War Trophies and Lost Toenails

This post has been a while in the making. I had a long drive all alone in the car by myself to meet up with my friend, Christine, for the half marathon. It was nice to listen to what I wanted on the radio, not have to pass stuff back to anyone and stop when I wanted or not stop. It also allowed some prayer time and reflection on the past few months. The Lord showed me how training for the half and walking a Christian life have many similarities. I've spent the last two weeks trying to compose those thoughts into a blog post, but it wasn't coming together. Maybe the lesson was just meant for me. Maybe I'll share another time.

I don't think I have ever worked so hard for anything in my entire life. Sleeping in after a rough night was not an option. Skipping the gym to be somewhere else earlier was not an option. Waiting until the last minute was not an option.

Cramming for exams or pulling all nighters in college was not this hard. Giving birth to children was not this hard and I labored with two of the kids before having an emergency c-section. Moving from place to place and leaving friends behind was not this hard.

While training, Friday was my day to do my long run. For those of you who have never done anything like this, you gradually add distance to that long run until you reach your goal. The day I first ran nine miles, I came home and two of my toes felt a little funny. The long ones right next to the big toe for those of you who must know. They didn't really hurt, just felt funny. They looked fine and I went on. The next week when I did my long run those toes were bothering me again. Upon further examination I noticed there were blisters under my toenails!! How in the world did that happen? I didn't think my shoes were too uncomfortable. But if you read a previous post where I mentioned that P.K. took me to a store that specializes in running shoes, you found out that my old shoes were a size too small.

The toenails eventually turned black and this past weekend while camping the first one fell off and my first night back home I lost the second one. I have joined the club!!! Just in case running a half marathon didn't qualify me as a runner, surely loosing toenails due to running makes me a runner. I was so excited! The kids and P.K. really didn't want to see the toenail or where the toenail had been. They totally missed the pride of the moment. I really felt the need to put them under my pillow and see if there is a Toenail Fairy. Maybe instead of money, he would leave a special pill that helps shave a few seconds off of your time. You will be glad to know I resisted and threw away the old toenails.

I totally digressed with the whole toenail story, but admit it. You are glad I shared.

Back to the half....I made it! I ran (jogged...shuffled...non-walked) my first half marathon!!! I met my goals. I finished, I wasn't last and Christine and I crossed the finish line together. Truth be told, she could have left me in her dust, but she is a great friend and drug me along. After all, this whole thing was her idea and I told her all along that I am s...l...o...w.

Another one of my friends, Bobbi, was there to cheer on her husband and daughter. Bobbi's husband, John, and P.K. were at the Coast Guard Academy together. Their oldest daughter who is thirteen ran her first half marathon. I was so proud of her! Christine and I were glad Bobbi was there because she was nice enough to cheer us on and take some pictures!

I think we are probably at about 5 miles here and looking pretty strong.

This was just before the last mile and I was tired. Christine was a bit ahead of me at this point. I kept telling her to just finish and leave me behind. But being good military spouses we know it is unacceptable to leave a man behind.

Several explanations are needed for this picture. Look in the background and toward the left. Those are some of Christine's co-workers who came to cheer her on for the final stretch. Notice the man is carrying a box of donuts. Talk about motivation. Because they were nice and Christine introduced me, they cheered for me too. I don't know if the picture shows it well, but it was an uphill to the finish line. I am not holding my stomach. We really were just steps from the finish line and someone was looking for our numbers. I had my jacket tied over mine so Christine and I are both trying to see what it is. As if it couldn't have waited until we crossed. It isn't as though we were running neck and neck with the leading pack.

This is me at the end with John and Olivia. It was really windy if anyone is wondering what is up with my porcupine like hairdo.

And finally, some happy faces! We did it!!! Yes, those are the donuts from Christine's friend.

I had a blast and Christine and I are going to run another one in the fall. I can hardly wait!! It is so addicting.

These Shoes...

were made for runnin'!

I'm running my first half marathon this coming Saturday. I'm a little anxious and excited all at the same time. I keep asking myself questions like, "Could I have trained harder?" "Should I have tried harder to lose at least 10 more pounds before the race?" "Should I wear a long sleeve shirt to run in or will that chafe my arms?" "Should I wear a tank top and my jacket while I am running like I usually do?" "Will I be able to take my jacket off mid-race if I get hot or will I have a number on it which will be too difficult to move during the race?"

I just talked to my friend who is running with me and she has been having the same kinds of questions. She even told her husband she doesn't know why. It really doesn't matter. We are doing this for the fun of it. We just want to finish and are already talking about training for another half marathon in the Fall.

To answer those questions...Yes. I could have trained harder. But there is always room for improvement. I think I have trained well for a first time runner. Yes. I should have tried harder to lose 10, even 20, pounds before the race. But I have maintained my weight and lost inches. My body is toned and I am in better shape than I was when I got married. I'm in better shape than I was in in high school for that matter. No. I probably should not wear a long sleeve shirt. I will probably just wear my running tank top. Once I get through the first mile, I will be warm enough. We have worked hard and we will finish.

Back to the shoes. P.K. took me to an athletic store that specializes in running shoes. It was fun. They video taped me running on a treadmill to see which ways my legs turn when I run. Then I tried on a half a dozen pairs of shoes. I found out that my old running shoes were a size too small. That would be why I had blisters under two toenails. The new shoes and I have already been together for over 40 miles. I have run in them, laughed in them, cursed in them (yes, cursed in them...not really bad curses...you try training for a half marathon in a thunderstorm in shoes that you paid more for than any cute pair of shoes you have ever owned and see what you say)and cried in them. On Saturday I am going to be very proud in them.

Princessess Are Useless

A couple weeks ago we were playing a family game of Apples to Apples Junior. It is a word association game. The "judge" reads a green apple card that has a word on it. On one of Hannah's turns the word was "princess." The other players have red apple cards in their hands with words on them. Once the "judge" plays a green card the other players choose one of their words that the "judge" will most associate with the word on the green card. Once everyone plays a red card, the judge reads through them and chooses which word he or she most associates with the word on the green card. We cracked up when Aaron played the word "useless" for "princess." It was even funnier when Hannah chose that as the word association.

So...last Saturday P.K. was invited to speak at a Navy JROTC Ball. We hadn't been to a ball since we left California. It is always fun to get dressed up and the ceremony is packed with tradition. Hannah and I had a conversation the night before the ball.

Hannah: Is tomorrow the ball?

Me: Yes.

Hannah: Are you going to wear your new dress?

Me: Yes. Do you think I will look like a princess (thinking any 6 year old would appreciate that)?

Hannah: Princesses are useless (flips her hair and walks out of the room).

P.K. and I had a great time. The ball was more low key than the Navy or Marine Corps Balls we had attended in the past. The instructors for the JROTC program are all retired active duty. It was nice to hear their stories and learn about the program they now work with. There is an almost immediate bond between military spouses. I can tell you more about the two women I shared dinner with that night than I can about some people I have known almost two years. P.K. did a great job on his speech. Once the dancing began, we made our exit. That crowd was a bit too young for us.

Here we are all decked out. I had such a hard time finding a dress. P.K. went shopping with me and made it much easier. The next time, I think I will find cute COMFORTABLE shoes first and then find a dress to go with them.

How to Catch a Leprechaun...or Not

Aaron jumped out of the car the other day and just happened to spot a four leaf clover. He was so excited. It really has nothing to do with how to catch a leprechaun, but I thought it was appropriate to put in my St. Patrick's Day post.

Here's a close up of Aaron's clover.

Each year the kids make leprechaun traps hoping they might catch a leprechaun. If you catch a leprechaun, you get all of his gold. To make traps the kids start with a cardboard box and lots of green and gold craft supplies. Throw in a little creativity and this is what you get.

Aaron hard at work on his trap.

The girls.

Aaron and Rachel.

Once the traps are finished they have to be baited. For fish you might use worms, for mice you might use cheese, but for leprechauns you use Lucky Charms.

Rachel's trap.

Aaron's trap. He said he was going to make his a bit more simple this year.

Hannah's trap. Why wouldn't a leprechaun want to go in there? I think it looks kind of fun.

If you don't catch a leprechaun in your trap, he will leave you some leprechaun dust. You mix it with milk and have a yummy breakfast.

Rachel is enjoying her leprechaun dust. If you don't catch the leprechaun he may also leave a little gift in your trap like the earrings and matching necklace Rachel is wearing.

The leprechaun may also make your toilet water and milk green. He may also color on your mom's face while she is sleeping.

Hannah's Peeps

Hannah has been asking for a sleepover at our house for a long time. She is one of six girls in her class at school and wanted to invite them all over. We made her work for the privilege. She was throwing some huge fits and crying over almost everything that did not go her way, so we made a chart and told her if she would not do that for two weeks she could schedule the sleepover. We made a chart and each morning she added a sticker for the day before.

Three of the other five girls were able to come. They were dropped off around 5:00 and the girls got right to dressing up and having their nails done to put on a fashion show.

Kayla, Bess, Laila and Hannah showing their fashions

By the time they finished doing that it was already 7:00 and they hadn't had dinner. They made their own pizzas and then had ice cream sundaes for dessert. They played a bit longer then everyone put their sleeping bags down in the living room and we watched Lion King until they all fell asleep. It was probably about 10:30 before the last of them dropped. I slept downstairs on the couch in case anyone woke up scared during the night. Wouldn't you know it was the young hostess who fussed? She would wake up and fuss. When I asked her about it the next morning she said it was because she didn't want to be asleep. She wanted to stay up late and have fun.

The next morning Hannah and Bess were up before 6:00. They went and played in Hannah's room and were shortly joined by Laila. Kayla slept until around 8:00 and the other girls woke her up for a yummy breakfast of yogurt parfaits. Their parents came to pick them up around 10:00.

P.K. had to work Friday night and Saturday morning so I didn't have time to take many pictures. Rachel was a big help.

Hannah had a great time and has fun memories of her first sleepover at our home!