September News

We can't believe September has come and gone! It really was a wonderful month with lots of new things for us.
Jacob started school at the beginning of the month and has really done well. He is learning to cooperate in a classroom setting, which reflects in his behavior even at home for good, and loves his teacher Melissa whom he has excitedly shown his Cars theme backpack to each time I've dropped him off. He is a dear, sweet boy and is growing up more quickly than I can believe. And I love that he is officially and completely potty trained....yes!
Madeleine is sweet, beautiful and petite as ever. I call her my little "petite" or little bean, although she is truly packed with dynamite, never afraid to shriek in protest if upset. She hold her own very well against her brother Jacob who is very good and gentle with her... most of the time. She has cut more teeth and so is looking more like a little girl instead on an infant. She is officially a toddler which I can't believe. The past two weeks I have weaned her off the bottle completely and also am attempting to go down to two naps a day instead of one, which helps her go to sleep at 7 more promptly.
Matt is LOVING his Sept-Oct rotation at the Veterans Hospital, only because he is home so much more. We have been able to spend more time as a family and take a few little trips this month: Martha's Vinyard (although we didn't stay long enough to brag), Utah for almost two weeks, Kimball Farm (photos of Jacob riding horsies), and of course Maine and Dave and Callie's lake house, which is always a blast and much appreciated.
My news to report this month is my marathon. Well, I'll just say it was HARD AND PAINFUL! My training did pay off and I got just under four hours, but I must confess I was very disappointed that my legs and body stopped working after I hit the wall at 17 miles. I thought the canyon would make the run faster, easier that a flat plane, but is only made the pounding more severe.
I kept up a sub 8 minute mile for most of the marathon as I had trained to do, but by the time I ran out of the canyon at about 15 or 16 mils, my legs felt as though someone had taken a bat to them. From then on out my Dad and Matt traded off and ran with me the entire way, almost to the very end, which I desperately needed. I experience blood blisters, regular blisters, hyperventilating from the altitude change, runner's cramps and nausea. Yes I must say it was very painful and difficult and I'm glad it's over. And I"ll always remember that day as a tender one, despite the pain, because my sweet husband never left my side!
We hope everyone continues to be happy and healthy as fall arrives!

My Dad's New Book!

My Dad has been working some time on writing a book that he has recently finished on pornography addiction and it's terrible effects. He wrote this from his own knowledge and vast experience (having been called the past couple of years to help couples and individuals in San Antonio dealing with this devastating issue) and has been working with the Lighted Candle Society, having received their honorary, annual award earlier this year. www.lightedcandle.org (a national organization to fight pornography and the modern disintigration of the family)
It is, in my humble opinion, an absolute masterpiece on the subject, other addictions, and how they affect the body, spirit and, from my Dad's unique perspective, the brain. It is inspiring, enlightening, enjoyable to read and full of beautiful metaphors and stories.
If you're interested in reading it I will be getting copies of it for everyone very shortly.
I highly, highly recommend it!