1:59:57

For some strange reason..after swearing up and down that I would never

train let alone run a half marathon..ended up 8 weeks ago signing up for the

Deadwood Mickelson Trail Half.

The only reason I could come up with for this total lapse in good judgment,

is the deployment. I think it has made me a little..or most likely A LOT crazy.

The training started out good, went to daunting, and ended in utter despair and frustration.

3 weeks before the race and a few days after my 9 mile run, my calves and legs literally would not allow me to run more than 1 mile at a time with out having to stop and walk a little. I decided to take it easy that week with lighter runs and jump right back into the next week.

Long story short, I never really got back into it.

In fact two days before the race my 2 mile run was still extremely difficult.

So race day comes and I am terrified that I will not only be walking most of the race but

will probably do permanent damage to my legs.

So believe me when I say NO one is more shocked than me

that I not only RAN the ENTIRE race but I finished

it in under 2 HOURS!

 (yes I know, by only 3 seconds but guess what? It STILL counts!)

 

I am sure this lovely motivator helped...Cam was extremely thoughtful

and sent me 13 roses, one for each mile I would be running.  

I know, lets all take a moment to swoon...

*SWOON*

Okay, now if you are all done fake vomitting at my cheeziness we can get back to my race.

During the training and the actual race for that matter, trust me, the irony was not lost on me.

How many cooincedences and similarities there are between surviving a

deployment and training for a major race.

It is all about attitude, commitment, endurance and support.

Which we know these all don't come easily. But are all equally important.

However, now that the race is done and I actually have fond memories

(especially now that I can walk properly again)
I am sure just like the deployment there just might be another race in my future...

I also have a feeling that these last 6-8 weeks of deployment will be

a lot like my last 2.5 miles of the race.

When I saw the 11 mile marker I somehow found myself thinking

"I'm almost there.

Let's pick up the pace. (which I did. ALOT)

You've got this.

just give it your all."

only to get to the last 1/2 mile

and want to die. Because I completely

misjudged my distance and abilities. I wanted

to stop so badly but knew I was so close and just had to hang on,

the prize would be so sweet...and it was!

Pretty much how I think that moment will be when I get to see Cam again and hold him

in my arms. And the joy I will feel seeing me and my boys worlds complete again...

SWEET!

Pre Race... do I look nervous?? Cuz I am!

                                           My running partner Lynn who was also doing her first race
                                 Not really planning too (but hoped that we would ) ended up staying
                                                   together pretty much the entire race.

Amanda and Nicole my fellow pink ladies

So proud of all of us!

Girls week..Sort of...

Over the memorial holiday my Sister-In-Law along with her two girls came for a week long FUN filled visit.

This week I know, will forever go down in history for both Britt and I. There will be stories told about naked people on Minnesota Ave, other bizarre behaviors of those in Rapid City, and the memories shared for years to come of our cave explorations, (oh I wish we had pictures or even a video camera for that fiasco) car seats with pee, suffering through a 1 hour car ride with the stench of throw-up coming from the back seat..seriously, looking back, I can't help but think, "our poor kids!" All in the good name of Family Memories.

 My BOY brood and her GIRL brood literally spent everyday exploring and sight seeing. We took over 100 pictures which obviously have not all been included...but I did get close.

And after the kids were in bed we would stay up way too late, divulging in all sorts of juicy stories and scrumptious goodies including our decent attempt at keeping the fire burning in my chiminea long enough to make our smores.We eventually had to break out the gasoline...SAD I KNOW. 

Then to waking up early the next day to head out on another day full of adventure.

 It literally took me days to recover once they left...

I have come think that we might have been separated at birth, good thing we married brothers or I would never of had the privilege of getting to know and love this girl.

However, I can't hardly wait until we do it again...Hopefully next time we can do it without the kids!

 

 

The Junior Rangers getting sworn in...

 

 

Panning for gold with the ultimate miner who had thousands of dollars worth of gold nuggets around his neck in the leather satchels along with the watering trough that eventually was the dunking place for my cell phone by that cute lil' rugrat!

Cal with his cuz' who he lovingly called "Ya Ya"                        The wild monkeys playing at Sheraton Lake

                                                                           Bebe, the only one brave enough to get in the water

 Outside the "99 cent All you can eat Pancake Feed"

by the end of the week this was usually the scene between these two. She had had enough boy time. And he couldn't have enjoyed the thought more that he could upset her so easily...this relationship will be a lot of fun to watch grow!

Dinosaur Mountain

This is where it almost turned into a real Shirley outing which ALWAYS ends with someone in the ER. Creed was swinging on the railing and lost his grip and fell backwards on the cement/rocks. Of course the initial amount of blood had us a little freaked out and the only thing handy was a DIAPER...yes, poor kid walked down the mountain with it on his head. Luckily once we washed off the head wound we were relieved to see that stitches weren't needed and after a quick visit to our trusty Dr. Rich to make sure everything was on the up and up we went on home.

StoryBook Island

was our final destination it is always a crowd favorite.

Till next time...

dreaded word...

GOODBYE!

I LOATHE this word,

and unfortunately in my world

I say this word all too often.

Every 6 months or so to be exact,

 this word is painfully uttered from my lips.

Whether its someone I have known and grown to

love over the course of an assignment

or the unfortunate event of meeting

someone great who you know you would hit it

off with only to find out they are moving in

a few weeks.

(It happens...ALL THE TIME to me)

. It is just something I really really hate to do.

(I know wrong choice of lifestyle)

This past week I had to not only say goodbye to a wonderful friend of mine but GREAT friends

of all 3 of my kids.

We are going to miss our neighbors, carpool buddies,

trampoline mates, rabbit catching, bug finding, movie watching,

 food sharing, running partnering

                              FRIENDS!

Lil' grad

Who knew that preschool graduation was such an accomplishment?

 I think I got a swift kick out the door on my last day of preschool.

Not these days!

Kids are given the opportunity to celebrate almost every milestone...

And aren't we glad?

Because with a graduate this cute who wouldn't want to have a photo opportunity?

                                  
                                                           Creed and Andrew
                                                           his very best friend.

school moments

There are many moments that take place in a school year and here are just a few of the ones that have happened at our house.

Creed and his turn with the class pet "Stripes". It was great having him here to

spend time with Creed's other tiger friends, who go figure

also have that same name.

Meet "Alvin" apparently he had some side kicks named "Simon" and "Theodore".

They would play chipmunks on the playground everyday for weeks.

Of couse, he wanted a RED sweatshirt. But given that the request was made 5 minutes before

leaving for school, he was okay settling with this green one.

I loved these characters when I was a kid and I love

that now they are some of his!