Happy Birthday Stephan!

There were times during Stephan's 18 years you just weren't sure if he was going to make it. He lives everyday harder than the previous...and has a great time doing it. He was born at St. Mary's hospital in Blue Springs, MO on a very hot day in 1991.

When I started in the Navy, Stephan wanted everything camouflage. His blanket, cloths, everything was camo. I think he was really ready to move into that part of his life and he's never looked back.

As he's gotten older, he's taken on responsibility as a young adult and walked away from it when he still wanted to be a kid. He has a contagious smile and a good heart.

Stephan makes me very proud as I get older and see the man he is becoming. He still has a lot of growing up to do, but he isn't afraid to make mistakes and learn from them as every man does! Happy birthday Stephan...I love you!

Rock-n-Roll 1/2 Marathon - Virginia Beach

Steph and I have been getting up every morning at 5am to train for the Rock N Roll Marathon in Virginia Beach to be held over Labor Day weekend (Sept. 6th). The 13.1 mile course is suppose to follow the ocean front and end on the beach.

This is Steph's first 1/2 marathon and she's pretty excited about it. She got on-line last night and ordered our flight, hotel and car. We still have to sign up for the event - we'll probably do that in the next day or so. Since this is her first, I'm training/adding moral support to her daily runs. We're doing about 3 miles a day during the week and have a long run on the weekend.

By early August, we'll be doing 4 miles each morning and 10-12 on the weekends...she'll be ready, and we'll have a great time in Virginia Beach over Labor Day!

Pictures to Remember...

At Derek's on the 4th we had another family picture taken. It's been a while since all of us have been together, so it's always nice to get a current shot of my brother's and sister and especially mom! In case it's been a while since you've seen the group, it's Derek (the youngest), then Caron (the oldest), then mom, me and Jeff (the goofiest)!

Steph and I took our turn getting a picture as well. This December, Steph and I will have been married 6 wonderful years! I love this woman more than I can ever put down on paper. Just to catch you up on our life: we are STILL trying to sell our house! We extended our contract a month with our Realtor with the provision that he start doing some things I want him to do to sell our home. I am a Project Manager by trade and selling a house is nothing more than a project. Define the objective, determine milestones to be met and deliverables...add in a marketing and communication plan and the project is on the way. We are using Craig's List now as well as the Realtor's site to reach out to everyone we can. His contract expires on August 6th - we'll see what happens!

Morgan came over and stayed with us this past weekend (she's the older one on my back)! We were going swimming on Sunday afternoon and invited Colby and Addison (on my lap) to join us. We got a free day pass at a new neighborhood pool with waterslides and a couple pools. The girls had a good time and so did we. I was pooped that night - I didn't realize I was so busy with going down the slides with Morgan and catering to Addison (she was a little cranky...she didn't get her full nap out).

Stephan's 18th birthday is this Friday, July 17th! There were times I though he would never reach this day; actually, we're not there yet, he still has the chance to prove me right. He is currently working on a horse farm in the mornings just outside of Odessa, MO (about 10 miles from his house). He enjoys the outside work and likes being around the horses. Have a terrific birthday Pal!

Outstanding Weekend!

Over two months...WOW!!! That how long since my last blog! I humbly bow my head in disgrace. It's not that things haven't been exciting - I just haven't been actively involved in keeping everyone up to date. I hope to do better...they say the first step is admitting your fault! ;o)

We had a great weekend. Mine started Thursday afternoon and went till 6:00 this morning when I had to get ready for work. We had a cookout and good family fellowship at my home on Friday for Steph's side of the family. Shirley (Steph's mom), Kay (Steph's sister), Craig & Nedra (Steph's brother & sister-in-law), Jessi (Craig's daughter) and Shallen enjoyed dinner together. This was a progressive meal as we drove to Shirley's for brownie's & ice cream to top off the evening.

On Saturday we met at my brother Derek's home in Grain Valley, MO for a little more "explosive" day! The kids were shooting off fireworks. My brother's Jeff (and his girlfriend Stacey) & Derek (& his wife Wendi) were there. My sister Caron & her husband Jeff was there. Mom was there enjoying all of her kids together once again. We had some good food and enjoyed everyone taking turns at "Guitar Hero!" There were a number of pictures taken...I'll be sure to include a few in my next blog.

Shallen is set to go to Truman State in Kirksville, MO this fall. We went up in June to a parent/student meeting with advisors. Shallen got her classes and we got to see her dorm room - it's a far cry from what I experienced as "dorm life" some 25 years ago when I first attended school at Central Missouri in Warrensburg, MO. She already knows her room mate and suite-mates given the social networking of Facebook!

Steph and I are preparing for the Rock & Roll 1/2 Marathon in Virginia Beach on September 6th. This will be her first 1/2 marathon and she is somewhere between excited and sick to her stomach. I am playing the role of her trainer. She'll be ready! We ran a 5K on Saturday morning, The Freedom Run, in Lenexa, KS. She could have easily gone another 2 miles. My big run will be the Kansas City 1/2 marathon this fall...I'd like to run about a 1:35.

My hope is that this blog finds all my family and friends in good health. Please feel free to reach out to me as you all get the chance!