Playing Catch Up

My computer's down. I'm finally desperate enough to use Chris', although I have no pictures on here so I can't blog about what I really want to. I'm just afraid I'll forget all the happenings and get caught up in the holidays that I won't have time to catch up. Pictures and bigger posts when I get things fixed, for now:

Mid October I ran Ragnar Las Vegas with some of my friends. They are always such a blast to be with. We had a great time! I'm to the point that I'm over doing relays, other than Red Rock Moab. There are two more I'm doing next year, the Ragnar Wasatch Back Ultra (I'm so dumb for doing this) and Ragnar Northwest Passage in Washington. I can't tell you how excited i am to head to Washington! Chris and I lived there the first year of our marriage so it holds a tender spot in my heart and I can't wait to share that with him (I'm dragging him along although he's not going to be running).

Caely and I ran a Halloween 5K with Lani and a bunch of my friends. Caely loved that she got to be with the big girls. We went to Zupa's after for dinner and dessert. I love that my kids are getting older and we can share these kinds of moments.

Halloween came and went. I got to put together Alexa's class party, it went fine but it's definitely something I don't love doing. I love helping at the school, it's coordinating and being creative that I don't love. At least I got to be with her and make her feel special. That's what it's all about, right?

Shauna signed me up for this insane 50K (31 miles) on a dirt trail out at Antelope Island. I've never been there so I didn't really know what to expect. I LOVE that Shauna believe in me, especially when I don't. She  makes me feel like I can do anything even if I don't know it yet.
We got all geared up to go, I even bought a new shirt! The night before it started pouring rain and slush. Then...the snow came. I called and told her I wasn't that die hard and I was bailing. I woke up to about 3" of snow on the ground and I was glad I chose to not go. Shauna also picked to not run on wet trail, wind and snow/rain. Our friend, Melissa still braved the course and she killed it! She is so amazing and inspiring, I almost want to go back and change my mind and just do it. At the same time, I'm happy with my choice and feel strong and empowered anyway just knowing I could do a 50K tomorrow if I wanted.

Tyler had his first hockey tournament this last weekend. Where do I start on that? It was thrown at us Thursday evening that they were going to play. It was supposed to be the B teams tournament but they found that the competition was more than they expected and took the A team. The boys hadn't even had a real practice together yet, nor had they played a game. That was kind of frustrating, I feel like we've lost the chance to play another tournament because they threw this in. Most the boys didn't even know who were really on their team since the A and B team all practice together right now.
Anyhow, the first game was brutal. The boys weren't used to playing with each other and they lost, 1-9. Both goalies did great, the team they played had already had 10 games and were very prepared. The next two games were much closer games, but they still lost. Sad. Their last game they played determined 5 & 6th place and they WON! in shoot out!! Tyler got to be the goalie for the shoot out so he's pretty proud of himself, Chris and I are too.

It's hard watching him as goalie because so much depends on him and how he's playing that day. I also miss watching him skate out but I know he's loving this new experience and I'm glad that it worked out for him to be goalie.

Caely's playing basketball every week and I am so impressed with how she has grown as a player and a person. She is really enjoying her team, her coach is amazing and the girls are such good sports and so supportive. I am so thankful for the good example they are to her. I got to thinking about her past coaches and the path they've paved for her. I am so thankful for their willingness to share their time and experience with these kids. They will probably never know how they've touched the lives of the kids they've coached, but I do. I hold a special place in my heart for them.

Okay, lastly...

My brother moved in!!! Not to my house but around the corner. I am so excited about this! We love hanging out with their family. I love that we will be able to play late and not feel so bad that they have to trek their kids in the cold to their house. I also love that we can go over to their house now so they can put their kids to bed at a decent hour. I hope that we can help them with their kids. Even though my kids aren't grown, I'm at such a different stage than them. I remember how hard it is to have 4 little, little kids and needing more support. Needing a date and not being able to afford a babysitter so we just never went out. I love that my kids are older and we have so much more flexibility. I'm going to love having them close!