All Better

Well it has been 17 months since Ava came down with her horrible Kawasaki-like virus and 12 months since her symptoms improved dramatically and now I can say that she is finally all better. There is little that brings me more joy than to see her healthy skin and smiling face. There were times when I worried if she would even see her 3rd birthday (as I could not figure out why her body was not improving last fall). We are grateful to God for the blessing that Ava is and especially for her renewed health!

We did it!

The Turkey Trot was fantastic--though I would have preferred that it was not raining. It was a steady Oregon rain (a strong drizzle) and was in the mid-40's. The run was beautiful and challenging (there was an 1100 ft. elevation change--half up, half down) but we all did it (Carl deserves a big round of applause for taking all 3 kids and walking it) and I finished in 44:31--faster than I expected on the 4 mile course! The kids did not do the Tot Trot afterward because it was too cold (we didn't even give them the option). The Turkey Trot may very well become a family tradition each year!


Before the race


Carl and the gang before the race



The view of Washington Park (which we ran through for about 3.2 of the 4 miles)



After the race!

Wish me luck

Two weeks from today (Thanksgiving morning) I am doing a 4 mile run at the Oregon Zoo--The Turkey Trot--it's a fundraiser for the zoo. It will be the first time I have EVER done an organized run of any kind. Chances are the weather will not be optimal (by a long stretch) but hopefully that will not dampen my spirits (or my legs). Carl has been a great encourager and my partner in training. The kids will also do a 1/2 mile run (if they want to). My goal is to do this run and a 10K before I turn 35...we shall see!

Camo

When I went to pick Henry up at school yesterday his teachers informed me he'd had a head-to-head collision with Colin--whom we carpool with 3 times a week. He had a very large goose-egg on his forehead and was treating it with an ice pack they leant him. Colin was knocked to the ground but with no apparent head wounds.

His teacher, Miss Shelby, informed me that following the incident in which both boys were knocked a bit silly Henry said,"Miss Shelby, I just couldn't see Colin because he is wearing a camouflage t-shirt. He just blended in with the playground." Seriously?

Sister Synergy

Elyse is a very quiet and content baby. She smiles often but does not often laugh. However, she has the happiest belly laugh when we are graced with it. About 90% of the time it is Miss Ava who evokes it. There must be something there--a sort of sister synergy we cannot see but can hear in the sweet laughter of this child.

On a warm day in August I heard her belly laugh and discovered Ava was throwing a beach ball out on our patio. I grabbed the video camera and, well see for yourself...

Sneak Peak

We had our annual family photos last week. This year we had my parents and Holly join us too! Here are a couple for you to see...