The Life of Boys

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Connor's Kindergarten Performance

Connor is nearing the end of his first year at the "big school". He's had such a great year and we feel very fortunate to have had Mrs. Meyer as his teacher. She's nearing retirement and I think we nabbed her just at the end of her time at Washington! I sure hope I love teaching as much as she does when I am nearing the end. Connor said to me to the day before, with no expression and zero feeling.... "You are going to cry. It's all about moms and dads and love and stuff". 100% boy that kid. They sang, they danced, and Connor got to be a duck. I did not get photos of that because he was moving too much and I still only have my zoom lens (Connor accidentally broke my other lens) so everything ended up blurry. We enjoyed dirt dessert after the big show and went home with all kinds of treasures that he had made throughout the past month.

Mother's Day went well. Sorry for no post dedicated to it. Took a little break from picture taking. We had lots of yummy dinners, I spent a leisurely Sunday flower shopping with my mom (I am feeling purple this year), and Mike bought me a speedlight for my camera. Now I have no excuses for bad indoor pictures. Between you and me, I am scared of it! I have no idea how to use one, I just know every site that I have read and researched says I need one! Help! Have a great week, LB

Saturday, May 2, 2009

The Race

Race From the Heart was today! Boy, what a long time coming this race was. So much preparation by so many people. And considering it was the first race for this inaugural event, it was incredible that there were very few glitches, amazing weather, and an huge number of participants. I arrived at 6:00 a.m. this morning to help with set up. Many of the stores in town donated food, water, paper products to this event. The deliveries began bright and early and I got to work cutting oranges and bagels. I also handed out medals to finishers of the 5K. My friend(the tall one)came home from ND to run in the race. She had lots of company as many people from all over came to support the family.

Lisa's husband Jon started both the 5K and the half marathon:

Most of Lisa's family was there supporting the runners:

Angela and Hilary, Lisa's nieces.

Travis and Julia, Lisa's son and niece.

The Owatonna Baseball players came and helped work at the race and provided the human tunnel the finishers ran through. Travis, Lisa's son in the above picture plays on the team and to see these young men support their teammate was an awesome sight.

The best volunteers ever, Margo and Nichole, awaiting race finishers with me.

Nichole's husband ran the marathon and Nichole was able to present him with his medal. She didn't tell me she was going to hug him and I cried when I saw it! Picture tons of people cheering while Al runs through the tunnel, with his wife standing at the end, placing the medal around his neck. I just thought it was such a great moment. You have no idea how hard a marathon is, unless you run them, OR unless you are at the finish line and see first-hand what these athlete's bodies go through. My co-dependency was in full-force and it was hard for me to see people almost pass out or throw-up due to the sheer amount of energy it takes to complete these things. And this was only a half marathon! My friend Jill finishing the 1/2. Could she be cuter?

Seeing that many runners (upwards of 750) and so many friends and family of Lisa come together in support of her family, together with Lisa's spirit of generosity and love was so unreal. Emotions ran high, but the experience is something I will never forget and the images will stay in my mind for a long time to come.

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Cancer Sucks

This weekend we race for those who courageously battle cancer every day. We race for those that never give up hope. We race with survivors and celebrate their victory. And we remember loved ones, who defied gravity with their spirit. THIS race is for you, Lisa. I love you and miss you.