Happy Father’s Day to all you Dads out there! This is your day to celebrate! We have our kids to be proud of, and watch them grow, and eventually start having their own families. Amazing how fast time really goes!
Was it just not yesterday that we were getting them ready to get on the bus for school? What happened? Honestly, I think I blinked and life went into warp speed. But, the memories still keep piling up as they get older as well.
Megan gave me this shirt for Father’s Day a few years back, and it is still one of my favorites. “I’m a Runner Dad…just like a normal dad, but much cooloer!” Right on! Megan is getting more into running, and we have been having a lot of races together now as well.
You just have to remember to keep having fun along the way.
Nick came home for the weekend, and of course, Dakota has to be right in the middle of everything! She is part of this family as well!
One of my proudest moments was the father/bride dance at her wedding! This is what I do all this exercise for. This is why I want to be around a long time yet. This is what is important! Walking her down the aisle still ranks right now at the top of the list for accomplishments for me!
Last week Connor got to spend the weekend with us. I may be the grandpa for him, but it brought back days of being a Dad again. By the way Tanner, congratulations on your first official Father’s Day. You are doing an exceptional job in the role!
This is hanging up in our dining room, and it reminds me every day! The love of a Father has no boundaries. I want the best for my kids, and now my grandkids. What father does not want this? Keep taking care of yourself and enjoy the ride. It really does go incredibly fast! Keep moving everybody!
We have been back from our week off, taking it easy out in the Black Hills. What a great place for a vacation! Hiking, walking, biking, going at things at a different pace! Last week I had mentioned that I had just read a book, and it was by Mark Batterson, titled “Play the Man”. In it he described how “a change of pace” + “a change of place” = “a change of perspective”. This blog today is about a change of pace. We all get wrapped up in our daily schedule, daily work routine, and just start losing sight of other things, and it can happen quickly. We are all in a rush to do this or that and need to learn how to slow things down and go at things at a little slower pace. We have done lots of running races over the years, and this weekend was the 25th Anniversary of the Hospital Hill run. I was working at the race, and Sarah ran it, with our grandson Connor. Sarah did not have any choice but to go at it at a slower pace. And that was ok!
Here they are coming up the Hospital Hill! Connor won 2nd place for 10 and under, and was also the youngest participant at 11 months old! What did he think about it? Well it is not everybody who can do a 5k while sleeping the whole time!
It does take a lot of energy to sit there though! At least he was relaxed and enjoyed the ride. It was a change of pace for both of them. He needed to rest up so he could spend some other quality time with his grandparents this weekend.
“I got a new tooth grandpa!” Always smiling!
We were out walking on the trail later as well, and Dakota is way ahead of us. But it was a very nice weekend to enjoy being outside. And Connor loved it! We just needed to learn to go at a slower pace!
We all need to learn to slow things down, take out time, enjoy things, and enjoy life more along the way without all the “busy doing this”, and “busy doing that”. Slow down! Enjoy the views. Enjoy the times. You don’t even know what you are missing when you are always in a hurry. Next week I will be talking about a “change in place”, and how this is a great way to help clear your mind and look at things differently as well. Slowing it down to enjoy life more. Slowing it down to improve your ability to help strive to survive! Keep moving everybody!
Busy weekend for walking/running. DASH–the program by the Watertown Police Department–an acronym for Drug Free, Alcohol Free, Safe and Healthy–had a 5K Walk/Run Friday night, and then a Half Marathon around Lake Kampeska Saturday morning. We had a really good turnout, even though the weather was very cold! Saturday was good for a runner, but not for those working it and standing outside and waiting. Here we are Friday night trying to stay warm before the race starts! Many people have helped organize this event: Jill, Owen, Jenn, Tim, Cheri, Jason, Michelle, Sarah, Megan, Ryan, Greg, Natasha, and me. (I am sorry if I left anybody out!). Of course, there is no way we could have done this event without all of the other people volunteering, including many groups and organizations helping to volunteer. Thanks to all of you!
Friday night was especially nice to see. Girls on the run, a group promoting running and fitness for girls, was there in force. For many of these kids, this was their first running race. That is especially what we like to see. These girls, and kids in general, getting out and participating in healthy lifestyle practices. It is tough to run, and they all stuck through it and did great!
Here is Jill with a group of them getting ready to run!
Then Saturday morning was the start of the Half Marathon, 13.1 miles, starting at 7AM. It was touch and go those few hours prior when we were setting up. Wind was strong, and raining, but then calmed down in time for the race. It was pretty when the rain stopped…
It held off again until the race was done so everybody was able to get in. Smiles, jumps for joy, tears…all emotions when you cross that finish line for a Half Marathon. Not everybody can do this. You have to put some work in for this race!
And once again, those volunteers with water stations, cheering stations…Here are Tom and Sue, just to name one of the groups…we could not have done this without you! Thank you all for giving up part of your Saturday morning to help with this great event. Hope to see you all again next year. Stay healthy. Strive to Survive! Keep moving everybody!
Well, after Thursday night, I guess the biggest thing we should all be thankful for is we are here. Most of us still have our houses as well. That is not the case for those in Castlewood. We had some trees down, and we lost a bunch of siding on the house, but it is all fixable…and relatively minor. Connor came to visit this weekend, and he was out supervising us cutting down trees. All in all, it just made it all better with him being around!
How can you not be more positive when your grandson is always smiling! Keep everything in perspective. It definitely could have been a lot worse for the majority of us. Remember what is truly important, and the rest we will get through.
The way it just picks these trees up from the roots is amazing. We are lucky we have our house standing. We can deal with this. Just keep in mind those are not as lucky and help where you can. Someday it may be you, and you would want somebody helping you.
Once it passed us by, it was pretty out. That does not change what happened, but when all is said and done, as long as everybody stayed safe, these other things are fixable. We may need to have more patience, but eventually, things can be rebuilt, or fixed. In the meantime, stay focused on weathering the storm, and keeping in mind what is really important.
Spend the time enjoying what is really important. Stay focused, keep your head down, and stay positive. It will get better. We can all weather the storm, and remember, help those who were not as fortunate with everything that happened Thursday night. Like I said, we don’t know when it may be worse for each of us. Support each other. Strive to Survive! Keep moving everybody and stay safe!
It is once again Mother’s Day! I hope all you mothers, and others who serve as a “mom” to someone…whether your own kids, your step kids, nieces, nephews, dogs… have a very special day! You deserve it! All the work you do and being the glue to the family. Your endless work and effort may sometimes not be appreciated, but you are vital to the family, and you need to know how important you are!
My mom has had a tough 6 weeks. She lives in Sioux Falls, and ended up being in the hospital, then to a rehab facility, and now on Monday this past week we got her moved into an Assisted Living. She finally came to grips with it all, after living in her same home for the last 52 years. She is now in a much better place, and always has someone to help keep an eye on her. She even said on Thursday to me: “I like it here!” Music to my ears!!!
She will always be my mom, and I always worry about her. The one constant in life is that there is always change. After the roller coaster ride she, and all of her 7 kids, have been on lately, things are starting to improve, and she once again is starting to enjoy life again. Her and my Sarah would do anything for their kids, just like all of you other mom’s out there would do. You are all very special.
How can one person possibly be all of these things rolled into one? I don’t know, but somehow you manage to do it. Thank you! Each day is a new day, just like a sunrise each day is always different, you never know what kind of day is going to be coming.
There is always something different to see, and always different things to experience. Each day is no different than what you see when raising your kids…no two are the same, yet each day brings new joys, laughs, and experiences. Tackle each day for what it is really meant to be…another day to experience being a mom!
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Your work is endless, and truly, it is always appreciated. Keep being the best moms you can be. Happy Mother’s Day to you all!
Technically, April was “Move More Month”, but the weather was so terrible it was still hard for many of us to get out and move, at least outside. So, I propose we have this month of May be designated as “May Move More” month. Hopefully, the weather soon will start cooperating more, and we can get outside and enjoy some warmer weather.
The Watertown Recreation Trail is always a good source to get out and move. There is always something to see with the Lake, and overall scenery. The sunrise, sunsets, and wildlife!
You never know what you may come across. Doing the activity, whether running, walking, or biking, is always so much more enjoyable when you have something else to focus on. It is also a good way to just get out and relax and clear your mind. You can always do something inside yet as well if the weather is still bad outside.
Get moving! The weather has got to be getting better soon!
You “May Move More”! Keep looking ahead. Keep staying positive. The weather will improve. Here is to a good month coming now! Keep moving everybody!
