Fall Harvest

I had noticed a vine growing where last year's feeble attempt of a garden was. Last week, Rusty was killing crabgrass and noticed the vine had produced a vegetable, a cucumber to be exact! Mmmmmmmmmmm. Ivy and I love a good cucumber with some yummy tomatoes and a little Italian dressing. Mmmmmmmmm

In memory of 9-11

Where were you on that tragic day? I was:
* going for a day out in the Perimeter Area
* very pregnant with my third child
* listening to news of Michael Jordan's return to...baseball? while the first Twin Tower was crashed into
* Having some mother/daughter (Shea age 2) bonding shopping at Barnes & Noble while the second Twin Tower and the Pennsylvania field were crashed into
* Walking through The Container Store while the Pentagon was being crashed into
* Abruptly leaving The Container Store because we didn't know where the next target was aiming
* Hurrying home and debating whether to pull Rett out of school, but opted to remain calm

Last year, Rusty and I visited Ground Zero just following the 6th anniversary of 9-11. It was impressive. There was still a reverence. We then walked away from Ground Zero, down the street, and across the Brooklyn Bridge in memorium of that Forever Fateful Day 9-11-01.

First fieldtrip of '08-'09

Today, I chaperoned Shea's class on a fieldtrip to the Kangaroo Conservation Center in Dawsonville, GA. Yes. You read that right. There are Kangaroos in 'them, there hills" of North Georgia. http://www.kangaroocenter.com/ and did you know:
* Kangaroos are the second fastest land animals at 55 mph?
* Kangaroos have a gestation of 30 days, but nurse for about 15 months?
* "Kangaroo" means "I don't understand" in Aborigine so they told us at the center?
* There are more than 300 Kangaroos living in the North Georgia Mountains?
* I've always been intrigued by Kangaroos? I mean...they start with the letter "K" & seem pretty fun. How could you not love these animals?

I'D LIKE TO THANK....

* The group wearing flourescent "Happy Runner" shirts
* My 6'4" pacer
* Novartis Consumer Health, Inc. for my enhanced performance supplement
* The guy wearing "Pain is WEAKNESS LEAVING the Body"
* Our new friend, Wendy, for her Wisdom...when going uphill "only look 10 feet in front of you"
* Dr. Swayze for bilateral arthroscopy and showing me proper form. I'm sorry Doc, but I couldn't resist returning to running despite Dr. orders
* Liquid gold aka liquid chondroitin glucosamine
* My MP3 player containing: Daughtry, Heart, Destiny's Child, Madonna w/ Justin Timberlake, LeAnne Womack, Club Nuveau.....
* The girl wearing "It's not that BAD"
* Jordin Sparks for the National Anthem, Freeze (see my playlist), and a fun FREE concert!
* My Sister-in-law, Katy. I love ya'! We are going to rock the half marathon!
* My family (and Katy's) for coming down and being at the Finish Line
* My Heavenly Father for a strong healthy little body.

Happy Birthday to You.....

It was nearly 12 years ago that Rusty and I began REALLY hankering for another little Speidel.

It was 9 3/4 years ago a pregnancy test explained why I had fainted a couple weeks prior, why I was feeling nauseas, and confirm what we had been hungering for 2 years...another baby was on the way.

It was about 9 1/2 years ago I was told to "buy pink."

It was 9 years and 1 day ago that Shea Adaline Speidel came into this World.

...Happy Birthday Dear Sheaaaaaaa......Happy Birthday to You!

BAK 2 SKOOL

Thank Goodness...My spelling was starting to suffer, I began to struggle with my grocery store math, and our life needed structure.

Rett started middle school, playing the Alto Saxophone, back into LaX, and Scouting.

Shea is in 4th grade, wearing cool skater shoes, and making new friends.

Asa is rip roaring into 1st grade and trying to plan his birthday... which is about 2 months away.

Ivy and Mom are back to their one on one time. Ivy just got her 1st haircut. She held totally still. Mom couldn't cut too much off. Babysteps. No one could tell that her hair is less 3 inches.

INPO's Family Fun at the Georgia Aquarium

We spent an evening at the Georgia Aquarium for INPO'S annual Family Fun Day. IT WAS WAY FUN because...

Ivy could pretty much run from one thing to the next with mom/dad trailing behind. We were exhausted by the end of the day

Asa could 'pet' the string rays/sharks/shrimp incessantly.

Shea could really take in the gift shop, yet still opted to save her money. What will power.

Rett could return to the pirahnas after Deepo and eat treats freely because they had numerous treat stations throughout.