Ok, I may have been a bit hasty

I may just try the whole marathon thing again someday. I'd really like to redeem myself and turn in the time I would like. There, I said it.

Never.again.

I know, I know, never say never right? Well, this time it just might stick. I just completed my first (and probably last) marathon today. So you want the full story with all the gory details? Read on. If not, here it is in a nut-shell. First half was great. Second half sucked. Finished in 5 hours 10 minutes, 33 second. The end. :) 

OK, now for all the gory details:  We left the house at about 4:10 and got to the shuttle down-town at about 4:30. No traffic whatsoever. Hurray!! We loaded the bus to get to the starting line. Everything was great, we were all chatting having a good time. I look up and hear the bus driver say, "Whoops, I just took the wrong exit." Umm, you have GPS right there. Seriously? So we drove around for a while (about 1/2 hour) trying to get back on track. We finally made it to the starting line around 5:30. Whew. It was nice to get down there early and relax and take our time. Finally it was time to start lining up (around 6:45). Let me tell you, it was crazy! There were people everywhere. But it was very well organized thank goodness. The guy next to us was so inspiring. He was pushing his son in a stroller who had some kind of mental and physical ailments. And he was doing the full marathon!! I looked at him with tears in my eyes and told him how inspiring he is to me. The gun finally went off and off we went! The first 10 miles FLEW by. Mile 6 was the most memorable for me because there were a bunch of military guys holding huge American flags on the side of the street. It literally brought tears to my eyes (what is WRONG with me?! lol). It just made me think of my awesome brother who is about to start flight school flying Apache Helicopters. Anyway, I thanked them for their service and ran on. The next 3 were pretty quick as well, but it all went down-hill from there. Around mile 13, I started getting some bad cramping in my stomach. I also thought my pelvis was ON FIRE!! Seriously, it was the strangest thing. I tried using the bathroom, but nothing seemed to help. And I wasn't about to ask the medical people what I should do because I'm sure they would have just guessed I had an STD or something. Nice right?! Anyway, around mile 17 the cramping got REALLY bad. It literally felt like I was in labor. I doubled over and tried to keep walking. Then they would subside so I would start running. All the while, my pelvis is still burning like crazy. I tried to use the bathroom again, and actually sat in there for about 10 minutes, but to no avail. So I kept on run/walking for a couple more miles. Around mile 20, one of the medical people was pretty worried about me, but there was nothing he could do for me. He just followed me on his bike for about 1/2 a mile. Finally at mile 22, someone was handing out donut holes (and jello shots, which I almost ate, until I thought to ask them if there was alcohol in them, and sure enough there was! Seriously, who WANTS that during a marathon?!). Anyway, the donuts seemed to help a little and I was finally able to start running more consistently. Although now my WHOLE body hurt by this point of course. Around mile 24 1/2 a guy and I were walking "together" and decided to finish the race together. We talked and ran the rest of the way and those last couple miles went by rather quickly. I finally finished with a time of 5 hours, 10 min, 33 seconds. And even though it wasn't the 4 hours I was aiming for, I still finished, and I'm still proud. So thanks to all who supported me throughout this whole endeavor and never losing faith that I would finish!! Especially Erik and my sweet little kiddos. I love you!

Oh, and those last few miles, all the kept me going was knowing there would be great food at the end to binge on ('cause I was STARVING!). But all there was were bagels, granola bars, bananas, oranges, and disgusting gluten-free chips. Are you kidding me?! Kind of annoyed I paid $100 bucks for that. Obviously the money goes to other things, but still! Last year it was catered by PF Changs, but no, not this year! Not the year I run. Darn recession.

Livin' the good life

We've been busy over here at the Paternoster house. Last week we went to an elementary school carnival with some friends. The kids had a blast! Well, Brooklyn did at least. Troy wouldn't go in any bounce houses and he cried on the train ride. Silly boy! I guess he was a little tired. Poor kid. But they did get some SWEET "face" paintings on their arms. And both were so sad when their paintings disappeared! I mean, they had to bathe sometime!

I just thought this picture was hilarious of these two grown boys riding the train. There's another grown man on the other side, but he's not in the picture. Too funny!

Troy showing off his muscles.

I was able to go visit my sister and her family in Corvallis last weeked for my nephews graduation. My parents made the trip up as well and brought my neice Aundrea. Zac (the graduate) spoke at his graduation (he was ASB pres.). And I must say, even though I am biased, he did an amazing job! All the other speakers were goofy and immature. His was inspiring, brave and just what those future leaders of ours needed to hear. I hope they are smarter than I was and will actually remember what he spoke about. Anyway, we had a great time spending time with family. Thanks again Neuffers!!

Troy LOVED the kittie! He's an outside cat, but Heidi brought him in special for the kids so they would sit though FHE. lol

Brooklyn was in HEAVEN with her sweet cousins. She would come ask me constantly, "Where are the girls?"

Aww, snuggling with Grandpa. He is seriously ATTACHED to him. When we first got to the house, Grandpa wasn't there, and Troy was SO concerned! Oh, and wrestling on the tramp. This was BEFORE Troy's bonk and huge welt on his head.

We even celebrated my Mom's 69th birthday when we were there, June 14th, Flag Day. Happy birthday!!

Troy enjoying some watermelon.

Enjoying the sun and watermelon on the deck with Grandma.

Zac speaking. Dang, I need a zoom lens!

Check out his hat! Did you all decorate your caps? We didn't, and I thought it was such a great idea! His said "Rush baby!" For Rush Limbaugh of course. lol I'm sure all his ultra-liberal teachers LOVED it!

The proud parents and my awesome nephew! Did I mention he got a full-ride ROTC scholarship to BYU? Yup, he's super smart! He must get it from his favorite Aunt. hehe

Stories...

Last night we went to our friend's, son's baseball game. While there, Brooklyn played with some older girls (ages 6-8) at the playground. I was sitting there at the playground watching the game from afar and listening to the girls play. They started telling each other "stories." When it was Brooklyn's turn, she got up in front, and began telling her story...it went like this: "Gabriella is my friend, she is my friend, she is my friend, and you are all my friends! In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."

How cute is that?! Each subsequent "story" she told ended the same: "In the name of Jesus Christ Amen."  I must be doing at least one thing right I guess! It just made my heart melt.

This is why I blog...

I just received a phone call from a very old and dear friend of mine. She was calling to tell me of a mutual friend of ours who had just been tragically killed in a car accident. Her name is Lindy Davis Ross. I haven't actually seen Lindy in years, but we have kept in contact through blogging and facebook. Lindy and her husband Kyler, have 3 beautiful children, 4 years, 2 and, 8 months. I can't imagine what her husband and other family members must be going through and feeling at this moment. There are so many words I want to say, but can't find the words to say them.  I just went on to her blog and saw her sweet posts about her kids. She mentioned in several postings how much she loves her kids and her husband. What a wonderful treasure they will have of her for the rest of their lives!

I am so thankful for my Savior and the peace and mercy He gives to me every single day. I am thankful for the knoweledge that I will be with my family forever. And that through Him, we are saved. I am so thankful for the Gospel, for the blessing it is in my life. For a Heavenly Father and Savior who know me through and through, and know my every heart-ache and joy. Our time here on earth is so short and we must embrace every minute of every day. It's sad to think that it is sometimes tragedies like this that put our lives in perspective. Tomorrow and from here on out, I am going to love my kids and husband so fiercly they won't know what to do! And when I slip, I know the Savior will be there to pick me up, and put me back on the right path.

I love you Lindy! You will be missed!

The last couple weeks in re-cap

My good friend Natalie had a lay-over on her way home from Japan. So we hit every tourists dream (Pike's Place Market) and of course the famous gum wall.

 

For Mother's day, we took a ferry over to Bremerton for the day. Fun times! The kids loved riding on the big boat. As you can see from Troy's face. He was a little apprehensive at first.

I really wanted my picture taken. I love being photographed. :)

The beautiful skyline of Seattle. Erik's grandpa worked at this naval yard in Bremerton. Kind of cool!

Troy was in desperate need of a hair-cut. And he was pretty thrilled to be getting one."See my hair mom?"

Totally busted in Brooklyn's underwear. Silly little boy. He keeps us on our toes!

So it's been a fun couple of weeks. My birthday was great, and Mother's day was wonderful. It was so nice to sleep in, get breakfast served (German pancakes!! Yum!), and be catered to all day. I am so thankful to be a mother to these two sweet, adorable, hilarious children. As I write this, they are outside swinging with Daddy, and busting out the song "Dumb Dog" from Annie. And I mean BUSTING out. They like to belt as loud as possible. And I love it!! It's especially funny when they start belting out songs in stores. They get lots of attention that way, that's for sure! Life is pretty great right now. Now if June 25th could just get here faster so I can be done with marathon training. Countin' down the days! :)

Hope you all had a wonderful Mother's day. Now it's time to start thinking about Father's day.

PS. I hate blogger's new posting template. I can't figure out how to get the pictures in the right spots and the writing, without pulling my hair out! Any tips?

We hate to see them go

My parents made a short, but sweet trip up to visit us this weekend. They got in late Friday afternoon, and left Sunday morning. We always love having them come visit, and of course the kids just adore their Grandma and Grandpa Hill! Friday night we enjoyed a quiet dinner at home (hamburgers, made from Grandpa's famous cows of course!). Then Saturday we packed up (literally, I mean, who knew kids needed so much crap for just a day trip?!), and headed up north to Mount Vernon for the annual Tulip festival. The tulips bloomed early this year, so we barely made it before they all get "topped-off" (this just means they cut off the flower part of the tulip so that the good nutrients from the stem goes back into the bulb, and the bad nutrients from the flower don't). All of the fields had already either been harvested, or topped-off, but Tulip Town was still a'bloomin'. Mostly at least. It was windy and a little rainy, but we still enjoyed ourselves. The kids especially enjoyed the tractor ride, and of course my Dad asked if he could drive. Maybe next year they said! Ha! But I have to say, I think the hit of the whole trip was once again riding in Grandma and Grandpa's posh travel van. Brooklyn and Troy were in HEAVEN watching DVD's on the big screen tv (ok, big for a car that is, I think it's like 28 in?).

When we got home, we even got a little work done (and when I say we, I mean my Dad and Erik). Dad brought his chain saw and cut up some trees we had laying around from recent winter wind storms. They even brought us some more meat! Yippee!! We loved having them here and hated seeing them go. Troy cried when they left. Poor kid. Only a few more months though, and we get to spend all kinds of time with them in Boise! So for now, the kids will be counting down the days until July when they can see Grandma and Grandpa Hill again (and of course all our other family in Boise). Thanks again Mom and Dad!

See? What did I tell ya? They're glued to the tv.

Can you believe they will be celebrating their 50th anniversary this August?!

I love how hard my Dad is trying to get Brooklyn to smile in this picture. Classic.

It was so cold! But at least we were staying somewhat dry on the ride.