My Happy Things

Every night before bed we take turns sharing our "Happy Thing" and "Sad Thing" of the day. It's been a great way for us to end our nights and share in the ups and downs of each other's day. Most days it's pretty similar, Judah's Happy Thing tends to consist of how much chocolate milk he received during the day or how many times we played Candy Land. His Sad Thing tends to lean towards the fact that he lost something due to disobeying or if he had to receive discipline. His answers are usually predictable and understandable. I usually boast of the fun thing Judah and I managed to do or a completion of a run. I tend to be sad about the act that causes Judah's Sad Things. Kenton is usually stoked about a sell during work and bummed over the loss of a lead. Never the less it's a good thing for all three of to discuss every night.

The last few days have provided such large "Happy Things" for me, I wanted to share them.

My biggest happy moment as of late took place on Saturday. Many of us participated in the Just About Kids Organization's 5K. One participant in particular made the top of my happy list.

To my surprise, Wendy was there and had a bib number pinned on her shirt! I was speechlessly overjoyed to see her. Her beautiful smile graced her face as she ran the last bend into the finisher's chute, my heart was full of praise. I was so thankful that the Lord has brought her back to a place where she could run again.

I'm eagerly awaiting the day that my favorite runner will be running by my side again. I'll be patient, but as we slowly jogged the one mile to watch after Maddy, it was like old times keeping in stride and chatting away.

This was my very very Happiest Thing!

It's so good to have her "back."

One of my other Happy Things was watching Judah cruise on his "Green Bike." He's been getting better and better at this every time and as I walked all over the neighborhood on Monday as he rode, I was so pleased to be watching him transform into a big boy. This bike is so special too. My Grandpa picked this and another bike up at a garage sale when Judah was just about 18 months old. Knowing it would be years before he could ride them, my Grandpa still wanted to get them for Judah. When my Grandpa called about the bikes, it strangely was the last time I got to talk to my Grandpa. He suddenly died later that week. So, as you can see it's bittersweet to watch Judah ride on the big boy bike his Great Grandpa got him.

And finally, one of the last big happy things of the week was about... running. (How'd you guess?)

Like I said we all ran the 5k on Saturday. While Wendy's performance was the best part of the whole day, I have to throw in I was very pleased with the results of the hard push during my own personal run. My Dad and I pulled and pushed each other through the course to cross the line right at 23 minutes. This was a personal best for me and a good enough time to claim 1st in my age group.

I managed a 2nd place last year and it was good to come back and perform even better. It's great to know that these rigorous 50 mile training weeks are starting to pay off here and there!

So, I proudly ran in the pouring rain to receive my plaque. But after that I was ready to get my freezing cold self into the car. Kansas weather is so random. Below 50 and raining one day and pumped up to 90+ the next. Awe..gotta love it! Or Not!