The boy with no name's blue room, Da UP!, Livin in Da Nile!

Great Monday greetings to you. As you can see the littlest boy's room is coming along very nicely and is actually, I believe very close to being done. My poor husband, I made him go away this weekend and he wasn't able (for the 1st time in his life I believe) to finish something that he started. Not to mention I made him part with his normal Sunday ritual of watching every possible moment that he can steal of every televised football game on TV. Thank you babe for taking me to see my family!
Speaking of, the other pics are that of our trip to beautiful Marquette. We had such a successful trip with the kids. Always an unknown to travel in the car with 2 small children for 5 hrs each way! I gave thanks to God numerous times for the knowledge and wisdom of the fine people who created the "travel entertainment system". When both children can watch a movie as you are driving the Seney stretch in the Upper Peninsula, there is nothing finer in the world or more satisfying than that of complete calm in the car. That and managing not to hit a deer. We were able to have "our own place" and stay in a motor home so that we could do our thing. They loved it, but mom loved it even more. I was able to be present for the celebration of my grandparents being married for 60 years. I was able to be surrounded by people who have been my biggest fans since 02/01/78. There is nothing finer than being loved by these people. They compliment, they adore, they accept, they are simply glad that you are present. It is so nice to be loved. I love everything about visiting Marquette and I am so thankful that after 17 years I am still able to fully appreciate what the town represents for me. Not to mention as an adult I get to experience both of my parents "going home" to see their siblings and parents. And, I get to bring my husband and tell him (for the 75th time) all of my dumb stories. He humors me and for that I am eternally thankful! We went to Marquette the fall of our Senior year in high school (12 yrs ago) when Jeb played football and stayed with my grandparents then. How fun to return with our kids now, in this time in our lives to revisit. Im not real sure where all of the time has gone. The air still smells the same, the street lights still give off the familiar glare through the bedroom window, The Island continues to thrive, the old "staples" still stand with open doors and complete familiarity of the years that I spent walking in and out of them. What a great time. What a great celebration. What great memories made.

So back to reality and the normal grind. Ali's 2nd birthday is a week from today and I think that I may be in complete denial about it. Or wait, it could be that I am just in denial about everything. Can you say 10 weeks is not a long time?! I am in a stage of complete lack of patience. I need to say out loud a lot lately, "Cassy, stop. This is just because this sweet little life that you care carrying is sucking every bit of life out of you." I haven't been able to run since a week ago Sunday. I somehow managed to injure my foot the Thursday before that last 5K. It really feels a lot better now though. I am going to walk tonight and see how it feels in the AM and hopefully get back out to run a few miles on Wed. Cross your fingers for me. A mom at preschool drop off asked me last week how long I was going to run until I was done. I wasn't sure how to answer. I suppose in my mind I figure that I can do it until I can't or dont want to any more. I am finding that I really miss it and crave that feeling of movement when I don't go out and do it. Does this mean that I am over that hump of only liking it because its good exercise? Does this mean that I can say that I am a runner? I think that I could very well have told Jeb at least once a week for the last 2 months that I am so scared that I won't be able to find the time to do it. He promises me that that won't happen and that he will make sure to help in every way that he can to get me out. Thanks coach. I am finding that the only way for me to not miss it so much is to start some kind of "goal log" for the future. I am in great hopes that running will see me through post-partum and get me through the winter. I have no doubts that this body of mine will fail me. I will be ready to take this little boy in the jogger all bundled up for a real run, just not in my belly anymore. After all, he does have good up north UP blood in him. He will love it! He remains very very active and strong. I am sure that he is starting to run out of room in there. That and his mother has no torso. Damn all you tall women! I dream about what he will look like. I dream about what all 3 of them will be like together. I have super high expectations of my labor and how it will go. I know in my mind that I am the one in control and thats all I need to focus on. Im just sad that it took me 3 times to get to the mindset that I would have loved to have been in with Isaac. But I suppose this is life, the lessons we learn, we learn along the way. If we knew the unknown life would be far too boring.

Off to the grocery store, Jeb just got home to take over. Got to prepare for lots of good TV to premiere this week. Not to mention I am out of Captain Crunch.
Hope that those of you who are planning on the big 5K soiree on 10/28 are training hard. I am right behind you, maybe an extra 5 min or so but, by gosh, I am still in this one. Im still laced up and ready to go. The finish line is just around the corner.

My love, all my love,
One with little patience and a big belly