First Family Cover

In a word: Sore. That's how we feel after this weekend. But it isn't all bad. We had a blast running through the gorgeous, hilly streets of Bethlehem, PA, for the first Runner's World Half Marathon. I'll be writing a race recap soon on (never)homemaker.

Stephen's third place (overall) finish earned our family the distinct privilege of being featured on next month's cover.

OK. I'm only kidding. The cover-photo station at the expo was lots of fun, though. I imagine this will be a favorite family photo for years to come. Even if we aren't all looking at the camera. And Ada's bare belly is exposed. Sigh.

Here's a little-known fact: I went to college for expository writing. A fancy way of explaining that I'm not a fiction or poetry writer. Anyway, for the longest time, it became my all-consuming dream to one day work for Rodale, which is the publishing company that produces Runner's World. My life took a different path, but I must admit that being around all those writers and editors brought back the memory of that dream.

I couldn't get over how strangely beautiful Bethlehem is.


The city has done such an amazing job of reusing/re-imagining long-abandoned steel mill structures versus letting them fester into ugly urban decay. They feel more like monuments to the industrial revolution than eyesores. Our own hometown could learn a lot from this particular revitalization project. We live in an area similarly forgotten after big business left first in the 60s and then again in the 80s.

As for accommodations, we stayed in nearby NJ with Stephen's parents. The foliage up in NY is definitely past its peak, but I think we caught a second wind by heading a few hours South.


Only a little over a week left in this favorite month of mine. I intend to savor every second. Oh, and if you'd like to catch up on how I'm trying to turn a New Leaf as the seasons change, head over to (never)homemaker.

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