The Race of a Little Champion

The race was just a half mile long. But for a group of Kindergarten students, that is quite a distance to run.  For our six year old daughter Adria, running a race 2,640 feet long was almost a miracle.

She wanted to do it. She really wanted to run this race. Adria has seen Mommy run a 5K race before and even asked to have a number put on her shirt, so she could race. While I trained to run a half-marathon in her honor, I told her that there would be a children’s race the day after mine. She got so excited about it, and even did a couple little “training runs” herself.

But when race day came (two weeks ago on Sunday, November 9), Adria became nervous as she found herself surrounded by strangers and about 40 other kindergarten age children standing at the starting line.

We were in Savannah, Georgia where Mommy had just completed the 13.1 mile Rock’n’Roll Half Marathon as part of Team Spina Bifida, an organization that raises funds and awareness for spina bifida while encouraging people to get active.

Adria’s race was KiDS ROCK Savannah 2014, and there were children from Kindergarten through sixth grade competing, one grade level at a time. It was a one mile race except for the K-age runners, who just had to complete one half mile.

Running is especially challenging for Adria, but for many children with spina bifida it is impossible.  As a result of being born with myelomeningocele, Adria has weak ankles with almost no sensation in her feet and toes along with low muscle tone in her calves. Due to extreme pronation in her feet, Adria must wear leg braces, Ankle Foot Orthotics, in order to walk any distance. She first learned to walk with a walker at age 2 and then on her own at age 3. Within the last year, she has learned to run better but is much slower than the other children on the playground.

Adria and Mommy at the starting line

As we stood at the starting line with Adria and Mommy sharing her #27 race bib number, I became nervous and excited for her. Would she be able to do this? She’s never run this far before. (It's the same question I asked myself when I ran a marathon a few years ago.)

Then some little boys next to us started talking smack to each other about who was the fastest, and to my surprise she chimed right in. “I’m going to go faster than you guys!” Adria exclaimed to them. And of course they ranted back, “No way, I’m faster than you!” They went back and forth a few times, while I admired my little girl’s confidence…and also feared for it.

Before it continued much more, the announcer gave the signal to get ready. Since there were so many little runners, most accompanied by their parents, the race started in waves with about 10 seconds between them. Adria and I were in the second wave to start.

Ready, Set, Go! Adria took off running with great enthusiasm. Soon, children were passing her at much higher speeds and in the rush, she tripped and fell. No real damage was done, so Adria got up and continued on, but within a few minutes she realized she had dropped far to the back of the pack. She slowed to almost a stop and questioned her ability to continue. She was already breathing heavy and almost lost heart.

At that moment, I feared that I had made a big mistake by encouraging her to do this race. But I knew she had more to give. And I knew this would be normal in her life – to run slower than her peers. She needed to learn to keep going and not be disappointed by her limitations.

In spite of being tired and in the back of the race, Adria keeps running.

Daddy and I encouraged her to keep trying and do her best. A race attendant on a bike rolled up, she would be the one following the back of the race, as is typical. She too encouraged Adria and rallied behind her. Adria kept going. Soon, the crowd of spectators started cheering her on as she continued. Though they did not know this little girl from Delaware or her condition, they could see she was a fighter.

The cheers urged Adria on, but her body became weary as she lagged further and further behind and was eventually the only child left on the course. I even asked the race attendant if there was a time limit, and she said no, they would wait for the final runner to finish.

Adria and her support group, including the race attendant on the bike behind us.

As a final huge turn loomed before Adria, the attendant asked a group of teenagers to join her on the course, rallying behind Adria with cheers of encouragement. They became her cheerleaders (though Adria tells the story now and remarks how they did not have pom-poms!).  A large crowd waited at the finish line and joined in the cheers shouting louder. The race announcer at the finish even called her by name. As Adria heard all the cheers, she found the strength and pushed herself to cross the finish, almost 30 minutes after the race started.

Mommy takes a video of Adria's fight to the finish while cheering her on!

CROSSING THE FINISH LINE!
With her "stranger" cheerleaders behind her.

Winded, red-faced and exhausted, she smiled in her victory. Coming in last place did not matter, Adria had finished the race!   

The Little Champion

We were all so excited to see her fight to cross that finish line on her own!

At any point, Adria could have quit. She could have lost heart, grown weary and walked off the course. It was her choice. But she did not. She had to slow down and barely walk at times, but she kept going. She fought the fight and finished the race that was set before her.

We thank God for the blessing she is and pray that she keeps this strength and perseverance always.
 

Conquered: 13 Mile Run in Savannah!

Several months I decided that it was time to push myself again and run a half-marathon...that's 13.1 miles. When I saw that the Spina Bifida Association had an endurance and fundraising program called TEAM SPINA BIFIDA with the motto "Race. Compete. Inspire.", I got excited about doing a run in honor of my daughter Adria.

I signed up for the Rock'n Roll Half-Marathon in Savannah, Georgia on November 8 and pledged to raise $500.

GREAT NEWS...BOTH GOALS WERE SUCCESSFULLY ACHIEVED!

Thanks to the generous support of friends, family, and co-workers with on-line donations, it was fairly easy to exceed my fundraising goal and have $585 raised by race day. THANK YOU SUPPORTERS!!!

The half-marathon went very well for me, even if I was 14 weeks pregnant, and recovery was quick. There was no "bun in the oven" when I signed up for the event but I knew it was possible. Since I've been running regularly for years (though shorter distances), there was no real reason for concern...just an emphasis on staying hydrated.

Our little family of four took a road trip down to Savannah, Georgia for the weekend, allowing the girls to enjoy a lot a new experiences (and a lot of movies in the van!). It's a charming riverfront city with a lot of interesting history.

But let me tell you about the race. This was my third half-marathon. The others were in 2007 (Virginia) and 2012 (Indianapolis), and I completed a full marathon in 2007 in San Franciso, CA.

These big events are quite the EXPERIENCE. With more than 20,000 signed up to compete either the full, half or relay marathon last Saturday in Savannah, the city was buzzing with activity.

It all started at the Convention Center on Friday, where we all converged to pick up our race packets and Bib numbers...and be immersed in Health Fair trade show selling everything from sneakers to sport jelly beans to headbands and beyond.

I brought the girls in with me, carting them around in the double stroller. This was no easy task. It's hard enough to navigate this thing down the sidewalk, let alone through a crowd of thousands!

I wasn't the only one with a race packet. Adria would be running her first race on Sunday, the day after mine! That was an incredible experience (more on that next time!)

Navigating the girls through the throngs of people getting their race packets on Friday. 

 The crowds were actually much worse than they look in these pictures! I was more than ready to get out of there.

Relaxing by the River - the city is just behind us but you can't see it in this picture.

EXPERIENCE RACE DAY WITH ME!

Awake at 4:45 a.m. on Saturday, November 8...Actually, I was awake about half the night because a certain toddler could not sleep well in the hotel.

Snap a mirror selfie trying to show my baby belly at 14 weeks... Then leave hotel while the rest of my family sleeps on.

 Park in the city by 5:30 a.m. and walk 1/2 mile to the starting line. There it is!

 Grab a bagel, banana and water to fuel up before the race. Then wait in long lines to use a porta-potty before the start.

 Escape from the crowds for a few minutes and enjoy the serenity of the Savannah riverfront a few steps away. Above an almost full moon lingers in the western sky just before the sun rises below.

 The only time I saw this busy street so empty... around 6:30 a.m. Just one street over, thousands were awaiting the race start in 30 minutes.

 And here they are. The thousands of marathoners getting ready to go. I started in corral 12 based on my expected finish time.

 It was kind of strange. In the midst of thousands of faces, I was alone. I did not recognize a single one. I've always run big races with people I know, so it was definitely different to be so far from home.

 But I quickly made friends with a sweet southern lady named Leah who was running her first half-marathon. She took this pic for me. It was about 45 degrees when the race started, so I had worn this long-sleeve shirt to stay warm. Like many other runners, it came off a couple miles into the race and was tossed on the street. (I heard they donate them to charity anyway.)

 And we are off! I carried my phone with me during the entire race, so I tried to snap some photos along the way. This is just a mile into it.

 There were many supporters along the run, including cheering crowds with signs, bands, singers and even...bagpipes ;) I thought of you, Mom.

 Leah and I became instant friends and running partners as we kept each other going and ran together through the first nine miles of the race!

 And there was the Rock'n Roll Inflatable dude to change up the scenery of the course.

 At mile 11, Adrian texted me to say he and the girls were up and having breakfast. Unfortunately, it would have been far too complicated for them to come down to the race and watch me. I was disappointed that I wouldn't be able to see them cheering me on, but Adrian called my phone and we were able to "Facetime" during the last 1/8 mile and through the finish line! I couldn't say much because I was exhausted, but Adria and Johanna could watch me and I could hear my little girls cheering me on to a strong finish!

 Almost 2 1/2 hours after I started the race...I crossed the finish line. Sweaty, sore, exhausted...and Victorious!

 

They handed all the finishers a Medal along with water, pretzels, chocolate milk, and energy bars as we continued in mass through the cheering crowds and to the after party. The party was a big event with bands and activities, but I was ready to go find my own little cheering section back at the hotel.

The race ended at Forsyth Park, which is a Savannah landmark, so I enjoyed it briefly.

Thankful and happy to have completed a great run!

Back at the hotel with my girls, who were my biggest fans :)

MY RACE STATS

Here are the details of this race. My finish time was just slightly better than the half-marathon I completed in 2012, but this time I did not take many walk breaks. My times aren't really brag-worthy but for a pregnant mom who only runs once or twice a week, I'll take it!

• Time to Complete the 13.1 mile run - 2 Hours 26 Minutes
• Average 11 minute/mile pace
• Came in 685 out of 1,198 Females in my age division (30-34)
• Finished 6,158 out of the 10,631 Half Marathon finishers 

Overall, the race was a great experience with many wonderful memories made. It inspired me to want to do it again and again! I love the energy and camaraderie of runners. Plus, I was able to do it for a great cause and earn two sweet medals to add to my little collection!

Defeated by Rice Krispie Treats

This is a tragic yet pathetic story of how I let Rice Krispie treats get the better of me. I know you've had moments like these too, when that one little thing at the end of a long week leaves you feeling exhausted and defeated.

For me, it was this simple dessert. Individually wrapped Rice Krispie treats were piled high on a tray in the auditorium kitchen. Alone and untouched...

But the story starts several weeks ago when I agreed to make a dessert for a spaghetti dinner fundraiser hosted by Johanna's pre-school. I felt guilty that I had not been that involved with her pre-school because of my work schedule. Daddy is always the one who takes her and picks her up. So, I decided to chip in and signed up to bring a dessert.

Last night and this morning, I regretted the decision immensely. I was exhausted and fighting a cold. Adria woke up with a fever and crying in pain. I almost let it go and bailed on my commitment, but then I remembered all the notes that came home from the pre-school asking for people to bring dessert because not many had volunteered. I wanted to keep my word.

So, I kept it simple and made a tray of no-bake chocolate cookies and two trays of Rice Krispie treats. Now, if you are a mother who has young children and needs to get them ready for the day before heading to work...you know there is nothing simple about adding anything extra to your morning, like making dessert. But there I was rushing around this morning to get these made.

I left the house early to drive round trip more than 30 minutes to drop off the desserts at the pre-school first thing, as they requested. This barely left me time to make my important 9 a.m. meeting with a client at work. In not so professional fashion, I coughed and sneezed my way through the meeting...

It was a good but very full day at the office, and I really just wanted to come home and do nothing. But I had bought tickets to the spaghetti dinner, plus it meant I didn't have to think about what to feed the kids. My Dad came over, we packed up the girls and went to Seaford for the Spaghetti Dinner.

By the time we got there after 6:00 p.m., it appeared most people had eaten. There was just one tray out with desserts on it. I did not see mine, so I figured they had been eaten already...Good.

I was wrong. About an hour later, we packed up to leave. People were still milling about for a silent auction but dinner was over. There were still some desserts out, so I took one for the road.

Just then, a lady pipes up, "Help yourself and take some home. There is a lot leftover, they'll probably just get thrown away!"

She pointed toward the kitchen and there they were...my cookies and Rice Krispie treats. Piled high on a tray in the auditorium kitchen. Alone and seemingly untouched. There were a few other trays of desserts around them. It looked as if they had never even made their way out of the kitchen for people to eat.

And that was my undoing. This emotional, pregnant mama who seriously inconvenienced her morning to make and deliver these desserts could hardly bare the thought that all that effort was about to be TRASHED! All for nothing! I even told the poor, unsuspecting lady how upset I was about it.

She offered to box some up for me to take home, but I really just wanted to leave before I embarrassed myself and made a scene. I did take a couple pieces and kept my composure until we got to the van. And then it hit. That feeling of defeat and exhaustion. Over something so simple and silly as Rice Krispie treats that didn't get eaten.

But it was much more. It was the symbol of precious moments in a crazy, hectic week that felt wasted and lost.

• One week ago, I was in Savannah, Georgia preparing to run a half-marathon (which I will share more about) and I finished those 13.1 miles on Saturday. 
• I watched my little Adria with spina bifida overcome the odds and successfully finish a 1/2 mile race on Sunday. 
• I drove for over 13 hours to get home to Delaware late Monday. 
• I spent most of Tuesday in the Children's Hospital 1.5 hours away to get my daughter a wheelchair and fitted for new leg braces. 
• I had the craziness of back to school, back to work after vacation on Wednesday with an encouraging Parent/Teacher conference that night. 
• I went into work early and stayed late on Thursday (sold a home and closed on a home in the process...yippee!) but missed most of the birthday dinner for my husband and his dad. 
• Then today, my family all woke up not feeling well and just wanted to sleep. 

Yet I still made those desserts. If that's what you call a Rice Krispie treat. Silly, silly Mommy.

Keeping your word and your commitment is an important thing. But today taught me that there are some days and moments when the right decision for myself and my family is to let this one go and trust that things will work out without me. There will be enough desserts if I don't make my Rice Krispie treats. But I won't be okay and my family will suffer if I don't take the time needed for US.

I hope this doesn't sound selfish or come across wrong. The spaghetti dinner was a great event and important for the Pre-school, and my little "drama" is honestly laughable as I think about how much it affected me.

But I know you've all got your crazy day, crazy week stories that sometimes end in the silliest of things causing us to lose our cool. The real irony is that we can endure some really serious, tough stuff and keep it all together. We can show strength and perseverance in moments of trouble. Then these meaningless incidents happen and remind us how fragile we can be. They also remind us to rethink priorities.

Just don't ask me to make Rice Krispie treats for a while :)

An Emotional Ride

What is it about us, women? That we desire, even crave an emotional experience. To feel. To cry. To struggle to breath as our heart pounds within us. Emotion. So untrustworthy yet somehow fulfilling.

And in the day to day as we muddle through the mundane, the repetition, the constant giving of ourselves...the feelings can lie dormant. They are neatly tucked away where they can't cause trouble or disturbance in our bubble of existence.

But once in a while we allow ourselves to indulge in a fictional experience that produces real and raw emotions in us. A book that takes us to another place, time and life. A movie that transports us into another's secretly beautiful and agonizing life. A song that causes us to stop all and just listen.

They are very personal experiences. Most that we don't breathe about to anyone because those moments, those feelings are ours alone. And for some reason there is a sacredness in them. An escape from our reality...that in spite of all the blessings we have...still occasionally begs for an escape.

And so I find myself alone on my couch at midnight with shirt sleeves dampened and covered in dark smudges of mascara at the close of a movie called The Fault in Our Stars. It is one that my husband had no interest in watching, because he has absolutely no desire to indulge a wild emotional roller coaster ride for "entertainment." Life has enough real heartache and pain of its own, he says, why choose to engage in someone else's painful, fictional journey? It's a point to consider, and I can't fully say why we women often like it.

Maybe it's because even every fictional story has an element of truth, a snippet from someone's real life experience. By indulging and engaging our emotions, may we be better able to connect with others around us and their unique journey? We are created with emotions for a reason. It is healthy to feel them, understand them, and on occasion let them go for a ride just for the heck of it.

It is also healthy to control them, conceal them at appropriate times, and not rely on them to guide your life decisions.

As I sit here ready and needing to go to bed after two late nights in a row. I remember last night's emotions, primarily of joy and laughter, as I sat at kitchen table with several other women talking late into the night. For most of us, it was a rare late night out with no children or husband and we took full advantage...talking about anything and...everything! (No worries ladies, I won't tell)

I really should not have stayed out until 2 a.m. That's almost irresponsible. But we indulged in the beauty of real, face to face conversation and emotions that are more true than what a book or movie can produce.

So here's to the ride. The crazy, emotional ride of life. May we hang on tight through every high and low, and not be afraid to feel the wind in our hair.

Will my baby have Spina Bifida?

The mind of a child is an incredible place. And sometimes those little minds will present you with a question that can stump you more than an essay question on a college exam.

Our little girls like to question everything. Inquisitive minds want to know. And we aim to use these opportunities to provide clear and truthful answers that educate them, but a few weeks ago Adria really stumped me with one.

She and I were snuggling on the couch one evening soon after we had shared with her the exciting news that there is a baby in Mommy's belly again!

Adria was three years old when her younger sister Johanna was born and even at that age she seemed to clearly grasp the concept that her baby sister was growing inside me. She would love on my belly and talk to the baby all the time.

Here is Johanna helping to send off Adria to school this week:

At six years old now, Adria already wants to hug and kiss the baby in my belly every morning and night even though I'm not yet "Fat Pregnant" as she says :)

So as we sat together that evening, Adria was asking me all types of questions about the baby. She has been pretty consistently convinced that she's having a little brother, though we have no proof of that yet. After a few questions like, "Will he have blue eyes like me and Daddy and Jo-Jo or brown eyes like you?", she casually asks me this....

"Will my baby brother have Spina Bifida like me?"

I pause. Gulp. Of course I have thought of questions like this in the stillness of the night and as we considered having another the child. The risk is clearly higher in our family. But it was not a question I had planned for or been prepared to answer from my sweet little girl who lives a courageous life with spina bifida.

Quick. Think. How do I respond? My immediate thought is...I hope and pray not! But I can't say that to her. I can't let her think for a moment that I don't love and appreciate how her body was made. I love her beyond comprehension. Yet, I would never wish for a child to be born into a life that could be exponentially more complicated than "average," nor would I wish on any parent the struggle of caring for a child with unique needs and differences. Sure, we can be made better, stronger people as we daily walk these journeys, but still...

The best response I could come up with was a question back to my little girl.

"What do you think, honey? Do you want our baby to have spina bifida?" 

"Yeah, I think so," Adria says quietly.

I had really hoped that was not her answer. Or did I? Did that answer show that she is comfortable and confident in her life and her body? That she thinks it's no big deal to have spina bifida? Or did it come from a place of loneliness, where she recognizes her differences and does not want to be the only one in her world who must wear leg braces, who has a large scar on her back, and who has to visit the nurse everyday at school instead of using the bathroom like her classmates? Maybe it's a little of both.

Mommy is still stumped by this little girl. I wanted to understand more about what is going on in her heart and mind. So I asked another question.

"Why do you want our baby to have spina bifida?"

"So he can be like my twin!" she says.

Aww, my sweetie. Honestly, I don't remember where the conversation went from there. I think I briefly explained that it's possible but we won't know for a while, and that God is creating this beautiful baby for us to love.

She has asked similar questions several times since, even asking her Granny about it. I feel like I'm treading on sensitive ground with my responses. I am afraid to say the wrong thing; I certainly don't want to put the thought in her mind that I do not want another child with spina bifida. She could misunderstand that to mean something different about herself and our love for her.

I know of parents who have two children with spina bifida. They love them deeply, as I would, but it is a very challenging life to balance all the medications, doctor's visits, special equipment, and medical bills. And I know Adria functions much better than many children born with spina bifida. I do not take that for granted!

But as we planned for this pregnancy, I did the best I could to prevent any potential "birth defects," as spina bifida is labeled. Every morning I took four 1MG tablets of Folic Acid, which is at least five times the dose in most pre-natal vitamins. I did this faithfully for the six months prior to conception and even before that made sure to regularly take high doses of Folic Acid. It's the only known way to reduce your risk of having a child with a Nueral Tube Defect, like spina bifida. Though it's not a guarantee, it significantly drops our risk.

Since we already have a child with spina bifida, our risk of having another child with a similar issue is a startling 1 in 15 chance! HOWEVER, if I take the doctor recommended 4MG of Folic Acid for at least 3 months PRIOR to getting pregnant, that risk drops to about 1 in 15,000!!! Those odds are much better.

Keep in mind, this is a significantly higher dosage than the CDC's recommended daily intake of 400mcg of folic acid for women - 1MG is equal to 1,000mcg.

Still, the question remains...

Will my baby have spina bifida?

At this point in my pregnancy, it has already been decided, as the spinal column is formed very early and a defect like spina bifida occurs just 21 days after conception. We cannot know for certain until our baby is born, but generally an ultrasound will detect spina bifida. I do have a Level II ultrasound (with the 3D imaging) scheduled for about one month from now.

We are hoping and praying the only Big News from that day, is whether Adria was right about a Baby Brother!

But whether boy or girl or anything else is discovered, we already love our baby and look forward to all the hours, days, weeks, and years we may be blessed to have together.

Just like we already enjoy the blessing of two little princesses.

October is Spina Bifida Awareness month in the U.S., so as the month draws to a close, I thought it was a good time to share Adria's tough question. 

The message here is two-fold. 

1. You CAN take action before pregnancy to reduce the likelihood that your child will have Spina Bifida.

2. But if you find out your baby has Spina Bifida, do not despair. You will be amazed by your incredible child as together you embark on a journey to fight for the best life possible. You will cry and feel discouraged at times, but that's expected. The journey is worth it.

Tiny Heartbeats...and Much More

It's been 10 days since my last post. This is a longer stretch than normal, but it's not at all for lack of things to share and topics to write about. It's truly the opposite. There is SO much going on and SO many things I could say, that I simply don't have time to sit down in front of a computer for fun.

Plus, I am officially 12 weeks pregnant (woohoo!) which means that I am tired ALL THE TIME. I feel like I'm yawning my face off at work everyday. I try my best not to do it in front of my clients.

Of all the things I could share today, the most exciting news is this: I got to hear the heartbeat of our new baby for the first time!

A few weeks ago, we saw baby and the tiny little feet buds in my 9 week ultrasound, which was wonderful. At my OB visit today, baby made me a little nervous as the doctor could not find baby's heartbeat for a few minutes, and she started asking me questions. Just as my heart rate was about to increase, we heard the quick beats of a young life. All is well!

However, I did leave that appointment with the realization that I may need to find another practice and hospital to deliver our baby. Our local hospital is small and does not have a full-time anesthesiologist or a NICU. Because of this they do not do VBAC deliveries (Vaginal Birth After C-Section) except in rare circumstances. Because of her spina bifida, I delivered Adria by C-section. And even though I delivered Johanna successfully as a VBAC, it appears that if I want to try that again, I should look into other options....

While that is the Big News of the day, I warned you, there's much more I could share.

I could share how Adria went on her first Limousine ride today. She was one of about 40 students in her elementary school (K-2) who successfully sold more than 20 items for a school fundraiser and thus won this special award! A limo ride to Grotto's Pizza for Lunch. Sweet!

I stepped out of the office for a few minutes to run over to her school and take a few pictures of the event. I was actually the only parent there taking pictures...hahaha! What can I say, I like to document things.

Adria was a little late to the party though. As the other children piled in the limo, she was still down in the nurse's office getting her needs taken care of (bladder emptied by catheter) as she does every day at lunch. She missed the group picture, but I got to pose with my little sweetie by the Limo.

I could share how Daddy joined Johanna for her Pre-school class trip to the Fire House yesterday. The little tots seemed mostly interested as they looked into a fire truck and ambulance. But for Daddy, looking in the ambulance brought flashbacks of several frightening rides he's had to take in an ambulance after a seizure.

I could share about our family going bowling together Tuesday night to celebrate my brother Cameron's 28th Birthday. We were all completely terrible at bowling, and I don't know if anyone even brought 100. But it's something we never do and was a fun change. Plus, it was Adria and Johanna's first time bowling and they both loved it! (With the gutter bumpers and ball ramp of course..) Jo-Jo showed off her muscles by caring the ball by herself.

I could share how earlier that day, I played with Adria on a fun class trip to Loblolly Acres in Viola. It was a full day of picking a pumpkin, running through straw mazes, corn sack slides, story-time, animal petting and a tractor wagon ride! Almost 200 of her fellow Kindergarteners from school and many of their parents were there, so it was a crowd but the group rotations were very well managed.

I could share how Adrian had a great appointment with his Primary Care Physician. He has been conscientious about his health and weight since his last visit many months ago, when his doctor was concerned about his blood sugar levels. Adrian has cut back how much he eats and has been exercising regularly at the gym. His doctor was impressed that he's lost about 20 pounds and his blood results were good!!!

He spent the rest of the day working on our addition and totally impressing me with his ability to put all the siding, soffit and fascia on our addition. For years he worked in construction, but it's been years since he's had the chance to use his skills. I think he really likes the change from normal "stay at home Dad" duties.

I could share about our family's weekend adventure camping at Trap Pond State Park. It did not start off so great, as we arrived Friday night ready to check into our cabin and realized that Mommy had actually made the reservation for Saturday and Sunday night...not Friday. There were no cabins available. Adria and I were especially bummed. But we returned the next morning and enjoyed a gorgeous fall weekend roasting marshmallows over the fire, walking miles through wooded trails, and taking a pontoon boat ride. Truly, all's well that ends well in this case.

Believe it or not, there's still more I could share, but I will end with these highlights from our week and life. Special events that even just a brief mention will bring back good memories for us years down the road. But when I add to all this excitement several late nights of work over the past week, I find myself exhausted and ready to say goodnight. Here's to the memories (and heartbeats :) we create.