Well, the time has come to update the blog, which also means I am not studying for my PT cert. once again. September was extremely busy with Brady's Smile, Ryder starting kindergarten, Gage's mom passing away, the McGehee's moving back, the arrival of Talan, kids activities, and MD and vet appointments. How did we survive? We are finally getting into a routine and settling down.
While we were in Nags Head in August, we received a phone call that Gage's mom's cancer had spread to her brain and other organs. She got very sick very quickly. Gage traveled back and forth to Hershey and Clearfield several times to visit and be sure she was receiving great care. It was a very difficult and draining couple of weeks to see her endure so much. She fought so hard and passed away the middle of Sept. The kids and I also visited, but tried to maintain some normalcy here in VA as Ryder started kindergarten.
Upon return from the beach, a friend and neighbor proposed doing a lemonade stand fundraiser for Brady's Smile. I explained that I had a tremendous amount going on, not to mention Juel was still only a few months old, but that I had been trying to find a way to pull something off. With her as the coordinator, I contributed as much time as I could make. We made signs, solicited bakers, and experimented with lemonade. On Sept. 5th, we set up in my yard, our Brady's Smile lemonade stand and bake sale. We had a fabulous turnout and more importantly a lot of fun. All the doors to my house were open as kids ran through for 4 hours straight, playing and taking turns luring passersby to the stand.
The following week, Ryder started kindergarten. He has adjusted well and has been his usual social butterfly self. His teacher seems great and I have heard nothing but good things about her. He already shared his butterfly chrysalides. We've had many, but they don't seem to get tired of watching the butterflies emerge.
I don't remember the exact day, but in there somewhere I got a phone call from my friend Alyce. Amidst everything going on with Gage's mom, she brought me to tears once again when she told me they would be moving back to VA. I just couldn't believe it. It had been a year since I had seen her/them and Jack-Jack was just a few weeks old when they left. It was so strange to think that they would return and he wouldn't have a clue who I was. It was almost a year to the day since I had watched them leave and head back to Louisiana. Not a day I care to remember well.
Although there were missed runs, I continued to meet Jennifer in the mornings during the week and Jennifer and/or Peggy on the weekends for the longer runs. We started thinking of ideas...things we could do to welcome them back. We decided we would surprise them at the airport by picking them up. I arranged it with Brad, so when the day came, Jennifer and I and all 6 kids were off to the airport for the surprise. Jennifer had made glitter signs and each kid had some flowers for Allie. It was so much fun. The anticipation nearly killed me. Back at the house...we messaged some friends to meet us for a few welcome home drinks and champagne.
And the wait continued...until FINALLY Talan Chase Lingle was born on Thursday Sept. 24th. My new nephew was 12 days late and weighed in at 7 lbs. 12.9 oz. We will get to meet him in a few weeks when we head to PA for the Halloween night Brady's Smile banquet. I will always have memories of calling Tim at the hospital for an update. At one point I called...Tim answered and said Maggie was in the bathroom. All I could hear her say was, "is it too late for the epidural?" I couldn't help but giggle, and feel bad at the same time. She had progressed very quickly and was asking for mercy which she was granted.
It's been a few weeks, and as it turns out, Allie (Alyce's daughter) got into the same class as Ryder and William (Jennifer's son). With 7 kindergarten's nearly filled to capacity, it's kind of ironic. Needless to say, none of them can get away with anything. I had lunch with Ryder today and as he was headed back to class, he grabbed Allie's hand and they walked together. Another mom friend who volunteers several days a week, said they do it all the time. I just laughed....so cute! We're so glad to have them back.
Sunday morning was the 25th anniversary Army Ten Miler. Alyce was able to get a bib the night before (thanks Suzanne! hope your knee heals soon) and join us for the race. Another friend Erica also joined us for the race. It is definitely at the top of my favorite races. From the paratroopers to the pre-race Pledge and tribute songs, "Proud to be an American," really a neat thing to be a part of. The announcers are fantastic, get everyone dancing and singing as they start and finish the race. Always great entertainment as well as fan support along the way. Finishing a little under 1:19 was a nice treat. I definitely pooped out the last 3 miles, but with a little extra mileage could have easily shed a minute. Actually, my legs just cramped a little, but the rest of me felt surprisingly great. Was an enjoyable race.
I usually wrap it up with things to come. Ryder is still playing flag football for the Grizzlies. Carly is taking ballet once a week and LOVES it! I'm sure there will be more. We've enjoyed keeping up with Josh in Italy and Andy will be leaving for Iraq in a few weeks. Wishing him a safe and speedy return. Just a few more weeks until the Richmond marathon on Carly's birthday, the 14th. Juel is almost 6 months old and still just as sweet as can be. Seriously, I could probably count the # of times she's cried on one hand...since she was born. What an angel. Delayed CT update as well. A few days before my CT, the lump started to go away. The surgeon still thought I should have it. All was normal, just a slight inconsistency where the abdominal muscles come together. His best guess was that I tore an abdominal muscle, it formed a hematoma (pocket of blood), that took weeks to heal. No worries, all is well and back to normal...for me anyway!
