the reunion before the reunion

Last week I traveled 1/2 way across the country to the great city of Winston-salem. I can't adequetly describe my excitement upon landing! There is just something different about east coast air. Something refreshing and welcoming. As soon as I landed I started thinking about how much I didn't want to leave in a few days.

Lesa picked me up and we hit up one of our favorite restaurants for lunch. We stalled a little so we could meet up with Dave, Kiera and little Ty before they hit the road. It was so wonderful to see them...even if only for a few minutes. Tyler has grown so much since I last saw him. He's his own little person now with so much personality. He loves his sandbox and company of course. Go figure! Have you met his parents?!?! They are some of my best friends and I really miss just hanging out living life together.

Lesa and I headed back to the Branch ranch for a nice long visit and tour of the latest developments on the Ranch. I wish I took some pictures, but again- I never remember to take it out until after the fact! The farm looks gorgeous and they've put a lot of work into it these last few months.

I later met up with my old Bible study group and all the young girls were back from their first semester of college! They Lisette, Emily, and Kelsey all look and act so grown up- like they've been enlightened with the way of the world or something. College a place where you become your own person. You learn a few lessons (both good and bad), forge new friendships, learn valuable lessons like how to get by on $5/week in food allowance (hollar ramen noodles) and figure out (to a small degree) what it is you want to do in life. I'm so thankful these girls have settled in well with a good group of friends.

I also got to meet Nathan, Katie and Brian's new addition. He is super sweet and looked just like a little glo worn all swaddled in his blankets. I was in heaven just holding him and visiting with friends for hours Tuesday night. I also made Melissa go home and get Dominic so I could hang out with him too. He's about 6 months old now and he is just precious! He was 3 weeks old and tiny tiny tiny when we left. Now- he's got huge blue eyes and long lashes to match that will make any girl swoon. He has such an easy going personality and just sat in my lap and clutched my hair forever. O how I miss those babies!

Jennie and I had a great time being roomates again for 2 days. She bought a house a few months ago and it looks awesome! The decorations and furniture all fit so perfectly to her style and taste and I'm so proud of all she's accomplished! She had to work, but we got to watch some reality TV, hang out on the couch and chat, eat pizza, and just be roomies again for a while. I think I'm going to have to do it again in 5 weeks.

24 hr Puppy fix....

That's right. I got a puppy. For 24 hrs. Olivia, Julia and I went running on Saturday, but our normal park was flooded so we went to another one. It was getting new asphalt. So we decided to run in a nearby neighborhood. After passing a large, but strange looking house, a little black super cute puppy came running out of the woods as we passed. He was soooooo excited to see us. We jerry rigged him a lease from some old vinyl blind cordes and he kept up with us (for the most part) for the rest of the 3 miles. After findinga puppy...who cares about running and keeping a good pace?!?! We tried to find his owners to no avail, but he didn't have a collar and we later discovered fleas so I think it was just destiny that we came by when we did.

So I decided I wanted him. He needed a good home. Julie and I were headed to a movie right after the run so Olivia took him home to babysit him until I could get back into town. She also gave him a flea bath, and fed him. I bought him a little black collar and a leash and Julie lent me a crate.

I arrive at home...totally prepared with crate, puppy food, collar, lease and babysitting for thanksgiving all lined up to improve my chances that Byron will love this puppy as much as me. So I sneak into the bedroom with the puppy and we sit on the bed and slowly wake Byron up. Try to imagine Byron's excitement of waking up to a little puppy face:) Or not. "What is thaaaaaaattttt?" he asked. Me: "The newest member of our family". Byron: "um-hmmm. Where did you get that".

I proceeded to tell him how the stars are aligned for us to adopt this sweet thing. "Um-hmmm" he says again. The puppy curled right up next to Byron and just layed there looking at him with puppy eyes. How could anyone resist you ask? Ask Byron. He's the only person I've ever met that is able to resist the puppy temptation.

We kept "Puppy" for 24hrs and found a home for him with a couple from church. They are great, but have only agreed to watch "Puppy" until we find a permenant home for him. They already have a 90 lb lab who simply dwarfs Puppy. I can't wait to hear the update on how he is doing!

I must say- I was somewhat depressed coming home from church Sunday night. Its amazing how attached I became in just 24 hrs. Puppy was just so excited to see me each time and I couldn't wait to get home to him either. Saturday night I was cooking all evening and Puppy was on the back porch. He would cry a little when I disappeared from sight, but as soon as I came back- he was fine and went back to playing with his toys. It was so sad to come home to no one waiting eagerly for me. But...Byron has promised that I can have as many critters as I want when we move to a house with a yard. I'm holding him to it. So far on the list: Mini goat, mini pig, a lab, and a bunny. We'll see what other creatures I can come up with in the meantime.

Marathon Fever...

Its official...I'm hooked. I'm a total Marathon junkie now. I'm sure I'll change this statement while training for the next one...but right now the euphoria from finishing my first one is still in full effect. This Sunday I ran in the 2nd annual San Antonio Rock and roll 1/2 marathon. 31,000 people were gathered at the start line around 6:30 am on Sunday morning. You could feel the crowd pulse with excitement, and the anticipation of the start gun was exhilarating. I was in the 19th corral (you are grouped according to your expected finish time) so I was WAYYYYY in the back. I couldn't even see the start line- but I could hear the announcers and all the cheering each time a corral started. It took 40 minutes for me to even cross the start line- but the 40 minutes of anticipation made me that much more excited!

About mile 8 though- I was not excited. This is when the mental battle "should I keep running or take a break to walk?" began...and it lasted until the 12th mile. But- I tell you what: it is so encouraging to have so many people on the sidelines cheering perfect strangers on- you just don't want to quit. There wasn't a single place along the whole course without crowds of people cheering. Plus- I knew I was being 'tracked' by friends, family, and co-workers, which also helped keep my mind focused on keeping pace. They set up a new program where supporters could track individual racers via text message. (there is a tag tied to the runner's shoe, and we run over metal detector type things laying in the road ever few miles). Byron was on call- but was able to see how I was doing via phone.

By the last mile- huge masses of people are lining the streets cheering you on for the last mile. I felt a surge of energy to keep running and cross that finish line! The last 10th of a mile was strait UP hill to the Alamo dome (where the Spurs play). Ugh. But- man- when you can see the finish line- somehow- you find the willpower to go all out.

I finished in 2 hrs and 8 minutes which was about 12 minutes faster than I planned! I cooled down a bit and called Byron to tell him I finished, but I couldn't hear him at all. "Are you in the ER or something?" I asked. Byron: "No- I'm at the race...did you finish?!?!" I wanted to cry I was so touched. He was on call the night before with zero sleep anticipating not being able to make it to the race at all. But he came! He got to the finish line about 3 minutes after I crossed. But seriously- it meant the world to me that he came. I know he was exhausted, traffic was terrible (all the roads being closed and all), and the crowds of people were just everywhere, but he came. Do I have a great husband or what?!?! And...he brought me roses. What a guy I tell ya.

We waited for Julie to finish and then walked around a bit to all the booths to cool off and get our free stuff:) Byron went home strait to bed and I joined him later for a much needed nap. My boss was great and allowed me to take Monday morning off to recover so we headed to the ranch for the night. It is so peaceful up there. It was wonderful to have some down time to relax and recover. Byron got up to hunt in the morning...but I slept in. I could hardly move the next day. the stairs are still not my friend. I took a hot bath and made some breakfast and enjoyed reading the paper on the front porch. It was wonderful. I did not want to come back!

So...after running a 1/2....I now want to attempt a full. Maybe. I'm half way there. I was a bit jealous of those that finish the full! What an accomplishment! It takes so much hard work but I want to say that I did it. Just once. I'll keep you posted.