Cherry Fesitval of Races

A long term goal of mine has been to be a runner. As a self-professed major wimp, I knew this would be a tough road. We purchased a treadmill in December and I started training for my big race, which I thought would be 10K in May. For various reasons, I wasn't able to run the race, which made me extremely annoyed, angry and down-right ticked! I immediately signed up for the Traverse City Cherry Festival 5K. I didn't set the world on fire with my time, but I finished running the entire race. I loved the feeling of crossing that finish line and couldn't hide my smile.
We received pictures today and I knew I had a huge smile! What a great day, great memory and incredible first race!

Cherry Festival of Races

I'm back! Promise!

I've decided, after reading through my old posts, that I need to come back to blogging. Why? Well, even if no one else reads the blog, it will be a good way to document all of the great things we will be doing on our new adventure. We will be leaving TC for Alabama in just a few days and I want to remember so much. So, onward...here come the posts for a new adventure!

7 months...seriously!!!

I can't believe it's been seven months since my last post. Oh, the shame. I wonder if anyone reads this anymore?

Oh well, I will try to make this a priority again as I would like to make my blog into a scrapbook and it seems 2009 is seriously laking.

Okay, where to begin.
Right after the last blog post, Miss Sofie's family arrived from Norway for two amazing weeks! We went non-stop but had an incredible time with our extended-international family. When Sofie left, on June 16, we all suffered from some serious withdrawal. Imagine having someone live in your house and be a central part of your family for ten months, then poof, she is gone. Perhaps that is similar to what it will be like when K and O 'leave the nest', but it sure was tough.

Soon after that, I started an intense interview process for an elementary principal position, that lasted three interviews over a 4 week period. I did get down to the final two candidates, but ultimately, the other guy was chosen. I was disappointed, but soon another opportunity came up which lead me heading back to a work as a Behavior Interventionist. It's a full-time position and it sure is hard to juggle everything.

Going back to work full-time after five years at home has been an adjustment of ginormous proportions. I am learning so much from this position and feel like it is a perfect fit to one day become an administrator, but it's also overwhelming. The kids are doing incredibly well at school and daycare. Still hurts sometimes, to think what I've been missing.

But, onward...life has been happening full force, but I must get back to documenting!

Happy Holidays!

Kailey's Tap Recital

Kailey's in the second row on the far right. Such a cutie-pie! This was my amateur video but a better DVD will arrive soon!

Sofie's Prom!

Sofie's Beautiful Corsage of White Roses

The BIG group of Prom goers




Saying goodbye for the night after a long, fun day!

I took over 100 pictures today and so many of them were beautiful! Blogger would not be pleased if I posted all of them, so I'll have to pick and choose. Sofie and Brianna, along with help from Brianna's sister Erika got ready over here, then we had the parents, grandparents, sisters, etc., take pictures, complete with smiling faces from neighbors. (Everyone loves Prom!) We then went over to the open space in front of the water with what seemed like 30 other couples for some gorgeous pictures. Sofie and her date (just friends) Evan looked like a Hollywood couple on the red carpet!

The group then traveled to Minerva's for dinner, then will go to the Grand Traverse Resort for the actual Prom. It was an absolutely insane, crazy day, but an amazingly great one too! I know I'm biased, but Sofie was the belle of the ball! What a beauty!

Kailey's Recital

Kailey had her first official tap recital this afternoon. We did have a dress rehearsal earlier this week, so she was adequately prepared for her few moments on the stage. I must say, those Tiny Tappers (ages 3 and 4) were an absolute hit! I will try my best to upload the video, but until, enjoy the photos of our sweet beauty from both today and dress rehearsal!

Oh, and when we asked her what she'd tell Daddy was her favorite parts, she replied:

- The flowers that she received

- Dancing.

That about sums it up!