Weekend Summary...and 1st day back on treadmill

Well, this weekend did not go as completely planned. First, we did not expect our flight to MN on Friday landing at the "other terminal" and ended up taking a shuttle to get our rental car. It added time that we did not have at all. After we got our rental car, we met up with Danielle at a local bar where Josh had a drink (I stuck with water since I was doing the driving.) in celebration of her birthday. We even bought her a drink before we left. We left the bar and were pretty tired. Josh and I had been up since the early hours of the morning and did not get a nap in at all. The drive to my mom's house, where we were spending our first night, was a minimum of 45 to 60 minutes and at 10 PM, it was a VERY long drive. By the time, we reached there we were SO tired that we crashed without much thought. Saturday Since we were both SO tired from the night before, we made a decision to completely miss the 5K that were expected to do. It would have required us to get up at 6 AM, which we did not want to do. Instead, we both slept in and enjoy the extra few hours of sleep. After we woke up, we went out for a quick run. In the end, it was a VERY good thing that I was missing the 5K because I struggled to run 2 miles...period. To exact, I ran 1.74 mile at an average pace of 10:06/mile. I was struggling with shin splints again, which I do have to feeling are contributed by the need for new running shoes. **sigh** I feel like I really sucked during the run. I wanted to do so much better because I know that I have the potential to do so. After the run, I went back into the house while Josh ran another 1 to 2 miles on the country roads. We then cleaned up before heading off to pick up my kids for a fun day with them. We made a quick shopping stop at my favorite Target store for some supplies. (Note to the GMR runners: Ask Josh about the videos that the kids and him made while I was shopping for shorts and during my other quick stop - some of the stuff made this mom really blush and pray that they don't repeat in front of their dad and step-mom. Stuff of babes!) Then we headed to our new favorite ice cream shop, Izzy's,where I could not decide which flavor to go with. Then it was off to the hotel. We got an awesome deal at an AmeriSuites in Eden Prairie. It was an awesome setup for all of us. The first item on the agenda when we got there - THE POOL. The kids were insistent in going into the pool for some fun swimming. It was a very fun time with them. After some swimming, we headed off to dinner at Don Pablos. We did not have to drive at all to get there. It was very short walk through the parking lot to get there. The kids enjoyed the dinner. Since we were not driving anywhere and just heading back to the hotel room for a quick in-room movie, Josh and I had a margarita (okay - mine was a strawberry one). Both of us were in high on adreniline from the swim that we wanted to wind down since we would have to make it an early evening for the kids' sake. Well, it turned out that way. In fact, I was starting to pass out a little bit from the drink - mostly because of tequila which I already know that does not agree with me at all. I know that it was biting me in the ass telling me that I should have NOT had it period. But it's one of those things that you have to learn. Unfortunately, the effect of the margarita hit me the NEXT MORNING. My kids were SO good about not waking Josh and I and even MADE THEIR BED before we woke up. I seriously thought at least ONE child would have jumped into bed, but no - it did not happen at all. I have the best kids - seriously. It was hard to wake up. In fact, I struggled a bit to wake up - after sleep for over 10 hours (which was sleep that I needed a lot for later that night!) I was okay for the first hour. Then when I went down for the free breakfast, it hit me HARD. The headache STARTED. It felt like someone was squishing my head together from the sides. Then Josh, who was cooped up the hotel room, had the HUGE idea of going somewhere with the kids until I had to return them to their dad at 12 noon - CHUCK E. CHEESE's. Yes, I survived a HANGOVER at Chuck E. Cheese's. It was a very bad idea, but it made the kids very happy and entertained. But after some Advil and LOTS of caffeine in my system, I was feeling MUCH better....until the Advil wore off at the Airport. UGH! After I dropped the kids off, I took Josh to my favorite Jewish deli, Cecil's, located in St. Paul near the College of St. Catherine's campus. I wanted to take him there during the last trip he was in MN, but things fell through. We enjoyed some VERY yummy corned beef on egg white bread. Yummmy! (Note: To answer, Alison's question from my last long blog entry - NO, I am not Jewish, but Josh is. I am just a very bad converted Catholic girl.) Afterwards, we headed to the airport to drop the rental car off and then take the shuttle back to the "other" airport. Then we FINALLY headed home after a long delay - over 30 minutes - plus another 30 minutes in the air. We did not get home last night until past 10 PM. We were both VERY tired.....again. I got ready for bed and for the next AM. Today Well, I had a very long day. After work, I head to the gym and got on the treadmill for the first time in 5 months. It felt MUCH better than being outside on the road. NO shin splints and was able to complete a FULL 30 minute workout ending at a 10:43/mile pace at last 8 minutes. Then Josh and I took our bikes into the bike shop for some much needed repairs and tune-up. We will pick them up after I get off work. Time to relax before going to bed. It's going to be another long day. Today's workout 30 minutes - Treadmill Run 2.58 miles 11:37/mile 25 minutes - Bike 2.2 miles

Beautiful day in St. Paul..

Having ice cream at Izzy's. Yum!

Eva had bubble gum and chocolate chip.

Brandon had coconut and bubble gum.

I, on the other hand, could NOT decide on ONE flavor and ended up with THREE: Norweigan Chai, Cherries Jubbilie (with liquor), and Rum Raisin. All very yummy!

Happy Birthday, Brandon!!

Yes, it's my oldest son's birthday and turns 10. OMG! He's making me feel so old. These are pictures of him when he was 8 months old. I have a very interesting story of how he came into this world via c-section. Very funny now, but wasn't so funny at the time. It will leave it as something that will be told when he starts bringing his first girlfriend home to meet me. He has made me a very proud mom by being a very good student. He's a very smart kid, but still learning to put his smarts into good use. He's getting a huge gift today because all of local schools closed down for a second day. He was playing in it yesterday. I still have to go to work today, but getting paid DOUBLE TIME to just showing up. I hate to drive in it today, but hopefully the roads will be much better by the time I leave for work. It took me a hour to get home with only one road cleared of snow. Oh well! P.S. Send some positive vibes around 1 PM for Josh. It's his big day and will hopefully bring MORE good news for us and add on top of my good stuff.

To my angel

This post is decided today to my middle daughter, Marianne. She would have turned 6 years old today and the exact day of the week when I lost her too, but she's always in my heart. I refer her as my "angel daughter". She was born stillborn, but I always had a lot of hope for her. She died from a genetic abnormality caused Turner's Syndrome. She struggled during the pregnancy physically, but remained strong. I finally had to let her go after the last ultrasound at 20 weeks when she was getting weaker and weaker. I went through a lot of problems when delivering too and refer it as a time where I sacrificed myself physically to deliver her in a proper and respectful way. I also refer the time as when I felt like I was in the movie, "The Exorist."

It was the first time that I had to learn to let go and let God take control of the situation. She gives me the strength that I need to get through tough situations. When my dad passed away, My main comfort was that my daughter would greet him when he arrived in heaven after he bypassed all of the other great-grandparents who would tending to her.....or fighting over holding her. It is something that I do not normally talk about, but feel comfortable to talk about it here. Beside Josh giving me strength during this time, I have relied on the strength of my dad and daughter through prayers.

Here's a poem that I wrote in her memory:

Beautiful child Full of grace Pure innocence In a higher place. Oh, what do I see? Oh, yes! That is a part of me. Full of my love A higher power took your away And brought you home. Up to the heaven’s gates Far from where you roam Free from suffering Free from pain. Now full of spirit and love With a hope of seeing you once again You are my angel Up in heaven above You are always there with me Filling my heart with your love Life is so precious Cannot be taken for granted Like a flower It is planted. Your love has given me The greatest gift I know. Something that I cannot take back I just watch it grow My little innocent My little child Warm, tender and mild Wrapped with love Watching me from above

I love you, my little angel!

Chicago Trip - 1 more work day! Almost a sigh of relief!

A mother's worst nightmare..

My son is a Ducks fan. Ugh! Please help me. It is bad enough that he's....um....a Packers fan.