Speaking of Pelotonia...

Justin did it!  It was awesome, amazing, totally cool...from Friday evening's opening ceremonies to Justin completing his 43 mile ride....It was fantastic!  Here is a quick photo recap of the events this weekend.

Opening Ceremonies, Homage T-shirt

Getting ready for the ride, and cheering on Daddy!

Yeah, Daddy!!!  Ella was a great little cheerleader, telling the riders, "Great Job, Everyone!" and "I love you guys!"

Amanda Clearcreek High School has a great playground that the girls played on after we met up with Daddy!

Justin, we are OH SO PROUD of you!  You have done an amazing thing, raising money for a cancer cure!  Can't wait til next year!  LOVE YOU!!!!  xoxo

So Proud!

I've been posting this on Facebook, but I just wanted to blog about how proud I am of my hubby, Justin, for choosing to raise money for cancer research by participating in Pelotonia.  He has made a commitment to raise $1,000 to benefit the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Hospital.  He has been training weekly for the past few months and is doing great!  The big race is next Saturday.  He will be participating in the 43 mile race from Columbus to Amanda.  Friday night we will be attending the opening ceremonies (thanks to Barbara and Kip!) which will feature Augustana and The Counting Crows.

 I'm super-excited to be a part of this experience, and the girls and I *might* have a little surprise for daddy on race day!

Photo Contest Winner!!!

Quinner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!!!  We won!  Won what, you ask?  A free photo session with Amy of Baby Steps Studios!  I'm super-duper excited and can't wait to see what she has up her sleeves for us!

Recently

Okee dokee....Well, we left off with our lovely date night on Saturday.  Justin and I went out to Knead, a local restaurant.  They serve meals prepared with local produce, meats, and cheeses AND have local microbrews.  It was delicious.  Then, because we were right around the corner, we stopped at Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream...and well, it is absolutely SPLENDID!  If you ever have a chance, GET SOME!  The girls have been going to dance camp for the past two weeks (okay, Maddie is going... Ella has started to refuse to dance).  Not much else exciting going on right now, so ta-ta for now!  Hee hee, who says ta-ta anymore? 

Date Night

Woo Hoo!  Big thanks to Grandma Jan for watching the girls tonight while Justin and I escape for a much-needed date night.  I'm looking forward to drinking a beverage and eating a meal without two little moochers begging for a taste!  I will certainly miss my little ladies (and will definitely be praying that Quinners will take a bottle without a fuss), but am excited to reconnect with Justin. 

A Just for Fun Summer Giveaway!

The ultra-fabulous Emily of Jones Design Company is hosting a giveaway on her blog (see button at side to enter).  Emily has FANTASTIC style and her home is beautiful.  She always dresses her kiddos so adorably, especially her newest addition!!!  I'd really love to win, but I'd be happy if one of my friends won, too...kinda  =-)

Lessons

"Everyone should be...Quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry." (Taken from Saturday night's sermon study of James 19, 20)

Justin and I spent Saturday evening at church with Marc and Stacie and their girls.  The message was wonderful and so pertinent to our lives.  I often find myself shushing one of the girls or speaking over my husband or getting so angry about some petty little detail.  During the past few days I have been trying much harder to LISTEN - really listen to what the girls have to say and to be patient.  I'm also trying to really enjoy and BE PRESENT during my time with the girls this summer.  This means I close up the computer, turn off the TV, let the laundry sit (unfolded) in the laundry basket and PLAY.  I realize that I don't do this nearly enough and so I am really trying to make this change.  My girls are too important to be put "on hold" for a silly TV show or facebook post.  Anyhow, this is what I've been thinking about lately....

I hope that you are having a wonderful week!
Tonya