MS 150 (AKA – MS 95)

September 21, 2011 on 10:05 pm | In Hayden and Laura | No Comments

2 weeks ago I had the pleasure of riding in the MS 150 bike ride.  For those that don’t know what that is, it is a bicycle ride from the Desoto Civic Center to Tunica on Saturday and back on Sunday.  Typically, it is a 75 mile ride down and a 75 mile ride back.  This year, they had a “short route” that you could ride either or both days.  You wouldn’t get your full 150 miles in, but at least those who didn’t prepare could have a graceful way of “completing” the ride.

And lets be clear, I’m in no way knocking the people that weren’t prepared.  In fact, I was one of them.  Quite frankly, I hadn’t ridden my bike over 100 miles since last year’s MS150.  So I was one of those “whimps” that opted for the short route.  The first day I didn’t ride the short route as it was laid out.  I really wanted to see the Accredo rest stop, but they were the first stop of the LONG route.  So, I decided to take the long route until the Accredo stop, then turn around and finish out on the short route.

Saturday night we stayed at Harrah’s.  Typically, I pay extra to have a guaranteed single room.  That allows Laura to come down and stay with me without being totally awkward to a roomate.

Unfortunately they were out of single rooms this year.  I went pot luck with the roomate situation.  I ended up with a nearly retired Navy guy.  Really nice guy, but definitely strange sharing a room with a guy I didn’t know.

The ride back Sunday was great.  I cut out a little earlier than the ride “officially” started so I was alone for the vast majority of the ride.  I didn’t mind being alone at all.  The weather was great and I enjoyed the bit of solitude.  I don’t do it often, but there is something special about watching the sun peek over the horizon while you’re riding a bike.  The fresh cool air, the almost imperceptible ticking of a well tuned bike chain and beauty of God’s creation in front of you is tough to beat.  (well, it may be overshadowed by fresh cool air, whistling wings and the infrequent sounds of non-lead based projectiles).

I was actually very pleased that I didn’t try to over-exert myself by doing the long ride both days.  Of course, I can’t say that I did the MS150 this year (at least not with a straight face), but I can say that I rode in the MS bike ride.  The other thing I can say is that I have some fantastic folks that helped support me in the ride and MS research. 

Avery Grace

September 6, 2011 on 9:52 pm | In Avery, Haley, Trey | No Comments

Avery Grace is two months old! She is growing and changing so fast. Every day she gets prettier, more alert, and engaging. She has started smiling a lot and those smiles are one of the highlights of my day. She is on a great schedule and is a very happy baby. Like her big sister, Haley, she is very content wherever she is. Trey needed constant attention and affection (and still does!) but both girls are more laid back and just take in their surroundings. Avery is my little buddy and is pretty much attached to my hip…which I love. The kids still fight over who is going to hold her but the snuggling doesn’t last quite as long now that she is getting bigger.

The other day, Haley and I ran into Kroger to grab a thing or two and we took Avery. Well, Avery had been in the car seat a long time so I carried her in since we only had a couple things to grab. Both Haley and I realized we had to go to the bathroom while we were shopping and juggling Avery while snapping pants was quite a challenge. I let Haley hold her standing up and Haley looked up at me with the brightest eyes and the proudest smile and said, “I’m like an adult!” I hope I didn’t start a new idea stirring in that head!

Avery weighs 10lbs, 5oz and is now 22 inches long. If you saw her in her newborn clothes, you’d expect her length to have increased MUCH more. All her Newborn pants are capri’s now. She is officially in 3 month clothes. I’m excited to dress her in her new wardrobe! I need the weather to stay nice so she has time to wear her summer 3 month clothing. We hardly have any long sleeve attire!

I’m obviously a proud mama and LOVE being a mom of three. I am constantly reminded how great God is and how blessed I am. He is displaying His love for me, sense of humor, and power of Creation through my kids. Psalm 139:14 “I praise you because I (they) am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” I’m happy to have three beautiful reminders.