Turn the Page

If you’re dealt a setback today, I ask you to treat it as an opportunity to get curious and learn about the experience. You won’t always know exactly where the chapter will head, but you’ll know that you’re moving forward with lessons learned, wisdom gained, and experiences to share.

Like it or not, our book can’t be written without multiple chapters. Turn the page, exhale, be thankful for the things you do have in your life, and start writing. Your story is going to be a great one.

The above is an excerpt from an article by Antonio Neves. Click here to read the story.

Welcome Home, Bryan

Dustin's brother, Bryan, recently returned home from a year-long deployment to Afghanistan. We celebrated his homecoming this Memorial Day weekend. What a wonderful way to celebrate this holiday! I made the poster pictured above (with a little help from my mom).

Cyrus, Bryan and Jessica's son, turned one a couple months ago and we celebrated his birthday this weekend too.

We had a great weekend and hope you did too!



 Lilli Jo thoroughly enjoyed the party!

Preston had a blast too.

We knew he was having more fun than he knew what to do with when he told us he wanted to take a nap!

 Preston really loved horsing around with Uncle Bryan again!

 Bryan and Cyrus  :)

Lilli Jo and her first trip to the pool.

She loved it! She was the only kid that didn't cry in the pool. I think she could have stayed in there all day.



Happy Baby Girl!

I love that face!

And Summer Begins

Allie and Turner stayed over Friday night and we played outside right up until bedtime. There was swinging and even a couple scooter rides around the backyard.  :)

Allie's Preschool Graduation

Allie graduated from preschool!

 Mom designed the new logo for the preschool.

The kids were surprised with a magician!

He was really good and pretty funny too.

I think Preston got a kick out of him. He really liked that the magician gave him a cookie.

I find it hard to believe that Allie will be going to kindergarten in the fall. She has grown up so fast!!

Brookings Marathon 2012

For the first time in about seven or eight years, I didn't volunteer with the Brookings Marathon, Half Marathon and Relay.

This year, my parents and their friends, Jennifer and Dodie, ran the marathon. Dustin and the kids came out with me and Nichole, Allie and Turner joined as well, as we provided support along the course. I've been providing support for the last few weeks as they did their long training runs.

I couldn't be more proud of "my" runners! They did such an amazing job and Mom and Dad even improved on their Twin City Marathon time!

 Mile 4

 Preston, Lilli Jo and I went to the kids fun run Friday night, in conjunction with the Scotty Roberts 5K, and made a poster to help cheer on Grandma and Grandpa!

 Our crew

 Mile 7

 Mile 10

 Mile 13

 Mile 14

 Mile 16

The ambulance wasn't for any of them! A runner had an allergic reaction or something, we later heard that person was fine.

 Leaving Mile 16

Jennifer had the shirts made for their group. All our names are listed on the back!

 Between Mile 20 and Mile 21

 Just before Mile 22

 Preston offered his assistance directing traffic for the runners.

Between Mile 23 and Mile 24

 Between Mile 24 and Mile 25

Grandpa Gerald even came out to cheer on our runners. He waited here at The Pheasant for them to run by. They were so surprised to see him there!

 Finish Strong!!

 THEY DID IT!!!!

5 hours, 23 minutes

Awesome!

 Congratulations!!

You all did an amazing job!

Preston wearing Grandma's medal.

Check out the video of them crossing the finish line!

I am so incredibly proud of my parents. Two marathons under the belt and and a number of 5Ks and half marathons as well. Nichole and I informed them that in a couple years we're ready to head to another big city marathon, like Kansas City!

We'll see ...



Watch Me Grow!

Lilli Jo at nine months ...

16 lbs 12 oz

25 1/2 inches

Preston at nine months

Lilli Jo is on the move and knows exactly where to find trouble.

She loves to pull herself up to a standing position and will walk with me or Dustin helping her.

She has three teeth in and two more poking through.
She loves to clap her hands and she smiles and laughs all the time. She curls up in a little ball when you tickle her under her chin or under her arms.
She'll talk up a storm, but only if her brother is not around. Seems she can't get a word in edgewise when Preston's in the room!

She's growing up so fast, it's hard to believe she's already nine months old!

Aunt Nichole has nicknamed Lilli Jo "Baby Bella" ... her incisor came in before her front teeth. Her other incisor is coming in now too (along with a front tooth, finally), so she looks like a little vampire!

Standing with Daddy's help