Summer 2014

Well It's already almost July and I just now getting this post up!  But honestly it hasn't felt much like summer just yet- with all the moving.  So Summer is really just getting started for us!  Every summer I like to make a little list of things we want to do in the summer.  Payton helps me with some of them and then I add a few for fun!  She loves it.  This summer I have one theme- simple.  I think with all the Pinterest and social media we can get wrapped up in wanting to make things so extraordinary and special that we lose sight of what really matters (its not always true but I know I find myself struggling with that).    We get caught up in what other moms do and accomplish that we miss whats going on in our own kids.  And this past semester has been crazy.  I feel like we are going a million miles and hour just to keep up.  So I want this summer to be simple.  Because something special happens in the simple.  Becuase its good to slow down.  Because something as simple as running through the sprinklers or having a popsicle is special to my girls.  So I made a short list for us to do... And we may add some as the summer days go on but for now I think these will make for a pretty awesome summer.  And most of them we can do at home and with no money :)  We are taking a Vacation with my family in August to Branson!  We are excited about that.  And the girls are excited for a week with their Aunt Maddie while I am in Alaska!  

I like to write it I'm my journal so I can record special things and remember!  And some we have already accomplished :)  

Outside of these fun things, I also would like to start a chore chart for my girls.  We do make them clean up their play room, help set the table, and things but we haven't really made any structure out of it so I think this summer would be a perfect time to start!  Payton will be 4 in November (sigh) and I think she is more than ready to have regular chores.  I have seen lots of good things on Pinterest about good chores for different ages and some great chore charts to help!  So I am gonna give it a go.  For me, I don't have a lot of things set out for me this summer as far as things I want to accomplish.  Summers are slower with work so its a good time to get things done but as I have said above, my theme for this summer is simple.  SO I want to enjoy.  Enjoy my girls, enjoy my family, enjoy my friends, and enjoy life.   

  

Moving On...

So a lot has been happening lately around here- hence the lack of blogging.  I have about 5 post I want to write and get up but at the end of the day I seem I am out of time- barely having enough energy to make it to my bed!  But now I am sitting in peace (kids and husband are sleeping) and I can finally get some posts done!  I am very thankful for the down time because lately I have had none.  Summer is in full swing and I can't believe its already almost July....  The month of June has been CRAZY.   We haven't really had a chance to enjoy summer yet but thankfully things are starting to slow down.  So what have we all been up to?  Well, my parents sold their house.  The house I spent most of my childhood in.  The house I lived in for most of my life.  The house that so many wonderful memories and things have happened.  The room I spent my high school days trying to figure this out and thinking about what my life was gonna be like.  The room where God met me and started working on me- where tears, joy, laughter, frustration, happiness, occurred.  So this past week we said goodbye!  And although it was a little sad to say goodbye- in the end its just a house.  The memories I will cherish forever but the house is just a house.  The people and events are what made it great.

But as you can imagine 16 years in a house- there was a lot to go through, pack up, and move.  So for the last month we have been doing just that.  Going through things- giving things away, throwing away things and selling stuff.  Everyday it seems me and the girls were there- packing and sorting.  Jonny is really glad that its over- cause everyday I would bring something home with me to keep haha.  Starting Monday is when they moved everything into their rent house (they are going to build).  So as of yesterday they are all moved in and mostly unpacked!  And I am thankful!  

We also had to say goodbye to our sweet German sister, Lydia this month.  Lydia came to America in August of last year and lived with my parents as part of a Young Life cultural exchange program.  And man did we fall in love with her.  She bonded so well with our family and our girls absolutely adore her.  She has such a sweet and kind heart and it was so cool to get to know her and watch as the Lord used and grew her.  It was sad to say goodbye.  We miss her so much already and its only been 10 days.  But I am thankful for Facebook and Skype!!!  And maybe one day we will come visit her in Germany :)  

We all look like this because A.  It was 6:30am and B.  We were crying

Outside of moving (which totally consumed our lives), Young Life left for their Young Life (Carolina Point) and Wyldlife camps (camp Buckner).  So i have been pretty busy with work as they prepared to go.  So our June has been PACKED.  When we weren't moving or working, we were swimming, playing outside, working out, and trying to make some special memories with our girls.  But I am ready for July, where the real summer fun begins :)  

My First Triathlon

So almost 3 weeks ago I ran my first sprint triathlon- 500 meter swim, 14 mile bike ride and 3.1 mile run.  I have done 3 half marathons, one 10k, and lots of 5ks in the past but this is by far my favorite thing I have done.  I like that it is broken up and different- instead of just straight running for an hour and a half.  And the training is way better too!  I did the Play Tri Triathlon in Irving.  We woke up at 4:30am, got to Irving about 5:30, got my transition area all set up and then I started my race about 8:15.  They had lots of waves starting from 6:45 till 8:30.  I was one of the lasts groups to go.  So I got in the water- we swam in canal- which surprisingly didn't bother me.  The water felt great- not cold or too warm.  However, the swim was probably the hardest part for me- with people climbing all over you and constantly getting kicked it was hard not to panic.  I just kept telling myself to stay calm and keep going.  And I did complete it and thankfully it was the shortest part of the race.  The rest of the race went smooth and great- I never stopped and I honestly had a lot of fun!  I think me and Jonny are gonna do one together in the fall :)

My time was 1:34:27.  Swim:  10:39  Bike:  51:30  Run:  27:01.  You can see all my results here:  http://mychiptime.com/searchevent.php?id=8491&bib=828

This was before the race- ready to rock it!  Thankful for my hubby!  He's my biggest supporter and fan!  I love him so!  Thanks for all you do babe :)

Right before going into the water.... I am one of those down there!  

In the water- ready to swim 

Transition

Thanks and Gig'em!!!  

You can look at my race photos here:

http://www.racephotonetwork.com/QPPlus/Proofs.aspx