Timing Chip

Race/Timing Chip # 17792 go to this Website : www.rnrmarathon.com And you put in my moms # and it will track where she is.

This is Morgan Kristen's Daughter posting this for her cause she doesn't have computer access.

It's Here

Can it really be that after four months of training that the marathon is only 3 days away? Honestly, it just doesn't feel real that it is here. 

I am just a muddled up  bundle of emotion today.  I can't even pinpoint exactly what I am feeling.  I know I am feeling anxious about traveling tomorrow without my husband and kids.  I am anxious about getting the kids where they need to go tomorrow and getting to the airport. I am worried about getting all the packing done. I am worried about Lance getting all the bags, car seats, pack and play, paperwork, etc .. to the airport on Sunday. I am worried about how Lance will do traveling with all three kids by himself.  I am excited to go to San Diego. I am excited and a bit nervous to do the marathon. I am excited for the activities before the race and the time I get to spend in San Diego with my family afterwards. I am excited to see the sunshine.  I am excited to meet Sarah.  I am excited to reconnect with my husbands cousins Shannon and Courtney. I am looking forward to two nights in a hotel room by myself.  I am looking forward to having some time to read a new book (Lynn, my friend and encourager I am not giving up on Anna but she is too big and bulky to pack for my trip. I will be getting back to her when I return).  I am looking forward to our pasta party and victory party. I am looking forward to spending time with my teammates in San Diego. 

This morning I watched some video clips on you tube from last years marathon posted by team in training participants from around the country.  These clips had me in tears.  I don't know if it is the fact that I know how hard they have worked to meet their goal. I don't know if it is the sense of doing something to help other people. I don't know if it is about being part of a team.  I don't know if it was the look of joy on their faces as they crossed the finish line. I don't know exactly what it was but something in those video clips touched me.

It's here my bloggy friends! The culmination of four months of training.  Thank you for all your support and following this journey with me. I am sure you are plenty tired of reading about it!  I will do a final post (or two) on this journey from San Diego - the laptop is packed and so is the camera. Who knows what bloggable moments will occur??

Now I am off to snuggle with my kids, finish packing, and get life organized around here before I leave TOMORROW.  

Wordless Wednesday: Quiet time on a rainy day

Weekend Happenings

- field trip to the Discovery Center

- dinner out with Lance and my team on a rooftop patio - so fun!

- last training run

- BBQ with our neighbors

- shopping for spring/summer clothes

- bike ride

- bonfire

- picnic lunch in the park

- planting the salsa garden

- transplanting bushes and planting flowers 

the pulley chair at the Discovery Center

Landon's turn in the pulley chair

the bed of nails - landon thought this was very cool

dr. mauryn with her stethescope

 one corner of the salsa garden

Backyard Bonfire

It was a picture perfect spring evening last night. There was a slight breeze and the temperature was mild as the sun was setting.  We were sitting outside lamenting with our neighbors about how it would be the perfect evening to have a bonfire.  

About a month ago, our neighbors friend/daycare provider bought the house across the street and her backyard has a fire pit.  We decided to pack up the kids, ingredients for s'mores, wood, matches, and blankets and surprise our new neighbor by inviting ourselves over for a bonfire.  Of course if Pat and Val didn't know Joan so well we would never have done it!  I think Joan (a recent widow) was grateful for the company and distraction as last night was her first night in her new house alone.    

We got to enjoy a fun part of camping without having to sleep in a tent. The kids had a blast roasting marshmallows and sitting by the fire.  What a fun way to spend the evening!

Thank you Joan for letting us invade your backyard last night and disrupt your quiet evening!

Morgan - the poser (not sure where this comes from)

working on some marshmallows

Landon relaxing by the fire eating his s'more

Mauryn eating some marshmallows

Lance enjoying his s'more

Three words that make me cringe

Bathing suit season.

Why does it have to be so hard to find a bathing suit that fits my almost 35 year old post 3 babies body??

A new bathing suit is a necessity with our vacation coming up next week. I am sure there will be plenty of time spent at the swimming pool and visiting the beach. Shorts and a t-shirt don't really cut it as swimming apparel. 

My last suit has been confiscated by my family (mainly my husband) since it was 6 years old and well it wasn't in very good shape. Yep, I hadn't purchased a bathing suit (except a maternity suit) since June 2002.  Before that I had purchased a bathing suit since our honeymoon in December 1996.  Can you tell how much I dread the process!

Thank you Lands End for having free shipping so I can do this from the convenience of my own home (we know how much fun it is to try things on with kids in the dressing room) and to Sears for taking the returns - you will know me well by the time this process is over.  

DInnertime Offenses

The Offense: Poor table manners, goofing off during dinner, laying on the bench, looking out the window, pretty much doing anything but eating

The Offender: The boy

The Consequence: Retrieve booster seat from the garage and buckle the boy in it for the remainder of the meal and all meals today. For the boy, this is pure torture to sit buckled in for his meals.

The Reaction: "I know how to unbuckle this seat."  

      " I am going to take this seat apart and throw it away"

The Supportive Husband and Daughter: Thank you Lance and Morgan for helping with the situation at dinner last night. It sure made things easier with the two of you were laughing at the boy and not doing a very good job of hiding it.  Next time, leave the room! It is hard for me to not laugh with you and I needed to have the serious mom face.

The Verdict: Transitioning out of nap with this guy is not pretty.  The boy is stubborn and has a bit of a temper. When he melts, although it isn't a shining moment for him, the things spewing from his mouth are quite humorous (and it is so hard not to laugh).  We are trying to be patient, teach him how to handle his emotions more appropriately, and get him to bed earlier (which is hard now that it stays light outside so late).  My saving grace is that he gets over his meltdowns fairly quickly and returns to his sweet and loving little self.