Well, it has been awhile since I posted anything. The most exciting thing that has happened for me personally is that Angela and I finished the half marathon in November! For me it was fun, beautiful, and wonderful for the first 11 miles and felt like torture for the last 2 miles. Angela was running with leg pain from an injury and it had been a month since we had run anything close to the distance (because I injured my feet, recovered, then Angela injured her leg and was still trying to recover). It was quite a challenge for both of us and I'm so happy that we did it!
We had a wonderful week away with Jason's family for Thanksgiving. We were in a cabin on 320 acres in rural Oklahoma. Jason got his first deer on the trip and we've been enjoying the venison ever since. I made Deer Me-loaf (Well, I think it's cute) the other night and I thought it was the best meatloaf I've ever made (which maybe isn't the best comparison)! But it was very good. We've had it in chili (which I didn't like), smoked tenderloin (it was okay), and in stew (very good!). I found some recipes on the internet that I intend to try out.
Toby's 5th birthday is only 4 days away! I can't believe my little man is getting so old! He wants to have a transformer birthday party. I still need to get out and get all the supplies but we're planning on having a rip-roaring good time. I'm thinking of making a costume for Jason and myself using pots and pans, kitchen utensils, and glue dots. We'll be the adults-to-dinner-transformers. I just know Toby will think he has the coolest parents on the block. ;-)
We're gearing up for a wonderful Christmas with my family at my parents' house. My older sister Abby and her family will be coming from Colorado and my younger brother Nate will be coming from Oregon. My younger sister Esther lives in town with her family at my parents' house for the time being. They are saving up for grad school and my parents offered to share their home. We also lived with my parents while we saved for our house. It was a challenging but good 10 months that I hope not to repeat! Anyone who has lived with their extended family, even the most wonderful family such as I have, understands what I mean. I'm sure my parents are at least as happy as we are (if not more so) that we have our own place now too! Anyway, we always love being with our families for the holidays. This Christmas is sure to be extra special because Esther is due with her second baby on the 28th! They are having a home birth at my house with a midwife! We are so excited about all of it. One of the most special moments of my life was being at the birth of my neice Lillian and I am so thrilled that Esther and her husband Brian have asked me to be their doula again for the birth of their little boy. Watching E and B's relationship during such an intimate time was so special. Esther was so strong and calm but at the same time really wanted and needed Brian for support. And Brian, normally a silly and fun-loving guy, was just what E needed at each transition as she progressed through labor. I had been thinking about midwifery since I was pregnant with Toby and getting to experience the miracle of birth with E and B has pushed me furthur in that direction. I'm still not sure it's what God has for me but I'm going to enjoy this special moment that I've been invited to and wait to see what happens in the future.
