The longest ride part II

OK so here is the second and final part to the longest ride. After we left Guthrie, we started back towards Stillwater because that is where the race ended as well as started. We didn't really have anything to do, outside of taking a nap which I definitely did, but wait and watch. But it wasn't long before riders began coming in to cross the finish line.

Looks like they have spotted Jenny coming in the cross the finish line.

 The boys got to run in with Jenny crossing the finish line all together.

 Whitney couldn't wait to greet Jen.

 Isaiah was very serious about helping Jenny with her bike.

 These kids adore her.

 She is dirty but not quite like last year.

 Yes even Mom was glad to see her finish safe and sound.

 

This picture is "Whipper" as Jamie calls her and the "Jamester" and Whitney calls him. So special.

After a quick shower, we all went to eat. I don't know how Jenny had the energy to even do a quick shower much less go eat with a bunch of starving people who asked her a million questions. But we all had a great time and my only regret is that we weren't there for her last year seeing as how it was so miserably wet and cold for her.

Oh one last thought......I think we have a new land run 100 participant in the making.

 

The longest ride

This was the longest ride, not in history or anything like that, but it was a very long ride. For me, it would be a non-existant ride but for my oldest daughter, Jenny, it was just a very long ride. And on a bicycle no less. 100 MILES. In ONE day. Last weekend Jenny participated in Oklahoma's LandRun 100 in Stillwater. If you remember your history, this was one of the locations of the beginning of the famous Land Rush of 1889. So this "run" is appropriately named LandRun 100. This race goes from Stillwater to Guthrie and back. This year, we brought a support team for Jenny, which we should have been doing all along. The thoughtful mother that I am just didn't think of it before. It took Jenny's Aunt Detra, to spearhead all of us going. We brought food, drink, snacks like we thought we would never eat again. The race started at 8 with a break at Guthrie and then ended whenever the rider gets back to Stillwater. So now, just a few of the many pictures taken during the race.

Here we all are supporting Jenny just before the race is set to begin. As you can see it was pretty cold with the boys and Gary forgetting their coats. And it looks like Isaiah is getting some instructions on the app to be able to follow along on the phone with Jenny's progress.

And this is only a very small idea of how many people were in this race. I'm not sure of the number but it has been estimated that around 1400 bikers started the race. After the bikers started, we all got in our cars and headed toward Guthrie. Jenny would be there in about three hours.

 And here she comes....

We had a tent set up next to her team tent (which at the time we didn't know we had done that.) with her food all ready and some for us. The kids were all excited. The team tent did a little bit of maintenance on her bike while she ate. Just hung her bike on the bar and they went to work. So cool. 

 Such a short stop and then she was ready to finish this race.

and there she goes back to Stillwater to finish this 100 MILE RACE! Man am I tired.

 

The last bits

Just posting the last bits of winter (if you can call it that) pictures. Maybe snow next year.

You can tell it's not very cold by the way the kids are dressed. I'm sure there are people in the northeast that would gladly give us a few feet of their snow.

Blessed

I am one blessed person! If I didn't say anything other than that it would be enough. But I am blessed in every way you can be blessed. No my life has not been perfect. I've had my share of loss but even through that God has been there with me and my family supporting us. My mother had a favorite poem I'm sure you have read where it asks the question of why at one point there is only one set of footprints. I love the answer: that is where I was carrying you. Such a comfort. One particular way I am blessed is that I get to see my grandchildren almost every day. We live close enough that they can and do walk to our house. I do know I would not like any of my kids living hours and hours away and that I wouldn't get to see them but a couple times a year if even that. I am so thankful to Jesus for his blessings.