Another Runner in the Family

There's been a lot of action around here the last couple weeks. The little one started Pre-School Prep class, she claimed her first medal, had her first Legoland experience and somewhere in the middle I turned the calendar on another year. By the way, thank you for all the phone calls and well wishes!

I'm not sure what she found most exciting but the enthusiasm for the race t-shirt she received may be an indicator. She actually asked to sleep with it the first night she got it and insisted on wearing it the whole weekend. Part of it stems from her new love for all things pirate. When she saw that the shirt had a treasure chest on the back, she about lost it. She's taken to calling me, "Pirate Mommy." It's strange...but cute.

Well, you never know how these things are going to go. You ask if they want to do a run like Mommy & Daddy and they say yes. There's lots of talk about it for the months and weeks leading up to it but when the race administer says "GO", all bets are off. As we waited our turn in the swarm of two year-old's and their parents anticipating the 30 seconds for their kid to shine, I explained to my little girl that she needed to run to the balloons and she'll get a medal. She nodded her head in understanding and repeated, "Run to the balloons."

So far so good. We saddled up next to her best buddy, also running, and they were off. She did well and with a bit of encouraging along the way, reached the balloons and received her medal.

Now, daily she walks through the house proudly wearing her accomplishment and I am happy to have the video footage for the family archives. I may need to take a cue from the little one and when I need a little confidence builder maybe I should strut around the house with my marathon medals.

We hope to make it an annual event. The announcer made mention of a 17 year old girl running in her 17th Carlsbad 5000 (5K), she started in the diaper dash at one and has been in the event every year since! How great is that. I think it's the little achievements of significance like that, that add up to a complete and fulfilling life. It's about goals, accomplishment, bettering yourself and having something to look forward to. I love it!

Ahoy!

To Annabelle

Oh sweet Annabelle, how loved you are. I can picture your little face in my head, at least what I imagine it may look like, and it makes me smile. What a beautiful baby girl! Our family considers you a part of it already and my little girl already talks of her friend by name. She had the opportunity to play with some of your toys the other day and expressed her approval. Your little baby Aubrey has now been renamed Boo, but of course you are at liberty to change it to any name you wish. I look forward to being able to hold you if only I am able to tear you away from your Mommy's arms.

You have been blessed with wonderful loving parents who will do anything for you. The challenges put before them are great but the thought of your sweet presence is one that makes every step of the way a worthwhile journey. I know you will return their love in great quantity with a simple smile or laugh. Your Mom and Dad have already touched so many lives around them by witnessing their desire to make your life a wonderful one. They continue to be an example of God's great love and grace, even through their heartache. Oh how I love them dearly.

It's difficult for me to write this without totally breaking down in tears. You see, that's what a love so deep does. The type of love only given by our God who so loves us. It cuts right to the heart and humbles even the strongest man. Thank you for being an example of His love for all His children, especially me.