Living the Good Life

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Dad's last party

I haven't had a chance to update my blog lately because we've been so busy with family but I wanted to be sure and post this one. Greg's dad died on June 15. The weekend of the 5th, the family had a birthday party for him and his brother, Uncle Galen. Dad turned 90 in May and Uncle Galen turned 80. So many people showed up, including Dad's sister, Pat, which he hadn't seen in a long time. It was like another Runnebaum reunion. He seemed to be feeling OK with the exception of his gall bladder which turned out to be a big enough problem that he had to have surgery. We're all glad he had the surgery because it eased his pain and made him feel better. And we're all so glad that most of the family (that lived a far distance) got to see him before he passed away. We will miss you, Dad. You were a great father and wonderful person and raised 15 glorious children!! I know. I'm married to one of them. Rest in peace. We love you!

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Half Century Old!

Well, this is a little late but I finally put a post together with pics from my birthday weekend over Memorial Day weekend. It was a blast for those that couldn't make it. We had a lot of fun. Here are some pics of the big fun!

My good good friend, Rebecca and one of her daughters, Nora.

Elizabeth and Ruby, Rebecca's two other daughters.

Mary, me and Rebecca

Donna, me, Jill & Rebecca

The kids playing

Poker run on Saturday

Beth, my college buddy

Greg had 3 cakes for me.

The 3 Muskateers!

The Sunday monsoon that came through. But it only lasted an hour or so and then the sun came out and it was a beautiful evening.

Mojo Susie and Ted.

Chris, Greg, me, Matty & Shanna

Schultzy even came for a visit!

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Last day of school

Well, school is officially out for SS Peter & Paul Catholic School. We had mass and the awards ceremony this morning. The kids are eager to start the summer but I'm thinking I'm already tired....haha! I can't believe I'll have a 2nd grader and a 4th grader next year. Time goes by too fast.

Vince's class

Michael and Georgie

Mrs. Spence and Michael - what a great teacher Mrs. Spence is!

Monday, May 17, 2010

pickin' & a grinnin'

My Uncle brought back his banjo for me to play with while he was in town. I'm so excited. I've wanted to learn how to play the banjo for years. I know a couple of weeks isn't near long enough to learn anything but at least I'll be able to find out if my interest is real. And, who knows, maybe I'll be able to pic a lit'l at my birthday party...lol! Either way, I'll have fun for a little while.

Visit home

This last weekend was a big one. I left Thursday to attend my oldest niece's bachlorette party. I stayed with my folks and Greg and the boys came down Saturday morning. They had a few things to finish up at the house before they left. My uncle was in from Tennessee, too. I love my Uncle Clarence. He is so wonderful and such a hoot! He has so many stories and jokes to tell. I told him I need to keep a tape recorder around just so I could capture all his stories and funny tales. I need to write a book someday. I could fill the book with just his stories and "one liners". He's so funny.
Anyway, my niece got married and it was a beautiful ceremony and reception. Actually, she had 2 receptions...one at the church and one at my sister's home. I'm so happy for Jessica and Will. They are going to be very happy. I love them both! Here are some pics of our fun-filled weekend.

My Uncle Clarence and my dad

The bachlorette party riding in a stretch Hum-V

Dinner at The Cheesecake Factory...YUM!!!

Le Ann and I getting crazy and we didn't even have anything to drink....imagine that..ha!

Isn't she gorgous!

Ok, where are the horses??...

Uncle Clarence and Vince (my youngest son)

Dancing with dad. Jeff, you held up good. I'm proud of you..ha!

Where is that durn garter??!!!

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Mother's Day

I have the best children. They spent the day yesterday with daddy in Arrowrock at a craft show displaying our rocks and when they came home they had bought me Mother's Day presents. I was so touched. Greg had given them both $20 because they helped and did so well at the show. Vince spent $18 of his money buying me this little bear that was made of wax and smelled like vanilla and Michael bought me a ring shaped like a flower. It's beautiful! They also made things from school that touched my heart so much. I love my boys so much and I am so blessed.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Pops 4th Annual Ride

Our wedding anniversary was May 1, 11 years. We spent that weekend visiting family and friends and had a great time. Pops 4th Annual Memorial Ride was Saturday. All the Mojos and friends got together and rode to a couple of places that had been picked to be the usual stops for this particular ride. It turned out to be a beautiful day!! By the end of the day, the sun was shining and we knew Pops was smiling down upon us. :) The rest of the weekend was spent with family and some old Marion friends. What a great way to celebrate our wedding anniversary. It was a great weekend!! Here's the pics to proof it.....

Shanna and her new ('97) Fatboy!! Another one in the group now.. Wahoo!!

Who's got the good hand.....??

And the winner is.... Kim!!

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.