The Couple That Warrior Dash Together, Stay Together

Let’s just say that our date night for July was incredibly messy.

Oh, and it included us clocking 700 miles on our car in 48 hours time.

It was totally worth it.

On Saturday, Justin and I tackled the Warrior Dash together in North Bend, Washington. You may recall that Justin did this race by himself last year, and don’t you know that it killed me to sit by the sidelines instead of competing?  By mid-fall of 2011 we were both registered to compete in the race…in the same heat.

Justin wasn’t a fan of my idea to dress in costumes. Its probably just as well because I’m not sure we could have beat this one:

This 3.5 mile race is not just muddy but has several obstacles as well.

It. was. awesome!

Here is the last stretch which includes a cargo net, two lines of fire and a serious mud pit lined with barb wire.

While we don’t have our official times yet, we crossed the finish line together.

Justin would like it noted that he had a good lead on me in the beginning, until he ran through a mud pit and lost his shoe.

And speaking of his shoe, can you see what is laced on his shoelace here?

Yep. That’s his wedding ring.

Let's just say he is very lucky that shoe wasn't permanently lost in the mud.

Grown-ups don’t get to play in the mud very often, so we enjoyed it while we could. Justin smashed my face with his muddy hand.

And I left my mark on his shirt:

He got away before I could write “Jody was here.”

Mud, mud, mud.

After the race we enjoyed some food, drink and music.

Direct quote from Justin as he watched the band:

“How cool would it be to be in a cover band when you're older?  I mean, what an awesome way to retire! We should buy a guitar now and start learning to play.”

Forget about RVing and golfing when we’re old and gray.

Nope, we’re gonna look like this in 30 years.

The couple that rocks together, stays together.

Maybe that will be the name of our band.

To Germany With Love

 

On Saturday, July 7th, we said goodbye to Justin's Nana.

 

Nana was born in Germany in 1935 and later married Justin's Grandpa Rodger in 1959, while he was stationed in Germany. They moved to the United States in 1960. Nana taught herself to speak, read and write English by watching television and reading magazines; yet she always kept a hint of her beautiful German accent.

Words cannot describe Nana. She adored her grandkids and her great-grandkids, and we adored her. I loved listening to her stories of Germany and hearing her sing songs to Kendry in her native tongue.

It breaks my heart that Nana will miss Kendry growing up, but at the same time we are rejoicing that she is now healed and has gone home to our Heavenly Father.

We miss you, Nana.

God Bless America!

"If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."

~John 8:36~

Its been a little while since my last handprint craft with Kendry, but we regrouped just in time to do this one for July:

Thank you, Lord, for the freedom you give through Your salvation.

Thank you for the freedoms we have in America.

Thank you for those who have fought to protect our freedom.

Please guide and give wisdom to our country's leaders.

Amen.

Happy Independence Day from the Gimlin Family!

Ten on Tuesday

{1}

Have a fun and safe 4th of July!

{2}

We were busy mixing up some concrete this week:

I will have a patio update for you soon.

The progress is coming along nicely.

{3}

As evidenced by the photo above, Kendry needs a new wading pool.

{4}

Disclaimer: We really do bathe our kiddo regularly.

Honestly.

But there is only so much you can do when he insists on attaching giant stickers to his shins.

Thankfully this mishap took place after our family photo shoot on Saturday, otherwise Kendry would have had an up close and personal experience with Goo Gone.

{5}

How much leg hair can a kid have at a mere three years of age?!

{6}

We've enjoyed watching the Olympic swimming trials this past week.

After finding out that Michael Phelps is 6'4" Justin and I have concluded that swimming might not be such a bad sport for Kendry to pursue, if the basketball and baseball options don't pan out.

Except that swimming would require regular shaving of all that crazy leg hair.

{7}

This week's Kendry-ism:
"We don't say 'butt' or 'stupid' or 'God'."

He repeats this reminder about five times a day so, in essence, he is getting to say the very words we've told him not to.

Funny how that works.

Oh, and I'm open to suggestions on how to emphasize to a three year old the difference between talking about God and taking His name in vain.

{8}

We're giving quinoa another try in our menu this week.

Thai Fried Quinoa

Our last attempt was a bland disaster.

{9}

I let Kendry watch his first Yo Gabba Gabba episode this week.

Never again.

{10}

This Week's Blessing:

My first weekend at home in a month.

Naturally, the kiddo got sick.

Stupid Murphy's Law!

"We don't say stupid, Mom..."

Howdy, Texas!

Even though our June calendar was already pretty full, when the opportunity presented itself for me to attend my brother's Air Force retirement ceremony in Texas, I took it.

First, a little about my big brother John. He is twelve years older than me, which means that I was only six years old when John graduated high school and headed off to the Air Force Academy in Colorado. Fortunately, when I headed off to college myself I was able to live near and/or visit John and his family once in awhile. I love that John and I are still close despite our age difference.

(Pardon my seriously windblown look.)

I flew out to Texas early Saturday morning and met up with these beauties in Houston, before we caught the short hop to Del Rio.

My grandmother (aka GG), my mother (aka Momma B) and me.

We spent time with my nephews and niece, the oldest of which (barely 14) already towers over me.

I caught up with my sis-in-law.



We attended the formal change of command Monday morning,

followed by John's retirement ceremony in the afternoon.



Up next for my brother and his family?

They have returned to good old Alaska to start their next chapter.

Yep, I'm a little jealous.

It was such a fun weekend!

I was, however, more than ready to return to my boys.

My future pilot:

(t-shirt courtesy of GG)

Congratulations, John! I love you and am so proud of you!