missing some things

This morning, I am happy to report that I have my debit card, iPhone, and car keys all safely in my purse. Earlier this week, I couldn't say the same thing.

On Thursday evening, I remember setting my keys down on a side table at my sister's house. When I came back later to grab them, they were missing.

On Sunday, I went to use my debit card and was sad to see it wasn't in my wallet.

On Wednesday, I get to work and realize my iPhone is now missing too.

Who is playing these evil tricks on me!?

But then I found my debit card in my jacket pocket. My iPhone was hiding behind my makeup in the bathroom {so logical}. And my keys? Well, yesterday my one-year-old nephew crawled up the stairs with them in his mouth.

All is well in the world again.

weekend walking

The highest and lowest point of summer 2011 took place in the same weekend, when I took part of the “mother of all relays”, Hood to Coast. There was a moment during my first 6+ mile leg where I thought I might die. Dehydration was taking over, but I knew I could run faster than 10-minute-miles so I carried on. I just about collapsed at the finish line and swore I’d never run again. But then had to run two more times within 24 hours. Luckily, my last leg carried me over the finish line at Seaside and as I ran into the sand, tears rolled down my cheeks and a smile spread wide. There were thousands of people cheering me on, and for the first time I experienced a true runner’s high. It was one of the hardest, craziest, and best weekends to date. So when my sister asked if I wanted to join her walking team this year, I didn’t hesitate to say yes!

Last weekend, with two of my sisters and seven other ladies, we walked 129 miles to the sandy beaches of Seaside. My portion was 12.85 miles and my average speed was between 12 and 13 minute miles. I might have looked a little crazy in my wanna-be-speedwalker form, but I was enjoying myself so much in those moments. To be a part of something so big (over 30 countries were represented!) was pretty amazing. And not to mention, wearing my medal around the beach made me feel pretty cool.

After we finished the race, we stood on the balcony of our hotel room and cheered people on as they were approaching the finish line. To see hundreds of people approaching that moment across the finish line, that moment that was the highlight of my summer last year, was inspiring. Although my muscles are still yelling at me for all the work I put them through, I can’t wait to do it all over again.

lucky number five

Hi friends. Remember that one time I told you about getting two new nephews in one day? Well, four days after they moved into their forever home, their biological parents had another baby boy. Two weeks ago, at 4 ½ months old, he moved in with my sister, her husband, and their four other boys.  

Five boys, ages five and under. Life has never been louder, dirtier, hungrier, or happier. I firmly believe that when more children join your life, you aren’t just spreading the same amount of love among more people. New love is created, and it is bigger and better than ever.

Welcome home, Micah. We already love you so much.

burts in the burg

I’m back from five fabulous days with my family in Roseburg. It was such a great extra-long weekend that I, for the very first time since leaving in 2005, found myself thinking that I could live there again someday. It was full of so much love, laughter, and good ol’ fashioned fun. For once in my life, I miss my hometown.

Most of my family was in town, and we easily did more than 30 activities over the five days. My absolute highlight was sitting around the campfire playing “name that tv show theme song”. All of us singing and laughing our asses off. I have some pretty brilliant and hilarious folks in my family.

“…come and knock on our door…we’ve been waiting for you…”

“…here’s the story of a lovely lady…”

“…ob-la-di ob-la-da life goes on…”

“…I’ll be there for you…”

“…in west Philadelphia born and raised…”

I could go on and on. And we did. Hours of this, for reals, guys.

There was also swimming in the ice cold, picture perfect swimming hole, eating a giant brick of curly fries at the county fair, and a whole lotta wine and beer tasting. And burritos. How could I forget my all-time favorite burrito. My heart is full, life is good, and now I have that teenie tiny part of me that misses little ol’ Roseburg. 

burts and burritos

It’s not news to anyone who knows me how much I love burritos. I’ve often wondered if it’s possible to be addicted to burritos. Chemically addicted? Mentally addicted? In either case, I’m  definitely on the burrito-bandwagon. And tomorrow, I get to eat my favorite burrito of all time from Café Sienna in Eugene (photographed above). It is simple, sloppy, and full of just the right ingredients. Then, post-burrito, I’m heading further south for five days of Burt family fun: swimming, hiking, bbq-ing, and rocking out the Douglas County Fair. And probably not a  lot of blogging.