The Racchini's

Wonder how many will see this? A year in a paragraph or maybe more.

2010-02-12T06:21:00.000-08:00

Well, dang a whole year has passed since my last post. So much to talk about. Last April I ran my first marathon in Oklahoma City. It was an awesome accomplishment and just an amazing experience, and when we got back to the hotel I said I was ready to do it again!

However, we also wanted to have another child, so we had talked about the time frame of getting pregnant in August and low and behold it happend. I continued running while being pregnant. At 10 weeks I ran a good half marathon in Kansas City, MO, and felt great even with all the hills!

Levi entered the 4th grade!!! I can't believe how old I am getting! Ethan turned 2 in Oct., it also became 2 years since dad had passed away. It still feels like yesterday.

I also finished up a 6hr semester at Butler County Community College and graduated in Dec!!! It is nice to finally say that I graduated from College. I got my diploma in the mail, but they only walk for graduation once a year and that is May 15th. The day after baby Evie is due. I figure as long as there are no complications even if she is born the day before and we are in the hospital the 24 hrs that are needed I will be walking! So I may need some aunts to come visit for graduation so she is occupied during the ceremony!

So Levi is in basketball again this year and it is fun to see him improve. Last week he got fouled and made the first shot, the second one rolled along the rim till it fell off, and a couple games ago he made the first shot of the game!! We are getting ready tomorrow to celebrate his 10th birthday! I cannot believe that, he is in double digits now, and only 3 yrs till a teen! Hopefully I will keep my hair, even though daily I notice a new grey one.

Lillie will be turning 4 next month, but is going on 16. She can be a challange, and hoping that Evie will help bring her down a notch, not being the only princess now! She is anxious and ready to start school, but I can't imagine my days without her at home.

Well, if you have made it through this post I am surprised and hopefully you are not on the floor or trying to call 911 due to the heart attack. I do keep busy and update more on facebook nowadays, but thought for a year anniversary it would be fun to update my blog. So take care and see ya on facebook.

2 Post in 1 month....get ready for some snow!

2009-02-12T05:19:00.000-08:00

Well, it has been a crazy week. Josh is in Oregon working for Cessna, he is suppose to be back on Sat. So far it seems as though everything will be done and he will get to come home then. We are just hoping and praying that when he goes back to work here on Monday there is no pink slip waiting for him. Cessna is suppose to give out the remainder of what they have said they would lay off this week. We just keep praying and trusting God.

Well enough said here are some pictures of Levi in his basketball games.

Here is Levi's biggest Fan!!

My new dishwasher:

I said I was too tired to do dishes and Lillie said I will do them. She went and got a chair and got right to work! Now if she would only do things when I tell her too.

Here is the EJB at Borders.

Here is Britta, myself and Wendy((from Rose Hill) I have 2 friends named Wendy) before the Super Bowl Run.

Well I guess this is it for now. I will be able to post after this weekend since someone has a birthday tomorrow!

WOW time flys when.....your busy!

2009-02-01T04:53:00.000-08:00

I can't believe that it has been almost 2 months since my last blog. Well, since I am up early I can do a bit. Usually when I am up this early I am running. So, let's see what has taken place, Christmas, Levi started playing basketball, I began running the last week of December and am in training for my marathon in April. So let's see what we can come up with for pictures now.

Ok here are some Christmas ones

Here is the BIG BOY

AND HERE...so tempting!

After Christmas Eve Service at Grandma and Grandpa Sue's House.

Well, guess I don't have any of Levi's basketball pictures on the computer yet. So when I put them on I promise I will get them on here.

Well, my running started out good I wasn't having any issues with my IT band, but in the last week my hip flexor has started bothering me. I called my Physical Therapist(PT) and he said no running till I saw him. Thankfully in the end I saw him that day, but he still didn't let me go run my 7 mile run last weekend. It wasn't that bad on Monday, and then I ran 6 on Thur and it bothered me on Friday. I stretched it and stretched it and stretched it some more and ran 9.12 yesterday and today I seem to be ok. So today I am doing the Super Bowl Run it is a 4 mile run in a park at 2 pm. The only thing PT said jog it. Well, when I jog it that does not include being able to set a new PR, but that may be ok, it is supposed to be windier than heck here today! In case anyone wants to know my Marathon is in Oklahoma City on April 26.

2008-12-06T11:35:00.000-08:00

Whew where do I begin?? Well it has been busy to say the least. I had to cut back on my running the past month and a half due to IT band problems, so today was the first race I have done since our half marathon relay. There was the Fall Festival at church, but I don't have any pictures, because I was suppose to work that night and Josh was taking them. Well, noone showed at class so I was able to leave, but didn't have the camera so he has pics on his roll film. (He doesn't like technology) We went to a pumpkin patch. I can't find the pictures. URGH! I don't know where the ones are from my Bon Fire Birthday Party are either. I had Thanksgiving at my house and made my first Turkey!! It turned out great too! I had Bo and Cameron again for this past week while Robert went to Vegas for work...and play! Then today Lillie ran her first mile run!!! She ran the entire thing and did it in 17min something, but she did it all!!! I am so proud of her, and the funny moment was at about 1/2 way she said I have to go potty. YIKES! We were by the river and a side street, but she was able to hold it till after she finished. I do have pictures of her. We could dress up for this run as well, so I was a present and Lillie was a stocking!

Here is my friend Wendy and I. Her daughter Maddy who is just a month younger than Levi also ran the 4 mile. She took 2nd place and has Cystic Fibrosis! Way to go Maddy!

My little stocking 1 mile finisher!

I am trying to keep up, but I am so busy not sure which direction I am going at times. As a matter of fact the rest of today is pretty laid back but from tomorrow till next Sunday night I either have play practice or performance for our church play, with the exception of Tue night. At which Mon., Tue., and Wed I have to teach water aerobics first. Then next Sunday night after the play gets over, I have to go to work at Bath and Body where I only work at night when they stock and reset up tables and such. Busy busy busy, that doesn't include I have a ton of Christmas presents I am making and need to get done by well Christmas Eve. So if you don't hear from me call someone else to make sure I am still alive. I will do my best.

Another 1/2 Marathon down in the books.

2008-10-20T07:46:00.000-07:00

Well, I don't have any pictures yet, but I know there are some out there. Wendy and I ran our Marathon Relay yesterday. We weren't sure how it was going to go, but trusted that God would get us through. On Tue of last week her ankles and knees were swelling from her lupus, and on Thur when I went out to run I began having pain in my left knee. I thought maybe it was just getting up at 5 am and it only being 38 degrees outside, but the pain would flair up during the day, and the next morning when I ran it was still there. I had a good first 10 miles, but the last 3 my knee really began to bother me. I did it though I finished in 2:20 my goal for last month. I dropped 4 minutes off of my time, and only ended up with a couple of small blisters. I had happy tears!! It was great to have so much family there at the end. I am so glad that Robert was able to be there to see it too! It was a great expierence, but I couldn't have done it without my best friend Wendy (God too of course)! She is so great and such an inspiration for me. I was looking at the results and for our division we got 5th place out of 10! Well, I hope to get some pics soon so I can get them on here. I look forward to seeing my aunts at the end of the week, so do a couple of little ones! :)

On the Run

2008-10-11T14:41:00.000-07:00

Sorry guys I have not been kidnapped just on the run, all the time. That is in the literal and sarcastic sense.

Well, we have Levi back into football season. Actually, he only has 2 games left. His first game was the first weekend mom was here and it was cold and rainy.

His next game was a bit dryer, and hotter(we were all sweating and sitting under umbrellas to keep out of the sun.) Hopefully it will be nice on the 25th when his Aunt's come to visit. His last game is on the 25th. You want to go right Aunts?

Then we have Ethan's Birthday!! 1 year old!!! Ethan and his big brother that doesn't(not) love him at all.
Not quite sure what to think about this.

The finished look.

This is the cake I made for everyone else to eat at Ethan's birthday party. Lillie really liked it since Elmo was on it.

Then we are brought to today. I don't have any pictures of Levi and I's race of course because I was running it. I have to say the only down fall to mom being here is I can't even say what I do or tell anyone my exciting news without her doing it first. So maybe I will have to stop blogging since she tells it all. Then you can cyber bully her instead of me.

Levi and I ran 1 mile and I probably could have done better, but I really wanted to beat my dr., and he was telling me in the beginning I had better go, well I killed myself in the first half. I know better than this. Anyway, I still walked away with 2nd place and with Levi at my heels. Britta thought Levi ran it in 8:53 last year and 8:11 this year, he said he was trying to keep up with me. His dad took 1st as well.

So here is what 1st and 2nd place medals look like.

Then we had the parade. Ethan really liked this actually and even collected a bit of candy. I should have taken a picture of his stash. He really did have alot for the a little guy.

Then Levi was on the football float. I had to run to the other side of the road to get a picture of him he was on the opposite side of the float from the road we were on.

We later went down by the school where they had a craft show and rides. We didn't get home until after 2. I was pooped and I know the kids were so we all went down for a couple hour nap. Ethan is still sleeping and when Lillie got up this is how he looked.

So in a small nut shell that is what has been going on. Lillie got hurt the other night because her and her brother were jumping off the back of one of the chairs in basement onto a cushion. Well, Lillie over jumped and hit a rubbermaid container. This is also after her nap today so she is a bit groogy.

I was hoping to have had the pictures from my half marathon from Britta by now, but I haven't gotten them so here is my medal I got from my half.

So I am guessing you all are saying what next. Well, I am running a Marathon Relay next weekend. My friend Wendy (who inspired me to run) are running this. We each run a 1/2 marathon making for a full Marathon. We will actually be running with marathoners so this is very exciting. So tomorrow I have to go run 12 miles in the morning. :) We get shirts with our packets that are advertise the race we run, but Wendy and I wanted our own shirts. She found these so this is what we are wearing.

I will have a few runs between now and the end of the year and will try to share how well I do. Let's be praying that next week is better than my last half. Everyone take care for you may not get another update for a month. LOL.

See You at the Finish Line!

2008-09-20T18:21:00.000-07:00

The time has come. Tomorrow I will go and run 13.1 miles in hopefully less than 2hrs and 20min. Sounds crazy to run that long, but I will enjoy it. Since I know most that read this probably believe that I am crazy for even thinking it, let alone actually doing it. Let's just hope I am not sore in the morning from my motorcycle ride tonight. Josh took some tracks way to fast and now my tail bone is throbbing. I told him if it was sore in the morning he was going to have to deep massage it before I leave. LOL! Levi had a football game today and I will have to get pics on when I put the pics on from my run tomorrow. They were ahead till the last quarter when the other team scored and they lost 13-7. Well, I am going to chill a bit before I go to bed, so I can hopefully get a good night sleep and be ready to run! I will update after tomorrow's run!

In NEED of a Running Mate!

2008-09-02T08:55:00.000-07:00

And no I am not running for President. Today I am in Nebraska and we are going through and packing things for mom. It is raining so it is nice and wet outside. I have to run 4-1600m. For some of you that don't know what that is it is 16 total laps around the football field track. Then on Thursday, I have to run 8 miles. So whoever is up for a good run, let me know and you can join me on my quest.

Here are the pics....

2008-08-25T10:54:00.000-07:00

I forgot to mention that for a week I also had 2 extra children. 3 of my own weren't enough. :) So here are some pics with my extra kids too.

Here is Lillie feeding Ethan. Now he likes big people food though so we just have to finish up the baby food he has and I won't have to buy it anymore! Yeah!

Josh pulling the kids.

Kids playing in the sprinkler, they loved it. Robert said Cameron told him he needed a house like Aunt Amy's, I bet it was so he can do stuff like this.

Here is Ethan and his new way of crawling. He gets on one foot and just uses the other one folded. We call it the crab walk, but he gets around.

Ehtan is eating a pancake.

Levi's first day of 3rd Grade!

He asked me why I had to take his picture. Then I thought since he was going into Intermediate school(3-5) he wouldn't want me to walk him in, but he did. I was worried this year my little boy wouldn't want his mommy anymore, but that's not true. I went and had lunch with him on Friday, and he gave me a hug in front of all his classmates. YEAH!!!

So here are the picturs, I hope you enjoy them and I will try(that's a big) to keep caught up. If only I could get ahead. Yeah right that will never happen.

Thought you were gonna get pics huh! Come back tomorrow, I will be posting again!

2008-08-24T17:56:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to say hi, and sorry I have been a bit busy. I have had something go on every weekend this month. The first weekend I had to take a CPR-PR, O2, First Aid, AED class. Then the second weekend I had to do a YASA class, which is YMCA assistant lifeguard class. So I can help a lifeguard if something happens to someone in the water. Then last weekend Friday night, all day Sat, and all day Sunday, I took my water aerobics certification. So I am officially certified to teach water aerobics at the Y. Then this past weekend Levi had a football scrimmage and had 2 games, and then I had to work in the concession stand later in the afternoon. Then this morning I did it....my first 10 mile run. I couldn't believe that I actually made all 10 miles running! I had a 10:10 pace(min/sec) So I did 10 miles in 1 hour and 41min. VERY EXCITING! I am getting excited my half marathon is 4 weeks from today. Well, I have pics to add, but I have to get them on the computer downstairs(I am on my laptop upstairs). So I WILL work on that tomorrow.

Quick Post

2008-07-26T15:11:00.000-07:00

Just a post to say HI and I will post as soon as I can a bigger one with what is going on. It has been crazy as a matter of fact I just realized I missed the 19th of July. I just had to beat mom!!! LOL next time don't tell me what you are doing!!!

WOW 2 Post in 1 DAY!!!

2008-07-04T18:53:00.000-07:00

Well, how about them apples. Can you believe your eyes...yes it is true this is my second post today! I just wanted to update and let everyone know. Today Ethan got his first tooth. On his 9 month b-day!!! Yeah!! I would take a picture but he keeps putting his tongue in the way of it. Silly little boy.

Fireworks....BOOM!! "Says Lillie"

2008-07-04T09:13:00.000-07:00

Since Levi is with us this week and for the 4th this year he has been somewhat of a Fireworks boy and has since "intrigued his sister" until they started going off in the driveway. All I have heard is fireworks..fireworks...fireworks. Either Levi or Lillie is saying it. However, once it began Lillie was not so excited! At one point she even threw the fireworks on the steps so that Levi couldn't set them off, she was tying to get rid of them.

Then this morning I got up and went and picked up Wendy(met her through the running club I am in). We went and did the 4mile Firecracker Run in Derby. I didn't do too bad but it wasn't as good as I had hoped. Well, I hope everyone has a safe and happy 4th of July. Thank you God for our Freedom!

Priceless Pics

2008-06-29T22:58:00.000-07:00

I had some pictures on my camera and thought that I would go ahead and puts some pictures on here for you. (For the cyber bullies I am doing this at 12:59AM!!) Anyway, when looking at these pics you will have to see if these kids 1 in particular takes after her mother/father or both!

These first ones are from the church picnic we had earlier this month. Dude notice how close Lillie is...way closer than you would ever get. She was feeding them cheez-its. Levi had to ride the pony because Josh got a ticket because Lillie seemed interested till they were wanting to put her on it. No parents could be back there so we couldn't help ease her so Levi had to do it. Needless to say it was not the high point of his day! Then Ethan was just relaxing ....and thinking.

I bet you can't guess who she takes after! Well, it is the same person she is talkig to......her grandma!!
She thought Ethan needed to say something as well.
This girl is gonna rock!

Hope you enjoyed the pics, only a week and a half left before we get to see everyone!

Time flys when we are having fun...guess I didn't realize I was having fun.

2008-06-24T11:56:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it is almost the end of June. I feel like I can't keep up for anything. The kids are sleeping and I really should be doing other things, but I am being bullied about posting. (you know who you are!) Well, let's see what has happend in almost the last 2 months. Levi finished school, we went to Nebraska for a week. Then I was just trying to keep up around the house and trying to enjoy summer and then last weekend I went to KC to walk Relay for Life, with Robert. We had a good time Ethan and Levi went with me and they did well. Went to sleep in the tent at 9:45pm and got up at 5AM!! I however didn't go to bed until 3AM! Yes I said 3 and right before I went to bed I ran 4miles...in a circle. I was waiting for them to say we could switch directions at some point, but they never did. I ran 2 miles prior to that at about 11:00pm. It was nice running though because there was no sun to beat down on me. The experience was good and I may even go up to the one that will be in Wichita in Aug. especially for the luminaria part. That was hard to say the least. They go through how people are related to those who have had/had/have cancer. When they say how you are related to it then you light a candle. After they went through all the names on the luminaria bags the we did a walk. People were then putting their candles by the luminarias. I had to search for Robert(in the dark, even though he is tall you can still miss him in the dark). We then put our candles by the lumanaria. I was crying but Ethan was screaming with Levi so I had to go take care of him. I do pray that one day cancer will be no longer and that we don't have to lose loved ones to it. Well, the next big trip will be in just over 2 weeks and going to TX! Yeah I can't wait. Wonder if Rick is ready for all of us rowdy ones? Well, let me see what I can put on here for picks, it seems as though I am missing some.

While in Nebraska we went to the zoo here are some pics. I really don't have any of recently guess I need to get the camera out more.

Pics of the relatives at the zoo!

2008-05-19T17:08:00.000-07:00

Mom was looking good for her pic.

Robert wasn't cooperating so well, so I couldn't get a very good one of him.
As you can see Levi takes after his uncle Robert.

I think we wore Ethan out though. He was pretty pooped!

The best story from the zoo was from lunch. I had the kids in the stroller and Lillie was in the front where there is a tray. She was having peanut butter and jelly sandwhich. All of a sudden a bird swooped down on her tray and stole some of her bread. All of the older kids were crackin up, they thought it was funny that the bird had done that. It was a good thing it was Lillie and not Dude or we would have had a mess on our hands. I bet to Lillie the legs of that little bird were "this" big! LOL! Gotta love ya Dude.

What's been going on....

2008-05-19T10:23:00.000-07:00

Here is the newest band member.

Here was Levi at his fun fit day.

Here is Lillie and Ethan at Levi's fun fit day. We rode the bicycle down to the school, about 2 miles each way. We were waiting for Levi to get out of school after being at the track.

Ethan is just too cute!!!

Here is my new diva!

This is from the zoo on Thur. Levi just took off with Lillie as soon as she was out of the stoller. He took her hand and away he went. It was so cute!

Then when we were in the jungle I wanted to take a picture of them in front of the waterfall, and Lillie was terrified. I am not sure why, but she clinged to Levi.

I will add some more pics in a bit, thought I should end this post before it won't let me post any more pics.

Running, Running, and still Running

2008-05-16T19:54:00.000-07:00

Well, I had a good run, so now I want to add some pics. This first one is actually from the Derby High 5 which was the cold one, that was windy and cold!

Here is a pic of my friend Wendy and I before the race.
Here is a pic in action from the 10K, I am in the black top and black shorts in the middle of the group.

I finished my 10K in 1hour 3min. I was really hoping to be a bit faster, but I had a side ach the last mile. I think it was because I had taken a drink of water about half way through, and maybe swallowed air. It was still my best time. After finishing my 10K I thought I would do the 2mile. I am not sure why I was so crazy, but I was. As soon as I started it my legs felt like they were going to come out from beneath me. I think my body was like what are you doing to me. I finished both though and then went on to run with Lillie and her tot trot.

Here is mommy and Lillie and our medals for finishing our races!! YEAH! Go mommy, Go Lillie!

Well, I have a bunch more pictures I want to put on here, but it took a while to get the last one to finally load so I better end this post now. Hopefully I can get a chance tomorrow to add another one, there are some great pics to come! So check back!

Almost Here!

2008-05-09T08:03:00.000-07:00

I am slowly preparing myself for my 10K & 2 mile tomorrow. I will be putting up pics from my runs, Lillie's run and Levi has a fun fit day today at the high school track, so we are heading there in a couple of hours. I know I have some pics on my camera that I need to put on here, but they are still on the camera. I have been so busy lately that I am not sure which way I am going. I will be taking pics of my new furniture too! I love it, I got a new couch and chair. I will have to take pics of my Mother's Day flowers I won from the grocery store in town. I kinda wish they would offer $$ for a raffle, I won a ham in Nov at Thanksgiving and now flowers. Maybe I am the only one that puts my name in?? Next week we will be heading to the zoo so I will be seeing many of you there! LOL I believe in the gorilla exhibit! I know Robert will be there (inside joke, mom you will understand in a couple of days). In case I don't end up back on here before Sunday. Happy Mother's Day to all the moms!!

Garage Sale and Running

2008-04-27T06:47:00.000-07:00

Well this is what my past week has consisted of..getting ready for the garage sale and running. I started last Sunday so that I could have everything ready by Wed. night. Yeah right. Garage sales start here on Thur. I was still finishing up Thur. morning. We did really good though. So that was very exciting. I had such a good day on Thur., I pulled more stuff out of the house on Fri. So I was with the garage sale Thur and Fri. and Josh had it yesterday till about 1:30 when I got home from a race in Hesston KS. It is just north of Newton. It was a 5K (3.1 miles) and I had my personal best. Their clock said 30:00 minutes flat, but my garmin said 29:41, which I don't start my garmin till I hit the start line. When you have a 1020 women/girls walking,running, jogging this takes a bit depending on where you are at in the heard to hit that line. The youngest participant was 2 and the oldest was 90 and just had a hip replaced in Oct. Before that my best had been 31:48 according to the clocks at my last windy/cold race. So needless to say I was very excited! So now it is preparing for the 10K 2 weeks from yesterday. I would love to be down around an hour or so. I ran with a friend of mine last weekend and did it in just over that so I should be good. I hope. I think I am going to do the 2 mile that day as well with my father in law. Lillie is going to do the tot trot which is across the bridge so that will be cute as well! I will have lots of pictures from that race! I need to get some on here. I will have to try to fit that into this weeks schedule. Since I was in the garage this week the house went to pot! I have so much laundry I don't know what to do with and if I dont' wash my running stuff I will be running naked. That would be a site! LOL No, I wouldn't run naked but Britta probably wouldn't be able to stand the smell of me because I would be wearing stinky clothes. Maybe she would be able to pick up her time from trying to get away from me. Anyway, just rambling now. So when we go to Texas if anyone wants to run with me (early morning or late evening) I will let ya!

P.S I got rid of that post and updated some settings so hopefully that will help. That was the first time I got one of those. Glad nobody clicked on it.

Lillie is 2

2008-04-20T08:02:00.000-07:00

I had Lillie's pictures taken and some of you have seen these but I wanted to update here with her.
I will be adding running pics as soon as I get them from my 2mile run in March and my 5K(3.1) run last weekend. I will also be running a 5K next weekend and a 10K(6.2miles)on May 10. I am excited about this one. I ran my first 10K ever yesterday and did it in 1hour 4min. I plan on working on doing a 1/2 marathon in September in Wichita. (13.1miles) So who knows maybe next year it will be a marathon. (26.2) :)

It has been a few weeks....

2008-03-19T18:27:00.000-07:00

Therefore I had better post or I will hear it next week when I am in Nebraska. It has been absolutely crazy. I am trying to set up our books (Accounting) for our LLC that Josh and I own with his brother. We started it the end of last year so I have to get it done for taxes. Well, I know alot about Accounting as far as payables, receiveables, inventory..yada yada yada. However, starting the books with the equity and such I have figured some out, but some I am clueless. So I have been working hard on that, because none of us can do our taxes till it is done and I am running(literally) out of time.

Levi had a concert at school the end of February. So here are some pics from it.

Ethan was having a good time too.

However, Lillie was really getting into it and decided that Ethan needed to be a part of it. As the kids were singing she started swaying her hands, then she grabbed Ethans hand and was holding it and swaying their hands. It was so cute, I wish I could have gotten a better picture.

So here are some pictures from Levi and Lillie's birthday party (almost 3 weeks ago).

I bet nobody has a lamb this cute for Easter.

Here is my "new" dishwasher....

With all the warm weather, Lillie likes to go outside and blow bubbles, sometimes inside if mommy lets her.

Then as some of you know today Josh and I celebrate our 3rd Anniversary. We went out last night to a Japanese steak house. So we got dressed up for the occasion. We didn't have very good lighting so the picture is yellow, but you get the idea.

Doesn't get any cuter than this!!!

2008-02-24T15:29:00.000-08:00

The other day I decided I haven't taken a whole lot of pictures of Ethan, and I am going to need them for rememberance and scraping. So Lillie is always wanting to hold or carry Ethan (who is 1/2 her weight) so I decided to let her hold him on the floor (no chance of dropping him or letting him flop over).
Here she is trying to give him his paci.
Here is another pic of Ethan where he is peaking on his tummy.

Then when I went to work that night Josh decided to take some pics of Ethan, I did not tell him I had taken pictures of him earlier that day(doo doo doo doo(add a twilight zone music)). He then added a little wording...hope you love it!

WHEW! What a night! Who said boys are never like girls?

2008-02-16T09:53:00.001-08:00

A learning experience if I might say. I am glad I do not have triplets or quadruplets. Wednesday was Levi's birthday, so I let him pick 3 friends to stay the night. They arrived last night between 5-6pm. We ate taco salad for dinner and then I went and bought an ice cream cake. Britta had picked up some snacks for them while they watched movies and played games. I told them that they would be lying down at 11pm but they could go to sleep with a movie on. So at 11 I had them already the only problem I was having issues with the tv. I got it figured out and had them all laying down. I went to go sew (in the next room) until they were asleep. After I finished what I was doing I came out and they were all sitting up watching the movie. I was in shock, I thought they would have all passed out. So I had to make them all lay down and had to sit there until they were asleep. Much to my surprise when I came downstairs this morning just before 8 all but 1 was awake. He woke up shortly after I got down here. Then trying to round them all up to go to Krispy Kreme. That was like trying to heard cattle without a horse. We got home shortly after 11:30, and the last boy was just picked up. So needless to say we are all going to take a nap. Levi has a basketball game at 5, and I don't think he will be useful being sleepy. All in all they were great boys, they had a great time, but man they can talk just as much as girls do. They just do it 10 notches higher so they can overtalk each other.

BBBRRRR it is COLD!!!

2008-02-09T18:54:00.000-08:00

Well, it is Sat. night and cold! Oh wait it has been cold since I got here. I left Kansas at 50 degrees to come to 17. What was I thinking??? Oh great just found out with the wind chill tomorrow it is supposed to be between 20 and 30 BELOW! Yes you read that right negative. YIKES! Glad I will be going back to 36, with getting back up to 50 by Wed. Amazing what 350 miles can make in a weather difference.

It has been a fast weekend, as with all weekends when I travel to Nebraska. When I got into town yesterday I went to Dixie's house and mom came a while later and I ran to the Y to go workout. While mom and Dixie had their hands full with Lillie and Ethan, but mainly Lillie. In the short time I was gone she messed up the tv with the remote, they said she didn't have it but a minute, and spilled mom's tea. You have to be careful with her she's quick!! We went and had dinner at El Bees in rememberence of dad. It had been a while since I had been there. Then mom and I went to Fremont to Wal-Mart, Pennys and the kids made us go to Village Inn. They needed their pants changed so we had to buy something so we got a pie. Not just a piece the whole thing. We ended up going to bed after midnight. Short night.

Then we got up this morning and went back to Fremont. We ended up finding the perfect headstone for mom and dads grave. I think it will be a perfect fit, and it is to be at dad's grave by Memorial day which is what we were wanting. We then went and did a bit more shopping till we went home and cleaned. It is now 9pm and we are ready to crash. So goodnight, and stay warm.

Just checkin in!

2008-02-05T14:14:00.000-08:00

Surprise I decided to post right quick. Nothing new really is going on other than Josh is now working almost 70 hours a week right now. They have a plane that is in experimental being made and it HAS to be done by sometime in April. So everyone working on this project is on overload. Well, I will be headed back to Nebraska this weekend. Mom and I are going on Sat. to look for a headstone. We would like to have it on dad's grave by Memorial Day. Hope everyone is doing well. I will try to keep checkin in! P.S. To my aunts 1 in particular Ethan and Lillie will be with me so you can come get some kid lovin'!!!

Run for cover a storm of great severity will be coming in!

2008-02-02T06:14:00.000-08:00

Yes, that is right after this gets posted everyone will end up with a foot of snow. Well, considering it has only been 8months since my last post!!! Whew how time flys! I thought it was only supposed to do that when you are having fun. Well some times have been better than others.

Back in Oct. Ethan Scott was born. He was 7lbs .5oz, and 20". He was a wonderful new addition to our family.

I was really hoping that my parents would have been able to come down, but my dad had been really sick from the cancer. Things had taken a turn for him in July, and they continued to go down from there. I decided that things did not seem like they were going well for dad and we headed back to Nebraska right before Ethan was 2 weeks old. I am so glad we did. We got to Nebraska and dad got to hang out with his little (new) budy (he had lots of little buddies & 1 buddet).
After we got up there we found out dad had a blockage and if it wasn't removed they told us he had 2 weeks to a couple of months and even with the cancer being so bad, he had less than a year. That was Oct. 19. That was the first time we had been given any update as to what his future held. We ended up taking him to Omaha to Emmanuel where he had an illiostomy done. He seemed fine, when I left the 24th to come back to KS. I really didn't want to leave and had a hard time leaving, but was planning to be back in a couple of weeks for a benefit that was going to be held for him. I got a call the next morning from my brother Michael that dad was going into surgery his kidneys were failing. This just happend to be my 30th birthday as well. I freaked out to say the least and was upset that I couldn't be up there. The dr. didn't even think dad would make it through surgery. The fighter that he is though he did. We got back up there at 11:30 that night. On Friday his conditions weren't changing and we had decided we would make a call as to what to do on Sat. We waited from about 6am till 7pm before we got to talk to the dr. Dad was not doing any better as for recovering. We decided that dad would not want to live the way he was any longer and took him off care. That was done at 9:30. Robert and I continued to stay with dad as they took him off the respirator. As soon as the pulled it out. I kissed his forehead and said I love you dad, and he said I LOVE YOU, and those were his last words. I am sorry to those who are reading this and crying, just so you know you aren't alone I am too. Robert and I continued to stay by his side with mom and Micheal coming in and out. I had to run to the restroom and stopped by mom for a sec when Robert came out and I went back into his room it wasn't long after that he passed. 11:20pm Oct. 27 he went home to Jesus. Dad had received his salvation on Oct.21 and he was baptized while in the hospital the morning of the 27th. Praise God we will see him again!!

As far as the remainder of the year goes, well, I don't remember much of it. So now we are already into Feb. Levi will be 8 this month, and Lillie will be 2 next month. We got some snow Thur. and there was no school. So Levi took Lillie out in the sled.

I am sure you are all wondering what Ethan looks like now too. He is growing, and getting so big! When I took him in for his 2mo he was 11 lbs 11oz. and 23" (69% for his age). We will find out how big he is next week when he has his 4mo, but I bet he is at least 15lbs. I took these pics this morning and the outfit he has on is 6mo.

Well, I should probably let you all go now since you now have probably a foot of snow outside you have to go scoop. I do hope to keep up a little better this year. Maybe things will slow down. Yeah right.

Lillie dressing up!

2007-05-30T16:13:00.000-07:00

We were at Target the other day waiting for tires to be put on the Saturn, so we were hanging around there. Levi wanted to go look at toys and I told him his sister had to look at the girl stuff then. We went down the isle and I found the boas, I put it around her and she immediately grabed it like a star. At first I was mad because I didn't have a camera then remembered I could use my cell phone. How did we ever live without them taking pictures at spur of the moment??? Anyway here is OUR model Lillie!

It's a.........

2007-05-17T12:12:00.000-07:00

BOY!!! They kept my due date the same Oct. 8. He wasn't hiding anything. We have 2 pictures of him showing it all. I tried to put one on here but was having problems sizing the picture and such. Levi is very excited. I went down to school and talked to him. I thought that he would rather me do that in person since he was really hoping for a boy. So now we have to come up with names that we agree on. Josh really likes the name Jesse, the only problem is we had a dog named Jesse and I can't get past that. So if anyone has any ideas please share them, I would like to have a name picked out that we agree on before he is born.

Stay Tuned. Thursday I will be announcing the gender of the baby with pics...

2007-05-15T16:39:00.000-07:00

On Thursday I go in for my sonogram and I will be announcing it on my blog. So don't expect a phone call. Even you mom you will have to check the blog. My appt is at 10AM and I will put it on here as soon as I get home. Let's hope this baby doesn't get stubborn and won't let us see anything. I have to say I would like another little girl, because her and Lillie would be close in age, and then when they get older I could dress them together. However, I would also like to have a little boy too, becuase Levi would be sooo excited! He really wants a brother, but who can blame him. Just FYI no there are not two either! In case anyone was thinking that. So stay tuned......

New pictures!! Ok they are a couple months old.

2007-05-15T08:09:00.000-07:00

I guess I will start back to when we had snow since my last blog was in Nov. So here is a picture of Lillie in the snow.

Here is our family Christmas picture. This isn't the one we used for our cards, but was still a decent picture.

I was trying to take some cute pictures of Lillie this is what I got.

I started running in Dec., and on Jan.1 I ran the Frosty 5K that the YMCA hosts. This is Wendy and I after the race.
I was pretty proud of myself. I hadn't run that far since high school track and even then it was only 2 miles. To be honest it was my friend Wendy's inspiration that encouraged me to begin running. She is one awesome woman of God. She has pushed through more trials and is just truly an inspiration. To give you a little backround she was diagnosed with Lupus back in Sept. of 02 I believe. She has been running now for I think a year and a half. Back in Oct. of this past year she ran the Wichita marathon. That is 26.2 MILES!!! She finished in 5 hours and 20 minutes, and to me that was just amazing! She had a rough time, but she pushed onward and did it. I guess that was all I needed and I decided to start running. So I ran the Frosty and felt good. Well, then I got pregnant. So I have been trying to run pregnant. In April the Sat. before Easter I ran the 2 mile at the Easter Sun Run. I thought I was going to freeze to death. It was colder at that race than the Jan. 1 run was. I made it running and cold though. Then this past Sat. I ran the Wichita River Run 2 mile. I had not had a lot of running time lately since it is hard to run pushing a stroller. I think it is going to take some time getting used to that, because you don't get to use your arms like you normally would. My time was a little longer, but I had to stop and take a potty break. I guess being 1 day away from 19 weeks pregnant the baby is going to be pushing on something. I did have a little cramping and did end up walking a little bit of my run, but I finished. I think my running days will have to end until this little one comes, and then I will be picking it back up. Here is a picture of Leslie and I from the Easter Sun Run. Ok now back to the kids.

I thought I had a picture of Levi from his birthday on here, but I guess I don't. Levi turned 7 in February and I can't believe how time is flying. He is ending his year in 1st grade next week. I can't believe how much he knows. He reads and I think he enjoys it although I don't think he would admit it. My little boy is growing up way to fast. He did play basketball this winter, it was awesome his first game they played he scored the first point!!! Here are some basketball pics.

In March Lillie turned 1. We had family and close friends over to help us celebrate her first birthday. She liked the cake the most I believe.

Here is a play by play: 1st just getting the fingers into the frosting.
Then a little more into the cake.

It's time to get a drink of milk.
AND NOW....

Who needs fingers to eat with when you can just stick your whole face in it?

Levi had a spring concert a few weeks ago. You can really tell who pays attention in music class and who doesn't. I hate to say it, but I am not sure that music is his forte. Josh is ok with it though, because Lillie already likes to strum the guitar and beat on everything. Here are pics from his music concert.

He even stopped singing to pose and his buddy joined him.
Most of the time he spent looking at the kids next to him.

Levi absolutely loves his sister!!

Well, I hope you have enjoyed the past 6 months in such a short amount of time. I promise to keep up, now that they fixed my account.

Yeah All I had to do was leave blogger for awhile and they fixed my account so now I can add to my original account!!!

2007-05-15T07:17:00.000-07:00

I know it has been a long time, but I got mad at Blogger and quit. Now I can add to my original page so I will continue to blog. I am sure everyone is ready to see pics of my now 1 yr old. So I will end this here and add another blog with pics of the kids!!!

Levi and Lillie

2006-11-10T09:40:00.000-08:00

We had a really nice day here on Wed. it was I think 85. So we went outside and got some picks. Hope that you enjoy these.

She has been more determined to sit up straighter in her highchair and her swing in the house. Don't think she is going to be laidback. So we decided to put her in the outside swing. Then Levi came home and wanted to join her.

We went in the house and a little later Levi and Lillie decided to play a little video game.

I think she was really getting into the game. Well, I hope everyone enjoys the pictures, this weekend is going to be a busy one. Tomorrow I am going to a friends wedding reception, then on Sunday I will be in training from 8-4 at the Y getting the remainder of my aerobics instructors certification. So Josh will have the kids all day. Then at 6 that night we have the church Thanksgiving dinner. So it will be busy. Take Care and God Bless.

Lilliebug!

2006-11-08T08:08:00.000-08:00

Wow not even a week since my last post. Do I get some sort of reward for this??? Come on family. I get the hardest time when I am slacking. It has been crazy this past 5 days Lillie and I were both sick. I felt ok on Friday when I took her to immediate care. She had a sinus infection, then Sat., I got worse. I started taking some Amoxicillian to clear me up but was not doing too hot by yesterday. I went to immediate care and they did blood work to see if I had mono or a problem with my white blood cell count. I just wanted to sleep, at least Josh came home and watched Lillie so I could go to the dr. I ended up just having some virus, so he sent me away to get Sudafed and Prednazine(I am sure I didn't spell that right, but it is a steriod) I am feeling so much better today. So I got out the camera this morning when Lillie first woke up. She is really a happy baby when she first wakes up on her own and not due to hunger.

As you can see arms are flying she was happy to see her mama. Which she will now say mom and she doesn't have to be screaming mad to do it. So mom was her first word but it wasn't the sweetest since she was mad when she would say it. Although I was still excited for it to be her first word. We then went out to the living room and got new diaper on and clothes on for the day. She was just content sitting and playing with her paci. Ok I couldn't decide which one I liked better and then thought I would just put them both on I am sure people won't mind seeing more pictures of her.

This one is so cute it looks like she would say "Oh man she is taking my picture with my paci in my mouth. What are you doing mom?"

This is her practicing up for her model shoots. "This is my good side"
Now we have LILLIEBUG!

OK now that I finally got my balance took mom forever to get me to sit on it. Kept falling over. Course I was trying to get the bugs anntenas.

I have one but I really want the other one too!

Oh heck with the other one I'll just eat this one, don't care as long as I can put it in my mouth.

OOPS I leaned over to far to get more of it in my mouth. Good thing mom was there to pick me up.
It was now time for MY big brother to go to school. He has late start on Wed. so he doesn't leave home until 8:45.

He is getting so big, and learning so much. He comes home and reads to me and mom. Last night he read 2 books that he had made at school, and they aren't easy words like "See Jane run". Someday I wanna be like him, cause I love him lots. I missed him soo much last week and when he come back to our house on Monday(he missed school because he had been sick on Sunday) he sat down by me and I just talked to him and he talked to me it was great. I sure do love him. Well, mom started out writing this and I guess I will finish it up. Love Lillie

3X in 1 Week!!!

2006-11-03T05:57:00.000-08:00

Well, wish I had pictures to share, but I haven't received them from Britta yet. It hasn't been that fun of a week the last few days anyway. Lillie and I were both feeling pretty rotten yesterday. She was running a fever and I had a major sore throat. She wouldn't let me do anything but hold her. She didn't even want to sleep anywhere else but my arms. She was doing better last night and she nursed just after 6 this morning so I am hoping that she will stay a sleep for a couple more hours and let me get some stuff done. Other than that not much going on.

Ok I decided to find some cute pictures of her to share. This one is when she was looking out the window, just from the back side.

This one is actually from Sept. but I thought it was cute. I have decided that I need to start taking more pictures of Levi when he is here, because I don't have him on here much. So next week when he is here I will do that. Take Care and God Bless everyone.

UPDATE Just so you know I didn't forget.

2006-11-01T08:08:00.000-08:00

WOW! 2 days in a row. Just wanted to let you know that I forgot the camera last night in order to get pictures of Levi and Lillie. Britta is going to be getting me some since she had her camera. So when I get them I will post them.

SLACKING

2006-10-31T08:18:00.000-08:00

Ok, it is one thing when your family tells you that you need to get updating, but it is another one when friends from church ask why your slacking. YIKES. Better get better at keeping up on this. I mean I guess it has been a month and a half since the last update. Guess I am slowing down in my old age.

Here is Lillie 5 1/2 months staring outside. This is when she first started to sit.

Well, I have lots to share. Lillie turned 6 months on the 29th of September and a week before she turned 6 months she decided she wanted an extra feeding in the night. 1 AM to be exact, so I decided it was time to start food.

She took the spoon away.

Big girl and drinking out of a cup.

Levi came over on a Sunday after he had been at a birthday party. He had a balloon and a bag of candy. Lillie enjoyed them just in a different way.

It was funny when the balloon would hit her in the face. She would just have this funny look like what just happen. Even though she was the one making the balloon go all over. She loved it.

Finally, here is one of her outside with daddy. Because you know mommy wouldn't put a purple hat on her with a red and white outfit.

She just started this past Friday drinking out of a straw, she just continues to amaze me daily at how fast they grow. Guess I forgot after 6 years how fast the first year goes.

So it has been a busy month to top it all. I went back to Nebraska 2 weeks ago and we celebrated October birthdays. That was fun, course when you are with my cousin Sindee you can't expect anything accept to be laughing most of the time. It was an enjoyable 1/2 week that Lillie and I spent there, even though my Great Aunt passed away and we had her funeral. It was fun to meet people from her side of the family. Her grandchildren are about the same ages as myself and my brothers. There was even a great grandchild of hers that was only 28 days older than Lillie.

Then last week I aged a year older. I know most of you are reading this going come on your only 29, BUT (and it is a big but) I remember my parents turning 30 and remember how OLD that was, (I was 12 so it is a clear memory) and now I am almost out of my 20's. Well, I hope everyone enjoys this. I am hoping to get on here tomorrow and put pictures of Levi and Lillie on here from the Fall Festival at church tonight. Take care everyone and God Bless.

More pictures!!!

2006-09-18T12:56:00.000-07:00

Busy Week

2006-09-18T07:11:00.000-07:00

Well, it has been awhile and I am hearing from a lot of family, so I had better update. This last week Josh's parents came into town to visit. They did some house hunting, and found one they like, but it will depend on how things go with what they have going on in Texas. On Thur. Josh and his parents went to the Winfield Bluegrass Festival.

Lillie hadn't had a very good week so we didn't go. Lillie and I did go up to the Kansas State Fair on Friday and met Grandma Eckdahl and Aunt Dixie. Grandma and Grandpa Racchini went and had lunch with Levi at school on Friday and they picked him up from school. He really liked that.

Friday night they guys headed over to our friend Brandon's 30th B-day party, while my mom, Aunt Dixie and my mom-in-law came to my water aerobics class that I was teaching.

On Sat. Levi spent the day "shopping" with Grandma Eckdahl and Aunt Dixie and Lillie went shopping with Grandma Racchini. Levi I guess watched Grandma and Aunt Dixie try on clothes and he was the critic. Lillie just slept. So all in all they both had a good shopping day. Then Sat. night Grandma Eckdahl, Aunt Dixie, Levi, Lillie and I watched the Husker game. Well most of the game. It wasn't a win but we had cheering going on.

Then on Sunday Lillie was dedicated. It was an awesome experience. Pastor Tom did the dedication and it was really neat. It will be exciting to see how Lillie grows to love and follow the Lord.

Now today everyone has gone home so it will be getting back into routine again. Until we have more visitors or when we travel to Nebraska next month to celebrate October birthdays. Not sure if I am looking forward to that or not. I will be 29 for the 1st time.

1ST Day of 1ST Grade!!!

2006-08-21T19:50:00.000-07:00

WOW! Where has the time gone. This summer has been full of activities and has just flowen by. It has been over a month since my last post, and boy have I heard it from my family. So I will be working harder on updating more often. This last month has been busy with Levi on vacation with his dad and his family and preparing him for school. I also began my own home buisness as well. This last week Levi started school. He is now in 1st grade, and in a new building. They just built a new elementary building here in Rose Hill. It is really cool. Since there are so many classes for each grade they have made them into little pod like areas. So you walk through a door and then walk through another door and there are the 6 doors for the first grade rooms. They did it with all the elementary classes. However, it is a big building and I got lost after I dropped him off his first day of school. Here is his picture.
Well, this last weekend we headed to Nebraska for a family reunion, so there will be more pictures on the way. I just needed to get something on here or I wasn't going to hear the end of it. Hope everyone is well. God Bless!

Brotherly Love

2006-07-20T08:10:00.000-07:00

I had been downstairs doing some work and Levi was upstairs with his sister. He LOVES to take care of her. He holds her and even likes to take her when she is upset and crying. Well, I come upstairs and this is what I see.

I just found this picture so sweet makes me love them that much more. I hate to say it, brings a tear to my eye. This book I bet will be a favorite of Lillie's as well. When Levi was little and he stayed with grandma, she read this book to him, but with character. She didn't just read the book. So you can imagine that when he was reading this to his sister it was the same way. I just love it!!

We are all doing well here. Levi goes back to his dads today and tonight they are headed to Minnesota for a week and a half to stay at a cabin on the lake. The other 3 of us are just going to hang out. I am looking forward to the family reunion and can't wait to go home. Take care and I hope you enjoy the picture as much as I did. God Bless.

My Little Firecracker...went out.

2006-07-14T06:19:00.000-07:00

Well, it has been awhile since I have updated with a new post. I have been informed that I also need to journal more. I am more of a talker than a writer I guess. We have been keeping busy around the household, course not to difficult when you have a little one. We had a good 4th of July weekend. Josh had that Monday off, so was a 4 day weekend. We had Levi that weekend as well. Alot of people did fireworks around our house and they were big ones our neighbors said they usually spend about $2000.00. They did have some cool ones. They did theirs on Monday night so on Tuesday night others were going off around us as well. All big ones, these people I guess don't have anything better to spend their money on. Anyway, Tuesday night we went to the park and watched fireworks down there. Here is my firecracker from the 4th.

Then on the 6th we met with Aunt Dixie, Aunt Dude, and Uncle Leon. It was funny Dude kept calling him Lion and Levi was no it is Leon why do you call him that. Anyway Dude was the first to have her, actually Dixie didn't get a chance because she fell asleep. We met for lunch at Sonic and it was a good time. It was fun to be able to spend the little time that we had with them. Maybe someday they will get to come at stay awhile. We do have an extra bed now.

Other than that not much going on, I am teaching water aerobics at they Y and it is a good time. I even have people that have become my regulars. Which is nice lets me know I am doing something right. I am also working out my self to loose this baby fat. It is frustrating, but I know it takes time. Till next time. :)

Lillie at the Pool!!

2006-06-27T13:16:00.000-07:00

We went to the pool yesterday, it was really her second time in the pool. We went to the Y on Sat., but I forgot the camera at home. So we just wanted to share her pool pics.

Silly Levi

2006-06-22T08:03:00.000-07:00

I had to share this pic. of Levi. He loves his Larry Boy pj's and refusses to let me put them up. These pants are a 4T and he wears a 6-7.

Our little Lillie

2006-06-17T20:35:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to share this picture of Lillie. We have flowers growing out back, and Josh had taken her outback one day and put this in her hair. She is growing sooo fast. Enjoy.

Welcome!

2006-06-17T19:59:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I figured since the rest of the family seems to be picking this up, I might as well. I was waiting for someone to ask me when I was going to start mine. However, I do have to say that it is nice to be able to keep up with family by being able to post on here. It allows the ones far away to see the kids growing and that is a good thing. I hope to be able to post often, and keep everyone updated on the things going on in the Racchini household. Hope you enjoy and God Bless!