A New Sport In Town

"The Palms"

It's been nearly three weeks since our big half marathon race, which really seems so strange. Is it really already the middle of June? Our meeting place (above) has been placed on the back burner due to hectic summer schedules, along with warmer temperatures.

The same amount of time has transpired since I have put on my trusty Gar min, which has been extremely painful. My doctor (aka husband) has given me orders to stay off my knee until it has fully healed. Little did I know it would make me a little crazy, especially since running seems to be a great way to get rid of stress or any other unwanted emotions.

I have however, found other means of exercise, even if it isn't my top choice. I have resorted to riding my bike to the gym to attend weight lifting classes as well as spinning. I wouldn't recommend using a beach cruiser as transportation, it really means cruising and it not at all meant for any types of speed. Yes, I probably looked a little ridiculous snapping photos down the street.

Along with biking I have convinced (although it was like pulling teeth) my friends to try out the water. I think it has been close to 20 years since I swam club and it most definitely showed when I tried to swim a lap.

Amber, Jenny, Tishia, Sarah

It was also probably comic relief for the life guard who took this photo for us. Who asks to take their photo at 5:30am?? I HAD to have the proof we are now taking up a new sport. We may not be good at it, but trying new things is what we do. Now, if I could get my knee back in shape a triathlon I may be breaking out of my comfort zone to try a triathlon. Stay tuned...........

Top of The Mornin' To Ya!

AZ morning sunrise

Back when Doug and I were very first married I was a morning person. I loved to get up early to start the day (unless of course it was freezing outside). It was a guarantee that my eyes would pop open and be awake at the latest by 7:30am. (even on the weekends--it used to drive Doug insane). I am not sure when the tables turned. In our household Doug has been known to create and say some of the craziest things. One of his more popular sayings is...... in the most high pitched Irish voice, "Top of the Mornin' To Ya!" It can be quite obnoxious, but it has now become a joke in our house. Perhaps having to get up early to be at the hospital at the crack of dawn has done it. At any rate Doug is definitely WAY more of a morning person than I am. Despite my constant battle to stay in bed my alarm goes off at 5:30am whether or not I would like it too. Eventually I find my self rolling out of bed about 15 minutes later (after a few snooze smacks).

Some may think that is a little early, but in order for me to fit in my exercise regiment for the day I really don't have a choice. I really miss loading up my boys in the double stroller and doing my 3-4 mile walk each day. I am afraid with our schedules those days are long over. I have found that running 3-4 times a week isn't as enjoyable as walking.

Our first step

We have been wanting to put Taylor on some sort of exercise regiment for a while. Kids just don't "play" the way they used to. Things such as bike riding, running around, and being outside is becoming a thing of the past. Blasted electronics anyway! Don't misunderstand, I don't think my daughter is fat or needs to loose weight, I just think that getting outside and being in the fresh air does wonders for your soul. I am hoping it will also teach her the principal early to bed/early to rise. Cheesy, but I think Taylor struggles with going to bed much too late, causing her to be dragging ALL day long.

The moon was full and heading up as we were leaving.
Very cool!

We struck a deal with her that if she walks three times a week (MWF) with me for the next month she would in return be able to have a chef party with 5-6 of her friends. (Something that she has been REALLY wanting to do). I think it's a win/win for all. I not only will have someone to go with, but I think it will be a fun time to bond with her. Another bonus is she will also be passing off something in her Faith in God book. Wish us luck!

P-A-I-N-F-U-L

this is the largest rainbow I have ever seen!

The beauty of the English language is that one word can have several different meanings. I am sure for a foreigner it would be extremely difficult to learn. How confusing would it be to learn the different spellings of their, or there? I remember it even being hard growing up. English is definitely not my strongest subject. However, I CAN describe my week with one word and have it mean a trillion different things.

my shoes safely under the stroller

Our weather has been so unpredictable lately. (see above and below) I have no idea why we are getting such odd weather patterns, but we are. Over the past few weeks we have woken up to cloudy mornings (which are perfect for exercise) no complaints there! Angie and I have been fairly lucky not to get caught up into many rain encounters, except once. Until yesterday, make that two. We started walking and it began to sprinkle. Sprinkles we can handle. Rain forest, Jamanji rain not so fun. We stopped under a tree hoping it would pass (since we were well in route). It didn't seem to want to stop. We were in a major dilemma of sorts. First our kids had no form of protection. Why haven't I bought one of those covers yet?? Second, both of us just bought brand new running shoes, and NOT cheap ones. Ones that really should sit on a shelf to admire. Neither of us wanted to get them wet because of that very reason. What to do? Ah ha, take them off and run barefoot. Okay, that sounds extremely dumb, but that is what we did all for the sake of new shoes! And yes, it was PAINFUL. Probably pretty stupid, especially since we are married to orthopedics's (who would cringe over that). We can laugh about it now and if only I had my camera. Luckily Greg was still home and saved us at the end of the road with a ride home. Don't worry next time it looks dark with rain, I will be slipping on my OLD shoes AND my kids will have a cover.

errie photo taken last week in my car.

This week has been dragging for me. I don't know if it's the anticipation for my kids to go to school or what. I am ready and they are ready period. One thing that is hard for me is the whining. It is much like finger nails on a chalk board. PAINFUL! My kids have been doing this ALL week....and I am not exaggerating. Lucky for me it is occurring at different times throughout each day. Ha. I already discussed my doctor experience Monday, painful. Weston has continued to make a routine of pooping each day, lovely. Jared had his moment of glory yesterday. (I had a mommy dearest moment with him) Taylor doesn't have too many painful moments, unless it entails dragging her somewhere she absolutely is opposed too. Like the other day. It ended in a full on argument (which I hate) I explained to her that we all needed to go to practice since this was the only time we would see Doug that day. Ummm, do you think I want to sit and watch football for two hours? It was a pretty big battle. Fortunately, candy and allowing her to text page did the trick. Yes, I am the mom that uses bribery.

kiddos on the pirate slide

My last painful experience hopefully(I am crossing my fingers) this week, was today. My kids have been wanting to go to Fiesta Texas all week. We have either been too booked up with things or the weather hasn't been on our side. I woke up with a major headache and the LEAST thing I wanted to do was trek to the water park. I told my kids if they got the bag and lunches ready we would go. We headed out in some pretty "skeptical" weather. It obviously had been raining pretty hard earlier, but had some blue skies around it. We proceeded through the rides and hiked up Mount Kilimanjaro--PAINFUL in the water park. The pirate ship and play area we normally let the kids go to is at the top (I will never understand why they did this) This means we are walking up 3-4 flights of stairs. For strollers there is a ramps, but since my boys have grown it seems in the past month, my old rickety double stroller (from when Jared was born) is EXTREMELY heavy and hard to control. But, we successfully made it up one last time. I say this because today was the last day we will probably be heading out to the water park for the summer. Friday is the last "week" day the park will be open, and I don't foresee going on a weekend due to the crowds. Here's to a less painful week ahead. Oh, and did I mention Luke wet the bed this morning??

good deed: did taylor's hair groovy.