Too much time has passed~

I can't remember everything that has happened since I last posted! But I will try~
Back a few weeks ago, Craig, the kids, and I all had the week of Spring Break off. We had a good camping excursion, and it was perfect weather. Nice and warm during the day, and cool enough to need a blanket at night. From the minute we got there, we saw new and exciting things. A woodpecker perched on a tree about 15 feet from us as we set up our tent. He proceeded to exemplify his name, and pecked at the wood. It was a pine tree, and he expertly chipped off some of the bark and seemed to find the snack for which he searched. He hopped around the tree a few inches and repeated the process. Silly, I guess, but I thought it was neat!
Throughout the trip we saw armadillos, bees (of course), an amazing moth (it was pastel green, pink, about 4 inches wide, and had these curly frilly antennae), an alligator, bamboo (or boobam, as Carleigh called it!), several cranes, and a duck that decided to adopt us for the afternoon. We hiked for hours and hours, canoed, and all managed mild sunburns. It was really perfect.

We also went to the Houston Rodeo for the first time, saw Clint Black in concert, spent a fun day with our friends the Sanders, and discovered Discovery Green in downtown Houston. I needed that down time.
The rest of April is packed with fun things, too. April 17th, Craig and I are going to see a band in which a grade shcool friend of mine is the drummer. The next weekend, Craig is going to Phoenix for work, and the kids and I are going to my hometown to celebrate the 80th anniversary of my childhood church. Of course, Palm Sunday and Easter are in there.
And on a side note- tonight is the Final FINAL ER. I've loved that show. Should be a tear jerker!

A note about Jonas

My son has a personality unlike any I have ever seen. He is hard-headed, but he comes by that naturally (he had no possibility of escaping that, with German blood on both sides). He is so detail orientated it makes me crazy, but again, not that unique.
The one thing that has set him apart lately is his empathy and compassion. Granted, I have never been around another 7 year old boy as much as I have been around Jonas, but I think this is unique. He has a very tender heart for people who are hurting, lonely, sad, hungry, poor, etc. He even cried at a recent SPCA commercial, cuz he loves animals, too. He wants to set up a booth at the end of our street to collect money and food for homeless people. He always includes the down trodden (not those words) of our community, of our world, in his prayers. He gets choked up at the thought of someone not having a place to sleep or food to eat.
Once on a car ride, he asked me why people have to pay for medical treatment. "If they are hurt, why don't doctors just treat them to make them better? Why do they have to make money?"
Lord, I pray this part of Jonas only grows stronger as he gets older and more capable of helping those he longs to help. Help me lead by example, and do what I can to fill the gap until he is older. I pray he isn't jaded by this world we live in, and he continues to love the lost and the broken like You do, God.
So far, I think this is my favorite part of my son.

A theatrical year

I haven't posted since my half marathon, and that isn't the only thing I haven't done. I haven't run a YARD since that day either! I have been to the gym, but haven't touched the treadmill. I went on a quick walk one day, but didn't even consider picking up the pace. Eh. Blah.
But I have had a very busy two weeks! My front door might as well have been revolving, as I had guests non-stop. I love that, so please excuse me if you read that as anything other than excitement.
Speaking of excitement, I sit here about to go to my son's theatrical debut. He is playing the groundhog in the first grade production of "The Groundhog Who Stole Valentines Day". He has the title role! I'm very proud of him, I must say.
And it wasn't more than 3 months ago that I announced my daughter was playing Mary in the Christmas pageant at her pre-school. Wow! Maybe, just maybe, my kids have inherited my dramatic streak?
And when I think back, this year has been chock full of drama opportunities for my little family. Our church had it's first drama production during service one morning in the fall, and Craig was in that. And just last weekend, Craig and I donned our acting hats once more as we went to a Murder Mystery birthday party. We had assigned roles, and played them to the tee! The theme was an 80's 20 year High School Reunion, and I played the class flirt. Fun!!! I probably had on more makeup than I have the past 6 months combined (love blue eye shadow) and simply had a blast. Craig was the school reporter turned Wall Street Journal Editor. He was great too. Sure wish I had pictures of that to post here of that night, but there are plenty out on Facebook.
I will definitely get pictures of Jonas tonight. Be sure to check back tomorrow for proof of the future Oscar winner's performance!

I can scratch something off my 40 by 40 list!

I finished a half marathon today. Did you read that? Wanna read it again? Good, cuz I want to say it again.

I finished a half marathon today!!!

Here's some proof.

And those two people with me are my best friend since third grade, Jodi, and her husband, Jason. I love these guys. Aren't they cute?

It was fun, hard, long, foggy to start, nice in the middle, wind picked up at the 9 mile mark, and then it sprinkled as I finished. 2 minutes after I walked in to the finish tent, it started pouring rain. Whew! There weren't a lot of spectators (probably because of the weather) but the few that were there were encouraging and fun. My only regret is that Craig wasn't there. The amazing man I call a husband stayed at home with the 5 kids while Jodi, Jason, and I went to the race. HE deserves a medal!

I will definitely do another one. Maybe someday even work up to a full marathon. But now- on to the next item on my list of 40 things to do before I turn 40. I want to read the Bible from cover to cover.

My baby is 5 today!

My darling baby girl, Carleigh Jean, turns 5 today.

I don't remember life without her, but can't believe she has already been here 5 years! She has me wrapped around her little finger, I admit. Those blue eyes, that smile, her bubbly personality. She has a dimple underneath her bottom lip that I noticed the day she was born, and I find myself looking for it in our quiet moments today. It's something no one else may ever notice, but I love it. I expected a mini-me the day she was born, and was handed another mini-Craig. I was sad about her blonde hair for a while (I wanted a brunette, blue eyed doll- it's the ego in me), but absolutely love it now. She loves to sing, and read books, and help me cook. She can whine with the best of them (ugh) and she's an excellent liar. So, NO, she is not perfect. But I wouldn't trade her for anything!

Fireproof

Have you seen this movie? Fireproof is a movie that stars Kirk Cameron and was made by the same church that made Facing the Giants. The acting is sub-par, but then again, 95% if the acting is volunteer! There are some hokey jokes, and some funny times, but it was wonderful. Craig and I both cried at different parts, and at some of the same parts. We laughed out loud, and rolled our eyes. But when it was all over, we were holding each other tightly and more in love than ever.
If you are married, single, dating, divorced, whatever your status, I encourage you to see this.

This busy week

A lot going on this week-
Carleigh turns 5 on Thursday!
Valentine's Day party at Carleigh's school.
Birthday party of Chuck E Cheese Thursday night.
Jonas' class Valentine's Day party on Friday.
Jodi, Jason and their family get here on Friday.
Packet pick up Friday night at Surfside.
Surfside half marathon Saturday morning!
We don't have any plans Saturday afternoon/evening as we don't know how much we will be able to move. At the very least we will grill something on the porch and drink a few beers.
Worship with The Springs Sunday morning.
Say goodbye to the Segels.
Mom gets here Sunday afternoon.
Allen, Lisa, and Brooks will be here on Monday.
Drive Allen and Lisa to their cruise ship in Galveston on Monday.
Find a way to stow aboard said cruise ship....
Mom takes Brooks back to her house Monday afternoon.
Back to "normal" on Tuesday.