Our everyday moments and special days that take our breath away in every way...
The underdog...made a little harder with a couple extra inches of height added since 3rd grade!
Macy is our swing-a-holic...she swang for over an hour while Jon mowed, and after he mowed, she requested he swing her some more. She swings and wants you to push her from the back - every time while happily yelling, "Higher! I going pretty high!"
We all attended Caitlin's Kindergarten graduation on Thursday, May 27th at 2:00pm. Her teachers recited a poem they wrote, the kids sang songs and the principal addressed the audience. They received "diplomas" and my tears came when they announced the "future class of 2022!" It sounds so far, but at the same time, too close.
Mrs. Baker is (was) Caitlin's Kindergarten teacher and we never had a single complaint - in fact, she was unbelievable. She taught Caitlin so much and was so helpful and informative and communicated with us often. She had started hard shoes to fill as each teacher after her will always be compared to her.
These are a couple of Caitlin's friends. She developed a really nice group of friends. Pictured here are Katie and Brooke. Obviously Caitlin showed what she learned in Kindergarten by not realizing her diploma is upside down. 
I ran my first (and pretty sure my last) 1/2 marathon on Sunday, May 15th, 2010. I don't really have a bucket list, but if I did, running a 1/2 marathon would be on it. My time was 2 hours and 15 minutes. I didn't think that was too bad for my first one. There were plenty of hills, which explains my limp today.
The quote that kept me going was from a 60-some year old man as I was going up "Leavenworth's Pike's Peak." I had just gone up 3 hills with virtually no downhills to rest and I was trucking up this one steep and long hill. I thought, "let me just walk a little." I started walking and walked 2 sidewalk lengths (about 6 steps) when this man slowed slightly and said, "You can go slower, but never walk." I said, "Yeah, ok," and immediately picked up my feet. That quote stayed with me the whole run and I wish I found him after the race to thank him. I ran the whole thing minus 6 steps, so I felt proud.
Jon and the girls met me every 3 miles and welcomed me with cheers! They braved wet puddles and chilly weather but they cheered me on every step of the way! They spent 2 hours driving around Leavenworth catching up to cheer me on and take pictures! They were so supportive and gave me something to look forward to as my running partner had slowed on mile 1. I had no one to talk to and I was so thankful my family was there cheering me on so much!
The end of the race brought many smiles as it was over. The hills were many more than I had realized, and I vividly remember on Mile 12 praying to God to not let the increasing pain in both hips be a precursor to them breaking (yes, they hurt so bad I really was concerned they may break right before the finish line and I'd have to sign up to run another one of these insane races again)!
A couple weeks ago, Jon got chosen as a chaperone parent for Caitlin's class trip to the Kansas City Zoo. Lots of parents are asked to chaperone or help with parties, etc., but the zoo trip gets lots of volunteers and since they can only take 5 parent volunteers - they had to draw names out of a hat. We were so thrilled when we were chosen, and Caitlin asked if Dad could go because it was his birthday! 
This week, we went to Wichita to celebrate Jon's cousin, Carrie's, graduation from nursing school! She attended Wichita State and graduated Friday night. We went down a couple days early and had a fun couple of days with Grandma and Grandpa Bishop and then celebrated Friday afternoon with family. We are so proud of Carrie!
We had our bi-annual (which we have now designated annual - so be prepared husbands and grandparents!) cousins weekend last weekend. I will blog about the fun things we did and funny quirks we shared after I comment just how lucky I am to have best friends such as these.
Heather and I tried shouting her full name at the other end of the bar to have someone recognize her, but to no avail. Holly surprised us at dinner when we had gone out that we could order whatever we wanted b/c it was on Grandma Phyllis! Grandma loves when we get together, I think she realizes the special and unique bond we have with each other and likes to contribute. We were all very appreciative!
The weekend was perfect. I love my family and love to see all of them as much as I can. I am so proud of who they have all become, and would stick by them through anything. They would say the same for me, and I would choose no other girls for my best friends.
We arrived for VEISHEA 2010 on Friday night. The girls were so excited! Upon seeing their cousin, Talia, they bum rushed her and they chased each other around my mom's kitchen island for approximately 1 hour. It was 9:00pm before they stopped and they wore poor Tali out (who's bedtime is usually 7:00pm)!
This year Brian and Caitlin decided to milk a cow. Heck - you got free ice cream if you did it! (Yes, ice cream at 9:30am - it's a tradition!)
Did I mention we bought 3 of those grilled corn on the cobs? Need I mention that Macy ate them ALL?
Then, the parade. It's the best parade I've ever seen in person. You get bags of candy and it's 3 hours long! It used to be a lot better when the sororities/fraternities would do floats, but I still appreciate the drum lines, the fire trucks, the small number of floats, the flag girls, the ISU cheerleaders, the pep band, and the numerous acts that go by to entertain our children. I'm still amazed that they stay in one area for 3 hours and anticipate what's next.
As we headed back to the car, Grandma Dawn took us by the horse stables so Caitlin could ride. She was thrilled. As I walked in the "ring" with her, she turned and said, "I can't do it by myself, mom. You don't need to come." My heart continues to melt as she wants to continue to be more independent. I snuck in anyway and took some good pix and Kelly got some on the side!
After the horse ride, we knew the little girls were getting tired. We went back home and put them to sleep - and dad. Grandma started rustling around the garage, called Caitlin to the backyard, and 2 hours later when Kelly and I checked on them, this is what we found...
Grandma had saved her huge boxes from her dishwasher and new stove (yes, my mom finally bought a stove after 32 years of having "Old Gold," the stove you had to put HIP action into shutting or the door would fly open). She told the delivery guys, "I'm a Grandma! I need those boxes for my grandkids!" Trust me - they provided at least 5 hours of fun that day before and after supper! We drew flower boxes, wallpaper, light switches, curtains and shutters and had our own little neighborhood to play in!
And this...was Sunday...
