And he doubts himself

Friday night Jared and I attended SCCO's Scholarship Ceremony. Jared had written several essays in hopes of receiving a scholarship. The award presentations are made in order of year (1st years first, 2nd are second... you get it) with a mix of scholarships being given out at the end.

So.......we sat through 1st year scholarships. At the start of 2nd year awards, we both listened carefully for Jared's name......no name. We sat through 3rd and 4th year scholarships. Finally, we were on the last list of awards being given...

Then we were on the VERY last scholarship being awarded that evening! Here is a sample of what Jared was whispering in my ear at this point:
"did the invitation envelope have my name on it!?"
"did they make a mistake by inviting me?!"
"I didn't get a scholarship? - they better give me a coupon or something!"

...then we heard his name! He received a scholarship for his grades! He has the 3rd highest GPA in his class!!!! Yeah Jared! To say the least, Jared was shocked (but I wasn't)!


Jared- I am so very proud of you! You worked hard, did your best, and it payed off! Way to go!

Jared, Dr. Alexander (President of SCCO) and the 3rd year recipient

Jared and Chad

Jared, Kat, and Julia

Jared and I

I’m Addicted

Since I have been home from our KC trip and ½ marathon run I have continued my training. I have been running with a group of girls who have been training for a ½ that takes place this upcoming weekend. I was originally going to run this race too, but didn’t get registered in time. This worked out because that weekend is going to be extremely busy….K-State Game! Due to missing out on this race and to the fact that I was in training mode I signed up for the Kansas City ½ Marathon! Thanks to my loving husband and my parents I get to fly home in October to run! I am so excited for this race….getting to run where I grew up and see all the fun sights of the city = the perfect run! With this round of training I have added in intervals and hills. This is a good thing because the KC course will be tough (much hillier than I’m used to). Can’t wait!

My new running toy!

Who Knew?!

Who knew I could sew? These are a few of my recent creations.

My first projects were given to my nephew Solomon. I made a rag blanket out of fleece with matching burp rags. These were fun to make!


With the help of my friend, Erin (a lot of one on one guidance), I created a purse! The inside is beautifully lined with a pocket!

In a small effort to go green I have started making cloth napkins. I have only created a few, but plan on expanding our collection :-) Using interfacing (I know...sewing lingo!) I made 2 place mats. With the scraps from the napkins I made coasters. On two of the coasters I tried my hand at applique!

K-StateFootball

Its that time of year! I am excited! We have less than 3 weeks until friends and family arrive and we all attend th K-State v. UCLA game at the Rose Bowl!

No Rest..off to Mammoth

The weekend after we returned from our KC trip - and the weekend before school started - Jared and I went to Mammoth, CA (elevation 7,500-8,000) with our friends Melissa and Brian. They (their family) have a home up in Mammoth. We went on a picnic, hung out, and went camping in the Sierra mountains. While camping we met up with some of Brian's friends who were hiking the JMT (John Muir Trail). They were on "day 6" of a 22 day, 215 mile hike....crazy! We had a great time and look forward to possibly going back during ski season!

Mules carrying supplies to the camp ground.

Devil's Post Pile

Top of Devil's Postpile.

Rainbow Falls...can you see the rainbow?

Jared taking a dip in the freezing water!

California, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kansas, Colorado, California…all in 2.5 weeks.

Colorado
Although Colorado was on the last leg of our trip, it deserves the first part of this post, because we met our new nephew – Solomon Tegene (Tug-en-ay). We made our way to Jason (Jared’s brother) & Courtney’s new home in a small town up in the mountains. They had just met and brought home their new son from Ethiopia a few weeks prior – it was brave of them to let family come and stay while still getting adjusted! It was wonderful to hang out and get to know this happy little boy. He has a beautiful smile, large gorgeous eyes, stunning skin and adorable little hands and feet!
The five of us took Solomon on his first picnic. The catch – we had to cross the Crystal River to get to our perfect picnic destination. Seemed easy at the time. We loaded up our things and trekked across. All seemed to be going too well, until Elsie decided to panic half way across the river. Summary: Elsie almost drowning – still on leash…Jared bewildered as to what to do so he just holds on the leash…Brave Courtney going in after Elsie, Courtney trying to pick up Elsie who isn’t amused, Courtney’s shoe coming off and floating down the river, Courtney getting soaked, Elsie survives, Jason laughing and telling me to take pictures. Wow.
It was great to see their new home, new son, and spend some time with the family. On the last night, Jared’s sister arrived too, so it was a grand old sibling reunion. Very fun.

Jared and Solomon

The Siblings

Jason and Solomon


Coutrney and Solomon

Our river adventure..Elsie floating away, Coutrney saving her and her shoe :-)

Illinois (Chicago)
January 1st 2009: The most these legs had carried me at a runner’s pace: 1 mile.
August 2nd 2009: The most these legs had carried me at a runner’s pace: 13.1 miles!
Yep, I did it. Didn’t think I would, could, should, (insert verb)…
Jared and I made our way to the Windy City for the 2009 Inaugural Rock N’ Roll Half Marathon. Jared cheered, I ran.
Here’s some stats:
· Overall there were 14, 438 runners, I crossed the finish line as number 4,423.
· Out of 9,348 females, I came in 1,886.
· For my age group (25-29) there were 2,600 runners, I placed 616.
· My goal was 2:15:00, I beat that at 2:01:50!
The race was great. Running through Chi-Town, listening to music, seeing the beautiful skyline. A few other friends ran too. After the race we enjoyed some of the festivities. Immediately after the race I swore off half marathons for life – but I have already got another one on the schedule in a month… Other highlights from Chicago:

Jen and I before the run



If you look closely, you can see me finishing the race. I am wearing blue and can be spotted above the lady (standing in the crowed) wearing pink.

Chicago skyline

Kansas (and Missouri)
Burritos, Family, Queso, Friends… Home, sweet home.
Being back in Kansas City was great. No hub-bub of the holidays, nice weather, cheap food, and friendly people.

We stayed at Jared’s parents home first. Celebrated his Dad’s 60th birthday. Spent time watching movies, relaxing, relaxing, relaxing. Agenda at my parents: pool party, bbq, relaxing, relaxing, relaxing. Notice a theme?

Brent's (Jared's dad) 60th birthday party!


Becky!

Each month "the girls" go out for dinner...I finally made it to one! My cousin Jenni was in town, so she joined in on the fun! Pictured: Erin, Megan, Jenni

Erin, Becky, and Me

Our friends Megan and George!

Sol Azteca...best mexican in town! I already miss my queso covered burrito! My parents, Amy, and Jenni were some of few who joined me on my many trips to this restaurant.

We got together for a cookout at my parents and played ladders....the dogs enjoyed chasing the ropes!

Elsie enjoyed her stay at my parents where she played with her friends, Macie and Baliey.

On our way to Colorado we stopped in Manhattan and ate at So Long Saloon...mmmm good!

We also stopped in Topeka to visit my Grandparents.

That same day I also got to have dinner with my past co-workers from Marquette!

Our trip was great and went by too fast! We had a great time. Thanks to everyone for all the fun you provided...you tired us out!

The Best Accidental Trip…Ever.

For the past few weeks Jared and my trip plans to conquer the West and Midwest have been created, put on hold, put back on, back on hold, put back on… You get the idea. So on Monday while hanging out at the pool with some friends, we last minute decided to change our 5th (oh yes, 5th) wedding anniversary plans from an eventful trip to San Francisco to a nice relaxing drive up Highway 1 through the central California coast to Norcal (California lingo for Northern California – Socal, Norcal, get it!?!).

We hastily packed up on Monday night, left Elsie with our wonderful neighbors, and left Tuesday morning with no plans and a hotel booked for the first night. We were winging it.

I am SO glad we did. What a wonderful trip, what a wonderful 3 days relaxing, driving, stopping, breathing in fresh Pacific Ocean air, eating, driving, and soaking it all in.

First we drove from Fullerton, through smoggy Los Angeles to Santa Barbara. Just awesome (the Santa Barbara part). In SB we ate some great food, walked around their downtown, hit the pier, and took a tour through Mission Santa Barbara. Relaxing AND educational. A teachers dream. After Santa Barbara, we made our way to Morro Bay. We watched the sunset at the Bay overlooking Morro Rock, checked out some lively ocean creatures (a seal swam right up too us!) and had dinner with the locals at a pizza parlor.







The next morning we headed up to Hearst Castle and took a tour. Just great.


After the castle we stopped along the coast a few times (ok more than a few – each and EVERY bluff overlooking the ocean seemed to say “stop right here you two”). One stop allowed us to see these HUGE elephant seals. These seals weighed 2.5 tons and stood taller than a 6 ft man! They just rolled around on their fat bellies and made interesting seal noises!


At some points along the drive up the coastal highway, the marine layer was very thick. This made for some great misty pictures!


A few more magnificent stops later, we found ourselves at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park in Big Sur. We took a hike to a concealed beach among the coastal mountains. The view of the waterfall was breathtaking!

For dinner we found a hidden local beach – Pfeiffer Beach. After winding through a few miles of a one way bumpy road, we stopped and set up shop for a picnic in the soft white sand. Towering rocks, warm sun, striking mountains, and a rough clean ocean were on the menu.





Next it was further up Highway 1 on to Bixby Bridge (built in 1932).

We called it a day when we hit Monterey. We were excited to check out one of the most world renowned aquariums the next day.

Before the aquarium, we woke up early and took a 5 mile run along the “17 mile road”. It was the most striking terrain we have ever had the opportunity to run along! Sand dunes, seals, crystal clear water, rough rocks, and tide pools were the views of choice.

"The Lone Cypress Tree"

After the aquarium, we walked around Cannery Row (where the sardine industry started – CANnery – sardines – get it?!). Grabbed some coffee and enjoyed more seals and clear waters.

Baby Seahorses

All in all, This trip was a great conclusion to the past five years of our marriage. Spontaneous, exciting, relaxing, adventurous, and all with the man I love. Here’s to many, many, many, more!