The Plan

I have had quite a few people ask me if I have a training plan for the Disneyland Half Marathon that I am running in September. So I thought I'd post it here. I use the one that Disney put out but I am tweaking it just a little... I can't do the run 10 seconds walk 50 seconds thing. I basically run until I have to walk, walk for about a minute and then start running again.


So far I have gotten to where I can run for three miles without stopping to take walk. I have loved all of the little changes running has brought to me. The extra energy, the sense of accomplishment, more patience, the looser jeans... I really am blessed to have a body that is healthy and strong enough to let me try this and enjoy it too.

Still going!

Another run tonight!  I am so getting into this running thing.


The 19th of April is my official start date for the 20 week training program for the Disneyland Half Marathon.  I am considering quitting pop or at least seriously cutting back while I am training.


I usually prefer to read Kindle books on the iPad while I run but sometimes that isn't possible so I am also working on a new playlist for running to.  Anyone have any suggestions?  What kind of music helps pace you?  What gets you fired up?  What helps you keep going?


Thanks for your suggestions! :)

OUCH!!!

VS.

My poor Emma had a terrible battle the other night and she lost.  It was Emma vs. The Pinewood Derby Car.  She was playing with Ethan's car running through the house and she tripped smacking the thin edge of the wedge right into her throat and chin.  It swelled up huge and hurt like crazy... I didn't get a pic of the worst swelling but you can imagine something a little like this:

Ok that may be a slight exaggeration, but only slight!

Well today the swelling has started going down but the bruising has started coming out and she looks like a prize fighter.  My Emma is one tough girl and I might mention that she is pretty dang gorgeous to look that pretty even with a bruised and swollen jaw...

Stupid Smart Bryn!!

Well I haven't wanted to admit it but our super awesome friends the Neeni are moving... all the way across the country...  You see my friend Bryn is a smartie.  She applied to grad school at Georgetown University and was accepted, so off they flit, tra la la la la, all the way to Washington DC.

While it sucks for me and I will miss her and Jason like crazy (not to mention the fact that my twins who are in Bryn's primary class might never recover) I am really happy for and proud of her.  It is an amazing opportunity and quite an honor as well for her.  So in the spirit of being happy for Bryn I did a Google search for The Top Ten Things about Georgetown University.  Here is what I got:

Best Things

1. International students and teachers
2. Washington, DC
3. Awesome speakers and presenters on campus
4. Cherry Tree season
5. The Exorcist stairs
6. Free movies on the weekend
7. Balance of academic and social life
8. Hanging out on the lawns
9. School spirit
10. Hoya basketball

Happy Students

96% of students return after their first year.

Commitment to Teaching

There are 10 students for every member of faculty on campus.

Proven Success

93% of students will complete their education and graduate with a degree.

Big Dorms

91% of students surveyed felt that dorms were more spacious than average.

Campus Pride

50% of students surveyed love everything about the school and have a
lot of campus pride.

Highly Satisfied Students

100% of students surveyed would make the same school choice if they
could do it all over again.

Help Finding a Job or Internship

80% of students surveyed said that the career center is very helpful and provide
services to students beyond help landing a job.

Strong Alumni Network

50% of students surveyed say the alumni network is very strong and involved
in activities on campus.

Vibrant Social Scene

60% of students surveyed agreed that there lots of popular activities around
camps every day.

Genders equally represented

A male to female ratio of 749/822 means there's a pretty even balance of
students on campus.

Learn from the best

89% of faculty have earned the highest degree in their field.

Help to succeed

The school has academic and career counseling available to help
you when you need it.

Get AP Credit

If you took AP classes in high school you might be able to get
college credit for them.

Work part-time during school

Employment services are available for students.

Help getting hired

Placement services are available to graduates.

Extremely diverse

One of the most racially diverse campuses, 45% of students are minorities

So there it is.  All of the best things about Georgetown.  And to quote a wise man, "huh, well, I guess that's fun." ;)

Congrats, Stupid Smart Bryn! :)

Pine Wood Derby Time!

We had the pinewood derby again and Ethan did awesome!  He went with the wedge style again and it was a super fast car that took him through four rounds of competition!

Special thanks to our crack team of engineers who stayed up late helping him finish the car for FHE: Lacy, Jake, Tom, Tayna, Bryn, Jason, Michelle, Mom, Dad, Emma, Rory, and Bailey.  It was truly a team effort and we can all be proud!

But what made me the most proud was the amazing grace and sportsmanship Ethan showed, win or lose.  I am so proud of my son!

I think this face says it all! :) 

My super amazing new laundry robot!

Well maybe it is just a washing machine, but it seems like an amazing robot! We have always been plagued by laundry around here. I am talking like a giant pile in the laundry room that tries to eat me when I open the door.

Around a year+ ago my "expensive, top of the line, never need another one" GE frontloader just flat quit working. Lame. But to my rescue came my wonderful friend Teresa. Teresa had had a similar problem that week in her house, her dryer had given up the ghost. She sent me a message that they had decided to buy a new set and that if I would come and get it, I could have her fully functioning washer! She is amazing!

Well, we used that poor thing into the ground! (Teresa and I both tried to clean those years of stuck on laundry soap but no luck, anyone have a tip for that?) For the last few months we have only been able to fill the washer 1/3 of the way with clothes or the poor tired agitator wouldn't/ couldn't spin. So I started the search on craigslist, ebay, freecycle, etc., etc., and couldn't find anything that looked functional in my very very low price range. On a whim we decided to go see what they had at the Furniture Bowl here in town. Long story (slightly) short(er) he made us an offer we couldn't refuse! I am now the proud owner of this beautiful thing:

It is enormous! I can literally fit two completely full laundry baskets (the big full size ones) into one load! I have at least one friend (no names Chelle) who wouldn't be able to reach the clothes at the bottom of the tub it is so deep! We have finally conquered the mountain of laundry! I <3 my new washer!

They are always watching!!

So, the other day Ethan was telling us about a friend of his who "has some friends who are game testing the new Halo game." We played along and said, "wow that is cool, how did Brodee meet them?" to which Ethan responded:

"I don't know, I don't know his life..." :D