Monday, April 30, 2012

Half Marathon: Check! Home Marathon: Check.

Not only did I (finally)run my first half marathon yesterday, but I felt great doing it! I couldn't have asked for a better experience. I always said, "I want to run a half marathon, and I don't want it to be torture." Done!
Leave it to me to get the flu the week before the big race. I was a tiny bit devastated last Tuesday when I started feeling sick. I was at work, and tried to convince myself that I was fine and just needed more sleep. No way were those crack-of-dawn long runs going to waste (or our money...these races are expensive!). But, sure enough, by that evening I was an achy, whiney mess, begging for Jeff to get me Ibuprofen and the electric blanket because I was shivering so hard my teeth hurt.

Anyway, long story short, I was "don't touch me, I can't even move" sick from Tuesday evening to Friday afternoon or so. I did go into work on Thursday morning because my 3rd graders had their first MSP (state) test, and I just couldn't abandon them when I knew some were already nervous. So, I dragged my achy bod to class, gave the test, and was back in bed by noon.

I finally felt almost normal by Saturday, and by Sunday morning - race day - I was flu-free with just a hint of a headache. Nothing a few more Ibuprofen couldn't cure. I think not doing anything for four days straight actually was a blessing because my muscles felt completely fresh, and I ran faster miles than I had planned. I had a goal of 2 hours and 10 minutes, which would mean averaging 10 minute miles. My official race time was 2 hours and 21 seconds. Go me! Yes, I'm tooting my own horn, and yes, I know that this isn't a record breaking time. There will always be longer races and faster times, but I set a goal and beat it so in my little Lisa vs. Lisa world (read: I'm competetive with myself), I felt pretty bad***. ;)


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Speaking of marathons...

Austen learned how to crawl out of her crib yesterday. She's fast, and she's determined. I think she's trying to PR like Mama.

And Kaitlyn is in a defiant bedtime stage. You never know what you are going to get. Tonight was not a fun one. Like, if I didn't need to go to bed for work tomorrow I'd be having a glass of wine or four.

Weekday evenings at our house often resemble marathons. Luckily, Jeff and I are in it together. I would surely be in the looney bin if not.

But how could you stay mad at these two??



Little stinkers.

Oh, and I signed up for half marathon number 2 in June. Rock and Roll!

Monday, April 23, 2012

Thank you, Seattle

We have been blessed with some beautiful April days here in Seattle, and if you live in a place that sees gray most of the year you don't take these days for granted. You soak them up for everything they are worth, and use those memories to stay warm when waking up to a downpour the next morning.

I try very hard to not complain about the weather here. I do find myself wishing for more sunny days, and Jeff and I toy with the idea of moving every once in a while, but there is no use complaining. Complaining breeds negativity and doesn't fix anything.

I know that rain has its good points, but I'd love to get outside with my kids more (if you have ever been couped up for days on end with two young kids, you know that this is kind of a big deal). I'll go outside in rain, but freezing cold + rain is not worth it to me; I'm a wimp. Kudos to those who don't let it stop them!

I also despise the treadmill, which means that I either brave the elements or take too much time off from running. I used to use the gym in the winter, but since having kids this isn't an option in my mind, as it takes too much time away with the commute. This is one of the first years when, after a brief pep talk with myself about sucking it up, I've run almost year round: Rain, shine, snow, or freezing. That's all well and good (actually, it's not - I'll do it, but I don't have to like it), but please cross your fingers for no downpours during my 13.1 miles next Sunday. :)

So anyway...thank you, Seattle, for delivering some beautiful play-outside weather this month. We have dulled our sidewalk chalk, put miles on trikes and running shoes, broken in the neighborhood parks, and drained bubble containers.



I was trying to get Austen to smile, and this little face shows up right in front of my lens. "I'll smile for you, Mama!"


I'll post any picture with me in it, since there are so few. The neighbor took this, and both the girls are obviously skeptical!



Kaitlyn was teaching Austen how to blow bubbles. We went through two containers this day:




Different week, same sunshine and chalk. My dad came over to help Jeff fix our wall. Remember the leaky pipe incident? It's all fixed now. :)



She likes to "check the mail"






Yesterday also turned into garage spring cleaning. A long time coming!


Adventure girl...

Kaitlyn was really into her fishing pole yesterday. Practicing her casting and patiently sitting to work on her pole.



Grammie came by at the end of the boys' work for a bit


Thanks, Seattle. :)


Sidenote: I was quite happy with Blogger's last update. This latest one? Not so much. They sucked the user-friendly right out of it. Sigh...

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Wedding Bliss

So like I said, we've been busy.

I had gotten good at updating the blog at night, after the girls were in bed. I just don't have it in me right now to do anything other than crash right after they do. (Did I really update regularly before? I think I may have had my moments, but I also may be dreaming.)

Hosting Austen's birthday party, Aunt Stacey's wedding shower, and rehearsal bbq dinner, and the wedding this past Sunday (all of these in a span of three weeks, and don't forget that we work full time and raise kids), and I'm training for my first half marathon. It's no 26.2, but it's a commitment if I want to run the race comfortably next weekend.  

This is all good stuff, don't get me wrong (and we were happy to host all that we did!). It's just a lot all at once.

The wedding turned out so perfectly, and Stacey and Aaron were a stunning bride and groom. All four of us Collins Clan were part of the wedding party, and I was pleasantly surprised with how the girls pulled off their flower girl duties. They really outdid themselves, if you ask me. I may have cried as they came down the aisle, perfectly placing their flower petals (okay, Austen not so much until the very end) as they slowly made their way toward the front. Kaitlyn, bless her little heart, did her "I'm trying not to smile" face all the way until the very end when she couldn't hold it anymore and beamed up at me, knowing that she had done well, and that she was a princess for the day with her sister, mama, and Aunt Stacey (Stacey being THE princess of the day, of course!) Melt.My.Heart.

And Austen, oh our bold little Austen Jean...she followed her big sister like a pro - because, you know, that's what she does best - and I couldn't have been prouder of our big two year old being the perfect flower girl.

Then came Stacey; a beautiful, graceful bride. And her new hubby, Aaron; such a genuinely good person, waiting for his bride with tears in his eyes. I love weddings. :)

And some pictures from my camera:





Pete Rose was at the hotel while we were doing pictures, so we did the decent thing and interrupted his family time to get a few shots with him. Don't know who he is? I didn't, either. :)







Sweet, 2 year old Jacoby, Aaron's son - snoozin' in style during the reception
Warmin' up the dance floor
Jeff, Jackson, and Austen
LOVE THIS
When a guy reaches out to touch his bride, it's a good sign of who he is and how he feels, in my random opinion

Best buds since elementary

Okay, this DJ is the best ever. I highly, highly recommend him for weddings. He is "Donny the DJ," and I believe you can look up his info. by searching for that name. If not, and you are interested, send me a message and I'll give it to you.
He DJed Mollie and Jayson's wedding, and Jeff and I knew we had to have him. He's still the best I've seen/heard. He is personal and funny, and does a wonderful job involving the guests and moving the night along just right.
You would think that a guy in suspenders, converse, and dorky glasses blowing bubbles during your first dance would be obnoxious. Somehow, he pulls it off and makes it a fun, memorable part of the evening.
Did I mention that he's awesome? If you are getting married or know someone who is, give him a call! His rates are reasonable, too.



Father-daughter dance with Roger
Donny the DJ




Power nap!
Typical :)

And what follows is a series of dancing pictures. You'll notice a few things: My dancing is...well, I have fun. Kaitlyn has definitely learned her moves from Mama, and no comments from anyone about whether that's a good thing. We had a blast. :) This is one way to burn off a big dinner and wedding cake!









Improv dance routine with this fun young lady
Love this guy. And love that we had just danced to Greenday. I think it was off of "Dave - August 1999"

Kaitlyn took over the dance floor at some point. Once she got her groove, she was in it till the end.
Good times were had by all, and Stacey and Aaron will live happily ever after, I'm sure.

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And some piggy pictures, because this started as a catch-up picture dump and turned into the wedding post:






Waiting in Mama's classroom



And ending with some weekend-morning coloring: