21/52

Friendship.

Have you ever just met someone and instantly felt comfortable - like you've known them your whole life?  Or you've met someone and it's not until later that you realize all that you have in common?  There is a click, a connection, a bond.  And if your friends are crazy like some of mine, you'd better buckle up and hang on because it's usually a heck of a ride!

Friends hold you up in the worst of times, the best of times and all the times in between.  Friends share emotions with you - joy, sadness, grief, anger, happiness, fear.  They laugh with you and at you.  If they are good friends, they'll even tell you when you're being absolutely ridiculous.  And there are even friends that you can pick up right where you left off with - if it's been a while since you've talked.

I'm lucky enough to have all kinds of friends like this.   And so are my girls.

Friday night, Emma was recognized at a banquet at Kuipers Family Farm.  What a beautiful place for a horse show banquet!  This was for the school show series she participated in this summer.  She and Talledega were grand champions for the short stirrup hunter and equitation divisions.  Escapar Farm did great. 

Front Row: Annie, Emma, Grace, Alex and Sara; Standing: Lauren, Lexi, Tasha and Lauren

Meet Alex.  She is one of the first friends that Emma made when we moved here.  These two were inseparable for the first three years we lived here.  They both loved horses and One Direction.  What else do you need?  They found new friends in middle school, but as Emma says, barn friends are forever. 

Alex and Emma

They pretty much spent all summer together at the barn as barn rats.  They worked their tails off - cleaning, organizing, moving horses, grooming horses - and the reward?  Riding horses.  This is the kind of summer I always hoped Emma would get to have.  When I was her age, I worked as a trail guide for a stable.  I worked from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm three days a week for $20 a day (let's do the math on that.  $2 an hour.  Ha!)  But it didn't matter, I loved those horses.  I'm sure my mom didn't love the way I smelled at the end of the day, but she knew I was learning responsibility and loving every minute of it.  At the end of the summer, I had more money than any other 8th grader I knew. And what did I want to do with it?  Buy Z Cavaricci jeans and IOU sweatshirts.  Oh my poor mom. 

Abbi finally got to celebrate her birthday on Saturday.  I took her and a few of her friends to Schaumburg Water Works.  It's like a miniature version of an indoor water park.

Christina, Gracelynn, Lauren, Abbi and Grace

Abbi and Grace have been friends since we moved here.  Abbi met Lauren and Christina in middle school, and Lauren has gone to ISYM camp with Abbi for the last two years.  Abbi met Gracelynn this year in high school.  It's about a 45 minute drive to Schaumburg from our house, I got to listen to them talk about all kinds of things on the way there.  From their views on standardized testing to kids that have gotten in trouble to how they are doing in the classes they are in. They were each encouraging, silly, and singing along to the music.

I know that Abbi and Emma are thankful for their friends.  And I am too.  Every single one of you.  :) 

20/52

It was a busy weekend.  Like one of those weekends so filled with family and fun that you feel like you need another weekend to recuperate.

First of all, a big shout out to the 93# Hurricanes.  They made it to the playoffs, and tried really hard on Saturday morning, but the Bears outscored them. And a very special shout out to #48 - my nephew Luke! He's just the sweetest and kindest little guy.  He (and many other boys on the team) took the loss pretty hard.  It's a good thing he has a great big brother who can empathize with him and remind him that there is always next year.

Jacob and Luke - after the game

I really capitalized on a couple opportunities this weekend.  Opportunity #1: Abbi has always liked doing fun things with her hair.  She's asked for blue, pink and purple highlights, or to dip dye her ends (this involves Kool-Aid people - nothing good could come of that).  I've said no to a few things, but we've put in blonde highlights and turned it red temporarily several times.

Abigail in 2012 - with Raspberry Creme temporary hair color

Recently she asked if she could have the ends of her hair dyed purple.  She showed me a picture and I realized that of all the things she's ever asked for, this was the easiest to undo if she doesn't like it (you just take the bottom four inches off and viola, it's like it never happened!).  So Saturday, we arrived at Hairology in Roselle.  

We were trusting Julie with this transformation.  Julie's been doing hair longer than Abigail's been alive (not to make you feel old Jules!).

Abigail's hair is quite long.  It's gorgeously thick and a little wavy.  Julie started with dying the ends blonde.  Which all by itself looks really pretty.  Then Julie applied the color.  It was the perfect shade of purple.

The thing about purple is that you really have to take care of it.  It can fade fast.  So you must use sulfate-free shampoo and cold water!  Brrrr!  That seals the deal.  I'll never get to have purple hair. There is no way I can take a cold shower.  It's just not going to happen.  

So this is how it turned out after the purple was applied and it was blow dried.  You might notice there are a few streaks of purple - it turned out really cool with some faded shades of raspberry creme temporary hair color still in her hair. Who knew that temporary hair color is not actually entirely temporary??

In the picture that Abigail showed us, the girl had curls in her hair, so she had requested that Julie curl it. It looked adorable.  She walked out of there practically glowing.  She talked a mile a minute on the way home about her hair, being so thankful for Julie (yes, thank you Jules!) and predicting her friends' reactions.  

Purple curl selfie

So onto opportunity #2: On Sunday, Escapar Farm held their 3rd annual Julie Berls Memorial Horse Show.  It was an early morning dropping Em off at 6:00 am. (why are they ALL so early??  Actually I know why - because even with getting there that early, you are there ALL day.  If they started any later, you'd be spending the night with the horses in the barn). She needed time to get Savannah (apparently she likes to run away when you are trying to bring her in so you must factor in extra time to catch her - you should hear the elaborate plan Emma hatched to get her.  She had treats and was hiding the lead rope under her sweater - it was crazy!) and be ready to ride at 7:00 am.

Savannah and Emma - <3

  

Emma competed in the 2'0" over fences (jumps), 2'3" over fences and a couple other events.  She's done the 2'0" over fences before with Talledega, but the 2'3" over fences was new.  Each rider does two runs for each event: one round they, the rider, are being judged and the second round, the horse is being judged. After placing 1st and 3rd in the 2'0" over fences event, Emma was smiling so big her dimple was showing.  This isn't something you see everyday, so it's a big deal.  

Emma and Savannah - over the 2'3" jump

So I got extremely lucky this weekend.  I got to take pictures of the girls without having to bribe them with Starbucks or endure their moans and groans of disgust.  They were both elated to have their pictures taken.  Why can't it be like that all the time?!  I've started resorting to bribing friends to borrow their children to take pictures of them! 

Any volunteers?  ;)

19/52

So I'm a day late this week.  Eek.

But I think it was worth it.  Last night we hosted a POUND GLOW party. 

I don't know about you, but when I take my kids to laser tag at a place like Luigi's and I step into the black light, the glowing of all my white or neon colored clothing never gets old.  We stand there and marvel at it like the grand finale of fireworks on fourth of July.

One of the greatest benefits of being a part of POUND, is the instructors, or Pros.  We share, we collaborate, we help each other out.  Another POUND Pro shared a video of a POUND GLOW party she did and I loved everything about it!

I ordered black lights, glow bracelets, disco lights, I bought neon colored gloves, I raided my daughters headbands for something that would reflect black light.

I put together a set up in my basement last week - just to be sure that everyone would be able to see me.  And then I came up with a brilliant idea!  I should post a snippet of a track, so people could see what POUND was and see how cool the whole GLOW thing really was.

Really considering the undertaking this was, I recruited Abigail and Emma to help me.  They were less enthusiastic to be put to work, to be honest.  I mean, really, mom - I could be sitting at home on my electronic device!  We got there early.  River City Church employed some men to move several chairs for us after the service, so that helped a ton!

We set out the lights, we ran cords all over the place.  We wrapped the pillars with crepe paper so no one would run into them.  We set out bottled water and snacks.  Emma and Abbi set up a registration table.  Abbi created a cute sign to let people know what to do.

Ladies started arriving at 7:00 pm.  They came all decked out in white or neon.  We had light up balloons - who knew there was such a thing!  Many of them brought their own glow stuff and one even had black light reflecting make-up!

We rocked out for a full hour.  These ladies were amazing!  Many of them had never done it before and they caught on fast!  What I love about POUND is that you can modify the intensity to fit your fitness level.  It doesn't matter if you have worked out every day of your life for 2 hours a day or if you haven't worked out ever - you can still get something out of it - and have a ton of fun!

I don't usually like being on the stage, but..... with it being hollow underneath, you can really hear the Ripstix when I hit the floor.  There is an awesome energy to that sound!!

The black lights and disco lights were awesome.  But it was still pretty dark.  And I know what it's like to try a new work out.  You feel like everyone is watching you (mess up all over the place).  You struggle to keep up with the moves - and then when you finally get it, it's time to do something different!  The reality is that no one is watching you (unless you're me - LOL - then EVERYone is watching you).  No one is here to judge.  We are all here with the same goals!  To get in shape. Release tension.  Relieve stress.  Pretend for a short time that we are rock stars.  Laugh at ourselves a little bit.  Hang out with friends and make new ones.  Last night, everyone rocked out their hardest and could already feel it in their muscles.  And even though they were sore, they were still smiling! 

POUND GLOW Party! Photo credit: Abigail Proehl

After all the glow fun was over and the ladies left, Abbi, Emma and I started the process of taking everything down and putting it all away.  All those chairs had to go back on the floor.  Before we did that, we turned up the music and jammed.  The girls were doing cartwheels, and running, and jumping and giggling.  They tried to teach me how to do some dance.  I failed miserably.  They laughed hysterically - showing me again and asking me to do it again.  We all laughed even harder.

When all was done, I was thankful and exhausted.  I totally can't wait for the next one!

16/52

Fall is my favorite season.  Don't get me wrong, I like Spring - I enjoy the flowers and colors after what seems like six months of Winter. And even Winter has it's charms.  When we get our first real snowfall and the sun shines and makes every snowflake dazzle and sparkle - it's mesmerizing!  Summer is good too - the one season when I don't have to wear a jacket.  I'm a chronically cold person - I don't retain body heat, so I like sitting outside enjoying the breeze in the air and warmth of the sun on my skin. 

But Fall?  The apple cider, apple cider donuts, caramel apples, pumpkin muffins, - I even tried Trader Joe's pumpkin flavored Oreos (which really tasted like pumpkin, but were SO sweet!). Everything is delicious!  Yes, I know it means that Winter is coming but before the temperatures dip to sub-zero, we get this amazing display of color.  The leaves on the trees go out with a bang! 

I have a thing for barns. 

It's the time of year when I really appreciate what is around me.  My long drive to work isn't so bad when I see beautiful tree lined streets with brilliant reds, oranges and yellows. It makes me want to be outside to feel the crunch of the leaves under my feet and hear the swish of the leaves as I drag my feet through a pile of them. 

I guess I have a thing for bridges too. 

 
The other reason I really enjoy Fall is that three generations of birthdays are in October - me, Abigail and my mom.  And as I think about my mom, I think of the millions of reasons I appreciate her. 

My mom and Isaac - the end of flag football season.

Like how she is Isaac's biggest cheerleader.  To clarify, she is the biggest cheerleader for ALL her grandkids.  She goes to countless games, recitals, performances, and special events.  I'm sure she's tired after a long day at the law firm.  I'm sure she would love to go home and put on her pajamas and veg out for the night, or get things checked off her to-do list, but she doesn't.  She shows up.  She cheers.  She claps (even when she isn't supposed to).  She's there.

Abbi asked for a Ukulele for her birthday.

Or how she makes a big deal out of every grandchild's birthday.  Every year she mails a birthday card with singles equal to the age of the child.  So Abbi got a very fat envelope this week - with 15 singles in it!  It had to have cost extra in postage.  Birthday children are taken out to dinner - and it's their choice - it can be just with Gramma and Papa, or the whole family can be invited.  Special and unique birthday gifts are requested - and then delivered.  Abigail went to that choir camp this summer and the elective she chose was a class that taught her how to play the ukulele.  Well, once you know how to play the ukulele, you should have one, right?  Abbi did her research and found a great beginner ukulele, sent the link to Gramma and viola, now she has a ukulele.

She puts a priority on family during the holidays.  Every holiday is an occasion to get together and have amazing barbeque. We have traditions - we make a huge mess in her kitchen in early December and bake a ridiculous amount of cookies.  We have our family Christmas celebration in the morning - in our pajamas!  She gives all of us silly string in our stockings so that on New Year's Eve, we can run outside and spray each other and make the yard colorful with neon colored string made of silly (because really, what IS that stuff??).

Mom (because I know you read this), thanks for ALL you (and Papa) do for us.  We don't tell you enough.  Nathan and I know we weren't easy to parent.  And we turned out alright.  Well, I'm more alright than he is, but he's not too bad most of the time.  But we turned out alright because of you.  We appreciate the sacrifices you made for us when we were growing up and the sacrifices you make now.  Your love, support and encouragement has carried us through good times and bad.  Thanks for being the glue that holds us together.  Love you!!

I guess I appreciate this time of year because it's so beautiful, but so short.  The leaves will all have fallen soon, been raked up and put to the curb.  The greens, reds, yellows and oranges will be gone and replaced with brown (and then soon white).  The holidays are right around the corner.  My sister-in-law, Marcy, can probably tell you right now how many weeks, days and minutes until Christmas.  And she's not alone - my friend Julie can too.  And for so long it felt so far away... but not anymore.

So go enjoy and appreciate what you see outside.  It won't be here much longer.  :)

15/52

So after watching Pitch Perfect 2 a few days ago, I'm inspired to do a mash up of my weekend for this week's blog.  Hope you like it. :)

Saturday morning was chilly, but perfect football weather.  Isaac had three flag grabs, caught a pass and ran for about 15 yards (getting their team to the 5 yard line) and then made this play.

The quarterback gave the ball to Isaac.  He got out of this mess and ran it for about 20 yards. 

This morning, I joined my friend Shirley and her daughter Campbell for the This Run's for Jack 5K.  I have participated in other 5Ks before, but I haven't ever been able to run it nonstop.  Brian and I hang our bibs on the extra refrigerator we keep in the garage.  The very muddy #96579 is from the St. Jude Warrior Dash Brian and I did last summer.  It was a 5K, but we didn't run the whole thing (I was totally out of shape!) and there were muddy obstacles.  #378 was the Walk for Wellness (for Wellness House) - that I walked with Shirley, Campbell and a whole bunch of other great people!  Bib #995 was from the Zombie Run Brian and I did a couple weeks ago.  And then #449 was from this morning.  This is the first one I ran from start to finish.  It was a challenge though.  Just as we got started, Shirley informed me that there were hills (listen, I didn't sign up for hills!).  And then we ran past this beautiful barn on a body of water that was bigger than a pond but smaller than a lake.  The sun was shining on the barn and the water was so still you could see a perfect reflection of the barn on the water.  It took everything in me not to stop to take a picture. I had three opportunities to take one.  I had to keep reminding myself that a picture with my iPhone would not do it justice - and hello - you are running a 5K dummy!  So run!

The good news is that I ran my best time ever: 31:37!

All my bibs!

This afternoon we went to Leah's 3rd birthday party.  You know, you really take a chance in October with an outdoor party.  It could be rainy and in the 30's - that's perfectly normal October weather.  But Julie consulted the farmer's almanac (this is legit - and it makes me giggle) and it did not lie when they planned this party two and half months ago.  It predicted sunny and 62.  It was a gorgeous day for an outdoor party.

Love for Leah!

She is a stitch.  Everything that came out of her mouth was hysterical.   Here were some of the things she said today:

(When asked how old she was): twenty-six.
(When I asked her if I could try on her awesome boots): Yes (and then she proceeded to try to take them off)

I mean, look at these cute boots!

(When she would be handed a gift): What's in there?
(As she is unwrapping): Just a minute.
(After it's unwrapped and she figures out she likes it): Let's open it.

But here was the best: 
She opens a 'Frozen' guitar.
Julie: You and Daddy can play with that.
Leah: Yeah, let's open it.
Julie: You and Daddy can play with it later. 
Leah: Daddy wants to play with it now.

There was a lot of love for these My Little Ponies.

So then Julie brought out the cupcakes.  I asked her what bakery she got them from - because they were so beautiful they had to have come from a bakery.  SHE made them.  I couldn't believe it!   And they were beyond delicious!  Jules, these seriously need to be a thing. 

Fox and owl cupcakes!

After all the kids had a crack at the pinata, Emma knocked it off the rope.  It turns out there might be a reason that the pinata said to only fill it with two pounds of candy.  And because Julie lives on the edge, she filled it with four.  So she let Isaac beat it in half and then she dumped it all out for the kids.

  

It's raining candy.

After presents, cupcakes and pinata candy, Aunt Rita and Leah took a walk down to the creek.   Happy happy birthday Leah!  I hope you had a great day!

It was a busy weekend, but an awesome one.  And now I can finally check off the whole "Run a 5K" thing off my goal list.  It makes room for a new, and perhaps better goal - oh, I hope I can think of one that isn't related to running.  :)

14/52

Most people tell me I have my mother's eyes.

You tell me.

Aunt Jackie's Lake House - 2009

Or do I have my father's eyes?

Uncle Grant's House - 2013

(Dad, this is the most recent picture I have of just us together.  And it was taken with a late model iPhone, so it's not even that good.  We have got to get another picture soon!)

(Mom, we have plenty of pictures of us.  Unfortunately your first-born is usually in them with us.  It probably couldn't hurt to take a photo without him sometime soon too!)

When I meet someone that grew up with my parents, even if they have never seen me before, their first words are almost always "You must be Becky's daughter" or "You must be Kim's daughter."

I do look like my mom, I'll agree with that.  But it's nothing like the striking similarities between Brian and his mom (and throw Abigail in there too for good measure). These three could be triplets.

Brian, Abigail and Rosemary

What about my kids?  Who do they look like? Okay, we know... Abigail definitely favors Brian.  But what about Emma and Isaac?  Let's see if we can just narrow it down to their eyes:

Abigail's eyes are a beautiful light brown - they smile even when she doesn't.

Emma's eyes are the richest, darkest brown - shadowed by her very long dark don't-need-mascara eyelashes.

Isaac's doe-like eyes are dramatic here.  He was tired of smiling.

Honestly, I can't say that I would think my kids were siblings if I just saw them on street.  So what do you think?  Do they look alike?  Do they have my eyes?  Brian's eyes? 

I would love for you to comment below! It's simple - you just need to have a google account to do so (and you have to be signed in).  If you don't have one, click here!  Easy peasy. 

13/52

LOL

I wouldn't call myself superstitious, but it does seem slightly coincidental that I am writing about a Zombie Run on the 13th week of my blog. 

Over the summer my brother asked Brian and I if we wanted to do a Zombie Run.  Brian and Nathan did a 5k together in 2010 (and I think I was invited, but politely declined).  It is in my goals to run two 5k races by July 2016, so it seemed like a good idea to get this one on the books right away.  I had just started running and thought that 10 weeks was plenty of time to prepare.  We registered and Brian got started on his Couch to 10k program.  At the time, I was working out in the morning on Tuesdays and Thursdays, ran on Wednesdays and did Pound twice a week. (that's enough, right?)  Shortly after that, my whole world turned upside down with Pound.  I went from taking classes two nights a week with Kim, to no classes at all for about a month, to teaching Pound four days a week.  About two weeks ago, my brother texted me.  His son, Jacob, was going to Homecoming the same night of the Zombie Run and he didn't want to miss it (I will leave out the part where I noticed that he was no longer running).  That made me realize that I hadn't really been doing any running either!  So the next day, I set out to run as far as I could (or run 3.1 miles, whichever came first).  I used my Nike Running app, cranked up OneRepublic's Native album, put in my earbuds and started to run (it's really more of a jog honestly).  Wow, miles are long.  And three of them were almost more than I could handle.  But I did it.  And when I stopped running, it sort of felt like stepping off roller skates.  My legs and feet were very confused.  Fortunately, it didn't last too long.

I ran a few more times after that, but I'm telling you - NONE of it prepared me for this Zombie Run. 

Brian and I - starting the race late. (Photo Credit: Emma Proehl)

First of all, it was 50-some degrees outside and windy!  Anyone who knows me knows that I have no internal body heat whatsoever.  So I have to layer up when the temperature is below 70 degrees.  I had three layers (one Under Armour type top, one fleece jacket and then my "Run! Zombies are Coming!" t-shirt.  With a hat and gloves I looked positively ridiculous.  Secondly, we were late.  There was miscommunication about the start time.  By the time we arrived, runners were at the starting line.  We checked in, got our three flags, our numbers and a quick run down (oh my gosh, no pun intended) of the event.  By the time we got to the starting line, the runners were out of sight.  Then we were told to get started and we would get caught up. 

Unfortunately, I don't have action shots.  The zombies were all over the course, but not at the start/finish line, which is where Emma and Isaac had to stay.  I started running at my usual pace.  But I can tell you that I did not get more than 10 yards after that parking lot ended before the first zombie was apparently so hungry that he sprinted after me.  I should have just given up my flag, but I didn't think that was a good way to start the race, so I sprinted too.  I just barely made it away from him, only to realize that I could barely breathe!  And I would still need to be breathing if I wanted to get to the finish line.  Another zombie tore after me not 50 yards later.  I relinquished my first flag.  The zombies were stationed all along the path, so they didn't have to move far to make a grab for your flag.  Meanwhile, you're just trying to keep air in your lungs!  The event coordinators were right, it wasn't long before Brian and I caught up to the group of runners.  But they weren't running.  They were all walking.  I thought to myself, maybe this is the back of the pack, and they had no intention of running.  And after losing my last two flags in quick succession, I figured out their strategy.  They were doing interval running.  They would sprint when they encountered zombies and walk in between.  And I'll tell you, these zombies were not dragging their leg behind them moving at a snail's pace.  Most of them were young... and fast!!

I watched Brian outwit many of the zombies.  He would jog really slow until they approached him and then he would surprise them by sprinting and dodging them.  He managed to hang on to two of his flags right up until the end.  Once I lost my flags, I tried to run along side him to protect one of his flags whenever we approached zombies.  It worked until my heart felt like it was going to explode and I started walking until the pain subsided.  The next time I saw him, he only had one flag.  And he crossed the finish line with that flag.  He survived! 

We finished!  And Brian survived with one flag remaining! (Photo Credit: Emma Proehl)

A couple of the best zombies we saw.  Look at all the flags she has!  (Photo Credit: Emma Proehl)

After the race, we could see that the zombies' makeup was pretty impressive. (Photo Credit: Emma Proehl)

Aside from the fact that whenever I inhale too deeply or laugh it sends me into a wheezing coughing fit, I feel fine - and it was A LOT of fun! I would definitely do it again (if only to get the whole 5k thing off my goal list).

So listen, we (Brian, me, Nathan and Jacob) also signed up for a Zombie Apocalypse event with the Geneva Park District. I think it's similar to this, but without the 5k distance.  It's Saturday, October 24th.  If you aren't doing anything that night - come out and join us!  It sounds like a riot.  I have three weeks to work on some interval running so I can be more prepared. Because I really want to survive the Zombie Apocalypse.  And you should join us, because I want you to survive too.  Or so you get taken down by the zombies so I can survive.  I mean, join us, I want you to survive.  :)