(Walking down the stairs with my four-year-old daughter this morning...)
Ava: "Mommy, I want some candy."
Me: "Ava, you know we don't have candy first thing in the morning."
Ava: "But you have candy. Why do you get candy and I don't?"
Me: "Huh? I don't have candy."
Ava: "What that crack and pop sound?"
Me: "......my joints."
Sigh.....
Friday, June 3, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
A beautifully inspirational weekend...
Well....I did it! I can't believe that my goal that I set for myself came so quickly (it seemed)! As you saw in an earlier post, when I was sick, I made a commitment to myself. I promised that, if I got better, I would do something that never thought I could do. That was running. I not only was never a distance runner in my entire life, but I hated EVERYTHING about it...because I was so horrible at it. Well, as strange as that sounds, that is exactly why I chose to do it. So, my friend, Carrie, was starting up a running group at around the same time, and I decided to join. We trained three days a week for three straight months to make it to our goal: The Pat Tillman "Pat's Run" 2011 on April 16th.
For those of you who don't know the story of Pat Tillman, here is some information pulled from http://www.pattillmanfoundation.org/:
The Arizona Cardinals selected Pat in the 7th round of the 1998 NFL Draft. He quickly became the team’s starting safety and broke the franchise record for tackles (144) in 2000.
Pat never let his success go to his head; he continued to drive the same truck he had in college (with no air conditioning) and refused to be tethered to a cell phone. He was an avid reader and lively debater, often drawing strangers into conversations.
He kept himself busy and challenged in the off-season, competing in a marathon and a half Ironman triathlon, while pursuing a Master’s degree in history from his alma mater. He also volunteered with the Boys and Girls Club of Arizona, Boys Hope Girls Hope and the March of Dimes, and read and talked to students in schools across the Phoenix Valley.
In the aftermath of the attacks on September 11, 2001, Pat proudly put his NFL career with the Arizona Cardinals on hold to serve his country. He turned down a 3.6 million dollar contract with the Cardinals to fight for something for important to him. According to another website, Tillman told a NBC News interviewer a day after the attacks, "“My great grandfather was at Pearl Harbor, and a lot of my family has ... gone and fought in wars, and I really haven’t done a damn thing as far as laying myself on the line like that,” This decision was just one of many he made over the course of his lifetime to help others and serve a cause greater than self-interest.
Pat Tillman joined the U.S. Army in July of 2002, committing to a three-year enlistment. They were assigned to the second battalion of the 75th Ranger Regiment in Fort Lewis, Washington, serving tours in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 and in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom in 2004. As we unfortunately know, Pat Tillman was killed during his time in Afghanistan.
Each year here in Arizona, they honor Pat Tillman and raise money for his foundation (for soldiers and their families) by doing the "Pat's Run". The run is 4.2 miles long (because Tillman's football number was 42), winds through the streets of Tempe, AZ, and the finish line is right on the 42 yard line inside the Sun Devil Stadium. It is truly amazing (Picture pulled from Pat's Run website).
Well....we did it yesterday....and it was a truly inspirational experience.
Here I was right before heading over to the race. Here we go, girls!
I am not going to lie...this was not an easy race. 4.2 miles is long way to run for me having no background and and only three months of training, but I set a goal to do run the entire race without stopping to walk and hopefully reach the finish line before 47 minutes. I was able to achieve both goals! I never stopped running, and I crossed that finish line at 44:55. I was really happy with that considering that there were many times that I had to "duck and weave" around walkers, and we had some serious uphill climbs. I never trained on hills. Phew! You know what, though? I was constantly given reminders that I was lucky to be there and blessed to be running. I remember that, around the 2.5 mile mark, going uphill, I was starting to feel tired, and it started to play those fun mindgames with me. At that moment, I looked over to my left, and I saw a parapalegic on a bike and using his arms to push the pedals....uphill....and he was amazing. I remember thinking, "Wow, of course I can do this. I don't have half of the challenges that man does. I have NO reason to complain."
Here I was charging the final stretch to the finish line! What a rush that is!
Here were all of my results:
Distance: 4.2 Miles
Time: 44 min. 55 sec.
Overall Place: 10,850th place out of 22,405 total runners
Gender Place: 4,093th place out of 11,511 female runners
Pace: I ran approximately a 10:42/mile
Running into the stadium was the neatest experience. I was so exhausted, but you really do get a huge burst of energy when you get to the end of the tunnel, look up, and you are running inside the stadium with thousands of people cheering you to the finish line! The Arizona Cardinals were all there in full uniform and slapping our hands as we ran the final stretch as well as fully uniformed Army officers doing the same thing. A truly amazing moment...one I will never forget.
After the race was completed, we got to walk around the stadium grounds to visit various booths, etc. My friend, Celeste, and I had to snag a picture with some of the players. They were all so kind and congratulatory to us.
When I got home, Eric had taken the kids out to lunch...but this was waiting for me on the kitchen table:
Overall, it was best experience that I could have asked for...except one thing: one of my best friends, Lisa, got sick the night before the race and couldn't participate. It broke my heart. She trained right alongside me for the entire three months, and then she was cheated of the experience at the last minute. I missed her there.
But....if you know Lisa, you know that she will always finish what she starts. So, she sent out a text to a few of us that said that she was going to wear her race shirt and run 4.2 miles the following morning right here in Maricopa. What a rockstar. Well, Carrie (friend and the leader of the running club) called me and Aubrey to make sure that we knew. Carrie was going to run it with her. There was obviously no way that I was going to be able to do that, considering that I just ran it 24 hours earlier, and my legs were NOT having it....so Aubrey and I decided that we were going to surprise Lisa by being there at her "finish line", wearing our racing shirts, and bringing her in to the end! You know you love someone when you put on the world's stinkiest race shirt from the day before just so that you can give her the opportunity to get the team photos, etc. that she missed out on! Hee hee.....
So...Aubrey went and bought her flowers, and I brought my camera....
For those of you who don't know the story of Pat Tillman, here is some information pulled from http://www.pattillmanfoundation.org/:
The Arizona Cardinals selected Pat in the 7th round of the 1998 NFL Draft. He quickly became the team’s starting safety and broke the franchise record for tackles (144) in 2000.
Pat never let his success go to his head; he continued to drive the same truck he had in college (with no air conditioning) and refused to be tethered to a cell phone. He was an avid reader and lively debater, often drawing strangers into conversations.
He kept himself busy and challenged in the off-season, competing in a marathon and a half Ironman triathlon, while pursuing a Master’s degree in history from his alma mater. He also volunteered with the Boys and Girls Club of Arizona, Boys Hope Girls Hope and the March of Dimes, and read and talked to students in schools across the Phoenix Valley.
In the aftermath of the attacks on September 11, 2001, Pat proudly put his NFL career with the Arizona Cardinals on hold to serve his country. He turned down a 3.6 million dollar contract with the Cardinals to fight for something for important to him. According to another website, Tillman told a NBC News interviewer a day after the attacks, "“My great grandfather was at Pearl Harbor, and a lot of my family has ... gone and fought in wars, and I really haven’t done a damn thing as far as laying myself on the line like that,” This decision was just one of many he made over the course of his lifetime to help others and serve a cause greater than self-interest.
Pat Tillman joined the U.S. Army in July of 2002, committing to a three-year enlistment. They were assigned to the second battalion of the 75th Ranger Regiment in Fort Lewis, Washington, serving tours in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 and in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom in 2004. As we unfortunately know, Pat Tillman was killed during his time in Afghanistan.
Each year here in Arizona, they honor Pat Tillman and raise money for his foundation (for soldiers and their families) by doing the "Pat's Run". The run is 4.2 miles long (because Tillman's football number was 42), winds through the streets of Tempe, AZ, and the finish line is right on the 42 yard line inside the Sun Devil Stadium. It is truly amazing (Picture pulled from Pat's Run website).
Well....we did it yesterday....and it was a truly inspirational experience.
Here I was right before heading over to the race. Here we go, girls!
I am not going to lie...this was not an easy race. 4.2 miles is long way to run for me having no background and and only three months of training, but I set a goal to do run the entire race without stopping to walk and hopefully reach the finish line before 47 minutes. I was able to achieve both goals! I never stopped running, and I crossed that finish line at 44:55. I was really happy with that considering that there were many times that I had to "duck and weave" around walkers, and we had some serious uphill climbs. I never trained on hills. Phew! You know what, though? I was constantly given reminders that I was lucky to be there and blessed to be running. I remember that, around the 2.5 mile mark, going uphill, I was starting to feel tired, and it started to play those fun mindgames with me. At that moment, I looked over to my left, and I saw a parapalegic on a bike and using his arms to push the pedals....uphill....and he was amazing. I remember thinking, "Wow, of course I can do this. I don't have half of the challenges that man does. I have NO reason to complain."
Here I was charging the final stretch to the finish line! What a rush that is!
Here were all of my results:
Distance: 4.2 Miles
Time: 44 min. 55 sec.
Overall Place: 10,850th place out of 22,405 total runners
Gender Place: 4,093th place out of 11,511 female runners
Pace: I ran approximately a 10:42/mile
Running into the stadium was the neatest experience. I was so exhausted, but you really do get a huge burst of energy when you get to the end of the tunnel, look up, and you are running inside the stadium with thousands of people cheering you to the finish line! The Arizona Cardinals were all there in full uniform and slapping our hands as we ran the final stretch as well as fully uniformed Army officers doing the same thing. A truly amazing moment...one I will never forget.
After the race was completed, we got to walk around the stadium grounds to visit various booths, etc. My friend, Celeste, and I had to snag a picture with some of the players. They were all so kind and congratulatory to us.
When I got home, Eric had taken the kids out to lunch...but this was waiting for me on the kitchen table:
 |
| I have the greatest husband. Thank you, honey...not only for your support on this day but for your support during the scary road that got me to this day. I love you. |
But....if you know Lisa, you know that she will always finish what she starts. So, she sent out a text to a few of us that said that she was going to wear her race shirt and run 4.2 miles the following morning right here in Maricopa. What a rockstar. Well, Carrie (friend and the leader of the running club) called me and Aubrey to make sure that we knew. Carrie was going to run it with her. There was obviously no way that I was going to be able to do that, considering that I just ran it 24 hours earlier, and my legs were NOT having it....so Aubrey and I decided that we were going to surprise Lisa by being there at her "finish line", wearing our racing shirts, and bringing her in to the end! You know you love someone when you put on the world's stinkiest race shirt from the day before just so that you can give her the opportunity to get the team photos, etc. that she missed out on! Hee hee.....
So...Aubrey went and bought her flowers, and I brought my camera....
 |
Here she comes down the final stretch! You did it, girl.     I was so proud of her for finishing what she started and not letting any obstacles get in her way. I'm also so thrilled that we could find a way to give her that special day that she worked so hard for. You know, I didn't know Pat Tilman, but I have a feeling that he would be proud of our little "Mini Pat's Run" day. I can just see him smiling down and nodding his head, saying, "That's what it's all about." Here's to a beautifully inspirational couple of days. I got to help honor an American hero AND my best friend all in one weekend. Yeah....that is what it's all about. I felt super tough that I could run this race, but I was reminded that you are never stronger than when you are lifting up someone else. |
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Blog-o-holic....
I figured that, since I am not even remotely wanting to rewrite everything regarding the whole "Mirena issue", I would just put it out there that there is another blog out there that I have that is completely dedicated to that issue and trying to help other women regain their health again.
The address is http://www.mylifeaftermirena.blogspot.com/. Feel free to read it if you ever want to. I will continue to keep the two blogs separate, but there you go....just in case you are interested.
That being said, if you know any women who have it, lead them to that blog....and beg them to get that devilish device out of their bodies.
I also wrote a blog during my stint to lose my last bit of baby weight and tone up before my St. Maarten trip last summer (If you read a past post in this blog, you can see that I was a bit stressed about it...hee hee...). I did the Jilian Michaels "30 Day Shred" program, and I decided to follow along daily. Please feel free to enjoy my pain. That blog is http://www.kristis30dayshred.blogspot.com/.
Wow....I am a blog-o-holic. I need a 12 step program. STAT.
The address is http://www.mylifeaftermirena.blogspot.com/. Feel free to read it if you ever want to. I will continue to keep the two blogs separate, but there you go....just in case you are interested.
That being said, if you know any women who have it, lead them to that blog....and beg them to get that devilish device out of their bodies.
I also wrote a blog during my stint to lose my last bit of baby weight and tone up before my St. Maarten trip last summer (If you read a past post in this blog, you can see that I was a bit stressed about it...hee hee...). I did the Jilian Michaels "30 Day Shred" program, and I decided to follow along daily. Please feel free to enjoy my pain. That blog is http://www.kristis30dayshred.blogspot.com/.
Wow....I am a blog-o-holic. I need a 12 step program. STAT.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
I Spy....a cute converstation with my daughter....
(In the car on the way to preschool this morning...)
Ava: "Let's play "I Spy" in the clouds, mom!"
Me: "Okay...I spy, with my little eye, a cloud that looks like a heart. Your turn!"
Ava: "I spy, with my little eye, a cloud that looks like a mommy beaver with her baby beaver and they are sleeping under a big blankie."
...Uh...wow...Apparently, momma needs to step up her "I Spy" game....
Ava: "Let's play "I Spy" in the clouds, mom!"
Me: "Okay...I spy, with my little eye, a cloud that looks like a heart. Your turn!"
Ava: "I spy, with my little eye, a cloud that looks like a mommy beaver with her baby beaver and they are sleeping under a big blankie."
...Uh...wow...Apparently, momma needs to step up her "I Spy" game....
Monday, April 4, 2011
My first 5k race!
I DID IT!!!!!
I just wanted to let you know that the results were posted from my very first 5k! It was for the Stephen L. Pearson Leukemia Foundation. There were 94 women who ran the 5k, and I came in 32nd. My goal was to run the 5k in 35 minutes, and I ran it in 32 min. 55 seconds! I was never concerned with my place, but my time goal was met...as well as my goal to never stop running. I'm proud of myself simply for doing something that I never thought I could do and celebrating good health again. Not bad for a 34-year-old mother of two who has never done a distance run in her life! Hee hee....
Notice the race's theme that is printed on my race bib: FIGHT FOR LIFE. I thought was was especially meaningful considering why I choose to train to run it. To all of the ladies out there who are struggling with the same post-Mirena sickness and debilitation that I had (and I know that there are many of you out there) know that, as well as celebrating my recovery, I am running for you and yours.
My next race is the HUGE one. It is the Pat Tillman race on the 16th. There will be THOUSANDS of runners. It is a longer race: a 6.8k. Wish me luck!
I love you all so much. Thank you for supporting and loving me through all of this. it means more than you will ever know.
I just wanted to let you know that the results were posted from my very first 5k! It was for the Stephen L. Pearson Leukemia Foundation. There were 94 women who ran the 5k, and I came in 32nd. My goal was to run the 5k in 35 minutes, and I ran it in 32 min. 55 seconds! I was never concerned with my place, but my time goal was met...as well as my goal to never stop running. I'm proud of myself simply for doing something that I never thought I could do and celebrating good health again. Not bad for a 34-year-old mother of two who has never done a distance run in her life! Hee hee....
Notice the race's theme that is printed on my race bib: FIGHT FOR LIFE. I thought was was especially meaningful considering why I choose to train to run it. To all of the ladies out there who are struggling with the same post-Mirena sickness and debilitation that I had (and I know that there are many of you out there) know that, as well as celebrating my recovery, I am running for you and yours.
My next race is the HUGE one. It is the Pat Tillman race on the 16th. There will be THOUSANDS of runners. It is a longer race: a 6.8k. Wish me luck!
I love you all so much. Thank you for supporting and loving me through all of this. it means more than you will ever know.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Ewwwwwww......
Ava (from the bathroom): "MOMMY! I have dia-weeah!"
Me: "Okay. Do you need help wiping?"
Ava: "I'm not done yet, but can you turn the fan on?"
Me (giggling as I open the door): "Sure, baby. Let me know when you are done. I'll turn the fan on."
Ava: "Good...'cuz I'mma gonna stink up this room like daddy does."
....and BOY did she.....Thanks for that, Eric. You couldn't have just taught her how to read or something? Our dog won't even go in there.....
Have a good day, folks.....
Me: "Okay. Do you need help wiping?"
Ava: "I'm not done yet, but can you turn the fan on?"
Me (giggling as I open the door): "Sure, baby. Let me know when you are done. I'll turn the fan on."
Ava: "Good...'cuz I'mma gonna stink up this room like daddy does."
....and BOY did she.....Thanks for that, Eric. You couldn't have just taught her how to read or something? Our dog won't even go in there.....
Have a good day, folks.....
Friday, March 25, 2011
First camping trip of 2011
Anyone who knows our family knows how much we love camping! We had our first campout of the year this past weekend, and we had a great time! Okay....so I burned the skin off of my chin in a freak s'more accident...but other than that, it was a fantastic weekend!
My younger sister, Sarah, and her sweet baby boy, Noah, got to be with us! At the ripe age of nine weeks old, Mr. Noah is now officially a camper! We camped up by Tortilla Flats, and the weekend gave me a good excuse to keep playing with my new camera! ENJOY some of the shots!
We all had a wonderful time!
My younger sister, Sarah, and her sweet baby boy, Noah, got to be with us! At the ripe age of nine weeks old, Mr. Noah is now officially a camper! We camped up by Tortilla Flats, and the weekend gave me a good excuse to keep playing with my new camera! ENJOY some of the shots!
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| Ava playing in the creek |
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| She was the only one brave enough to go into the lake. It was coooooooold! |
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| Parker's very first fishing experience! Never too early to learn, you know! |
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| Family camping is the best! |
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| Our camp site |
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| Our pop-trailer |
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| Sarah and her little camper! |
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| Sarah and our boxer, Kona |
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| Getting rocks to throw in the creek! |
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| Seriously....how cute is he? |
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| Loving on my new nephew! |
We all had a wonderful time!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Ava-isms
I have to share some of the recent "Ava-isms" that have graced my daughter's lips. Just because they're awesome....
"Mommy, when I grow up I'm going to be an artist...or an architect....or a superhero....."
"I wish I lived on Sesame Street....it is way better than our street."
"Parker's bottom looks funny. It looks like Play-dough with a ball on it."
"I can't wait until I'm a grown up, and then I can watch TV in my own room before bed...and I would let my kids eat snacks whenever they want and never put them in time out."
"I like our new sink. I like how it has a magic button that you can push to make the water come out like potty sprinkles."
...and my favorite from just this week....
"Mommy! I think Parker has stinkies....his butt smells like chicken."
Stay tuned, folks....more to come. Just give her a minute....
"Mommy, when I grow up I'm going to be an artist...or an architect....or a superhero....."
"I wish I lived on Sesame Street....it is way better than our street."
"Parker's bottom looks funny. It looks like Play-dough with a ball on it."
"I can't wait until I'm a grown up, and then I can watch TV in my own room before bed...and I would let my kids eat snacks whenever they want and never put them in time out."
"I like our new sink. I like how it has a magic button that you can push to make the water come out like potty sprinkles."
...and my favorite from just this week....
"Mommy! I think Parker has stinkies....his butt smells like chicken."
Stay tuned, folks....more to come. Just give her a minute....
Thursday, March 17, 2011
HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!
Happy St. Patty's Day from Ava and Parker!
And I must share the following conversation that I had with my daughter just a few days ago:
Ava: "Mom, do you remember how it was my St. Patrick's Day party at school yesterday, and you forgot to put my green shirt on me?"
Me: "Yes, honey. I'm sorry about that...I thought it was on Thursday."
Ava: "That's okay, because nobody punched me."
Me: "Sweetie, it's PINCH you--not PUNCH you. They can only pinch you for not wearing green."
Ava: "Oh."
In retrospect, now that I realize that my daughter thought that the kids were going to punch her for not wearing green, I'm so proud of how bravely she walked into preschool with her head held high that day. That's my girl.
And I must share the following conversation that I had with my daughter just a few days ago:
Ava: "Mom, do you remember how it was my St. Patrick's Day party at school yesterday, and you forgot to put my green shirt on me?"
Me: "Yes, honey. I'm sorry about that...I thought it was on Thursday."
Ava: "That's okay, because nobody punched me."
Me: "Sweetie, it's PINCH you--not PUNCH you. They can only pinch you for not wearing green."
Ava: "Oh."
In retrospect, now that I realize that my daughter thought that the kids were going to punch her for not wearing green, I'm so proud of how bravely she walked into preschool with her head held high that day. That's my girl.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack...........
I know....I know......I'm sorry (Hangs head in shame)......
It has been almost a YEAR since I've posted in this blog. I can hardly believe it myself. I promise that there have been good reasons. I won't go into too much detail right now because I honestly don't want to type it all out right now. Here it is in a nutshell for you:
Once upon a time, there was a woman who had two small kids and a husband. After her son was born, she had a Mirena IUD put in. It tried to kill her. Instead, it only succeeded in giving her silicone poisoning and jacking up her hormones for a year and a half. After much fighting to get her life and health back, she is her old, silly, self again. Kristi wins. Mirena loses. Suck on that, Mirena. The end.
I'm sure that future posts may deal with that whole thing sometime, but right now, I just want to focus on something else.
It's great to be back. I promise to keep updating regularly again. Seriously...I promise. I really missed doing it.
Also, I just got a SWEET new camera: the Canon EOS Rebel t3i. So....this blog will start having much better pictures as well. I just got the new camera two days ago. Yesterday was my first day to play around with it. I actually scoffed at the manual when I saw that step one was attaching the strap to the camera....and then it took me about 20 minutes to do it. I'm so lame.
Okay....let's see....update:
Ava is now four years old. I can't believe it. Here she is on her birthday in case you need proof.
Ava is still in Hunny Bunch Preschool with her wonderful teacher, Ms. Peggie. This year, she is also so happy to be in class with her very best friend, Allie. Life is good for Miss Ava Marie. We told her this year that she is able to start ballet/tap class, and her little head about popped off.
Our little Parker man turns TWO on Thursday! WHAT?!!!! The last time I posted was when he turned one and he had RSV. Sheesh...time flies when you are poisoned, I guess..... Anyway, here is a picture of him from yesterday when I went to get him from his nap. Can you believe how big he is?
Let's see....I am doing great now and feeling better each day. I've also been reminded how easy it is to take your health for granted until you don't have it anymore. It feels great to feel great, and I'm truly celebrating a strong body again. I am just about to complete an 8-week program called "Body Back" that is basically a fitness boot camp and clean eating program. I do my final measurements, after photos and assessments on Saturday. I might post pics...not sure yet. The before pics might make you throw up a little bit in your mouth....
Also, back when I was still healing, I made a promise to myself that if I got better, I would do something to celebrate my health by doing something that I always said I couldn't do. That, folks.....is RUNNING. Even though I was an athlete in my much younger years, I was NEVER anything close to a distance runner. All of my sports, tennis, high jump, etc., were sports that involved short, "bursts" of running. I have never had to run more than a lap in my life. And, when I was 15, I was hit by a drunk driver and lost the feeling in the side of my left foot. That also adds a challenge...and it was also, what I now know, a large excuse for why I "just can't be a runner."
Anyway, I made a commitment that, if my body healed, I would train to run with a goal of finding a 5k to run in. Seems crazy, but that is exactly why I chose to do it. Call it, if you will, my Christian-friendly way of giving the Mirena the middle finger. :-) Soooooooo....I have been training three times a week, and I will be running a 5k (which is approximately three miles), and then running in a race that is 4.2 miles only two weeks later! I am insane. It's nuts to even think about it to be honest with you. Right now, thinking about running a 5k? It might as well be 100.... I'm doing the best I can to be ready, though, even though--right now--I am still a terrible runner. I WILL run that day, though.....simply to celebrate that I CAN.
Eric is doing wonderfully as well. He just got a promotion at work, and he's working so hard. He was my rock during these past couple of years of struggling, and I am reminded yet again how lucky I am to be his wife. Here are a couple of pictures of us from our FIVE YEAR ANNIVERSARY trip this summer (to St. Maarten!)
Hopefully, I'll have the chance to write more about trip...or at least post more pictures in a future post. It was amazing.
So, there you have it--a short and sweet post to let you know that I did not fall off the the face of the Earth. I'm back, and I will do everything I can not to leave you again. Don't blame me....blame Bayer Pharmaceuticals....
Big hugs to all of you!
It has been almost a YEAR since I've posted in this blog. I can hardly believe it myself. I promise that there have been good reasons. I won't go into too much detail right now because I honestly don't want to type it all out right now. Here it is in a nutshell for you:
Once upon a time, there was a woman who had two small kids and a husband. After her son was born, she had a Mirena IUD put in. It tried to kill her. Instead, it only succeeded in giving her silicone poisoning and jacking up her hormones for a year and a half. After much fighting to get her life and health back, she is her old, silly, self again. Kristi wins. Mirena loses. Suck on that, Mirena. The end.
I'm sure that future posts may deal with that whole thing sometime, but right now, I just want to focus on something else.
It's great to be back. I promise to keep updating regularly again. Seriously...I promise. I really missed doing it.
Also, I just got a SWEET new camera: the Canon EOS Rebel t3i. So....this blog will start having much better pictures as well. I just got the new camera two days ago. Yesterday was my first day to play around with it. I actually scoffed at the manual when I saw that step one was attaching the strap to the camera....and then it took me about 20 minutes to do it. I'm so lame.
Okay....let's see....update:
Ava is now four years old. I can't believe it. Here she is on her birthday in case you need proof.
Our little Parker man turns TWO on Thursday! WHAT?!!!! The last time I posted was when he turned one and he had RSV. Sheesh...time flies when you are poisoned, I guess..... Anyway, here is a picture of him from yesterday when I went to get him from his nap. Can you believe how big he is?
Let's see....I am doing great now and feeling better each day. I've also been reminded how easy it is to take your health for granted until you don't have it anymore. It feels great to feel great, and I'm truly celebrating a strong body again. I am just about to complete an 8-week program called "Body Back" that is basically a fitness boot camp and clean eating program. I do my final measurements, after photos and assessments on Saturday. I might post pics...not sure yet. The before pics might make you throw up a little bit in your mouth....
Also, back when I was still healing, I made a promise to myself that if I got better, I would do something to celebrate my health by doing something that I always said I couldn't do. That, folks.....is RUNNING. Even though I was an athlete in my much younger years, I was NEVER anything close to a distance runner. All of my sports, tennis, high jump, etc., were sports that involved short, "bursts" of running. I have never had to run more than a lap in my life. And, when I was 15, I was hit by a drunk driver and lost the feeling in the side of my left foot. That also adds a challenge...and it was also, what I now know, a large excuse for why I "just can't be a runner."
Anyway, I made a commitment that, if my body healed, I would train to run with a goal of finding a 5k to run in. Seems crazy, but that is exactly why I chose to do it. Call it, if you will, my Christian-friendly way of giving the Mirena the middle finger. :-) Soooooooo....I have been training three times a week, and I will be running a 5k (which is approximately three miles), and then running in a race that is 4.2 miles only two weeks later! I am insane. It's nuts to even think about it to be honest with you. Right now, thinking about running a 5k? It might as well be 100.... I'm doing the best I can to be ready, though, even though--right now--I am still a terrible runner. I WILL run that day, though.....simply to celebrate that I CAN.
Eric is doing wonderfully as well. He just got a promotion at work, and he's working so hard. He was my rock during these past couple of years of struggling, and I am reminded yet again how lucky I am to be his wife. Here are a couple of pictures of us from our FIVE YEAR ANNIVERSARY trip this summer (to St. Maarten!)
So, there you have it--a short and sweet post to let you know that I did not fall off the the face of the Earth. I'm back, and I will do everything I can not to leave you again. Don't blame me....blame Bayer Pharmaceuticals....
Big hugs to all of you!
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