reminders of my DAD!

I AM NOT A JOGGER
I may waddle when I run, but I'm running all the sameBy John Bingham
Image by Tim Bower
PUBLISHED 09/19/2007
The late Dr. George Sheehan, beloved Runner's World columnist and arguably the first running boom's premier philosopher, once wrote that the difference between a runner and a jogger was a signature on a race application. (For the youngsters out there, there was a time before online registration when you actually filled out a paper application, signed it, attached a check, and mailed it in. Quaint, I know.) As succinct as Dr. Sheehan's definition was, it made the point. If you were motivated enough to train for and participate in an organized running event, then you were a runner.

Anyone willing to risk public failure in order to be a part of the running community--no matter what his or her pace per mile might be--was a runner. Period. Kind of hard for anyone to argue with that logic.But a few months ago, an ad ran in this magazine that drew a very hard line between runners and joggers. I immediately heard from tons of readers who were upset by the distinction. To me, however, such definitions are meaningless, since those of us who call ourselves runners already know why we call ourselves runners.

Your reasons may be different from mine, but here's why I know I am a runner:

I AM A RUNNER because my runs have names.

I do tempo runs and threshold runs and fartlek runs.

I do long, slow runs and track workouts. My runs are defined, even if my abs are not.

I AM A RUNNER because my shoes are training equipment, not a fashion statement. The best shoe for me is the one that makes me a better runner.

I choose the shoe that goes with my running mechanics, not my running outfit.

I AM A RUNNER because I don't have running outfits. I have technical shirts and shorts and socks. I have apparel that enhances the experience of running by allowing me to run comfortably. I can say "Coolmax" and "Gore-Tex" in the same sentence and know which does what.

I AM A RUNNER because I know what effort feels like, and I embrace it. I know when I'm pushing the limits of my comfort and why I'm doing it. I know that heavy breathing and an accelerated heart rate--things I once avoided--are necessary if I want to be a better runner.

I AM A RUNNER because I value and respect my body. It will whisper to me when I've done too much. And if I choose to listen to that whisper, my body won't have to scream in pain later on.

I AM A RUNNER because I am willing to lay it all on the line. I know that every finish line has the potential to lift my spirits to new highs or devastate me, yet I line up anyway.

I AM A RUNNER because I know that despite my best efforts, I will always want more from myself. I will always want to know my limits so that I can exceed them.

I AM A RUNNER because I run. Not because I run fast. Not because I run far.

I AM A RUNNER because I say I am. And no one can tell me I'm not.Waddle on, friends.

I loved this little article and it reminded me of dad who always wants us to try our best and never accept failure! A dad who can out run us all but never puts us down Always trying to build us up to be healthier and happier while we run. A dad who has never been to tired to help one of his children out when we needed it! A dad who showed us what a dad should be, honoring mom, his callings, his children and work. A dad who had priorities in the right order! A dad who I will always look up to. A dad who inspires and drives us all to push our limits and try even harder on those days when we really just want to give up. To a dad who really was a dad. I love you dad so much and I hope that my boys will be dads like you! Thank you for everything in my life you are truely amazing!

Science Fair

Most 4th graders want to build a volcano or create mold or figure out crystals but Brenden wanted to know if 5 six sided dice or 3 ten sided dice would equal 18 or higher more. So he rolled dice for a very long time and recorded the information and did a great jog. He typed it all up and received and A in the end Great work Brenden.

And for all those math nerds like Brenden the 5 six sided dice rolled 18 or higher 53% while the 3 ten sided dice rolled 18 or higher 46%. So The 5 six sided dice win. Brenden did predict this to.

A good Book

Well people say to find a good book to sleep with! That is just what Breeana did!!!

I later found out that she was pushing the buttons and listening to the song that was on the book!

RECOVERY

I FOUND MY MARBLES!

Well I have missed all the extras around here and Breeana has too. It has been a little quieter and i am slowly putting my house back together! But for some reason I my body is trying to play catch up and is so tired! I also did great at not losing anything with all the kids but

BUT LOST MY KEYS!!!!!

Saturday after they all left I lost my keys to the point they are still missing! I decided that my mind works better when it is always going it is when I slow down that I am tired, forgetful and lose things! Hopefully by the end of the week we will have things back in the right places! and have keys in hand. If you find them let me know. The key chain has a saying on it I can't find my keys and it is true!

Day 7

GAVIN'S SAYING OF THE DAY
He was playing with his paper airplane and it was coming apart so I asked if I could fix it for him and he said, "I can't do it, When I BLOW UP I can." then when I told him I would miss him when he left he said, "I not miss you. I miss your pool and chuck e cheese but I not miss you!" He is honest and sweet. He did tell me later that he would come back to my house. I guess he is still holding a grudge from throwing him in the pool the other day!

I am sad to say this is the last day! I have really enjoyed the kids and I know Breeana and Brenden are really going to miss Ashley and Natalie! We ended our time together with the school carnival and I forgot my camera to take tons of fun pics but I did take pictures of the face paintings Ashley, Natalie and Breeana got.

Thank you David and Jess for sharing your children they are so fun and I have loved getting to know them all more! Travel safely and I love you guys. Hope the trip was perfect!!!!!

DAY 6

WHAT A GREAT DAY!!!!

Brenden Got a Happy Gram today and was awarded a shining star ticket for great behavior. I am proud of him. He has had a rough year!
Today was a fun day we went to work and the kids loved making sunflowers! Even Gavin loves arts and crafts. Then we went swimming they all really enjoyed that except for Gavin because mean Aunt Kara threw him in the deep end. He then decided that he would stay in the lower end of the pool and out of Aunt Kara's reach. He loved throwing the balls in the water and splashing everybody though. The others had a lot of fun and would of swam for hours if I would of let them.

We then went to boppin' Bo's for Dinner Gavin loved watching the train and wanted a picture of it. While there Larry decided to buy a red truck. It is pretty nice and fits the family better than the camero but now he has to get serious about selling the camero.

This is Brent.

After doing 4 days of P90X. On his head fast asleep and not thinking that he might be a little exhausted! I love having a work out buddy! It has been so much fun except he keeps stealing my weights!

Day 5

OUTSTANDING BAND MEMBER AWARD!!!!

Brent was awarded the outstanding Band member award last night at the very hot and very long band concert. He was so happy and I was very proud of him. He does great at everything he touches and if he works at it he will be amazing.

Breeana had her first taste of kindergarden and loved it she was upset that the bus ride didn't drop her off at home though.

Natalie had a fun day at work with Larry even got a dollar tip from seating people. She was excited.

DAY 4

Well today the kids all got to go to work with me Gavin loved it they had more cars and trucks then I do at home!

Chuck E Cheese!!!!!!
Gavin loved it! Though he made me nervous everytime I turned around he was gone, running from one location to another!!!!

Natalie was so funny her and Breeana found the credit card machine and they now have about 20 cards with thier pictures on them.

Ashley loved playing everywhere and everthing! Her and Brenden loved trading in there tickets for little items!

These are the cards that now litter my house!!! They are so much fun and the girls love them!

Brent had fun with all the sport games and beat his dad when they completed! He loved the basketball one and baseball one best and he is very good!

Brenden was a nut and enjoyed play but he thought the best part was the I took him out of school early to go!

And of course Chuck E Cheese is where a kid can be a kid even the big kids have fun!

DAY 3

Today Chad and Heather gave me a break which was appriciated! I even got to mop my floors and vacuum the front room! The kids all got to go and build a dam up at rock creek and they sure loved it! They got really hungry and ate three whole pizzas! The little piggies!!!! I decided to individualize the kids today!

Lets start with Chad and Heather,
I am sure Heather has her work cut out for her trying to raise chad and Beckett!
It was such a nice break today just to live normally for a while! You are so much fun to be around and only wish you could of stayed longer! Beckett is adorable and fun to have around!

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TODAY!

Brent thanks for always helping when asked and being patient as we sometimes have to give up what we enjoy doing! Like the play station or going out to play!
***Way to show Chad how to play HORSE! great job!

Brenden you are a nut! Brenden has loved have someone closer to his age to boss the younger kids around with him and Ashley are great at it!

Ashley - Well Ashley has been silly and a tease! Though she loves to tease Uncle Chad and Uncle Larry she does NOT like to be teased back! She naturally has become the mom, So she thinks and makes Natalie and Breeana play what she would like! This has only back fired on her a few times and she is learning that sometimes it is easier to play with out them.

**** and who taught Ashley how to eat Ice cream????

Natalie is so sweet even when things go wrong she always stays positive. Today she got sunscreen in her eyes and was so nice she kept trying to say that it was okay and didn't hurt that bad but the watery eyes said differently!
****She is a little talker though her and Breeana are always the last ones to sleep!

Don't worry David and Jess your kids get a bath a day we just pour soap in the pool and tell them to swim!

They love to play princesses so I turned them into Cinderella!!

Breeana has loved having her cousins! And two sister are the best she can have a dance party, dress up part become a singing trio and more with two sisters I think if it were up to her she would have Ashley and Natalie stay forever!
****Though cleaning together is not there speciality!

Ice cream is good anytime but with friends it is the best!!

They loved jumping in all the puddles they made!

They are quite the little trio, ALWAY off key but that is olkay they sing where ever they go!

Beckett! There is so much to say about the GOOFY GOOBER! He is so funny and has
such a sense of humor!!! I love listening to his and Gavin conversations! They are so much fun together! Beckett is one of my kids all time favorites!
****I only wish he could of felt a little better and stayed longer!

Always there to make you laugh!

Beckett and Gavin driving a boat to Seattle far far away!

Beckett learning from his dad! So excited that he has boobs!

This is swee Gavin who while everyone else ordered Ice Cream for treat he wanted cookies to save for his mom and dad! He didn't even eat one of them! He is sweet!

This is Gavins look when as he sprays everyone with water!

This is how everyone runs when Gavin is spraying them!

Gavin is cute and fun but he has a little of dad in him like when he decided to spray every body with the hose!

My favorite Gavin saying of the day was when he was feeding the fish, he said."Some one pee'd on him. He's yellow so somebody pee'd on him." I love that he thinks only things that are pee'd on turn yellow. I just hope that he doesn't ask for yellow milk.

At the end of the day they all pile on top of each other and crash!!!! sleeping only long enough to have the energy to get through another day!