I wish I had a picture to go with this but I don't, it would've interrupted the moment. There are moments as a mother I just take in and enjoy. I was doing some book work at my computer on the main floor, when I heard Lo coming down the stairs, clearly on a mission somewhere. She quickly informed me she was heading to her office (in the basement there's a space that was created under the stairs and formerly used as a sewing room, now is Lo's "office"). I sat up here, listening to her voice clearly in her own imaginative world of play, in some sort of scenario. I love that, I remember being that way. I love that you don't need television, that your imagination can take over and create your own entertainment.
She is a creative, sweet kid. I love that she gets time here and there to just play. I love how adaptable she has been through all the changes. It amazes me, and makes me so proud of her. I love that after a weekend away she's excited to come home. She had a great weekend, camping at one of the local parks with her Dad, she even got to bring a friend, which she loved. I love that she's such a good sport about playing with her Dad's girlfriends kids, that she's pretty awesome in the way she handles the seven year old that has a tendency to challenge her. She's just such an awesome kid all around, I love being in the moment with this girl!
My son is away in Mexico (his first trip without his mom *sigh*), gone still for a week. I miss him like crazy, but Lo is so chill it's nice to just have some serious one on one time with my girl that's growing too fast.....
Monday, July 8, 2013
4th and Beyond
In pictures
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| Ready for the Franklin St parade |
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| Two beauties (in and out) floating the lazy river |
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| Matching tatoos |
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| The most patient man EVER! He's going to kill me for posting a photo while he was having a snack! |
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| The man that rides along with me every Sunday 60 miles, clouds were something awesome this week |
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| This is what happens after hours at the waterslide. Mom's choice of music in the car! |
Workouts week 14 of 16 7/1-7/7
Monday 1st- Swim 1000m (lightening closed pool) run 7 miles (2- easy, 3-10k pace, 2-moderate)
Tuesday 2nd- Bike 1 hour 15 minutes, swim 1200 (finished up the day before's swim, not sure if that works or not)
Wednesday 3rd- swim 1900m, run 6 miles
Thursday 4th- Bike the Du course 26 miles
Friday 5th- OFF (had an urge to swim, but decided I really better take the day off, getting SO tired)
Saturday 6th- 13.86 mile run, 2400m swim
Sunday 7th- 56 mile bike, Mission Creek out and back/Pinnacle, 20 minute transition run
2 more weeks until race day. Last weekend after having such a wonderful weekend away, I was really over this whole over priced race thing. I was getting grumpy that I couldn't just take off every weekend, that I haven't been able to go hiking (although it's prime mosquito time, so not the best time), that I haven't even made it to the gym in the last 2 months to do weights, because with work, family and training 15ish hours a week I can barely make dinner at night. I was over it.
Fortunately my attitude is better this week and will hopefully get me through the next two weeks. I really do love having a goal, I love training, and I love what I am able to do right now because of all the hard work. A bit of frustration with swimming, I work hard but damn it is still so hard.
Tuesday 2nd- Bike 1 hour 15 minutes, swim 1200 (finished up the day before's swim, not sure if that works or not)
Wednesday 3rd- swim 1900m, run 6 miles
Thursday 4th- Bike the Du course 26 miles
Friday 5th- OFF (had an urge to swim, but decided I really better take the day off, getting SO tired)
Saturday 6th- 13.86 mile run, 2400m swim
Sunday 7th- 56 mile bike, Mission Creek out and back/Pinnacle, 20 minute transition run
2 more weeks until race day. Last weekend after having such a wonderful weekend away, I was really over this whole over priced race thing. I was getting grumpy that I couldn't just take off every weekend, that I haven't been able to go hiking (although it's prime mosquito time, so not the best time), that I haven't even made it to the gym in the last 2 months to do weights, because with work, family and training 15ish hours a week I can barely make dinner at night. I was over it.
Fortunately my attitude is better this week and will hopefully get me through the next two weeks. I really do love having a goal, I love training, and I love what I am able to do right now because of all the hard work. A bit of frustration with swimming, I work hard but damn it is still so hard.
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
We are Campers!
Camping far exceed all my previous expectations. I've waited a few days to post on it because I wanted to process all of this. It was so much more, in so many ways, than a camping trip.
I've shared that in the past I really had no desire to go camping. Not because I don't like sleeping outside, but because I knew majority, if not all responsibility would fall on me. Travel by air and hotel is something I am familiar and comfortable with, I was a flight attendant. I don't stress delays, schedule changes, long lines, lost itineraries, and because of this familiarity I enjoy planning and taking care of all details. Camping, is pretty foreign to me. We'd go as a kids but my Dad was the one that had everything packed and set up, I just remember eating well and playing games!
This trip was almost a metaphor of what my life was and what it's now. I lived with a man that spoke a good talk, said what you wanted to hear, in all the right times and with such charisma you couldn't help but believe it, but the follow through never came. By the end there was just so much disappointment of words spoken but no actions followed through, such things as going on a camping trip with the kids, seemed like more hassle than fun.
When we arrived to Ohanapecosh, from the get go I just stood back watching and taking it all in feeling things I didn't dare to dream a few years ago. My heart was so happy. I watched Rick with such love and admiration. He is kind, and caring, I already knew this. He's also a man that makes good on his words, I trust him whole heartedly, without a doubt. When we moved back our Bend trip to August but had this weekend free for a short getaway, I said I'd camp, but I didn't know how to do it, nor did I want to stress about it. He took care of all details, as well as hassles, but even more important showed and explained to me everything, essentially empowering me, so I'd feel comfortable.
I haven't said much about this, and perhaps because it's hard for me to wrap my head around. To watch a man bond with your children, to teach them, interact, and care for them when they are not his own, there are no words to describe it, it's a feeling, one that leaves me with tears in my eyes and my heart full. Lo was SO excited for this trip, she adores Rick and the two of them have a pretty cute relationship. My oh so girly girl hopped right out of the truck eager to help in anyway possible. She and Rick set the tent up, got all sleeping mats out and organized then she was onto learning the right way to start a fire. I have to say I sat around reading and watching a lot. The two of them were at the slackline, on logs playing volleyball, playing scrabble, and extra games of go fish all weekend. Wow, who knew a camping trip would lead to all of this!
It's scary to let go of the past, and all things familiar, but with time I am seeing that sometimes changes happens, while not what you had planned, but perhaps someone had planned, to put you right in the place you were meant to be.....
Some photo highlights:
I've shared that in the past I really had no desire to go camping. Not because I don't like sleeping outside, but because I knew majority, if not all responsibility would fall on me. Travel by air and hotel is something I am familiar and comfortable with, I was a flight attendant. I don't stress delays, schedule changes, long lines, lost itineraries, and because of this familiarity I enjoy planning and taking care of all details. Camping, is pretty foreign to me. We'd go as a kids but my Dad was the one that had everything packed and set up, I just remember eating well and playing games!
This trip was almost a metaphor of what my life was and what it's now. I lived with a man that spoke a good talk, said what you wanted to hear, in all the right times and with such charisma you couldn't help but believe it, but the follow through never came. By the end there was just so much disappointment of words spoken but no actions followed through, such things as going on a camping trip with the kids, seemed like more hassle than fun.
When we arrived to Ohanapecosh, from the get go I just stood back watching and taking it all in feeling things I didn't dare to dream a few years ago. My heart was so happy. I watched Rick with such love and admiration. He is kind, and caring, I already knew this. He's also a man that makes good on his words, I trust him whole heartedly, without a doubt. When we moved back our Bend trip to August but had this weekend free for a short getaway, I said I'd camp, but I didn't know how to do it, nor did I want to stress about it. He took care of all details, as well as hassles, but even more important showed and explained to me everything, essentially empowering me, so I'd feel comfortable.
I haven't said much about this, and perhaps because it's hard for me to wrap my head around. To watch a man bond with your children, to teach them, interact, and care for them when they are not his own, there are no words to describe it, it's a feeling, one that leaves me with tears in my eyes and my heart full. Lo was SO excited for this trip, she adores Rick and the two of them have a pretty cute relationship. My oh so girly girl hopped right out of the truck eager to help in anyway possible. She and Rick set the tent up, got all sleeping mats out and organized then she was onto learning the right way to start a fire. I have to say I sat around reading and watching a lot. The two of them were at the slackline, on logs playing volleyball, playing scrabble, and extra games of go fish all weekend. Wow, who knew a camping trip would lead to all of this!
It's scary to let go of the past, and all things familiar, but with time I am seeing that sometimes changes happens, while not what you had planned, but perhaps someone had planned, to put you right in the place you were meant to be.....
Some photo highlights:
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| My favorite girl in the whole word |
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| tent builders |
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| Took all of 5 mintutes |
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| Not only is she my favorite, but also the most beautiful |
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| Up close and personal with Mt. Rainier |
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| On a clear day, it's pretty majestic |
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| This is all fun and games until day 2 of eating like this... |
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| My early riser |
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Ramblings with pictures
Not sure if you know this or not, but I have a very cool cat. The kids and I picked up two cats from the humane society in 2007 (because who can really adopt just one if two are in the cage) AnnaBelle and Meredith Grey. MG was Kaiser's kitty, unfortunately when we lived in East Wenatchee she was not afraid of the coyotes. AB moved with us and runs the 'hood, she's just plain awesome.
I don't even have to put a water bowl out for her.....but she does prefer clean toilets!
Posted with BlogsyTuesday, June 25, 2013
Prepping
The little miss and I have spent the day getting our goods organized for our upcoming Mt. Rainer camping trip. For as much as I love the outdoors, I haven't been a "camper" since I was a kid. It's not that I don't love waking up in the woods, breathing in the fresh air, I'd just prefer to do it from a cabin. This whole camping thing is a lot of work, not to mention for me it's been pretty expensive (I've been told it's a one time investment). Fortunately Rick has pretty much everything, but I bought a very nice 750 down filled sleeping bag (this is where I wasn't willing to skimp) plus I needed to get the kids sleeping mats, and food, all I can imagine is my son eating all day!
It's not that I was opposed to it, but quite honestly I don't like being unprepared in situations. Truth is I don't think if we were faced with a life threatening situation my Ex would've been able to get us out alive....after all we have an infamous story from the "attacking" pheasant on the Icicle Gorge trail a few years ago.
Rick on the other hand has a long list, I was reviewing. There are things like a hammer, tarp string, water filter, and a saw for peets sake! I never would've thought of any of those, granted I have no idea what we need them for, but pretty sure Rick does....
All in all I am getting very excited, to experience this with the kids. They unfortunately haven't grown up camping, with the exception of camping a few times in the parks near town. Rainer is something I want them to see as well. People come from all over the country to see it, and yet it's in our very own state. Also looking forward to hiking with my camera, so hopefully I will have some fun photos to share......wish me luck, or better yet wish Rick luck!
It's not that I was opposed to it, but quite honestly I don't like being unprepared in situations. Truth is I don't think if we were faced with a life threatening situation my Ex would've been able to get us out alive....after all we have an infamous story from the "attacking" pheasant on the Icicle Gorge trail a few years ago.
Rick on the other hand has a long list, I was reviewing. There are things like a hammer, tarp string, water filter, and a saw for peets sake! I never would've thought of any of those, granted I have no idea what we need them for, but pretty sure Rick does....
All in all I am getting very excited, to experience this with the kids. They unfortunately haven't grown up camping, with the exception of camping a few times in the parks near town. Rainer is something I want them to see as well. People come from all over the country to see it, and yet it's in our very own state. Also looking forward to hiking with my camera, so hopefully I will have some fun photos to share......wish me luck, or better yet wish Rick luck!
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| Food and dry goods stocking up |
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| My fridge has never been this full |
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Balance
This was one of those rare weekends I was really glad my kids were at their Dads for his every other weekend. This weekends training plan called for a 2 hour run and 1 hour swim Saturday and a 3 1/2 (60 mile) ride and 20 minute run on Sunday, and quite honestly to work out for that many hours when they are home, I just wouldn't be OK with it, and likely get up at 4 am to get it done....so yes I will say it, it was nice they were having fun and being watched.
The weekend was wonderful, it was nice to have the time to get those workouts in, and of course some fun on Friday night. I love my friends, really love them. They are the greatest bunch of gals and guys to be around, so anytime we can all get together is so fun, often coming home with sore ab muscles from laughing so much. We decided to celebrate the summer solstice with a progressive appetizers and drinks party (must of us live within a mile radius of one another), the only condition was from house to house you had to use non motorized transportation. Needless to say the night was a huge success and we plan to make it bigger and better for next year!
Below are some photos of the night, in all we went to four houses. At house #2 we decided we'd take a picture at each house....well that only happened at house #2 and #3
The weekend was wonderful, it was nice to have the time to get those workouts in, and of course some fun on Friday night. I love my friends, really love them. They are the greatest bunch of gals and guys to be around, so anytime we can all get together is so fun, often coming home with sore ab muscles from laughing so much. We decided to celebrate the summer solstice with a progressive appetizers and drinks party (must of us live within a mile radius of one another), the only condition was from house to house you had to use non motorized transportation. Needless to say the night was a huge success and we plan to make it bigger and better for next year!
Below are some photos of the night, in all we went to four houses. At house #2 we decided we'd take a picture at each house....well that only happened at house #2 and #3
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| Taking off from house #2 |
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| This was the scene all night, and no I do not condone helmetless behavior |
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| Well this wasn't a planned stop, but we tried to pick up our friend Steve...he wasn't home, his loss |
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| Two of THE greatest people you will ever meet |
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| Mojito's at house 3 There were pictures enroute to house 4, however they were blurry....imagine that |
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