I Tri, You Try

It was yet another suggestion brought forth by a friend that I nonchalantly agreed to do. I was asked to do a triathlon... sprint triathlon. Swimming in a lake was the only thing that remotely intimidated me, and that was in the slightest way. I have life experience that your mind is one of the most powerful things... and I firmly believe you can do absolutely anything you set it to do. Give me something sporty outdoors that involves getting my heart rate in elevation and I'm all about it. The tune of the word "triathlon" has a scare to it I have noticed to most people. It is really only an uplifting process to get to one amazing day. I lost a bitty portion of my backside, which is the only thing I don't look forward to when trimming for something. My broad shoulders became more defined and my back so ever toned to make up for it. As aesthetically pleasing it may be... far more better than this was that it just felt good training to get here.

The swim. I've done it before as a child. In fact, there is some picture of me in those days somewhere wearing a bright red lipstick posing in my swim team suit. How I love the water... with every deep breath, every stretch, and every strength in pull to manufacture a phenomenal swimmers high. I still wore my makeup and lip gloss on the big day. To me it's not about the look but how it makes me feel... and that is strong, beautiful and bold. I woke up even earlier to incorporate this. Open water swimming has much variation compared to my lap swimming I trained in. I started to swim off course a few times. Got elbowed in the nose once. Completely swam over someone, twice. But I did it... and without a gain of some lake acquired infection.

The bike. I lost my swimmer's ear plugs in the transition. I found my bike and properly prepared transition area at ease because my babies made a special sign for me:

Thank you, dear loves of my life. I hung it on my aisle where I came right to and put my shoes, belt, glasses and helmet on. I rearranged my hair running along the way out of the water as I flicked off my cap, shook it out and threw it back up. I am a corner junkie on the bike. With every change of scenery came a burst of cycling energy. This was the most lengthy portion of the whole deal. I could feel a slight mid-race fatigue during this and popped a sugary shot block into my mouth. It felt sinfully good to pass people... until I would get passed.

The run. Coming off the bike my legs felt unsteady and too heavy to be pounding on the ground. I swiftly walked my bike back and took off my helmet and glasses in exchange for my visor. This is where the shot block came back to haunt me. I developed a gut twisting cramp... a deep one I knew wasn't going to go away. I ran through it, not at the speed I could without this nuisance of course. As I saw the finish I didn't even care and flared my speed, cramp and all winded. It felt so accomplishing at the cross. Your in like a 20 second isolated haze at this point full of indulgent thoughts as people are trying to drag you back to reality and get your timing chip to medal you. The most powering thing was to look at my phone after and see the time. I didn't really want to time myself since this was my first. I was settling for happiness in completion under two hours. Seeing that my time was under that at 1:43, it satisfied my competitive side. The only things I would do differently would be to pack a snickers, stretch more and have my boys there.

The Sergeant and Benny trained with me in the water. Those breathing patterns in a swim really help Stink with his asthma. I was in the water with them as babies teaching them to swim up to this point. It was their turn now. I found a kid's duathlon nearby with a short swim and run race. We arrived early to watch the adults and stretch. I saw one lady with her lipstick and makeup on and I just had to comment on how I admired that. She gave me an unnecessary explanation as to why, but I listened politely as I already knew. My muffins were excited, but it was far more satisfying for me as a parent to watch them belt this through. Benny got 2nd place in his age group and the Sergeant 1st of course.  I don't know how accurate that is but what I do know is that they did their best and had fun... which is mom's only requirements.

A big thank you to one of my dearly loved and favorite physicians, my anesthesiologist and co-triathlete for this recommend. We are all excited for many more to come!!

Pumpkin Play

For some reason I was overly excited and couldn't wait for that cool break we all of the sudden get here about this time in AZ. I had my holiday nesting hands ready and on that decor box as soon as it hit. I cleared my evening when the damp struck my cheek, and I went for it. The boys are now completely withdrawn these days from helping me inside with the everything spooky I drizzle around. They have shifted to a hearty and creative stamina for the outside. Benny made a spooky forest in the front yard. He requested that we borrow Grandma Jana's fog machine for his special area when we have his Halloween Party for the best effect. My Sergeant Stink was a well web minded soul. Then Mr. Particular got frustrated as it didn't fold out of the package the way he exactly wanted. He sighed and complained and had mom start it out. Then as I started, I didn't want to stop. I realized I kept telling him how to do it and demonstrating until I was about out of web. Then Stink watched me partially steal his thunder as he threw on some spiders and stretched the webby mess. It came together quite well... but what meant the most is that we did it together.

I love having my boys home, especially during this time... all time favorite school break of mine: Fall Break. We have had such cozy moments. Of course my candle is out and lit. I've made my seasonal secret recipes of Pumpkin Pancakes and Fall Chili. The babies pitched up their little tents in the backyard and stuffed it with every pillow and blanket they could find to sneak out of the doors with. I read to them and I thought as their starring faces gazed my way at the words I said... it was a shame that I don't do it as often as I once did. They are getting bigger and reading independently... but I miss reading to them, so I will do it more. Benny has been trying to keep me up at night to watch our movies. I agree, but can't seem to make it very far without my eyelids shutting. I've seen the first 15 minutes of several movies now.

We've had some good daytime fun as well shopping around for Halloween Costumes we are putting together... going to be marvelous! We have had daytime fun period. In fact, the boys got up today and asked what we are going to do, like everyday there should be a sequence of planned events hosted. That combined with some naughty outside morning behavior- which involved sidewalk chalk, neighbor girls' driveway and not so nice words helped nudge the decision to stay home today all day, explore and do some end of break clean up... which is okay. And with that sidewalk chalk, I had the boys make a positive hopscotch game for those girls to come and play while they apologized... labeled it Princess Hopscotch... and added hearts. The Sergeant even willingly threw in a show and demonstrated the game, jumping down it in his roller skates.

It truly has been a joy, every ounce of it these past few weeks. However, I couldn't call it Fall until my new boots arrived that I had gotten for myself. I was waiting like a child for these black beauties to arrive at my door-step! The muffins get excited when I start wearing my boots too. I wear funny socks under them. At the end of my daily go abouts, I have them each grab a foot and take my boots off to reveal the surprise.

Fall is officially here... on my feet, in my home, and in our hearts...
 

Stampede

This mom delights in a good kiss.

My boys know so... very well.

Sometimes I smell them as I do it. Sometimes I exaggerate a tad and make silly noises as I do it. Sometimes I squeeze the pickles out of them as I do it. Sometimes I start doing it and I can't stop doing it.  Sometimes I leave a mark when I do it.

This is called a stamp... and it's when I'm wearing my lipstick or gloss. I ask them if they want one when I know the answer. I will sneak one in if I notice I could get away with it. I send them a picture of one when I don't have them around. And when they are sleeping I leave a whopper of one, if I can.

Can you believe they try to wipe it off?

This flares a fire in my soul and this is what happens to them:

I may have bribed them a little bit for this as I coached them about the stamp. The stamp is a reflection of your Mother's immense love that I have for each of you. It is not private and I want everyone to know that I care about you so much I certainly will burst and leave my powerful mark. And now... you will forever have pictorial proof.

PS- Don't resist the kiss.

Hi-Yah!

My dear boys have went from trotting down an avenue of watching WWE wrestling to clearing rooms with their faked ring moves in play. They seriously are emptying out bedrooms for their stage. Those two are dragging me into this with them, unwillingly. I wrapped rope around some chairs in the living room to make them a setting once. I have cut underwear to make wrestling suits... yes.

The Sergeant's wrestling name is "RIP". He says it stands for "Rest in Pieces". It displays just that very phrase on the butt of his cut underwear. He drew it on by himself with supervised permanent marker lettering. Benny's wrestling name is "One of Me". He likes a more clothed look and didn't cut anything up, but rather wrote "Republic" on the thigh of his suit in patriotic colors. I will spare them any sort of embarrassment and not post pictures.

I bought them each a theme song as they walk in a personalized manner to before their matches they like to play out. It has gotten quite heated I might say . The play starts off harmless, and actually they are using their giant stuffed bears and not even eachother to fight with. Then, one child does something a little more aggressive than the other prefers. They both toss the bears out of the way and it creeps to a new level. Then they go at it but with 'fake' moves until somebody doesn't 'fake' it. At this point the bottom row of teeth on each son of mine is clenched over the top row and exposed at each other with looks of destruction aimed at one another. Mom has to intervene and quarantine them each in their own room for a bit.

Benny and the Sergeant have expressed some interest in Karate recently. I'm all over that one. It channels this whole physical aggression in a positive way. Gives it some structure and added components of character building. Self-control, self-discipline, and respect... yes please.

They tried it out one day and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Begged mom for sign-up. The boys have their best friend there as a supporter and an added topper... this coordinates well with our inconsistent family schedule. Were in!

Recalibrating

A portion of my units at work have been closed for a massive makeover... yipee! This has allowed me to use accrued hours for my own personal upgrades... double yipee!! I think everyone should take a month off of every year from whatever they do in life. This isn't an option for many, but adjusting what you do differently to keep from floating in the smelly pool of stagnation allowing a refocus and avoid burning out... is a must. Those fresh waters are healthy. So lets swim a lap into my retreats.

I still worked enough to stay plugged into my dutiful roles of employment. I find that there is always something to do as a Mother and Nurse. I love all my jobs... and want to keep it that way. Taking a wonderful vacation with my two sons was a terrific start. The things that travel towards the bottom from the top of my priority sifter get put on a list. I tackled those post-it note projects with finesse and a warm weathered smile during these days.

I sewed. Patched and Painted. Hung some things up. Organized my pictures in albums. Got a bigger craft box.Wrote. Read, some serious and silly. Swam. Baked some new goodies. Shampooed carpets. Napped. Sorted through my garage. Got rid of some things. Made some overdue technological changes to my home. Sent out cards just because. Got my children properly ready and off to school. Shopped. Got a massage drenched in coconut oil. Watched movies... fell asleep during some then woke up to pick up where it left off at. Made Benny clean up his fun collections in his closet and under his bed. Continued education. Planned a few upcoming fun sports outings. Scheduled. Assessed where I am at spiritually. Assessed where I am at.

I truly believe that things are not coincidental, yet orchestrated in a beautiful symphony by our Creator. It is up to us to live on that path and be the very best we know how, to bear the sweetest of fruit. Seek wisdom and ask for guidance. Stay humble. Recognize and learn from mistakes. Remember that patience is a virtue. Value the people that are purposefully placed into our lives. Try not to understand the turns and twists of life, but enjoy them because they were routed for a reason. A reason you may or may not ever know, but know that out of love the most magnificent was planned for you.

So of course... I did some reflection, one of my favorite things...

Sit/Lay/Shake

Happy Monday