Copycat

When people say that kids are like sponges, they're not lying.  Brenna is at a really fun stage where she picks up on everything Chris or I do so quickly I don't even realize I've just done whatever it is she's now copying.  This is in some ways really fun because we can teach her funny tricks, but it's also pretty intimidating because we have to be extra careful with every move we make because there is no way she'll miss it. 

The other day, I put in my contacts while Brenna was brushing her teeth.  I rarely wear contacts anymore, so I'm pretty sure this was the first time she had ever watched me put them in, so she was totally focused on what I was doing.  One of the "toys" that is in her designated drawer in the bathroom is an extra contact case.  She usually loves to put the caps on and off the little spheres (yes, she can screw them on and off), but that morning after I finished putting in my contacts, she asked for her "play case" and did something totally different.  She turned on the water, filled up one side of the case and then dipped her finger in and touched it to her eyelids.  Now, whenever she finishes brushing her teeth she usually asks for her case and puts in her contacts.  This morning I tried to get a video of it but she got distracted by the radio in the background...

Dancing Queen

Newest obsession...DANCING!

Here is the first video of her dancing by herself that I took a few weeks ago

After spending a week studying GeeGee's excited interpretation of The Wiggle's "Hot Potato", she has picked up on a few more moves...

Financial Responsibility

Its hard to believe that it has already been two months since we have moved into our house, it has flown by in the blink of an eye.  We have been so busy with various tasks that all home buyers encounter (painting, decor, etc.) that it has been very easy to let other things fall by the wayside.  In our case, one of those things was our finances -- and when you are trying to make your house a home it is VERY easy to buy everything in sight.  My brain must have subconsciously known this because I have lately taken an interest in the Dave Ramsey radio show.  His views on personal/family finances have started to rub off on me which led me to this video.  I can't sum up our responsibility to our Lord as it relates to money (and all possessions for that matter) better than Dave does so just click play...

  

Little Miss Chatty

Not photos, but I think you'll still like it :)

Friday Photo Favorites

Brenna's new favorite toy...

 

With this gift, I can actually (sometimes) get something done around the house.  Since she almost never takes naps, this is a HUGE deal. 

 

This is just a snippet of how happy Brenna was the first time she played in her walker on Easter Sunday with the Leikerts.  

Drink It Up!

Brenna has been VERY interested in eating and drinking lately, so the other night we let her have a try...

Jolly Ranchers

Chris' sisters dubbed this Brenna's "Jolly Rancher lips"

She does it ALL THE TIME!

Lullaby

About 50% of the time, this is how Brenna falls asleep...singing a lullaby. 

Rumor has it that this is what Brenna's Great Grandma Schultz used to do, as well.

Live Action

I've been trying to catch Brenna on video doing something cute, but every time I get out the camera she stops talking, rolling over, playing, etc.

This morning I finally got a good clip :)

Sweet, Sweet Laughter

Brenna Jean has figured out that she has a voice this week!  We woke up to her making noises to her self at 4 AM  a couple days ago.  She even laughed for the first time tonight and we got it on video!!  She's growing and changing every day and we're trying to truly appreciate every stage.

Happy Halloween!

Life is good with our Brenna Bean. Things are getting in order in our apartment, mostly thanks to Momma Blaxton staying with us for the past week. She was a basically a life saver, but it was a good deal for her too because she got to spend some time with Brenna.

Ruth is recovering very well, she hasn't taken any Motrin for two days. We took a little shopping trip yesterday and went to church this morning, our first trips as a family! We hope that everyone has a spooky Halloween and a great All Saints Day!

One sweet little skeleton

Sorry it is sideways, still cute though!

My Hometown

In January, Newsweek magazine published an article listing the top ten dying cities of the United States. For some ridiculous reason, Grand Rapids was listed as number ten in this article. As a life-long Grand Rapidian that is very aware of the bountiful opportunity that the city provides, this was a shocking claim.

Anyone who hasn't been living under a rock knows that the recession was especially hard on Michigan, but of all the cities in Michigan, Grand Rapids weathered the storm the best. There are many reasons for this including the constantly expanding "medical mile" (which now includes a top children's hospital, cancer center, and MSU medical school), the city's commitment to sustainability with more LEED certified buildings per capita than any other city in the US, and the wealth (pun intended) of philanthropists and successful business leaders that have given so much of their money and time to make our city beautiful. The city and surrounding areas contain more than a handful of well-respected colleges and universities. There is a nationally recognized medical research institute (The Van Andel Institute) right downtown along with JW Mariott Hotel, one the most luxurious hotel chains in the world. There is a world class art competition each fall that attracted over 250,000 visitors in its second year of existence in 2010.

I could go on and on about what makes my hometown one the most unique and thriving communities anywhere, but this video proves my point better than words can. The video below was created in response to the Newsweek article and shows that Grand Rapids is far from dying. This is one continuous take. Let me say that again, this is one continuous take that set the world record for the world's largest and longest lip dub. The guy who created this video is amazing, his name is Rob Bliss and he has organized multiple events in Grand Rapids that have broken world records including the world's biggest pillow fight and world's biggest zombie walk. He is a story for another day though, so watch the video and tell me that a "dying" city would come together to make something like this. Hopefully you can get a taste of what makes Grand Rapids overflowing with life! I LOVE GR!!

Little Accomplishments

Chris and I like to run.  Ground breaking news, I know.  But, Chris actually does it.  He has run almost every day since his last exam even though he's been working 55-60 hours a week.  Me?  Well, I haven't really run in almost two years.  Yeah sure, there have been the injuries and the therapy (or lack thereof) for me to blame it on, but in reality, I haven't run because I've been afraid.  Afraid of being miserably out of shape, afraid of my injuries being a constant nag, afraid of the hard work needed to get in good shape again, afraid of getting in really good shape again then getting hurt...again.  The thought of channeling my love of running into coaching has been my crutch, my justification to take the easy way out, the lazy way out.  Don't get me wrong, I love coaching and I wholeheartedly plan to continue coaching, but I'm pretty sure it's not going to be enough.  Not enough to satisfy my competitiveness, or to calm my antsy legs, or to drop the *ahhem* pounds that have snuck their way onto my body.

It's strange, this game I've been playing with myself.  There have been times when my longing has been so great to be fast again, to feel the readiness in my muscles and the ease at which my stride would come.  So powerful that I'll make these grand plans to start again.  Sometimes I'll run one day, maybe two or three days, then just stop.  Make up some reason why it's OK or why it's better for me to not be running.  Then another couple months will pass and I won't even think about running.  It's hard to believe how easy it has been for me to not even think about myself running for so long, when before I couldn't go a few hours without thinking about my run that day.  Hard to believe and sad, really.

I don't think I ever lost my love for running, I just lost my...motivation? strength? emotional stamina? pride? I'm not really sure what it was that I lost, but I definitely lost something, or maybe just forgot something, but for a while, fear took it's place.  

So, to scare the fear out of me, two weeks ago I signed myself (and Chris) up for the Irish Jig 5k that will be taking place on March 19th.  Currently, the furthest I've run is 1.5 miles.  I didn't run at all last week because I got really sick, but this week is going well.  I feel good.  Yesterday I was talking with a friend about running and my upcoming race and how the competitive spirit one gains from running doesn't just go away.  Mine might have taken a little vacation, but I think it's back now.  I said to Erin that when we run, even if nothing else has gone right, we accomplish something that day.  As soon as that came out of my mouth I realized that it was true, and I felt this huge wave of achievement and excitement and motivation come crashing over me.  It was the strangest thing.  I felt like crying because I felt that I had just been reconnected with an old friend.  

This video is a speech that I gave in one of my classes last year.  Watching it makes me think of everything that I love about running (also makes me cringe at the mistakes I made while giving it, ugg).

 

Hopefully I won't get scared again - or roll an ankle - because I really want to put in the work now.  Obviously it won't be easy, but I've done it before, so I can do it again.  My only goal for my first race in over two years is to finish in under 8-minute pace and have fun.  Because I love running.  And I love the feeling of accomplishing something, even as little as a 1.5 mile run.  Plus, someone has to start bringing home some prize money since Chris has only contributed a couple boxes of plaques, a butter dish, two bowls, and a beer glass!