Take me out to the ball game

We were able to take a short family vacation to Kansas City this past weekend and the boys were able to see their first Cubs game.  Both Chad and I were pleasantly surprised at how well they did at both games!  Friday night they made it through the entire game and fireworks and Saturday we left just after the 7th inning stretch to beat the game traffic as we headed for home.  Here are some pictures from our visit to Kauffman Stadium.

Some funny quotes from the boys on our vacation:
Mitchell: Mommy, this hotel is so clean and fancy!

After Collin went through who would be sleeping in what bed, I asked if it would be okay for mommy and daddy to sleep in the bed next to him and his brother and he responded: "Yes Mommy, that will be just fine."

Getting ready to head down to Coco Key from our hotel room and Collin says "everyone get your diving suits on!!"

Mitchell: "LET'S GO CUBBIES!!!" When the chant Let's go Royals is started in the stadium

It was another late night last night so this morning's 6 mile run was slow and a struggle. I love every aspect of summer and it still remains my favorite season, but I will admit that it is my least favorite time of year to run. The heat and humidity zap me and I always feel like I am starting all over again. But I know I just need to stick with it and push through.  Training for my 5th half marathon starts in a few days!

GOAL!!!!!

Sorry for the length of this video but it is too good not to share.  First off, Mitchell scores a goal for Team USA! :)  And while Mitchell is playing in his last night of micro soccer camp.....Collin was also doing his best to get the attention shifted to himself while mommy was recording the action. 

Team USA....Micro Soccer Camp

The camera shakes a bit while I do my best to video the game because Collin is behind me during this time.....attempting to crawl on my back, searching my hair for bugs, calling his brother Santa Claus and finally trying to feed me grass because it will "make me feel better."

Mitchell did a great job riding his bike while I ran on Linear Trails today and we got in about 3.1 miles. Earlier in the week he also ran almost 1.25 miles with me.  No need to worry about my pace time right now with such a great running/biking partner. :)

300 miles so far in 2011

This week I hit 300 miles logged running for 2011! Mitchell has been riding his bike with me many mornings during the week and is really doing great. He is stopping less with each trip and I have to admit that riding 3+ miles on a bike is pretty impressive for a 6 year old! This past week he also told me he wants to try running with me...but only if it's cloudy and cool. :) With soccer or t-ball every Monday-Thursday during the month of June, he is one active little guy this summer.

Had to add this picture of the gorgeous flowers that were waiting at our table on Thursday night.  The arrangement of 10 red roses is beautiful!

Living in a house of all boys, I don't get a chance to indulge in a lot of "girl stuff" as Mitchell puts it.  So when my nieces were in town last week I took them to get our nails painted and we had a some wonderful girl time together.

This week the boys and I met my good friend Amy from high school and her boys at the new Discovery Center in Topeka.  Both of us having boys the same age makes for a great built in play date just about anywhere!

Congratulations to Chad for completing his third triathlon today!!!!  He placed 4th in his age division with a time of 2 hours 36 minutes at the Tinman Triathlon in Topeka.  He did amazing and we couldn't be more proud of him!!!

Chad and I are both signed up to run a 10K in Junction City on July 4th.  I'm sure I won't be able to come close to my 10K PR of 56:06 in the summer heat and humidity....but it feels good to have another race on the horizon.  Looks like I'd better prep Mitchell for more trail bike riding while I run next week to get ready. :)

10 years ago.....

I became Mrs. Bunger and I married my best friend.
We started on a journey that would lead us through two states, countless moves, several different occupations, a master's degree for each of us, and bring us two amazing sons.

We had a wonderful wedding and reception filled with family and friends.  It was fun to scan a few pictures that I could find quickly looking back on this day in Grand Island, NE on June 16, 2001.

Rehearsal at Trinity United Methodist Church with bridal party

Our wedding day

Posing outside the Eagle's Club where our reception/dance was held

June 16, 2001

Tonight we get a kid free night thanks to my parents. We plan on going out to a nice restaurant and catching a late movie afterwards....all things that are difficult to do with two little boys so we appreciate my folks taking the boys for the night!!!!

Happy Anniversary Chad! I love you so much and can't wait to see what the next 10 years and beyond hold for us.

Family time and what is ahead

Celebrating my parents 45th annivesary

It has been a great few days spent with family in Manhattan. Uncle Rob, Aunt Christy and cousins Samantha, Allison and Jacob came to visit from South Carolina!  Today we were able to celebrate my parents 45th wedding anniversary together as well.  It was fun to spend time together and watch the cousins play.

Thank you to everyone for your thoughts, prayers and support for Mitchell.  He is scheduled for a spinal tap on June 27th at Children's Mercy in Kansas City.  We have a follow up appointment with July 7th to find out results and see if he will require any additional surgery.  Playing the waiting game is not an easy thing to do!  In the mean time we have soccer, t-ball and an upcoming trip to see the Chicago Cubs play in KC to keep us busy.

Trust and Obey

Trust and obey, for there's no other way

To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

Tonight I am looking for strength and encouragement.  My mind keeps coming back to the old hymn Trust and Obey.  The chorus seems like a fairly easy thing to do when life is peachy.  The words and their meaning seem much harder when things in your world are not.

Today we took Mitchell for his 6 year post operative CAT Scan and appointment with his pediatric plastic surgeon.  Two years ago at this same appointment we knew there were two "spots" as they were called that had not filled in yet from his frontal orbital advancement when he was 9 months old.  Two years later, those spots have not changed, and now there is some question from this latest CAT scan as to if the pressure in his brain has been somewhat (although most likely slightly) elevated.  So not only did we leave with news we were not wanting to hear, we are now also waiting for an appointment to be scheduled for future tests to give us more answers.  And unfortunately the only way this can be done is through a spinal tap.  After we know the results, we will them wait to hear if Mitchell will need surgery to fill in the holes and correct any pressure issues.  Leaving the doctor's with more questions than answers is a scary and all too familiar feeling to us.

The good news is that Mitchell shows no signs that would indicate that he was having issues with inner cranial pressure.  However, the thought of this latest test, and the very real possibility of going through this very invasive surgery again breaks our hearts.  He is such an amazing young man.

So as I lace up my running shoes to clear my head and try and gain some perspective.......I know it is time for me to "Trust and Obey".  Maybe I can start down the journey of getting there tonight on the treadmill.

Summer fun begins!

We had a great weekend trip to Omaha, NE to visit our good family friends the Croghan's.  As always, they were wonderful hosts and we had a great time together during our short weekend trip.  Here are some highlights from our trip to the zoo and out to see the new Croghan Cabin. :)

The parents are never in the pictures!  Krista and John Croghan along with Chad and I taking a parents picture at the Henry Doorly Zoo this past Saturday

Family photo waiting for the Madagascar exhibit to open

Collin needs to get six feet away....doesn't this lemur look like he is going to charge?!?!

Collin's favorite, the aquarium!  He could have spent the whole day in there and takes right after his daddy!

Mitchell posing at the zoo

Bella and Noah Croghan with Mitchell and Collin

Noah and Mitchell out on the lake at the Croghan's new cabin!

Roasting marshmallows with the Croghan Clan

We are excited that this isn't the one and only time to see our friends from Nebraska this summer.  We will all be together for Shana and Josh's wedding reception in Grand Island and then we will be back in Omaha at the end of July for Chad to compete in the Omaha Triathlon.  We wish we could see all of our friends in Nebraska more, so we always try and make the most of these trips.  Thanks again for a great weekend Croghan Family!!!! :)