Life and Times of the Sharp Family

I have been noticing lately that my kids seem to know and understand my training. When I returned from swimming tonight, Breslin asked me how it was.  Isn't that sweet? When I load the bike into the van in the mornings, AJ says, "Momma...that your bike! That your bike, momma!" When the girls play with their dolls, they run with their stroller like it's a jogger. It makes me happy for them to see what a huge part of my life this training is and that they have an understanding of how important it is to me.  I feel thankful that even though they are little, I can still share this part of my life with them.  I hope that someday, they may even be able to remember me training for triathlons and be proud of me. Thank God they know! Lord, thank you for my kids and that they can share this part of my life with me.  In your name I pray, Amen.

This is Colby. Today, I am thankful that the high temperature today was 30 degrees cooler than the 94 we faced on Sunday. Not only did it make the school day about a billion times better, but it also made Alaina's 15 mile post school run a little more tolerable. Lord, thank you for giving us a break from the heat. Thank you for helping Alaina make it through another tough workout. In your name I pray, Amen.

My aunt was kind enough to give my husband and son haircuts yesterday.  Despite having had people over at her house all day in the hot weather, she was happy to give of herself one more time before being able to relax for the evening. Or, she couldn't stand how they looked with their long, disheveled locks and had to do something about it.  Either way, it was nice of her. I can't stand it when Colby's hair is long.  I give all of the subtle, nice hints that I possibly can when it starts to grow out, but my husband does not respond well to subtlety, I've found.  Eventually, I just have to be blunt or even threaten to not go out in public with him or withhold certain extra-curricular activities until he does something about it.  Even then, it still usually takes a couple of weeks of this before I see any results. Breslin, on the other hand has always had a major problem with haircuts.  Just saying the word "haircut" is enough to make him dissolve in...

When I was a kid, swimming was one of my most favorite things to do.  It could be Lake Michigan, the Nottawaseppi River at my grandparent's log cabin, or a friend's pool; if there was a body of water that I could swim in, I wouldn't hesitate to dive in.  I wouldn't get out until my parents absolutely made me.  I would make up water floor routines (complete with mount and dismount), pretend I was a mermaid, or explore whatever shells/rocks/wildlife I could find.  I couldn't fathom why a hotel wouldn't have a swimming pool.  What was the point of even going to a hotel if you couldn't swim? As an adult, my love for swimming is satisfied throughout my triathlon training.  I love the peaceful intensity of a swim session and the refreshing sense of cool water gliding over me during every stroke. Today, I was happy to see my kids exhibit a budding love for swimming as they played for hours in Lime Lake.   Within 10 minutes of arri...

Sundays are great, but they are about a million times better when there is a no-school Monday to follow. Today, I am thankful that I was able to enjoy my Sunday, without having to worry about going back to school on Monday. Lord, thank you so much for a wonderful day with family. Help up to have a great Monday together. In your name I pray, Amen.

Today, my mom and I decided to run the Alma Highland Festival 8 mile race on our way up to Clare to visit.  We had a great time hanging out together and were both pleased with our races.  My mom won her age group, and I was the overall female winner!  Besides just running, we had time to hang out before the race and we got to peruse the Alma bookstore and the Scottish festivities before heading out.  I felt so lucky to have this quality time with my mom today.  We had such a great time being together and encouraging each other through the race.  I am also grateful for the part that Alma College played in my life.  At Alma, I feel that I had the best educational experience.  My classes were challenging, but I never felt as thought it would be impossible to do well.  I had great friends, phenomenal professors, and amazing teammates.  I felt thankful to have the opportunity to visit this special place again today. Tha...

Just now, I heard Breslin coming down the stairs. I asked him what he was doing, as it is close to 11:00 pm. His response, "I gotta go dung, mom." I was stunned into silence when he went on to explain, "Mom, dung is poop." When I turned to Colby, wondering what in the world was happening, he explained that yesterday they read a book about beetles.  Apparently dung came up and was clarified through the reading of this book. Oh, the joys. Thank God for...well, a funny kid. God, thank you for Breslin's love of learning and the way he picks things up so quickly.  Thank you for giving me such a cool kid to take care of.  He really is awesome and makes my job pretty easy.  In your name I pray, Amen.