Excitement

I soon will be headed for vacation. Germany here we come. I'm excited to see all the new sites, try all the new foods and enjoy time with my husband. The kids will be back home with family keeping an eye on them. This is the part of the trip that has me a little worried....I know they are in capable hands, it just being away from them for so long. I know they will be fine, I'll just miss them. There isn't too much planned so they don't have to carted back and forth to events so that's a plus.

Anyway, once we're back from Germany it's training once again for the 1/2 marathon in September. I'm really excited to get back into running...it will be a good stress reliever that's for sure.

Turing a year older.....

So today I turn a year older.....do I feel any different?? Nope, never really do. It's just another day, business as usual. Today I'm thinking back to my most memorable birthdays, lets see....One of my only happy childhood memories was going to Farrel's ice cream at the Mall. They'd give you your ice cream with a candle and you got your name called over the loud speaker and the Birthday Song played on the jukebox.

The next birthday I clearly recall was my 16th. I don't recall it for any good reason though. Growing up we didn't have lots of money so I wasn't expecting much of anything but you know what I got.....ZIP, NOTHING. My mom took me out for a free dinner at Denny's. A few days later I mentioned my disappointment and she retorted with "we went to dinner" Um it was FREE. She did buy me some clothing but I believe out of guilt.

My next birthday memory was my 19th. That was the night J proposed to me. It was such a lovely evening. We went to a fancy restaurant, he hired a violinist to play our song and then he proposed. He capped the evening off with a carriage ride downtown. It was great.

My only surprise party came when I was 21. A bunch of friends and family were rounded together for fun and dancing. My first official shot was a cement mixer bought by my brother. I still tease him on how horrible that was LOL.

My 30th birthday was another memorable one, only because that's the year I was a surrogate. I felt such gratitude and wonder as I was able to help bring my aunt and uncle so much happiness by being able to carry their son. I felt that my life had purpose and that often when you bring happiness to others you bring happiness to yourself.

Now at 36, I can honestly say that I enjoy each and every moment of life, I am happy with the many blessings that I have around me. I have an amazing family and such wonderful friends that I couldn't ask for more.

Feeling Young

So yesterday I was asked to sub in a kickball league. It was actually fun, I really didn't care if I played or not. I was placed at 2nd base (my old softball position, well one of them) and the first ball was a pop fly and it came my way and I made out #1. I felt a sigh of relief, I didn't want to blow it LOL.

I kicked a few times, well on one of my trips to 1st base I was running through the base and the second baseman went in my running path, I avoided hitting him but I did take a tumble. I have 2 skinned up elbows a skinned up knee, it's also bruised as well. I also tweaked my ankle, it's swollen and still today but it was all worth it! It was such a lovely day and to be outside having fun was just what I needed. I started my evening out yesterday with some jump roping and then for a quick 1 mile run.

All in all it was a good night full of healthy activity, I've missed that the past couple of weeks and it's amazing what it does for my attitude!

I want to send GOOD LUCK WISHES to my friends Joy and Joe who are running the Madison 1/2 marathon this weekend. Here's to the 2 of you!!! I hope you have a strong, injury free run. Most of all enjoy yourself and the scenery!!!

Sad

Yes I'm sad, I'm having trouble with accepting that my kids are getting older. "A" will be a 6th grader next year and she's turning into such a beautiful young lady, the trouble is I don't want her too. The older the kids get the less they need me and that's the way it is supposed to be, the trouble is I'm not ready for it yet. I can remember when they were born and taking care of them and enjoying each stage of their development and now another stage is here and I realized that the others seemed to go so fast. I know I can't turn back time and I have enjoyed every moment with my kids, even the hard days and not a day goes by that I don't tell them that I love them so what's the issue??? Who knows? What I do know is that I love my kids, I'm proud of them and they have such potential to do so much in life, I want them to seize each opportunity that life brings them. If I could shield them from pain and hurt I would but the truth is it's part of life and it makes us the people that we are.

On to something else....

I'm slightly frustrated with a few things. A few months ago I joined a wine club, only for 6 months to give it a try and I haven't gotten wine in awhile. So I look at my records and the last shipment was March. So I try the phone # and I get nothing but dead air. I attempt to get to their website and I get nothing but "page cannot be displayed". I do a google search for any of their in home sales people and nothing....I finally found something that says they went out of business on 3/23. Um, I paid for 6 months worth of wine and I only got 2 months!!! So I got the number to the lady that was the consultant at the party and left her a message to say WTF????? I want my wine!!!

Another cause for frustration; my niece is watching the kids while we go to Germany well I just read on her Facebook page that she will be having a cyst removed when she should be watching my kids. Um, it would be nice to know if I need to make alternate arrangements for them for that day or the days after. I'm not sure if this is something serious or something that will take 2 seconds...either way I think she should have told me. I have enough stress with getting things ready for this trip I don't need another log added to the fire.

Well, there you have it, my thoughts for today, exciting I know LOL

Tired

So I just spent a week on the beach, I am well rested but why am I so tired???? Work has been busy and then of course it's go go go at home. Keeps me out of trouble I suppose. We are going away for the weekend, just J and I with another couple so that will be nice. I feel as if we haven't had any time to connect lately. When we head off to Germany it will be go go go that we won't have much time to just relax and enjoy each other's company.

Speaking of Germany.....Everything is booked! We will be hitting Germany, Belgium (a room in the castle is booked!!!), the Netherlands, Luxembourg and London...That's right London. We're hopping a flight and spending the day there. I'm so excited for this trip and all the sites that we will see. It's going to be AMAZING.

Guess that's all for today, next week I'm getting back on the running wagon so ensure that I prepare well for September's 1/2 marathon.

Well Rested

So I just got back from my yearly beach trip and it was wonderful!! It was such a busy week at work and with personal activities so it was nice to get away for a week doing nothing but relaxing! It was sunny and warm and I spent my days at the beach or the pool. I did get some exercising in, walks on the beach, water aerobics and weights.

We did see Buddy the Cake Boss (TLC program) There was a new beach boardwalk opening and they had him make a cake and do a meet and greet. The cake was a huge Flip Flop and it was very tasty. I didn't wait in the line to formally greet him and get an autograph, We were by the tent he was at and I got some pictures. I did notice that he was very kind to the kids that were waiting in line, it's nice to see that some celebs don't get a big head over their fame and fortune and they are kind to the kids, hopefully teaching them a lesson to be kind to everyone, no matter who you are.

Back to reality though....work is busy, the house needs to be cleaned (none of that got taken care of while I was away). I will be getting in my exercise and then focus on all the house work. I will need to stay in good shape and prepare for the US Air Force 1/2 marathon in September!

Official Race Time

2:37:45
12:02 pace
1620th finisher out of 1945 1/2 marathon runners

Best time yet!!!