Run a Half-Marathon...CHECK!

Back in the Spring we committed to training for the Columbus Half-Marathon.  I had to bail out during the summer because my hip was hurting too much to continue training properly.  Dan kept going and stuck out the training program...even in the 100*+ heat. 

Well, the race was yesterday...Dan rocked it! He finished the 13.1 miles with a time of 2:03:39! Truly awesome!! 

Posing with Sara before the race. It was so early it was still dark! There were SO many people we couldn't even get close enough to get a picture of them at the start.  Plus, dealing with two tired kids and a over-packed jogging stroller in the crowed streets of downtown Columbus was not conducive to photography...

We did get to cheer him on just after he passed the 9 mile mark.  The girls we so excited to see him and get some kisses, but then we had to race through the shortcuts to get to the finish before he did!!

His hard earned and well deserved medal!

Dan and Sara were the only ones from the YL team that actually followed through with the race!  Great job, Sara!!

Several of our other friends ran as well!  Here is Dan with another one of the awesome finishers, Kelley!  Way to go!!

Even though it was hard, he had a great time and plans to run more of them.  At one point he even said he may run the full marathon next Fall...we will see it that happens.  Nothing about 26.2 miles appeals to me, but I was actually a little disappointed I didn't get to run in the half.  Watching people cross the finish line was really inspiring.  You can tell what a sense of accomplishment it was for them.  Plus the medal was really cool ;)  If I can train...without the hip pain, I may run in the quarter Cap City Marathon in the Spring.  My body is just not designed for running!!  I just want to be able to say that I did it :)

The cutest thing all day was the girls constantly telling Dan how proud the were of him...and, of course, so am I!!  Congratulations! We are all sooooooooo proud of you!!

First Snow

We got the first measurable snow fall and the girls could not wait to go out in it! Last year Hannah wasn't too interested.  She would go out for a few minutes and want to come back in.  This year is totally different.  Hannah loves it just as much as Alyssa.

She was soooooo stinkin' cute. She just giggled and squealed the whole time!  I wasn't out  there long because it was so frigidly cold, but I got some fun pictures of the girls before my fingers froze: 

"Look! I'm stomping like a dinosaur!"

 

She couldn't keep her balance...

Aly was too 'busy' helping Daddy 'shovel the steps' to play.  She was so serious about her work.

I am so much happier watching from inside...getting the hot chocolate and cookies ready to warm them up when they come in...I guess I am the only snow hater in the family now.

I LOVE these faces!

Bleeding Scarlet and Gray...

Gotta start 'em young to raise true fans...Go Bucks!!

2,920 Days, and Counting

Last Tuesday, Dan and I celebrated our anniversary...eight years of marriage.  Most of you know that Dan and I went to high school together.  But, because the school was so large, we never actually met until our senior year at  Young Life Campaigners.  Almost 11 years ago exactly.  And, in all 11 of those years we have never been very 'good' at celebrating anniversaries...this one was no different.   

Wednesday our dryer stopped drying.  While I have wanted to get a new washer and dryer set since we moved, it was not on the list of 'must haves'.  A new couch, a deck, a trip to Disney and a new car all took priority over laundry.  But when the dryer stopped we had to readjust that list.  Of course we didn't have to get a new washer, but it hasn't been working that great either and after moving it found that it had been leaking.  So we thought we would stop at HH Greg to look around before going out on our date Friday night.  Little did we know it would take almost 2 hours...and I can think of a lot more I would rather do with $1,600!!!

We were so hungry by the time we left we couldn't decide what sounded good to eat so we looked at a few menus.  After deciding to go to Brio - our usual - we put our name on the list and sat on the benches to wait until our pager went off.  We waited a while and then went to see how much longer it would be because it was already 8:30 and our hopes of catching a movie was ruined.  The women, very rudely, told us they had paged us several times {No, she didn't...} but managed to find a table for us to sit at.  After sitting down we decided it was not what we wanted and took off for Bon Vie.  I know, we are the most indecisive people in the world!  Anyway, we should have just ditched it all and got a pizza or Chipotle because what we chose was not good and our server was less than attentive.  In fact, to top off the whole night, when it was time for her to bring us our bill she asked us if "it would be one check, or two"!! Really?!?! LOL! Apparently, we didn't look like a couple who has been married for 8 YEARS!! And, it is not that she thought we were so young because she didn't card me for my margarita...

While we were eating our mediocre dinner with non-existent service all we could do was laugh at the situation.  Dan asked me if I was disappointed in how the night played out...I said I wasn't, but there was a little part of me that was. So we started talking about how the movies portray this event. It's funny, because Hollywood makes you believe anniversaries should be the most important day of the year in a marriage.  With extravagant gifts, perfectly romantic candle lit dinners and exotic vacations.  As if, that single date is the litmus test of whether you love each other or not and is the deciding factor between happiness and divorce.  And if everything is not expertly planned and executed then it is a failure.  By this definition, I guess we fail.

What a lie.

An anniversary isn't just about that one day...it is about everyday.   Everyday is the most important...when you are in 'the trenches', living life together.  Good times and bad.  In sickness and in health.  That is why you can't base success on one romantic date.  A marriage is so much more than that.  And it isn't always perfect...or romantic.  Lucky for us ;)

That's why, even though nothing went like we had planned, it was still a great night.  We got to be together and celebrate all the days we have had over the last 8 years...all 2,920 of them.   

And, here are the gifts we bought each other...

Isn't that romantic?!?!?  Ahh, that's what marriage...and life...is all about.  Every single day.  And that, I think we are pretty good at.  I guess our romantic getaway to Bora Bora to stay in a floating cabana, on the crystal clear ocean will have to wait at least one more year...or 20.

In the mean time, we are going to have some really fun days, enjoying each other and the family we have created! I love you, Dan Bender!  Thank you for loving me everyday! ;)

Another Door Closed

So, Dan got a the call yesterday that he did not get the Westerville North job we had been hoping for.  They said he was a 'great candidate with a lot to offer', but the decided to go a different route.  I hate when people say that...it is almost worse than just saying,  'you suck and we didn't like you at all'.  Seriously, what does that even mean?  Did they go with someone who is not a great candidate...or has nothing to offer?? 

Oh well.  Thankfully, he does have a job.  It is frustrating though.  He said the interview went really well and they said they liked his lessons and experiences with IEP students.  Among other things, the job would have been more secure.  Not to mention it would be a significant raise  so  he could quit Home Depot.

But, our desires are not always God's plan!  And our timing is definitely NOT His timing! We know this from experience.  I interview in Gahanna three miserable, disappointing times [with several recommendations and personal connections within the district] before I was offered job the job at South.   But you know what, it was worth the wait.  I enjoy teaching now and get to work with a great staff.  If I had gotten one of the other jobs...I never would have taken this this one.  It is out of our control.  God has His own PERFECT timing.  I know He is  preparing Dan for that perfect job (hopefully in Gahanna ;), it is just hard to remember that in the moment.  No one likes to be rejected.

When God closes one door, he opens another.  We are just going to keep saying that over and over...

The Waiting Game

Dan had an interview at Westerville North HS today!!  It was for a job that wasn't  posted, that he did not apply for.  They just remembered him from interviewing last year - that has to be a good sign.  He said it went really well and that he 'nailed it'!  He got to show off his portfolio and they loved one of the lessons he had in there.  They also liked that he has modified lessons for students and seemed impressed with his other experiences as well.  He said he felt comfortable and was able to joke around and be himself.  I have a good feeling about this.  While it is not Gahanna, it is a big step in the right direction.  A decision will be made sometime in the next week.  So, now we pray...and wait. 

Wait to see if they call.  Wait to see if they don't call.  

Waiting really is the hardest part...

Pray...REALLY, REALLY hard!!

It is the time of year again where we check ODE job postings, daily (or hourly ;), looking for teaching jobs to open up.  Thankfully, because I got the job I have been wanting for over last 5 years last Spring, we are only looking for a job for Dan...Social Studies, preferably high school.  For those of you who aren't in education (or Ohio), Social Studies positions are rare.  And when one does open, if it doesn't get filled internally, there are literally 700-1,000 applicants for the position!  Almost 100% of the time they end up choosing someone who is also a coach...Dan is not a coach.  

There hadn't been any openings yet, but in the last few days two have posted!  One at Bexley HS and one at the HS in MY district where we graduated (teaching together in this district is our long-term goal because of the community and ministry opportunities!).  The one in my district was internal until today, but I decided it couldn't hurt if I emailed the HR guy and the HS principal.  I didn't expect to get a response at all and if I did, I expected it to be something like "we will take a look at his resume and call if we are interested".  To my surprise, the HR guy emailed me the same day!  He told me that the list for the position was a 'mile long and growing', but he would be willing to sit down and talk with Dan for a screening interview.  My district is a long shot, especially if the levy doesn't pass in May.  Not to mention, a screening interview doesn't really mean much...but it is more than probably 800 applicants will get... 

So if you could be praying that Dan will really knock their socks off next Tuesday to get a 'real' interview with the principal, that would be AWESOME!  Also, pray that Bexley will call him to set up an interview as well.  I guess, really just for the job search over the next few months in general! 

Unlike before, he has a teaching job currently so if he doesn't get a new one we will survive.  However, a new job means more time in the community, less stress and a pay raise.  Is it possible that I want this more than he does...

Daddy's Turn

This is obviously rare and not often that I post anything.  I don't usually have time and I am not as gifted as Jenn at this.  By the way, side note, she is great at writing and definitely has a gift in case  you didn't notice.  Anyways, I just want the opportunity to let my girls know how much I love them and how incredible they are.  We have been really enjoying our time outside lately since the  snow has melted.  The first day we were out Aly was asleep so it was just Hannah, Jenn and myself.  Hannah was so cute because all she did for 10 minutes was run in circles and back and forth giggling.  Hannah has been so sweet lately.  She is always saying "tank oo" for everything (thank you in Hannah-eese).  I got to take a day off Wednesday and be with the girls so I took them to COSI.  The whole time Hannah would come up to me and say "I luhloo daddy"!  We had so much fun.  Every time I am with them or think of them I think about how good God is and how blessed I am.  I hope they will always know that!

Now to my big news!  Tonight Aly made a huge step toward big girl-hood.  This afternoon she told me I didn't have to sleep with her anymore.  She said she was bigger now and I didn't have to.  A little background info:  Ever since Aly was...well a baby, I have slept in her bed or until she fell asleep and then I leave.  She has always been such a bad sleeper and didn't like sleeping alone, which is fine with me because cuddling with her is so perfect.  I always read her a book and then watch her fall asleep.  Then I leave, only to return at about 2 in the morning when she comes to get me.  I have always loved doing this.  There is nothing like watching your baby girls sleep and getting to cuddle next to them.  Some nights it hard because I have school work to do, but for the other 99.8% of the time I love it.

Well, tonight she didn't want me to stay in there.  She said I could read her a book, pray and then leave so she could go to sleep by herself.  So I asked her why, mainly because I love to listen to her rationale and listening to her speak.  Her voice is so cute and she is smarter than I usually realize.  Her response was the best.  I asked her why she didn't want me to stay till she fell asleep and she said, "I figured it out".  I asked her what she figured out and she said, "That I am a bigger now".   She is so smart and so sweet.  I will miss those days, but knowing her they aren't over just yet...at least I hope.  However, she did fall asleep with out me tonight. I can't believe I get to be apart of these 2 amazing little girls lives.  Ok, I'm done for now.  Love you girls (for when you read this someday).  

Daddy

P.S. Hopefully she 'figures out' how to go potty in the middle of the night instead of a pull-up...

Daddy Who?

**This is what happens when I leave the blog open to edit on the computer when I go to take a shower! ;)  He is a great Daddy!**

This maybe the question the girls ask someday when they read these blogs. This may be my one and only blog, but I wanted to do it. Someday the girls will read these and know what we thought about and did with them so I wanted to make sure they knew what I thought from time to time. It won't be much because Jenn is much much better at this than I am. I don't have an amazing story or anything too great to write, but I just want to tell everyone how blessed and lucky I am. I have THE LIFE that everyone could dream of. My girls are so beautiful and funny and cute. They melt my heart everyday, especially when I get home and they run to me screaming "daddy", or "daeeee" as Hannah says. They are always saying I love you and are kissing me. We love to laugh and play games together. They teach me sooooo much about the love and patience of God. I love them so much. And in case you didn't know Jenn is the most amazing wife, mom and teacher. She can do it all (including fix things and build things around the house when I don't). She is so patient with me and the girls and can do everything. Jenn is one of the most selfless people I know. The girls and I are so blessed to have a mom and wife that loves us more than she loves herself. Ok, well there it is: my blog moment. I will try to do a few more posts here and there, but if not there is one thing I hope my girls can learn and understand quicker and deeper than I have: that is the love and grace of Jesus. That will hopefully be their main pursuit in life. Ok, done with Daddy's 'book'. I love you girls...all 3 of you!

-Daddy