I've Run Out of Running Puns

Cooper ran in the league championships today. He placed 42nd overall, but was the fifth person from his school to cross the finish line. He did well enough that he qualified for the district championships next week. He's had a great cross country season.

You're a Star

Cooper went grocery shopping with me on Saturday. He saw a display of starfruit and got really excited. After assuring me that he would definitely eat it (we bought one years ago and it went untouched), we added it to the cart.

He was kind enough to share. It tasted like a cross between an apple and a kiwi. Sophie was the only one that really liked it.

But it was a fun food adventure.

The Spirit of God

Last weekend was our semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As always, we tuned in for nearly ten hours of uplifting messages and gorgeous music. These eight talks especially spoke to my soul. I recommend all of them.

Tune Your Heart to Jesus Christ: The Sacred Gift of Primary Music by Sister Tracy Y. Browning

Do Your Part with All Your Heart by Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

The Eternal Gift of Testimony y Elder Kevin G. Brown

No One Sits Alone by Elder Gerrit W. Gong

Cheering Each Other On by Sister J. Anette Dennis

The Power of Ministering to the One by Elder Peter M. Johnson

Smiling Faces and Grateful Hearts by Elder Carlos A. Godoy

The Good News Recipe by Elder John D. Amos

Pumpkin Patch

Remember when Topher and his friend Caleb planted pumpkin seeds in our garden? Well, because of a possible freeze tonight, we harvested their crop. This is the whole haul. Topher is quote pleased. He's planning to give two of them to Caleb.

The Race Is On

Cooper had his last cross country meet of the regular season yesterday. We all went to support him and we were happy to see one his leaders from church also there to cheer him and another Young Man from church on. He felt okay about the run and finished 15th overall, but he's looking forward to training for another week to prepare for the league race next week. The top ten runners from each team were invited to run at that meet.

Cooper is somewhere among the blue runners. His friend from church is with the dark gray group.

Where Everybody Knows Your Name

Cooper texted me after his cross country practice yesterday and warned me that his car had been decorated by his cross country teammates. They did this for all the seniors. I suspect he thought I would be upset that they'd written all over the windows. I wasn't. I'm happy that he's had such a good experience competing and being part of this team.

I think he was pleased with the window decor.

Just Dance

Cooper and Phoebe had a great time hanging out with friends at the Homecoming dance this weekend. Just before they needed to leave, Cooper's buddy Cameron texted and said he wanted to caravan over together. And the next thing I knew, Cameron was walking in our front door. I asked if he wanted to jump in the pictures and he happily said yes.

The Fit

When we did the back to school shopping in August, Topher picked this shirt out specifically for picture day. He hasn't worn it at all, until today. When I told him I wanted Bryan to comb his hair before school, Topher, after some pushback, said, "Fine, but nothing too churchy. How about a mohawk?" We convinced him that his hair was simply too long for that and he settled for this instead.

Run Around

I was able to join Cooper at the end of a cross country invitational today. I arrived just as his race was ending, which is unfortunately the pattern I've established. I haven't missed all of them, but I have missed several. I've been there in person, I've just arrived a little too late.

Even though I wasn't there to cheer him on, he still did a great job and ran an 18:15.

Fun Fitness

Peter and I got to watch Topher's fitness walk at school today. It was sunny and a little on the cool side, just right for the kids. They took turns as classes at the different activity stations: hopscotch, football throwing, yoga, Simon says, basketball, sidewalk chalk, bean bag relays, hula hooping, and jumping rope.

 Oh, and there was a station just for taking a class picture.

I'm glad we were able to be there to cheer Topher and his classmates on.