May 7,2012

I am grateful that life happens and that mine has been so full and busy that I haven't had the opportunity to write down things I'm grateful for. in a nutshell, I am grateful that my family is embarking on a fitness journey together - most nights, you can find all four of us at the CrossFit gym - most times, Mak watches, but she will also practice handstands or various gymnastics/tumbling skills after the workout is completed. Reese always wants to be involved and doing the same things we are and doesn't understand that she is too little to be lifting. she swings on the rings and practices other gymnastics moves. Donnie is doing awesome - he's leaned out and has gained strength. and I have too. this has been a wonderful experience.

Donnie and I just completed our 3rd Bloomsday together. while I wasn't entirely pleased with my time because I didn't meet my goal, I am proud that I PR'd the event. and next year, I'll get my goal.

took Reese to hike Badger Mountain yesterday - she did great! good thing I'm a strong mama-girl though bc I ended up carrying her on my back for probably a quarter mile thru one of the steepest areas of our hike up. she was a trooper though and we finished the evening by playing on the swings for a while and then grabbing ice cream (for Reese lol) for dessert. it was a perfect evening.

we have lots of events planned - it will be a busy summer! this coming weekend, we are going to support some of our CrossFit athletes at a competition in Spokane. next Friday, Mak, Donnie and I are running the Glow Run 5k - it's a night run and that should be exciting and fun. the following weekend, I'm running a half marathon. the weekend after that, we are going to Spokane for a wedding. we'll be home the next weekend. the weekend after that, it's back to Spokane for a show, home the following weekend - and that takes us to the end of June...and another half marathon.  Donnie and I are doing the Camp Patriot 5k on July 4th, then I'm running the Columbia River night moves marathon on 7/6. the entire family will lace up for the run or dye 5k the very next weekend. and the following weekend (7/19 & 20), I'm running the Ragnar Relay with my friend, Lisa. I'll get a nice two weekends at home and then on 8/11, I'm running a half marathon in Bend, OR. and then 6 weeks later, I'm flying to Ottawa and running my very first international half marathon with my girl, Tracey. super excited about that. guess I'm telling you all this to say if you check in and don't find me, I'll probably be somewhere running. so grateful that I am healthy enough and have the support of my family to log all these miles :) I am blessed.

3/31/2013

so - I wrote a long post and it disappeared! trying this again! March seems to have been really busy. I'm grateful for that. today is Easter and I'm grateful that my Savior arose and lives. I'm grateful my mama taught me about Jesus and that one day, I'll live in Heaven and will get to see her and my granny and loved ones that have passed before me. so many things to be grateful for this March - Reese fell and hurt her ankle but thank goodness it wasnt broken and she's back up and running around after resting it for only a couple weeks. she brought home a good report card and is doing really good in school. and she's finally learning that she doesn't need to play with mean kids and is walking away when they aren't being nice. Donnie is coaching baseball and getting ready for games. I'm grateful that he is enjoying coaching. I'm grateful that he is going to crossfit with me and running - yesterday we completed the badger mountain challenge...9.5 miles and elevation change of 1500+ feet. he did great! Mak has been such a great help around the house and taking care of things for me - I am grateful that she is able to step up and help take care of things. it helps me so much. she also worked hard on a project for school and her teacher is recognizing her - which I think is really cool. I'm looking forward to spring break with my family - even though it is furlough time. I'm grateful that we have what we need even though my paycheck will be short. I'm grateful for the plans we've made for this summer and fall - life is good. and I'm grateful.

3/11-3/13/2013

3/11 - grateful for a tough speed workout with team to let me know when I'm going out too fast and to teach me what a comfortable pace is.

3/12 - grateful to be able to go to Mak's choir concert and for the hilarious things Reese says.

3/13 - grateful for a good crossfit workout; for dancing in the kitchen with Mak and Reese and for Mak showing me gymnastics moves, then challenging me to do them - and me actually being able to hang with her, even though I'm an old lady lol.

2/21-/2013 - 3/10/2013

so - maybe I need the change the title from grateful journal daily to grateful journal because I've fallen out of journaling every day however, that doesn't mean that I don't have lots that I recognize and am grateful for. many things have happened since I last journaled - we learned that Bobby and Dee have been declared cancer free - thank you God! I was able to participate in a parenting course that has helped me, I think, understand my children and communicate in a way that they seem to be receptive and for that, I am truly grateful since my children are of the utmost importance to me. we were able to take a trip to Tacoma to watch both girls compete in a cheerleading competition - that was so fun to see. it was awesome to watch Mak humour Reese and try to learn her dance - and to see Mak be so patient with her as she looked to her big sister and tried to emulate her. it was awesome to see. I had to make the difficult decision to not pursue my coast to coast medal this season but with budget cuts at work, it was the right thing to do. Instead, I am flying to Ottawa to run with my friend, Tracey, at her first half. I am totally looking forward to it and so excited! I am grateful that I'm starting to feel a little better after the elevated liver enzyme deal - I go back next week to see where that's at but I'm feeling better and for that I'm thankful. Donnie and I signed up for the crossfit open - we have only been doing crossfit for 2 months so this is more of a way to record our progress than anything. I was able to complete the first open workout on Thursday and I was able to watch D complete his workout today. so inspirational to watch himself dig deep and pull out those last painful reps. so grateful that I could be there to support him. grateful for two 6+ mile runs in two days...hopefully that means that I'm back :) grateful for the strength of my body and for my ability to run - to bring awareness, to raise $ for the LLS, and to be a good example for my children. I'll try to do better about writing daily :)

2/11 - 2/20/2013

2/11 grateful to be able to stay home and try to sleep off a headache. 

2/12 grateful to be able to go to the dr and have a diagnosis for the headache; for an understanding manager that let me work until I wasnt able to; for migraine meds; for gma and gpa taking Reese to practice and picking her up so I could sleep, and that D and Mak made it home safely. 

2/13 grateful that the migraine meds finally worked even though I still had a little headache leftover; for quick lab results to tell me my iron levels were normal and the other tests were as well except for some high enzyme levels that I will need to watch and be retested for in 4 weeks. 

2/14 grateful for my Valentines; for being able to go to Benton City and spend some time in Mak's classroom; for being able to take D red and yellow roses instead of just leaving them for him; for a fabulous conversation with my first ever Valentine, my sweet daddy; and for a quiet valentines night at home. 

2/15 grateful for a same day vet visit to tell me what's going on with Maggy kitty; for Reese riding the bus home; for hot dog night; for visiting with MIL; for catching up on Duck Dynasty. 

2/16 grateful for an early morning run with D, Reese and team; for Reese getting her room super clean; for Mak getting most of her laundry done, the bathroom clean and the kitchen clean; for Dean and Chelsi taking Mak and Reese to the hockey game and for spending a night at wildhorse with my love. 

2/17 grateful for FIL's spaghetti; for trying new vegetables (spaghetti squash - yum!); for MIL doing my hair; for meal planning; and for a pretty leisurely day. 

2/18 grateful to be able to spend Presidents' Day with my fam; for getting several loads of laundry done; for going to the grocery store with Mak; for food prep for the week and for new recipes. 

2/19 grateful that I'm getting a computer finally at work instead of this guinea pig contraption I've been using for the longest time; that even though my computer was down for most of the day that I felt mostly productive; for being able to pick Mak up and get her to cheer practice; for gpa taking Reese to practice and picking her up and for learning new skills in the love and logic class I'm taking. 

2/20 - grateful for completing a project at work; for texting with my sister; for finally feeling well enough to go to crossfit; for a good workout; for my Reese. 

2/2 - 2/10/2013

2/2 - grateful for a safe trip to Spokane; for strength to carry my little cheerleader from the car to the convention center so her feet wouldn't get cold and wet; for a fun cheer performance; for a big, juicy hamburger; for a safe trip back to Kennewick and a fun day with my fam. 

2/3 - grateful to be able to go to church with my littlest sweetheart; for grocery shopping and food prep; for Mak getting her chores completed; for D helping with food prep for the week; and for watching Super Bowl with my fam. 

2/4 - grateful for the beginning of a new week; for early morning crossfit; for Mak sitting with her sissy at tumbling so D could get to crossfit in the evening; for team run practice; for falling into bed exhausted. 

2/5 - grateful for an amazing yoga class; for beginning a new project at work; for communicating with my sissy via text; that she has such tremendous support to surround her and lift her up; for Gpa for picking Mak after she and her dad had a disagreement at a wrestling meet and he kicked her off her management duties (they worked it out lol).

2/6 - grateful for an understanding run partner; for an extra 2.5 hours of sleep; for my sweet Reese loving crossfit and wanting to spend time with me; for two killer wods that left me weak, shaky and sore; for my big comfy bed!

2/7 - grateful for a tough yoga class; for finding my watch sitting on my bathroom counter; for signing up for a $50 gift card which will help replace my phone; for angels riding with me an protecting me as some dude tried to get in my lane with me in it; for D and Mak making it home safely from an out of town meet. 

2/8 - grateful for Friday - bc it felt like a LONG week; for a rest day; for hot dog night; for sharing it with friends; for a full house with friends and family crashing at our house for the night. 

2/9 - grateful for a first long run with team; that my IT band did not flare up and I was able to have a good run; for a coffee date with my love; for an afternoon nap; for getting grocery shopping done. 

2/10 - grateful for Sunday food prep; for a new iPhone; for the kid at best buy finding me a lower rate; for a beautiful sunny day and for technology so I can stay in touch with my family and friends all over the world. 

1/26 - 2/1/2013

1/26/2013 - grateful for a day at home with my family and for the yummy dinner at Outback.

1/27/2013 - grateful for my friend, Charlie, taking my sissy to the hospital; that he stayed with her and got her home safely; for our friend, Avery, for staying with her that night; for grocery shopping with D and for food prep for the week.

1/28/2013 - grateful for my daddy going to get my sissy so she could spend some much needed time with him; for Aunt Lavonne for being a source of strength for Katie to draw upon; for Charlie; for a good workout at crossfit and for hugs and kisses from my fam.

1/29/2013 - grateful for a good, yet challenging, hot yoga session; for a busy day at work; for my FIL taking Reese to cheer practice and picking her up for me; for the opportunity to attend the love an logic class; for D and his wrestlers traveling safely to and from the wrestling match.

1/30/2013 - grateful that even though my sissy had a horrible day, she realized the sun will come out in the morning and she IS going to be ok; that my daddy is quick-thinking; for friends and family that pray; for crossfit with my littlest love; and for listening to my girls tell me about their day.

1/31/2013 - grateful to get to HEAR my sissy's voice for the first time since Sunday; for the resolve and the strength I hear; for another busy day at work; that hot yoga was better than Tuesday; and for loving my children.

2/1/2013 - grateful for getting my chores done early; for a brutal massage; for realizations about where I'm at in my health and fitness journey (I am in a really, really good place!); for Reese's hat parade; and for hot dog night with my fam!

1/19 - 1/25/2013

1/19 - grateful for waking up on time to meet the bus super early; for a safe drive over to Issaquah; for Reese's cheer team doing amazing on their routine; for their 2nd place finish and for a safe drive back to Kennewick. 

1/20 - grateful for a day of "rest" from all the travel; for staying in my jammies ALL DAY; for making soup; for catching up on some recorded shows; for snuggles with my baby girl. 

1/21 - grateful for the beginning of a new week; for my co-workers covering for me while I was out of the office; for getting back to a normal schedule; for a good physical therapy appt; and for crossfit time with D. 

1/22 - grateful for a flexible work schedule and understanding manager; for being able to play taxi for Mak and Reese; for Mak's beautiful smile without braces;  for antibiotics for Reese and for being part of team and participating in the the info meeting to recruit for summer season. 

1/23 - grateful for being contacted by be the match and advancing to the confirmatory stage in a patient's search; for so many incredible, supportive friends; for my amazing family that supports me and is proud of me; for another good pt appt and a good crossfit class with D. 

1/24 - grateful for a busy day at work; for a quick blood draw to determine matching; that Dee's transplant went smoothly; for the many prayers of my family and friends; and for availability and willingness. 

1/25 - so grateful that my sissy and bean are ok! for phone conversations with my daddy; for coming home to a clean house; for hot dog night with my fam; and for all my blessings. 

1/11-1/18/2013

1/11: grateful for my friends, Melissa and Blair, arriving in Orlando safely; for being able to meet them for dinner; for purple inspiration; for team bonding and for a phone conversation with D.

1/12: grateful to be able to meet Melissa and Blair after they finished their half; for connecting with Teri; for my sister and Avery making it to Orlando safely; for Teri opening Casa de Teri to my sissy and for pre-marathon prep.

1/13: grateful to wake up on time; to experience the pre-marathon excitement of Disney; for the support and encouragement of my purple family, my family and my friends; for being able to carry out the purple mission and complete the marathon, even though I was in pain; and for being able to run in honour of two amazing people that are fighting and one incredible warrior princess that saw the end of her fight.

1/14: grateful for the opportunity to listen to Jack Daniels speak; for the opportunity to represent Team in Training; for a safe drive to my daddy's; for being able to chat with him a little before it was time for bed and for a good night's rest.

1/15:  grateful for a full day with my daddy; for dirt road tractor riding; for feeding the cows; for riding and checking out the land and for lunch with aunt Lavonne.

1/16:  grateful for being able to be home with family on the 11th year date of mama's passing; for Katie and Andrew coming over to spend the day with me and daddy; for Linda's dr appt going well; for being able to come to agreement and helping daddy figure out how he's going to write his will; and for a good visit at home.

1/17:  grateful for a safe drive back to Orlando; for safe flights back to WA; for texting with daddy and sissy; for D and Reese coming to pick me up at the airport; and that Reese's stomach bug only lasted a short while.

1/18: grateful that Reese is feeling better; for sleeping in; for snuggling with my sweet girl; for hot dog night with D and Reese; and for prepping for Reese's first cheer competition.

1/4/2013-1/10/2013

Friday, grateful for a day off work to have my fit test at crossfit and get my hair cut and for dinner with friends and family; Saturday grateful for my running partners humouring me by walking thru my knee pain and testing my theory to see how sprinting would feel; Sunday grateful for my children's laughter and the way they interact. Mak can be very kind and patient with Reese - and Reese wants to be JUST like Mak. Monday, grateful for the doc giving me anti-inflammatories and figuring out path forward with my leg and for dinner and football game with friends; Tuesday, grateful that my spouse humours me and puts together large items (like a new, flushing cat box!) for me. Wednesday, grateful that D and I were able to celebrate 14 years of marriage and for dinner with my fam. Thursday, grateful for a safe flight to FL, for new running friends and for getting to be at the most magical place on earth with my purple family. the only thing that would make it better would be for D, Mak and R to be here with me. miss my fam already.

12/27/3012-1/3/2013

Thursday, listened to my body and rested - no gym time. grateful for rest. Friday, grateful for trying new foods and that the greats could spend the night with Reese; Saturday, grateful to spend some quiet time alone and to be able to meal plan and go get groceries for the week. Sunday, grateful for a day with my family; Monday, grateful to see a close to 2012 and for all the blessings that happened during the year. also grateful to spend a quiet New Years playing bingo with mother-in-law, D and Mak and for gpa letting Reese stay with him. Tuesday - grateful for southern traditions - peas for luck, greens for money - along with rice, ham cornbread and banana pudding and the start of a brand new year. Wednesday, grateful for a fast workday and for an hour cardio workout; Thursday - grateful for a brutal massage that hopefully healed my leg issues, followed by acupuncture to doubly enforce it and for dinner with friends. life is good.