Ready to Run?

It's that time again! The weather is gradually beginning to get better, and with it comes that antsy feeling of wanting to be outside. Around this time of year I find myself thinking about outdoor activities more and more...until finally the day arrives when I manage to somehow pry myself out off of the couch and begin to do some kind of activity. For the last couple of years, Brad and I have found that jogging is something we can do together for fun...well, I say "fun", because I find that the idea of running is fun, but when I am gasping for breath and feeling the burn, it is not always what I had dreamed it was! Last year I did get to the point where a couple of times it actually felt good, and that brief glimpse propels me on again! Actually, I'm probably spurred on more by the fact that I have done a LOT of sitting these last few months and am feeling quite out of shape. I hope to train to do a 5k again and to beat my time from two years ago (which was embarassingly long but at least I finished the race and didn't die!). My old running shoes have finally come to the end of their life, and this season began with an exciting trip to the store to purchase some new, much more girly, running shoes. Running and pink shoes...who'd have guessed? Anyway, this week I took my first steps towards my goal, and it was easier than last year! I am looking forward to getting in shape and putting some miles on these new shoes!

It's Here!

There's no place like home...
There's no place like home...
There's no place like home...

And that's where I'm going! At long last, these immigration woes are behind us and I am free to leave the country :) It has been almost 10 months since I last went home to visit my family and friends in Canada...I think it's about time, eh? I received the last document I was waiting for in the mail today! Praise the Lord! Watch out Canada, here I come!

My Musical Husband...

I must admit I am quite surprised to be writing this, but Brad has taken up a musical instrument! He decided one day that he was going to learn to play the bass guitar, and with no musical background whatsoever, he has taught himself to play along with about 15 or 20 songs already! I am so proud of him and he does so well. He even played with our youth group worship team last Wednesday night. Every night when I get home from work he asks if we can play together...it's been a really fun thing that I never thought we'd have in common!

Playing at youth group

Crazy Bowling and Crazier Dinner!

I spent last Friday night bowling and eating pizza with six fabulous Jr. High girls, so I just had to post some pictures of our outing. I have been working with the youth group at church for a while now, and have found that middle school girls are some of the coolest people around. We had a blast hanging out and getting to know each other...but our bowling was pretty lousy! It was fun though and we are excited to plan our next event. My friend, Denise, also joined in on the fun. Good times and good memories :)

This is what the girls called "Crazy Bowling"...

Denise really blew us away with her bowling skills!

I asked for their best "I just got a strike!" face :)

Group Picture

Me and Denise

Aftewards we went for pizza...we were starving by the time we got there, but thankfully it was all you can eat!

Sneaky bunny ears...

This was really funny - when we got done eating, we looked at the table and we could not believe how many dirty plates we had! It looked like a huge group had just eaten there, but there was only 8 of us! So of course we had to take some funny pictures!

A Memorable Finish!

Phew! What a weekend we had! That was definitely our most fun Daytona Race ever and I am actually really looking forward to the next party...whenever that may be! It was so great to have all of our friends and family over. Sue and Stan were here for the weekend, and it's always so good to catch up with them :) We had some great food (special mention to Karen for her Buckeyes, Rachel Green for her cheesy nacho dip stuff, Amanda for her always yummy cheesy green beans, and Kristy for her veggie pizza!). I am getting hungry just typing that.

Watching the race

Brad with his brothers and his friend, Shawn.

Taking a break from the racing festivities

Joanna and Sue - They LIVE for Nascar!

Brad's mom with Abigail

Brad's dad with Emma

Just a nice picture of Joanna!

Anyway, it was a good race...Brad's driver started dead last, so Brad kept saying that there was nowhere for him to go but up! Amazingly, Kurt Busch finished second! But the most exciting part of the day was the last four laps, as Kurt and Ryan Newman (who is Chad's driver) worked together and BLEW past everyone else, with Newman winning the race! It is always good when one of the boys' drivers finishes first, but this was especially good news because Newman has not won a race in a very long time, and I think Chad was a little discouraged. But now he is filled up once again with loyalty to his Newman. Big congratulations to Chad on this well-deserved win!

Now for the funny part. While we were watching the last few laps, the guys were going crazy - screaming and yelling and pacing, it was so funny! I didn't know at the time, but Rachel Green was taking a video of the insanity, which she has posted on her blog (I would post it here, but it will take a while to upload and I am too impatient!). I have never seen Brad quite so wound up! The strangest thing happened, too...I suddenly found myself screaming along with them, and a little piece of me actually cared who won the race! Bizarre.

After the end of the race, Kristy sat back in her seat and said, "That was more emotional than our wedding!"

Check out the video on Rachel Green's blog!

It is Upon Us

Yes, it is upon us once again. It seems as though we were just watching the final race of the season, and yet suddenly here it is again! Nascar is back, and of course we have to kick off the season with our annual Daytona 500 party :) I may not like Nascar that much, but I do like to see my husband acting like a little kid and kicking his feet in excitement! It's pretty entertaining. For those of you close enough to attend the party, I think we're planning a 3pm start time, as the race starts at 3:30pm. Of course, we will be watching the several hours of pre-race shows before that, so if you want to come over early, you are more than welcome! Let's hope that all of our husband's favorite drivers do well so that no one has to go home cranky!