Tuesday, April 16, 2013

To Boston, With Love

I read about the explosions at the Boston Marathon as I was walking out the door from work.

I turned on the radio, and began listening to the news reports and the tears started flowing.

6 months ago I was running the Marine Corps Marathon. 6 months ago, my family and friends were running (some literally) around DC to see me along the way.

6 months ago I crossed the finish line and tears of joy streamed down my face.

I had trained for a long time for that moment, and while it didn’t go exactly as planned, I reached my goal. I can’t even put into words the joy and excitement I felt.

I cried the whole way home, I turned on the tv and laid in bed watching the news and cried.

I cried for those who died. I cried for those whose joy and excitement of reaching such a goal was diminished by such tragedy. I cried for those whose training brought them so close only to have to run for their lives the opposite way of the finish line, some coming so far as to see the finish. I cried for the friends and family who were supporting the runners and carrying them through those miles (Lord knows I would have been in much worse shape without them) I cried for those who will never be able to run again.

I was so sad all afternoon and evening. I kept thinking that could have been my mom, dad, brother, Eric, Lindsay, Ray, Kevin standing on the sidelines cheering me on. It could have been Aubrey, running a kick ass race. I kept thinking about the 8 year old who was probably cheering on a parent.

Today, I am still sad, but after hearing the stories of those who lost limbs and the traumatic event so many have experienced, my almost 6 month running hiatus is officially over. I love running, I miss running, and I am going to run for those who now can’t run. I won’t take for granted something as simple as a run to clear my head. I won’t sit back and let my passion for running fall to the wayside because I am too tired, have too much homework, need to apply to more jobs. I will run, and I will run multiple times a week again.

Many runner’s lives were forever changed in Boston. Mine was changed right here at home.

Pray for all those in Boston, the runners, the spectators, the volunteers, the medical and emergency staff. Pray they have peace. My run today is for them.

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Hiking

Eric and I have decided we were going to not waste beautiful spring days. Today we wanted to go hiking.

Aubrey and Richie joined us up at Cunningham Falls state park and we hiked 1.5 miles up to these crazy high rocks where according to the kids there when we got there "you could touch the sky"

I am pretty freaked out by heights but Eric was super sweet and patient helping me get up and down the rocks. I really am lucky to have him. He is so good to me.

It was super fun and I can't wait to go hiking again. Hopefully we can get bikes soon too and add that to our activities on the weekends















Friday, April 5, 2013

Eric turns 30

I have always said I want to have Redskins season tickets one day. I also said I would go to every game through October – and then sell the rest because I HATE the cold.

I decided to sacrifice this for Eric’s birthday since December was mild and the game was at 1pm.

Until the week before the game, and they changed it to Sunday Night! HOLY COLD BATMAN! I didn't sign up for THIS!!!!

It was so cold, but it was amazing to see the Redskins beat the cowgirls and win the title!

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Redskins themed birthday cupcakes

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Birthday boy with his birthday present (the redneck mossy oak jersey)

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Tailgating

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We had a great time and it was the best way to celebrate his birthday! I think he was really happy!

Christmas 2012

 

Christmas eve brought SNOW! Enough to cancel church. It was WEIRD and I wasn’t a fan. We also didn’t go to waffle house. The waffle house came to us VIA dad and me.

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not the same

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We opened presents on Christmas Eve – I got Eric redskins tickets –since they were playing the cowgirls on his 30th birthday, I splurged a little.

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He got me a very pretty necklace

Christmas dad we did the grandparent shuffle – back and forth to everyone’s house.

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Even though we didn’t go to church or waffle house, it was still a great Christmas!