An Ironman, a graduation…and a Triple A

After another whirlwind week, I find myself trying to sum it up in a few paragraphs called a “blog”.  Thanks you for all your kind words about my brother, Michael.  After I wrote the last blog, he ended back in Peoria Hospital with more back pain.  This time they ruled out the possibility that the pain caused by his Aortic tear….But, luckily, while searching for the reason for his pain, they discovered another aneurysm…in his abdomen.  In medical terms, this one is a “triple A”…Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm…Upon further examination, his doc determined that it would not yet require surgery and they would keep a close eye on this one too…His back pain very possibly could have been back spasms…being so tensed up could cause that.  They sent him home with pain meds and he will be spending some days with medical appointments in his near…and far…future. Thank God they found this second aneurysm!..Much better to know what is actually there and monitor it,  than never know and  have it rupture!!

Last night, Den and I attended Peyton’s 8th Grade Graduation from Harter Middle School .  Peyton is about to turn 14, and next year he will be a Freshman (not sure they even call them that now) at Kaneland High School.

I believe there were over 400 kids graduating last night, but the administration did a great job on getting them filed through, diplomas in hand..It started at 6:30PM and we were on our way home at 7:40PM…Yep, now THAT is a fast graduation! Our son, Kelly, was able to come right from work. Kel’s wife, Cindy, was teaching a CPR class, so she couldn’t make it.

Whenever Uncle Kelly shows up in his work uniform, everyone wants to get a photo op with him…

…Even Kel’s little sister grabbed the opportunity…(with Taylor photo bombing in the background).

These two siblings will be together in High School next year… Somehow I can’t believe this fondness will transfer when Taylor, the Sophomore, meets her little brother in the halls!!

Here they are camping with us 6-14-2005…my how time flies….

I am very proud to say that our son-in-law, John Wolff, is running in the Louisville, KY Ironman race on August 24th this year.  For those who are not familiar with what the makes up an IRONMAN triathalon, here it is:   a 2.4-mile (3.86 km) swim, a 112-mile (180.25 km) bicycle ride and a marathon 26.2-mile (42.2 km) run, raced in that order and without a break. Most Ironman events have a strict time limit of 17 hours to complete the race(thus, earning the title: "IRONMAN"). We aren’t sure if Den and I will be part of his spectator fan club or babysitters for the Wolff Cubs!!

Last November John ran in the Boston Marathon…one marathon no one will ever forget…He has run about 4 marathons…maybe more, I could be wrong. The bicycling part of the Ironman Triathlon will likely be the hardest part for John,as he hasn’t been much of a “cycler”… The swimming will be a piece of cake for him (hopefully) because he was on the swim team in high school and also Purdue University Swim Team…As for the final leg of the triathlon, the 26.2 mile run… well…John is a seasoned runner, but after the swimming and bicycling it is a WHOLE new ballgame!!!!! We love John to the moon and back…but the main reason we love John Wolff is this….

He always find a way to “entertain” us and ALWAYS makes us laugh!!!!!

“I love people who make me laugh. I honestly think it's the thing I like most, to laugh. It cures a multitude of ills. It's probably the most important thing in a person.”  ~ Audrey Hepburn