I've been thinking about this list of mine lately (probably because it's the new year and I'm thinking of goals and "newness" and change). I just got finished watching the Ironman Triathlon from Kona, Hawaii. I think i've been watching this event, off and on, since I was pretty young. I'd flip the channels on a random saturday during the fall and catch the condensed coverage of the event. I remember always feeling touched by the awesome narration of the event and the heroic accomplishment of the athletes that cross the finish line. And yes...I did get teary eyed then and I full on cry now. I just shake my head and smile and kind of weap as I see these people finish what they sacrificed so much to compete in. The elite athletes finish the 2 mile swim in around 55 minutes, the 150 mile bike ride in under 5 hours and the 26 mile run around 2:45. The "age-grouppers" (people like you and me, but probably a little more commited and motivated) finish in about 12-15 hours. Some finish just before midnight which is the cutoff. There were people who had aritificial limbs, in wheelchairs, short, heavyset, tall, young and old. One of the last people to finish was a woman who had competed in her 17th Ironman. She was 72 years old. The narrator said, "she's 72, how old are you??" He also added, "what did she sacrifice to finish this race? What did that man sacrifice to finish? What did their families sacrifice to help them finish?"
I've always been really impressed with individual events. I'm not so into the traditional team sports that generate millions of dollars to fill their stadiums so people can watch people who get paid gazillions. The endurance athletes are the one's who impress me the most. I love seeing and knowing that they are out there alone with their thoughts and their will to finish and not give up. I grew up standing at the end of many marathons and watching my dad finish, among the elites, and I'd get teary eyed, because I knew how much he had sacrificed to be there. I ran a marathon,and yes, i had water in my eyes because I knew how much I had sacrificed to get to experience that. I've done a few mini triathlons and I have to say that it was a major accomplishment and success for me because everytime I get out of the water I know I didn't drown and I can get on with the run and the bike where I feel more comfortable. Try something hard, accomplish it, and then try something else that is hard. Will I do a full ironman someday? Probably not, but Brad says he wants to do one someday and I will be the one at the finish line...with tears in her eyes.
And this probably should be on my life list, but it isn't. In highschool, I was a closet Neil Diamond fan. Now I am open about my love for his catchy lyrics (seriously, Sweet Caroline, Coming to America, Forever in Blue Jeans, etc.), snazzy diamond studded clothes, (guess you can do that with a gem of a last name), and deep voice. My cute Brad surprised me with a ticket to see him live at the Delta Center (he out did himself with a fun scavenger hunt to lead me to the tickets)Unfortunatly, he will still be in Missouri, but I get to go with my sister. Other members of our family will be there, also, but we're not sitting with them. I can't wait.
This is Chloe with her best friend Taegan. She pretty much worships Taegan. They play pretty well together and then fight for a second and then are friends again. It's been really fun to have such good friends while we've been living in K-ville.
Chloe is super independent these days. She talks alot and puts a lot of sentences together. "sit by you." (she'll pat the seat next to her)"I yuv eww." (this isn't said to us, but rather she sings it to herself and the rest of the Barney song when she is in her bed along with twinkle twinkle and the abc song.)"Boogers my nose". "I want potty." (we bought her a potty about 3 months ago and periodically she gets really into sitting on it, but mostly its just there next to the big toilet for the time when she's really ready!!) She says, "I wanna jump."Yes, we let our child jump on the couch. How do you discipline your child but still let them be a child and have fun? and how to do you be stern but still understanding? Oh, these are the questions I ask in my head daily and I think I'm figuring it out slowly. it's just such a wonder to watch her explore and learn new things. Last week she fell off a chair and hit her head on a table at the library. she split her head open. First site of blood for me on my child. we got through it with a trip to the doc and a popsicle.
Today we had a snow day. It took her a while to realize she could actually get these snowpants wet as opposed to her regular pants. She actually let me put gloves on her, too, because she is starting to get that warm gloves equals warm hands. Look at that face!
On Sunday, Brad's bro Steve came for a quick visit. (and we had a great time having him here)That was the start of my feeling like I was at deaths door. I got so sick saturday night and am still feeling the lesser effects of it now. After a doc visit, blood draws, ultrasound (not that happy fuzzy feeling kind of ultrasound you're thinking of), a CT scan, and an iv, I am pleased to say that there is nothing seriously wrong with me. As my sister said, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel now and am on my way to willing myself to a full recovery. It was pretty scary there for a second, but I learned to not read the internet and to let people help you. This is the first time I have been truly sick and still have the responsibilities of being a mother. I have the nicest and dearest friends here in Kville who would do anything for us- and did.Thanks to you all. You know who you are.And way to go Brad for stepping it up and "neglecting" his studies to be Mr. Mom for the week. I'm the happiest girl in the world!
