Some thoughts on dropping my child off at camp...

Today I dropped Griffin off at an overnight summer camp for the first time. Grayson, Griffin, and I drove up while Brandon was at work. We got there just after 3PM, and he will be at Trout Lake Camp until Saturday.

 Cabin: Blue Gill

 Bunk Mate: Brevin :)

 First Treat: Slushie with Mom

So here's the honest truth. I WAS NOT PREPARED FOR THIS. I totally thought I was, but I wasn't. Every time camp was brought up, I would jokingly talk about how difficult it would be, but I really didn't expect it to be that hard. I knew Griffin was excited (he asked to go LAST year even), and he is a pretty independent person. As a result, I figured it would be easy to drop him off and go with the flow.

It wasn't. I feel dumb admitting this, but I literally felt like I was punched in the stomach as I watched him walk away with Brev to play mini-golf. I kept my brave face on because I knew he was a bit apprehensive, but the minute I turned my back to him, I lost it. Thank goodness for sunglasses :)

To be clear. I know that Griffin is going to have the time of his life. I fully trust that TLC will take care of him, and I firmly believe that he will create lasting memories. I am thankful that we have the financial resources to send him to camp, and I am thrilled we can provide him with an opportunity to strengthen his faith. I am also stoked to have some one on one time with Grayson. We have big things planned for the next couple of days, and we didn't wait long to start our Mommy and Grayson dates :)

With that being said, my heart hurts a little tonight.

Team World Vision 2014

The last time I ran with World Vision was the day of the Twin Cities Marathon. When I joined them for my first group run of the season, it was like coming home. I seriously can't imagine my life without running, and I have TWV to thank for that. Every child deserves a chance at life, and through TWV, I get a chance to help make that happen for kiddos across the globe.

Train up a child in the way he should go...

I could do this all day long...

Caught...

Grayson is my kiddo who doesn't like to be told what to do when it comes to academics. He will rarely read with me if I ask him to, but if HE suggests it, he can read for long stretches. Sitting down at the table to work on letter sounds? Not so much. If he suggests the activity, he can spend the entire car ride to and from day care figuring out the first letter of a bunch of words. The minute I suggest the activity, it is as if I suggested he eat sardines. So when Grayson became quite the other day in the car, I was stoked to find this :)

We are counting down the days until summer...

2014 Holiday Run Streak

Runner's World is hosting a Holiday Run streak. I joined and committed to running at least one mile every day from Memorial Day until the 4th of July. The above picture was DAY 1 when I busted out a new pair of shoes. The weather was a bit hot that day, but the run was BEAUTIFUL!