3 Day Not 3 Way

3 Days + 60 Miles = Feel Good

About a year ago, a co-worker said to me that she was going to walk the Susan G Komen 3Day Walk for Breast Cancer.  I had heard of the walk & at that moment it sounded like a good idea.  I thought the fundraising would be easy & the walk would be slow torture. 

Mid-summer we started with 7 mile walks and the first time we walked it poured rain.  THAT told me this whole experience was something I should have thought through more thoroughly.  But we kept meeting every Saturday morning & walking farther & farther each week.  A few months into it I received an email that someone was interested in joining our team.  Needless to day, next week 3 of us were walking.

Starting about a month before the event we all agreed that this was a one-time deal.  Walking 60 miles would be good once & we got to check something off our bucket list.  We would mention it weekly that "thank goodness we all agree that we won't be doing this next year."

But that's all changed for me.

As it ended up, I walked 60 miles with the "stranger" (no longer).  That stranger became a friend and a friend I value.  As much as I missed my friend who couldn't walk last minute (& I hope she does next year), I enjoyed walking with my new friend.  This event turned into an experience I took far more from than I gave.  I gave my time & fundraising but what I got in return was FAR greater.  This challenge was one of the biggest so far I had dedicated myself to & accomplished.  And that's the key! 

Funny thing is that I didn't really think through this thing to start.  And while I was training it felt like the day would never come that we actually walked 60 miles.  Then the week before I became completely nervous.  I was almost in a panic over the thought of the challenge of the walk.  Sure, there are 'sweep vans' that'll pick you up but the wasn't an option for me.  If I dedicated myself to walk so far, I would....and I did.

The Monday after the walk I felt 10 feet tall with confidence.  I felt like I could do anything I set my mind to.  I have so much more confidence post-walk.  I was transformed in those 3 days - nothing you could see - but I absolutely felt it.  There's an extra something in the thread of my being now that tells me I can.  That's why I absolutely recommend the walk to you! 

I'll be walking next year - call me if you want to come too.

Me, obsessed?

Is it JUST me or do you think about a certain something often - very often.  I used to think I was just overly critical of myself but it seems most mom's think often about being a good mom, often. 

It's like this - my kiddos will be wild & crazy at a store....at the moment, I want to run & tackle them, read them their rights & drag them out of the store.  Instead, I call them with that "I want to scream at you but I'm in a public place" voice....you know the one.  And it's like they know you can't lay into them because (again) you're in a public place.

Then I think later - what was I doing?  Did I really need to react?  Was I too hard on them?  Do I ask too much of them?  Am I too demanding?  On & on.....the obsessive part!

Drives me crazy - my kids will say "I'm sorry Mom."  I try to explain that I don't really want the 'I'm sorry' & I prefer the listening ears, listening children.  As much as they drive me crazy, I look forward to our pre-bed snuggle. 

In the end, just love 'em - they drive you absolutely crazy....they are our kiddos.

Does this drive YOU crazy or obsessed?  Or, what's your obsession?

Ready Set Go!

Here we go again - another school year is upon us.  Let the activities begin!

Ok, I kinda sound like an ol' veteran at this - I'm not.  My oldest is a 1st grader and my little one can't wait to start next year.  But it feels like after one crazy year I got this down.

So let's do it - I'll soothe my oldest through her first days of school when she cries every morning when the bell rings.  Then, I'll cry when my youngest hardly looks back as she run into a brand new gymnastics class.  The girls couldn't be more different - but they are my lil' gems.

I pray & strategize & hope so deeply I can change up my situation to spend more time while the girls are in elementary.  I want them to have great childhood memories - not just remember mom was always working.  (Mind you, I love what I do!)  But like mom always says, Let go, Let God.

So ring the bell & don't be tardy.  I hope everyone has a fabulous school year. 
XOXO

A Serious Family Road Trip

We just finished a road trip from Phoenix to Salt Lake City to Bozeman, MT to Kanab, UT & home....over 2000 miles logged!  It was your usual road trip, the car carefully loaded by Dad with all the items to keep the kids busy over the next 16 hours in a tiny space of car.  What did parents do before movies in the car & Vreaders?   Oh yeah, play "eye spy", call out states of license plates & rhyming games....we did it all, hi-tech & low-tech.  Above:  Pic of the Zoey throwing a fit because I wanted just one more pic.

We hit the road at o'dark thirty and headed out to SLC.  I really wanted to tour Temple Square.  I am interested in the Mormon religion & I admire the sense of family & community the group displays.  Sister Ha (from S. Korea) & Sister Hart (from Armenia) hosted our tour.  The girls quickly found friends in the Sisters.  They were very knowledgeable & really showed us around....I am glad I read online you could get a private tour like this.  Right:  A picture of us at the Tabernacle - all decorated for 4th of July.

Next, we drove to Yellowstone.  This was a first for the whole family - Pete & I had both never been.  I was so excited & didn't know what to expect - so again, I did my online research & decided Zoey could become a Jr Ranger.  I "prepped" her & we made our way to the Ranger Station to find out what she had to do.  (Karli's too young - you have to be 5 y/o)  So we got the Jr Ranger

kit & began the adventure.  To be a Jr Ranger you have to hike trails, draw what Old Faithful looks like when it blows, describe the colors in the hot springs & definitely know the rules of the park.  Zoey was on-task like nobody's business.  Unfortunately, when we went back to the Ranger Station to get her Jr Ranger patch there was a bison in our way....oh, & we were late too.  But it's true - a GIANT bison was blocking the path & I quickly read how you can send your completed work & Yellowstone will send you the patch - I'll be sending Monday.

Finally we reached our destination, the whole point of our road trip, Bozeman, MT.  The sun had finally set at 10pm & we drove up to our lil' piece of Bozeman heaven at nearly midnight.  We had 'country directions' to the cottage - "turn right on Davis then the 1st left down the ally & park after the 1st shed on the right - the cottage is down the garden path."  At our late arrival I was praying we had the right cottage!  Bozeman was lovely - not only did I get to spend time with my bestie - I really dig the co-op, green, natural feel of this town.  I felt a certain Zen.

In the end, I must say - we've taken our road trips to CA & Papa's Ranch (Colorado) but never one like this.  The girls were awesome travelers, Dad kept us safe the whole way & I learned to contort my body into crazy positions to find what the girls needed as we raced down the road.  If driving 16+ hours ONE WAY has intimidated you, it's time to get over it - go on that unforgettable road trip, take pictures & make the memories you only dream of, it's time.

XOXO 

An Awesome Gift

Receiving a gift that fills your heart is priceless....I got one this week.  It's a gift that clearly defines the most proud moment I've had as Zoey's mom. 

The gift is like this -

In Zoey's kindergarten class this year there was a young girl who is mentally challenged. (Let's call her Jane.)  She had an assistant that always stayed with her in class.  I had a few discussions with Zoey about Jane - I'd ask her if many other kids played with her, if Zoey tried to play with her, etc.  I tried to explain to Zoey (on her level) that her classmate might seem a little different but that it was important that Zoey treated her with respect & was a friend to her.  Zoey would tell me how she played with Jane here & there.  She would talk to me about her classmate with enthusiasm.  It always made me feel good because I had explained to Zoey that she didn't have to be her BFF but be kind.

This weekend is Zoey's 6th birthday & we're celebrating with a party at the park.  We invited all the girls in class & that includes Jane.  I will clearly admit I had hesitation & I clearly admit it is due to my ignorance.  I wasn't sure how a birthday party might go if Jane didn't understand or got upset....I didn't want to be the cause of any confusion on any one's part.  But Pete & I agree - all girls invited!

Well, this week Jane's mom called me to say Jane is coming to the party.  Enthusiastically, I told her mom how happy we are to have Jane coming to the celebration.  Jane's mom & I proceeded to chat and I found out Zoey's birthday party is Jane's first.  Wow!...I thought to myself.  And at the same time, I felt honored - like Jane's mom felt comfortable enough to make her first party experience with us.  Then, somewhere in our conversation Jane's mom thanked me.  For what I wondered?!  She proceeded to thank me for how kind Zoey always is to Jane.  She told me it was like Zoey took Jane "under her wing" and was such a sweet friend to her.

Wow!  Like that it hit me - the BIGGEST, proud-Mom-moment of my life.  I wanted to cry in pride & scream with joy all at the same time.  My baby girl has such a big heart. I'm proud of you, Zoey, for having more character at age 6 than most people have in a lifetime.

My Tulips Know

Friends are the flowers in the garden of life and I feel blessed for the garden in which I live.

Lately, I've been thinking how slow I was to make friends in AZ.  Mind you, when I moved here I bought a home, got married, restarted my business, got pregnant and established a whole new life after 35 years in CA.  For the longest time I might have thought it wasn't real....we weren't really staying....but we have & I'm glad.  I love the life we've built & the community we're a part of.

Over the past 2 years, I've really started to make some great friends and bond with some wonderful people.  Becoming even tighter in our community, it's brought a richness to our family and truly fills my heart. 

Thank you girlfriends - thank you for the laughs, invites to new experiences, embarrassing parent moments, talks by the pool and for being a flower in my garden of life.  Thank you!