Ragnar Las Vegas

188 miles

33 hours

12 team members

2 cars

90 degree heat

1 injury

4 hours of sleep

36 race legs

15 support members

(Teri, Jenny, Jill, Mike, Jamie, Annie, Maisy, Miles, Candice, Brad, James, Josh, Jackson, and President and Sister Neider)

1 amazing finish

endless cheering one another

Van #2 getting ready to leave...lots more to come........

James' Party

In my last post I stated I would head to a local venue for the next party....and that I did. They did everything for me. When we arrived a room set up with balloons, party bags for each guest, a pinata, birthday cupcakes, lots of food and game cards for everyone.

All I had to do was show up.

They had a dance party and this kid could not get enough. Every time music came on he was was right in the middle dancing.

I loved every minute of it.

If you participated in the dance party they loaded $3.00 more dollars on your game card. Another hour of fun.

This was a game that you swung the hammer to see how strong. Aiden got Brad to do it and all the boys gathered around to watch, and loved it.

Such a fun party, and the best part was no set-up or clean-up. I loved it.

I can't believe James is 9....time flies.

Josh's Birthday

As a mom I will take the blame. We start the count down to birthdays around here about a month in advance.

Is there really anything better then your birthday as a kid??

this year Josh wanted an Army birthday, so obstacle courses, grenades, a mine field and a tank pinata (I am sure there are plenty pinatas in the army, right?)

Let the party begin

After all the events and party goers went home, I was tired.

Next party....head to the local party venue where they do all the work for me.

School

On the first day of school as I joyfully sent both James and Josh out the door, Josh to 1st grade so that means both are gone all day, I was excited.

After about the first three days things with Josh started to crumble.

He was in tears each night and I would ask questions has to what was going on, didn't get a real answer.

Went to school to talk his his teacher, "Is Josh doing okay?"

Teacher, "Yes, he is such a good student and always does what I ask."

Left puzzled.

Day after day, Josh gaining his strength to go to school, and I not being able to figure out what he is struggling with it became clear.

One afternoon while enjoying a lunch with my Mom and Grandma, while only having one child I received a call from the school.

Seriously!!!!

Josh is sick.

When I get to the school, Josh is sitting in the office and when he sees me he gets a little smirk (I had been had)

When I get to him, he starts to cry saying he is sick. Really??

After talking with him I finally figure out that Josh, "just really misses me while at school". I wish the feel was reciprocated.

After talking him down and spending a little time in class with him, he was able to finish the day. I would receive random phone calls with a very sad Josh on the other end and a very patience teacher letting him talk to me and then go back to focus in the class.

He teacher let me know that Josh would be fine in class and as soon as he started to think about home he would fall into tears.

(really? my son that has a mohawk and fears nothing? Man card taking away)

Realizing Josh has to go to school each day I came up with an idea.

We would both wear red yarn on our wrist so that thur out the day we could look down and know that each other is thinking of us.

So now, each morning with a pep rally and yarn we are managing school.

I think things are getting easier, slowly, but surely.

Jackson also wanted to get in on the love fest.

on a side note...

We had a park day with Grandma, Jamie and her hoard.

Always love being with my Mom and Sister.

ABC Awards

Last Friday morning James and Josh both receive the ABC award.

The award is given to them by there school. The teacher nominate kids that are doing well in the classroom as well and being better citizens.

I was so proud that both boys received it and I loved that they both received it on the same day.

Love these boys.

Race Day

In our attempt to prepare for Ragnar, Brooke and I decided to run this race. Due to recent events of the summer this was the perfect race for us.

Hard to see the sign on our backs, but Brooke made us back signs that said "In Loving CELEBRATION of Brad" I feel truly blessed as many of the runners had back signs for those that lost the fight to skin cancer.

It was hard but it felt so good to run across the finish line.

Cheers to Brooke that was an amazing partner.

Remembering the Good

I have to remember these moments......

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"He looks like such a nice boy"
Remember the good.....things can change in the blink of an eye.....
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