ShannonAlbert.com - June 2009

I ran a mile today! Anybody reading this probably already knows that I have very severe asthma and running is hard for asthmatics. I workout 6 days a week and do cardio and weightlifting each time but I typically vary the intensity throughout the workout which works very well for an asthmatic. Occasionally I try to just jog/run to see how far I can go and today? A whole mile! I'm beaming so much because it's not something I ever, ever thought I'd be able to do.

Funny thing is that I called Kami (marathon runner who sometimes runs 18 miles on a weekend jog for training) and she was just as excited as I was knowing my history. Next goal: running a mile fast enough to compete in the mile race w/Andy's family next year!

We had the inspection today. I went in thinking "it's going to take a lot for me to say we won't buy this house" and well.....we got a LOT of negative news from the inspector. To the tune of around $20k. Our last ditch effort is to ask the bank to pay for some of the repairs. It's not all that likely and it's not likely to happen in a timely manner. We may be renting by next week or soon thereafter. We'll keep you posted.

If all goes as planned (inspection goes fine tomorrow, appraisal comes back in time, etc.), we will be closing on our house on Tuesday! We'll have a busy next couple of weeks:
9/19 - inspection
9/21 - 3 hours of interviews for me
9/25 - close on house
9/26 - parent/teacher conferences for Blake
9/27 - Blake and I leave for WDW

All good things going on but just a lot happening all at once. Wish us luck that everything goes according to plan!

Today was the last day of the Kansas State Fair so despite the heat, we headed out.

A sand sculpture that reflects the fair's "Hang with the Hogs" theme this year...


A ride on the mini-train. The kids rode several rows ahead of us....


Then we took a ride on the Sky Ride which was like a ski lift that crossed over the fairgrounds. Blake was terrified but loved it and wanted to go on it again. Boys rode in front of us...




Then, just as our sky ride was going over the race track, a race started! I've been going to sprint car races my whole life because my mom loves them and they are so loud and this made me so happy! Payton asked if the wings were for solar power....oh....to be a child in this century. ;)


And then a modified race started...(this sky ride was long!)



Ok, off the sky ride and onto Payton getting a henna tatoo...


While the boys cool off in the shade with a drink...


What better way to end a day at the fair than with a pig race!


Overall, it was on ok day and the kids did well despite not sleeping much the night before and the high temps. It wasn't as nice or fun as the Texas State Fair but it was nice to get out and do something fun for a few hours.

we'll be building on this lot.


We kept our deposit on the lot just in case the house we're trying to buy doesn't workout. We've set a deadline of this month for the house we're trying to buy. If it doesn't work out this month, we'll be renting by October and will plan to build.

'Twas a lovely evening at the park...


On the swings...


When suddenly, there was a THUMP.


Andy had fallen off the swing backwards and his cup of Pepsi and ice was splattered all over his face. After making sure he was ok, we couldn't stop laughing. Andy never does silly things like that. Turns out he had lost his balance when trying to balance his cup, swing and turn to watch Blake on the nearby play equipment. He was ok, just a little embarrassed and being the good wife that I am, I had to take a pic. :)

Well, the second interview has been setup for a week from today where I'll be meeting for a few hours with various people and then possibly going to lunch. This weekend: shopping for another outfit to wear since all of my work clothes are in storage!

Also, Casey is having her third baby today, baby girl Lainey. Congrats to her and her family!

Update! Baby Lainey was born at 7:57 this morning and is adorable!