Thursday, May 22, 2008

I Said I Was, But I'm Not

I made a resolution. I committed. I persevered through injury, bad weather and inconvenient schedules. I am so close.

Earlier this month I found out that the race I wanted to run is not a traditional 5K. Instead it is a 1 mile run, 10 mile bike ride, 2 mile run biathlon. I was expecting the bike ride, but I thought it would be at either end or the run. I planned on having Jeff do the bike ride and I would do the run. We would be a relay team. The girls would cheer for us and be there for the beginning, relay moment and completion of the race. A perfect family experience.

I'm a flexible person. I adjusted my plans and goals. Three weeks ago I said, "No problem! I can do the biathlon by myself."

All this month I have been alternating bike ride days with running days. On my bike ride days I have been commuting to work on my bicycle. It is hard work. My body aches. My back hurts. My shoulder is in knots. I am in pain.

Yesterday my husband said, "Monday is Memorial Day. Is your Biathlon on Saturday or Sunday?"

"What? This weekend?!? NO!"

This is not how a working woman should respond to the announcement of a three day weekend.

===========

Every morning I kiss my sleeping husband good-bye before I go to work. This morning Ariel was sleeping in the bed with him. Usually I leave her alone, but today she was practically falling out of the bed so I moved her to safety. She woke up.

"Mommy! Don't go to work. Waaaah!"

I took her downstairs and showed her a calender. "Today is Thursday. Mommy goes to work on Thursday. I will go to work tomorrow too. But look at this; Saturday, Sunday, and Monday Mommy will be home. Only two days and then Mommy will be home for three days."

As I say this I think about the race. The biathlon that will eat into my Sunday and surely tear my body apart and leave me useless for the rest of the weekend.

As I drove to work I recalled last years Memorial Day. The biathlon is part of a church picnic. This picnic is one of my favorite activities of the year. the church uses the local high school and sets up jump houses, pony ride and a stage with entertainment. They offer free food, cotton candy and kettle corn. All this takes place during the biathlon. If I participate in this race I miss out on some great quality time with my family.

So I am not doing it.

I am doing this instead.



Have a great weekend.
I know I will.

Sunday, May 18, 2008

Weekly Winners - Mothers Day



Sisterly Love


On Mother's Day we took the kids for a hike around Round Lake. The ultimate destination was the Camas Lily Fields. It was a beautiful hike and a wonderful Mother's Day.












Weekly Winners is the brain child of Lotus at Sarcastic Mom.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

The Mexican Vacation: Part 1

One of the highlights of our trip was a Catamaran tour to Tulum. Here is a picture of the Mayan ruins at Tulum from our Catamaran.


We snorkeled through the coral reef and had lunch on the boat before spending and hour on the beach at Tulum. I wish I could of stayed all day. It was the most beautiful beach I have ever been on. In this picture you can see the catamaran in the background.

Here is Jeff enjoying the water.


Next we took a guided tour of the ruins, which are amazing!



I really enjoyed this tour. The staff was great.


The drinks were flowing.


It was a very relaxing day.


Catamaran tour info: http://www.caribbeansol.com/raiatea/tulum.htm

Friday, May 2, 2008

First Thing's First

I'm still here. Today is my second day back at work. I have been wading through a weeks worth of work and I can almost see the woodgrain of my desk.

I've been catching up on emails. I have failed to call my step-mom as promised to let her know we arrived home safely. I avoided my laptop last night in favor of watching "The Office" while cuddling with my husband. Life after a vacation is hectic. It is a far cry from deciding if the waiter will be visiting my lounge chair soon, or if the swim up bar would be a better option for obtaining the perfect margarita.

Sigh


Five minutes ago I bravely opened my Google Reader to find 568 unread posts. I should feel panicked. I should feel overwhelmed. Instead I feel the intense desire to find out what you all have been up to while I cavorted in Mexico.

I missed you without realizing it.

My blog is going to sit for a couple more days. I have a lot of posts that I want to read. I'm coming to visit you but I may not have time to leave comments. Right now I want to eagerly soak up your words and find out what adventures the last two weeks have brought you.

I'll be back soon.