids. It is amazing how much I missed seeing them.

10. here are photos with their own comments :)

Jeffrey all ready for day 1 of school.

                                                               Here is Annmarie!!

Jed is not off to school but had to join the others

I cannot believe Will is in 3rd grade

Henry is just loving being left alone

Our Ragnar Van

Our team (minus 6 strangers)

The attempt of a super burpee was not accomplished

I forgot some really important things

Henry is pulling up on everything.

Annmarie has 3 holes in her mouth where teeth once were.

Ten on Tuesday

wow what a week

1. Chris had his birthday on Wed. It was rather low key. So happy that I have been able to be with him for his last 11. Someday it will be that he has celebrated more birthdays with me than without. Can not wait for that day.

2. We had a crazy windy storm last week. I got some photos of the clouds right before it hit. I love how the clouds look.

3. It has been such a hot and humid summer here we have spent very little time outside. But after the above mentioned storm we have been outside lots. Here are some photos of playing after the rain came through.

 3.5 Swim lessones ended. Here are the kids with some of their most favorite teachers!

4. Why is there a photo of this hotel you ask?

Everytime we have passed this hotel for the last 2 years my kids have said mom it's our hotel. We stayed here for 1 night 2 years ago when we moved to Des Moines. I have been so happy to be here for 2 years. I have loved it, and been so sad missing friends. But over all I could not imagine a better place to live. HOpefully Heavenly Father likes us here and thinks we should stay.


5. Today was full of the IOWA STATE FAIR. we had a good time. I think next year we will just pay to go to the amusement park in town because that is all the kids wanted to do anyway. We had fun and I ate a deep fried oreo. oh it was so heavenly.

6. Saturday Michelle came into town (she is running the ragnar with us this weekend). We are so happy she is here (plus she caught my typo. Thanks!)

7. Michelle flew into Kansas City. A friend of mine was down there the same time and invited us to play at her dad's neighborhood lake. It was so much fun. We had a blast and so great memories. So glad for kind friends!

8. Monday night was back to school night. Our kids went and met their teachers. They are so excited for school to start tomorrow (as am I). Will will be in 3rd grade, Annmarie in 1st and Jeffrey in Kindergarten.

9. Chris had a huge ethics test (must pass to take the board) on Friday. He thought it was Saturday. Thankfully he was riding with a friend and they showed up Friday morning at 6:30 to get him. Cannot imagine what would have happened had he missed that test!

10. Teeth - Annmarie has 2 gaping holes in her mouth while Henry got tooth #4 this morning.

10 things about Karen

Ten great things I love about Karen

1. First she is a wonderful mother.  When I met her over 11 years ago she stated she wanted to be just like her mom, who is a fantastic mother.  She has done so well.

2. She makes me smile.  No other person can get me to smile, especially when I am trying so hard to be grumpy and snarly.

3. Her love of Orange.  I have not met any other person whose favorite color is bright orange.  If it is red and yellow combined its hers.

4. Her love of me.  I know this goes without saying but not very many people have put their trust in me to go and do the things we have done.

5. Her love of the Yankee's.  It gets a little rocky on this front.  We barely survived our first World Series together, we were married in 2001.  That and I also love the Red Sox.

6. Her forgiving demeanor.  I should learn more from my wife.  She can set little things past her that I would hold onto forever with extreme bitterness.  She has helped me in this area of life to learn how to move on.

7. The way she talks in her sleep.  It happens frequently where she is yelling out in her sleep about random people so loudly that it wakes me up.  Sometimes I try to figure out what she is saying to hold it against her later :-)

8. The patients, faith and diligence.  This is a reflection on who she is as a follower of Christ.  Again if I had these attributes I think I would be moving mountains immediately.

9. Her love of her father.  She sees her dad and one of the greatest of all men on earth.  He is such a good example.  She wants to have his determination and spirit.

10. Her sense of humor.  She is the only person I know who can laugh and smile all while still married to me.  It is a great life I have, mostly because of her.

I love you Karen, happy birthday, 29 yet again.