April Family Update

1) On a scale of 1 to 10, how was your APRIL? 8

2) What did you do last weekend OR what are your plans for this weekend?

Last weekend I raced in my company's annual "Run of the Mills" 5K race/walk event.  This weekend, the kids and I are going up to a YMCA camp for our community's annual dads and kids camping event.

3) How is the extended family?

It's fun to have Sheri's parents back in town from Arizona.  Usually, the snowbirds do not arrive in MN until mid-May.  So, this time around they have been able to go to a few more of the grandkids' activities.

4) How is job?

I have started my new job at General Mills.  There's a lot to learn, so it's fun.  Makes it more interesting.

5) How is health?

Everything is A-OK.

6) Did you go anywhere cool?

Through our community "dads & kids" program, Madelyn and I went to a place in Blaine called the American Air Wings Museum.  It has a lot of historical planes including one that is similar to what the Wright Brothers flew.  They have this program where licensed pilots take kids up in the air.  We might do this in June.

7) What made you frustrated?

8) What made you happy?

Finishing the "Run of the Mills" race.  I was pretty nervous about it.  I always know that I am going to run somewhat hard, so I know that it will be a bit exhausting (read between the lines: painful).  So, I'm glad to have it behind me.

It turns out, Madelyn had to run the mile in her school phy-ed class the day before my race.  She was nervous about it too.  So, I skipped out of work a bit early and surprised her by watching her race!  I was on the opposite side of the field from the gym teacher, so the were slowing down until they saw me.  I encouraged them to keep going.  She did pretty well, and then I left to work from home.

About a half hour later, Madelyn called me from school and thanked me for coming to watch her!  She said that even some of her friends appreciated how I cheered them on.

9) Anything surprising?

Favre in purple - wouldn't that be a surprise?

10) Movies/TV shows you watched?

"Doubt", "Pursuit of Happyness", "American Idol"

11) Currently reading?

Book of Ezra from the Bible. 

12) Something you made:

Banana Bread

13) Do anything cool?

The Thorn performances at church.  I was fun to play a mean guy, do mean things and get away with it!

14) Anything bad happen?

15) Any cool people you've met/reconnected with?

16) Any big purchases?

We decided to drop a chunk of change on having a lawn service come out several times this year to do fertilize our lawn and spray for weeds.

17) Something that inspired you....

I was watching a girl in Madelyn's class run the mile.  She was slightly behind Madelyn.  She was really gasping for breath, clutching her side and crying as she ran by.  I thought for sure, she was just going to quit.  But as each lap passed, she kept hanging in there, and she finished the race just fine.  I was really proud of her accomplishment.

18) What are you looking forward to in the month of MAY?

Going to Camp Icaghowan with the kids this weekend.

19) Not looking forward to?

Traveling to Soderville, MN for one of Madelyn's softball games.  Where is Soderville?

20) Complete the phrase: "In APRIL I... got some fenders on my bicycle, so that I can still bike to work if it is raining outside."