"I run because I can"

Kel, Jaim & Sandi before the race

**Update: Results were posted...I ran my personal best time: 2:03:42 !!!!

This morning I ran my 10th 1/2 marathon: the inaugural Indianapolis Monumental Marathon. That makes me old. At least older than I was when I did my first one, which was in 1999 - I was 22 and living in Minneapolis. I had run in 5k races all throughout my young adulthood with my dad or with friends in college. But for some reason I got the bug to run longer distances post-college. Every year I train and every year I finish. Every year I get stronger. And every year I am reminded why I run these races:

Friendship.

Strength.

Health.

I can.

Jaime and I trained for 12 weeks for this race. During the week we'd do our runs on our own and on Saturday mornings we'd meet on the Monon Trail for our long runs. It was our time together. Away from husbands and kids and everyday monotony. We focused on the road ahead and hugged each other afterwards and headed on our way. I run for friendship.

I know I am stronger today than I was yesterday. Heck, I am stronger today than I was when I was 16. I run for strength.

Because I eat my fair share of junk food, the running allows me to indulge. I burn those calories with each step and know my bones are getting stronger and the calories are melting. I run for my health.

Finally, Jaime and I saw a woman running with all her might this morning...her running gate a bit skewed from what only I could gather was from a disability. She carried her crutches on her back, in case she needed them. I choked up at this sight. And the gal in front of her wore a t-shirt....it said, "I run because I can." Enough said. We crazy runners run, if for nothing else, because we can.

This woman inspired me today to keep going when I was in pain....because I can. What inspired you today?

Celebrate everyday miracles...

I called one of my best gals this afternoon to share with her some amazing news...you could call it a miracle. We got to talking about how fortunate we were to have healthy, happy babies. And how much we worried together throughout our pregnancies about the health of our kiddos. Wow...how little did we know that we'd worry a lot more once they arrived into this world! Anyway, it got us to sharing stories about some friends going through some very difficult pregnancies. Which brings me to the reason for this post. She brought up yesterday's Oprah...

In the blogging world...most of us know the blog 99 Balloons, which is about a little baby boy named Eliot who lived 99 days. If you do not know of this blog, see my side bar -> and read it from the very begninning. It will break your heart at the same time you rejoice with this family for celebrating everyday miracles.

Yesterday this family was featured on the Oprah show (which I've recently been boycotting for some major reasons - but one of my besties told me today that I HAD to watch my Tivo of yesterday's Oprah). Oprah did not disappoint. Rather, she played the YouTube video that Eliot's parents created. The video was basically a summation of their blog. So if you don't have the time to read the blog in its entirety, check out yesterday's Oprah or look up the 99 Balloons video on YouTube. It will bring you to tears, as it did Oprah and myself and millions of others. Eliot's mother said she lived every day of his 99 days on earth being happy. She said she wanted to be sad later...and be happy now - celebrate each day (which they did, literally).

How inspiring. And what a huge reminder for us to live each day for today. Not tomorrow or next year. But bask in everyday miracles.

My Izzy Lou is my miracle. What's yours?

Caught in the act...

Folded in half to get to her books
Climbing in to reach toys

Izzy Lou lets nothing get in between her and her toys...she will go to any length to reach a beloved toy or book. I just had to share some of the pics when we caught her in the act. She's too cute!

Luke's 1st Birthday

Jaime, Kelly, Izzy & Molly

Jeremy & Jaime helping little man discover his cake

Opening his gifts

Izzy Lou peeking through
Reading to girl

Today was Luke's 1st birthday party, and boy was it filled with kids, gifts, toys and FUN! It was the most beautiful Fall day...perfect for celebrating such a special birthday.

Happy birthday Luke!!!

Izzy's 1 year Photo Session...

Walking down Main Street
Amongst the pumpkins

Smiling for her Mum

Big girl

More of Main Street

Wanted to share a few pics from our photo shoot with Zach Dobson (http://www.zachdobson.com/) a few weeks ago in downtown Carmel. This was our third photo session with Zach (and his wife, my friend, Courtney) and we feel they get better each time. Pretty easy to do with a kiddo that gets cuter every day. That, and a very talented photographer :)

Although Izzy turned 1 in October, the weather felt like August...thus, the summer dress. It was fitting, as the day she was born it was also in the 80's. Fall has always been my favorite time of year...with the leaves turning, tailgating, and cozy sweaters. Now I have one more reason to make this my favorite season: Izzy Lou's birth day. Nostalgia nearly every day...for the hospital, for the late-night nursing sessions, I could go on forever.

After the photo session, we ate brunch at Bub's Cafe on the Monon Trail. Followed by an afternoon nap taken by all. Perfect Sunday in my book!

To see all the photos from this shoot, visit: http://www.zachdobson.com/izzy.htm

Laura & Casey's Wedding...

Life-sized cut-out of the bride & groom outside of....
the beautiful Grain Exchange room
Yummy cake

The table assignments were based on dates that Laura & Casey went on...our table was from the Jimmy Buffett concert in '06
Each table had an anniversary card for the table's guests to sign...what a clever idea!
Us...sans bambino!!!
Tim & Danielle came in from Dallas

Cousins Tim, Steve and Mike
The gift of UW Madison's pep band...
...was a HUGE hit...

This weekend Mike and I made the trek up to Milwaukee for our (kind of) cousin Laura and Casey's wedding (Mike and Laura share an Uncle). Laura looked stunning, the reception site was beautiful and the dancing was an all-out blast (I even learned a few new dances!). The bridal party surprised the couple with the UW Madison pep band!!! They played for over 10 minutes: the Madison Fight Song, Roll Out the Barrel and the Chicken Dance, among many other favorites. With almost 300 guests...nearly the entire room was on (or near) the dance floor to witness a truly FUN experience. Made me wish I was a Badger!!! This was one of the best weddings I have ever been a part of, hands down. Congratulations Laura & Casey!!!

Thanks to my sister and niece for taking care of Izzy girl while Mike and I were able to get away for a very fun evening.

1 year pediatrician appt...

This morning was Isabelle's 1st year wellness check-up with her most favorite Nurse Practitioner, Sherry. We have always seen the NP, as we love her the most (she reminds me of my mother) and look forward to showing off our newest skills each visit. Now that I think of it, my favorite nurse while going through fertility treatments was also a Sherry....must be something very nurturing about that name. Anyway, Izzy's current stats are:

Weight: 20 lb. 12 oz. - 50-75%

Height: 29 1/4 inches - 50%

Head: 45 1/2 cm - 75%

Seems her head is still a bit larger than the rest of her body. But just look how stinking cute her head is in the above pic. Nuff said.

Izzy received 4 shots (flu, chicken pox, HepA and MMR)...none of which she liked. In fact, she screamed bloody murder. It was horrible. I loathe the shots. Can't believe I had to give them to myself for so long, way back when.

Sherry told us we should wean Izzy from her Nuk around 18 months (as that is the age when they can start speaking sentences). Mike asked me if he could go on vacation during that time. Good luck with that one, buddy!

This visit, in particular, made me especially nostalgic about how just one year ago I was struggling to get us out of the house to make it to her 1 week appointment with my mom in tow. Makes me miss when she was just a little peanut. Guess she is only 1....and she'll always be my little peanut!!!