Thursday, July 31, 2014

Idaho Military Museum

On Tuesday the kids and I met Casey at his work for lunch then, headed over to the Idaho Military Museum (which is located just around the corner from the shop, at the Gowen Field Military Base) The kids loved seeing all the military equipment!  Sadly, Trenton got stung by a wasp that was hiding in one of the old military trucks.. so that sort of put a little damper on it all. But, he's a tough kiddo and quickly moved on to pretending he was a soldier and shooting machine guns! :)







Thursday, July 10, 2014

Marathon

Today we leave for our big trip to the beautiful state of Montana... aka. God's Country.  Montana has been a part of my life since I was a child and I'm so happy to be taking my own family back there now.  First we'll spend the weekend in Missoula then, we'll spend a few days in majestic Glacier Nat'l Park.  Lastly, we'll head home through Northern Idaho and visit the Hiawatha Bike trails for a few days.  Along with my parents (and our campers) we'll be gone for about 10 days.

Because of our history in beautiful Montana, my mom and I have chosen to run our first full marathon in Missoula that first weekend we're there.  This is a special event for us.  We've run 6 half marathons together (well, we start out together but don't always finish together) trained countless running miles, pushed each other along and conquered new achievements.  Our first full marathon will be amazing! I began running about 2.5 years ago and  never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined that my first 1 miler on the treadmill (breathless and in pain!) would lead to 26.2 of those (however, just a tad more in shape now...) I'm not the fasted runner but, I get the job done.  For me, it's not about placing 1st in the race but, placing 1st in my own personal goals.  Giving my best.  Enduring through the challenge. Crossing the finish line.  Both mom and I have trained hard for this... For me, it's something that I simply could not do without the support and help of my amazing family.  Mainly, Casey.  He's pushed me to go for a run when I might not be feeling the energy to go (and he knows how happy I am after that I did go!) He's encouraged me and helped me in so many ways!  And even though I've missed out on years of Saturday morning homemade waffles with him and the kids, I know that's also a special time for them.  I've also missed out on many, many mornings of sleeping in.  Yes, as I'm running in the quiet, early morning darkness of a Saturday long run, I'm thinking "everyone else is still in bed. I could be too. I must be crazy!" But, really, I enjoy it and wouldn't want it any other way. Running is my time to think... heal from demons of the past... pray... come up with new ideas... plan... and know without a doubt that it's truly through Him that I can do ALL things!  I also love the support that I get from my kids!  I love the way Kristiana asks "mom, you going for a run?" whenever she sees me get my running shoes out. And, nothing gives me more energy during a race then knowing my kids and husband will be cheering me on at the finish line!  Yes, I cry every time I see them!  Lastly, my mom is my biggest inspiration.  She's twice my age and enduring all the challenges that I'm going through too.  She's strong. She's a fighter.  She also "kicks me in the butt" when I need it!  I love running with her and am so happy we're getting the "mother/daughter team" at our local races here in Boise.

  Over the course of these last few years I've learned so much about the sport of running.  Honestly, I used to really dislike it.  I loved any other type of cardio.. just keep me away from running.  But, after I had my last baby that was the only thing that worked in our schedule; and we had a treadmill in our bedroom.  I slowly began running when I had time and it gradually worked up from there.  I remember the first time I ran 6 miles and thought it was SO awesome! :)  Sometimes, running is as simple as lacing up a pair of running shoes and hitting the road.  I'm also learning how eat properly to fuel my body for what it needs to do, stretching, strength training etc.  This last spring I got lazy in my running form during a faster paced run and sprained a muscle in my right leg.  It's been tough having to give myself time to heal... reducing running and slowing down my pace.  So, with the weakness and pain that I still have in my right leg I know my marathon time won't be what it could be.  Thus, the reason I'm simply going in with an attitude to enjoy myself and finish :)   I can set my first marathon race time and maybe beat that time next time around.

When my friends & family hear about my quest to run an insane amount of miles, I hear quite a few "you're crazy" responses!  Like they say with 13.1 You're Only Half Crazy.  After this weekends 26.2 (Lord willing) I'll be officially Fully Crazy!

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Birthday Celebration

Sunday afternoon we invited a little gathering of friends and family over to celebrate Kristiana's birthday.  It was so nice to see and visit with everyone and, was just a fun, relaxing afternoon.
 Our big 3 year old girlie with her new Pony from Uncle Jake and Aunt Krystal!
 Her Auntie Ri baked her special birthday cupcakes - yum! And, we enjoyed veggies, fruit, hot dogs and chocolate bundt cake with homemade cherry sauce and ice cream... we weren't lacking in the food department :)
 McKenna, Ellie and Kristiana... our neighbors and her very dear friends
 Ready to blow out her candles!



 Enjoying that yummy cupcake!





Katie and Jackson... he's now a big boy at 3 months old!

Kristiana's Birthday

Last Friday was full of fun as we celebrated Kristiana's birthday!  
First, as per tradition in our home, she woke up to a special breakfast of donuts, fruit, french toast and bacon (donuts are the special treat!) She then got to open a few gifts from her siblings... Kristiana really got into celebrating her birthday this year and spent the day telling everyone that it was HER day!



 We then headed to VBS for the morning.  This was her first VBS (at our friend, Peter & Miriam's church) and she had so much fun going for the week!  At first I wasn't sure about leaving her... since she had never really left me or done anything like this before.  But, she immediately went off and had a great time. It was great seeing her singing and clapping to the songs :)  Just another reminder that she's growing up!
 After VBS our next stop was another traditional birthday event... a smoothie treat for our favorite Dutch Bros!
 Then, we met Nana at the Boise Aquarium and hung out with the ocean creatures for a few hours.  It was rainy and windy outside so, the aquarium was the perfect place to be.
 Per another birthday tradition, we met Casey after work and went to Red Robin for dinner with my parents.  Kristiana got to open a few more gifts and enjoyed her yummy milkshake with dinner.
 For weeks now she's been asking for $60 for her birthday. Where she came up with that amount, I have no idea.  So, my parents gave her money in her birthday and she was SO happy to see $60!! (not really that amount but, she thought she was rich!)


 Being sung to by the Red Robin staff and her yummy birthday ice cream sundae...

She had quite the eventful, fun-filled, tiring day!