Just Keep Running

I ran a 5k a few Saturday nights ago.  It benefited the National Kidney and Organ Donation foundation.  It was my first 5k in awhile.  The race started at the Capital and from there we ran along the lake front and ended at the Goodman pool.  The pool was closed down and reopened for us so that we could have a private pool party after the race.  The little kids and Kato were there and Keith came down too.  He took some photos and cheered me on.  It was my fasted 5k, I ran it in a little over 27 minutes.  That broke down to 8:55 minutes per mile.  I was really proud of myself.  The pool party was fun but the water was cold.  I hope to do the race again next year too. My ankle had been bothering me for awhile so I did finally go to a sports medicine doctor and started some physical therapy and let me tell you, it was the best thing ever! In just a few short sessions the pain in my ankle is gone and the stiffness is minimal.  I do stretches every day and have been working on the muscles to help support it.  I can not stress to you enough the importance of physical therapy and if you have any ailments to give it a try.  The following day after my Capital City 5k I ran another 5k.  A friend of mine, who is in running group with me called Moms Run This Town, had a friend who lost all of her belongings in a home fire.  My friend created a 5k fundraiser for her so I wasn't about to turn that down.  I did run almost 5 minutes slower but for me doing two 5ks within 15 hours of each other was pretty darn impressive.  I admit I was stiff and sore the next day but with a little stretching and physical therapy I was good as new.  That weekend went by super fast and even though I didn't get much else done it was all worth it.  thanks for reading xoxo

Gold To Orange

Alex and I belt tested last night and I am pleased to announce we are officially orange belts.  It was about 2 hours of karate and judging by the sweat I produced (gross I know) it was work.  I felt proud of myself and especially of Alex because he has been through so much with the change in karate schools.  I think he felt proud too because its not everyday he has a smile ear to ear like the one in the photo.  I am absolutely happy with the decision we made to have him do karate and I truly believe it is helping him come out of his shell.  He has mentioned he would like to do wrestling.  I am thinking he will have a great role model and personal coach right here at home and maybe it will help him and Michael get along just a little bit better.  thanks for reading xoxo

Ella turns 2

My baby turned two years old last week and every second of her life has been a pure blessing.  I made Ella her cupcakes and all the kids were anxious to get them in their mouths.  We put two candles in one for Ella to blow out but she couldn't figure out exactly what she was supposed to do.  Good thing she has a big sister and a big brother to help.  She had a few gifts to open and once again Alex and Jade were there to help.  Poor little Ella could have sat back and relaxed the entire night with them two around.  She has the most sweetest expressions.  When she opened her earrings from Grandma Kim she said "ooooooooh" with a high pitch squeal of delight.  Of course she had to put on her new swim suit from Auntie Gail right away and sleep in it all night and wear it again all the next day! Kato and I got her a toy cell phone and a toy pig bank that she can put toy coins in.  She loves everything.  I am also looking forward to going shoe shopping with her because she is in need of a good pair of shoes that are not hand me downs from her sister.  Ella is a very happy girl, there are few moments when she isn't smiling and that is usually when she is whining over something.  Happy Birthday Ella beez! thanks for reading xoxo

I want the 80s back!!

It has been so hot here that we haven't been able to be outside as much.  Its nice having the pool but when its 104 degrees outside even our pool isn't refreshing enough.  Next week the temps are supposed to go down to the high 80's and everyone is looking forward to it.  Ella will be having a birthday soon and I can not believe she will be 2 years old.  How the time has flown by? Jade started riding a two wheeler with training wheels and we have been going on bike rides when its not scorching out.  I managed to get into the doctors to have my bump checked out on my ankle and its tendonitis. It sucks. I haven't been able to do cardio kickboxing or run in some time now.  I even took a week off of Karate to rest it.  The pain is easing and I am going to see a sports medicine doctor soon.  I have a couple of 5ks coming up and want to be able to run.  I have gained some weight as a result of this and feel pretty low.  I am sure I will get it off again but the ups and downs of weight loss makes it very discouraging.  I have been biking as it doesn't cause any pain in my ankle but again the heat takes a toll on someone trying to get outside to exercise.  My 12 mile ride the other day in 100 degrees was great but I didn't feel like I got as good of a work out as kickboxing gives me. Last weekend we spent a day at the waterpark, Jade and Alex had a blast.  The wave pool was packed and the lines to ride on any waterslide were so long it was almost not worth it.  We went to dinner and then watched a movie.  It was a nice weekend.  The Fourth of July was not much to brag about.  With the heat and dry weather all of the fireworks were cancelled and going to the parade in 102 weather was not sounding fun.  Alex's summer school was cancelled due to heat so I have been struggling to keep him from driving me insane.  It will be nice to get back to the 80's.  thanks for reading xoxo

This summer we decided to invest in a pool for our backyard.  Usually we buy pool passes and head to the pool in town for our cool downs but because my schedule conflicts with the pool hours we thought this will be a better option.  I will miss the conversations with the other adults but in the end the time and energy it takes to get the kids down there and packing and unpacking all the stuff needed to go to the pool will be alleviated.  We had a wonderful Sunday and I decided to enjoy our pool.  I had to go out and buy a new swim suit because my older ones are too big but I am not complaining.  Kato worked really hard on cleaning out the pool and getting it ready for my relaxation time.  I got a new blow up floaty and spent the majority of the day lounging.  It was great!!  Kato and the kids joined me in the pool and we had alot of fun.  I am thinking this will be a great summer!! thanks for reading xoxo

Race to the Grapes

I ran my first 10k yesterday.  It was hot out and I hadn't trained very hard for it.  I have been having a couple of issues with the back of my right leg and my left knee, it doesn't bother me to the point I can't run but I need to get into the doctors about it.  The race started at 10am which is fairly late and since it was almost 80 degrees by then it made the running even more uncomfortable.  They made it a trail run so you were running through woods and along the snowmobile trails.  There was very little pavement to run on.  There was a huge hill which they nicknamed Mt. Everest.  It was brutal.  I doubt anyone actually ran up it.  We started a running group here in town its called Moms Run This Town and its for women only.  A couple of us were at the event and we were able to get a photo.  My good friends Leah and Heather ran the 5k course and Heather got first place in her age group.  I was 3rd place in my age group.  For the rewards the top 3 finishers got a wine glass, we all got a t-shirt, and those of us 21 and older got a mini bottle of wine after the race.  I actually gave mine to my friend Tammy because at the time, wine did not sound good at all. I ran my hardest and did my best but I don't think I will be doing a 10k again. I will probably stick to 5ks.  After the race the family and I went over to my friend Joni's who was having a BBQ. She ran the 10k and came in 4th after me by about 2 minutes. She is also in our running group.  We had a great time but the ladies who ran were tired! After that we came home, the girls attempted a nap, Kato worked on the pool, and I went shopping for a new swimming suit. Later that night Kato took Alex to the tractor pull with Grandpa Keith and the girls and I watched movies.  Today I am sore and feel like lounging in my pool after I get back from grocery shopping.  Thanks for reading xoxo

Our Graduate

We have had an exciting week.  Michael graduated from high school and it was wonderful having my brother, my niece, and my parents fly out to celebrate.  He looked so handsome in his cap and gown and I was brimming with pride just seeing him.  The ceremony was held inside the gym and it was stifling hot.  Everyone was sweating and complaining of the heat. It felt like 900 degrees.  Jade of course didn't eat much dinner so by the time the speakers got started she needed a snack then a drink then the potty.  Ella slept through most of it in her Grandma Kims arms and Alex played on my ipad.  We were lucky enough to have dinner all together at Masons in town before the ceremony and then we all met back up at our place for a quick drink before calling it a night.  Saturday was Michaels party here and there was much to do.  Kato did most of the manual work, my mom and I did the baking, my brother maned the grill, and for the most part it was a success.  The clean up was not however my most favorite thing in the world and it reminded me again of why some species eat their young.  After 6 hours of clean up, 15 bags of trash, 10 bags of recycling, and a serious power wash of the driveway most of our property looked normal.  I am thankful I won't have to do that again for another 10 years!!  Congratulations to Michael for being a high school graduate!! thanks for reading xoxo