Monday, January 19, 2009
No More Screwing Around
this is the year! Yesterday I started the program "Couch to 5k" in 9 weeks if I follow their instructions I should be able to run a 5k. I am going to do the 5k for the Riverbank Run in April and I am hoping to continue after that with training and such and run the Missoula Marathon, well the 1/2 marathon in July! This is something I have wanted to do before I turned 40, I have a few years before then but no time like the present, right? Also, my 20th Class Reunion is a few weeks after the marathon, can't think of a better way to get in shape. We have "encouraged" Emily to do this with me, not the marathon part, but the training and RiverBank Run. So her and I headed to the YMCA yesterday and met Maureen and kicked it off! Wish me luck! I will blog my progress. Yesterday was 5 minutes of brisk walking and then alternating 60 seconds running and 90 seconds walking for a total of 20 minutes. It wasn't bad, it wasn't bad. Well, yet!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
What happened to Happy Endings in Hollywood?
I have seen four movies in the last three weeks and they have all brought me to tears. What the heck Hollywood? What has happened to happy endings in movies? I give them all two thumbs up but I am tired of crying. I want to leave a theater happy and even have my sides hurt since I laughed so much. I am looking forward to February 6th when "He's Just Not That Into You" comes out. A star studded cast and it just looks cheesey, lovey enough that I'll love it BUT someone did bring to my attention that I still may shed a tear or two. Argh!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Where have all the bloggers gone?
So I know I have not been blogging like I used to. Honestly, I play on facebook too much. But, what about all my other bloggin' friends? Most of the blogs I read daily haven't been updated since December or even November. What has happened to this form of communication? Dan is even upset that no one has even commented on our blog in months. Where have all the bloggers gone?
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
The Floridian Returns to Snow
My mom flew in on Christmas and stayed with us till the 30th. Dan had some frequesnt flier miles and we were able to, basically, get her a free ticket. I know it has been awhile since my Mom has really been around snow, she likes to say she left Erie for a reason. I prayed and prayed we would have a white Christmas, not just for her but just cause I love em! Well, we got lots of snow the week before. She was so "excited" - NOT!
The kids were very excited Busia (BOO Shaw), Grandma in Polish, was coming. They don't get to see her too often. Dan built or manuevered a little bedroom downstairs for her, it actually turned out pretty cute and I told him to not take it down so some night when he is snoring I can head down there to sleep instead of the couch. It was a pretty laid back visit, we did a little shopping, a lot of eating, saw two movies (Marley & Me and The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button), played some Wii and just got to hang out.
Christmas Hirning Style
This Christmas was the biggest Christmas our kids ever had, and we are the brokest (is that a word?) we have ever been BUT we kind of had some money we had to spend on fun gadgets (long story) so the kids lucked out. Christmas eve we headed to church for the Childrens Service and then we usually come home and have an appetizer type dinner and open presents from us. Benjamin was so excited to get ready and the first present he picked to unwrap I thought "oh no he won't be that excited" - it was a $1 Hot Rod Calendar. Boy, was I wrong! He was so excited. Then when he got to pick his second, see we watch each person unwrap the gift and then it goes on to the next person to unwrap and so on, I was concerned again but he was soooo excited for his "Nascar Brown Sugar Pop Tarts" a box just for him. The kids had one BIG present togther to open from Grandma & Grandpa and there was one present to them from us as well. We decided to have them open the one from G & G. Rock Band for the Wii. I get tears in my eyes thinking back to the moment they opened it and realized the other box was a Wii. They were screaming. It was pretty exciting and so great to see them so happy & grateful.
I've included pictures of Christmas Eve: Benjamin and his $1 calendar, the opening of Rock Band and playing, Benjamin changing his pjs to wear his new Lego Star Wars pjs and Benjamin spreading the reindeer food out in the yard.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
2008 In Review
What a year! I just still can't believe that it's less than a week before Christmas. We finally got our Christmas wish last week and got snow on the ground. It really wasn't feeling like Christmas with no snow on the ground. My mom flies in on Christmas from Florida and she needed a white Christmas, I don't think she wanted one but she is getting one.
Dan is still working for QSP. With the economy being like it is it is a scary business to be in. The sad and good thing is schools and groups still need extra money so hopefully we won't get hit too hard. This summer Dan worked for the Missoula Osprey, baseball team, as an usher. He really had fun doing it and even though the pay isn't much is considering doing it again. Dan turned the BIG 40 this year too. The sad thing was he was away from us as he was at his summer QSP meeting in Connecticut. (You can see a slide show of his life, check the July blogs). He continues to WOW us and spoils us with his yummy cooking. He cheered on the Montana Grizzlies last night, with a houseful of friends, to a hopeful National Championship but it didn't happen. The Richmond Spiders put us in a web! Oh, well, there is always next year.
I decided to run for another term for a seat on the Missoula County School Board. Lucky me no one chose to run for a seat and there was two open, so I didn't have to run a full campaign. My name was the only one on the ballot and we ended up having two write ins. 4,154 voted for me, err, or well, colored in the dot next to my name and I was allowed to keep my seat as a trustee. In May, I went back to real world with a real job. I am not a huge fan of pretty much any aspect of it. I miss being able to hang out at the schools and help in the kids classes, I miss sleeping in, going to the YMCA in the mornings, hanging out with my friends whenever I want, bowling in the afternoon league, ohhhh, working stinks. But, bills and money call. I've really had no time to scrapbook and that is always a new years resolution to try to add that into my life,ohh, next year.
Emily is now the BIG 13 and in the 7th grade. She had a busy year. She auditioned for a part in the play Seussical through our local theater and got a part as a Who. There was many long nights of rehearsals and over two weeks of performances. But it was awesome and she is just a natural up there. She played softball, made the All-Star team and played soccer again this fall. She still continues to be a superb student at school and plays the oboe. Emily was involved in her very first automobile accident, check out the October blogs, it's a good story.
Hannah turned 10 this summer and is in the 5th grade. She started cello and piano this year and is doing very well. She continues to be a soccer star and also made a softball All Star team. She even started pitching and hopes to spend more time up there on the pitchers mound.
Benjamin is 5 and started kindergarten this fall. In Missoula we recently implemented all day kindergarten, thus why I started working. He loves it. He told me he wants to be in kindergarten forever. He is already reading and just a little social butterfly. Everyone knows and loves Benjamin! He finally was old enough for team sports and played soccer and tball. This fall he really excelled at soccer and scored 7 goals in one game! He is a stud ~ but a sweet boy too.
On a sad note, we had to say good bye to a dear friend, Sebastian. We had him for 14years and they had thought that he was at least 2+ years when we got him. He lived a full life and it was the hardest decision we ever had to make, but, we had him put down in October. It was a hard time and still brings tears to my eyes, as it is now. He was a good dog! We still have our beast, Sadie, the chocolate lab. It was sad for her to lose her buddy she loved to torment but she is now loving all the attention.
All in all, it was a good year. With the economy and gas prices the way they were we were unable to do any travelling this summer. We were home bodies. But, we hope next year to drive to Erie, PA for my 20th class reunion and have a nice visit with family and friends. I am re-reading this letter and this has to be the most boring one I have ever written. Sorry for that, nothing fancy or funny. Just us. It must be since I put it off to the last minute and am just scrambling to get thoughts down and I still have some baking to complete. Feel free to check in on us anytime during the year on our blog. I try to keep it pretty updated, we would love to hear from you too!
We hope everyone has a blessed new year and a wonderful Christmas. Remember that Jesus is the reason for all this craziness we put ourselves through. We love you all! - The Hirnings (Kelley, Dan, Emily, Hannah & Benjamin ~ Sadie too)
Dan is still working for QSP. With the economy being like it is it is a scary business to be in. The sad and good thing is schools and groups still need extra money so hopefully we won't get hit too hard. This summer Dan worked for the Missoula Osprey, baseball team, as an usher. He really had fun doing it and even though the pay isn't much is considering doing it again. Dan turned the BIG 40 this year too. The sad thing was he was away from us as he was at his summer QSP meeting in Connecticut. (You can see a slide show of his life, check the July blogs). He continues to WOW us and spoils us with his yummy cooking. He cheered on the Montana Grizzlies last night, with a houseful of friends, to a hopeful National Championship but it didn't happen. The Richmond Spiders put us in a web! Oh, well, there is always next year.
I decided to run for another term for a seat on the Missoula County School Board. Lucky me no one chose to run for a seat and there was two open, so I didn't have to run a full campaign. My name was the only one on the ballot and we ended up having two write ins. 4,154 voted for me, err, or well, colored in the dot next to my name and I was allowed to keep my seat as a trustee. In May, I went back to real world with a real job. I am not a huge fan of pretty much any aspect of it. I miss being able to hang out at the schools and help in the kids classes, I miss sleeping in, going to the YMCA in the mornings, hanging out with my friends whenever I want, bowling in the afternoon league, ohhhh, working stinks. But, bills and money call. I've really had no time to scrapbook and that is always a new years resolution to try to add that into my life,ohh, next year.
Emily is now the BIG 13 and in the 7th grade. She had a busy year. She auditioned for a part in the play Seussical through our local theater and got a part as a Who. There was many long nights of rehearsals and over two weeks of performances. But it was awesome and she is just a natural up there. She played softball, made the All-Star team and played soccer again this fall. She still continues to be a superb student at school and plays the oboe. Emily was involved in her very first automobile accident, check out the October blogs, it's a good story.
Hannah turned 10 this summer and is in the 5th grade. She started cello and piano this year and is doing very well. She continues to be a soccer star and also made a softball All Star team. She even started pitching and hopes to spend more time up there on the pitchers mound.
Benjamin is 5 and started kindergarten this fall. In Missoula we recently implemented all day kindergarten, thus why I started working. He loves it. He told me he wants to be in kindergarten forever. He is already reading and just a little social butterfly. Everyone knows and loves Benjamin! He finally was old enough for team sports and played soccer and tball. This fall he really excelled at soccer and scored 7 goals in one game! He is a stud ~ but a sweet boy too.
On a sad note, we had to say good bye to a dear friend, Sebastian. We had him for 14years and they had thought that he was at least 2+ years when we got him. He lived a full life and it was the hardest decision we ever had to make, but, we had him put down in October. It was a hard time and still brings tears to my eyes, as it is now. He was a good dog! We still have our beast, Sadie, the chocolate lab. It was sad for her to lose her buddy she loved to torment but she is now loving all the attention.
All in all, it was a good year. With the economy and gas prices the way they were we were unable to do any travelling this summer. We were home bodies. But, we hope next year to drive to Erie, PA for my 20th class reunion and have a nice visit with family and friends. I am re-reading this letter and this has to be the most boring one I have ever written. Sorry for that, nothing fancy or funny. Just us. It must be since I put it off to the last minute and am just scrambling to get thoughts down and I still have some baking to complete. Feel free to check in on us anytime during the year on our blog. I try to keep it pretty updated, we would love to hear from you too!
We hope everyone has a blessed new year and a wonderful Christmas. Remember that Jesus is the reason for all this craziness we put ourselves through. We love you all! - The Hirnings (Kelley, Dan, Emily, Hannah & Benjamin ~ Sadie too)
2008 In Review...It's A Coming
If you are checking in to read our Christmas letter - hold your horses. It's a coming. I put it off till the last minute and am working on it as I type this. Ugh! Why do I do this????
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