No Half Assin'

My goal over the last 3 1/2 months has come and gone. It was so much better than I prepared myself for. When I say better, I mean I ran better than I thought I could, the pain wasn't quite as bad as I thought, and it was just plain fun. I smiled miles 0-12, but after mile 12 there was no smiling. How can you slow down in the last mile? My official time was 2:19:34, but I promise you, that I waited in the mile 4 port-a-potty line for at least 7 minutes. Anyway, in my previous post I stated that this would be my last half marathon - scratch that. I love hearing the national anthem. I want to thank my Mom for letting me borrow her running pants, and Josie for letting me borrow her pink dry fit shirt and ear warmer. The pink and black made me feel sassy.

Fussing with my ipod. I attach it to my sports bra and tuck the wires so that they don't pull.

I was running.

David said the sweetest thing, after I saw my average mile time, I was briefly disappointed, he told me, "well, I thought you looked fast" in a very convincing manner.

Skip to after the finish. At this point, I remembering thinking, I can't believe I just ran 13.1 miles.

My Mom and sisters met me at several different points along the course to cheer me on, and my Mom ran with me several times. It was such a motivator. My sisters can be so loud.

David was awesome, he met me at several different spots too. It was kind of weird, because I would just be running along, and every time I saw him, he was just right there. He always seemed to put himself in a good place.

My medal. I wore it most of the day. It felt so good to set a goal and finish. You know, other than human reproduction!


Next up PsychoWyco!

Squeaky Knees and Squeaky Shoes

Still no pictures. David is holding the camera hostage. So, just ramblings. In two days, a little over 48 hours I will be in the midsts of running my first and last half-marathon. I am not sure my knees will be up for any more 13 mile challenges after this one. In fact, I conferenced with my knees tonight in a hot bath, and while they are not sore at this very moment, they are petrified of feeling petrified in the middle of the race. All joking and knee jerking aside, while I am nervous about knee pain during the race (it's more like a run for me, rather than a race), it feels so good to have set a goal over 3 months ago, busted my butt running and exercising, and to be on the verge of completion. Other than reproducing and carrying babies, it has been a long time since I have followed through with anything. And well, the babies, I really couldn't just quit in the middle.

Speaking of babies, my little Charlotte is walking. And, walking a lot. She loves it. She especially loves to wear her squeaky shoes. Josie, she fussed and cried at me tonight when I took them off. Hee-larious!

So, I am excited, just a wee bit scared. But hopefully my Friday night dinner/carb load at Garozzo's along with a glass or two or three of red wine will numb my wits and relax me. Here's to hoping.

Blah, Blah, Blah

I am sure I have used this title before - for a post where I make tons of excuses for not posting. I am holding up my left hand in the shape of an L right now. Between working extra, I worked a sixty hour week two weeks ago, training for my half-marathon (which has slackened), making time for family, trying to clean (sort-of), and trying to go to bed earlier no matter what the house looks like, preschool activities, and carting the kids around town so that I can work more, blogging has fallen by the wayside. But yesterday I baked something and took pictures, so that I could share it with fellow pumpkin eaters. And today I took some pics of the kids playing outside, because they were just too cute playing side by side. So please bare with my unorganized soul and do not abandon the Dotte, for I will post something decent soon.

"We Gotta Go Downtown"

"We gotta go downtown" is what Joe kept repeating this morning as we scurried out the door at a last moments notice to pick up his new glasses.

But answer one question, how does a three year old know that these are the right glasses for his eyes? And how will he articulate that to his mother?

Language Lane

All aboard. Destination: Language Lane preschool.

There are two important characters in this picture (besides Joseph). The little girl standing next to Joe is his friend Caitlyn. Joe talks about Caitlyn every time we talk about preschool. At first I thought Caitlyn was kind of, well, made up. Joe has a cousin named Caitlyn, and of course I figured there was a Caitlyn in his class like he talked about, but I figured he just latched on to a familiar name. Apparently, I was mistaken. Caitlyn and Joseph are good buddies. In fact, Caitlyn talks about Joe quite often at home as well. How stinkin' hilarious is that?!?

So, who is the sassy chick in the frayed jeans, pink shirt and hip swayed to one side? Well, Nana of course.

For Grandparents Day, Nana, and other grandparents were serenaded by the preschools, and enjoyed storytime together. Each preschooler then provided their grandparents with personal tours around the classroom (cush with cookies and beverages), with emphasis on their favorite activities.

I just love Joe's preschool. I feel like it is a hidden treasure in Bonner Springs. I wish school could always be like Language Lane and Noble Prentis (my elementary alma mater).

the One Year Old

Prior to Charlotte's arrival, I was apprehensive about raising a little girl. I don't know how to apply make-up, I can style my hair - into a ponytail. I wear jeans, t-shirts, and oh yeah sweatshirts. Let's not forget my ultra stylish, trendy and feminine Converse All-Stars. I'm just not girly. But, dad-gum-it, the girl was meant to be mine. She knows that I am mama. She will start to repeat: ma-ma-ma-ma-ma and fiendishly crawl towards me, then stand up with arms in the air begging to be carried. When I enter the room, she sqwuaks/screams (how do you spell sqwuack?) and then will drop what she is doing and bee-line straight towards me. Two words to describe her: sweet, but demanding. Do sweet and demanding = spoiled? Not by this ma-ma-ma-ma-ma.

Finally, the Finish

It has taken forever, but here are pictures from the finish line. Even though he is smiling, I imagine it was difficult to walk up the hill.

They look like best buddies. Team 1060 took over 82 hours to complete the Missouri River 340. Not too shabby considering over 1/3 of the entrants do not finish. And they are already looking forward to next year!