Long Week

It has been a long, emotional week. Some of you may have seen the news that a City of Tacoma employee was killed by a stray bullet on her front porch. Mark worked with Lisa and knew her well. I didn't know her that well, but did have a few pretty cool conversations with her when her husband helped out our doge ball team last year. Our friend Nolan is work out partners with her husband Joe, so the connections were many.

Any time someone you know is taken from you so quickly, unexpectedly, and needlessly it is hard to process. There has just been a grey cloud over our whole week. Mark and were able to go to the memorial service Wednesday night and while emotional I think it will help start the healing process for all those that knew and loved Lisa.

I was struck by many things at the service: 1. The poise and composure of her Dad, Mom, Brother, Sister, and Son. They are all very good speakers and filled with nothing but love for their lost family member, and while angry at those responsible for her death they are filled with forgiveness for them as well. Each one of them spoke at the service and while they shared their hurt and anger it was done very tastefully and the overall message was to forgive those responsible and to remember what Lisa stood for and celebrate the amazing person she was. 2. I feel for her husband Joe. I can't imagine how hard watching your wife die right in front of you must be, but he was so gracious to all at the service. His emotions must be all over the place and it can't be easy to share your grief with the 1,000 some odd people that showed up. Lisa was very well known, loved, and respected in the city and he had to share what has to be a deeply emotional and painful process with a whole city. I don't know that I would be able to do the same with as much grace as he did. 3. Why do we have to wait until our loved ones are gone to celebrate their life and the amazing qualities that we love about them? I wish Lisa could have been there in person to see the impact she has had and feel the love in the room for her.

I'm wishing her family, friends, and co-workers peace in their hearts and the ability to heal.

Weekend Update

We headed out of town Friday to spend the weekend camping with Bob & Michelle & kids, Nolan & Michelle & kid, and Jordan our Nephew. We went up to the property at Lake Cushman and were lucky enough to have nice sunny weather which allowed us to spend all day on the lake playing in the water and the sun!

We ventured into town before heading home. Mind you town is like 4 stores maybe.

Mark and Grace floating around.

Nolan, Kolton and Michelle. He loved the water, Kolton that is.

Mark and Jordan went exploring and came back with a lot of photos like this one.

Me and the girls.

Jordan made a new friend...Grace had fun running Jordan ragged!

Camp fire action.

Kolton loves water...even if it is the dogs water. Bishop just stood there and watched as Kolton turned his water dish into his own little play dish.

Another Marathon Completed

My sister and brother-in-law ran the San Fran Marathon today! It sounds like this one was harder than others because my sister woke up with leg cramps before the race and was sore the whole race. But, they finished, together, and I couldn't be more proud of them.

One of the things I love about these photos is somehow my sister manages to take scenic shots, video, and self photos during every race...I would be losing my mind after the first few miles...photos would be the last thing I would be thinking of!

A few photos I got from her site...sorry they are small...

Brian and Beth at mile 19...I think they look great for having run 10 miles!

Between 19 miles and the finish...still looking good!

After the finish...look at those smiles!

Good job!!!

Proud Older Sister

I am not a runner, never have been, never will be, don't ever really want to be a runner. I will never willingly choose running as a form of exercise. Because of my strong feeling against running I truly admire those that run of their own free will and when they take it to the next level and run marathons.

My sister and her husband are two such people. They run for exercise, for fun, and to challenge themselves. They are running the San Francisco marathon in 4 days...this is their 3rd or 4th marathon I think. And, it does not stop with them, their three kids run in the kid races as well.

I love reading her blog documenting their challenges and triumphs from every training run, to every race.

I am so proud of both of them, but in particular of my sister...I know where she started and the hard work she has put in. I cry every time I see the photos from every race and read about the emotional journey she goes through each time because I am so proud of her and so in awe of them both.

My thoughts will be with them both this weekend I know they will both do an awesome job!

Words at the Right Time

Sometimes the words I need to hear come from the person I need to hear them from at just the right time.

Someone I love dearly and have tremendous respect for will email me every once in a while. It is usually about something important that will have an impact on my life and she always, always knows exactly what to say.

I treasure every single word of wisdom she shares with me.

You know who you are...I love you and Thank You!

Adoption Update

Mark and I have made a small change in our plans...we have decided to be open to a boy or a girl.

For those of you that have given us girl stuff as gifts, have made us blankets and/or clothing that are girl related, carved Sky's initials in concrete at their house, or have given us girl clothing...not to worry. We will have a girl at some point, we will save all the girl stuff for next time, and her name will be Shannon Kailey, so the initials in concrete will still work. :)

Mark and I have been talking about it for a while and after a good friend told me that to receive anything I have to be open to everything...the change was made.

So...Shannon Kailey or Carl Wesley...we will welcome one or the other into our family when they find their way to us.