My Graduate

Tonight was Russell's graduation from his kindergarten classroom at our beloved daycare center, Grace Christian Learning Center. By the end of the night, the parents and teachers were all in tears. It is amazing to see the growth in these kids! Most of them have been together since they were infants. Last night after explaining to Russell what "graduation" meant, he broke into tears. "But Mom, I don't want to go to a different school! I want to stay at Grace Christian! I don't want new friends." I was shocked by his emotion. I thought he would be excited to go to a "big kid" school - especially considering that he will be going to my school next year! Then I thought about what his mind must be thinking. These are the kids that have ALWAYS been there! These are the teachers that have ALWAYS been there! We are truly, truly blessed by such an amazing place for our children to be. I took so many photos and had a hard time selecting which ones to post. Here you go...

Brendan, Russell, and Jordan

Singing God's praises!
Singing their little hearts out!!!

Each child received a bible from Ms. Rita, the owner of GCLC. What a special gift! Russell couldn't wait to get home and start reading it. I cracked up because while I was reading, he would interrupt me to tell me how the story would end. He knows SO much about the bible!

Russell read his list of why he loves school. Top on his list - playing in the gym - he is ALL boy!

Sloane kept busy with her school buddy, Olivia. Check out Sloane's black eye! Another child ran into her on the playground. Let's just hope the bruise is gone by her dance recital next week!

Russell also received an achievement medal! So proud!!!

Cute kids!!!

I took this photo last week. Ms. Hollis and Ms. Smyly, Russell's AMAZING teachers!

Memorial Weekend 2011

We have had a relaxing Memorial Weekend with both family and friends. We headed north to my brother's home on Saturday where we spent two days enjoying family time. It was great to be surrounded by the ones I love. As I smiled and laughed, I also held back tears as I thought of Mom and how much I wanted her there with us. I know however that she was there enjoying the view and laughing with us - she probably really chuckled when Katie backed the car into the same tree she did! We came home to Royal Oak last night and woke up this morning ready for more FUN! We hit the annual parade at 9 a.m. followed by a picnic with friends. The weather looks like it has finally made a turn for the better so hopefully we will be enjoying a lot more picnics in the days to come!!!

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Busy Bodies!

Spring in my family has always meant sports! I remember spending spring afternoons at the track when I was a little girl tagging along with my dad as he coached the high school boys' track team. As I got older, I swore that I could "smell track season" approaching! Something about spring weather just gets me ready to be moving outside. Well, times haven't changed too much. The Carlson's are busy and active this spring season. Monday is Aron's night for golf. Tuesday is Sloane's night for soccer. Wednesday continues to be Sloane's dance night. Friday is t-ball night for Russell. And as for me... I am still running... any night or morning that I can fit it in!

T-ball practice!

Go Soccer Tots!

Just a Few Wedding Photos

My big brother, Keith got married yesterday!!! The ceremony and reception took place at the Kellogg Manor on Gull Lake near Battle Creek. Despite the rainy cool weather, the wedding was beautiful! All of the events had to be moved indoors, but no one minded considering we were surrounded by a gorgeous mansion and grounds that were originally built for the cereal giant, W.K. Kellogg. The entire weekend was filled with entertaining festivities that brought both tears and laughter. Russell and Sloane had fun showing off their good looks and magnificent dance moves while the rest of us enjoyed watching Keith and Kelly begin their life as Mr. and Mrs. I don't have a lot of my own photos to share, but am anxious to see what the wedding photographer captured!!!

Kellogg Manor

Gull Lake

This was supposed to be the cite for the wedding ceremony. Oh, well. Rain on your wedding day means a lifetime of happiness!!!

A day of preparation for the girls!

PRINCESS HAIR!!!

Bride and Flower Girl

Dress on, shoes on, where are MY flowers?

A quick glimpse of the ring bearer - what a handsome man!

A kiss for Aunt Kelly. Ready for SHOWTIME!

Let's eat cake!!!

Mmmmm...chocolate, my favorite!

This is the best part! Can we have seconds?

A Tribute to Mom

Last year, Marjorie, a dear friend and neighbor to my parents' passed away. My mom wrote a tribute in honor of her using the letters of her first name. When Mom passed away, I found a copy of this tribute saved on Mom's computer. I jokingly said to my dad that Mom's first name is too short for such a tribute. He replied that we could always use her full name. I thought that it would be impossible to come up with 5 words beginning with the letter E that described Mom. Well, last night (like most nights) I laid in bed thinking about Mom and was unable to fall to sleep. So, I began thinking... Educator, Energetic, Exceptional... Hey I think I can do this!!! Here it goes:

Giving - Always put others first and did things just to bring a smile to someones face.
Accepting - Without judgement she accepted you for who you are and what you believe in.
Independent - When she needed something done, she did it!
Loving - Truly loved her friends and family and showed that through actions and words.

Educator - Education was of utmost importance to her. She made a difference in all those she taught.
Listener - Mom and I talked EVERYDAY! She was the BEST listener and always gave the best advice.
Always - Mom was ALWAYS there! I knew I could count on her and I will ALWAYS love her!
Ice Cream - A true love she passed on to me, especially an appetite for DQ blizzards!
Nurturing - A special gift, fresh cookies, a hug, or kind words. She understood that mother meant nurturer.
Energetic - It only took a few short minutes to realize the passion and energy she had for life. The cup was always 1/2 full in her eyes!

Supportive - She never missed a game, a recital, or any chance to cheer us on. Her support was not only in physical presence, but outward demeanor. She wore sweatshirts with our logos, buttons with our pictures, and spoke often of our successes.
Leader - Mom did not wait for other to take charge. When there was a job to do, she not only did it, but she organized a crew to get it done!
Exceptional - Her roles as a daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and teacher were exceptional (to say the least).
Endurance - She showed this quality at the end. Refusing to give up. Determined to survive. Not accepting death as defeat, but as her spirit's victory in our everlasting presence.
Planner - List maker, daily organizer, event planner, and family control center. As long as she was in charge,there was nothing to go wrong.
Everything - A part of me died the day she passed. She was/is my EVERYTHING!
Risk Taker - She taught me this... In order to succeed, you must be willing to take risks.

A Different Kind of Mother's Day

Mother's Day was sad this year... Despite Aron's every effort, I could not get away from the fact that Mother's Day is supposed to be about your mom and my mom wasn't here! I tried to enjoy the gorgeous weather, but as the neighbor's waved and wished me a "happy Mother's Day," I had to choke back tears. I went shopping in hopes of getting a little retail therapy, but instead just reminisced silently about the last time I shopped with Mom and tried to remember every last detail. I treated myself to lunch at Panera Bread, but as I sat people watching all I saw were mothers and daughters sitting and laughing together. So, I retreated by throwing my lunch away and walking next door to Barnes and Noble where I found a newly released memoir written by a daughter who lost her mother to cancer. She was 35 and her mother, 55. I let the tears stream down my cheeks as I read our similar paths. Her parents were teachers. They spent their summers in a 2-room cabin, where she slept in the attic with her brother. This book now sits on my night stand, next to my framed pictures of Mom, and waiting for me to read each night before bed. The title is, The Long Goodbye. After purchasing this book, I headed for home determined to focus on the good and make every attempt to enjoy my Mother's Day. I announced to the kids that we were going for a walk to Dairy Queen and that I would be getting a Georgia Mud Fudge blizzard - Mom's favorite! As we ate our ice cream on this warm Mother's Day evening, I looked at my kids - both laughing, ice cream smeared across their lips - and I smiled. One day at a time, one day at a time...

Royal Oak Dairy Queen, April 2010. Mom enjoying her Georgia Mud Fudge blizzard!

Country Music 1/2 Marathon - I Did It!

What a wonderful weekend in Nashville!!! The 8 hour drive was beautiful. I love looking at the Kentucky countryside. Upon arriving into Tennessee, it didn't take me long to realize that the running course would be hilly! The first hill was almost immediate and they didn't stop until the end. I ran a great pace until mile 11 when my legs felt like bricks. My mind and heart were feeling great so I had to use a lot of self-talk to get my legs to carry me to the finish line. Aron was waiting for me at the end. It was exhilarating to see him and to realize that I DID IT, and I did it in 2 hours! A HUGE thank you to Gregg and Allison for hosting this fabulous event!

My stats:
Out of 21,944 runners, I placed 4,008!
Out of 2,447 women ages 30-34, I placed 309!
Out of 13,966 women, I placed 1, 509!
Not bad!!!!!!!!!

Here is our group while picking up our race packets on Friday.

Mom said that if she beat cancer, she may just have to run a marathon with me. Well, she may not have beat cancer, but I would like to believe that she ran this race with me! Just to be sure, I inked her onto my right knee.
7:00 a.m. race day. As the national anthem played, the sun broke through the clouds. "Yes, Mom I knew you were there!"

Another race over. This one however, will never be forgotten.

Gregg and I getting our free beer!

We all survived! Way to go team!