July Is Over

Life Group-I love love LOVE these people. Dianne and Brandon finally returned from their amazing "tasty trek" last week, so we all got together for a cookout at the Kime's to catch up. Some how...some way...everyone ended up being able to make it. I would be lying if I said I didn't tear up a little when people kept trickling in and we had a full group. These people make my heart so full. Everyone is so different-different careers, different paths, different personalities-and it's amazing. If you had asked me three years ago if I would have a group like this to lean on...I would have laughed in your face. So thankful for God's faithfulness and community that he has given us through this group.

Swim Date-Abby and Ellie came over last week to swim when Jordan and I had the day off. The weather was hot and perfect for swimming. Ellie loved the water. After we swam, we watched Ellie for a bit so Abby could run to Kroger. She is such a happy and easy baby...when there are puffs involved...but it's safe to say that we don't have the fever for a baby yet. 

 Cleo-Haley called Tuesday night and said that our family cat, Cleo, had been hit by Mikayla when she was leaving for work. Haley was super upset, and I was oddly emotional about it. Cleo was given to us by Grandpa Stoelting, and it felt like a final part of him was gone. But, crazily enough, Cleo (who is seventeen freaking years old) actually lived. She has a broken pelvis and broken leg, but made it through the surgery, and is back home and healing well. All of it makes me want to cry and laugh hysterically at the same time.

 Jordan is 27- Jordan's birthday was on Saturday, he had to work...womp wooomp. Regardless, we has dinner and cake when he got home, cuddled, and went to bed. We're crazy like that. I am so so so thankful for this guy and the difference he makes in the world. He came home from work talking about all of the nice things that people did for him that day, and I wasn't surprised at all. If you know Jordan, you love him.

Fun fact: This was the first picture that I ever saw of Jordan. My dad had it on his camera when he came back from Canada. I'm going to guess that Jordan was 14 or 15. I had a crush on him from the moment I saw the picture...but we wouldn't even really be friends until 6 years later. It makes me teary-eyed just thinking about it. 

Tri Indy-This was sprint tri #4 this year. Originally, I had planned for this to be the olympic distance triathlon, but I'm glad that I decided against it. Jordan had to work, and embarrassingly enough, I cried that morning when I left and realized he wouldn't be there-he's the biggest support, and my rock-I didn't want to do it without him. But, of course, I made it just fine. 

Tri Indy is made up of a 500 meter swim in the White River Canal, a 10 mile bike to the velodrome and back, and a 5k run by the zoo and around IUPUI. Overall, the course was fun...but man was it hot. The last mile of the run was shaded for the most part, which was such a blessing. 

I was still a little upset that Jordan wasn't there, but I got to transition area and looked behind me and there was a gorgeous view of downtown with the sun rising. Unfortunately, the photo turned that into a bright white blob...oh well, the memory is there.

The view on the way to the swim was gorgeous. This is my favorite view of the city. The canal swim wasn't nearly as gross as I had imagined, but I did wake up with wonky feeling sinuses this morning...which I have no doubt is from the canal water making its' 

way into my nose numerous times.

I was excited to do the race with Sandy, an NP that I work with. TriIndy was her first tri last year, and she decided she wanted to beat her time this year-so proud of her! When we met at transition, she told me that she had randomly seen one of our patients who was also doing the race. This patient has been a swimmer for a long time, but vowed that after she finished chemo, she would do a race and "get back into it." To say that I was inspired was an understatement. To be surrounded by strong women like this is an amazing feeling- all of my anxiety and nervousness melted away, and it put me in the best mood I've ever been in before a race. Sandy and Ann, thanks for being amazing examples. 

Dani showed up and surprised us on the run course...and of course took this super 

flattering photo-she's good like that. 

Photo aside, it was a great surprise to see her, and it pushed me to finish the last .5 mile strong. 

Brittany finished her first olympic distance!!! WooHoo! She did great, minus a minor GI issue. In true Brittany form, she handled it gracefully and finished strong. So grateful for her good attitude and ability to instantly put me in a better and more positive mood. Love you, Brit!

A celebratory picture at the end with one of Sandy's adorable granddaughters. 

Cherry the Tom-This is our official July fail. Last year we tried to grow a tomato plant on our porch. It got out of control, took over our porch, and only produced 3 tomatoes. This year, we thought we would try a cherry tomato and we might have better luck...we thought wrong. After 3 months of love and care, we only have 3 freaking cherry tomatoes. THREE. Wow...we might get one salad out of the whole plant by summer's end!