Hitched

I am such a sap...

I try to act tough...have I fooled anyone? I like people to think that I am a tough, athletic type that rarely cries and doesn't let anything break her. Well, I got news for ya, people. I cry at commercials, songs, blog posts, really anything. After finishing The CRIM, people were walking around laughing, eating their bananas and apples, being merry...me, well, I was sitting on the curb with my running buddy with tears rolling down my face listening to a song on her MP3. I am such a sap!

This Saturday, my little (6 ft something actually) brother is getting married. I can't help but get a tad bit emotional when I think of it.

I think back to the day I married my man. We have grown and changed so much together. We didn't really know eachother at all and I love him more today that I ever have. (Just to warn you Dan, I will probably be crying while we walk down the aisle together this weekend...just lead me to where I need to go.)

I think of how this is the last of my siblings to get married. I guess that means that we are all grown ups now. Does that mean that there can be no more games of Risk involving name calling?

I think what an accomplishment it must be as a parent to have all of your grown children married. Does it feel like your work is done...party time? Is it a relief or somewhat sad?

My brother didn't have girlfriends in highschool, at least that I knew about. I always said that whoever he brought home would get a hard time from me and my sister. Afterall, just who is good enough for my brother? Well, I actually think he found the right one. From our first meeting, I didn't have one urge to give her a hard time or make her work for a spot in our family. :-)

To my brother: I am so very proud of you! If you have learned anything from Dad at all, I know you will make a great husband. She has come just in time, I don't think you could have survived one more month without a woman to take care of you and clean up after you. :-) Have fun together, love her, be patient with her, and make sure to laugh a lot together.

To my new sister: I welcome you with open arms, girl. Just in the short time I have known you, I have seen just how wonderful you are for my brother and how happy you make him. He is messy and unorganized but love makes is possible for you look past all of that. :-) I hope your special day is just what you want it to be. I hope you feel like a princess and take as much of it in as you can. Thanks for letting me stand up with you! I love you both.

Easy to Please

After making scrambled eggs and setting the plates in front of my two kids:

Landon - "Mommy, you are a rock star!"

Kaitlyn - "Yeah, you are the bestest cooker in the whole wide world!"

Me - "Rock on, kids, rock on."

What now?

It seems that in life, I am always looking forward to the next thing. The Crim is done and over (there is still next year though). I have taken the past two days off. No real physical activity and a lot of good (but so very bad) food. It's been nice but I am ready to get back to work. It just feels like something is missing in my everyday...yes, even though it has only been two days. So, what's next?

Well, today it's back to running. I miss it.

This coming weekend is my little brother's wedding!! I am really looking forward to seeing him, his almost new wife, and all of my other family...especially my sister, who is about ready to pop (due in about 5 weeks) with her second son. I can't wait to rub her pregnant belly and talk to my little nephew. I am sure she will hate it. :-)

Another garage sale is on the calendar in September. Hopefully we'll make big bucks like we did last time.

The third weekend in October I am flying out to meet my newest nephew and spend some time with my sister and her family and my brother and his new wife. It's going to be a lot of fun...just wish we had enough money so that the whole gang could come along.

Saturday, October 26th, is my next race. It's a 10K this time. I am just hoping to get a better time that my last. I don't think that is asking too much. I am looking forward to it. Yes, I couldn't run a race without my running buddy. I don't think she realized it a year ago, but she is stuck with me FOREVER in every race.

On a side note, last night, Dan took our family out to Bella's on the square for gelato...yum! If you live in the area, you gotta try it. Now that Collin is getting older we have been trying to make it a point of going on family dates. The kids love it.

Where do I begin?

The Crim was the most physically challenging thing that I have ever done in my life. Giving birth to my two sons with absolutely no drugs comes in a close second and third, but this my friends was HARD!

What a great weekend! Dan and I had so much fun with our friends, Jeremy and Hollie. On the way to my parents, we stopped in downtown Flint to pick up our packets. I was so excited just to look around and see everything set up...just to think that this is what I have been waiting for.

We spent the evening at my parents bowling and boxing on their Wii. That was a riot! Confession: I am not really sore from running The Crim, but my arms and back hurt from boxing my Larry (Dad). Go figure.

This is Dan and his Wii character...scarry how much they look alike!

The morning of The Crim, we got up at 4:45 AM to leave the house by 5:15! We were all tired. We got to downtown Flint and found a parking space and just waiting for the race to begin. The amount of people was just incredible.

We lined up with about five minutes left on the clock. I felt sick with butterflies but no turning back. The gun went off and we had to walk to the finish until the swarm of people headed out on the road.

I started way too fast. Dan was like a the flash bolting ahead of us. I felt really good until about mile 4 or 5. Then, that is where I died. Bradley Hills Road was a killer! I was kicking myself the whole way, "I should have done more hill training!" That's where I started to beat myself up mentally. I knew Dan was way up in front and I didn't know where Hollie and Jeremy were. I was alone. I didn't know how much I really needed someone there beside me until then. I don't think I was made to run alone. I kept moving but I was hating every minute of it.

I think it was around mile seven that I heard, "Beth, Beth!" I turned around and there was Hollie and Jeremy. I was so glad that they had caught up with me! It felt much better to have them beside me. They kept me going. It was just what I needed.

The last three miles were so hard. All of me was exhausted from running a terrain that I was definitely not used to. I will never forget the feeling though of rounding the corner and seeing the finish line up ahead. It was like I tuned out what my body was telling me and zoned in on Hollie next to me and the finish line up in front.

So, we finished side by side and that's exactly what we are going to do next year. Right, Hollie?!

I am so proud of my husband! He barely trained, but ran his heart out and finished in 1 hr 26 minutes. His average time per mile was 8:34. Guess he was born to run...me on the other hand, I have to work a lot harder at it. I finished at almost the smack dab middle of my age group. My goal was to keep it under two hours and that we did. We crossed at 1hr 56 minutes and had an average of 11:34 a mile. Better than I thought after mile 5.

The Crim kicked my butt. My goal for next year is a better time and to not feel like I got my butt kicked. :-) So, next year, third Saturday in August, that's where I will be.

For Now...

...pics from before the race at 6 AM. I will let you know now that I finished!

Final words...we're heading out...

The race is tomorrow and already I have the whole butterfly feeling going on. This is what I have been training for, waiting for, looking forward to for a year now. I am having the time of my life. This is way too fun! I am looking forward to the road trip with our best buddies and staying together at my parents house. Then, up early tomorrow for "racin' day". So, we are off and I will update on Sunday evening. So because my kids have been asking if I am going to be like a Backyardigan and what season I am going to run in....here ya go:

Countdown: 4 days

I love the magazine Runner's World (add that to my wish list too). Today I was on their site looking around. I was able to calculate my BMI and also play around with their smart coach. I have been looking at a different training schedule (though not following it too closely) to kinda see where I should be. I knew I should be taking it somewhat easy this week. I really like the training schedule on this site. So, it looks like I am going to try to get in a 5 mile tempo run tonight and and keep all my miles under 9:45.

Something to read: The Best Food for Runners ...totally not crazy for the sweet potatoes but I pretty much eat everything else. I was wondering, however, where the icee pops and s'mores were though. :-)

Lovin' the PINK

"Beth, you've been training for this for a year. You deserve it."

(from the mouth of my man)

Dan splurged on me tonight. I will be racing in this cute ensemble. Thanks Dan! You're wonderful, but not just because you bought your girl a pink outfit and shades with pink lenses to match.

Fast Four...six days to go...

Last night, by the fire, my husband and I were talking about running. He was a runner in highschool and even though he has been out for almost 10 years now (had to get that in there), he still has some good pointers. He was telling me how I incorrectly hold my body while I am running. He said that I am too stiff, hold my hands too high, and my posture is off...basically, I am all messed up. He told me that instead of thinking about how I am swinging my feet forward, I should be thinking about my backward motion. It all sounded like too much work...too uncomfortable. But, he said that if I try that stuff, I could possibly knock 30 seconds off of my mile.

This morning, I went out and ran four miles. I was determined to give those pointers a try. It was exhausting and about the most uncomfortable for my body. I guess it paid off a little. I ran 4 miles in 34 minutes. That's about a 8:30 minute pace. I must say though, I don't think I could have gone any further unless I went back to my old way. It was interesting to try though.

Nine

It was slow, but I ran my first nine miles in approx 1:34. It took a lot out of me and I was feeling not so hot afterwards. It was quite an accomplishment. A few songs that really kept me going (yes, I broke down and brought my ipod) were Stand to Praise by Aaron Shust, No Air (Jordan Sparks and Chris Brown) and Dreamer (Chris Brown). Lyrics to Dreamer (may sound corny but when I felt like I just wanted to stop and walk the rest of the way it inspired me):

What Do i Do.. Stop Go Fail Succed? Live or Die?

I Just Got To Believe Believe its worth saving

And to get lost, lost in a day dream

So why hesitate

Take me to another place

So far far away

So i can get out of the dark

High speed, like I'm racing

It's like lighting, sky is blazing

But you've lost your way,

You've been lead astray

Are there better days for my fallen dreamer

Calling a Dreamer

Calling a Dreamer

(You don't sleep no more)

You don't even sleep no more

(Dream no more)

You don't even dream no more Dreamer

(Dreamer)

Why don't you just dream again

Believe In You

You Got Something To Prove

Your A Star Watch You Shine Bright

On Your Way To The Limelight

Finish Line

The Sweat And Tears

You Can Channel All Of Your Fears

Open Your Eyes

Your Eyes

And It Will Be Alright

Calling a Dreamer

Calling a Dreamer

(You don't sleep no more)

You don't even sleep no more

(Dream no more)

You don't even dream no more Dreamer

(Dreamer)

Why don't you just dream again

Countdown: 8 days

I have laundry to fold and put away
I have a bathroom that needs a deep cleanin
I have some decluttering to do

Why am I sitting here? Why am I going to, for once, take it easy and let that stuff go? Because I have 9 miles calling my name tonight. I am on a mission and have got my game face on...

Eye on...

If only blowing a dandelion and making a wish really worked. I have been eyeing this. It's like a pimped out fanny pack :-)

Countdown: 9 days

Last night we went out and gave 5 miles a shot without headphones. Let this go down in history as our first run in a year that we actually talked. It has been an unspoken rule...Hollie didn't talk to me and I didn't talk to her. We just popped in our headphones and let the music carry us. Our run last night was actually not that bad. We kept about a nine minute a mile pace...finished in 47 minutes. A lot better than I thought I would do with no music. It started raining on us toward the end and that was nice...first run in the rain...before it has just been sprinkles. Anyway, this running without headphones might not be so bad.

Double checking...

I went on the website for the Crim just to double check my registration, along with check times, and check where packet pick up is...which happens to be where Dan and I got married...River Front Character Inn...how cool is that!? Anyway, I found out that my number is 824. Now, those who know me, know that this is a really good number for me. No anxiety wearing this one. For starters August 24th was the day Dan asked me to marry him back in 2002. It's an even number. Eight divided by two is four. Four times two equals eight. It's just good all around. :-) I am a freak, I know.

I decided to click on race rules. I figured it would be helpful to know what I can and cannot do during my ten mile. Like I will be breaking any rules...I will be just trying to keep moving. I started reading...no dogs, no strollers, no....no Ipods or earphones....what? Did I just read that right?! I read it several times over thinking that I had made a mistake. Nope, still said no ipods or earphones. If there ever was a time to hyperventilate, now is the time. I NEED my music. I am telling myself I can't do this without my music...but, then another part of me is saying, "another challenge...I will show you".

Countdown : 10 days

Wednesday morning...

Loaded up my three kiddos in the triple jogger and brought the dog along. Total weight of my kids : about 95 pounds. I don't know what the stroller weighs (Oh, Hollie or Jeremy, if you are reading this, do you think you could put air in my tires sometime?). I remembered to bring a watch to see what I could do. First mile I looked down to see 9 minutes and 15 seconds. Second mile was a little slower at 9 minutes 37 seconds. Overall, I was pretty happy with it. Looking forward to a long run tonight.

Interrupted

I interrupt this regularly posted to blog with the goings on of family life and bring you The Crim Countdown. For those of you who would choose not to hear about my last week and a half of training leading up to my ten mile race, I will be back again around the end of the month with blogging as usual. Until then, here is my running journal.

On my run last night, I started thinking about where I was about a year ago. I had just had my angel boy. I had this crazy goal of running a ten mile race, never even running half that distance in my life. I was 35 pounds heavier. I was breast feeding. I was tired. I was determined that where I was in my life wasn't going to stop me from achieving my goals.

Then I started thinking about he first time we ran the route we did last night. The first time, I stopped with a mile to go. I couldn't go any farther. Then, when we went out and I finally made it all the way, it was huge. Last night, it just was a reminder of how far I have come. I am in the best shape of my life. I can run 5 miles now with no problem. I can run seven and not crawl to the finish.

In a week and a half, I am going to be where I set out to be a little over a year ago. Don't get me wrong, I don't set goals and then along the way forget about them, but I really can't believe I am here already. I think this may be the hardest thing that I have ever done up until now (I won't say ever have to do in my life because I would like to run a marathon in the future when the kiddos are older and I have way more time to devote to training). Running is a lot like labor without drugs for me. Toward the end of a long run, you really just want to stop and catch your breath, but you know that you can't. You have to keep going because there is an end in sight. It's such a rush. I have been trying to imagine what The Crim will feel like...what finishing will feel like. I know that I have a lot of work to do in this next week and a half. There will be a lot of firsts, maybe some disappointing runs, but I am running after my dream. I can't wait to be in downtown Flint on the morning of the 23rd and take it all in...it's the day I have been dreaming of, anticipating, working hard for. I am going to stand there and take it all in. I can't wait!

The day after...

For Landon's birthday yesterday, we ended up getting him a 16" bike. He started riding a bike two wheel bike with training wheels a little before turning two. He has grown so much that his bike has gotten a little small for him. Daddy found a closeout sale and got his new bike for a great price. Here he is on his bike with his new horn, new helmet, knee pads, new shirt, and new hulk underwear! He loves his "new racing bike".

My Big Three Year Old

On August tenth, three years ago, I became a mother of a little boy. Until you have one of your own, you can never fully understand just how different they are.

Landon keeps me hoppin. He's a big ball of strong-willed energy. He loves motorcycles, snow boards, guns, poppy's tractor, and his baby jack. :-) Two was the year he "turned into" a real boy. He wants to be just like his "Gaddy" and likes to pretend that I am his "honey". Surprisingly, he will sit still forever to listen to a good book though. He loves cuddle time and enjoys helping.

Two was the year that you gave up your beloved ya-ya and you were potty trained at two and a half...way to go little man! You have amazed me with how quickly you pick up on things, how thoughtful and kind you can be, and what you do around here to make us all laugh. It's neat to see you becoming more interested in learning...maybe Mommy can have the patience to "do school" with you too. You look like your Poppy and I have heard you act a lot like your Mommy. We will get along just fine in the coming years if you only remember that I will always win. :-) I love you Landon Paul! I thank God for how you bless our family and pray that God will give me the wisdom to mother your little heart and teach you to follow after Him. May you grow up to be a godly man. Happy "Birthgay"!

I think it was the shoes (or at least it was part of the problem)...

I think my foot is finally back to normal. I took it easy last week. I cut out the hills and speed training. I made sure to stretch, massage, and wrap my foot. I took two days off and to top it all off...my wonderful husband agreed to let me get some new shoes! I ended up with my first pair of adidas shoes. They have the fit foam in them and they feel really nice and light weight. I can't believe that for the second time in a row, I decided on something other than Nike. After running in them for two days, my foot felt pretty good. I decided to get up this morning and run 6 miles. I was a little nervous about it since it was my longest distance since injuring my foot. I kept a good pace and my foot felt fine the entire way. With the pain gone, it's time to start getting serious. The Crim is two weeks away!

Little Hands

Their little tiny hand print...that's what I want to remember.


I like to capture as much of a special moment as I can. It all started with Kaitlyn. She was my first and every milestone that she hit was BIG. Landon was coming soon after her first birthday and I felt like she was getting too old too fast. Her hands and feet were so tiny. I loved them. They were so soft, compact...I just wanted to bite them...find a way to preserve them forever, or at least try. So, on her first birthday I got a little tin to make a mold of her hand. It was a huge pain and took a few tries, distractions, and my Mom and I to hold her still, but I am so glad that I did it. And what I started with the first, continued on with the rest.


With Collin turning one, the last hand mold was made. A bit sad. The last one year old hand I will ever place into a mold. Another thing to add to his memory box.

Anyone else do anything special like this to preserve a 1st birthday memory?

Wanted to let everyone out there know that Steven Curtis Chapman and his wife will be on Good Morning America Wednesday, August 6th and then on Larry King Live (CNN) on August 7th.

Dear Dan,

I am trying to be content, I really am. But, I am also in some serious pain. (read the following, picturing head hung low and puppy dog eyes for the full effect)

This is me begging, Dan, for all of the world to see. I am making my case for a pair of new shoes. Please take time to read and reconsider.

You know I have a high pain tolerance, higher than most. I have been accused of being a little over dramatic at times but this time, this is the real thing. In case you are thinking in your head right now, "you need to go to the doctor", I am not going to the doctor. Afterall, if he says that I can't run anymore, I won't listen to him anyway. It will be wasted gas and a waste of my time. I think the real solution to my problem would be a new pair of shoes. I know we have insurance but with no new addition, I haven't meant my deductible. That means, I can either pay $70 for a doctors visit or $70 for a new pair of shoes (believe me, I found a pair for much less...well not much less, but I do get free shipping) Please, pretty please, I really would appreciate new running shoes. I know I bought my current pair to wear in The Crim but I think I didn't calculate my mileage right...humm...lets see...

I got them May 17th.
I do no less than 2.5 miles everyday
I have had them for 79 days
At least 20 of those days I have done 5 miles or more
With that being said, by my calculations, I have about 277 miles on these babies.

My arch is killing me and there is shooting pain up the right side of my leg. It's not good. Reconsider??

FROSTING!

Collin's first birthday party was a success. Even though he didn't have a clue it was all for him, he really enjoyed being sung to and getting his very own cake to play with. Now on the the next event: Landon's 3rd birthday!

Happy Birthday, Angel Boy!

It seems like just yesterday but yet it seems like forever ago.

It seems like forever ago that Dan was rushing me in to the hospital. A Holy Moment was playing and I was trying to focus on the song. Dan was driving about 90 and talking to our police officer friend to let him know we were breaking the law so I wouldn't have the baby in the car.

It seems like forever ago that Dan wheeled me up to labor and delivery. No turning back.

It seems like forever ago, I had my out of body experience. I watched myself lay there with my ipod turned on, focused on the song that was playing. Even with my eyes closed I saw the most hilarious conversation between Dan, the nurse, and my friend Erin as they were trying to figure out why I wanted to stand...if only they knew I was only mouthing the words to Rascal Flatts as they sang to me.

It seems like forever ago that in just 27 minutes of being at the hospital, I push out the most precious little peanut. He was blue with the cord wrapped around his neck, but he was cute in a smurf kinda way.

It seems like forever ago that I was able to say his name out loud for everyone to hear. I got to see his little face for the first time and get caught up in that weird, "I know you" moment that I am sure every mother must go through. I got to see the little feet that kicked inside of me and toward the end made me ever so uncomfortable.

It seems like forever ago I was walking down the hallway just an hour or so after giving birth to see my little angel in the nursery with Daddy.

It seems like forever ago that Dan and I laid together in the hospital bed, holding him, just staring at the precious gift, the miracle we were just able to witness making his entrance.

I wish I could freeze it all so I could remember it so clearly forever.

It seems like just yesterday I was holding this precious little guy. How did he get so big all of a sudden? Just yesterday I was sitting in a hospital room exhausted, sleep deprived, elated, excited, emotional...how did I get here so quick?

One year ago, Collin Isaiah, made his entrance...very quickly. Wow! I just can't believe that he is a year old already...that he has blessed us for a year now.

He's becoming very, what's the word, sinful. :-) He has started throwing fits and screaming if something is taken from him or if he doesn't get his way. He has a temper just like the rest of us.

The dog has become his best friend. I wonder if it's just because she will eat the stuff that he doesn't want to and then it is all gone. It's a symbiotic thing they have going on.

He has an incredible amount of teeth! They just kept coming this month. He is a pro at walking now and can even walk in sandals. His shoes are still like bricks on his feet though. He does an excellent job at stairs and so the gate will be coming down.

He is starting to talk. I love his little voice. It sounds a lot like Landon's. Words : Dada (of course), eyes, yes...there are a few more but only I can understand those and so it doesn't count. :-)

His eating has been terrible. He doesn't care for baby food or anything else for that matter that isn't a cracker or a cookie. I had him on strictly milk but with him not eating hardly anything, I didn't want him to shrivel up so I broke down and bought another can of formula. I think he's going to be picky like Kailtyn (and his Daddy).

He loves the water and I really have to watch him. He is into sneaking into the pool. If I have our deflated and put away, he climbs into the neighbors'. He's very, very sneaky.

Little Mr. Social is what he is. He loves to be in the center of everything, putting his two cents in, and seeing what is going on.

My little precious one year old. You make me smile. Please stay this little for a little longer. Happy Birthday, angel boy!

Neat...

It's amazing all that you can tell about a kid (or maybe just my kids) just by watching them play with this toy.

Kaitlyn : She picked up on the whole shape thing right away, even at a year old. She got so good at it that she would put a block up to a different shaped hole and then wait for us to sign no-no to her then quickly plop it in the right one. We knew early on that she was way too smart for her own good. She also likes things neat and in order. When she helps Collin out with this, she usually does all of one color first and then moves on to the next.

Landon : When he was this age, he would sit and try to ram a block in a hole that was the wrong shape. I think he thought that if he tried hard enough and used enough of his super strength and grunting noises that it would eventually fit. Bottom line, Landon is determined and persistent.

Collin : Typical last born boy, I think. He sat down to play with it today. I started by putting the blocks in their correct holes, to which he would nod yes and clap for me (the whole head nodding thing is new and it's so cute!). Then I turned the game over to him and gave him the blocks. He just tossed the blocks on top. They would land on the wrong holes and just sit there and he would go on to another. Oh, while he was doing this, he was looking at me and laughing. Collin is an entertainer and just goes with the flow. I think when he gets older, he is going to have the messiest room.