All Dressed Up

We had been looking forward to this weekend for a while. My mom was coming out to watch the kids and we got to get all dressed up for a wedding, I can't remember the last wedding we went to, all of our friends are pretty much married now except Frankel, we reminded him of that last weekend :) Speaking of Frankel (Dave) he was very thougtful and rented a 12 passenger van to drive us and 8 others to the wedding. What a great idea, thanks Dave!!!

The day started out at 9 am, we took the kids to our Y for a family fun run around Lake Tye. Each of us got a racing #, the girls were pumped. I took off when the horn blew with Maddie and Chloe at my side, but Josh soon caught up with them while pushing Ella. It was a low key run, no pressure, just fun. The kids and Josh ran about 1 mile and waited for me to finish. They told me they beat Daddy. We soon headed for home after quickly checking out the local dog show at the nearby elementary, Ella loved that! Once we got home I realized we had to shower and head out for Maddies soccer game, there is always something!

The Hornet's played a super game, Maddie scored 5 times, she was pumped, but never shows it during the game, just kind of looks at us with a smirk. We got to stay and watch Haylee, my brother's daughter, play in her game too, she is in U-7, what a difference a year makes, she was great!

About 2:30 I realized I had better get home, get Ella to bed so I could shower and look decent for our night out! I had Josh take over the other two girls, I ran upstairs, showered and starting getting ready. I don't remember the last time I had put on make-up and I still didn't have time to dry my hair so I just started pinning in bobby pins, it worked, even a few people asked me if I had my hair done! I heard my mom come through the door and she came into the house of chaos. We didn't get a chance to clean and the girls hadn't eaten. I usually write down some instructions for her, but tonight she was on her own, it's not like she hasn't done this before.

Finally our chariot awaits, Dave pulls up with Mike, Katie, Darrold, Jeanne and Kristin all ready to go. It was our own party bus! Off we went to pick up MaryAnn and headed toward the church. The ceremony was beatiful, can't believe it has been 7 years since we have been there! Mike and Christine are adorable. Now it was time to head to the Country Club to party.

I was so hungry at this point, couldn't wait for dinner. It was great to see everyone. We saw several couples we have known since WSU. We got to catch up with each other and enjoy the entertainment, they had a dualing piano bar, pretty fun to dance too. Good time had by all and we still made it home before midnight, are we getting old?

Flowing Lake

Last weekend I completed my 2nd Triathlon and last for the season. Boy what a summer! I was constantly thinking about when I would swim, bike or run next. It is a great way to get your butt in gear and a fun way to compete! If you ask my friend Kariann, she would say "where did Amy go?" She means my normal staying up late, having a margarita or two and having people over every weekend somewhat changed this summer. I couldn't help think about having to wake up early the next day to go jump in the lake or taking a jog, so I took it easy this summer. My brother has been doing Triathlons for some time now, honestly I didn't get it until I started training. I never paid much attention to them because I didn't understand the extent of them or what it took to be competitive. I have to give my brother props, he rocked the Flowing Lake Triathlon last weekend, 2nd overall and 1st in his age group. http://www.buduracing.com/raceresults/20080913_234.xls It was the first time I got to see him compete. Well I only got to see him swim, but that was awesome. We saw the 1st wave take off to complete the 400 m swim, after about 5 minutes I saw some guy way ahead, I had no idea who it was because everyone had a grey swim cap on and goggles. As the leader started to stand up out of the lake I saw that is was Dave, I was so excited and proud! I started jumping up and down and screaming (Josh said I sounded like a cheerleader, which I never was one). I was already in my wetsuit getting ready to swim, but forgot for that quick second that I was racing so I could be a proud sister, I yelled "that is my brother!"

When it was my turn to swim I tried taking it easy, Dave told me to go at it at a 4 out of 10 and save something for the bike. When you are swimming it is easy to feel lost, there are swimmers all around you and you have no idea if you are ahead, behind or just right. I felt sand so I stood up and started trying to unzip my wetsuit and run up to my bike. I couldn't find my zipper for a second, panicked then everything was fine. I raced up to my bike, tore off my wetsuit, put on wet socks, bike shoes and my helmet. As I was doing all of this in 2 minutes, I could hear Chloe say "Mom! I made something for you!" and I hear Josh say calmly, "you are doing great Amy, great swim time" This was so awesome to hear because at my firt Tri I didn't have anyone there to support me, I loved having my whole family there. I quickly grabbed my bike and ran it up to the mounting area. As quick as I could, I locked into my pedals and took up off the hill. I have done this ride so many times because I live on the bike course, I knew exactly what I had to do.

I made it out of the park and turned the corner, there I saw Nancy riding and could see my friend Liz on the corner yelling "Go Amy!" How cool, fans!! The ride was pretty normal but I wasn't used to having so many other bikers on my course ;) A few of us kept passing each other and laughing about it As I continued on course I was approaching my neighborhood. Nancy was right there with me. There they were, our neighbors and friends,Katie and Ellie, Kariann, Jason, Hannah and Ryan were cheering us on. I saw Kariann standing up yelling with her camera, great site to see 1/2 way through the race. I knew there were still several tough hills to come. But I did it, raced into the park exhausted, but knew I had to forget about the bike and get on my running shoes.

The first lap of the 1.9 mile run was so hard, my calves were on fire, I had to stop and walk for a second, I didn't want to collapse. I saw my friend and training partner Christine behind me, we got to run together for a while and laugh at each other too, we were quite a site while thinking we were done after only one lap! We finally figured out that we needed to do, one more hilly loop. I tried to sprint the last few minutes and crossed the finish line with my girls waiting for me at the end. Christine finished right after me 1st and 2nd in our age group!!! Woohooo!!

What a day. It was awesome weather, close to home, my family was there to cheer me on. Couldn't have asked for anything more. I was starving and couldn't wait to eat, but we had to rush home for naps and get ready for Maddie's 1st soccer game.

Josh

As I begin this blogging journey, I feel the need to write about Josh. I was inspired to start blogging after completing my first Triathlon, but then soon realized that I have so much more to share. I used to scrapbook, but haven't made time to do so in the past few years, might have something to do with having 3 kids in 5 years :) I have such an awesome family. Josh and I have been so blessed to have such a wonderful marriage and 3 cute, healthy,fun, silly girls! It all began in Pullman where I first met Josh. We met through an old friend of mine Liz. She seemed to know a lot of the baseball players ;) He caught my eye at a party up at some apartments at WSU. He was quiet and still is. Liz knew who he was, but didn't know much about him. I remember him wearing a striped rugby shirt. I honestly don't remember how we got introduced really, I just remember trying to get his attention at his baseball house parties. We started hanging out, played 1 on 1 ( i so beat him), studied together (well he studied, i just wanted to talk) and so it began. We would email, and see each other after classes and on the weekends. I would see him on campus with his black cardinal hat on, black backpack and pencil in his mouth or ear, can't remember. Often times he would be studying for a test and drinking a beer at the same time and still graduated in 3.5 years with amazing grades. He was the first to leave and go get a real job. He left Pullman in December of 1996 and headed west to Boeing. I was still attending WSU, taking my time, and so were most of his friends so he would make the 4 + hour drive almost every weekend. He even bought a new car, whoa!!! I would get butterflies when I would see his white Pontiac parked at the baseball house for the weekend. Eventually I left Pullman to start student teaching in La Center WA. I had moved in with my Dad and Bev for the first time, I am sure that was an adjustment:) Josh and I would take turns driving back and forth on the weekends, goodbyes were always tough.

I finally graduated from WSU in 1998. I started substitute teaching in Kirkland and we got an apartment in Bothell together. Oh boy, that was a transition, I am not easy to live with, I learned that in College. I gave Josh a run for his money, but he stuck with me :) After waking up early every morning to the loud ring of the telephone with the current Sub job, I landed a long term Sub job at Kamiakin Jr High, finally no more early phone calls from the Sub voicemail! I also started coaching softball and Josh was my assistant, the girls loved him helping, he knew more about baseball then I did! I won't rehash all of our history here, but while I am typing all of these memories keep coming back! One or three I should say stand out in my head, his face and reaction when he got to hold our girls for the first time, beaming with Joy! :)

We have been through a lot in the past 13 years, we met in 1995 so yes 13! We have been married for 7 years and have really grown. There are many milestones and memories we have shared. 3 Children, 2 new houses, family, new friends, old friends, sports, coaching, weddings,vacations and on and on....I wouldn't change a thing, I have always looked up and admired Josh so much. He has accomplished so many things and is a terrific role model for our girls. He and I make a great pair with a lot in common but with so many different characteristics. I always want him to know how much I appreciate, love, respect and look up to him everyday although I don't often say it! Love you Joshua!!!