This labor day I am thankful for our jobs that provide. I am also thankful for our health. I know it isn't Thanksgiving, but I grateful anyways.

So here is a test post from my Droid. Cool, huh?

WTH?

Nope, I didn't fall of the edge of the earth, I finished the Marathon and then went on with life and haven't blogged since, what is so cool though, is I just got a Droid for work and I can now post blogs from the phone, soooo when I am sitting there at baseball, or waiting in line, or wherever, MAYBE I can do more posts. I don't really feel like updating all the crap since May of last year that has happened, and while some has been off the hook AWESOME believe me some of it was indeed CRAP! Lately I am going through so stuff, feeling pretty sad and thinking I need a vacation that I can't afford. So for now, it is back to work I go with the hope I will be a blogging fool now - LOL! Like anyone reads this anyways...

My Marathon Training

10 weeks till May 9. May 9, Mother's Day, and Marathon Day! Training is going okay, I started in November slow and steady then made the mistake of getting a little gung ho come the first of the year. I have already finished an 18 mile run when I still had 12 weeks to go. So I am cutting back just a bit, this weekend I completed 15.5 miles. My goal was to hit another 17 or 18 miles, but my right ankle started to have shooting pain that ended the run. Not to mention I had been feeling ill the two days before the run. At about mile 6, I twisted my left ankle, but without any real damage. Overall I am not too dissapointed.
I am finding my paces to be slowing, but that is okay with me, it helps me endure and my recovery is much easier. My goal for May 9 is to finish the race, not based on time, so a slow pace is okay.
I find I am very nervous everytime I think about the race, to the point I physcially feel a little ill. I really want to successfully finish this 26.2 miles.

The Boys Praise God

Today at Church the kids led Worship.  I was very proud of all the kids, and especially the boys, it is hard to be in front of people and "perform" let alone lead adults in worship.

Our church consists of mild mannered people when it comes to worship, and I believe it is the heart of the leadership there to teach the people to abandon their preconceived notions and what others think, and to allow themselves to open up and be free in worship.

I love worshiping God with music and dance, it was fun to see the kids do the same.  And yes, even some of the adults joined in and "jumped" for God!  

The children's Pastor is also the kids' music teacher at Landmark Academy.  She is a fun and energetic woman with an amazing heart for God.  What a blessing to have her in our children's lives!

Enjoy the video, heck, get up and Jump!

P.S.  Thanks to my friend Tara for helping with the camera so I could get my praise on!

Just like Daddy

All the boys love to help Dad cook, but for Adam Jr. it means even more.  Adam Jr. has his Daddy's name, his Daddy's smile, his Daddy's determination, just like Daddy he knows how to get what he wants from me almost every time, and now is enjoying cooking, just like Daddy.

It is funny what is in a name and how we often live up to what we are named.

Caleb - Faithful

Joshua - God is Salvation

Adam - Red Earth

Jennifer - Fair One

New Kids On The Block - They're Back

On Friday November 14, 2008 I finally saw the New Kids On The Block in concert.  

You see when I was a teenager, I was a huge fan.  I would say the biggest fan, but I am sure we all think we are the biggest fan.  I had the dolls, the shirts, nightgown, pillowcase, posters, buttons of all sizes, videos that were nearly worn out from so much viewing, and even a home made scrapbook of photos and magazine articles.  Their music played non stop at my house.  I thought I was in love with 5 guys and with Jordan the most!

All my friends went to see them in concert, but I did not.  I was devastated.  

When I saw the billboard last spring, flashing that they were having a concert in my area this fall, I could not wait to get my tickets.  But as the time approached I had no one to go with me and not very much money.  The final days I started looking on line for tickets.  The day of the concert I figured I was out of luck, but I would make some offers to those trying to sell and see if I could get some seats.  As it would turn out, someone was willing to sell me their floor seats, row 17 for what I could afford!  I took my 10 year old son, Caleb.  

It was a packed house and the crowd was insane!  It was nonstop screaming.  It was so funny to see all us 30 somethings acting like we were teenagers again.  The show was amazing!  First they opened with Lady Ga Ga (for whom I was not so GA GA), then Natasha Bedingfield performed and that girl can SING, we enjoyed that a lot.  Then finally, they came out.  It was surreal, 15 years, and finally, there they were just 17 rows of people from me.  The new songs were awesome, the old ones brought back memories, and they still had to moves (Danny even was break dancing).  And yes, they look good still.  In the words of Donnie, it was good to be together again, all grown up.

At the end of the show, last song, security just gave up, so I took Caleb by the hand and we went up by the stage and were within feet of them.  I was shaking I was so excited.

Yes, I am a little crazy.  Yes, Adam had to go out and buy me the greatest hits CD as well as their new CD the very next day.  Yes, I pulled out my old t-shirts.  Yes, I am a New Kids On The Block Fan once again! 

How Time Flies

So it seems I am terrible at blogging.  I have no time.  Here is a quick update as of this Halloween night 2008!

The boys are back in school.  Adam Jr. began preschool.  He really likes it.  His speech is improving and he is doing very well.  (finally off of the Binkie!!!)

Joshua is in Tae Kwon Do, and he just finished flag football.  Caleb started flag football, then broke his thumb before he even got to the first game.  He is busy fundraising for competitive baseball again this year.  

Adam Sr. took a new job that he really loves.  He is building custom homes.  He visited IA recently for the funeral of his Grandfather.

Jenn is busy at work, still running, but much less since completing two 1/2 marathons this summer.  

It seems we will be alone for the holidays this year, which is making us sad.  Currently I am alone while the hubby is off in the mountains attempting to shoot some wild game.

Happy Halloween!

And the there was Junior

3 posts for my 3 boys. My youngest, my baby.
He has Sensory Integration Disorder and will be evaluated for Autism (although I highly doubt he is on the spectrum.)
Jr. is 2 1/2. He is just starting to speak in small sentences, his recent progress is so exciting. He is loving and sassy at the same time. He is a mamas boy. He brings me joy and laughter.
He has some special needs and requires a higher level of work and attention, but he is worth it.
This one will keep me on my toes for many years to come!

Ahhh, the Middle Child

Well, I wrote a blog entry about Caleb, so I thought I would give Joshua an entry as well. Josh is the middle child.
I was an only child, so having 3 has been a learning experience to say the least, but having a middle child is something I never was ready for.
Joshua is funny and loving, but he cries out for attention at every turn, and rightly so. Being the middle often means being "forgotten". Not big enough to do some things big brother does, too big to do things that little brother does. No longer the "baby" after 4 years of holding the title. It is a tough place to be in the family, I think he will rise to the occasion, however.
Smart as a whip is our middle son. I believe with his sweet nature and brilliant mind, he has a bright future ahead of him! What lies ahead? Summer camp, learning TaeKwando.

Are you ready for some BASEBALL?

I am the mom of an almost 10 year old star! This is Caleb's second year on the Brighton Bears Major League team, and to be honest I couldn't be more proud of my son than when he takes to the field. He is determined, strong, and talented. He works so hard for the thing he loves, baseball.
Playing competitive ball at this age takes a lot of dedication and hard work. Beginning to practice first week of January for the season and playing through July. Doing baseball 4-6 days per week. Getting home after 9 or 10 pm on school nights from away games. Some days playing 2 -3 games in one day. Playing in all weather conditions; rain, snow, sleet, wind, cold. He gives 100% to his team.
I have big hopes for my first born son, of course he dreams of the Major Leagues, I see greatness. Of course, he has his moments, he has his days, he even has his weeks, when he makes me want to pull my hair out and give up, but then when he takes to the field, I see what my boy is made of. I am proud of my son and I am happy to be called his mom.

Goodbye Maggie

Our family dog, Maggie, was diagnosed with a tumor last spring, in the last few weeks she has taken a terrible turn for the worse, and tomorrow she will leave us, forever.
She has brought us much joy and laughter, she has cleaned up more table droppings than I can ever count, she has been patient while baby Adam yanked her ears, tail, and fur, she always wags her tail for us and loves her nick name Weasel.
Our sadness is great, especially loosing her around the holidays. It seems so unfair. Please remember our boys in your prayers as they deal with yet another loss in their little lives.
We love you, Maggie, you won't be forgotten.

Mom Sr., Adam Sr., Mom Jr., Adam Jr.

The Mom's and their Adam's!

Christmas, It's Almost Here!

We have bought all the presents, hung all the stockings, put up the tree and lights, watched the Christmas movies, but the gifts remain unwrapped! Without our family here, it will be a quiet Christmas, which saddens us a bit, but we are also looking forward to just relaxing and taking a few days retreat from life. Our wish is for you and yours to have a wonderful holiday as well. Oh, and get a little goofy, like us!

Sensory Integration Disorder

After our last speech therapy session, it is believed that Adam Jr. has Sensory Integration Disorder.
It is difficult to understand, harder to explain, although we did find a great web site that is really helpful. If you would like to better understand what we are dealing with, please take time to visit the Sensory Processing Disorder website.
We have begun using some of the suggestions for Adam Jr. so that once his sensory needs are taken care of he can focus more on learning and speaking. The hard part is finding the time necessary to implement what needs to be done with my busy schedule now that I work.
Please keep our family and Adam Jr. in prayer.

World Series - Here We Come

Look out world, the Rockies are on the scene! Last nights moment when Todd Helton caught the ball at first base and won the game, is still putting a lump in my throat! It was awesome!
The Rockies deserve the World Series, and I can't wait to see them win it!
Colorado is certainly excited about our team, from Rock-tober, to newly named streets, to songs written just for our team! Rockies fever is everywhere. I have to admit, I think I have caught it!
A local radio station has even made a song for the Rockies, and it Rocks! Check it out here!

Go Rockies!

Can you believe the run the Rockies are having? I am certainly a proud fan at the moment! We were at the game last Saturday night, it was so fun! I think it would be awesome to see them go all the way to the World Series, and the way our boys are playing, we may just have a chance! Go Rockies!

New Season, New Hair Color

Well as usual, as the seasons change, I get antsy. And what do I do when I get antsy, well change my hair color of course! It is a fun red again! Woo-hoo!

Someone liked my Photo

In May I ran the Bolder Boulder, which ends in Folsom Field. Later we viewed the post race events at the field. I took some pictures while we were there.
I put the pictures on my Flickr account, which I hardly ever use.
Then a few weeks ago I got an e-mail asking if I would submit one of my photos for Schmap. I did, and it got accepted! Kinda cool. So it seems my Folsom Field Photo is helping to tell a little about Boulder, I am glad I could help!
See the link above or the widget on this page to see the photo I took (Jenn G.) :-)

Working on the J.P. Schwartz Web Site

For work this last week or so, I have been given the opportunity to help with the posting of different things to the website, I even wrote some of the content about John being a Denver Computer Consultant. This is fun work for me. I am really enjoying my job.
Don't get me wrong, working from home can be time consuming and difficult. Some days it can take 5 of my hours to get 3 hours of work done (Getting paid for 3 fair hours, when it took 5 hours out of my day to really accomplish it, due to interuptions or things like taking kids to school or practice.) Regardless, it is the perfect job for me right now, the work is suited to what I know how to do, or am at least confident and capable of learning to do; the schedule is flexible enough for me to work around the kids and other responsibilities, and I still get one day that I work away from home, in John's office, which gives me a nice break from the day to day stuff here at home.
All in all, I just can't complain a bit, and feel really blessed for the opportunities I have been given.