If you want to check out some photos of the October 19th Grand Rapids Marathon, try the links below. This Marathon was particularly memorable for us, because we ran a portion of it (first 8 miles) with Kristin and Curt who ran the Half-Marathon, and because our kids/grandkids were waiting to cheer us at the finish. What an encouragement. Claire, Marley, Eden and Emma joined their Papa and Nana to run accross the finish line. Lloyd crossed the finish line holding Claire’s hand, and I crossed the finish with Marley in my left arm, Eden in my right, and Emma at my side holding onto one of Eden’s shoes.

www.backprint.com/estf.asp?PID=bp%18yG&EVENTID=41848&PWD=&BIB=1581

and

www.backprint.com/estf.asp?PID=bp%18yG&EVENTID=41848&PWD=&BIB=1580

If you are unable to access the photos by using the addresses above, try the official Grand Rapids Marathon website, which is www.grandrapidsmarathon.com. Click on the link for photos. Lloyd’s bib number was 1580 and mine was 1581.

We were so fired up to run this marathon. The 2 days before were entirely energizing with Nick and Jess’ surprise arrival to GR from Denver, the huge breakfast that Curt and Kristin made for everyone, the visit to the apple orchard to purchase pumpkins for a group pumpkin carving event, and supper out with everyone to celebrate Lloyd’s pending graduation which will take place Dec. 19th in Minneapolis. It was so wonderful to have all our kids and grand-kids together in one place at one time. The fall colors and crisp sunny weather were great companions also.

So, can you tell which one is Michael? We are just back from a Jr. Varsity Valley football game at Valley Stadium. Valley played Waukee tonight, and Michael played defense for pretty much the entire game. Michael’s family was there, along with his Grandma Ros, and Uncle Jess/Aunt Amy, and Michael’s girl-friend, Amanda. Amanda goes to Waukee, so it was quite a statement for her to sit with the rest of us who were there to watch Michael. We really enjoyed watching the game. It is mind-boggling to think that Michael is now playing for Valley. Even though he is only a Sophmore, the coaches are talking of having him play Varsity for the next few games. Michael of course, is thrilled. He loves football, and is keeping his grades up. He is such a nice young man! So can you tell which player he is?????

OK, he’s #14!

We’ve been in a posting slump. So here’s to slay the slump!

We’re just back from a long litany of afternoon errands together after a morning of seperate tracks. Lloyd spent the morning in his doctoral dungeon with Boston (she loves to cuddle at his feet), doing edits for publication of his final paper, while I left the house early at 6AM while still dark and ran to the Neil Smith Trail access off of NW 66th St. in Johnston, to hook up with 3 running friends. While Lloyd slaved away in the dungeon, my friends and I ran 14-16 miles together on trails, in crisp cool fall weather accented by huge groves of red sumac. Absolutely invigorating! After the run, I showered, brought some supper to/visited one of my Sophie Seeker friends who recently had surgery, and worked on design for a fused glass piece. Around noon, Lloyd and I shared some soup for lunch, took Boston on a long walk, and then embarked on errands. When we got back home from errands, we made a mutual decision that Lloyd would go mow the grass while I posted. When we’re both done, we’re planning to have an easy supper: Baked potatoes with toppings. This is one of our favorite meals and we have it about once a week. After eating supper, we have a stack of movies to choose from: “Jarhead”, “Why Did I Get Married”? , “Becasue of Winn-Dixie”, “The Brave One”, and “I think I Love My Wife” (with Chris Rock….we really enjoy him). These movies are all part of the Dudley collection, which we are have free access to. One of our “errands” today, was to stop by the Dudley household to deliver a birthday card/present to Julius Jr. who is eight years old today. While visiting there, we stocked up on a few movies for the rest of the weekend. Beats BlockBuster!

OK, so what have we been up to over the past two weeks??

#We’ve spent much time at Childserve and also Pine Rest. Many meetings/appointment for both of us. We both continue to realize that God blesses the time that we spend with people at both of these organizations. We are both blessed to have work that uses our gifts and abilities to the max.

#We went to hear John Roberts Jr., Chief Justice of the US, speak at Drake University this past Thursday. He spoke as part of the Opperman lecture series and gave a delightful talk about how technology impacts the work of lawyers.

#On Wednesday evening, we hosted our dear friends, John and Sue VanDyk overnight. They were on their way back to Sioux Center from Southern Illinois, where they had attended a conference and had been visiting some of their adult children. We had a delightful supper and evening with John and Sue, and then also breakfast the next AM before they continued on their way.

#We made our traditional AUTUMN SOUP last night. This was our 5th year of making this soup. I do believe it is Lloyd’s all-time favorite. It features fall veggies like turnips and parsnips and has a great colorful presentation. We added Kielbasa this year, for extra flavor. Mmmmmm………..we chopped and chopped together yesterday early evening, and by 8:30PM the soup was well-cooked and ready to set in the garage for packaging this AM. We usually give small containers of this soup away to several others, and then also enjoy it ourselves into late fall.

#We continue to RUN. Last weekend, we both entered “Capitol Pursuit”, a classic DSM 10 mile race which starts/ends downtown. We ran 10 miles before the race started, and then hooked up with the race just on time. So we got 20 miles out of the deal, which was our cap-stone “3 weeks-out” long run for the Grand Rapids Marathon on October 19th. We plan to run this GR marathon together. Kristin and Curt are running the 1/2 marathon, so we will get to run the first part of the course with them. FUN!

#We continue to do lots of reading. I’ve been into Kathleen Norris lately, especially her most recent book, “Acedia and Me: A Marriage, Monks and A Writer’s Life”. I’ve also been dabbling ALOT in Gerald May’s work on the integration of mental health and spirituality. Lloyd is reading many management books (of course) and also a recent book by Thomas Friedman, “Hot, Flat and Crowded: Why we need a green revolution and how it can renew America”. Oh, and we’re starting to read poetry to eachother during our morning coffee (very romantic). Today we bought a new book by David Whyte (from Beaverdale Books…….. trying to support our local bookstores) called RIVER FLOW. Great stuff.

#We continue to have lots of coffee break and talk about major questions, like, “What Do I want To Be When I Grow Up” ?????

#We continue to closely follow the presidential campaign.

#My creative juices are flowing

#I’ve started a new journal……..for recording incidents of my disability: “Idiom Dyslexia”. This journal started on 9-26-08, and already 9 butchered idioms/cliches have emerged out of my mouth. When I get a few more recorded, I might decide to post some examples. I’m thinking that Kristin and Kim might want to start a similar journal. Maybe someday, we could compile them in a book. Nature or nurture???? Not sure!!!!!!

Well, that’s all for now. Lloyd just came in, and it’s time to start the baked potatoes.

Our circumstances are stable right now, but our lives (what we think/talk about, our dreams for the future) are anything but. We are eager to see how life might unfold in the future. In the meantime, we are trying to stay centered, let go of obvious (and some not-so-obvious) attachments and remain open to whatever it is that God is going to show us.