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My last post was on February 26th. Since that time many wonderful events have taken place. Our first grandson, Maddox, was born on February 10th (just a couple of weeks prior to that post). That began a series of very special occasions. I wrote a blog posting in my head many times. However, my heart was elsewhere. These pictures are really all that is needed to tell the story, but here are a few details.
Ella's 3 year birthday was celebrated on March 2nd.
Our daughter Lisa's best friend Lindsay's grandma died ("Grandma Helen" was the kind of grandma everyone should be blessed to have).
One of my best friend's father died unexpectedly from a heart attack (on a beautiful Sunday morning after going to church and out to breakfast).
I ran the hilly Springfield 1/2 Marathon.
- Finish time 2:00:42
- 2/22 in age division
- 442/986 total runners
- 128/488 females
Ella welcomed a new little baby sister, Nora Grace, on April 6th.
I ran the Champaign 1/2 Marathon.
- Finish time 2:01:03
- 3/72 in age division
- 1467/3755 total runners
- 546/2095 females
Madison's 4 year birthday was celebrated on April 15th
I ran the Boston Marathon (the competition is a little stiffer in Boston) on April 20th. Howard was, as usual, a wonderful support person AND he ran the Boston 5-K the day before the marathon. He also has a really cool Boston Marathon medal and shirt.
- Finish time 4;36:17
- 220/294 in age division
- 20,254 overall place
- 8000 out of all females
April 26th - we attended the dedication for Nora Grace Gummerman at her church. Big sister, Ella, joined Nora, Mommy and Daddy on stage for the dedication.
I ran the Indianapolis 1/2 Marathon on May 2nd.
- Finish time 1:58:41
- 28/723 in age division
- 7890/30,273 total runners
- 2121/15,890 females
The week of May 3rd-May 12th was spent enjoying Kristin & Adam's week-long visit from Vermont. Highlights included a road trip to Lisa & Gary's house in Chatham (to see Ella and new baby Nora), going to the Children's Discovery Museum with Madison, a train ride to Springfield to the Lincoln Museum, enjoying "eyeball ice cream" with the girls, attending a performance of Urinetown (Kristin was in this show in Vermont), and surviving the "family photo" experience. Adam captured some beautiful shots, both posed and candid, of our large family.
On May 17th Maddox Paul Schweizer was baptized at St. John's Lutheran Church. (Big sister, Madison, held the candle and did not burn down the church or catch anything on fire.)
As I reflect upon the events of the last three months, I am even more aware of the importance of stopping to smell the flowers, to enjoy the most precious things in my life. During these last three months there were two deaths and two births. There were two birthdays to celebrate. The most precious moments of our lives are happening right now - we just need to slow down enough to notice them.
If I happen to not post for another three months, I know certain things will happen. I will laugh and play with Madison and Ella. We'll share stories, sidewalk chalk, playing at water parks and eating eyeball ice cream. I will hold little Maddox (14 lbs at 3 months) and enjoy his smiles and giggles. I will hold beautiful little Nora (now 6 weeks old) and enjoy both her sweet nature and her amazing alertness. I'll swim, ride and run a little. I might even race a little. But most of all, I'll enjoy the beautiful music of life that my family makes.
