March 25

Just some pictures of this week's highlights.. 

Tuesday- I got a new-to-me van!  My Sienna, that I love with all my heart, has an air conditioning that won't stay working.  The dealership said it was going to be $5000 to fix!  We found another place that did it for $380, but it only worked for a week.  It was time to say goodbye.  Tony found me this  lovely gently used van.  It's beautiful and has dents already, so it's perfect for me!! And, best of all, we gave fixing the old van one more try, and it is currently working which means my almost 16-year-old has a swag van to call her very own! 

Thursday- I got this excellent picture with my favorite puppy dog!  He's almost 60 pounds of the fluffiest love you've ever met!  We've been working with the trainer, and he is learning to walk to heel which makes going for walks a breeze.  I'm completely smitten.

Saturday- we visited some friends from church who have a place up in the hills outside Panama.  It was cool and amazing.  We wore sweatshirts and breathed deeply.  Amazing time!  Here you can see the girls getting ready to take the plunge into the river!

Saturday- the friends we visited from church hooked Coralynn up with these "Oh Canada" M n M's.  They were perfect for Coralynn's sweet tooth, and they are the perfect announcement tool!  This summer, Chloe and I will be going on her first college visit- the University of Calgary!  I love love love this new stage of parenting.  Teenagers are my favorite people, and I can't wait to watch Chloe make her plans for the future!

Sunday- Race Day!  I ran my first 5k in years!  I was supposed to run one in Ft. Lauderdale in November, but through a serious of unfortunate cheese-laced circumstances, I wasn't unable to participate. When Tony and the kiddos (and Aaron from work) made the decision to run this TRAIL race, I knew I had to do it!  (Tony and Aaron ran the 10k.  The kids and I did 5k.)  Nothing better than not training, getting up at 5:20, putting on the Ft. Lauderdale race shirt, and heading out for a run!  In all seriousness, I was terrified.  I really didn't want to die.  And I didn't want to be the last person to finish.  Neither happened!  I was able to run the first half, and I finished in 38:15.  That's horribly slow, but I was thrilled.  I felt strong and confident while I was running.  Even better, ALL 5 of us beat our goals for the day!  And Carson finished 6th overall!!  (Like of all 5k runners- not just kids).

Now, we're set for a week of Spring Break that will, Lord willing, bring rest and more summer planning!

To the gift of another week,

L