Handsome Boys

Today I think I will mostly just leave it with pictures. We had a fun busy day but I am also coming down with an illness that makes me feel like I can't breath at all. My chest hurts (costochondritis...inflammation of the chest wall....no I am not saying my heart hurts:), my throat is killing me, and I have a cough that makes me sound like I have been smoking for 50 years. I tried to run 5 miles tonight and only made 4 before I quite honestly told my son who was rollerblading with me that I felt like my throat was closing off and I was going to stop breathing at any second (little dramatic I know). Kicking myself now for telling my neighbors I would go out for an 8 mile run in the morning. This is going to be my first run with them so NO chance I am backing out, but I think it is going to be one of the most painful (from a chest pain/breathing standpoint) run of my life. My only saving grace will be that their pace is much slower than my typical pace so it would have been an easy run if it weren't for this illness. No more blogging for tonight. I am going to bed to continue reading my book (Water For Elephants). Tomorrow I will write all about the rude furniture salesman we dealt with today.

Connection Pointe's Amazing Race

So I think I mentioned this before, but Clark and I just joined a small group. Our church is huge and what ideally is supposed to happen is you are in a small group to make it feel smaller and to really connect with others and dig deeper into certain topics. We have been saying for nearly 4 years that we need to join one, but we always had an excuse as to why "now" was not the right time. We were too busy. Well, we have concluded that our life is never going to slow down, and so we can no longer hide behind the "we are too busy excuse...so maybe next year." I have been doing bible study with one of my best friends since college (Stephanie) and she invited Clark and I to join her small group. We meet every Friday night and this past Friday was our first. It went well. Clark and I are very shy until we get to know you so as far as speaking up much.....ummm not so much yet. I am not at all shy around Steph but this is a small group of people, and I have a huge fear of public (even if a small group) speaking.

Anyhow, moving on to my title. Today our church had its own version of The Amazing Race where you competed with your small groups and had 10 tasks to do. Nobody really had any clue what we were going to be doing until we got there and started getting clues. The big kids came with us and luckily the church had childcare for the little ones.  It was pretty funny to see all these people (I think there were 50 teams) in bright orange shirts running around town today. Everything was written as a clue and we had to figure out where to go and then there would be a task to complete. Our first clue/task was getting to the church gym and doing 10 min of zumba. Wow am I uncoordinated. I could never figure out which way my feet and hands were supposed to go. Remind me never to try that again unless, like today, with all people equally as clueless. Clark was really into it I think.....kind of freaky. Our second clue/task took us to the movie theater where we picked up a little gift package (movie tickets, popcorn, etc) and we had to give it to a random person (someone not participating in the race). Our team ran to BW3's next door to find someone to give it to. Next up we had to go to the parking lot of another church and run around carrying these jugs of water and answering questions relating to water (such as how far do some people in poor countries walk to get water....4 miles, etc, etc, etc). Once done answering those questions we had to go to Wendy's and pay for someones food. We bought food for someone going thru drive-thru. Next we had to go to Blast off park where we had to write down an example of a random act of kindness. Matt (Steph's husband) wrote down "mow someones grass." Umm...we didn't know that we were going to have to do it right then. Luckily they told us (since it was raining at the time) and we changed it to pay 15.00 for someones gas (part of someones gas I realize). We actually just gave the person at the gas station 20.00. Next up was going to a store and pushing in 10 carts and telling the workers that we appreciate what they do for us. We went to Marsh first b/c it was close to where we were and our next check in point, so did everyone else, and there were simply no carts. It was funny to watch people stalking the shoppers just so they could walk them out and push their cart back in. We decided to leave and go to Lowe's instead where we had no problem finding plenty of carts that needed taken back in. After that we had to meet at East Middle School and put 4 plants in pots and then take them to a local nursing home and give them to 4 people. We had to get the names of all 4 people that we were giving the flowers to. Clark and the kids did this part as I stayed at the car. Clark was worried b/c he went to a woman's place and she looked awful. She was having a bad day. Clark said she had her oxygen on and yet her placed smelled of smoke. He tried to make sure she was going to be fine before just asking for her name and rushing off. Next we had to go to Walmart and buy all these canned items and then drop them off with someone waiting at Lowe's to donate.  Next, we had to go put up a new basketball net on a goal that needed one. Finally we ended back at the church where we had to write 8 thank you letters to missionary workers. Our place was 24th. Not too shabby considering we were a group with lots of kids. We were very pleased to finish in the top half.

So that is how I spent my Sunday. How did you spend yours?

Steph took a picture of our group but it may be weeks before I actually get my hands on a copy. I did take one photo of the boys putting up the basketball net.

So here I posted a picture of our small group bible study (aka amazing race team). We have so many people that they put us in two teams just for the race. We all had a great time and based on some email follow ups dripping with sarcasm, I missed some fun during Zumba!! .

Fun Run (Geist 1/2 Marathon)

Pre-race photo

I am going to make this a relatively fast race run down b/c as usual life is busy and I gotta keep moving. I signed up for the Geist half marathon only a few weeks ago. I knew my friend Kimberlee was doing it and I thought, what the heck, I need a fun run too. We had agreed to run it together for fun. No going for time. This was our post Indy mini (where we both got PR's) "fun run." I was not nervous about the race at all except whether or not my IT band was going to kill me the entire time. There were no pre-race jitters to work out like the race 2 weeks ago. I had a very busy Friday so even had I wanted to think about the race, it would not have happened. Like most races the day started very early. I got up around 4am so that I could make my way to Kimberlee's house by 5:30ish. Neither of us had done this particular race so we were not sure how much time we needed to allow. Needless to say we were the first 2 people there. Neither of us minded b/c we are both early people. It gave us plenty of time to make several port-a-potty stops and do some pre-race hydration. I don't know exactly how many people do this race but is was a MUCH smaller scale than the indy mini. I would say less than 5-6,000. Maybe way less...not sure. It was very relaxed. About 15 minutes before start time we made our way to our corral. Again, no stress.

The pre-race ceremony was interesting and strange to say the least. We had a local glee club sing a song. Followed by a good luck from Spongebob Squareparts (who was in a boat on the reservoir). Next Brooke Roe (never heard of but was apparently on American Idol in the past) sand the National Anthem. Then Jared Fogel (the Subway guy) said some words of inspiration. Finally 3 fighter planes flew over. Again, it was in interesting mix of complete randomness. It was perfect weather for the race. Initially a little overcast and in the low 60's. No rain.

The race started and we were off. I have to say this was a much much slower pace than any of my runs (race or training) but it was nice. I wore my garmin so we knew our avg pace for each mile but it was really no concern to us. Neither of us were pushing ourselves. I basically let Kimberlee set the pace (which was a easy pace for her too) and then we chatted it up the entire way. The view was beautiful. I loved running by the water and through all the fancy neighborhoods with lots of big houses to admire. We got drinks at every single water/Gatorade station b/c well why not, time didn't matter. At mile 6ish, I was still barely breathing hard at all. At mile 7 they were giving out free gels. I thought this was as good as time as any to try it. I got the raspberry cream one. Problem was I had my sip of water first and then took the goo. I thought I might hurl but did manage to get it down. I was thankful Kimberlee gave me the rest of her water to wash it down. It was nasty but easy and over quick, so I can see why they are popular. Had I known they were giving them out, I would not have needed to wear my belt b/c we never took anything else the rest of the race. Just past the goo station Kimberlee and I made a comment to each other about how we thought everyone said the race was hilly. So far we were not that impressed. We spoke too soon. Most of the hills were on the second half. Still I gotta say I was expecting the hills to be much more daunting. They were not bad at all. Kimberlee and I usually passed people on the hills. Not so much b/c we sped up but just b/c we didn't have to slow down either. We pretty much stayed at our very slow but consistent pace the entire way. Each mile ticked on. I felt like I could have kept going forever (although starting at mile 10 I really needed to go to the bathroom). I went thru every little spray station just for fun. At the end Kimberlee has quite the kick. This was our first time running together so I was not sure what to expect but knew that whatever she did was what I would be doing. She asked me if I kicked it in at the end. I told her whatever she does, I will keep up. Well, let me just tell you....that girl has a KICK at the end. Really it was an all out sprint. I loved it. Wasn't expecting it, but loved it just the same. We finished, and our breathing just about as normal as when we started. The run itself was a BLAST. I had so much fun doing this fun run with Kimberlee. I can't explain it really but I just enjoyed every minute of it. I think this is the start of a tradition. This will likely never be more than just a post Indy mini "fun run." I think my body and my psyche needed that run.

As for my legs......really they held up great. I did get my shin pain right on schedule but it also ended by mile 4 like it ALWAYS does. I never felt my IT band. I have said this many times but I am a huge huge fan of Mobic. I took it the 2 days before the race (one pill each day). I also used my topical anti-inflammatory drops just prior to the run. It worked. I kept waiting for the stabbing pain to start but it never did. I felt fine. Today I feel a little tight and I could feel my IT band both last night and today but still better than I expected. I have no plans to run for a couple of days so who knows how things will be with my next run.

So in the end this was a great run that was very well organized. I would highly recommend it. The hills are luckily not all people make them out to be. Is it flat...no, but is it going to kill you....NO!! Kimberlee has written a much better post race update on her blog (on my blog list). It was hard to follow and not just write the same thing.

Post-race photo (my shirt was soaked...some b/c of sweat but also because we went thru every spray thing along the way)

I will write my stats but please keep in mind that this was a fun run only!!!

Time: 2:03:03 (avg pace of 9:24)

Place Division 64/257

Sex 284/1389

A Rare Occasion

When I looked, Adam didn't

 When Adam looked, I didn't

 Nobody would keep their eyes open

 Ryan looking all sweet and innocent (it is sooooo not true)

 Adam saying, "mom there is a spider." I don't know where he gets his fear of spiders??

So you tell me what was the rare occasion?  I can think of 2 things based on my pictures.

Today I went to field day at school. It was fun. I got to help with the running events. Alexis won her little 50 yard dash. I am convinced I figured out what my dream job would have been (I guess second to no job at all). I would have loved being a track and cross country coach. I would have hated the teaching part that usually goes with it but would have LOVED the coaching part. That is what I should have done. I cheered for these little first graders like this race was the most important race of their lives. 

This day is crazy busy. First we had to go get passport photos. Then we had to go turn in passport applications. Then field day. Next up getting Nick to birthday party. Then tonight is our first night for our new small group bible study. Eventually we will need to pick up Nick from birthday party and the boys from the depot and get home in time for me to get at least 3 hours of sleep before I drive an hour to run a 1/2 marathon with Kimberlee. Writing all that made me tired. Gotta go! Hope everyone has a happy Friday!

Triplet's 4th B.D.

I didn't take that many pictures since this was not a very exciting birthday party..........

 Landon loves tigers

Ryan really wanted hockey cards

 Adam still loves Thomas

Blowing out candles. Star Wars theme!

 Although it was cold and raining they still got in the very HOT pool

 Grandma bought a basketball goal for the pool

Taking the easy shot

 Landon with great grandma.

 Getting the candy after the pinata was opened (with the first hit)

4 Years Ago Today....

My world changed forever!!!!  Happy 4th B.D. to my 3 little men!

I will add pictures as the day/week goes on. Look back down memory lane....

Nick and Alexis come to NICU to meet their brothers!! I loved the way they poked at them to see if they were real!

 Adam (aka baby A) was the first to come out and the first to come home!!

 2 days later his brothers got to come home too. Here we are. About to leave the hospital. These kids really all do belong to us. Let the sleepless nights begin. No turning back now:)

My little burritos

Always had to be touching!

 Wow look at the boobs. They were huge! That was short lived. Oh wait we are showing pictures of babies here not boobs!

 The stroller

 I think I look really tired here

 3 bumbos

 You do whatever you have to do to survive the day!  I know I know, not the safest thing.....

Ok that is all I have time for right now. I have to finish wrapping presents. Could this day be any more disgusting for a pool party. I think they are going to need a birthday do-over if it ever stops raining!!

I had such great intentions of posting more pictures up to the present but that was taking forever and I simply ran out of time. I currently am so tired from call and running around so much, I just can't do it. Of course right as I type the word call my phone rings again. I think I am going to need to sleep for a week after this work week is over. Too bad our life looks just as busy next week too. Anyhow I will blog birthday pictures later this week.  Their family party was fine. I only made my mom cry once. Tonight I just want to plop myself on the couch, keep answering calls of people that can't wait 12 hours until the office opens, and watch the finale of Survivor!

Waiting On My Boys

Jessica this is totally for you!!  As we are gearing up for the triplet's 4th birthday tomorrow I thought I would make Jessica Souder happy and post some pictures of me at the end of my pregnancy.

 It is so hard to believe my stomach could be so big

 About to walk out the door and to the OR to have 3 babies!! My thoughts at this point....lets move it. I am already 7 cm dilated! I thought the benefit to a C-Section was that I would not have to be in labor. Not the case!!

 Jaime came to visit before time to deliver. Give me a break on how I looked. It had been a very long night and day of laboring and waiting for the doctor to get ready!!  Jaime shares a birthday with my triplets!!!

 My thoughts here....Dear God am I really about to have 3 babies!!! Anxiously awaiting their cries!!

Tomorrow's post will include lots of cute baby pictures!