Just half

In Mark's family, frugality ruled.  My late father-in-law was famous for saying, "Just half,"  when you asked him if he wanted3ything...a cup of coffee, a piece of cake...whatever it was, Dad only wanted half.

Now his self discipline was not all that great and he might have three or four half-cookies or two half cups of coffee but the point was, he would not waste anything if he took it in small incrments.  Long after his passing, we were still telling each other that we only wanted half.

Today was another half in our lives:  Three of my children ran the Buffalo Creek Half Marathon.  Yes, Andy, Tony and Vicky ran.  Yes, this is the first for all three.  Yes, they will probably do more of these.

My day started about 7AM with these jokers in my kitchen:

After a repeat of last night's discussion on shoes, socks and underwear. they were finally ready and out the door.  I got a few phone instructions, a few text messages after they left, but I felt good...except...

Andy had been running for a few months, Vicky ran all summer and both were ready and registered for the race.  Tony hadn't run since July and didn't decide until last night to race.  Well, he's a big boy...

I picked up Morgan, her friend Gretchen and her 'bonus brother' Ty and we headed for Freeport to see the end of the race.  It was cold!  I was wishing I had though of mittens but the runners were coming in:

Lots of them.  According to the director, there were almost 900 runners registered.  The only problem was...no Andy, no Tony and no Vicky!

Finally, off in the distance we saw...

Tony in the yellow, Andy in the blue shirt and Vicky in black...they got closer...

What are they looking at?  Here comes Tyler, in the gray hoodie, to run in to the finish line with them!

He kept up with them.  He loves Andy and Tony!

Tony was exhausted but so happy to see Morgan!

The boys' friend, Chris, who is also the race director, had a sign made just for the boys...

My athletes...

Two more things about today...

1.  I got to the finish line first (doesn't matter that I drove, I'm an old lady...humor me!

2.  The boys said they had a 'sign' from their dad...Tony was running out of energy when from out of nowhere, a pretty girl in yoga pants ran past them.  Both boys said it gave them the incentive to keep moving  just kidding about the sign, but it does give us a chance to talk about Mark)!