Boston Marathon Weekend

I received a wonderful gift and flew out Saturday morning to be a part of the cheer team of my good friend, Rod Anderson. I know that you're wondering, but no, I did not wear an actual cheer leading uniform! We took planes, trains and automobiles from Detroit to Providence to Boston and it was quite a trip. Rod registered for the race Saturday night at the convention center and the amount of people there was out of this world. We went to Vinny T's for supper and enjoyed the Boston scenery including the train. The next day, we indulged Jodie and went to the John F. Kennedy presidential museum or library...while interesting, history just isn't my passion. Jodie bought a few posters for her classroom and yawn, we finally left. HAHA, don't tell anybody that I said that. Yada yada...race day. What an experience of a lifetime!!! Jodie and I took the train out to Framingham (10k) and watched the wheelchair racers, the elite women and men and then finally, the masses of people. Some of these people who are running, look like they shouldn't be able to run a 5k, let alone a marathon. From the cancer survivor to the blind man with guides helping him run the race...the father pushing his son in the wheelchair and the son putting up his thumb when he could hear the cheers...the husband pushing his wife in a chair...the elite women sprinting (literally)...and just the cheering and general air about the race was amazing. It chokes me up just to think of some of these racers.
Team Anderson missed Rod at the Wellesley checkpoint because the train was late so we had to hustle just to make the finish line. Again, wall to wall people and yet the atmosphere was intense. We made our way to about 100 yards or so to the finish line and watched the runners come in. Some looked great and others did not fare as well. Runners with leg cramps so bad that they could barely walk made me just want to cry for them. Others would stop and encourage or help them along and the crowd yelling to push them the last 100 yards to the finish. I saw two men basically carry a runner down the final stretch. These men gave up their times to help this man across. He could not even bend his legs - they must have been so cramped. We got nervous because Rod wasn't coming at the time that he anticipated...you guessed it...leg cramps. He had them at mile 11 and kept running and stretching his legs. When we finally spotted him, you could tell that his pain was immense as his face was contorted and he was concentrating so hard. He made it! Not in the time that he would have liked (3 hours 48 minutes, I think), but he finished that marathon. It was quite an experience and very humbling. When I think about the runners facing huge obstacles, I better get off my duff and get back to exercising. Anyone, care to go for a run? :)

Florida pictures...maybe.

I made the boys listen to Dr. Seuss story time and get a picture with the above Things. Sometimes, I really do think that these two visit my house when I am away.

So, I weaseled all of us down to the first row in the Sinbad show and the kids were chosen to help the crowd get excited. They all did a great job and were super excited...Trevor, especially. They each received a gold coin for participating. If you ask Trevor - he'll tell you that it's real!

Sorry...not so good on the pictures, but notice Trevor. :)

Seussland was wonderful at Universal Studios (Islands of Adventure). We had a great time.

Pharoah's Fury...a swinging boat that I would have definitely gotten sick on - the Bickerman's loved it!!!

Vivian and Trevor at Cypress Gardens.

We had an Easter Egg Hunt at the Condo. Kaleb and Trevor both found 20 eggs.

I know that you were all dying to see some pictures, but I couldn't figure out the cool slide shows. Maybe I'll add it to my list of things to learn. Thanks for checking out our silly Florida pictures.

The month of April...

43 more days of school...summer vacation just around the corner...lazy days and time :) to actually think about the important things in life. April has become a month of staying busy and focusing on family. It has been ten long years since my mom died and I cannot seem to remember what her voice sounded like...that seems like such a weird thing to think about. I also lost my dad two years ago..the same month, of course. My parents and memories seem to come to the front of my brain and stay parked there for the entire month. So, if you have an extra moment during your prayer life, please pray that I begin to sleep during this month without dreams. I am a "rarely remember the dreams" kind of sleeper, but these are the haunting type.

Have you ever thought about the things that you'd like to do...someday? I have...it's an April thing. I was able to cross off two of them so far this year. Can you believe it?
Ride a rollercoaster that loops...check! I rode the horrible Hulk in Florida with Kaleb. He loved it, of course and I was scared, majorly, but I did it. Participate in a play...check! I had a small role in Immanuel's play and kind of liked it. I know, you're probably wondering if a musical is next for me...I don't think that the world is ready for that yet! HAHAHAHAHA I have tons of things that are still on my list and wonder if there are things that you think about doing...someday. I am trying to stop thinking about the some day and think about making these things happen. I listened to Randy Pausch's last lecture at Carnegie Mellon University on Oprah a few months ago. He has terminal cancer and was upbeat and positive and spoke about being a Tigger or an Eeyore. If you haven't seen his last lecture, find it on the internet or read about him in Parade Magazine April 6th edition. Anyways, I want to be a Tigger! Tiggers bounce while Eeyore's moan and complain. Who would you rather be...Tigger or Eeyore?