Summer!!

Good morning! Guess what, we have had two days of sunshine and seasonably warm temperatures. It feels so good to see the big blue skies that Montana is known for... the snowcapped mountains gleaming with the glow of the sun, the vibrant green foliage and the blooming flowers...I am in seventh heaven.

Today is a weird transitioning day. Dylan is going to the highline to spend the week with Gramma and Grampa. They will have a blast I'm sure. On the docket is a trip to Glacier Park! How wonderful is that! And the visit will end with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Rendezvous celebration, which is always incredibly fun.

Jackie is already at work this morning...crazy. I cant' believe how fast they grow up. This is Dylan's first time going without Jackie. I'm sure he'll do great but I can't help but feel an extra tinge of separation anxiety. Jackie will be busy working and hopefully attending a soccer academy to begin getting ready for the High School season in the fall. I am heading for sunny College Station TX for a conference for work. Busy, busy, busy.

My training is at kind of a new level. It is really interesting because I used to be able to say, I'm going for a quick run....but now my training involves runs that really aren't quick. It is a new commitment of time, especially given the fact that I want to spend the warm, beautiful evenings hanging with my family. STill, my kids have been great. Jackie and Brennan have rode their bikes with me a few times, which is the best. Sometimes it is hard to get motivated, but having someone with me makes it easier to get going. Once I'm going , I'm all on. I truly love running and running. I will do everything I can to keep running long after this race has been run. It's all a matter of getting that first step.

Fundraising is something that I'm just not very good at...it makes me feel a little uncomfortable, but I'm working at it. SO many of you have been so generous. Believe me, I wouldn't ask for your help if I didn't need it. Inflammatory bowel disease is a beast that must be tamed and it can't be done without a whole lot of money. SO I THANK you once again and ask you to keep forwarding this on to people who might want the opportunity to be a part of the cure for IBD.
Increasing awareness is just as important as increasing funds. Thank you for all of your kind words, your prayers, your support.

Finally on this fathers day, a word about my Dad. I try to be humble and gracious in my life, I really do...but the truth is, I do have THE best dad in the world. I can't imagine where I would be without him. Because of him, I know that I am never, ever alone. I know that I can achieve any goal, climb any mountain, conquer any problems that come my way. Because of my dad, I know that true happiness comes from within and that as long as I live my life in a way that makes me proud when I look in the mirror at night, I will be okay. My dad gave me courage, intestinal fortitude and the profound understanding that life is what we make it... God bless my dad and ALL dads.

Happy Fathers Day!
jd