Happy Father's Day

Dear Dad,
Thanks for all that you do for us. We appreciate your sacrifices, and your desires to make us happy. Thanks for building bird houses with us, and fixing our toys. Thanks for hot fudge sundae runs, and playing with us at the pool.
Oh, and thanks for doing things for Mom, she's much happier when you're around.

Love,
Kayla & Trevor

I included these two pics of Ryan because they show how happy is by being a dad. I vividly remember the day that Kayla was born. She was so small, and Ryan was afraid to hold her (she was 6 weeks early). I literally plopped her in his arms and told him he wouldn't break her. From that time on, he was mesmerized by her. He loved snuggling with her in the evening when he came home from work. I don't think he truly was prepared for the way he would feel by becoming a dad.
Those feeling didn't change when Trevor came. As a matter of fact, I think they intensified. Trevor has proven to be all boy, desiring to do all the things that Ryan loves to do. When Ryan's fixing something, Trevor wants to be right there, learning everything he can from his dad.
So on this father's day, I want to say thank you Ryan, for all that you do to make the children happy! Oh, and even though I'm grouchy at times because I think you're never home, I still love and appreciate all you do :-)

Love,
Melissa

This is what my four-year old did today

So, this isn't exactly what the slide looks like at our pool, but it's close; actually ours is a little bigger. He begged last year to be able to go down, but wasn't tall enough. This year, thanks to his genes (he's 48" tall), he hit the line. Trevor spent 30 minutes trying to convince me it was okay for him to go. I finally agreed, but I told him I was going to go first. I waited for him at the bottom, and as he came down he had THE BIGGEST GRIN! He kept saying over and over, "that was so awesome!"

I often say to Trevor, "where has my baby gone?" His response to me is always the same, "he is gone, Mom." That is true. He had no desire to stay little for long. He has such a drive for life, for trying new things, and to take his adventures to the next level (whether I like it or not).

Iliotibial Band Syndrome (runner's knee)

So, for the last year I've struggled with my breathing when running. Six months ago I went to my GP and she prescribed me albuterol. When I left, I was hopeful that it would help. The next day I went out for a run, and the medicine didn't help at all. As a matter of fact, I think it made it worse. Unfortunately, I was so busy with work, school, kids...life in general that I never went back to the doctor.
After my second race this summer, I knew I needed help. It was so hard to finish the race. I felt like I was breathing through a straw. So I went for a follow up and she diagnosed me with exercise-induced asthma. I wasn't too surprised, I do have a brother and a sister diagnosed with asthma. She gave me singulair, and again I came home helpful. The next morning I went out to run, and I wanted to sing!! I couldn't believe the difference one little pill could make.
My enthusiasm for running has increased. I've been out 5 mornings a week running 3-4 miles, loving the way my lungs feel.
My enthusiasm came crashing down this last week as I hit another road block, runner's knee. This past week, I took four days off (which is killing my spirits), iced both knees, and taken NSAID's. I went out yesterday morning hoping that I could resume activity. I got one mile in and BAM, there was the pain again. I had to walk the rest of the way home. I'm frustrated, I finally getting my asthma under control, and now my iliotibial bands are damaged.
Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks for listening!