Living the Good Life: August 2009

Monday, August 24, 2009

The new dock

We have a new dock! Greg and our friend, Matt, worked all day one Saturday lugging, pounding, cementing and manuevering poles to make a base for our dock. It's just about done. Greg just needs to put on a few more boards to finish it up. The boys have already been swimming off it and absolutely love it. And it's in a perfect location. We can see it wherever we are in the house. Great job guys!!

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Biking maniacs

Well, my boys have finally taken up the sport of bike riding. It took them a while. First of all, we have never really lived on a great road for bicycling. And second, they weren't too thrilled about the possibility of falling. Well, when we were at our Runnebaum camping trip about a month ago, we took the bikes and there was a flat stretch just beside where were were camping. And it was grassy. Well, they started practicing and Greg and I worked with them and now, they just can't get enough. Michael and Vincent both said, "I'm glad we learned to ride bike, mommy. It's fun!" Michael wants to ride all the time. The other night, it was getting dark and he was riding his bike all around the house out in the yard. And we have a pretty big yard. I'm so glad they're enjoying it.

Sturgis...Wahoo!

Greg and I hadn't been back to Sturgis for 12 years. Some things have changed but it's still basically a biker's paradise...ha! We had a great time. We went with some of Greg's family. Had 3 brothers, a sister, an uncle and some cousins plus spouses. It was a lot of fun!! The first pic is of the boys after we got back. They wanted to go for a ride, too...ha! Greg took them for a tour around the parking lot.

We even met up with some fellow Mojoers, Loren Dean and Christy. We met up at The Knuckle to listen to a band one night. And also ran into another Mojo, Susie G., the first day we were there. What can I say...the Mojos always seem to find each other one way or another. Good times had by all!!

Michael's 1st Communion

Michael had his 1st Communion the end of July. He was so excited and we are so proud of him. He kept wanting to practice to make sure he got it right. Those of you who are Catholic know what I'm talking about...ha.

Runnebaum camping trip

Well, I'm finally back. The computer is fixed (hopefully) and I'm ready to catch you up on what has been going on lately.

In July, we had our annual Runnebaum camping trip at Lake Wabunsee. It was great fun had by all. And ALL 13 brothers and sisters showed up. That's very unusual for a family of that size. About the only time we all see each other at the same time is at Christmas.

Just about everyone camped. We went boating, tubing, skiing (Shane) and swimming. We all had a great time.

About our family

Hello! We are an average family of four (or should I say 21 if you add the chickens, horses, cats & dog) living in the heart of America, the midwest. We own our house, have 2 cars, 2 motorcycles (Harleys), 7 acres, 2 kids, some debt, and go to church. We haven't been to any exotic places or made millions of dollars. We have never suffered with major illnesses or constantly triumphed over insurmountable odds. We have had our share of good times and bad times but nothing that would make us stand out as unique or special. We have never written any best-selling books (although, I'm working on that) or had our 5 minutes of fame. We are an average American family with an average American lifestyle. I used to not be so happy about that. But now I realize that God has given us a wonderful life, full of challenges and obstacals, but nothing we can't handle. And it is the life He has chosen for us. So, we go about our average days of our average life and if something comes our way that presents a major challenge or gives us some unusual fame or fortune, we deal with it in our average American way.

How it all began...

I am a true believer in fate. If it were not for fate, and God's infinite wisdom, Greg and I would have never met. You know how sometimes you can almost feel God gently pushing you in a certain direction. Well, that's what happened to us on the night of August 24, 1996. God had his arms gently around Greg and my shoulders gently guiding us towards each other. Neither one of us would have normally been at the same event on the night of the 24th. Greg had just moved to Kansas City, Missouri and was looking for something to do on a Saturday night. I was in a lengthy conversation with a close friend involving her trying to talk me into going to the same event that Greg was on his way to at that very moment. I was tired of being the 5th wheel even though the friends I hung out with were all very close (couples or not). I had been seeing someone off and on for the past few years and was tired of being alone. My friend finally talked me into going to the Nascar races. That was where Greg and I met and it was the start of a great life together.

The start of our family.....

Greg and I got married in 1999. What a wonderful life we share. We live in Boonville, MO now and have been here ever since our 1st son was born. He was born the 2nd day we moved into our new house. Needless to say, he was not supposed to come until 10 weeks later. But he had his mind made up...ha. Greg and I were supposed to head to the innagural races at Kansas Speedway the morning of June 2, 2001. But at the last minute we decided to head east and make a run to the hospital. I had not been feeling right all night long. Well, it's a good thing we didn't go to KC because I was already dialated to 5 by the time we got to the hospital which was only 30 minutes away. Michael Lee Runnebaum was born a few hours later (10 weeks prematue) and spent the first 2 months of his precious life in the NICU.

Another addition....

Well, one wasn't enough. To be perfectly honest, I was ready to have 5 more until I had my second and then all that changed...ha! We decided two little boys running around was quite enough action. Vince was a term baby and was born January 30, 2003. We are not the typical couple although people are now starting to have kids later in their years. But I was 40 (actually 1 day shy of 41) when I had my first child. Greg is 6 years younger than I am. Our boys really keep us busy running with daily activities. There are days when I just want to drop down in a chair (most days, really...) but they really do keep us young at heart. And it makes me want to stay young and healthy so I can spend as much quality time with them as I can.