Miss Lydia Comes to Visit

What a huge treat to have my niece, Megan, and her 2 year old Lydia come to visit me this weekend while in Portland for a birthday party.  (big sister, Emma, was gone for the weekend with her father)   Here she is all bathed and ready for bed.    I hadn't seen Lydia since Thanksgiving, and she has taken off with her speech. It was fun hearing all her words (both understood and not!)   
Lydia has a word that Megan says she uses for women in general -- "Aya".  I got such a kick out of her saying "Thank you Aya."  Or if she was looking for me in the house she would shout out "Aya!"  "Aya!"  I told Megan I kind of hope she calls me that forever. 

She was really grooving on all the troll dolls -- that used to be Katharine's, and now are Ruby's.  

 

Here we are walking to the park that is close by my house for some energy-busting playtime.  This little one has enough energy for an entire group of kids. 

(Please don't miss the fact that she wore Ruby's outgrown tu-tu to the park!)

 

I love how her hair was blowing in the wind!

 

 

 

She wanted me to hold her hand as she went down the slide. 

 

Kristin and the kids came over for lunch.  To keep the kids a bit calmed down, Megan gave Lydia her cell phone, which of course at two years of age, she knows how to work the games.  (and I don't!)  Carson and Ruby were fascinated with the games, to which Lydia would only let them watch  and look -- not touch!  Such longing in this little boy's face! 

 

 

He sneeks a touch in -- but just for a moment!

 

All three heads gathered around the one small cell phone.  

 

At one point I was upstairs on the couch reading to all 3 kids.  When I read to the twins, they sit on either side of me, which they were doing.  Lydia was on my lap as I read.  Miss L got distracted by something and hopped off my lap and went downstairs to find her momma.  Quicker than I could say "scat", Carson had climbed onto my lap for the rest of the book!  I detected a bit of jealousy in that little man.  His body language was saying "My grandma!" 

 However, he wasn't the least bit negative towards Lydia.  On the contrary, the twins were enamored with this little fireball and treated her very sweetly.  Carson later told his mom,

 "Lydia sure is loud!"  

 

Such delight and joy from a small screen.  What did they have that entertained children when I was that age????  

 

Thanks Megan for the sweet, spontaneous visit.  It was great having you -- come again....

Kristin's Boston Marathon

 

 

 

 

5:30 AM April 15, 2013. 

Kristin with co-worker and friend, Suzanne as Kristin prepared to board the bus that takes her to the start of the 117th running of the  Boston Marathon.  She was full of anticipation for the day in front of her. 

Never could she, or anyone else begin to imagine how this day would end!

 

 

 

 

 

It is with mixed emotions that I do this blog post.  I am so proud of Kristin for the hard work it took to get to the point where she could actually run and finish a 26.2 marathon.  Last year she attempted to run her first marathon in Boston, but unseasonably HOT weather caused numerous runners to drop out before and during the race.  She and her co-worker, Suzanne, made it to mile 22, and Kristin had to stop.  She ended up in the medical tent and a ride to ER in an ambulance.  It was very disappointing for her to be so close, and not finish. 

 

She was determined to run this year and finish what she had started last year.  Kristin Joy was born in Boston, and this was something she wanted to do!  Plus Adidas is the huge sponsor for this event, and she would probably be there working the event, even if she wasn't running in it.    

At mile 22 Suzanne, who had not run this year, met Kristin and together they ran in.  (Kristin is wearing the orange tank and Suzanne in blue jacket)

The photo below was taken just as they were crossing the finish line by co-workers in the stands.  Kristin finished the race at 4 hours, 8 minutes. 

The first bomb went off at 4 hours, 9 minutes. 

I am so grateful to the Lord that she was OK, as well as her co-workers, but saddened for the loss of lives and the many injuries. 

 



The text below is what Kristin sent out and posted to her friends and family the next day.  

Thank you friends and family for your prayers, texts and calls. Cell service has been spotty, sorry for that. Yesterday was unimaginable, it was like nothing I have ever seen or experienced. I left the hotel at 6:00 am ready to finish what I started last year, just needed to get back  to mile 22 and make it home. It was 30 degrees cooler this year and Boston was glowing. The sun was out along with kids, students, families cheering for literally 26.2 miles of the course. There wasn't a place along the way that didn't have support, it was amazing. Suzanne, my co-worker, met me at mile 22. We were so excited to see each other. We both cried for a second remembering how hard last year was. It was at mile 22 last year that I ended up in the medical tent and then ER from heat exhaustion. The plan was to run the rest of the race together, only 4.2 miles to go. We got to the last stretch and she wanted to jump off the street and let me finish my race since she didn't have a bib#. I knew I needed her even though it was only 1 city block left. I said please don't leave me right now Suzanne. She agreed and we crossed the finish line together. A few steps past the finish and the bombs went off. If she would have jumped off the course she would have been right there. We are so lucky, so blessed and so heartbroken all at the same time. I didn't even get my medal because people starting running in all directions....but really who needs a medal after what happened yesterday. I come home tonight and for that I am grateful. Love to all of you and thank you for your support. xo kj

 

 

 

Today, May 2nd Kristin finally got her medal.  You deserve it! 

 

 

Hebrews 12:1

 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,  fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

2 Timothy 4:7
I have fought the good fight; I have finished the race.  I have kept the faith.
Isaiah 40:31
They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.  They shall mount up with wings as eagles.  They shall run and not grow weary.  They shall walk and not faint. 

 

 

Cuties

Easter Sunday With The Family.

Easter Sunday I had the kids at my house, but we got ready and went back to their house to get their parents and attend  their church. 

Then we went to Grandma Carrie's and Grandpa Ray's for the rest of the day.  It was 76 degrees and so great to be outside.  We enjoyed having our meal outside in the sunshine!  

 

We had to have some BIG baskets for the ostrich size eggs I got for them! 

 

 

Grandma Carrie gave them some last minute instructions before it was
"ready, set, GO!" 

(The really really large eggs came in two colors -- blue and pink.  They needed to know whose was whose! Grandma Carrie had put "R" and "C" on the small eggs to make sure they got an equal amount.  We all thought Carson would bust out and find the eggs first.......we were wrong)

 

Their backyard is big and beautiful and perfect for an egg hunt!

 



 

Ruby found her first big egg in the tree.  She looked at it (the top was clear plastic) and she giggled and said "Oh mommy!  It's underwear.  That's hilarious!" 

 

(yes, it is true. This Easter Bunny is very practical, and since their mommy won't allow much candy, if any, I had to be creative.  They needed new underwear in a larger size, so I found some at Costco.  Princess for her and Lego--Star Wars for him.  I'll have to say, they were a huge HIT!)

 

At first Little Man wasn't having much luck finding eggs.  You can see that look on his face and the empty basket, while sister's is already full!  

 

Then he, too, found his first BIG underwear-filled egg!  He was a happy guy!

 

Grandpa Ray had to help get this one out of the tree.

 

 

 

 

 

Time to go through all their loot. 

I also put a box of kids band aids in their giant eggs (princesses for her and cars for Cars). 

 Carson said "mommy, remember last week I had an awie.  Can I put a band aid on it now?" 

 "No Buddy, it is already healed!"  

 

They took out each pair of undies to show me and picked out their fav! 

Who would have thought to put THAT in their Easter eggs! 

Me, of course!  

 Kristin got to continue celebrating her 34th birthday with gifts inside from her wonderful in-laws.  Ruby was right there to assist. 

 

 

I can hardly believe Carson is still riding Pooh Car.  My friend from church on Bainbridge Island gave it them when they were about 16 months old.  He continues to ride it, even though his knees touch the ground.  Now he knows how to spin wheelies and go real fast!   Thanks again Cheri for the gift that keeps on giving!  We swear he will take this car to college with him one day and ride it down the dorm hallways!
(if you go to Nov. 2009 on my blog and scroll down, you will see little Carson on the Pooh Car for the first time.  He is so small!)  



 

Casey had been sick with an ear and sinus infection, and crashed on the couch, in the midst of the party.  Ruby gave him her softie to help him sleep better.  

 

Ruby asked me if she could take pictures, so the next two of her Grandpa and Grandma were taken by her.  Not bad!  



 

Carson and Grandpa are spending some special time in his office. 

 

Easter at the Jones' include croquet.  The kids really got into it this year.  

Next time Ru, remember to wear shoes!  

 

It was warm enough to go shirtless.  

Love that Aunt Lindsey!  She's great.......She even allows Carson to use her cell phone!