DELIGHTING IN HIM

Saturday, September 1, 2012

The old guys against the young'uns

David and Caleb both had the opportunity to run in the Rogue Valley Challenge Relay today. It is a 100K (62 mile ) race around the Rogue Valley with teams of 10 each running 2 legs. They stagger the starts to try to get everyone to finish around the same time. And it worked. All the teams finished within 1 hour of each other. Caleb's younger team started at 6:30, with David's more mature team starting at 8. The young guys did not allow the older team to catch them!

We knew this would be a challenge for Caleb, as he has not been doing much running and he would be on a team of Jr. Higher who have been training some. Caleb was the youngest and only knew one person at the start of the day.

He ran leg 2, which his dad ran with him, which was flat and on the bike trail. These pictures are from leg 15, it was mostly down hill with a couple of short steep spots. Both his legs were right at 3 miles each. And yes, he caught that team in front of him!

As you can see, he was really pushing himself. I think to prove his worth to the older guys who were giving him a bad time about not being old enough for their team. I think he showed them he could pull his own weight.

Congratulations Caleb on a job well done. He even ran an extra leg with the last guy because their bike broke down and Caleb didn't want him running along our sometimes scary bike trail by himself. Here you see him handing off to the girl on his team who was to run next.

David ran leg 8 along the river and 18 here at the end with lots of uphills through the vineyards, beautiful, but hard. If you look closely you can see his teammate across the highway. They were allowed a wave pass off here due to the high traffic at this intersection and not wanting anyone to take chances getting across. Love the smile. YES, running makes my man SMILE!

His legs are taped up. I am getting pretty good at it. It seems to help his Achilles tendon not be so painful. For the last 4 years or so most of his arthritis pain settles in his ankles. He has beginning fusion there, but does not allow it to slow him down if he can help it. Love his little wave to me :)

It was a wonderful day for all. I finished Hannah's hair with NO burned fingers, but wax all over my carpet :(

I got 3 checkbooks (Ours, David's work one, and Grandma's) all balanced and bills paid! Yeah!

Drew ran his first race of the season today too and was very happy with his results---Go Cougars!

Friday, August 31, 2012

Lazy Days of Summer

A few weeks ago we headed to the coast for a lazy day in the sun and cool breezes of the Oregon Coast.

It was 104 in Medford and smokey from all the fires around us.

And we enjoyed a nice cool day on the coast without the gale force winds that can many times accompany a trip to the coast around here.

And what would a trip to the coast be without a hike through a new section of the redwoods to explore.

So many people had tried to climb this downed tree that it was rubbed smooth. Caleb said it reminded him of a coconut tree

Caleb giving a shot at using our camera

Everyone decided that swimming in the Smith River would be a good idea.

Cool clear water, you could see the bottom as though looking through glass.

David hates having his belly button touched. Gotta love this picture where Hannah sees a great opportunity to get his all elusive belly button!

Caleb trying to swim up-stream.

Then just choosing to float down stream!

Hannah telling me how slippery the rock are!

David and Caleb walked quite a ways upstream just to lay back in the water and float lazily down with the fast moving current

Love how he looks caught at something. We actually get this face a lot from Caleb!

Oh the majestic size of the redwoods!

Hannah and I taking a break on one of the beautiful redwood benches off the trail. She thought they were pretty cool.

We parked our stuff by this ready made driftwood fort for Hannah to play in.

The beginning of Caleb's crab collection for the day.

My little boy is turning into a young man before our very eyes. God is doing a wonderful work in this young man.

Caleb wanted to try out his brother's skim board

There was a lot of trial and error before he got the hang of it.

And lots of Mom reminding him that learning involves, failing at times, and we just have to get back up and try again instead of being embarrassed or shamed and giving up.

David getting some surf fishing tips from the locals.

Hannah pretty much spent the whole time at the beach in her little fort, and loved every minute of it!

Thursday, August 30, 2012

This and That...

The kids went fishing with Dad today, and as you can see were successful.

Hannah was even successful at napping between the catches and waking up to get the net ready for each catch!

Caleb was successful in catching the most and the biggest fish!

David has been successful at playing well all day--fishing this morning, golfing this afternoon, and dessert with friends tonight.

I, on the other hand, had great plans for my quiet morning with no kids, and other than finishing the small basket of ironing, most of what I had to do today came to frustration and incompleteness.

All I can say is God was working on my get it done attitude and saying, take it easy!

So I will try this afternoon :)

You ever had one of those weeks where you got so much accomplished, you feel very in control. Well that was my week. Guess He is reminding me that He is in control and His timing is best. Though I want to get so much done before we are called away to hold babies :) --guess I am doing my own nesting--- I need to recall that all is in His amazing hands and His grace will cover all my sort-comings and that it is through His hands that I accomplish anything at all.

So now for a few minuted of down time before heading out to jui jitsu and some reading while Caleb is working out :)