30,000 Steps

Actually 30,138 as I type this - the number of steps my Fitbit recorded today.

How did this happen, you ask? Here's how...

Our town hosts a marathon/mini-marathon every spring.  Andy has participated in both the mini and the marathon a total of four times.  This year he joined a marathon relay team, so he only had to run the last leg of the marathon- a total of 7.5 miles.  Julia always gets up to go and cheer for her dad.  This year proved to bring bigger challenges than previous years even for a shorter run. First there were the training challenges.  Andy's typical work schedule over the last couple of months has been 9-6 followed by cooking and eating dinner and then returning to the computer to work until I don't even know when because I am in bed before he finishes.  That left no time to properly train.  He got a few lunch break runs in, but not what he needed.  Even as he started his vacation to head to D.C. with Wyatt, work called and halted him from getting in a last run Friday evening. Running in D.C. proved to be impossible because his group of three boys had to go everywhere he did, and their days started at 6:a.m. and ended close to 11:00p.m.

As if the training issues were not enough, race day brought it's own challenges.  We awoke to storms and to a race delayed again and again by lightning, so the race started an hour and a half late.  On a day with temps registering in the 80s, you can imagine the heat and humidity especially since Andy's part of the race did not start until after noon.

The start and finish for the race is pretty close together. Because Andy was not starting at the start, he still opted to park close to the finish as he was uncertain about how he would feel after the race.  He had to choose a three mile walk before or after the race.  He chose before.  Since Julia and I were there to see his start and finish, we walked those miles too.  My Fitbit recorded over nine miles before we returned to the car.  We walked to Andy's starting location with him, and I had over 10,000 steps when we arrived.  After he started the race, Julia and I trekked back hoping to see his finish.  We missed the finish for two reasons.  Julia had not had a thing to eat or drink, so we stopped for lunch, and surprisingly, Andy finished better than he expected.  His team fell apart.  They were supposed to pass off a wristband, and that did not happen on the first pass.  As the heat intensified, two of the runners started without seeing those who preceded them. I am sure they were disqualified, but they all ran their part of the course, and they all received medals.

Andy and I made it home barely in time to clean up and go work the church nursery.  Another event our city hosts every spring is a balloon race preceded the night before by a balloon glow.  I love these events and have missed them for several years because they coincide with the marathon or because the crowds were too intense to get to them.  Because the balloon glow could not happen Friday night, they postponed it to tonight.  I know Andy did not want to go.  He wanted a post race steak, but he humored me and went.  Zach and Joshua joined us.  I got to play with my camera, but I am spoiled.  I have quit trying to take manual pictures because the guide on my camera does everything for me.  I need another class.

This balloon was my favorite.  It is sponsored by Folds of Honor.  They provide scholarships for the children of fallen military personnel to attend private schools if they choose.  A dear friend of mine has two children attending school on these scholarships.  The balloon itself is truly amazing as it is decorated with kid art.  So special!!

Zach bought a drink in a coconut.  He's quite proud of it.

8th Grade Trip

Andy and Wyatt returned this week from Wyatt's 8th grade (gulp) trip.  They visited the nation's capitol, and the itinerary was so packed there is no way I can include it all.  Neither had ever been to D.C., and both loved the trip.  Andy and I would really love to take the family and see it all with a less frenzied pace, but there's that mortgage and the fact that these kids like to eat.  Never mind the car mechanic who informed me that my van needs a $1300 repair this week after charging me $120 for a headlight and an oil change.  Needless to say the repair may or may not happen and will not happen with said mechanic.  To be fair the van is old and therefore gets the high mileage oil stuff, and the headlights are $63 no matter where I go.  As if that's not bad enough, I replaced that same headlight in November - yep, they die that fast.  Anyway, I digress.

Of course Wyatt and Andy can tell the story better than I, but a picture is worth a thousand words, so...

Andy said the grounds at Mt. Vernon were just amazing.  I have been there, but I was about four at the time.  The only reason I remember being there is because I remember being confused about why the table was set in a home where nobody lived.

The wreath ceremony at the tomb of the unknown soldier. Four of Wyatt's classmates actually participated in the ceremony.

Andy talked about how at both Arlington and Gettysburg, he was moved by the number of lives sacrificed for a fragile freedom in comparison to one life given for a sure freedom.

I love this!

If you've read the blog for very long or have known Wyatt for very long, you might remember that he used to be fascinated by gems and minerals.  Wyatt may have been able to act as docent for the Hope Diamond.

Wyatt's closest buddies.

Possibly Andy's favorite pic from the trip.

150 8th graders and some brave chaperones

I hope to take this trip with Julia next year, but everything has to line up just right.  I can only miss three days of work in a row, and while I saved for Wyatt's trip since he was a sixth grader, I have not done the same for Julia because I was saving for Wyatt.  Financially, I might need a miracle to go.  Then there's the whole middle school Julia who thinks her mom will embarrass her, so she does not want me to go.  Um, isn't that part of my job ? ;)

Nineteen Candles

How many of you know where you were nineteen years ago this week?  On the day after Easter and the first weekday of spring break, I had plans.  Work needed to be completed as my due date quickly approached.  This smart, artistic, witty, selfless, penguin loving girl had other plans.  She came into the world and promptly peed on the doctor's shoe.  She then screamed until she was fed-  an irony of sorts as she was born at almost the exact length and weight of her older brother.  One month later I was in the doctor's office with her, convinced she was starving as her weight was significantly behind what his had been at one month old. I learned the difference between boys and girls pretty quickly - boys feed every two hours, girls feed every four.  Happy Birthday, Savannah!!!

We drove to her college town to celebrate her birthday a day late.  As it is Easter weekend, she was torn between coming home for Easter and staying at school with the friends she has come to love over the year.  They will all part ways in a few weeks and will not likely get together again until August.  Savannah also has some really busy weeks ahead as the semester quickly draws near to a close.  I offered a compromise and said we would come see her.  Less time on the road for her, and she still gets to visit with family on her birthday/Easter weekend.  We did not all make it up there as I had hoped.  Wyatt opted not to go, and the schedule was too tight for Zach to be home in time for work.

Nineteen candles.  We found a table on campus to enjoy her birthday cheesecake.  As we were struggling to light the candles, Savannah pointed out that they call that area the wind tunnel.  Somehow we managed to get them all lit before they melted the M&Ms covering the top of the cake.

For the third year in a row, Savannah wants shoes for her birthday.  She has not tried on the brand nor determined the style for the shoes she wants, so we will wait until that is confirmed to buy them.  However, I don't think a pair of shoes will compare to the 90% she earned on her chem test, taken on her birthday.  She knew the day would be a busy/stressful one, and that 90 is before the test is curved, so it may be even better.

A Revised DD214

After many emails, calls and some paperwork that included the help of a congressman's office, Dad's military awards have been reinstated, and we have an addendum to his DD214 to note the revisions.


The addendum includes a few other awards of which we were not aware - a marksman award, a Vietnam campaign ribbon with two bronze stars indicating that he was involved in two campaigns in Vietnam, and an award from the Vietnamese government.  It sounds like the military will be sending replacement medals for those awards that can be replaced.  The award from the Vietnamese government cannot be replaced.

I am grateful to my cousin Susie who got the ball rolling on this and provided the proof we needed for the grave marker.  It is nice that Jonathan will be able to have a bronze star in honor of Dad to display with the flag.

Our main concern was getting his bronze star reinstated and noted on his grave marker.  Jonathan told me last night that Dad seemed unconcerned about the award. Dad told us when Mom died that he would not have credit for it because his commanding officer did not sign off on it when he was discharged.  Jonathan said that Dad told him that they handed bronze stars out like candy during the Vietnam War, so he seemed unimpressed with it.

My opinion - if you jump into the line of enemy fire to protect your men, and they hand out candy for it, you might as well get your piece of candy.

A little spring break fun

My plans for  what was supposed to be a stormy day included a long overdue household project.  However, when I walked out of the gym that morning, the day was the most beautiful I had seen in a while, so I raced home where I picked up Wyatt and coerced convinced him that we needed to go for a walk in the park.  I knew just the park too - one where we could see horses.  I had two spring break bucket list items and one included going to a horse park for two days where I could bask in all the beauty of one of God's most gorgeous creatures, in my opinion.  We would also go horseback riding there.  However, the only child who would and could have done that with me took off for the beach, and really none of them seem truly interested, so I might have to add that to the dating bucket list. My other plan was a pedicure, but I decided to forgo that until summer or after a hard day at work.

Just look at that blue sky! The storms did indeed arrive- just many hours after originally predicted.  I parked too far down the trail as I had only gone as far as the horses once and that was with Andy who parked closer to them. Wyatt was a good sport for what turned out to be a much longer than intended walk.

The payoff - Just look at this beauty queen!  Some had the mountains for spring break.  Some had the beach, but I think she's almost as pretty as either.  Don't get me wrong, I love both the mountains and the beach and really, really look forward to visiting both, but it's fun to see horses too.

That long walk ended with a trip to DQ for some refreshment.  I guess I looked pretty bad when we arrived.  I was still in my gym attire and had not done my hair or makeup.  While we enjoyed our treats, I glanced at my receipt and realized that our server had gifted me with the senior discount.  Um, I am almost a decade away from qualifying for that.  Yikes!

After that gorgeous day on Wednesday, I made good on a promise to spend the day with Wyatt and some of his buddies at a fun park.  Thursday was not so gorgeous.  In fact, it started off wet and freezing.  We took our chances that the course would dry and the kids could do the go-karts, so we (as in the parents - not Andy and me) bought unlimited activity passes for the kids.  They played arcade games, laser tag, and did three holes on the miniature golf course in addition to driving go-karts. I mostly stayed warm and dry inside, stepping out only briefly to get some pictures to commemorate the day.

Meanwhile, as promised my nephew sent me a better picture of Julia and him.

The rest of spring break got a little crazy.  I worked most of the day on Friday on said household project.  I babysat these five kiddos on Saturday (very grateful for Wyatt's help and Julia's eventual return to help) so that Tessa and John could move.  I then helped out a sick friend on Sunday.  I returned to work on Monday and then spent the evening in the ER with my brother - a packed ER, I might add.  He's okay and was released that night.

Kallie - 14 months

Regan (6), Wyatt (14), Ira (4 -soon to be 5), and Isaac (3)

Kinsley

Regan and Kallie

So I have to share some things about babysitting my nieces and nephews.  The baby, Kallie, loves to be held.  She randomly comes up to be picked up, and I am worried about whether she will learn to talk quickly.  Kallie knows how to get what she wants.  She simply points.  She's really sweet, almost never cries.

Regan already has that oldest child, mother hen thing going.  When Kinsley appeared with an outlet safety plug in her hand, Regan suggested that it was clearly time for Kinsley to take a nap.

Ira has the best quotes.  He needed a fresh shirt, so I offered him a sleeveless shirt.  His response, "I don't like those.  They tickle my armpits, don't you know?"  That reminded me of a Zach memory.  When he tested for kindergarten, he was asked where his armpits were, and he pointed to his ankles.  

The move took much longer than expected, and it ended up being a really late night. Ira asked to go to bed and then changed his mind stating, "I am going to wait until I am exhausted. Exhausted means really, really tired."  

The last few days have wiped me out, so I am pretty much exhausted right now.  Goodnight.

My Current State

It's spring break here, so I am in a bit of a sweet spot.  I had the opportunity to travel to Florida and may regret that I did not take it.  That's not like me to not seize a beach opportunity, but we are heading to the beach later this year, and even though the price was right, I did not have the funds readily available, so I did not jump on the chance.  Julia, however, did.  This is quite a strange spring break.  Wyatt is the only one home with me, and he is not into doing anything fun.  The weather has been beautiful for the past two days despite predictions to the contrary.  Those predictions kept me from pursuing a trip I really wanted to a nearby horse park.  Tickets are sold for two day passes and as it appeared that we would not have two consecutive days of pretty weather, I missed the opportunity.

As far as Dad's estate goes, I am in a sweet spot as well.  His taxes are complete.  The completion of the taxes stopped the process of carrying that estate file literally everywhere I went.  I never knew when I would have to access something from the file, so I just took it everywhere.  We are far from finished.  His house needs to be sold, and I need to hire a contractor to do some work on it first.  We have made two trips over to the house to purge and claim Dad's personal property, and there is still much work to be done.  I am confused about his military records. I have submitted forms to get his medals reinstated, but I just received the same forms in the mail again.  Apparently, I have to do something else to get the Bronze Star replaced.  I have yet to figure that out, but that does not have to be done right away.

I do so wish Dad had another year with us.  He would get to see Logan, my nephew, graduate high school.  Dad really stepped in and helped my sister lots when her husband died, and her boys were particularly close to him.  I would like one more vacation with him, but I guess no matter when it happened, there would always be the one more thing we wish we could do.  I remind myself that he is better than okay right now and would not come back here for anything or anyone.

So this is what has been happening:

My inheritance - one thing I have always wanted is a hutch for my dining room.  When we met to make our picks from Dad's belongings, my big pick was the dining room furniture.  I ended up with my mom's China too.  I never bought China because I could not choose a pattern when I got married. I never cared for my mom's pattern, but ironically it is very similar to the pattern I ultimately decided I liked and would have bought if the funds had ever been there.

I have my paternal grandma's antique dishes, so I have them displayed in the hutch along with Mom's China.  These dishes have been in a box in my basement since I received them. The girls and I have taken a few pieces out for tea parties over the years, but they were mostly just stored.  We ate on them as a family for Valentine's Day and will likely eat on Mom's China for Easter. 

Mom's China

On a hunch, I went to the cemetery to see if Dad's marker had been placed.  It was there, but there is a major problem. For some reason they changed Mom's birthdate.  I pulled the paperwork to see if I signed off on it, and sure enough I did.  I tried to get everything right and blew it on this one.  However, the cemetery blew it too.  I could not change anything on the form that they called mandatory, and that included her birthdate. Because it was correct on her marker before, I did not even think to look it over carefully.  I worked very hard to get the wording correct on the part we could control and had several people review it.  I was sick when I realized the mistake and knew I would have to make it right even if it cost $2k.  However, the cemetery owned their part in it and said it would not be a problem to fix it.  I don't know how long that will take or if they will notify me when it gets fixed, so I will see this summer, I guess.  Everything else is exactly as we wanted it, so I hope the fix does not mess up something else.  I know my parents do not even care about this right now, but I could not let it stay like this.  We had no choice on Mom's name.  We were able to add her middle name when Dad died, and the marker changed, but Mom never used her first name and would have rather had her maiden name on the stone.  We had no choice in that, so I hope that the birthdate gets worked out.

Julia keeps sending pictures like these.  They say the water is the most beautiful they have ever seen.  So Julia is grounded once she returns for flaunting it.

I love this one for so many reasons.  I love to see my nephew with such a big smile on his face.  I just wish the picture was not blurred.

I started spring break by making a door wreath.  When we bought our house, our realtor made a beautiful summer wreath for us.  She knew I loved dogwoods, and it was full of silk dogwood blooms.  After ten years of seasonal use, the wreath was beyond the point of needing to retire.  I have wanted a new one for a while now and could not stomach the cost of a wreath.  I have yet to decide if this needs some embellishments - a starfish? an initial? flip flops? flowers? a bow?  I will let it be for now until I decide.  

Just some notes on wreath making - 1. it's not cheap, there's a reason that these things cost $60+

2. working with burlap is messy - it shed everywhere.  I was covered in it as was the chair in which I was sitting.  I think I even inhaled it. 

3.  I think I will pay the $60+ in the future if I want a new wreath.  Then again, after having done one, maybe I will be better at it next time.  That is if I want another burlap wreath.

Andy keeps saying it looks country, and that makes him happy since he's from the country.  I am not sure "country" is the look I was going for, but I do like it. 

On Sunday we journeyed to a college town.  Savannah's best friend is a cheerleader for the first time in her life fulfilling a lifelong dream, and her team had a showcase before heading to nationals.  She invited us, so we went.  Emily did great.  She's really got those sharp movements down, and she's a flier doing some great stunts. Savannah was unable to attend the showcase, so we met her afterward for dinner at a wonderful African restaurant.  That's some comfort food there!  Savannah just cut all her hair off, and I am loving it!

I keep saying that someday Savannah will write a book called, "An Abundance of Emilies."  Since preschool she has had four best friends named Emily - not all spelled with the traditional spelling.  I have to say that they have all been top-notch girls.

That's all for now.