34, 7 and 8

 Happy 7th Birthday to Mitchell!  It's hard to believe that we have a 1st grader...it seems like it wasn't that long ago that were just starting down the road of parenthood.  When Mitchell was a baby, it was hard to imagine what life would be like someday with a school aged little boy. And the next 7 years will hold more unexpected but great times as well.

 We had a very fun birthday party for Mitchell with 12 of his friends at Gymnastics Plus yesterday afternoon!

 12 silly 1st graders can take one hilarious picture!

And our birthday weekend has continued with a visit from Grandma and Grandpa Bunger today!

I included a video of Chad and Mitchell running on the field at Bill Synder Family Stadium.  We were given special tickets for the season opener next weekend and we are very excited to attend!

I also had a great 34th birthday made special with flowers from Chad and the boys, great friends at work who always make my birthday fun and dinner out both Friday night with the boys and Saturday night with my folks! :)  I also got up early on Saturday morning and ran 8 miles on the Linear Trails before the birthday mania began.  My first run as a 34 year old could have felt better....it was hot and I could never get into a good state of mind.  But I have been able to keep up with my running schedule this month and I am hopeful the cooler fall temperatures are on the way soon for my long weekend runs.  I have logged over 400 miles running so far in 2011!

It's not every day....

That you get a VIP tour of  Bill Synder Family Stadium and Football Complex!!!

Not only was it Mitchell's first 1/2 day of school, but today we had a chance to get a closer look at K-State Football.  My amazing assistant principal and friend Angie Messer had made contact with individuals at KSU that she has connections with and told them about Mitchell and his upcoming surgery.  Not only are they giving us tickets to the home opener in two weeks, but we were also treated to a tour of the facilities today!

So of course our first day of school attire had to be KSU colors!  We had an amazing time!!!  Mitchell was most impressed with the aqua therapy room, the field (of course) and the Big 8 room with it's many huge TV's.  So many TV's in one room truly blew his mind and we had to go back in there again at the end of the tour. :)

Walking out of the tunnels where all the players take the field....Mitchell thought this was awesome!

The above shot of Chad and Mitchell running on the field is my favorite.  Chad was yelling out the yards like an announcer as they raced from one end zone to the other. 

The 50 yard line on the brand new field.....where Willie leads the K S U cheer before each game

And if this tour wasn't amazing enough.....it ended with a visit from Coach Bill Synder!!!!  Coach Synder gave Mitchell a new K-State hat and even autographed it before we left.  It was truly a special day.

Words cannot express how grateful we are to Angie for this amazing experience for Mitchell. We continue to feel so blessed with all the support of our friends and family. Days like today will go along way us as we face the road ahead.

Back to School Night

It's the evening before Mitchell's 1st day of 1st grade!!!  I have been back to school for a month so it feels like the summer has been over for quite some time for me.  But tonight we celebrated Mitchell last evening of summer (finally) after back to school night by having a meal with Grandma and Grandpa Ammeter.  And Grandma and Mitchell even made a homemade cherry pie for me which we all enjoyed!

On our way in to find our new 1st grade classroom on back to school night!

Mitchell and I getting ready to leave for back to school night.  Daddy will take him tomorrow and I will pick him up before noon.  Then we are on to a special treat tomorrow after his first 1/2 day.....more about that in my next blog!!!

Mitchell with his backpack and all supplies packed! 

Our new desk in Mrs. Liotta's 1st grade classroom!

Birthday Treat

This was our second musical we've attended this year...I could get used to this! :)

 We had an amazing Saturday in Kansas City!  For an early birthday present, Chad took me to see Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat at the New Theater.  Thanks to my folks watching the boys, we did a little shopping at the Legends beforehand and enjoyed some time together as a couple.  The show was great, the dinner theater and food was amazing......and sleeping in this morning was just what I needed before heading back.

Collin's "tough face" while we were playing with all of his favorite Imaginext toys

 Saturday morning I got up and ran 7.5 miles before getting ready to head out for the weekend.  It will be a busy week with back to school night for Mitchell, the first day of 1st grade and both mommy and Mitchell's birthday to end the week!  Hopefully I'll be able to continue to keep up with my running in between all these activities.

This afternoon both boys have had some special one on one time with us.  Collin and I have been pretend playing all of his favorites while Daddy and Mitchell are taking on the Wii at Grandma and Grandpa's.

Oldies but Goodies

Ready or not....it looks like it is almost football season!

It's still hard for me to think ahead and get excited for the fall with Mitchell's upcoming surgery weighing heavily on my mind. But as we spent our last weekend playing at both City and Cico pools before they closed for the summer, I guess it is time to look ahead to fall and football.  I included some old but adorable photos that have been coming across my computer at work last week.

Mitchell and Ally...Fall 2007

Mitchell doesn't have his first day of schoool until August 24th. It is hard to believe he will be a 1st grader! It seems like it was just yesterday that we snapped this precious picture with the Ingram's while tailgating before a KSU game in 2007.  Now Collin is big enough that he has that same KSU shirt in his closet!

Collin.....May 2009

The above picture popped up on my screen saver slide show last Friday and I just had to include it!  Whatever the fall brings us, we know we will still have many opportunities to make more memories as continue to tailgate with family and friends as we attend KSU home football games for the 2011 season.

I have been loosely following my last 1/2 marathon training schedule starting August 1st.  We haven't ruled out attempting to run another 1/2 marathon before the end of the year (possibly around Thanksgiving) and I do better if I am following a schedule that keeps me motivated.  Friday evening I ran just under 7 miles and tackled some monster hills during my longest run of the summer months.

Of course the boys and I have been watching the new Thundercats series on Cartoon Network since it started a few weeks ago!  This past weekend we were watching the latest episode (we DVR them since we usually do not have a chance to watch anything when it runs the first time).  Both boys have kept asking "where is Panthro?" each episode since it started...especially Collin as this is his favorite character and apparently his new and improved middle name according to him. :)  At the very end of last Friday's new episode both the thunder tank and Panthro appeared. Both boys were up and hollering "IT'S PANTHRO!!!!" at the screen when one of the characters asked who he was.  As they showed Panthro and the thunder tank to end the show, Mitchell and Collin were hollering and jumping up and down like it was Christmas.

Orange Leaf and acts of kindess

I've been able to get back into the swing of things running wise and it feels good to get back into a routine. Saturday morning I got up early and ran 4+ miles in rural Hildreth. It was just me and mile after mile of corn fields!

 Mitchell had a great time last week in Nebraska with Grandma and Grandpa Bunger.  We also spent the weekend in Hildreth and celebrated the upcoming arrival of baby Wyatt with a baby shower for Chirsta and Aaron.  Aunt Christa is due right before Mitchell's surgery so the next time we visit, I'm sure we will be meeting our newest nephew!

Collin and Grandma Bunger reading before bedtime

This week we have been reminded about the tremendous support we have from family and friends.  While we know this unexpected journey for Mitchell is going to be a tough one, knowing all the love and support that we continue to receive is a great comfort to us all.  We are truly blessed!

This evening at Orange Leaf we noticed a little boy who had the same scar from ear to ear as Mitchell.  As you all know me....I of course struck up a conversation with his parents and learned that this little boy was 3 years old and had already had 2 surgeries for a different form of craniosynostosis.  He would require at least one more surgery and they also see Dr. Singhal at Children's Mercy.  We both shared the hope that the magical age of 7 would mean no additional surgery and it was nice to talk briefly with parents who knew exactly what we have faced and will face again.  I can't help but think a force greater than us put our families in Orange Leaf tonight.

Perfect timing

While it was hard to say good-bye to my summer vacation, I have also been able to get back on track with my running this week. This morning I got a quick run in around 5:15 a.m. in the dark. I was hoping the cold front was already past us, but the very humid air told me otherwise as I started out.

Mitchell and Collin with cousin Daniel

Thankfully I was able to get just under 2.5 miles in before the rain really began to fall. Although the rain is certainly a welcome sight and finishing the last half mile in a light rain was a lifesaver and helped cool me off.

Mitchell showing off his art that was on display again at the KSU Beach Museum last week!

Collin has had such a great week with his cousin Daniel, Aunt Amy and Uncle Doug while playing at Grandma and Granpa's house during the day!   We've also talked to Mitchell every evening and it sounds like he is having a blast with Grandma and Grandpa Bunger and Uncle Araon and Aunt Christa this week in Nebraska. We have missed him and look forward to being with the Bunger's this weekend to celebrate the upcoming arrival of our latest nephew with a baby shower for Christa on Saturday.

My sister sent me this picture of Collin yesterday....I guess silky bear made a great hat during the long car ride to Great Grandma's?

I'm hoping to take advantage of the cooler temperatures in Nebraska and get a long run in this weekend.  But for now it is time to get ready for another day back at work!