May Memories

Where to start since the last update? We ended with Lane's big 13 birthday, and it has been non-stop since then. Wrapping up the school year is always a big deal. Presentations, grades, essay galore, education budget issues, etc. Not to mention activities at home like birthday parties, baseball and basketball for Lane.

Lane. Okay, so he has passed all of his state tests for 7th grade. His biggest worry, the writing test. But, we just learned that he passed okay. He is working on getting caught up in math so that he can be ready for Geometry next year. As for baseball, the team is doing well. They are all 7th grade playing in a 7th/8th division, so they are getting experience with the bigger kids. Just recently, he has found a new love, a love we have in common: shoes. Oh no, right? I knew it was just around the corner as all the boys are in 7th grade.

Lane also plays really well with Ashlyn lately. It's pretty cute to see them interact. Lane will chase Ash all around the house, and they'll play hide-and-seek. It's very cute. Whatever Lane is doing, Ash is sure to follow.

So, Ash is a riot these days! Full of personality, attitude and just utter cuteness. She is so funny. Before she lets Harlo in from outside, she says, "Harlo says, 'Open the door, Ashlyn. I'm done going potty.'" She is on this birthday kick lately and before she goes to sleep at night, she'll say, "When we wake up tomanno, it will be my birthday!" Okay...sure. She happened to watch an episode of Dora on vacation, and she said "I want to go on bacation." Matt asked her if she wants to see Woody and Buzz Lightyear, and she got pretty excited. We tried to tell her that would would see them in a few weeks at Disneyland, but of course, she can't comprehend "few weeks." Sadly, she grabbed her Dora backpack to fill will items for a trip. (It was 8:00 at night.) Then she went out to the car and buckled herself into her car seat and was ready to go. Boy, was it tough explaining to her that we would go during summer and in about a month. I could go on and on with stories, that's for sure.

Matt is wrapping up his middle school year. He will begin working on the master schedule soon. Thankfully, the weather has been decent, so he's been able to get out for occasional round of golf. He frequents the club to lift and run. Grilling days are back, so he'll whip up some of his famous smoked ribs this weekend. Other than that, when he's home, Ashlyn says "Do you want to play in my playroom, Daddy?" So, he plays with her nonstop.

As for me, things at work are beginning to wind down, I think. (Just when I think that is when all craziness happens.) I will do the Helvetia Half Marathon in two weeks. And, then I will take 6 weeks off from running (as the othopedic doctor told me I have a stress fracture in my leg.) Oh well. Maybe I'll try biking or swimming during that time.

I'll share this last story with you. Mother's Day weekend came, and I was ready to have an fun, carefree weekend beginning with a dinner at some friend's house. The start of strep throat meant a spiked fever which provoked another Febrile Seizure from Ashlyn. This one different, the doctors shipped us up to Doernbecker for further observations. Since then, she's had an EEG, and the results were "abnormal," which means we'll do in to see a Neurologist and get an MRI in the next few weeks. Ugh. We're pretty nervous about it, but somehow we know she'll be just fine. Extra prayers and thoughts are helpful-- thank you! :)

Off and running!

ONLY 6 WEEKS OF SCHOOL LEFT!
I can't believe it. Perhaps I should elaborate on the past few weeks. Easter didn't hop but flew by. The Easter bunny stopped, leaving yummy treats and rewards for good behavior. Ashlyn enjoyed several hunts (at various locations in the area and at home) in which she favored the eggs with candy inside--strange, huh? The Easter bunny wasn't frightening to her this year; the one we saw was smaller and wearing flip-flops. As for Lane, the bunny challenged him with a scavenger hunt leading to his basket; his favorite eggs were the ones that contained dollar bills. :)

Lane is now officially a teenager--he's been acting like one for months already. His birthday was a blast--his party was at Sky High Sports this year with all of his friends. Sadly, he'll be driving before we know it. ....Sigh.... The first baseball game is this weekend, and basketball on Sunday's still continues. Academically, he remains on the Honor Roll, earning mostly A's (a B in Algebra). Next year, he will be more involved with Leadership activities.

Ashlyn begs to go to baseball practice with Lane. It's cute but sad. Before we know it, her activities will keep us just as busy. She already has swimming lessons Saturday mornings with birthday parties a plenty. She loves to dance, she begs to play tag "Mommy get me!" and plays bubbles outside with Harlo often. Everything is still "Daddy, daddy, daddy"--please tell me this is just a stage. One day she'll be all about me, right?. Don't get me wrong, we have fun together as we have to keep our toenails perfectly painted all the time and enjoy our crafts. She is going to be a girly-girl for sure! :)

Matt is trying hard to wind down the year. With the bettering weather conditions comes the decline of behavioral tendencies. Why is middle school such a tough time for some kids? Matt still enjoys his workouts, playing golf occasionally, and watching sporting events with friends. Truly, he is the best dad and husband I know--so patient with Ashlyn and Lane and so good with family stuff.

Life continues to whiz by for me. I can't believe I am the parent of a teenager. Lane is the best kid, and I am so proud of him. Our family is perfect, and I savor each minute we spend together. Of course, I'm attempting to maintain (or improve) my physical fitness. I will do the Hippie Chick Half Marathon on Mother's Day and then will ease off on the runs for a bit. I need to close out the school year strong to maintain my emotional sanity. :)

April Fun in the Sun!

"Good night, Mommy!" says Ashlyn as she climbs into bed.
"Good night, Ash! I had fun with you this weekend," I respond, tucking her in.
Six hundred miles traversed over a weekend's time allowed for just as many stories and memories to create. Where to begin...
We arrived into Medford Friday night. I would be running the Pear Blossom Run (10 mi.) the next morning. My mother had made a special trip the run office to see if there were any cancellations for the 5K to get Matt registered in on the action. We were in luck--she signed him up! So, Matt would run the 5K at 7:00 a.m.; my race would start at 8:20. Italian food for dinner to load up on the carbs for the next day!
6:20 alarm. "Ashlyn, sweet girl, time to wake up!" Grunt-grunt as she roles over trying to ignore me. (She is not a morning person!) The carrot, she would get to watch her daddy run in a race. She was so excited! Thirty-four degrees, and we are all bundled up for a crisp but clear morning. Gun sound, and the runners are off! We are right there ready to greet him 23 quick minutes later at the finish line. He rocked it--55th (out of 1700) across the finish line, 5th for his age division! Awesome run, Matt!
My run would begin 30 minutes later... I will say, I was a little jealous that Matt was already finished. What am I doing here?--I paid money for this? ...Nerves and adrenaline. The gun sounded, and 1700 runners and walkers start! My goal, 1 hour 20 min.--my finish time exactly! (I finished 85th female out of 800, 14th for my age group.) It was a beautiful but tough run!
Ashlyn and my Mom were great spectators, but Ash was finished! Tired from her early alarm and ready to go!

The next 24 hours included more Pear Blossom festivities with Mom and Herman and his family. The kids rode ponies, had snacks, danced to the live music, etc. Ashlyn listened and danced to Opa while he played German music for her. We finished the night with delicious German food in Jacksonville, Oregon.

What a great trip for sure! We had so much fun with my family! Hopefully, this is just the start to Matt's running races with me... please, please. :)

Changes in Hillsboro

This has been the month of change! We observe it in the beautiful earth around us--the cherry blossoms, trees, warmer days, and so on. Our kids are growing and blossoming almost daily. It's all happening too fast. Grains of sand slipping through our fingers, the hours and days are escaping from reality. I want to bucket each little piece and capture it for a short while just to be able to enjoy it before the next change comes.
Middle school is good for Lane. He's active with friends, sports, academics, girls, etc. I can't believe in a couple of months he'll be in 8th grade (age 13 in 3 weeks). Yikes! I want my little boy back. If middle school is supposed to be dreadful, then we're pretty lucky. It has been tolerable and great on most days. He is still a nice, wonderful kid. The coolest thing, I had to do a 12-mile run one Sunday, and he rode his bike with me the whole time. What a great kid!
Ash is the sweetest little monkey I know! She has mastered the art of potty-ing. Training began over spring break, and she really has only had one wet bed thus far. Smart little girl! She also sleeps in a big girl bed and started swimming lessons. Daddy is still the sunshine of her life! It's so very sweet! She says so many cute things: "I love kitty-cats!" and "I want chocolate ice cream"--sounds familiar! "I don't LIKE that!" or when it's bedtime and I am putting her to bed, she gives her best protest "I'll wait until daddy gets home."
Matt is busy wrapping up the end of the year assigning a record number of detentions, suspensions, and expulsions. Middle school for him is an entirely different story! I will say, his evenings are what matters. Kick off the work shoes and enjoy time with the family! Walks to the park, a workout at the club, or a ball game on television are perhaps the best ways for him to wind down.
Nine more weeks to my school year! Bring on summer! I just completed a half marathon last weekend, and I'll participate in the Pear Blossom Run (10 mi.) in Medford this weekend. It's great to be in shape again. I hope to visit my sister in her new residence in Mobile, Alabama, this summer. Of course, baseball, swimming, golf, and other outdoor activities are 1st priority for the summer. :)

Pictures a Plenty!