Athlete Of the Meet!!

Oh, so much and so little happening...all at the same time! 

The biggest news of the past week is Alex wrapping up his cross country season.  He had an amazing last meet, taking 2 minutes off his best 5K time to finish at 19:16!  He was awarded the Athlete of the Meet award the next day at practice, with his coaching giving him a little write up about his performance being due to his work ethic throughout the season.  Good words to hear spoken over this kid, for sure!  So proud of all his hard work, and grateful for him to see such dramatic results from working so hard!  Now his schedule is going to pull back quite a bit, making for some much-needed home time. 

Crazy kid...he and one of his buddies got up at 4:00 this morning and went for an 8-mile run just for the adventure of it.  The plan was to run to Safeway and eat a donut at about the half-way point.  The little speedsters got there 10 minutes before the store opened so they just ran a 10-minute loop and were "rewarded" with a hot-from-the-oven donut at 5:00 am.  I cannot imagine eating a donut after running and then going to run more.  Youth.  He then came home about 5:30, crawled back into bed and slept until 10:00.  Youth.  I love that he's discovered a love for running!

I have been absorbed in coaching these sweet 19 girls, and I'm so happy to say that last night was our last practice!  The big competition is on Sunday, and they are so ready.  We'll see what happens when we get there, but they are as ready as they are going to get!  I'm looking forward to reclaiming some of my time.  I'm looking forward to not having to be responsible for other peoples' children and focus more on my own.  I'm looking forward to not hearing, "I can't find my poms!"  I'm looking forward to getting back three evenings of my week and having dinner together more as a family.  That being said, I'm going to miss being with all these girls, too.  I only get to take one home with me when it's all said and done, the rest I'll miss. 

Now today is a blissful day off school for all of us!  After Brenna's cheer practice this morning, we have all been home together.  The kids needed this so much.  The girls have been missing their brother like crazy, particularly Beth.  She, in a big way, expressed how much she missed him and needs to see him more.  He's a good brother to respond to that!  Beth is working on school projects, and Alex and Brenna decided to jump in and help.  I think this is a great excuse for Alex to play with his Legos again.  Either way, I'm happy to see this sight:

And speaking of seeing sights, the changing leaves have been so beautiful.  These particular trees I have been watching progressively change each week at our football games...

I love how these just look frosted with red!

Now we are off to the "Pumpkin Patch".  More on that soon!