Aye! The Luck of The O'Hansen's!

As you all know, or should have known, last Saturday was St. Patrick's Day. Something about these little holidays that always makes me happy. I don't know what it is. As a child all it meant was wearing green, eating corned beef and cabbage with green milk for dinner, and the sugar loaded parties at school. (Hmmm... I wonder if the connection between all the sugar and the holiday has anything to do with my excitement???)

While all these activities were sufficient to make all my St. Patrick's Days enjoyable, seven years ago another event took place that has now become my greatest joy in regards to this Irish celebration.

I was 18 years old. Finishing my last quarter of my senior year. I was hanging out at a friends house. It was a Friday, and I was wearing green because it was March 17th, 2000. The doorbell rang and I offered to go up and answer it, knowing that an expected guest was arriving. I opened the door to let said guest in only to find she had brought along a few friends. One of these friends was a very tall boy. He had dark rimmed glasses, blue eyes, and the largest mop of curly hair had ever seen in real life. "What did he say his name was?" "His name is Kenton."

And so it began.

As these past seven years have seemed to race by, I still cherish my special memory of the day I met my best friend. I would have never guessed that by just opening the door I was welcoming my future in. (awe...take a moment to exhale adoringly... go ahead, it's okay... no one will know why you're doing it, they won't laugh... well they might, but go ahead anyways.)

This was us a few weeks after we met.

And this is us on March 17th, 2007.

It's safe to say we've changed just a little.

We spent our St. Patrick's Day taking in all the Irish festivities that this Mid-Western city could offer. We began by making sure our attire was appropriate for the day.

Check!

(Man, we all could afford some lessons in picture posing!)

Judah's Auntie Lindz came along with us too! Bonus!

We headed out to the Delano District watch the parade. Judah got into the spirit too. His Meme had just sent him shamrock stickers in the mail that morning and he eagerly gave them away to kids along the parade route.

I was really proud of him. I was such a frighteningly shy child and I know it never served me well, so to see him approaching strangers and offering them a sticker, really showed me what sort person we're dealing with.

Wichita sure does it's best to put on a parade. A for effort. But as you know this Irish rich community only has so much to work with. We saw plenty of men in kilts and heard our fill of bagpipes.

Judah was stoked to get a ruler from some construction company. Lindsay was hit on (hand kissed and everything) by one of the Renaissance players. We all tried to find somewhere else to look when the scantly clad belly dancers giggled by. As the street sweeper concluded the brigade, we joyfully headed for the car.

Next up, we were off to The Artichoke Irish Sandwich Bar. This was the location and starting line of the annual St. Pat's Run and Party.

We met up with a few other familiar faces too.

Jeremy was back home for a few days due to a funeral and decided to run with his wife. I guess my Dad had nothing better to do. Ha! He joined at the last minute and we all warmed up or chatted, however you see it for our four mile race.

The whistle blew and we all set in to our own strides and met up again on the other side of the line.

Our chilly morning turned into a HOT afternoon. We all crossed sunburned and sweaty.

The fickle friend of running always leaves you surprised. I was feeling great and Wendy was feeling horrible. She shooed me on when her run was leaving her lagging.

I reluctantly accepted her offer to leave her behind, and managed to finish with my fastest 4mile time yet. Despite her frustration, she crossed with a personal record too.

My Dad pulled closely behind us with a great time and Kenton and Jeremy finished within one second of each other. Kenton says, "I totally beat Jeremy!" HA!

Official Stats

Lacy 33:04

Wendy 34:12

Randy (my Dad) 35:52

Kenton 37:07

Jeremy 37:08

Judah and Maddy lined up next to give the kids race a go.

Judah had been so excited about his run for days. He said he and Maddy were going to be the winners. You can see he was flashing his "I'm number one" while waiting at the line.

Two seconds before the race starts Judah got upset that his number was crumbly and as the whistle blew he reverted to a typical three year old and was not cooperative.

With his head down and back turned all the other kids raced by him and he pouted at the line over his crumbly number.

His Mother was ticked, his Dad was steaming and some how we made it through.

He was the last to cross the line dragging his heels and crying. (we felt it was important he finish..regardless of his opinion on the matter.)

All in all it was a great day. We hang around for the party. Ate Irish stew, Kenton had his green beer (uk! Beer is not my post-race choice, but whatever), then we headed home to nurse our sunburns.

My, my how time can fly! I never imagined this seven years ago...who knows what will happen in the next seven!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Side Note: My mom was behind the camera all day and she and Lindsay spent the afternoon chasing Judah around...many thanks to them!

My Old Man

Well, it's official. There are no spring chickens left in this Hansen house. Kenton finally caught up with his old lady and hit the big quarter century mark last week.

As the rest of the country was commemorating National Women's Day, Kenton celebrated the 25th Anniversary of his birth. (He always gets a little rubbed that "they" chose his birthday to observe such a cause.)

We began the celebration with taking him to Z Pizza. It's a great place and the only place in town you can get whole wheat crust and organic sauce.

After they brought out the cheese and olive pizza (A Hansen favorite) Kenton was serenaded by Judah. It was the best rendition of "Happy Birthday" I've ever heard. It was put forth with such diction and maturity!

Once the melting candles were blown out, the pizza quickly disappeared!

As if pizza weren't enough..oh yes, that's a certified NASA pen, just like the astronauts use! Is there really any other way to say, "Happy Birthday?" I think not.

I suppose there is another way to say Happy Birthday.

You tell your husband to wear particular clothing and be ready to go by 6:45 on Friday night.

You tell him to go into Whole Foods and load up on his favorite snacks.

You drive him out to no man's land and blindfold him.

You cause him to lose his orientation and hear him say that he thinks you're taking him out west to paint pottery. (Paint pottery..are you kidding me?)

Then you tell him to take off the blindfold and go inside because his friends are waiting.And then you go home and watch TV all night awaiting his victorious return.

With his first place rank, the other guy (ah..the 13 year old) celebrating his birthday was totally put to shame by Kenton.

Age before beauty..or something like that, right?

Happy Birthday Kenton!

Our PHAT Tuesday!

Kenton said, "we need to eat and be ready to leave by 7:15." Judah said, "okie-doke folks."

We were surprised by a trip to the ice rink. We had fun, well it was an experience to say the least! Ice skating is tricky enough on it's own, even more so when a three year old is trying to pull you down with every stride! We worked out the kinks and after several spills from Judah, ONE grand crash from Kenton, and nothing but pure grace from me, (See Mom, I told you I could of been a figure skater...ha!) we ended the night cold and happy.

Thanks Kenton for a lovely and chilly surprise!

Turning 30 in OKC

Happy 30th Birthday Kari!

As we were walking in to Zio's to celebrate my sister's 30th birthday, the photo opt of all photo opts presented itself! Nothing says "PARTY!" like a dead bird in a car grill!

We celebrated with food and fun down in Bricktown. We ate yummy Italian food and strolled the river walk.

Judah played with his cousin, Landon, and we were all so happy to see our family.

And of course there were messy kids with birthday cake frosting all over them!

We drove back to Wichita wishing we had more time to spend with Kari, Jeff, and Landon and eagerly anticipating our next trip to "The City."

The sun not only came out today, but it was over 65 degrees!!! Judah and I ate up every warm minute we could! We roamed the zoo and saw the new Lion cubs. I think this picture says everything. The kid was ready to get out of the house!

Have a great week and enjoy the weather!

My Funny Valentine

BACK OFF LADIES!

He's ALL Mine!

Happy Valentine's Day

These Days

Is it really February already? It's been hectic and cold the last few weeks.
Judah came down with a nasty respiratory infection and had to receive breathing treatments or "blower medicine." He sounded so froggy while he was sick. One day he said, "Mommy, my talk is funny." He liked the fishy mask that he got to wear during treatments, but we all were happy when that seventh day passed and we could put the "blower" away!

It's been as cold as it could be lately, but somehow, I've managed a few good outdoor runs. I've unfortunately gotten too well acquainted with the good ol' treadmill during these snowy days. My running companion, Wendy, was just as tired of the spinning belt and we decided to brave it last weekend. We trudged nearly ten miles in literally freezing cold weather. About half way we both realized that the burning in our arms wasn't from the workout, it was the frostbite trying to set in. We defrosted and were geared up for a beautiful 4mile race on Super Bowl Sunday. We joined other die-hards for a 4 mile run through Linwood park. We dashed across icy paths and tip-toed over slick corners and some how we came out successful. I managed a personal record of 35:19. Wendy felt guilty for winning the medal last time, so I know she gave me the one second advantage. If we weren't such girls she would have schooled me. I'm so lucky to have her! We walked away with our "prize" of Run Wichita socks and went home to watch the Super Bowl commercials.

62 LACY HANSEN 25 F WICHITA 35:19
63 WENDY GRIST 27 F HAYSVILLE 35:20

All in the same weekend two very special people had birthdays!
Miss Annie Marshall had her big 1 year birthday. We were so happy to get to celebrate with her. I was so amazed by how fast the past year had flown by. It seemed like just yesterday we were visiting that little sprout in the hospital and now she's ripping through presents and shoving cupcakes in her mouth. She's a doll. She makes those dang Marshall's just that much cooler.
I always wanted to be a Marshall! Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

It's good thing that Becca and I drank from the same water fountain during the spring of 2003, otherwise Judah would have NO boys in his life! Damien celebrated his 3rd Birthday. Damien is Judah's "best good friend"! If it weren't for him, Judah's existence would consist of girls constantly saying, "ewe gross," or "Judah hit me." So thank the good Lord for Damien. We couldn't stay long for Damien's Superman pizza party, but we were happy the boys could see each other.

The weeks have zoomed by, and I haven't felt like updating much because recent events seemed to heavy to comment on.

It was in the recent weeks that our beloved friends the Ross' lost their father unexpectedly. Travis' Dad, Tom, passed away in January and shocked everyone.

I'm always at a loss of words in these situations. Broken for the loved ones left behind and crushed about the pain they must feel. If there were a perfect thing to say, I guess death wouldn't be such a hard situation in the first place.

We were privileged to learn more about Travis' Dad through the words of his friends and family, but mostly through a list of memories presented by Travis, Tom's only child. As we listened to all the words, I was so blessed by the legacy this man, whom I barely knew, left behind.

He loved his wife. In every way this man loved his wife. He adored his son and he esteemed his wife. Every testimony and account given about Tom Ross included the overwhelming fact that he loved the woman he married. Neighbors got up and spoke of how he would always walk through the neighborhood hand in hand with his wife, it was announced that he always wanted to be where she was. Kenton and I even remembered Tom being mentioned in our Pre-Marital counseling as a great example of a man who loves his wife. There was an over whelming theme to this wonderful man's life. I left thinking two things. 1, "If I left the earth today, would everyone in my life be consistently commenting on how they knew I loved my husband?" 2, "Is there anything of more honor than being a man who loves his wife?"

Thank you Thomas Ross for setting such an example, I only hope I can do the same.

Only after learning more about the man that was Travis' father can I begin to grasp what they must be going through, I am so sorry for your loss.

While they were in town we did get to have a lighter day and let the kids play and we got to speak face to face. It was great, I wish it had been under different circumstances.

Tom was the janitor at my middle school. We called him the "cool 70's janitor". Like- father like-son, a love of long hair must run in the family!

Here's to a wonderful man who loved well.