Trip to Dallas...and Houston...and back to Dallas

What an adventure Will and I had last week when I was lucky enough to join him at a convention for work in Dallas. Since it was my birthday week (and Valentine's Day), I threatened him if he didn't take me with him..ok, I didn't threaten him. He volunteered to take me with him and even asked my parents if they would be willing to watch the kids for us while we were gone. I know, right? What a gentleman! What a hubby! So, of course we have to have a few wrenches thrown into the mix just to challenge my sanity so, the day we were to leave my dad called with news of my mom getting the flu. Plans had to change regarding the kids and my sister lovingly volunteered to house all 3 of my rugrats at her house for a day to give mom time to recover before her free time was ripped away from her for a week. That sounds harsh but it's reality. If you're a mom, you know.

So we headed out at the crack of dawn to the airport to board our flight to Dallas. Now, part of the excitement of going on a trip is to see which fabulous car you're going to drive. It's fun. It's different. So we went to Thrifty car rentals relatively anxious to see what "standard" sized car we'd get to drive for the week. The lady gave Will the paperwork and said, "you can choose whatever car you would like in the "standard" row." Giddy, we burst through the door to the parking lot and, in the standard row sat one car. Yes. One car. What was that car, you ask? A Jeep. JEEP!? So, it took us quite a while to decide between all of the options...um..no, we incredulously asked the attendant, "seriously, that's the only car you have?" to which he responded, "well, it's that or that minivan over there." I don't know about you moms but I OWN a minivan, I don't want to drive a minivan on my vacation! So we opted for the Jeep. By the end of the trip, we both decided a Jeep was not in our car-owning future. If you like a rough ride, it's the car for you. As a side note, when we dropped off the car at the end of the week, we noticed that the lot was FULL of "standard" car options. *sigh*

On to our travels. We decided to drive from Dallas to Houston to hang out with my cousin, Lisa and her husband, Ben. We hadn't seen them in quite a while and we thought this was probably the only time we'd be able to see them for a while since they're unable to travel much due to Ben's treatment. We bought some Texas BBQ and headed over to their place for much-needed family time. May I just add that Ben & Lisa are 2 of the most amazing people you'll ever meet. Faced with such adversity and distance from family, they are trusting in God for everything and have such great attitudes through all of their trials. I have the utmost respect for them and was honored to spend some time with them.
The next day we started the drive back to Dallas but just had to say hi to Amanda and 2 of her kids before we left town. Unfortunately, we could only stay for an hour but I had a blast checking out all of her interior design projects throughout her house and meeting "Thumbelina" (the family's 5 year old Betta fish). Apparently, she's invincible, according to Amanda, and just keeps going and going and going. God challenges us in many ways. =)
Later that day, we stopped by Dealy Plaza, the place of JFK's assassination. I can tell you, honestly, it was a little eery to be in the actual place of his death. They marked the road with a big X where he got shot. Thanks, Texas. Maybe you could make it a little more heartfelt and put a star there? I mean, everything else has a star on it. I think it would look a little better than a huge X. I get the idea..I just don't think it looks very "memorial-ish." They did have the heart to dig a hole for a plaque..right next to the busy road.
We took a few pictures of the Plaza. By the way, the X is located right under that red car if that gives you any perspective on the events of that fateful day.
...and here is the former book depository. I've got to say, it was a little strange to see the place where Lee Harvey Oswald hid and took the shot. They have the window open a slight bit and there is something coming out of it. I kept thinking that perhaps someone might think it would be fun to re-enact the events of that day. Eek.
Then, on to dinner at a place called Saltgrass. Let me just say: best.steak.ever. AND best salad croutons I've ever had. It was amazing. Just an aside, here. I'm a fan of McDonalds $1 sweet tea. With that in mind, you can imagine my excitement when they actually offer sweet tea as a menu item in Texas! This is my kind of state!

Later that night, we saw my good friend, Jenna and her husband, Joey. It has been so long since I've seen her. Jenna and I have been buddies since the 6th grade and even though there will be years where we don't see each other, we can get together and have fun just like old times. The next day, we shopped at the Galleria all day and even ran into some Dallas Seminary folks with very thick Texas accents. That night we visited a local Mexican food joint whose chips were so good I ran out of room in my stomach for the main entree. I'm a sucker for chips and salsa!
On Friday, I spent the day at the convention with Will. Unfortunately, I don't know a lot about the business so I looked more like the "hired help" than a knowledgeable businesswoman. I really don't like being in that position but, by the end of the day, I got the lingo down pretty well. I think our booth neighbors were glad to see the day end since one of Will's new products was a mini speaker that hooks up to your iphone and has outstanding sound. After playing the same song over and over again, even the Mrs. Field's cookie guys across the aisle from us started unconsciously singing the song even when it wasn't playing. Sorry, guys!

We started our return trip around 7:00 and, with the weather delay in LA (of all things), we landed at good old LAX at 12:30 at night. The sky was lit up with 100's of other airplanes waiting for their turn to land due to a rainstorm that had stopped airport traffic and we fell into bed at 1:30am.

Of course, early the next morning we went to pick up the kiddos from my parents and started the every-day routine once again as parents and Californians. I will miss Texas. The people there are friendly and, despite the various sizes and types of roadkill on the 200 mile stretch of road between Dallas and Houston, I see the great, big state of Texas as pretty cool place.
Just wanted to put in a parting shot of the two of us on our two-of-us vacation. Notice we're not holding hands with children, wiping snot, giving snacks, or pretending to smile while making sure our children don't run into the street? We are relaxed, enjoying the scenery, taking time to take photos. It was wonderful. OK, I missed the kids but it was still nice to get away.

Renewal

I haven't been to the gym in 2 weeks. Coincidentally, it's been 2 weeks since my half marathon. 2 weeks of sore muscles, trips out of town and other various things that have kept me inside and "busy."

Last week, as I talked to my friend, Mina, about her desire for both of us to run a full marathon, I realized that I've fallen into what I'll call a "post-goal slump." I trained for months, ran 15 miles a week since January, and completed my commitment on February 6th. Then it stopped. The running, the training, the desire to get up and push myself. I think that's normal, really, but it stinks. It stinks because I can feel my body transforming back into the way it was, the way I didn't like it.

I'm trying to get the good habits back but find myself sabotaging my efforts. I eat what I shouldn't with the thoughts of, "I'll do better tomorrow." I skip the gym because I just don't know what I'm doing it for. I think, "I want to train for a full marathon," just to get that feeling of pushing to complete a goal and to succeed. Then reality hits and I realize that the training is just too much for this stage of my life. I would have no time for my kids, my husband. So, in my mind, I resign myself to go back to the way things were. And, for some reason, the rest of my responsibilities seem to have lost oomph as well. I find that I can't muster up excitement for the every day goals.

I know it will change eventually. I need a renewal of my spirit, a new goal to aspire to and to work towards.

I know this blog entry isn't my usual "what we did today" review but I've got to get my feelings down in writing. It always helps me sort it all out.

I've resolved at least one goal - to spend more time with God, more time getting to know his desire for my life and for my children's lives. I want my goals to be worthy of my time and I know, in time, I will look back at this slump and say, "Thank you, Lord, for showing me what is important and for renewing me again and again with your love."

Oh, the drama...

It was haircut time, finally, for my little girl. I thought that maybe I could cut her hair on my own...then I wised up. I brought her to SuperCuts and braced myself for the ensuing tears. You see, my youngest is going through separation anxiety. For the past year. It's getting old. Tears flow every time she thinks she's going to be separated from me and that was the case in the salon. Here is what she looked like for the first half of the haircut.After about 5 minutes, and about a million, "mommy, mommy, mommy's," the haircut was complete and she looked so much older, and happier.
Here's the "after" shot. I hadn't taken a before shot because I was trying to prepare myself for the emotional, dramatic experience that was to come.

This past week we had a Girl Scout "outing" and made Valentine's and decorated cookies. Mikayla absolutely adores Girl Scouts and has so many wonderful friends from her troop.
My parents have recently come back from a trip to Turkey for a month so they wanted to have breakfast with us to catch up with life. Oh, and my parents brought lollipops which were an instant hit...even at breakfast. Sugar in the morning, with the exception of coffee drinks, would just not be appealing to me but they were itching to rip off the wrapper and dig in. Tyler finished his in record time.

Thanks, mom and dad, for a delicious morning!

No more Shake-n-Bake

I'm like every mom - something easy for dinner, no more than 3 steps and 3 ingredients, right? So last night I went about making chicken coated in Shake-n-Bake.

Before I pick on poor little Shake-n-Bake, I'll rewind to last Thursday. Lynnea came down with a flu. Just vomiting. No biggie. OK, are you kidding me? I hate vomiting, especially from a 3 year old who has just learned how to use the potty the right way and now has to turn around and use it another way entirely. Oust and Lysol were my friends and I thought I had wiped that little germ out of existence. Sunday came. I ran my half marathon and felt great. As we were preparing to go to my friend, Robin's, house for a delicious dinner, that little bug found Tyler. I was spraying, wiping, washing and waiting...waiting for the inevitable to happen but hoping it wouldn't. Then it did.

After said Shake-n-Bake dinner, I headed in to work and prepared for my 6 hour shift and it hit me. Luckily I made it home in time but from 8:30 until 3ish, my stomach and I were at war.

I don't need to tell you that the foods you eat before you get sick are just never appealing to you ever again, do I? Shake-n-Bake won't be on the menu for a while. That's too bad. It's not often you come across an easy, whip up recipe that tastes good too (at least when it goes in.)

As I lay on the bed in agony (not only from stomach cramps but from the knee and thigh aches that come from running a half marathon), I heard Mikayla run to the bathroom. *sigh* When it rains, it pours. Oh, wait, but mine was a hurricane with torrential rains because then, do you know what happened? Will had to leave for a convention....leave....and leave me with 3 kids, home from school (Tyler had a relapse) in a fragile mental state.

Oh, and a side note to all this? I called my sister, Cara and the bug had found her too. Steak sandwiches lost their appeal to her.

Praying you all stay happy and healthy this season! I'm gonna go lay on the couch...and ignore all of my children to the best of my ability.

A Token

I thought this needed its own post. My sister is my inspiration when it came to running the Surf City Half Marathon. 2 years ago, as my cousin Cheryl and I watched her run by in her 11th mile, we turned to each other and said, "wow, she is such an inspiration. I would love to be able to do that someday." Well, that someday became yesterday, the 2011 Surf City Half Marathon, and I shared that dream with my sister, my inspiration. It was such a thrill to run through that finish line, arms raised, with my best friend.

At the end of the race, she surprised me with a little token of congratulations, a necklace inscribed with the year, our initials, the race we had run and the miles. What a precious gift that I will treasure always. This year has been full of health concerns for Cara and threats of illness right up until the day of the race (Lynnea decided to get the flu a few days before I ran) but God saw us through it and we ran strong the whole way. What a day, what an accomplishment, and what an honor to run it with the woman who inspired me to do it in the first place.

Thank you, Cara!

Here it is:

13.1 Miles (Because I'm only 1/2 crazy)

My title was taken from a t-shirt I saw at the Surf City Expo where I went to pick up all of my race stuff and I thought it was very well said.

I RAN A HALF MARATHON!

And you've got to be half crazy to run 13 miles, that's for sure. What a feeling of accomplishment and what a blessing to be able to share the experience with my sister and friends Mina and Talitha. The 4 of us had a great time and have a pretty cool medal to show for it (even though my kids are wearing it all of the time and are wondering when they can get their own).
Will got some pictures of the event so I'll take you step by step through the morning.
It all started at 4:15am...yes, 4:15am. Can you believe that humans can wake up that early? Believe me, it was very difficult to drag myself out of bed and get dressed for the race but my adrenaline had already started pumping and I was ready to run the race I had so diligently trained for. Luckily my wonderful hubby woke up with me and took some pre-race photos. Yep, I'm smiling at 4am. I am crazy...Cara and I rhinestoned our pants for the race, kind of like a tattoo of sorts. "13.1" was what it said...or what it was supposed to say. For some reason, my gem glue didn't seem to take to my rhinestones and they started falling off 1 by 1. By the end of the race, the 3 remained and the 1's were history. I'm going to have to fix that. Cara's, of course, looked marvelous. She must have the right touch...or the right glue. Anyway, here's a leg shot of my "tattoo."...and this is what it looked like at the start of the race. When we registered, Cara and I thought we were going to walk some of it due to some health problems Cara was going through so we were stuck all the way back with the "runningsoslowyou'dthinkIwaswalking" group and, I tell ya, the WHOLE race we were dodging people left and right just to run at a good pace. Next time we'll start a little earlier and maybe get some road to ourselves. So, this next picture was Will's attempt to take a photo and pray that I was in it. I'm not. I'm probably moving like a sardine toward the back of this lovely group. It took a while for all of us to get past that starting line.
While I was running, Will made sure the kids had lots of fun. First they went sunbathing (and showing off those amazing physiques).
Then they went surfing for a little while.
Mikayla, the pro, had to show them how it was done. Look at her go!
After noticing on a lattitude application (Will had installed one into my iphone) that I was 4 miles away from the finish, he found a place near the finish line and waited for me and my sister to run by. I'm warning you, this next photo is NOT Quasimodo with Cara...it's me. I saw Will, waved a hand while shrugging to say hi to the kids and *snap* Will caught my every action with the shutter of his camera. It is the ONLY action shot he got. Oh, and poor Cara looks surprised to see my hubby at the exact same time I'm acting like a hunchback. *sigh* Oh well, action shots aren't the most flattering, that's for sure.
Cara and I finished the race in 2:07:15. That's a 9:45 minute mile, or around there. My friend and training partner, Mina, finished slightly before us and got a great time as well. Here we are with our medals and what is left of my 13.1 pants tattoo. We did it!
Here is Mina, finishing slightly before us even with a side cramp and small shoes. She was such an encouragement to me throughout this whole process. I ran my first 6, 7,8, and 10 miles with her by my side and it was awesome to finish this journey with her. She's hinting at training for a full marathon...I don't know if I'm that brave.
My friend Talitha was there as well and has more courage than anyone I know. After finding out that she has a slipped disk, she still ran in the race and finished with a great time.
Oh, and one more thing. You'd think, after wearing your shoes for at least a month and building up "shoe resistance," I wouldn't get a blister? Well, you'd be wrong. A week before the race, the old blister skin fell off and new, more tender skin replaced it so, come race day, the blister started all over again. I felt it around 6 miles and, 7 miles later, I was afraid of what I'd find. Sure enough, it was a pretty nasty sight. My poor feet-so irritated.