the starting line

Jackson de Ville
the finish line inside Jags stadium
Kel and Lauren headed toward the Finish!!!!

The Big Race!

Well we did! 13 weeks of training put to good use. What an accomplishment- I never in a million years thought I'd ever run 9.3 miles in my life!!! It was very intimidating going into it all the way up til race day. The most we had run was 7 miles- so I was a bit nervous. I went in with the attitude that "it's just another LONG run day". I was in a bit of a panic right before the race because I got separated from my running partners- boy, did I pray that God would help me find them and He did! The race began at 8:30. We got downtown around an hour before. There were so many people- people everywhere, like 15,000-no lie! It really was the coolest thing I have ever done, not because I ran the whole thing- that is cool, but just to be involved in something so big. The community really comes together. Runners, walkers, neighbors. There were people lining the streets the entire time. There were local bands every mile or so, there were people who had water, smoothies, Gatorade, strawberries- you name it they had it, there was even a house that made homemade waffles- A Waffle Station. I didn't have one but wanted one when we were done. Little kids stood in their yards and you could high five them as you passed- it was so cool- did I tell you how cool it was yet?? It was a great way to see the beautiful city of Jacksonville.
The hardest part of the race are the two bridges we had to cross. The first one not so bad- that was at the beginning, the second, that is a different story. They call it the "Green Monster". It is at the point of the race when you have about a mile and a half left and the bridge itself is about a mile long---at a 6% grade!!!!! See what I am saying, well to top that the weather man predicted 20 to 50 miles per hour wind gusts- I would say they were more like 60+. It was crazy!!! I thought I was going to blow right off. I kept kicking my right ankle with my left foot in my stride. You couldn't run straight if you tried. I am pretty sure that the snot that was in my nose was leaving it horizontally. I kid not. I had to hold my hat and my number- that was a difficult thing to do as I ran- but was it worth it??? Yes it was. Am I going to do it again next year? You bet!

Life in the Abel house after the race changed quite a bit. Dan had to have surgery the Wednesday after the race. He was suffering from a double hernia. It is believed that it was caused by the surgery had done in July. I am proud to say that things went really well- the patient is fine. He actually is doing much better than the last surgery. He is on his way to a speedy recovery. Please Pray that Dan's incision heals quickly and there won't be any complications with it. God has truly answered our prayers through this all. Friends have been great help with the kids and with food- really with anything that I or Dan have needed. Thank you so much! The kids have been great. My mom and niece just arrived today to hangout, help, and celebrate Easter with us. The girls are on spring break so- the timing of everything has been wonderful. I also got to quit my job, so I can be more available for the Fam. It has been so nice. I was able to spend time with Dan when he was in the hospital, and be involved in some school activities. Again God has been blessing us.


We just finished another round of Upward. Ashley played Basketball for the first time and impressed us with her moves. Sydney made the perfect cheerleader! It is so fun watching them try new things and of course see them succeed. Upward is a great thing!

I wish everyone a wonderful Easter! Miss and love all those who we can't be with.

Philippians 3:10

"that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, "

Back from the Islands

So if you have never been on a cruise- you must go! We had a great time- Dan and I both agree it is one of the best trips we have ever been on. We left a few days after Christmas - so it was a nice time to vacation. We celebrated the New Year on the ship- and that was really cool. The kids brought in the New Year for the first time- actually made it to midnight, well just barely. It was our first "formal" night, so that was fun being all dressed up together as a family. YES, for all of you thinking - "did Dan wear a suit??" or "does he ever wear pants?" He looked so good in his suit! Very Handsome. We were able to get great family portraits aboard, which is something I am terrible about having done, so we stocked up. We went to three islands- St. Maarten was the first port. The beach there was great because it was right on a very populated street with all kinds of restaurants and shops. So everything was very convenient. The water was beautiful. This is where Zachary and Sydney went jet skiing with Uncle Mike and Cousin Julie. They had a blast. Syd was in front so the only thing she didn't like was the splashing of water constantly in her face. Zach didn't stay out the whole time but he thought he was the man. Ashley took a local up for hair braids which stayed in for the remainder of the trip and a couple weeks at home. Next stop was St. Thomas. We spent half the day at the shops- which are mainly jewelry shops - it was a nice downtown area. But we were only allowed to go

to one jeweler - and that is Angie. My Aunt knows this woman very well so well she can go behind the counter and help sell to the family. I saw some things I liked but came away with nothing- the rest of my family spent some time and money there. The whole experience was great. The second half of the day the five of us went on an excursion with my brother and his family, and my cousins. We went to a place called Trunk Bay- It by far was my favorite part of the trip. We took a 45 min. boat ride to St. John and made our way to Trunk Bay on a bus. It was the most gorgeous beach- we went snorkeling right off the beach. Zachary was the snorkel king- he wouldn't come up.

Our last stop was in the Bahamas. The weather wasn't great so that made it feel like our trip ended a little early. But we still had fun- sun came out long enough to kayak and get a few rays. Weather there wasn't to different from what we are used to in Florida. So that was the itinerary- as for family time- it was great quality time for the five of us, for the four of us- Ashley roomed with my brother all week- so it was just Dan, Zach, Syd, and I -which was a bit different- but great. Ashley had a blast with her cousin Michaela, Uncle Mike and Aunt Erin. So did we- we probably hung out with them the most- it was great. Food was always there- Ashley ordered 3 entrees one night at dinner. By the end of the week I myself was ordering multiple desserts. I did train while I was aboard- that justifies the multiple desserts :) The kids loved eating ice-cream everyday along with the chocolate treats left on our beds each night. Which then by the end of the week our cabin steward turned into towel animals with chocolate. So needless to say- we loved every minute- even the "rocky" weather at the end...I mean rocky!

There were 19 of all together- we had so much fun- it was great being with everyone- which really made it special. I would have to say that the highlight of our nightlife was when my Aunt Mary Jo allowed herself to be hypnotised on stage. I have to say she is the best Japanese wrapper I have ever heard. I was laughing so hard I was crying.

Thanks family for making it a trip to remember- Love you all. Dan is ready to head to Alaska!

Christmas shopping...what is that??

Nothing like waiting until the last minute. I just started shopping about two days ago. That is not unusual in this household. Although, I really don't have that much to do. We are getting ready for a family getaway! December 30th we're off to the Caribbean, kids and all! We are so excited, so not only are we counting down the days 'til Christmas but also to our cruise! The kids just can't believe they will be on a huge "boat". If only they knew how "huge". I guess they will find out soon enough. We are winding down with school- we have had all our Christmas programs. All three did an excellent job. Zach sang his heart out, and actually stood quite still. He got to dress as an Australian Explorer for his show- so that was cool. Sydney did the best she ever has done. she was also quite focused and sang all the way through- usually she tends to get a little distracted. The name of her show was "Christmas Snapshots" the exact play Ash did last year, so we knew it very well. I think Ashley was singing along. Syd had to wear a sandwich board , which I was able to make at work, so that was very handy. Ashley was a Shepard. She was not thrilled with this role because she said Shepards are boys- "why can't I be an angel?" So being able to wear a fancy dress under her Shepard outfit helped. The girls begin Christmas break Wednesday and Zach began today. They are looking forward to spending time with Grandma Joan and Papa Dick this week. Papa Mike will get here Wednesday- then we'll see the rest of the family on the cruise.

We were able to participate in our first Family 1 mile fun run. In San Marco they kick off the holiday season with the Festival of lights. There is a 5k run and a mile run or walk for Charity along the streets of the beautiful lit San Marco (on the river). Dan and Syd walked while Ashley, Zachary and I ran the mile. We walked some, but they did a great job. They really loved it. Ashley's favorite part was crossing the finish in front of an audience. She had a huge grin from ear to ear. Zach could have easily run the whole thing- check out the picture of him running. The best part was they received medals. It really was a great night.

This was not only the kick off of the Christmas season but also the kickoff of training for me and 19 other ladies. We are training for the Gate River Run that takes place in March. We have a 13 week plan in the works- we train on our own Monday through Friday and Saturdays we meet for our peak run of the week. We just completed the first week and it is awesome. I am not a runner. I ran my first and only race last year at the gate and it was the 5k. It was a big accomplishment So last year Lauren, my running partner and encourager, and I said we would run the "big run" in '08. So here we are. We will have a blog set up soon so you can check that out and see how we are doing. What is cool is that it is not just us it is a whole group of ladies, of all different levels going for the same gaol- to finish the race! It was the most amazing thing last year to see 13, 000 people take off at the starting line last year, and now to be a part of that is really exciting! Especially with a whole group of other ladies who will be striving along beside me!

Well I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! I will be sure to put cruise pics up when we return!

God Bless you and your families!

4th Annual Pumpkin Carving Party

Fun was had by all at the Zelenka residence. Dan and I always look forward to this party each year. Yes, friendly competition takes place which is fun, but Dan and I love the process that we must go through to come up with that perfect plan. Last year we were unable to attend, which dissapointed us so ( but it gave others the chance to win). So we knew this year that we had to come back with a great idea! We had some trouble to be honest- it is hard to keep topping the previous year. We didn't decide what we were going to do until the day before the party when we were standing at the pumpkin patch wondering which pumpkin we were going to choose. We were going between two ideas. I guess we picked the right one, we brought "the Most Original" ribbon home. I think some of the other participants, those that have been around for a while especially, did not appreciate our win because we were two hours late for the party (thanks for waiting to judge Joe!) Some say we were still figuring out our idea, but really it was because we had a very important phone call. So anyway, we look forward to our friendly competition next year!