Jason's Second Marathon

{iPhone: L to R} 1) Jason's pre-race preparation {giggles}; 2) Lucas and Jackson at Circle Centre Mall waiting while Daddy finishes his race; 3) Jack just ridin' and chillin'

Indy Monumental (Part Two...)

I was so excited that I posted an Instagram picture Saturday, but here are the rest of the pictures...

Sunrise

The temperature started off pretty cold in the mid-30's.  I read that it was supposed to get to the mid-50's... it ended up sleeting and stayed below 40.  yuck.

After we "saw" Jason off in the crowd of over 9,000 full- and half-marathoners, the kids lined up...

Getting ready for the Indy Monumental Kids' Fun Run

Hehe... a bit blurry since I was running to catch up with him

Lucas did so well. The Kids' Fun Run was a 1/3 mile.  They started at the same starting line, ran around a city block, and finished at the same finish line that the adults ran.  Most of the parents ended up jumping in and running with the kids to keep them going.  At the final turn, Lucas says, "Mommy! My hands are freezing.  I can't run.  I'm all done." I showed him where the finish line is, he picked up speed and finished strong.  I think this is the farthest he's ever run in a row, and it was his first real "race."

Sporting his bib and finisher's medal at Starbucks while waiting for his hot chocolate.

Close quarters, but I just had to show off the eyelashes :)

After warming up with our celebration drinks, we walked to the mall a few blocks away to await the next couple hours before Daddy crossed the finish line.

We showed up at the finish line about 20 minutes earlier than he was expected in... and it started sleeting (I took one to the eyelid).  Oh well... among that whole crowd, I got an amazing finish line view (literally 10 feet behind the line).  I think I cried when I saw him finish.  I'm so proud!

Yucky sleet... but isn't he sexy? :) 

 

Congratulations on your first marathon, Babe!  I love you, and I'm so proud of you!

Linking up to... The Life of Faith |

Indianapolis Monumental Marathon

I'm so proud of my husband! He just finished his first marathon at the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon. This is a picture I'm sharing from Instagram... Which was actually a picture of a picture in my DSLR :)

This is my man!!!

30 Ways in 30 Days {The last 10 days}

I am sooo behind posting these.  So, here are the last ten days in one post (before the month is over):

Day 21: I love the way Jason and I always say the same thing at the same time.  It's so funny!  You know what they say: "Great minds think alike!"

Day 22: Jason has gotten into the habit of lifting at the gym and running, alternating every other day.  It's great that he has changed his lifestyle to a healthy one, but it can be a real drain on family time. Never once have I asked him to, but he sets him alarm to way early so he can get that done before anyone else is awake (or at least functionally awake).  I love that he cares enough about spending quality time with us that he goes out of his way to get everything else done while we sleep.

Day 23: I've been dealing with some health issues lately that have left me ridiculously fatigued.  More than one load of clothes has been washed multiple times (I've sort of forgotten to move it to the dryer), and just a few peanut butter and jelly sandwiches have been eaten in front of Cars 2.  I love (and greatly appreciate) that Jason has been so understanding.  He's picked up my slack, never once complaining, and never once making me feel bad for it.

Day 24: I love the way he makes me feel when he wraps his arms around me.  No matter how stressful my day (whether it was taking care of very sick patients, or at home changing 5 poopy diapers more than I'd planned on changing)... when I lean into him and he hugs me... I can breathe.  It feels like all my worries leaked out of my toes.  I crave that feeling.

Day 25: I love how he smells.  (Is that creepy?  Sorry...).  Maybe it's the phermones... :P

Day 26: I love how warm he is (yeah... that's creepy, too...).  He's like my own personal, portable space heater... as long as he chooses to stand within my personal bubble at all times...

Day 27: I love his crooked cheesy smile when he's just done something goofy, and I'm not supposed to know :)

Day 28: I love that Jason is honest.  Even when I don't always like hearing his answer, I know that it's going to be truth and not just what he thinks I want to hear.

Day 29: I love that we can communicate without talking. Subtle changes in facial expressions tells the other person exactly what's going on in their head.  I'm not an easy person to read (I have one of those faces where I look like I'm angry if I don't smile... well, sorry!  I can't smile 24/7... I'll get cheek spasms).  I love that Jason knows me well enough to know the difference between upset and "just not smiling."

Day 30: I love that Jason knows how to make me smile :).

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Have no clue what this is about?
Kimberly from Sew Encouraging issued a "30 Days in 30 Ways Challenge."

Every day for the entire month of September, we were supposed to write about one thing I loved about my husband.  Although the month is over, you can always start over tomorrow! Go check out her site Sew Encouraging to check out her challenge!

30 Ways in 30 Days {Day 20}

I love that my husband is someone my son loves to model.  Everything Jason does, Lucas wants to mimic.  A few days ago I went to wipe food off of Lucas' mouth and cheeks.  He got upset and started to (but didn't quite) cry.  He's not normally fussy when I clean him up, so I asked him what was wrong.  He said he wanted to "shave his beard on like Daddy."

Whether it's mowing, fixing, shaving, running, or clothes, Lucas wants to be "like Daddy."

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Take Kimberly's 30 Days in 30 Ways Challenge!

Every day for the entire month of September, write about one thing you love about your spouse!

Leave her a comment on her site Sew Encouraging to let her know you're joining in!

30 Ways in 30 Days {Day 19}

Ever lay in bed at night thinking over the day's conversations when suddenly you think up the perfectly witty response?  Too late...

I love that Jason is so quick-witted.  He always has the funniest things to say, and he can think of them at the drop of the hat.  Last night, he was looking at an open space by the dryer vent hose (whatever that doohickey is called).  He makes a remark about the duct tape not sealing it and that maybe he should try caulking it.  "Wouldn't want a mouse getting in... but if a mouse did get in, I'd sic the cats on them like the Hunger Games: Mickey Mouse-style!"

 

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Take Kimberly's 30 Days in 30 Ways Challenge!

Every day for the entire month of September, write about one thing you love about your spouse!

Leave her a comment on her site Sew Encouraging to let her know you're joining in!

30 Ways in 30 Days {Day 18}

Day 18... I love that Jason tries to make everything a game for Lucas (especially things L doesn't want to do).  Lucas is obsessed with the mud runs that Jason has done this summer.  He loves pretending he's running in a race and carrying logs (have no clue what I'm talking about?  See my Spartan Race post).  "Lucas!  Let's run, run, run and carry our logs {shoes} in the closet!!  Hurry, hurry!"  Lucas gets so excited since he feels like he's playing instead of working.  I love that Jason cares about what his son loves.

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Take Kimberly's 30 Days in 30 Ways Challenge!

Every day for the entire month of September, write about one thing you love about your spouse!

Leave her a comment on her site Sew Encouraging to let her know you're joining in!

30 Ways in 30 Days {Day 17}

Day 17... I love that my husband is so supportive when I am stressed. I was worn out with a new baby and a toddler that decided he was "all done with naps, Mommy."  Jason practically forced me out of the house one morning back in February, telling me he called a nail salon nearby and that they were expecting me for a pedicure.  Wow?  See... I'm not the kind of person to have my nails done on a regular basis... or really ever (confession: polish normal stays on my toes, chipped or otherwise, for a couple months before i ever get around to redoing it); I get so wrapped up in what's going on with my family, that I tend to forget about little things like that. It was so sweet of him to even think of that (...or maybe my toes were bothering him... either way...), and that hour completely to myself was just enough to go home refreshed and ready to tackle more diapers :).

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Take Kimberly's 30 Days in 30 Ways Challenge!

Every day for the entire month of September, write about one thing you love about your spouse!

Leave her a comment on her site Sew Encouraging to let her know you're joining in!

30 Ways in 30 Days {Days 15 &16}

Day 15...
Having a baby can drastically change a woman's self-image... I love my children, and do not for a minute regret having them... but I still struggle with accepting my new body.  It's vain, I know.  I'm constantly asking for God's peace.

I love my husband because he is constantly tells me I'm beautiful.  Not, "I think you are beautiful."  He says, "You are beautiful."  It comes completely unprompted. I get teary-eyed just about every time; he loves me despite the stretch marks, extra belly skin, and everything else that goes with a motherly figure. It's not just words, either.  He still catch him looking at me like he did ten years ago.

Day 16...
And since I lost track of the date, here's another thing that I love about Jason.

I love my husband because he doesn't belittle my irrational fears.  I think I've only ever gone to one concert with him... those kinds of crowds make me squashed, and just a little disoriented.  I have no idea why.  They just do.  He never makes me feel silly for that... just accepts it.  I appreciate that so much!

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Take Kimberly's 30 Days in 30 Ways Challenge!

Every day for the entire month of September, write about one thing you love about your spouse!

Leave her a comment on her site Sew Encouraging to let her know you're joining in!

30 Ways in 30 Days {Day 14}

We're about halfway through the month... when I started, I was thinking to myself, "Maybe I'll have to continue this on for a few months.  I won't be able to stop at 30 ways that I love my husband."

Then... after the first few days, I'm trying to figure out what else to write.  Don't get me wrong!  I love Jason so much.  But putting that into words... very hard.

After about a week of purposefully thinking of different reasons I love him, it has become habit.  Instead of just subconsciously being grateful for something that he does, I'm acknowledging it.  Defining it.  Remembering it.

Even if you're not writing it down and sharing it, I recommend even privately participating in this exercise.  I'm reminded to thank him for what he does--to give affirmation and show appreciation (isn't that something anyone would want?).  I look at him a little differently, seeing even more that he does that I didn't notice before... It's just feeding these posts, giving me more ideas :).

Today, I love my husband because he still calls me his "girlfriend"... while holding my hand...  That made me feel so special :)

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Take Kimberly's 30 Days in 30 Ways Challenge!

Every day for the entire month of September, write about one thing you love about your spouse!

Leave her a comment on her site Sew Encouraging to let her know you're joining in!

30 Ways in 30 Days {Day 13}

I love that my husband is so outgoing.  While I'm over here half-terrified to make a phone call to insurance (what in the world do I say to them?), Jason can start a conversation on anything with anyone. I love how friendly he is with everyone, and how he makes everyone around him comfortable talking to him.

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Take Kimberly's 30 Days in 30 Ways Challenge!

Every day for the entire month of September, write about one thing you love about your spouse!

Leave her a comment on her site Sew Encouraging to let her know you're joining in!

30 Ways in 30 Days {Day 12}

Day 12...  I love how Jason is always doing little things for me to make my life just a little bit easier.  Even if he isn't getting up early the next morning, he always prepares and sets the timer so I can have coffee in the morning.  No matter how many times he tells me, I can never remember the preferred scoop-to-cup ratio for the coffee... I would probably just go without (or try to trick my taste buds and make hot tea, instead...).

We live in an older home with only one bathroom (yeah... never making that mistake again).  The vanity in the bathroom has no drawers for toiletries (such as brushes, makeup, razors, etc.).  Instead, we have clear plastic shoe-box size storage containers for each family member. These fit "neatly" stacked on top of each other, underneath the sink.  It's a bit of a pain to move someone else's box off the top of yours.  It only took me 6 months to a year to realize this... every night, after brushing his teeth, Jason puts my box on the top of the stack for easy access in the morning.  Such a little thing, but it makes my morning so much easier! How sweet is that?

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Take Kimberly's 30 Days in 30 Ways Challenge!

Every day for the entire month of September, write about one thing you love about your spouse!

Leave her a comment on her site Sew Encouraging to let her know you're joining in!

30 Ways in 30 Days {Day 11}

Day 11...  I love my husband so much!  Another thing that I love about him is how he always anticipates our needs.

At our last shopping trip, I mentioned being thirsty (of course, I was imagining the bottle of water that I had sitting in our van outside).  While I waited in the check-out line with the boys, he went off in search of one of those little drink refrigerators (you know, the ones that suck the last little bit of cash out of your pocket before you go).  I figured he wanted to grab a random Diet Dr. Pepper, or something like that, as he's done in the past.  Nope... he went to find me a bottle of water (I felt kind of bad when he saw the bottle I already had in the car, but at least we all quenched our thirst :)).

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Take Kimberly's 30 Days in 30 Ways Challenge!

Every day for the entire month of September, write about one thing you love about your spouse!

Leave her a comment on her site Sew Encouraging to let her know you're joining in!

30 Ways in 30 Days {Day 10}

Jason, I love your dedication to doing things together as a family.  I love how you try so hard to find ways to involve our boys in fun family activities (instead of always sitting around the house watching TV).  I love your creativity in finding these activities, too.

Saturday, your idea of going to the local high school football game was genius! Both of our boys had so much fun watching the players, the spectators, listening to the noises of the football game (...not to mention that it was beautiful weather and free, since we didn't show up until half-time... and then it was also short enough for the kids to be able to last).

This picture was actually taken by Jason a year ago at a local high school football game... This past Saturday, I didn't bring my camera and wasn't able to get any phone shots while holding the baby.

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Take Kimberly's 30 Days in 30 Ways Challenge!

Every day for the entire month of September, write about one thing you love about your spouse!

Leave her a comment on her site Sew Encouraging to let her know you're joining in!

30 Ways in 30 Days {Day 9}

Jason, I love your dedication to finishing something.  You never leave anything half-done (and if you have to leave something, you always come back to finish it).

One example is in your running.  After the Spartan Race this past April (a little while after it... you know, when your legs were working again...), you got this crazy idea that you could train for a marathon...

I thought you were joking (I mean, seriously? You want to run 26 miles?).

...Several months later, you are still diligently training to run a marathon.  2 months before the marathon you plan to run, you've reached your max training distance (20 miles).  Most people would have decided halfway through the training that either they couldn't finish it, or that they didn't feel it was worth finishing their goal.  I love how you've pushed through and gotten right up to your marathon goals.

Yes, I am very proud of your accomplishments.  However, I am so much more proud of the fact that you are a man to take goals seriously. I love you for that!

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Take Kimberly's 30 Days in 30 Ways Challenge!

Every day for the entire month of September, write about one thing you love about your spouse!

Leave her a comment on her site Sew Encouraging to let her know you're joining in!

30 Ways in 30 Days {Day 8}

Jason,

Last night, stranded at a truck stop 15 minutes from home, listening to that crazy storm outside... I thought of the 8th thing that I love about you... I love that you care so much about our safety. You asked me to put an app on my phone (that you keep up a subscription for) so that I would have constant access to up-to-time info on the weather (especially tornadoes and lightning). Before I left work last night, you sent me a text warning me of what I would be driving through... Thank you! That storm came up so sudden... Not sure how I would have reacted without the warning.

Can't see a thing... (Don't worry... my car wasn't moving :)

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Take Kimberly's 30 Days in 30 Ways Challenge!

Every day for the entire month of September, write about one thing you love about your spouse!

Leave her a comment on her site Sew Encouraging to let her know you're joining in!

30 Ways in 30 Days {Day 7}

Day 7... I love how we can be silly together.  Remember the couches we bought in our very first apartment?  It was January, and the truck they came off of was cold!  Remember thinking, "Lovely!  We spend this much on couches, and they're hard as a rock.  They're not even comfortable!"?  The delivery guys said the couch cushions would soften as they warmed up inside...  What did we do?  We hopped from cushion to cushion around and around in circles saying, "Bouncy! Bouncy! Bouncy!"  I'm laughing as I type this!  Thank you for bringing out the silly in me!  I love you for that!

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Take Kimberly's 30 Days in 30 Ways Challenge!

Every day for the entire month of September, write about one thing you love about your spouse!

Leave her a comment on her site Sew Encouraging to let her know you're joining in!

30 Ways in 30 Days {Day 6}

Day 6...  I love your dedication to supporting this family financially.  While I would love it if you would take a sick day now and again... Thank you for not using your leave time as soon as you earn it, but rather saving it up so that we can spend several whole weeks throughout the year as a family.

Thank you for taking care of all the bills and household finances.  I used to be good at math, but I haven't needed to use it :).

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I asked Lucas, "What do you love about Daddy?"

Lucas replied, "Um... will I get married to Daddy?"

Me: "Haha!  No... Why do you love Daddy?"

Never ask a young child "Why?"  They just don't get that concept...

Lucas: "Um... I don't know!"

Me:  "What about Daddy do you like?"

Lucas: "Um... I like Purdue!"

:)

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Take Kimberly's 30 Days in 30 Ways Challenge!

Every day for the entire month of September, write about one thing you love about your spouse!

Leave her a comment on her site Sew Encouraging to let her know you're joining in!

30 Ways in 30 Days {Part One}

Kimberly from Sew Encouraging suggested a goal:  for every day in the month of September, blog about one thing you love about your husband.  So frequently, we tend to belittle those around us (especially husbands, for some reason).  We see (and do) this not only in our day-to-day conversations, but also on TV and in books.  Husbands are frequently portrayed as being ignorant and childish, while the wife is babysitting and constantly correcting.

This is not how it should be!

I know that I am guilty of this... I don't want to be.  I love Jason so much... he is an amazing husband, father, and friend!  I want (and need) to share this!

I want to encourage my friends and readers to join Kimberly in what she calls "30 Ways in 30 Days."  Even if you don't have a blog, feel free to share why you love your husband on Facebook, Twitter, or even just by telling him when you wake up every morning or just before you go to bed at night!

Since I'm starting a few days into September (the 4th was actually Jason's birthday :), I'm putting the first few days here...

Day One... I love how you love God.  Every morning, I hear you get out of bed before everyone else, fix yourself coffee, and just spend time with the Lord.

Day Two... I love your sense of humor.  No matter what happens, you can put a silly spin on it!

Day Three... I love how you decided to encourage our family to live a healthier lifestyle through example.  You take care of yourself physically (losing weight, becoming "fit," running races both to prove to yourself that you can and to make yourself stronger), and you encourage me in being more active without belittling me.

Day Four... This sort of goes hand-in-hand with Day Three.  I love how you look! (Please don't get embarrassed).  You are hot, and I love looking at you (truth: I stare when you're not looking :).

Day Five... I love how you aren't afraid to clean... mop, vacuum, dishes, whatever.  Thank you for not feeling that this was strictly a wife's job (although I'm trying to take over more now that I'm home with the boys).  Thank you for picking up my slack during the last few months of pregnancy and these last rough few months of no energy.  Thank you for not complaining.

Every day (as I can) I plan on adding one more thing that I love!  Hope you take on this challenge, too!  Leave a comment for Kimberly if you do!

The Many Faces of my Hubby...

I feel like I usually only post pictures of my boys.  So... I decided to dedicate a post entirely to the many different faces of the man I married.  Don't worry... I sort of have permission to post these :)

The Thinker

Adoring his Buddy

Wonder

"Dude, that was hard!"

"Argh! Me stud!" (okay... those are my words...)

"Are you done, yet? You're interrupting Bully Beatdown!"

"Okay, I'll sorta' smile..."

"I'm sorry... Did you say something?"

Cheesy Grin

(I have rights to this photo... don't worry :)

Jason,
You are gorgeous, confident, playful, mischievous, and cocky. You are my Romeo, my goofy clown, and my steady rock. I love you for all of it! I'm so glad I said, "I do," and I would "I do" all over again!