Sunday, June 20, 2010
My first Triathalon
Well, I survived and have a shirt to prove it. Here I am in my stunning helmet with my nice borrowed bike. I love nice friends (thanks Sharon & Co.). It was lightning and thunder all night beforehand; I kept waking up thinking, they're not having it. It cleared up though and the weather was great. Besides some small equipment problems--goggles leaking, sunglasses steaming, etc.--I think it went well. My transition times were great and I got 10th in my 25-29yr. old bracket. I will complain that they had me down as 29 when I am still 28 for another two weeks. I've got to keep it while I can. I felt like I couldn't move going to each event until the old muscles turned off and the new ones turned on; a very different feeling then just running. Now what should I do next?
Taylor's Eighth Birthday
Taylor finally had a birthday party at home on Friday since he's been gone at grandma's over his official birthday. He's excited with a handmade cake from dad. You can tell which side is for the parents and which side is for the kids. Hmmm, let me see--fresh raspberries with chocolate or nerds and sour worms? That's a toughy.
Lucas is enjoying the celebration and loving the cake. I think he'll never want his bland oatmeal again.
My he's getting so big. We spent all day at the water park so I hadn't even had time to change (hence the birthday cake made by dad; we swam, then grocery shopped to kill time to pick up my triathalon packet which wasn't available until 5pm since the race was the next day--fun times). I'm still taller, but he keeps measuring. I'm sure it won't be long until I'm looking up at him.
They were doing little poses over his presents after he opened them. He was so excited and grateful. It makes me think of Harry Potter's cousin who threw a fit because there were only 37 presents at his party instead of 38 like the year before. I'm so happy Taylor is happy with what he gets and not the number. One of our quotes we learned from grandma and use often is, "you get what you get and you don't throw a fit". How true!
He feels pretty mighty. We've been playing games since he opened his presents, and yes gramsy's gift has 570 pieces. Thanks mom:)
Lucas is enjoying the celebration and loving the cake. I think he'll never want his bland oatmeal again.
My he's getting so big. We spent all day at the water park so I hadn't even had time to change (hence the birthday cake made by dad; we swam, then grocery shopped to kill time to pick up my triathalon packet which wasn't available until 5pm since the race was the next day--fun times). I'm still taller, but he keeps measuring. I'm sure it won't be long until I'm looking up at him.
They were doing little poses over his presents after he opened them. He was so excited and grateful. It makes me think of Harry Potter's cousin who threw a fit because there were only 37 presents at his party instead of 38 like the year before. I'm so happy Taylor is happy with what he gets and not the number. One of our quotes we learned from grandma and use often is, "you get what you get and you don't throw a fit". How true!
He feels pretty mighty. We've been playing games since he opened his presents, and yes gramsy's gift has 570 pieces. Thanks mom:)
Father's Day
On Father's Day my dear husband didn't get breakfast in bed. Actually, he left while we were all in bed for church meetings, but he did get a feast later in the day and a homemade, made from scratch razzle dazzle pie was the dessert. The berries were fresh and everything was scrumptous. Add a little homemade whipped cream and heaven!
Ashton with his mischievous smile.
Here's all the boys. They have a wonderful dad and he is the perfect parent blend for me:
Here's all the boys. They have a wonderful dad and he is the perfect parent blend for me:
He comes home and spends time with them instead of unwinding in front of the tele.
He's patient when I'm irritated
He's energetic when I'm tired
He's hard when I'm feeling soft
He listens when I'm distracted
but most of all they know he loves them and
I hope they are just like him.
Monday, May 24, 2010
The Lemonade Stand
Ever since we stopped at some kids' lemonade stand, Devin has been wanting to do his own. When I asked him how much we should charge, he said, "$10". I thought that might be a little high, so we priced them at .$50/cup.
He stayed outside for an hour or so and poured lemonade to the masses. Unfortunately, most of those masses were me buying cup after cup of lemonade. All in all, he made $14 (it helped that one man didn't have any change and gave him a ten in the name of free market). Good work, Devin!
He stayed outside for an hour or so and poured lemonade to the masses. Unfortunately, most of those masses were me buying cup after cup of lemonade. All in all, he made $14 (it helped that one man didn't have any change and gave him a ten in the name of free market). Good work, Devin!
The Race Results
After months of training, my friend, Kelley, and I completed the Indy 500 half marathon for a second time. Although it was a cold and very windy day there were still over 35,000 participants. If I'd taken an hour off my time I would have won, but I'm still happy at a 9 min. improvement at 2:01. 
Here I'm sporting my medal and am definitely more warm and showered than in the picture above. I'm glad it's over and now can focus on a sprint triathalon this summer. That will be a lot more fun and less stressful. Thanks to my family for all the extra help they gave so I could take my long runs and to my great husband who made breakfast for the boys and did the soccer game rounds for eight Saturdays in a row. I couldn't have done it (nor lost 23 lbs) without your support!
Here I'm sporting my medal and am definitely more warm and showered than in the picture above. I'm glad it's over and now can focus on a sprint triathalon this summer. That will be a lot more fun and less stressful. Thanks to my family for all the extra help they gave so I could take my long runs and to my great husband who made breakfast for the boys and did the soccer game rounds for eight Saturdays in a row. I couldn't have done it (nor lost 23 lbs) without your support!
Friday, May 14, 2010
Active Boys
While in St. Louis over Spring Break visiting our cousins, Ashton found the basketball hoop at the neighbors' house across the road. He's obsessed with basketball and will try shooting for hours. Not bad for two years old! If we couldn't find him we just had to look across the street and there he'd be.
Devin learned to ride his bike recently without training wheels. While riding he took a fall and broke his arm. The catch is we didn't know it was broken for a week. He's so mellow and tough he didn't really complain and it wasn't swollen so we thought it was healed. Then during a soccer game a kid bumped his arm gently and he started crying. I thought we should probably take him to the doctor and they said it was fractured, but healing straight. They mostly put a cast on to protect his arm from another fall.
Devin learned to ride his bike recently without training wheels. While riding he took a fall and broke his arm. The catch is we didn't know it was broken for a week. He's so mellow and tough he didn't really complain and it wasn't swollen so we thought it was healed. Then during a soccer game a kid bumped his arm gently and he started crying. I thought we should probably take him to the doctor and they said it was fractured, but healing straight. They mostly put a cast on to protect his arm from another fall.
