My First 5K

Since I recently decided I was going to become a runner, my Bridgette dragged my butt out of the house a few times a week to get me started. After Ryan got laid off, it was a great release for me and I cherished every minute I got to spend with Bridgette. She approached me one day about a 5k race that was being held 2 weeks before I moved. My first thought was a loud chuckle followed by a "no way!" But then, as time went on, I thought was a perfect thing for me to get to do with Bridgette before I move. It became very clear it was something I had to do. I just hope I survived!

Well...I survived, barely! I thought it would be a piece of cake because Bridgette and I had been running nearly 2 miles a day anyway so another 1.3 miles was not going to be a big deal. Well, I was wrong. Especially because the last 1.3 miles was uphill, the last half mile or so was straight up a hiking trail up a mountain. What kind of sick person designed that course. I mean really, if you want us to run up a mountain, at least put it at the start of the race, not at the end. I am sad to report that a 60-year-old lady passed me on that trail. Hey, I never said I was a fast runner, I just said I was running.

When I crossed the finish line, however, I was so happy. It was a feeling I have not had in quite some time. It was such an amazing experience for me and I cannot think of anyone I would have rather done it with that Bridgette. I just hope I keep up the running and make her proud.

Recipe Group 2008

I was lucky enough to be a part of an incredible group of women here in Buckeye. We got together once a month to swap recipes. Holly Wallin was the one who started the group in January of 2008. We rotated houses and whomever hosted that month picked a theme. We all brought a food item associated with that theme along with enough cutsie recipe cards for everyone to take one home. It was such a perfect thing because we were all able to try out each other's recipes so we would know which ones we would like and want to make for our families. Throughout the year, I have come home with some of the most amazing recipes. I am totally blaming my insane weight gain this year on this recipe group. Nope, it was not the pregnancy, it was the recipe group. It was my turn to host in December, maybe that is why Ryan got laid off so we had to move before I could subject the group to my hosting abilities. I was very sad to leave so many great people behind and I miss the ladies and the food so very much. I am pretty sure they disbanded after I left because they just could not bare to go on without me, at least, that is what I tell myself. : ) Thanks for the book full of recipe cards, the extraordinary memories, and the 15 pounds.

Pictured above are:

Back: Kaci Perkins, Katie Hunter, Cheryl Wellman, Bridgette Jankowski, Charity Rose, Holly Proctor, Kim Rolfe, and Sage Harper.

Front: Brooke Jenkins, Holly Wallin, Tifany Wright, Brianne McKinley, and Tisha Bierman

Tif is 31 Today, October 6.

Tifany is 31 today and I wanted to post 31 things about Tifany since she is so special to me!!! I am a first time poster so hopefully this works. I love you Tif!!!

1- Tifany is the most Beautiful woman I know, both inside and outside.
2- Tifany has her Masters degree in Business Administration. She completed her bachelors and masters in the time it took me to get a bachelors degree. I think there was one quarter she took 24 credits? I don't know how she did it.
3- I think Tif was an interior decorator in another life. She is very good at decorating painting etc. and she loves it.
4- Tifany took state in Tennis while she was in high school. She still loves to play. She will not pass up a chance to beat any of my friends on the tennis court, especially the one that think it would be easy to beat a girl. She likes to rub it in when she beats the guys. She usually takes it easier on the girls.
5- Tifany likes it when you call her T-funny. She tells great stories and always makes me laugh.
6- Tifany is always up for a challenge. Her newest challenge taken on is the goal of running a marathon. Next summer, Go Tif! I am her biggest fan.
7- Tif loves music. She is always singing along to a song or doing her wave dance.
8- Tifany can make anything on home design shows come to life. Then she usually one-ups it.
9- Tif loves sports. Sports come very easy to her and she gets really good, really fast.
10- Tifany loves photography. She takes casual, scenic and even family photos. I love the personal touch she adds with pictures.
11- Tifany is the most giving person I know. She is always helping!
12- Tifany would die with out Dr. Pepper. She is beyond addicted. I am starting to get really worried.
13- Tifany has been married to me for over 12 years. She must be really patient.
14- Tifany acts tough and will never cry, but has a very tender heart. So take care of her!
15- If you haven't noticed Tifany does not trust your driving. I think she puts it something like this. "I just like to drive, so even though it's your turn to drive, and we are taking your car, do you mind if have your keys and drive?"
16- Tifany is way cooler then me. She is fun to talk to, tells good stories, and I just love her!
17- Tif is a packer. I once watched her pack our entire house inside of our Mazda MPV minivan.
18- Tifany can paint like a pro. She has a special brush she uses to trace in lines. She loves that brush. I am pretty sure it has its own name.
16- Tifany loves being a big sister. She was the baby growing up in her family, but loves being a big sister to my younger brothers and sisters.
17- Tifany has had a baby in every state that she has lived in (3).
18- Tifany has the most beautiful hazel eyes with fire around the edges.
19- Tif is a great cook! She has these chocolate chip cookie that are awesome! Good luck getting the recipe out or her though.
20- Tifany is a good listener. She has great insight and is a good friend!
21- Tifany has intuition about our kids and family. I am really glad for it if she has a sense, I listen.
22- Tifany can hit really hard. I am still waiting to find out how hard, cause she takes it easy on me. But, she tells me she can hit really hard, so watch out.
23- Tifany can not stand an unfinished project. I think they make her twitch. She pushes me and her friends to finish projects. Sometimes she does them by her self it bothers her so much to leave a project unfinished.
24- Tifany is a great mom! Our kids almost always have a great temperament. They have great personalities. She teaches them how to work, learn and get along in society. They are as smart and well behaved because of her. Our kids will always know that their mom loves them.
25- Tifany puked her guts out for the first 5 months of pregnancy with all of our kids. She had severe heart burn for the last 4. She loves the kids with everything she has!
26- Tifany has had the same cat for 16 years. A stray cat had babies in our back yard about 4 weeks ago. It has been fun to get her and the kids all excited about 6 baby cats running around.
27- Loves movies. We have seen almost everything.
28- She has a great laugh and a great smile!
29- Tifany started dabbling in sewing over the last few years. What does she need me for she can do everything?
30- Tifany loves the holidays. She decorates, has the kids help and gets them all worked up. It is good times!
31- Tif is a great wife. She challenges me to be better. She is fun, funny, and a great life friend. Tifany you are my best friend! I am looking forward to spending forever with my best friend! I love you with all of my heart!

Tifany you are Awesome! You make me the happiest man in the entire world! I hope you have a great 31st Birthday!