Running for Water and to Remember

Today several of our family members joined over 4000 others to Run for Water,

an annual event that raises money to provide water wells 

for villages in Ethiopia that have no fresh water.

Our Northerners came down on Friday already so that Matt could run the 25 km Trail Run yesterday... it was hot and covered 1500 meters of elevation but we were all proud of him.

 First off this morning, it was Heather's turn!

She had been training all year for this her first half marathon,

and Matt and the boys were there to cheer her on!

 7:30 am and they are off....

 and there she goes!

 While she was off running the half marathon,

the next racers were getting ready.

 The race included hills and heat so the Fire Engine spraying water on the runners along the way

was a welcome sight.

 Next to get ready to go,

were Megan and Jaxon.

Jaxon was running the 10 km race for the second year in a row...

 and was definitely excited to do it again.

 At 8:30, it was time for them to be off....

 Jaxon stayed with Megan for most of the race,

 but once he knew where he was at,

Megan gave him the ok to take off without her...

and off he went!

He looked like he wasn't even running that hard as he approached the finish line...

....next came Megan...

...looking a wee bit more tired than her son. :-)

Also at the finish line were Heather's two biggest fans...

 watching and waiting for her to come in...

 before they took off for their 5 km run.

 And there she comes...

 ...hot and tired...

 but to she did it!! 

She ran her first half marathon!

 And off they went...

 Kai was so excited to finish ahead of his Dad.

 A family picture to remember an awesome day of running...

...but also remembering.

 As the medals proudly proclaimed, the run this year was for Letisha's Well,

in memory of the young girl from our church who was killed in November last year.

 Like our family, Letisha had run the race for the past several years

and she was passionate about serving others, making people smile,

and being involved in giving back to those less fortunate than she was.

What an amazing day to run for water and to remember.

A Perfect Weekend

 Having an extended long weekend with our grandchildren never gets old

so this past weekend was just perfect.

The old toys got pulled out of the closet...

 and imaginations were put to good use.

 There was time for snuggles on the couch and selfies...

 Aren't those toothless smiles just the best?

 Jude enjoyed making music,

 while the big kids enjoyed trips to the playground.

 Halle was especially thankful that she had her rain boots along,

 so she could take full advantage of jumping in the puddles left by the rain.

 There was time to read books,

play games together,

 and put on some tatoos!

But best of all was the cousin time,

time to play together,

laugh together,

and just be 'best buds' together.

Back to School

 With students back in classrooms across our province this week,

my thoughts and prayers have been with our grandchildren even more than usual.

 These two Texans had their first day of school while we were there already...

and enjoy hamming it up for Mommy's camera.

One could hardly wait to be back in school, 

while the other wasn't at all excited

(I'll let you guess which is which).

But it made me realize how much some things in life really don't change.
We have 5 children in school this year
(6 if you count the one in pre-school)
and each one had a different set of expectations and anxieties about the first day of school.

Some enjoy new things, change, and new challenges in life

while others would keep the status quo forever.

Some embrace the new while others ponder and worry about what it will hold

lying awake at night with thoughts of 'what if?'

What kind of person are you?

Enjoying the Sandwich

 We are living in the sandwich....otherwise known as the 'Sandwich Generation'.

 Last week was a keen reminder of that as we had both my parents and one of our away families visiting...

 ...we headed to White Rock, one of our favourite summer hangouts.

 As I sat on a flat rock with my camera in hand I observed the activity around me...

 ...beach combing by the cousins looking for crabs in the tide pools...

...Opa lifting Jaxon up to test the water...

 ...and then this neat picture of Opa with the cousins! 

We are soooo blessed to be making these memories together...

 four generations getting to know one another...

 ...memories that will be filed in the hearts and minds of each of us.

 As I clicked away I marveled at this sandwich that we are in...

 my parents are healthy enough to enjoy their grandchildren and great-grandchildren...

 ...things not to be taken for granted

 but to be cherished...

 and treasured...

 ...and enjoyed!

 Of course after the beach we had to stop at Moby Dick's for Fish and Chips...

 ...delicious as always!

Life in the sandwich is really very good!