2:45 p.m.

my attempt at a picture of us both...didn't go very well =)

snack time

taken two weeks ago, back at my house...

sometimes she can be very...expressive.

2:41 p.m.

some shots from an afternoon at the creek a week ago...

to Indiana

A few days ago, after a turbulent flight through the time zones, arriving in Chicago at midnight and spending the next five hours in the airport, I finally reached my sister's cute little home in Indiana.

I am here for two weeks, and I can tell this visit is going to go by very quickly. 

Except for a couple posts I put together before I left, I won't really be posting until I get back home, at which time it'll probably take me a year to catch up on everything. 

But right now, I am with my sister in her own home, for the first time since her wedding.
We are doing exciting things like changing diapers, hanging clothes on the line, getting lost while doing errands, and making chocolate milk. And these everyday things, these little moments, are what mean the most to me. 

I am trying to soak up every second of this time we have together, knowing that soon I will once again be on the other side of the country, and this visit will be just a memory.

So I hope you'll understand if this blog is more quiet than usual :)

Wherever you are, be all there. 

-Jim Elliot

eleonora & i

2:27 p.m.

i think we are smitten

XC

My running days are (completely) over, and I'm thoroughly glad that chapter has ended for me. It was a great experience, but the nerve-wracking pre-race jitters and the pain of running under pressure...just doesn't ring my bell. If you know what I mean.  

This year, two of my brothers are doing Cross Country, and I'm so proud of them. They are better athletes than I could ever dream of being :)

I got to go to their first meet a few days ago...and it was so fabulous. They both did amazing (as if anyone was wondering...)

It was Andrew's first race ever - and he was a beast. 

(that's a good thing, if you're wondering)

Despite being nervous for his own race, Caleb was the ideal big brother and was there for Andrew.

Giving him tips before the race, yelling advice at the sidelines of the course, and waiting at the finish to tell him how good he did.

And Dad was there as always, giving support, input, and encouragement to both of the runners. 

Then it was Caleb's turn. 

He's the guy that doesn't do any preparation, doesn't run even once over the summer, and hasn't run since cross country ended a year ago. It's not a sport he enjoys.

But then he went out there and dominated. As usual. 

They both won second place in their races. 

 (cooling off together)

(talking about the race)

I'm sure I was the luckiest girl there. I mean, who else has brothers like this???