it's that day already.

So.

today's the day.

the last day of school for the 2012/2013 school year.

today's the day.

the day the boy brings home his report card.

today's the day.

the last day of the boy's kindergarten years!

when i pick up my boy after school today he will no longer be a senior kindergartener.

he will be a grade one boy.

wow.

two years done.

last year was difficult for him, 

1st day of JK.

but this year has been amazing!

1st day of SK

he has grown so much, 

learned so much.

he has gained much more confidence in who he is.

i have loved watching him grow this year.

the laughter as he tells me funny stories from school.

friendships have been made that could very possibly last through his school years.

i am so proud of my boy.

last night at prayer time 

he asked me if we could ask Jesus to give him a teacher that he loves lots like he had this year.

i have already been praying for his next teacher, 

but to hear him ask...

*insert tears here*

i asked him is he wanted to sleep in on Thursday morning.

he said no, and that he wants me to wake him at normal time.

when i inquired as to why 

he smiled, 

"i have a lot of things planned for the first day, i'll sleep in the next day."

my baby.

not a baby anymore.

here he's reading a book i made in grade school.

probably not much older then him now.

this is him with his SK teacher, Mrs. Moore.

she has been wonderful.

he adores her.  

dakota is hoping to have Mrs Moore next year.

waiting for the bus on the last day of school...

and kindergarten.

with one of the gifts we made for his teachers and bus driver.

huntsville half

the first goal i had for the year was to run 10K in our town's race.

www.huntsvillehalf.com

this past weekend was the race.

I ran 10K.

the hills were brutal.

i thought i was going to vomit on one uphill.

i didn't.

i also didn't stop at all.. 

i ran my first 10K.

 10K results: Here.

i came in 169th out of 213.

34th out of 44 in my age category.

i ran it in 1:06:43

i am pretty proud of myself.

i felt good..

the next day i was a little sore.

next thing isn't planned until the Terry Fox Run in Sept.

who am i more proud of then myself?

my friend and my husband.

my friend Theresa.

8 weeks ago she decided to sign up for the 5K race.

and began training.

we ran/walked the course a couple weeks ago to check it out.

there were some hills... we live in muskoka there can't be a run without hills.

that morning i wasn't able to see her race start, the 10K runners were already off and running.

i did pray for her while i was running.

that she would have the strength to run the whole thing.

that was her goal.

when i finished she was already back.

she had done it!

she had run the whole way.

i was so proud of her.  

she's one of my fellow Tough Mudders in Training.

she encourages me.

My husband Dan.

he decided he wanted to do the half marathon.

he made my training schedule, and his own.

he was also out running in the middle of winter.

his runs got longer as the time went on.

i got to see him start his race.

my dad and kids were also there.

during my run i was heading up a hill and i thought about dan, 

he was running double what i was and had to do the same hills.  

i prayed for him.

for the strength.

i was so proud of him already.

he had encouraged me.

i hope i was as big an encouragement to him.

when i finished i talked with Dan's parents at the finish line

then went to find the kids so we could be at the finish line when daddy came.

i was over at the park when i heard his name called.

i missed his finish.

i wasn't there when he crossed that line.

my emotions were mixed.

so excited he was done faster than he expected.

but i hadn't been there to cheer for him.

*his parents were there though.*

he did so well.

he came in 6th overall.

and 3rd in his age category.

his hope was for a top 10 finish.

i listened to other half marathoners congratulate him on his run.  

i was so proud of my husband.

the run was saturday.

it's tuesday now.

and his birthday.

happy birthday to my inspiring husband.

love you.

*photo taken by Danae.  someone who inspires us to stay fit, stay active.  

Danae we love you.  

The speech i would have made.

Hi.

My name is michelle, i am the ancient one in this wedding party.

and i am honored to be a part of this day.

i have actually known the groom's side longer, but adore this beautiful, blushing bride and feel as though i have known her forever.

for those of you who have worked with youth, in a youth group, camp, sports team setting you will understand me when i say that although you love all the kids you get to know there are some that will forever hold a place in your heart.  there's a connection that does not go away easily.

when i got married just over 10 years ago my husband and i were youth leaders at church.  there was this newly dating couple that i immediately adored.  that was brother number 1, and his beautiful, now wife.  Then brother number 2 began attending.  He was great.  i had fun with him as a youth and am so glad to see him married to a beautiful woman with 2 adorable kids.  then sibling 3 attended youth.  it was a girl this time.  shy, quiet, i think she knew how to speak...  sweet, gentle, compassionate... she was a beauty then and has grown even more beautiful.   the siblings didn't stop.  there were 2 more.  2 more boys.  i had heard about them before they ever came to youth.

the 4th and 5th... well, i just loved this family.  

my husband and i connected with these kids too.  and teased them.  Jon and Ben...yes, i called then Jon & Ben! *gasp*

i watched them grow from quiet kids to the strong, bold, confident men they have become now.  Mr & Mrs W.  you have raised fine children.  thank you for allowing me to be a part of their lives as a youth leader and now friend.

i remember the year that a beautiful blond young lady arrived at youth.  i believe i saw Jon's heart flutter!  when she was at youth she was right there with Jon and Ben.  

she is beautiful. 

inside and out.

she is full of compassion, love, smiles.  she truly cares for her friends.

i loved getting to know this young lady in her high school years.

we had great talks, times of prayer, tears, searching the Scriptures, laughter.

my husband and i watched as Jon and Cailagh became friends.

we watched as their attraction grew.  hearing them admit to liking the other one...finally.

hearing the story about him asking her mom permission to date her.

watching them seek God's desire for their lives.   how they went away to school and missed each other like crazy.

the realization that they loved each other.

when we began doing church plays together i believe that was when my husband and my roles were altering from leaders to friends.  we were connecting on a different level, as equals, and i believe it was as God planned.  the age gap, life gap, it was still there but beginning to fade out of the picture.

i loved that i could give advice, or be an ear to listen.

then it happened.

Jon proposed.

he did it!

so exciting.

they came by and told us their story!

then i had the opportunity to take some engagement photos with them.

so much fun.  have i said how much i adore these two?

and Cailagh asked me to be a bridesmaid.

i know i don't wear my emotions on my sleeve, but i felt honored, shocked, blessed, surprised, why me?  i knew we were close but i hadn't expected that.  

thank you.

so much.

so here we are.

we have all just watched as they said their vows, placed the rings, kissed!

all the stress that goes into a wedding... that's all behind us.

now stands before us the beginning.

the beginning of the life as mr. & mrs.  

the commitment, promise.

not an easy road.

but a wonderful road.  

Jon and Cailagh.

thank you for allowing me to be this special role in your day.

God has blessed my family by bringing both of your families into our life. 

by bringing you two into our life.

i commit to pray for you, to share experience when needed, to encourage you, to love you.

    

*pictures from my camera will be edited and posted shortly on www.lifethrulenz.blogspot.com