Boys night out

I feel like I don't blog much any more, but since I'm home and the house is dead quiet I thought I'd take the opportunity to write a bit. The week is off to a great start here in Missouri and we are getting some incredible weather. It’s been in the mid-70’s during the day (even low 80s), but then it cools off into the low 50s at night. I’m not one to wish away the seasons, but I’d venture to say that I could do this kind of weather year round! I love to have the windows / doors open all day and into the night.

Tonight Carey had the opportunity to sub for someone in a local Volleyball league and then had bible study after for a few hours. So, the boys and I took the opportunity to have our monthly ‘guys night’. Although, tonight we stayed in. The boys opted to stay home and eat soup and cook a dessert. I really tried to get them to go for a bike ride with me, but they were set on cooking. Yes, ladies at work, this was a guys night – not some kind of tea party. It just so happens that the guys in my family like to cook. =) So, it was homemade minestrone soup, bread, and peanut butter bon bons.

Here are some funny stories from the evening.

Dinner: we’re eating soup and Cooper doesn’t like anything but the noodles and beans. Because he knows I will make him eat everything in his soup, he proceeds to tell me – ‘Dad, have you ever had noodle and bean soup? It’s the best kind of soup. Why don’t we take all the noodles and beans out of this soup? Then, I will eat all of it!’

This weekend, I pulled a muscle in my back and it’s been very tender to the touch. Tonight I laid on the floor to wrestle with the boys and I hit the spot that is still super sore. I yelled out in a bit of pain and both boys were on me in an instant – ‘Dad, you’re going to be just fine’. ‘Daddy, you’re alright’. ‘Dad, I think if you tickle us you will feel better’. The last one was my favorite.

Some random, thoughts from Miles.
‘Mommy’s house is in Tennessee’
‘Happy birthday to me – Amen!’
‘Me not like bugs’
‘Me have a boogy’

This isn’t a random comment, but something I thought was hilarious and was the highlight of the evening. When we were making the bon bons, Miles and Cooper were helping me stir everything in with their hands (washed of course). Miles had the big bowl of ingredients and was kind of tipping the bowl over at the counter so he could reach everything a little better. I saw him lay his head down a little and I thought he was just tired. So, I went about cleaning up and helping Cooper. Little did I know that Miles, the little stinker that he is, had is tongue out and was very discretely licking the sides of the bowl. It was a classic Miles.

Race Weekend

For my 30th birthday, I invited my family and friends to participate in one of the races at the KC Marathon. Several friends and family members responded and participated! It was such an amazing blessing to spend the weekend participating and enjoying something that is such an important part of my life. Here are a few photos:

Sarita and me before the race

Sarita and me finishing the race

Matt Harader (brother-in-law), Jenn (sister), me, Dad, and Beth

Nate and my mom were so gracious to take care of Cooper, Miles, Jackson, and Blake during the race. (THANK YOU, Nate and Mom!)

Matt and Jenn ran the 5K together, and from what I understand, crossed the finish line holding hands. So cool. This was the first race for both of them. (I can't imagine running my first race with 10,998 other people...I think I would have been tempted to decline!) My sister might even like running a little bit now!! And I think Matt (and maybe Jenn?) is going to do the half next year. I love seeing them love this thing that I love so much! I know what I'm going to be doing with my sister over the holidays to have some girl time.

My Dad ran the half marathon. I can't even begin to describe the joy I felt when I saw him in the back of the crowd coming towards the finish line. (Hanna got to experience it a little bit because she was standing beside me when I started screaming, "There he is! My dad is coming! I see my dad coming!") He had a goal for a running time and he met it. I am so thankful for him! Beth, my dad's wife, walked/ran the 5K, and I think this race has made her want to be a runner! She really enjoyed it!

Nate's mom and sister, Anne and Hanna, get the prize for the longest drive to participate. They came up from Enid, OK, for race weekend. Hanna ran the 5K, and Anne helped corral the kiddos. I am so blessed they made the treck up to KC to participate with me! Hanna - I'm looking forward to the Turkey Trot!

My friend, Sarita, and I ran together. I am so thankful for her. From about mile 9 on, I was really fighting the urge to urp. She encouraged me and sang to me, and I kept on running! She has been my faithful running parter for somewhere around 6 years - this race was our fourth half marathon.

Clint and Jessica Wooderson ran the race together. Clint is not a runner, but decided to train for this event because he didn't just want to be on the sidelines. That's impressive. Jessica is a great friend - another faithful workout partner. She finished the race despite some intense knee pain. She overcame so much! Jessica also was responsible for designing and ordering the amazing green t-shirts!

Ashley Dinwiddie and Rachel Tennison decided to take my challenge and run the half. Rachel ran hospital hill earlier this year, not many weeks after having her second baby. Ashley had never run a half-marthon before. They both rocked it! Rachel and my dad saw each other a couple of times during the race - that's a fun story we'll remember. Ashley is loving running, and is thinking about another half in November in Tulsa.

Holly Shuler ran the half. I'm not sure if this was her first race or not, but she did awesome! She ran the thing alone. I can't imagine running alone for 2ish hours. She recently posted on facebook: New life goal: run another half marathon and then a full marathon sometime in the next 3 years. Who is with me?

Melanie Farris had it on her bucket list to run a half-marathon. Even though she found out recently that she is pregnant, she completed the race! Her dad did it with her, and even though it was a challenge, she finished it! Way to go, Melanie!

Tim and Jana Cossins ran the 5K, and it was there first race ever, too! They finished together and have another race coming up soon. They are both working so hard to be healthier - so cool!

I am so thankful for all my friends who participated in the weekend. It was an amazing way to celebrate 30. Thank you, Lord, for my family and friends!

Birthday Week and More

It's been a while since I've made any contributions so I thought it appropriate that I take a few minutes to update the blog on this week's festivities. To kick Carey's 30th birthday week off, I left Monday morning to Portland, OR and Los Angeles, CA. I always enjoy visiting my customers in those cities, but I enjoyed arriving home on Wednesday afternoon. While in CA, I was able to make a very short stop in Laguna Beach. Even though I was only there for about 10 minutes, it’s always a great trip down memory lane. I love it there.

I got home just in time to take the boys, wrap a few presents, and get ready for Carey’s birthday on Thursday. All in all, the big day was pretty low-key. However, the weekend of October 16th should make up for the low-keyness by meeting a bunch of friends in KC for the marathon. I’m guessing it will be about the best birthday present Carey could have.

On Friday, Carey and the boys left for KC to her bi-annual neurology appointment. As has been the the last several times, Carey was given a good report and no new concerns. She was able to meet with a good friend for lunch and the boys got to spend some time with Grandpa. In preparation for the drive, we were getting the car ready told Cooper he needed to go potty before leaving. He said he would and proceeded to take another load to the car. What we didn’t know is that we didn’t really specific where he should go to the bathroom. Evidently he thought the front yard was as good as any…(I airbrushed to protect the innocent...)

A Couple of Stories

The boys stayed with the Hamanns while I had an eye appointment this week. I stayed and let Cooper and Miles play a little longer after the appointment. As he played, Cooper said something like this (right in front of Abby's mom): "Hey, Abby, in the middle of the night, let's both sneak out and drive away together." I said, "Cooper, do you have your driver's license?" He kinda of laughed a social laugh and said, "Oh, I was just joking. That's what we're going to do when we're older." Oh. Much better.

After B.U.M. kids on Thursday, I asked Cooper who he played with.

Cooper: I played with Robin and with Miles.
Me: Oh - that is so cool! You and Miles can be good friends, and Miles even gets to be here to play all the time!
Cooper: Yep. Miles is my best bud.

I love that.

Coop's Birthday

Cooper had a great 4th birthday!

Nate traveled home in the a.m., so our plan was for Cooper to open presents after Nate arrived home. Cooper was having a hard time waiting, so I let him open a little present: a harmonica. He LOVED it and calls it his "flamonica."


Cooper's favorite gift he received was a new scooter. He has had one crash, but seems to love it!

Four Years Ago...

Four years ago today I was at the hospital getting ready to meet Cooper Thomas Bethell. What a day September 17, 2006 was for our family!

Thank you, God, for entrusting us with Cooper!

Things I Love about Cooper

He has amazing hair! (How superficial is that?) But STILL, he does have great hair. :)

He is an amazing big brother. He loves teaching Miles how to do new things!

He is one talented dude musically! I'm excited to see what God has in store for this little one!

Things I Love about Miles...

He gives the greatest hugs. His emotions are felt and expressed so strongly - including hugs!

He loves to eat broccoli. How many kids do that?

He is one cool dresser.

The Helicopter

I found out that Jared's (a guy I work with) dad is a one of the paramedics that works on the helicopter based at CMH, our local hospital. Jared said his dad would love to show us the helicopter sometime. So, today, Neal Taylor gave us a grand tour! Cooper and Miles were in heaven! THANK YOU, Jared and Neal!

Pictures for Daddy:

From Miles:



From Miles:

From Cooper: A road with a tree beside it. The tree has blue birds in it.

From Cooper: This is for KU. He drew the giant 'D' first, and then asked if that was for KU. :)

From Cooper: