Memorial Day at Turkey Run State Park

Monday our family made the 90-minute trip to my all-time favorite Indiana spot--Turkey Run State Park.

There's a cheesy country song, "Fly Over States that expresses how the "fly over states" really do have a lot to offer. (Yes I do love country music! It takes me back to my Heber roots.)

Despite popular belief, there's an abundance of beauty and culture here in the heartland. I don't know where we'll settle once Matt's done with residency, but one thing's for sure. The Midwest has won a place in my heart. It's where we've spent the majority of our married years and adulthood. It's where we became a family. I do love it here.

Anyway, back to Turkey Run. We had a blast exploring the nature center, hiking, playing at the playground, picnicking, and checking out Turkey Run Inn. We will definitely be back again, hopefully this summer. Who wants to join us?!

Feeding the birds at the nature center

On one of the two short hikes

Kaitlyn is 100% Daddy's Girl lately. Due to that, Matt carried our 18 pound bundle of love almost the entire day.
I won't lie. I didn't mind too much!

The Vorderstrasse family (plus one extra) joined us on our outing. Love this photo with all the funny faces!

"Chain Gang! Chain Gang!" the posse sang as they walked hand in hand.

Other highlights of the weekend included:

• Feasting on Costco samples before swimming at the indoor pool at the Fishers YMCA
• Matt and Skylie's daddy-daughter date to the dollar theater while Kaitlyn and I had one-on-one playtime at home
• Barbequing and playing at a dear friend's home

Our lives are simple and ordinary, but in the wise words of of my favorite sitcom, "There's a lot of beauty in ordinary things." :)

From the Mouth of Skylie

Skylie acting all grown up at dinner: "What did you like best today, Mommy?"

Skylie praying: "I'm thankful for my mommy and my da--actually just my mommy."
(Don't be fooled. She was just milking it for all she could so I'd let her stay up later.)

Skylie talking to Matt: "I don't want you to get eaten by a goose."
Matt: "Why not?"
Skylie: "Because then I wouldn't have a daddy!"

Skylie asked me where Jesus was.
Erin: "He's in heaven with Heavenly Father."
Skylie: "How do I get there?"
Erin: "When you're really, really old you'll die and go to heaven."
Skylie: "But I don't know where it is! How will I get there?"
Erin (kind of stumped at explaining the Plan of Salvation to a three-year-old): Maybe it'll be kind of like flying.
Skylie: "In our car! We'll fly there in our car!"
Erin: "No..."
I then proceeded to compare our spirits to the ghosts she'd recently seen on the movie, Casper. Not my finest teaching moment by a long shot, but it is what it is. Hopefully she's not too scarred!

As of Late...

KAITLYN:

A little over a week ago, Kaitlyn had an adenoidectomy and tubes put in her ears. The inflamed adenoids had blocked at least 90% of her nasal passage! 

All went well in regards to the simple surgery. I did unexpectedly tear up when the nurse carried Kaitlyn--screaming and crying--into the surgery room and I had to walk helplessly in the opposite direction.

Before surgery

In the car post-op. Talk about drugged up.

Her recovery has been quick. Besides the disgusting breath, which is a temporary effect, she's been great! It's amazing how my life's changed now that I don't have to wipe her nose every five minutes! I claim her speech has skyrocketed now that she's hearing well.

Snuggling in Skylie's bed tonight. I snipped the back of her hair last week to reduce the ridiculous mullet. I have mixed feelings. Good thing hair grows fast!

SKYLIE:

Exploring with Lillian

• Skylie is Skylie. She should be in bed now but is hiding next to me under a blanket.
• A few of her cousins came over to play yesterday. Skylie loved every minute hanging out with Meg, Jared, and Bethany. 
• On May 10 she and I went on a mommy-daughter date to the Indiana Museum of Art with the 8 to 11 year-old girls from our church and their moms. I love when I get me some one-on-one time with my children.

  

  Creating her own art at the IMA

  

  Playing with cousins yesterday. Someday Skylie will complain about all the pictures of her in her pajamas as a preschooler. That will be a good time to explain how determined she could be as a young child.

  
  

  

  Looks like Skylie has black eyes, but really she'd just gotten into my makeup!

ERIN:

• Sun and warm temperatures have finally hit Indiana, and I am soaking it up.
• I still teach two or three exercise classes a week at a nearby gym, Turbo Kick and cycling.
• I've been a counselor in the Primary for over a year now, and it just might be my favorite calling ever. I really, really love the kids at church.
• Monthly date nights are my new passion. And necessity. This past month Matt and I have ditched the kids twice! Once to attend the evening session of stake conference (a bi-annual church meeting). Another time to catch a movie and dinner with two of our favorite couples.
• With the exception of date nights, lately our family's been on a serious "no unnecessary spending streak" while we finish paying off our vehicles. The end is a few months away, and I cannot wait! In a 24 month period, we will have paid off about $20,000 of auto loan debt on an income that's been less than the median household.
• Our neighbors rock! One outfitted our front yard with perennials and mulch. Another neighbor gave me an all-inclusive kit for a vegetable and herb garden. I am so excited at their generosity and kindness.

MATT:

• This spring Matt was elected by the other residents in his program to be the Chief Resident this upcoming year. Beginning in July he will be assistant chief for six months, then in January he'll be chief for another six months. 
• He's loving psychiatry and says he's never regretted choosing this field. At one time he thought of specializing in child psychiatry. He's decided against that and is considering doing a fellowship in forensic psychiatry.
• At church he's a counselor in the Sunday School Presidency and he teaches the youth, as well.
• I'm often asked what Matt's work schedule is like. It's pretty much an 8-5 or 8-6 job. About once a week (either weeknights or weekends) he takes call, which means he stays at the hospital overnight and may or may not get sleep. He has an evening meeting once or twice a month. He's out of town at conferences a few times a year. For residency, I don't think his schedule could be much better.

Life is good.

Mother's Day 2013

I wrote the following last Sunday, May 12:

Today is Mother's Day.

Matt and the kids treated me well today. Matt prepared breakfast and dinner. They showered me with presents--chocolates and a running watch. They also posted this on the kitchen wall:



I am grateful to have them. My family, I mean.

Skylie and Kaitlyn can exhaust me at times, but I do cherish being their mom. Despite all the mistakes I make and the times I fall short, in their eyes I am their everything. Most of the time.

Earlier this week I overheard Skylie telling her friend, "Isn't my mommy so beautiful?!"

Her adoration for me isn't always top notch, though. This evening Matt and I loaded the kids into the car for an outing to the park. I ran back inside to grab something and Skylie suggested to Matt, "Maybe Mom should just stay home."

Matt and I are thankful for the mothers in our lives. Truly, we are fortunate.

Running the Nations Largest Half-Marathon

Cool temps. Slight breeze. Clouds in the sky.

Conditions couldn't have been much better for a 13.1 mile run this morning. After lacing up my neon yellow Mizuno's and hitting the port-a-potties not once but twice (those crazy pre-race jitters), I found the area with runners anticipating approximately my same finish time. The gun went off, and in an hour and 39 minutes it was all over.

Neither Skylie or Kaitlyn seemed impressed and acted only mildly amused by the post-race goodies.

I felt certain that my time this year would be a disappointment. (More than once this week I've thought that maybe I shouldn't even run the race--it'd be too embarrassing to finish last!) To my surprise, I dropped a couple minutes off last years' time. It's nothing to brag about, but I feel grateful just to have a body that's capable to do something I love.

Thanks Matt, Skylie, and Kaitlyn for coming out early to cheer me on. You rock.

OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon

Distance: 1/2 Marathon; 13.1 miles

Time: 1 hour 39 minutes 9 seconds

Mile Pace: 7:34 minutes/mile

Overall: 1,267th of 20,000+

Overall Women: 143 of 9,000+

Overall Women Ages 24-29: 29th of 1,717+

Last Years' Half-Marathon Race
Des Moines' 20K in 2010