Wise Beyond His Years

Recently I purchased a pack of super hero toothbrushes. It was no surprise that Griffin chose to start using the Iron Man one first. My intention was to allow him to go through all four of them, but I noticed tonight that Grayson needed a new toothbrush. Since I had a whole pack of them, I asked Griffin to pick his least favorite one, so I could use that one with Grayson. He response, word for word, was, "I think I don't like Hulk because he is obnoxious. He thinks he's better than everybody else."

Well said, my little man. Well said. Keep that in mind as you grow up:)

In the last 24 hours...

these phrases came out of Griffin's mouth:

"Mom, this water is so fresh."

"This grape soda is, like, really good. You have to try it."

"Mom, I don't like to wear pants." After asking why, he responded, "Because I like to see all of my legs."

Recent Griffin Quotes

"Oh Grayson, I just love having you as a brother."

"Mom, I really love spending time with you, but Gail's house (day care) is so much fun."

"Mom, I feel bad for Grayson because he has a cold."

"Mom, how come you don't want any more babies?"

"I don't like those options."

Half Marathon? Check!

Pre-race @ 5:40 AM

Between Mile 3 and 4

10 minutes post-race

2 hours post race--I look way better than I feel!

Today I accomplished a goal; I ran my first half-marathon in just under ten minute miles with a final time of 2:09.49. I'm not going to lie; today was a LOT harder than I expected it to be. There were many spots on the course where I thought there was no way I could keep running---especially during a wardrobe malfunction---but a few things kept me going: the smiling faces of my cheering team (Brandon, Griffin, Grayson, Missy, Becca, Nick, Amanda, and Dawn), the song "What a Savior", the song "Holding Out for a Hero", and the fact that I am blessed to be able to run so many miles because I want to, not because I have to go get clean water for my family. If you feel so inclined, I am still raising money for World Vision here. Thank you to those who have already supported me.

My recovery today is slow. I threw up three times after driving home, and there is not enough ice to cover my sore spots. Nonetheless, I am so thrilled to have completed the race under the time I set as a goal. Barely. But I'll take it!

Wisconsin Dells 2010

The MN Dunigans were fortunate enough to spend four nights in the Wisconsin Dells starting on August 13th. Papa Tom treated us to a wonderful vacation, and we will be forever grateful. The boys had an absolute blast, and it was so much fun watching them get more and more comfortable with their surroundings. We are hoping to go back again in the future; that's for sure!

I blinked...

I blinked...and summer started.
I blinked...and I wrote curriculum for a week.
I blinked...and my boys got bigger.
I blinked...and Grayson started therapy.
I blinked...and now he's discharged.
I blinked...and my mom got married.
I blinked...and my kid's enjoyed the Milwaukee Zoo.
I blinked...and my mom spent a week with us.
I blinked...and now she's gone.
I blinked...and Griffin turned FOUR!
I blinked...and our first family vacation is over.
I blinked...and now my summer is gone.

Better Than Expected!

I was crushed last night when we realized that Griffin's birthday party needed to be canceled. I felt so bad for my little man. However, today was perhaps the best day so far for my four year old boy! Griffin was beyond excited when he woke up. The first words out of his mouth were, "Am I four now?" He was just thrilled that all day was HIS day.

Griffin and I started the day out at Como Zoo for animals, rides, the splash zone, and butterfly releasing. Auntie Kelsey was even able to meet up with us for a little while! On the way home, we got Taco Bell for lunch, and then we headed out to the MOA with Grandma Laurie. (Brandon stayed home with Grayson). Children get a free wristband on their birthday, so Griffin was in heaving getting to go on all the rides. He also got a free cookie, free ice cream, and free Noodles! Plus, Grandma Laurie treated him to Build-A-Bear, where he chose to get a "husky, wolf dog" named Shadow. We weren't surprised when he fell asleep on the way home, but his birthday cake quickly gave him a second wave!

God definitely works in mysterious ways. What started out as a sad day quickly became better than originally planned. Plus, we learned that from here on out we plan on going to the MOA for his actually birthday, and we will plan his party for a different day. You can't pass up such a good deal!!!

Where, Oh Where Has My Baby Gone?

Four years ago today, I was blessed beyond my imagination and became a mother. At 9:39, Griffin Thomas entered the world, and he has changed our lives forever. As I look at my amazing little man, I am saddened that there is no baby left in him. My oldest child is officially a boy. Not a baby. Not a toddler. A boy.

Today is turning out to be nothing like we planned. A birthday party with a few of Griffin's close friends was scheduled for the day, but because Grayson has Hand, Foot, Mouth, and Miss Isabel is also sick, we had to reschedule. Thankfully Grandma Laurie is here, so I have a lot of plans for my first born son! Luckily, Griffin is quite the easy-going child, so it seems as though I am more upset than he is by the change of plans.

Griffin never seems to stop entertaining us with his quotes, questions, and silly games. His enthusiasm for all things is contagious, and I love watching his mind work. At four years of age, he can identify his letters and sounds (when he wants to anyway), and he can write out the letters in his name. He has trouble writing small enough for all the letters to stay on a page, but hey, one step at a time:) Currently, he loves to watch Alladin and the Forty Thieves, The Little Mermaid, Pocahontas, Word World, The Letter Factory, and Avatar (the cartoon). For his birthday, he asked for anything to do with Avatar, Transformers, and a plastic figurine Husky Dog. He loves role playing with all his little figurines, and he is even starting to role play with Grayson, who is starting to play back! Brandon and Griffin have been reading aloud "big kid" books lately. I am amazed that Griffin can sit with Brandon and listen for such a long time. I can only hope my boys become lifelong readers!!! Griffin is still my cuddle bug, so he ends up melting my heart on a daily basis when he asks, "Mom, can we just cuddle?" Not long ago he told me that I didn't have to be too sad that he was turning four because he would still cuddle with me!

Above is a picture from this morning's gift opening. More to come as the day unfolds!

Happy Birthday, little man! We love you!

Life Lessons from a Fibroadenoma

The past two weeks have been a bit stressful for our family. After discovering a lump in my breast, it was determined that doctor visits and testing needed to be done. This discovery coupled with family history sent my mind through a whirlwind of what-ifs and slight freak outs. Thankfully good friends and God's Truth helped keep me at ease.

On Monday of this week, I had an ultrasound to confirm the location, size, and consistency. It was possible that I was going to need a mammogram, but I thankfully avoided this torture because of my age:) Results of the ultrasound prompted further testing, so on Tuesday I went in for a needle biopsy. Not the most pleasant experience, but I survived.

I finally received the phone call today informing me that everything is okay, and that my lump is benign. I do not have breast cancer; I have a Fibroadenoma. I will most likely schedule a time in the near future to have it removed, but there is no rush. All is well with my health!

I always search for reasons behind our medical ordeals. Because let's be honest, the Dunigan Family has been plagued by our fair share of medical problems, scares, and such. The day of my biopsy, I realized that God was trying to tell me to slow down. With work, school at Bethel, running, swimming lessons, and much more, I was forgetting to just cherish my summer. I was forgetting to marvel at the little things. I was forgetting that my family is what matters more than anything. So, I cancelled a few plans to go in to work this week and next, took a day off of running, and have been soaking up the summer with my family and friends. Tonight, we are going out to dinner with the Obergs. A last minute get together--not normally my thing, but I am psyched to celebrate good news with my family and good friends!

Swimming Fools