Happy 4th of July! (warning, long post)

We had a wonderful 4th. Jon got up with Sophie so that I could get my workout in before the Andersons came over for breakfast. I'm not supposed to be running and frankly I'm really not much of a runner, but I've been jogging a little when I take Sophie for walks (this is about my only form of exercise) and it's been kind of fun. Anyway, I set out Monday morning with the idea that I was going to jog a little and see how I do. I pushed myself, not to the point of injury but I pushed enough that I made my goal and later when I maped my run I found out that I ran over 3 miles without stopping. I was so proud of myself. I don't know the last time I ran 3 miles and especially since I haven't been training all that much. I do jog a bit when I have Sophie and jogging with a stroller that isn't a jogging stroller isn't the easiest thing, so maybe I just felt so light and free that my legs just carried me. I have friends who like to run and I've heard them and others say that you get into a rhythm, well I finally understood what they mean by that. I planned to jog from Monks to Pohl (streets near our home) but when I got to Pohl I was feeling good so I kept going. That is how I made it through my jog, I made a small goal to make it to the next street or intersection and eventually I made it all the way. I apologize for my ranting about my jog, but I was so excited that I was able to accomplish something that isn't very easy for me, not to mention something that my doctors have told me I probably shouldn't do since I have joint pain. My knees and SI (sacroiliac) joints have been doing just fine, which is why I continue jogging, but I need to be cautious so that I don't end up injurying myself or make matters worse.


When I got home Jon informed me that the Andersons would be at our house within a half an hour. Many years ago, my family started a tradition of having red, white and blue waffles for breakfast on the 4th of July. The waffles aren't actually red, white and blue, but the toppings we put on the waffles are. We usually have strawberries or raspberries, blueberries or blueberry syrup and whipped cream. Jon and I have kept the tradition going in our little family and we wanted to share our breakfast this year with friends, so we invited the Andersons. Lucky for me they came about 15 minutes later than they said, so I was able to sneak in a 5 minute shower before they arrived, but after getting the berries ready for breakfast. Breakfast was very tasty and a lot of fun. The Andersons stayed until noon playing the Wii and visiting. The kids had a great time playing Wii sports and of course Jon and Adam got in on the fun while Rita and I entertained the girls, Elsie and Sophie.


That afternoon, Jon and I took Sophie to the pool. Because of the holiday, the pool wasn't very busy which was to our advantage. We played in the big pool for a while and then Sophie wanted to get out and play in the kiddie pool. She loved the kiddie pool. I think she likes that it's just her size and the fact that she can walk makes a huge difference. She did go under, I set her in the pool and before I even stepped in, she leaned forward and went under. She was fine when I pulled her out, just a little coughing. I thought she might cry, but she didn't and she was ready to get back in. My brave little girl! Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures of Sophie at the pool, I forgot my camera.

After the pool, we came home and Sophie took a nap while Jon and I took showers and got cleaned up for a BBQ with friends at the Stewart's home. Jon made homemade Butterfinger ice cream and I made homemade salsa, it just isn't summer without homemade salsa and homemade ice cream. We had a fun evening with our friends.

My cute patriotic girl!

Sophie loves climbing up and down stairs. She has just recently started going down the stairs on her own. She has been so good about not trying to go down by herself, she hasn't fallen down the stairs once and we don't have a gate at the top of our stairs. Usually she stands at the top of the steps and waits for Jon or I to pick her up and carry her down the stairs. She's a smart little girl!

Some of our friends Rita and Elsie Anderson, Kaylee Jeffrey, Mandy and Amelia Judson and in front Avery and Wren Stewart.

It was so nice of the Stewarts to host the party. We had six families; Judsons, Stewarts, Jeffreys, Andersons, Breuers and of course the Harpers. The kids had a great time playing in the backyard and Johanna was so good to come up with some relay games the kids could play. Sophie had a great time roaming around and playing on the stairs. Until last year, the city's firework show was always put on at the stadium, so we have the perfect yard for viewing the fireworks. Last year they were in the middle of replacing the turf on the football field so the fireworks were done at Riverfront Park. I assumed they would hold the firework show at the stadium again this year, but they didn't. I was bummed, but what can you do. Instead, we had our own firework show in the Stewarts backyard. The Jeffreys and Judsons bought some fireworks so we got a mini show and it was wonderful. It was fun and the kids got to do sparklers. Sophie was in bed for all of the firework excitement. I don't think she would have enjoyed them anyway. After the fireworks the kids ran around the yard catching fireflies. I caught a couple of fireflies. They don't fly very fast, so they are pretty easy to catch. It was so fun to watch them light up. Out west we don't have fireflies, so it's fun to see them. We didn't keep any of the fireflies, we let them all go. We had a wonderful day though we missed being with our families. We have been so blessed with such good friends, they have come to feel like family.

Avery and Wren Stewart

Elsie Anderson

Spa Day!

For my birthday, Jon gave me a gift certificate to Liv Aveda for a spa day. I was so excited! I called and scheduled my spa day for Friday July 1st. The week of was a really difficult week. I had some health issues that caused me quite a bit of pain. It was a really tough week for me, but luckily by the time Friday came, I was feeling better and I was definitely ready for a day of relaxation and pampering.

I arrived at the salon at 9:00 am and I was taken back to the spa area of the salon. There I was asked to fill out a sheet for the facial and then to fill out a sheet for what I wanted for lunch. Yes, lunch was included. Once I finished, I changed into a bathrobe, so that I'd be all ready for my one hour massage. Life's been busy and stressful lately and so my back has been very tense and I've been so tired, so I was definitely looking forward to a massage. It was wonderful!! I can't even explain it, except that it was perfect. The masseuse really worked on my neck and back. She was able to get rid of some of the knots in my back. She recommended that I get a back massage every four to six weeks. Sounds great to me! Once she finished, I was so relaxed. I could have gone home and taken a nap and been completely happy with just the massage. I was so relaxed after the massage, it was wonderful!

After the massage I had a one hour facial. I'd never had a facial before, so this was a new experience. It too was very calming and relaxing. She cleansed my face and then she applied an exfoliating mask. While the mask was drying, she turned on a steam machine, that blew steam over me. It was different, but it felt good. Also while the mask was drying, she gave me a foot massage. I love having my feet massaged and they got massaged three times that day, once during my full body massage, during the facial and again during my pedicure. To take the mask off, she placed a hot rag on my face and gently wiped the mask off. The hot towel felt so good. She applied another mask and while this one dried she massaged my hands and arms. Another hot rag and then some cream. The cream wasn't just for my face, she massaged my neck, my upper back and the base of my skull. At times the pressure was a little uncomfortable, but over all it felt good. Finally my back and neck were no longer tense. I don't remember the last time I felt so relaxed.

After my facial I got to have lunch. They ordered lunch from Panera, so it was very yummy. I had a turkey sandwich, fruit and a roll. After lunch I had a pedicure and then a manicure. I used to paint my fingernails all the time, but the paint never lasts, so I don't paint them anymore, not that I have the time, but it was fun having my toenails and my fingernails painted and looking nice. After the manicure I had my hair washed and styled and then the stylist did my make-up. I got the whole works and boy did I feel pampered when I finished. My hair is at a length that you can't do a lot with it, so it didn't look too different from when I do my hair. For my make-up we tried some blues which I was a bit nervous about, but I really liked it. The colors were light which was fun, because I tend to use more browns which make my eyes darker.

My hair didn't look different, but my eye make-up is lighter and I really liked it.


My beautiful fingernails and toenails. I loved the color of the polish. It's called Peru B Ruby.

I felt pretty and relaxed when I left, and then I walked outside and instantly I began to sweat. Great!! It was 96 degrees and at least 88% humidity. It was miserable. Not only that, but my car had been sitting in the sun all day so it was blazing and I had the Honda which takes at least 10 minutes for the air to feel cool. I had a couple of stops to make before going home, so the air finally cooled in the care just before I got home. I felt like my make-up had melted off of my face. I also had a lot of creams and oils on me from the massages and so I felt really sticky. When I made the appointment, I purposely made it on a Friday, so Jon and I could go on a date. Well, that didn't happen. Sophie's friend Elsie turned one on Wednesday, June 29th. Rita had invited us over for Elsie's birthday party, but they were busy Wednesday and Thursday evening, so the party was Friday July 1st. Oh well, I got pampered and dolled up for a one year old birthday party. We had a fun time! Jon made homemade peach ice cream for Elsie's party. Rita actually turned the party into a birthday party/cancer free party for Jon. We found out that week that Jon's tumor is completely gone, which means the cancer is gone. Yay!!! Rita bought Jon a Cookie Monster cookie and the Bluray of The Adjustment Bureau. Thanks Rita for a fun party!

Jon's Cookie Monster cookie and his movie.

The Harpers with the cute birthday girl. She was eating her peas and carrots. I wish Sophie would eat peas and carrots.

The cute birthday girl enjoying her Grover cupcake. Sophie got a Big Bird cupcake, and yes the theme was Sesame Street.