20 Miles for James, 18 for Karen!

Yesterday was the longest training run James will do before his marathon. He busted off 20 miles. That's a really long way. He ended up running the river path, from Orange Grove to Dodge and back, plus a little doubling back somewhere in the middle. I ran the final 9 miles with him, and since I was pushing Zack in the jogging stroller the whole time, my total mileage comes out to 18 miles. If you have any questions about this 18 mile calculation ask James, he's a number man.

James is feeling pretty exhausted. Yesterday all he wanted to do was sit on the couch in his underwear and compression socks, with an ice pack on his knee. Today he can't stop eating and has enjoyed laying in the grass in the backyard. For having run 20 miles, he's doing quite well. My biggest complaint after running 18 miles is how bad my arm hurts from the flu shot I got yesterday. Boo hoo for shots. I now realize why Zack is in a rotten mood every time he gets vaccinations.

Speaking of Zack, I think he is going to be a genius, because he seems to have acquired most of my critical thinking brain cells while he was in utero. I used to be smart, I promise!! This week I've had at least 3 "moments" where I have noticed these missing cells.

The first being when James and I were in the car. We saw a large bird of some sort flying, and I wondered out loud if it was an eagle. James then tells me that it's a hawk, and that he doesn't think eagles live in Tucson since we don't have much water here. I kid you not, every time we see a big bird I always think it's an eagle, and James always tells me it's a hawk. Had he explained to me the lack of an eagle population in Tucson sooner, I would not have assumed that every bird I see is an eagle. Or, maybe if I would have paid attention in Earth Science, I would have come to this conclusion on my own.

The day after the "eagle incident" I was a sweet wife and I uploaded the pictures that we have on our camera to the computer. I even put the November 2011 ones in a brand new folder called "November 2011." I tell James via g-chat that I've uploaded pics. Here is how the conversation went.

James: did you click sync on the nov folder?
me: no, I didn't click it....I thought opening Picasa was enough. Just like I thought eagles frequented SO AZ.... I've been sorely mistaken all my life on these matters.
James: Is you serious
me: I'm serious. I thought all I had to do was open Picasa. The Oct pics synced automatically so I figured the Nov ones would too
James: that is because we clicked sync yo

Well, apparently eagles don't frequent the Tucson area, AND simply opening a computer program doesn't do much for you. You actually have to click buttons. I really thought I didn't have to do a thing.

My last "wow" moment involves Elmo. And, a quick google search has actually revealed that this might be more of a "wow" moment for my husband. Zack has an Elmo camera that sings and says slightly obnoxious sayings every time a button is pressed. Zack was playing with this camera and Elmo sounded a lot like a monkey to me, which lead me to ask James what exactly Elmo was. Is he a red monkey? I decided that no matter what Elmo was (a red monkey, or just a weird talking thing), he was a puppet. Only I couldn't remember the word for puppet. So, I started calling him a muppet, and telling James that he was a muppet because he was just a stuffed animal thing being controlled by a human. James was telling me he wasn't a muppet, because that was a different show. I, however, was still convinced Elmo was a muppet, and even grabbed the cow puppet we have to try and give James a visual that Elmo was a puppet, just like the cow was a puppet. Then I realize that I'm calling the cow a muppet, not a puppet, but for the life of me I can't remember the word puppet. James clears things up for me that both the cow and Elmo are both PUPPETS, and that Elmo is not a muppet.

As I mentioned, I decided to do some google research before publicly declaring that I have given my son all of my brain cells. In this research, Wikipedia has told me that Elmo is indeed a muppet. James can hardly believe it, and has demanded to know the definition of a muppet. This still doesn't change the fact that I couldn't remember the word muppet, so just substituted puppet for it. So, I guess you could say that Zack is indeed a genius, and will be until he has his own children. At that point he will give 1/3 of his brain cells to his firstborn child, while his wife will give 100% of hers to this firstborn.

I wonder what's going to happen when we have another child....yikes.

Zack the Friendly Runner

Zack is becoming quite the friendly runner himself. He makes me so proud. Whenever we are out running, he does his best to outdo me and my friendliness. I smile and say hi to just about every person I run by. Zack has decided that the best way to brighten the day of those around him is by waving from the jogging stroller, and flashing a big smile. He does this to EVERY car that drives by, and greets nearly every pedestrian. He gets a far better reaction than I do. He has a gift for brightening the day of pretty much everyone who sees him. He certainly does brighten my days! The best waves are the ones when he actually reaches his arm out beyond the sun shade on the stroller. Those ones get a laugh from James and I, as well as the lucky recipient of his wave.

Last week he turned 18 months old. I'm not too sure how he is suddenly a year and a half old....it seems like just yesterday we brought him home from the hospital. But here we are, about to celebrate his second Thanksgiving and Christmas! He's been talking more and more and more everyday. Last month I was convinced he needed speech therapy, as he was really only saying 3 or so words. I had even looked up speech therapy services and was debating doing a self referral. Then, I had a rare rational moment, and decided to wait until his 18 month check up to see what his doctor recommended. Waiting was a good idea. He really does seem to pick up a new word every day, he probably has close to 20 words now. Yesterday's word was blue. He actually learned this one at the doctor's office, repeating "beuuuuu!" after the doctor. The doctor has no concerns with Zack's development, and neither does his mama!

Today, we were out running errands. As an effort to help keep Zack entertained in the car I ask him to repeat words after me. Today I asked him, "Zack, can you say Jesus?!" His response, "Geeeeesaaaaaas." I cried. I don't think I cried when he said "mama" for the first time, but something about hearing my little boy say the name of Jesus absolutely melted my heart. At the next stop light I tried texting James to tell him. I was so flustered and overcome with emotion that I kept spelling words incorrectly, and had to wait until we were parked to send him a text that would be readable.

There is so much power in the name of Jesus. There is no other name by which we are saved. Hearing Zack say Jesus made me realize this in a whole new way. There is nothing I long for more than for my son to know Jesus, and for him to call on his name. For now, I am going to get Zack to say Jesus as much as I possibly can. It thrills my heart to hear him say the name of the man who died for his sins, and who made it possible for him to spend eternity with God. I hope and pray James and I can be good examples of God's love, and look forward to the day Zack decides to follow Jesus himself.

I Ran 16 Miles!

Yesterday I ran 16 miles! At least that's what my husband tells me....

James is currently training for a marathon. I am not. I know my limits. Right now, a marathon is beyond those. In training for a half marathon I need a nap after going on a run over 10 miles. If I were to train for a marathon, I would need a nap after every single long run, cause I would be exhausted. If I were to spend every Saturday afternoon napping, then my house would be a mess, and I would be a crab. So, rather than training for, and running a marathon, I'm helping James with his training. Somehow my house is still a mess. Weird how that happens.

Yesterday James' training plan called for a 16 mile long run. He left the house around 9, and Zack and I met up with him at around 10:30, at the halfway point. When we met James he had already finished 8 miles (which is still a pretty long run, at least to me). He was a little tired, but feeling pretty good, and was excited to have our company. As we set out, James tells me that he doesn't know if he will be able to help push the jogging stroller. I am [mostly] ok with this. He has already completed 8 miles and another 8 will surely be exhausting. And, last year when he was pushing the jogging stroller a lot, he had bad form, and ended up with a bum knee, unable to run for what felt like forever. I didn't want to contribute to any sort of injury, so I press on, pushing Zack in the stroller.

At around mile 12 (for James, mile 4 for me) James starts to become loopy. He begins telling me that he really appreciates me pushing the stroller, and that running 8 miles with the jogging stroller is the same as running 16 miles without it. He tells me that I too, am running 16 miles. Then he gets really loopy. He begins to tell me that he now knows what it feels like to give birth, because running 16 miles is the equivalent to how one feels after giving birth. By the end of the run he had explained to me how he had given birth to 3 coyotes, and was begging for my sympathy. However, I too had just completed 16 miles (remember, 8 miles+pushing jogging stroller=16 miles). I felt nothing like I had just given birth. In fact, I was feeling pretty good. My legs were a little tired, and I needed a shower, and was hungry, but I felt nothing like I did after giving birth.

Later in the afternoon James was explaining to me what it was like to try and breastfeed a new born after having a c-section, because that was how he was feeling.

I love that man. I can hardly wait until his 18 mile run. If it's anything like his 16 mile child birth experience, it's going to be quite the adventure.

Something A Little Happier

After depressing myself, talking about my Walter dog, I feel like I need to write about something a bit happier, and about things that make me smile.

Two Sunday's ago, Zack colored on the floor and wall in the church nursery. Last Sunday he managed to sneak a toy into his diaper bag (ok, he stole a toy, it just sounds nicer to say he snuck it home). We will be taking that back tomorrow. Maybe we need to start tithing more. We will designate our funds to go directly to the NE105 classroom, for cleanup and toy replacement. Despite being a vandal, and a thief, and wanting to climb the front of the fridge like it's a rock climbing wall, Zack makes us laugh, and we want 10 more just like him.

Today we went on a family run. James is planning on running the Tucson Marathon in December. I am planning on cheering him on. Today he needed to run 14 miles. Zack and I joined him for the first 7 miles. From a distance, we saw a man riding his bike, with his pet monkey on his shoulder. James saw this same guy last week. The monkey wears goggles. I need to see this up close. And, I might also get "Karen the Friendly Runner" on the bike riding monkey owner, and ask him lots of questions about his pet choice. How many people have pet monkeys? And how many of these people take them on bike rides?

AAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNDDDDDDDDD!!! I can't believe I almost forgot to blog about this! The exciting news in our life! The house next door is finally on the market! James came home on Tuesday (when I was a weeping wife), and asked me why I didn't tell him there was a for sale sign up in front of the house next door. We then took a family trip out front to all look at the sign together. We're gonna have neighbors! Yippee!

I think that's enough happy nonsense for now.

Is It Next Week Yet?

If we could get a 'do-over' or maybe a free pass to take us to next week, we would surely take it. It's been a long week at our house.

On Tuesday, I noticed that Walter the friendly beagle had been chewing on his back leg, resulting in some blood. Ewww. He had a weird old-man-dog bump on the back of his leg that we were going to have the vet look at the next time we took him in. Well, apparently Walter wanted us to take him to the vet sooner, rather than later, despite the fact that his legs no longer are able to take him in a forward motion once we go beyond the waiting room at at the vets office. He doesn't like it there, but if I had my temperature taken the way he gets his taken, I wouldn't go to the doctor ever. We didn't want his leg to get infected, so I called the vet to make an appointment for the next day. As soon as I got off the phone I started crying, and having irrational thoughts, that surely the bump was more than just an old man bump. When James got home from work I explained my tears to him, and he told me not to worry about it. We spent the evening at a YoungLife banquet, and I was no longer worrying about the beags. By the time we got home, I was convinced that Walter was going to need to have his leg amputated. I'm a completely rational person, most days.

On Wednesday I load Walter and Zack into the car, and we head to the vet. What could be more fun? Not much! We get there, and somehow I successfully get both the dog and a 1.5 year old into the waiting room, and then into the exam room. While the tech is trying to take Walter's temperature, I'm wrestling with him to keep him on the table, and watching Zack, who is attempting to open the door and leave the exam room. The vet comes in and looks at Walt's leg. He says it's a tumor, and needs to be removed, and that it's most likely cancer. My irrational Tuesday suddenly wasn't so irrational after all. I decided to leave Walter there so he can have the surgery that day. When I get to the car I call James and immediately start crying, and telling him that our dog is having surgery etc. I compose myself well enough to go through the Starbucks drive thru, and get a Pumpkin Spice Latte. Desperate times call for PSLs. When Zack and I get home I shed a few more tears, and tell Zack that his mama is just sad cause she loves the beagle. I put Zack down for his nap, and hear him in his crib saying "waaa taaa daaaaaaaag." He loves the beags too. Then I head into the office to check my email, and I'm greeted by a puddle of dog pee. A nice little gift from Walter, to remind me of his rotten side.

I picked Walt up from the vet late that afternoon (without Zack with me, MUCH easier!). He was a tired beagle, and pretty embarrassed because he has a shaved back leg. Boy beagles don't shave their legs. He was even more embarrassed when we got him an inflatable collar to make it so he can't take his stitches out. 12 days in that thing will surely humble the beagle. All day Thursday I spend watching Walt run into the walls with his inner tube. He has no concept of space. It was a long day, of Walt wanting to be inside, Zack wanting to be outside, and me wanting a day off. Friday I figure out how to manage the beagle and boy a little more effectively. Friday we also were told that our washing machine (that sounds like a 3 legged horse trying to gallop, not a good sound), is dead, and not worth fixing. A new washing machine and beagle surgery makes for an expensive week. Though, I would gladly buy a new washing machine, and dryer if it meant we didn't need to do surgery on the beags.

Today the vet called to let us know that the tumor was indeed cancer. He's optimistic, though. He got the whole tumor, with big margins. And, the tumor is grade 2, which means it most likely hasn't spread. Now, we just watch to see if it comes back. Of course, after I hear from the vet I once again start crying. Who knew I would shed so many tears over this beagle, who most days smells bad (ok, he smells bad every day), leaves white dog hair everywhere he goes, and howls too much?

I've been telling James how I feel so silly, crying over all of this. But, he reassures me that it's a good thing. And I agree, it is a good thing to have feelings, and to express them. And Walter has been a part of our life for the past 5+ years! Maybe he will be with us for a few more years, stinking up our house, and littering it with his white hairs. Or maybe he won't be here. Either way, it will be ok. We will grieve when we need to grieve. For now, we will continue to be thankful for our beagle, and all of the other good things we have in life.

We will also do our best to build up the self esteem of Walter, as this is what he looks like.

Poor dog. He's got a shaved back leg, complete with razor burn on his sensitive skin. Then we make him walk around with that thing around his neck? Wow. And, to top it off, when he's wearing that he snores SO loudly! Last night he was so loud, and wouldn't move, so I ended up sleeping on the couch. I'm surprised he doesn't wake himself up. At least he's got a pillow with him wherever he goes!

My Little Hooligan

Phrases recently heard in our house:


Zack, we don't color on the dog.
We sit on the couch, Zack.
Zack, don't chew on the cabinet.
No standing on the couch, Zack.
We don't run in the street, Zack.
Zack, sit down on the couch.
Stay on the sidewalk, Zack.
Zack, no feeding Walter.
We don't climb on the walls, Zack.
No climbing on your crib.
Sit down on the couch.
We don't play in the street, Zack.
Be gentle with Walter.
We don't hit mommy.
Zack, we don't throw food.
Be gentle with mommy.
Finger out of your nose, Zack.

And one that needs to be added, Zack, we don't color on the floor and walls in the church nursery.


Zack's response-giggle, giggle, giggle! On occasion he will shake his head no at me when I catch him throwing food to the dog. He's cute and he knows it. He also hears "I love you" close to 84 million times a day, and is showered with hugs and kisses until he is blue in the face. Maybe if we weren't so adoring of him, he wouldn't feel so comfortable being such a goof.

Thankfully, many of the things he is doing are normal, developmental tasks, and we don't need to fear that we truly are raising a hooligan. And, he's so cute! Even when he's being "rotten." We can't help but love him.

The task of raising a child is a big one, and some days it seems much bigger than other days. The task of raising a child who will honor God is an even bigger task. I want Zack to have good manners, not color the dog, and simply eat his lunch. But I deeply desire for him to love God. Of course, I have no control over him and his relationship with God. There are things I can do to help cultivate this relationship, however. The biggest thing both James and I can do is be an example of what it looks like to be a person who loves God, and follows His ways. Not a small task at all.

Thankfully we are not alone in this. We've got lots of friends who are raising children, and they have the same desires we have. And, we go to BSF, where Zack is taught a lesson on his level (as much as you can teach a 1 year old). They also give me great resources on how to teach children to pray, and about setting rules up for the home, etc. And, we've got people at our church who will help raise Zack up to know the Lord. And I can't forget the power of prayer!

I am so thankful for my little hooligan, and all of the antics that come along with raising him. I am thankful that God picked James and I to be his parents. We truly are blessed! I hope and pray that James and I will be the best parents we can be, and that we can be good examples of someone who loves God.

A Father Son Conversation

James: Zack, say Daddy!!

Zack: [Sticks tongue out. Blows raspberries. Smiles big.]

Me: [Laughter]

Later that night James read Zack his bedtime story backwards; started with the last page of the book, finished with the first page.

I love those boys.