Bad News....and Good News!

OK...so the triathlon that I've spent the past 4 months training for was called off on Friday. I was so bumbed...words can't describe how disappointed I was. All my clothes were laid out. I planned my meals just right. Mentally I was ready....and then I got the email. The beach where the tri was supposed to take place had experienced some flooding and the park was deemed unsafe. Again, the bad news is that it was canceled...even worse is that I can't go to the makeup date. This will keep me going for at least another year though. I'm ready for the challenge plus I've got some 5K's to run between now and then. I'm so excited for these races and they're going to be so fun in their own ways. The first one  is the Busy Babes Marathon 5K in Centerburg.

I'm running with several girls from church. We're all doing our own race between the 5K, 10K, and half marathon. Can't wait! A week later, me and my family are running in the Miles for Melanoma race in Columbus.

It's the first race in Columbus for this organization so I'm really happy to be there for the first race and plus I can support a cause close to my heart. PLUS I get to do it with my family. Ana is so stoked to do this race it's funny! She's been dying to run a race with me so now she gets her chance! The last race of the year is the Hot Chocolate 5K in Columbus.

I'm either running this with a coworker or with Nate. Either way I'm excited because this was my first ever 5K last year and it will be nice to go back and run in Downtown Columbus and get some yummy hot chocolate! The atmosphere was amazing last year and I can't wait to experience again!

I'm feeling great these days and I'm in the best shape that I've been in years. I can't wait to continue! Stay tuned for what happens next! I've got a weigh in tomorrow so we'll see what happens! Here's hoping for another lose!

Sunrise

Today was a sad day for Aiva & Ana. Their good friend Sunrise moved. We knew the day was going to come but we didn't know it would be so soon. When Sunrise came over today and said today was the day and they were loading up their stuff you could just see Aiva's shoulders sink. I felt so sorry for both my girls! Their friend who they loved hanging out with and laughing with was going away. It took me back to when I was 6 and we moved from Grove City to Westerville. I left behind my friend Michelle. She was my best friend...we swam in our pool, had sleepovers, played with Barbies...everything. I remember sitting backwards in our old green Hornet staring out the back window as Michelle waved goodbye and she began to get smaller and smaller the further away we drove. Aiva had that same feeling today and all that came to mind was, "Its gonna be OK". I had the radio on and both girls loved to sing but today there were no songs coming from the backseat...only muffled cries and little sniffs. We had high hopes for Sunrise. My girls were teaching her about God and I could really see them growing as they talked about Jesus to Sunrise. We prayed today that Sunrise would remember their talks and that she would want to be more like Jesus too. Even though it was a rough day, a smile was brought to my lips as I can see how much all three girls have grown.

AoG15

1) Curling Aiva's hair for preschool...it was a fun spontaneous thing we did that she hated but I really enjoyed! Makes me realize why my mom loved playing with my hair so much.
2) Tribal relations:)Makes my days so much happier!
3) My great friend Mandy! Thanks for your journal idea...I can't wait to do it! Plus, thanks for being a friend that's real and encouraging. I hope I can be the same for you.
4) Jammin in the car with the girls. They just got this new kids CD and love to dance to it. I love I can dance with them! Seeing Ana do the "robot" is classic!
5) Watching Aiva ride her new bike. We went to the square in Sunbury so she can ride and as I walked behind her I had a flash back to when I first got my bike with training wheels. Makes me feel old but makes me happy that I will be apart of her memories of her first bike.

I've felt this before but I'm really feeling it now - I so appreciate my mom. In being mom to Aiva and Ana I feel so protective and guarded of their every move. Thanks for loving me like that mom and showing me how to love like that.

Happiness

Today a kid (man) came in to church that Nate and I had in youth group and I jumped up and had to give him a big hug. I found out on facebook the other day that he's engaged. I was so happy for him that I was bursting at the seams! He's in the military and went away to Iraq last year and is just a super kid. Nate and I had such a great experience helping out in the youth group and we're so proud of the kids that were in school at the time. One of them we had in our wedding and he is now married and happy and now here's another one that is successful and doing great. I'm just so happy that we had a hand in their success not only in life but also spiritually. I am so proud of these student that they have grown to be great men and women of God. I pray that God blesses their marriage and that they're truly happy! Congrats BJ & Emily!