Ten on Tuesday

 1. Last night Waukee School's had a jr cross country run. It was a 1 mile run that was split by 3/4 grade, 5/6 grade and 7th grade. They were also split by boys and girls.Will was so excited. His was the 2nd group. Here is the photo of all the boys 3/4. I'm thinking there were 175ish. The winner finished in 6 min mile. That is just crazy!! We were so proud of Will. He did great he never walked and did his best. that is all we could ask for as parents. Thankfully a very kind neighbor let us barrow their camera so we have some photos!!

The start!

His cheering squad, when they were not playing on the playground.

Doing great with about 200 yrs to go.

Crossing the finish line.

2. Here are photos of the kids Mutton busting back from CO. They didn't announce Will's name right so we missed getting him. Thanks Kris for the great photos!

 Jed had no clue what happened. He was the first one out.

Jeffrey talked about it all day long, then was a bit to scared to do it alone.

Annmarie was very hesistant until . . . Ice Cream was offered :) 

 

In case you cannot tell she held on until the sheep rolled on her. She was awesome.

Will did great too. He got a mouth full of blood and dirt. So proud of my adventurous kids

3. Jeffrey is working hard at trying our patience. Hopefully this too shall pass.

4. Soccer this week. It seems 2 of our kids have broken out of their Sherwood defensive minded shell. Jed played u4 and scored like 10 goals (this is not hard, no one knows how to play). Then in th u6 game he scored 3. This is even more impressive because he is 2 yrs younger than everyone else. Will scored 4 or 5 in his u8 game. It is nice to see somethings start to click with him like passing, moving without the ball etc.

5. Went running with a friend and she told me about a tackle football league for Will to play in in the spring. Needless to say he is just a tad bit excited about this.

6. made strawberry jam last week. I love how it tastes and how easy it is.

7. Have I mentioned that I love teaching Gospel Doctrine (Sunday school) I have the best class who comment and really bring in the spirit.

8. Did I fail to mention that is was in the 50's or 40's for our soccer games on Saturday? Yeah it was way cold. Henry was in the baby bejorn and had this way cute brown bear hooded jacket on. I love that kid.

9. Speaking of Henry today he is 8 months. he has 7 teeth still, and is cruising around on anything bigger than him. He is such a happy baby. I cannot get enough of him.

10. in case you were wondering Rocky road is my favorite ice cream flavor.

ten on Tuesday

1."If you have something that the Lord asks or expects you to do and you don't know just how to proceed, DO YOUR BEST. Move in the direction that you ought to go; trust the Lord, give him a chance, and he will never fail you." - George Albert Smith this is what I got out of Relief Society on Sunday. Do your best! I wish I could remember that more often.

2. I got photos from Kris from our family reunion. I love them! when I am not so tired I will add or post them

3. found out our camera is not under warranty, and we will have to pay 100 to fix a camera we bought for 200. . . trying to decide what to do

4. Soccer is continuing. The kids enjoy it. I enjoy it most times, but I am glad that my kids have an outlet that they like.

5. Henry is starting to move along anything that will help him stand up and has room to move. He is growing up way to fast for me.


6. Henry also has 7 teeth. He has learned how to grind them. It is one of the worst sounds I have ever heard!

7. Sunday was not a quality day for the kids at church (bad choices made) so 2 napped while the other 2 spent a good 30 - 45 min reading. I loved it.

8. Chris is enjoying his internship. He has gotten to try 2 cases and has won them both. Glad he is getting this experience.

9 Chris officiated some drake law flag football stuff on saturday. The kids got to go on "the" football field. they thought it was awesome. Oh the little things that make kids happy

10. After soccer and football we headed over to Snookies (local ice cream and malt shop It is AWESOME) and got out last treat from them until the spring. Love that we have found local places that we love.

Ten on Tuesday

1. I started teaching 2 new classes at the Y. I teach a BOSU class (which I am so crazy sore from) and I picked up a 5:10am HEAT class. Love my job, but not sure I want too many more "hours."




2. Love this next story. Jeffrey truly is awesome! Annmarie went and read to a Kindergarten class today (her old one and Jeffrey's class). I asked how it went. She said I was a little bit scared. Jeffrey then says "Annmarie next time you are coming to my class to read and you get scared come to me and I will give you a big hug."



3. We went to our first of 11.5 years of pack meeting on Wed night. Will was great and The other kids loved being there.



4. Have I mentioned that Henry is the best baby ever! He had a low grade fever all weekend and was a bit crabbier than normal. Sunday we put him down at 5:45 pm, thinking he would wake up in an hour or two. . . well he woke up at 7:15AM!!!! He has been so much happier since then and we are happy to have our normal Henry back!



5. Jed played in his first U4 soccer game on Saturday. It was a fun time. I love seeing him play against others his own age (not his siblings).



6. Chris and I went on an awesome date Friday night. We went to the Y and played racket-ball. I have never really played (the JCC when I was like 5 doesn't count!) but we had a great time. Minus the time when I got the ball hit just a tad bit hard on my back. We are looking forward to playing again!



7. Will is a bit obsessed with football right now. our friends leaned over to him before church and said Will

do you know what starts today? The NFL. We should have you over for a Monday night game. So yesterday Will was wanting to go over and watch the game. He doesn't seem to realize that most games start after he is asleep.



8. I got a package in the mail yesterday!!! it was wonderful Kris decided to send me so books. It was such a wonderful surprise, Thanks!



9. I have been struggling with the best way to help a close friend who lives in Vegas. She had a baby early and other complications. Part of me wishes I could just hop on a plane and go for 3 days and help. But shockingly we don't have the funds for that one, as I was driving today I was reminded of a comment made in my sunday school class a while back about how we can be the answers to someones prayers. So I immediatly changed my prayers for her to help her get the help she needs. Hopefully someone follows the spirit and gives her the help she needs.



10. The weather has cooled down. It is so nice to have windows open, play outside for hours! I love this weather, it makes me miss playing soccer, riding bikes down Whispering Hills and just playing with old friends. So glad I have such happy memories about the fall :)

Ten on Tuesday

1. I found out I can send my camera to Nikon and hopefully get it fixed for free. Hopefully this will be free :)

2. We went to Nauvoo on Monday. We went with another family. Which means that Chris and I got to go together!!! it was so wonderful! Love going to the temple with Chris

3. Saturday we had a BBQ for the Law students in the LDS law society. It was fun. Nice to be around others who are in the same situation.

4. Jed went to preschool today for the first time. He is signed up for it. I am not sure he will do it long. I keep going back and forth between sending him and not. It appears that he will be going, as of today. He loved it and was so happy. We shall see how it goes and how long I think he can handle being in school that long.

5. Friday night we went on a date with a couple from our ward. It was such a blast to go on a double date with a couple we both enjoyed.

6. I went running Saturday morning with a friend. it was so nice. I love running with people makes the run so much more enjoyable.

7. Chris had no classes or work on Friday so he went to the temple. Love that he wanted to make it to the temple in the month of August so he woke up at 4am.

8. Henry is way too loud at Church. I think I have left sacrament meeting  at least 2 times each week. The other classes are just as bad if not worse. Makes me wonder what the next few months will bring

9. Will started going to scouts. He is going a bit early, Chris is in scouts so they said he could bring Will a few weeks early. He is in Heaven

10. Saturday Will said hey it is my birthday month! so instead of a day, or even a week he thinks he gets to have a whole month. Oh boy looks like we have a long month ahead of us. Plus he is really into football lately.

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.