MARATHON!!!!

Here are some much awaited pictures from the marathon... sorry for the delay, folks! We just got home from Florida and now have access to the internet again. These are some shots taken by the Disney photographers. I'll add more once we get the other pictures off our camera(s). For those of you who don't know, Shane ran in the 2008 Walt Disney World Marathon in Orlando, Florida on January 13th. I am MORE than proud of Shane - in fact, "proud" doesn't even begin to describe what I feel!! As he came around the last corner before crossing the finish line I just broke down. It's been a long training period and such a great accomplishment. I don't know how to put into words what I felt to see him complete 26.2 miles. After crossing the finish and finding his way through the mazes of people & race required stops, I finally spotted him. I ran to him, grabbed him, and hugged him so tight - and believe me, that was a big step for this girl who isn't fond of sweat :) In that moment I didn't care one bit. All I wanted to do was make sure he knew how proud I was of him and how much I love him!! CONGRATULATIONS, SHANER! YOU DID IT!!! Without any further ado... here are some of my favorite shots!

Guess what?!

So... Shane stayed up with me last night!!! We were at Katie & Richard's place having dinner with them and their family (thanks, guys!) and watched the Clemson-Auburn game. Sorry about that loss, Richard... I know that put a damper on your evening, but we had a blast :) After the game ended we watched the motocross stunt special - which, by the way, took FOREVER to happen. We ended up leaving before the stupid guy ever made the jump. But the most exciting news... Shane ACTUALLY STAYED UP UNTIL MIDNIGHT :) I got to kiss my husband at the stroke of midnight as we toasted in the new year with friends. This is going to be a great year!

FYI - the Sabres are playing on NBC, so we're actually able to watch this history-making game. Winter Classic 2008 - outdoor hockey being played at Ralph Wilson Stadium... it doesn't get much better than this! HAPPY NEW YEAR TO US!! :)

Another New Year

I can't believe that tomorrow is January 1, 2008. This year has flown by! Many changes have happened in 2007 - some good and others not as great, but God's hand has been evident through it all. I'm so thankful for a loving Father who knows us better than we know ourselves. He has promised to walk with us in (and through) every circumstance and I praise Him each day for that fact. What a privilege it is to be His child!!!

On a more humorous note... tonight will probably be like every other night. For those of you who know Shane, he's not big on staying up late, or really staying up at all ;) I'll probably be upstairs watching the ball drop as he's fast asleep in our bed. And if I wake him up to wish him a "Happy New Year!" he'll roll over and say, "Don't touch me, it's sleeping time" OR, "What the heck? You woke me up for that??" Shaner definitely loves his sleep, and I'm afraid that I'm turning into him! Maybe I'll just kiss Tugger instead of my hubby this year :)

HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE!

Christmastime is here

As I write this post I'm watching the snow fall outside my brother's bedroom window. Can I just say this? I MISS snow - I never thought those words would come out of my mouth after getting clobbered with snow all the time in Buffalo. But it's hard to be in a place that rarely gets more than a dusting. We are in Rochester, NY to spend Christmas with my family - the Smiths! It's been such a great trip already, though far too short. Everyone is here... my parents, my sister & brother-in-law, my grandma & her friend, my 2 younger brothers, and (of course) many puppies running around! This is the first time that we've all been together in a while, and since Tyler's diagnosis. He is feeling strong, though most of his hair is now gone. We continue to ask God's healing in his body and know that He is faithful to answer those prayers. Tyler is the same kid, though, no matter what his health may be. He is spouting one-liners and quoting movies with the best of them :) It's wonderful to see that he has not lost his sense of humor through all of it. We've basically had one long party ever since we all gathered here at the Smith house. We even went to get pictures taken of "just the kids" as my mom likes to say. She wanted one of all of us since we're hardly ever in one place at the same time :) The photographer laughed at us pretty much the entire session. It's a comedy show when we're all in the same room - and I'm so thankful for the joy that God continues to bring to our family. Laughter is wonderful! Here's a couple shots from yesterday - one posed, and one of the boys "not-so-posed" :)

The goofball brothers strike again! If you can't tell... we love being together. There is quite a story behind this picture so if you'd like to hear it, just let me know!

My sister & I are singing a duet at the Christmas Eve service tonight - I can't wait!! It's been a while since we've done that. Tomorrow will be another great day, and another Christmas for us to reflect on what God gave to us so many years ago. Christ has given everything and I pray that I will always live my life in honor of His sacrifice. Thank you, Jesus, for coming to live among us! Merry Christmas :)