Scout Jimmer

PLEASE SEE POST DATED OCTOBER 29, 2008 (This is her plea to her parents a while ago)

Lindsey got her dog! Hard to believe, but true!

Tal and I were sitting in a funeral (yes, a funeral!) when Tal leaned over and showed me the picture text that he had just received from Lindsey. She was holding a puppy and the text said, "Please, please, please." (She had also sent me the same text -- but my cell phone was respectfully turned off.) When the funeral came to an end, Tal said, "I'm weakening." For some silly reason I thought he was referring to being so hungry -- until I saw the look in his eyes.
We were out of state for the funeral, so Tal responded back and told her to ask the store owners if they would save it for her until we returned. They did.
We went the night after we got home. The puppy was cute enough, but when the owners mentioned that they also had pure bred German Shepherds, that caught Tal's attention. Of course, as soon as the one came to Lindsey, it was a done deal. Oh, that was only after Tal got my approval. Not wanting to be voted the meanest mom in the world, I agreed with several requirements. Lindsey has done very well so far meeting those.
Naming the dog was a family affair, but in the end it was Lindsey's choice. My favorite was
"Sherman Gepherd the German Shepherd", but that name lost to the winner "Scout Jimmer". Scout is growing and has won our hearts. By the way, he is an exclusively outside dog. Luckily Lindsey agrees as does Tal and Andrew. It's so nice to find something that we all agree on once in a while! New family motto? Scout is out! or Out Scout when he sneaks in.
Don't be expecting to see Scout in any family portraits, and please remember there is no "Jergensen" in his name. He is cute, but I can't go much farther than that!

"Are We There Yet?"

Our team name: "Are We There Yet?"
Lindsey decorating the van.

Wow! It was great! Several months ago, we committed to being on a Ragnar Relay team. This is a 12-team member relay, divided into 2 vans, which runs a total of 200.9 miles. Ours was the Southern California Ragnar which started in Huntington Beach and ended on Coronado Island. It took us 36 hours with one team member always running. We started at 7:00AM on Friday, April 15, and we joined Kyle to run across the finish line at about 6:45 PM on Saturday, April 16. Tal had a total of 17 miles, Lindsey had 14, and I (Regina) had 16 but didn't run my last two. It was a good choice to have someone else run those 2 uphill miles. I have made huge progress over the last several months, but I would have had a hard time even walking this spot.
I can't put into thoughts or words why this was so great! I am SO GLAD that I did this, but most likely will not do it again. My hip, knees, and toes are still hurting, so I reserve the right to change my mind at a later date! I think it would be fun to do it with our own children, but even then, maybe I would opt to be in charge of food and hydration!
We had a fun team. Being that it is divided into two, we really didn't see the other half a whole lot. Van #1, our half, consisted of Tal, Regina (me), Lindsey (only 12 years old), Chris Formica, her son McKay Formica (13 years old), and Jerry Cripe. Ed Formica was our driver and was incredible! He had programed all of our exchange spots on a GPS, rode along on his bike for support- and safety during night legs, and was just a help all around. Van #2 consisted of my nephews, Chad(team captain) and Kyle Tibbitts, my neice Caitlin Tibbitts, Brian Caskey (father-in-law to Kyle and Hemet High classmate of mine), Meghan Smith, and Josh Hill. Their driver was Chris Francis.
If you aren't familiar with these things, our van started out first. We each ran our designated leg while our van with the other members drove from one exchange to the other, dropping off and picking up runners. We stopped to cheer and take photos along the way. At exchange 6, a Major exchange, we met the other van. Of course we communicated often by cell phone so they would know when to meet us. We cheered each other on then left them as they took over. We left for food and to rest at someones home, then met back again at Exchange 12. This continued until we had each run 3 legs.
There were times that I seriously wondered why we were doing this at all, and there were times that I couldn't have been more full of joy. I loved running this with Tal and with Lindsey. Andrew didn't have an interest this year. Maybe another time. Brad has written home from his mission in Spokane to count him in in 2 more years! Katie expressed an interest, too, and Nathan has actually been part of one of these before.
I am going to attempt to put some photos up now. Wish me luck!
Lindsey during her first leg.

Tal at the end of his first leg. Regina running (I am not a runner and don't look like a runner - but I ran!)

Group cheer at the end after receiving our medals. I wanted to wear mine to church the next day because I was so excited! I didn't wear it, by the way.

So there you have it. How fun! If you are interested in Ragnar's, go to www.ragnarelay.com . They are fun, exciting, and challenging. I want to get some photos from the the other van and post some of those, too. Later!

We've been watching too much Psych!

Background:
Psych is a show about two friends and one convinces the Santa Barbara police department that he is a psychic, even though he isn't. The two friends help the SBPD in solving many cases, which most of them are murder.

Explanation: My friend and I were cleaning up from a party we had at my house, when we were sure we heard my cousin Cassie yell, "LINDSEY!!!!" (Like a death cry!!!!!) We were so freaked out, we were worried she was being murdered! We hurried and got some gear {bat, baseball helmet, golf club, and tennis balls} and went out the front door. We ran back to back to the house next door where she was staying, and walked in. I cautiously asked my other cousin where Cassie was, and LUCKILY she said, "right there, why? What are you wearing?" we breathed a sigh of relief and laughed. Then when we were walking back, we agreed we really have been watching too much Psych!

Wait for iiiiitttttttttttt!!!!!!!

Don't worry! We are on our way!!!!!!