Struggles

A couple of weeks ago I did the Riding Mountain Olympic Triathlon. I did this race last year as well and it was miserble and cold, foggy and pouring rain and I didn't really like the distance. I vowed to never do it again. Funny how you change your mind about things after a while. Anyhow I signed up again this year for the Olympic distance which is 1.5k swim, 40K bike and 10K run. Anyhow the weather was awful, again - pouring rain - but this time add high winds into the mix and you end up with huge white caps on the swim, crazy head winds and side winds in the bike and a freezing run. Funny thing is I still had fun. I love to race. I love that it is hard and that it took a lot of preparation to get there. I love that I really am not there to race against anyone but myself but the others really help me to push past my barriers, I love that I have family and friends there every race to cheer me on and take pictures, I love the lone long runs and rides I get to do late in the evening or early in the morning ALL BY MYSELF, I love the feel of the water as I glide through it and practice my stroke effectiveness for hours until I can feel the power of my swim. I love feeling tired after a training session and knowing that I worked hard, and that even though I worked hard, in the end it will give me more energy. I love Triathlon and am so lucky that I get to do so many each season. Now to the Struggles part... This race was HARD! I don't think I have had a race this hard since the two races when I started Triathlon 7 years ago. The swim was killer and I couldn't even see the bouys between each wave, I swallowed so much air trying to avoid swallowing water that at one point I had to stop and let many many burps out, it was kind of funny though - the bike was really hard because of the wind and the bike course in this race is all ready challenging because of all the huge hills in the course. Then I got to the run. Well at this point I realized that several people had had to drop out because they were done for after the swim, and several had flat tires on that nasty bike, I thought to myself, if I finish I will celebrate. I felt okay at the start of the run, but tired. And then this blog started in my head and continued to distract me throughout the run. Through all the leg cramps and sore knees, I thought about how we all have struggles. How most of us try most of the time to pretend we don't have struggles. And how when we are having struggles sometimes we feel like they are worse than anyone elses. And that brings me to this thought - this race was a struggle - it was hard - really hard. And I still had fun. It taught me many lessons - like most struggles do - and in the end it was all worth it.

I started triathlon because I like to be active, I knew how to swim, but not fast, I had a mountain bike and I knew how to ride it and I could learn how to run (or to walk-jog or wog as I call it). I really hate running and I am still not good at it - but improving and continuing to practice. Anyhow, I fell in love although the first few races were a disaster. It was a challenge and it gave me something to be proud of that I could do. It has helped me deal with all kinds of other struggles by both distracting me and empowering me and I think everyone should try it.

If you can swim - doggy paddle included (and if you can't then take lessons), ride a bike, and walk - you can do a triathlon. There are lots of "Try a Tri" races with nice short distances all over Canada. I believe the one in Saskatoon in May is 200m swim (flutter boards allowed), 6km bike and 2km run. Friends, if you want to try it I have lots of tips and advice and I can help you find some good resources and help you set up a program (mind yo not so many tips on how to win - but lots on how to have a great time:)!

Dispite the struggles I still had fun!


And was so proud of myself when I was done:)

....and I am sure I will be back again at this race next year.

Princess Room

I am so happy! I finally have one room in my house done - Yay! It is funny, because this room all along has been the "that room doesn't have to get finished until last" room - and here it is number one. I think I just needed to get a fun one done to get into the rest. What do you think? Kiah adores it! She is in love with the pink and she calls it her princess room. Guess the total cost to turn this:



into this:





Here is my very close estimate(keep in mind this room was gutted and redone - head to toe):
carpet - (on discount at end of the roll) - $75.00
paint and supplies - one can primer and paint- step dad works at the hardware store - free
antique bed - out of old house on our property - free
feather duvet - handed down from great grandma - free
pillows from china - $5.00
pillows from discount bin at Home Sense - $6.00
Duvet cover on clearance from Home Sense - $30.00
New sheets - on sale at walmart - $12.00
New pillows - also on sale at walmart $6.00
Bed side table - covered cardboard box - free (this will be replaced once I find something that will work - but no luck so far in my price range:))
Darling princess cutout pictures - awesome aunt emily made them- free
china ballarina painting - $12.00
Stretching boards (for painting) - Micheals - $8.00
I am a child of god picture - frame - $15.00 - and I made the letters
Flowers and vase - had in the 'craft cupboard'
Pretty letter "K" - on discount at Home Outfitters - $5.00
Old trunk for dress up clothes- out of old house - free
Antique garbage tin- old house - free
Pretty pink wire jewel box - double discount bin at Home outfitters - $2.00
Chandelier - old one from living room - free
Spray paint - $30.00 (for bed, trunk, garbage bin and chandelier)
Curtain - home depot - $10.00
Pink bed "swoop" - walmart $9.00
matress - had
wood for bed support - $15.00
labour - sweat and tears - me - free I guess.

Grand total.....$235.00

Think I could make it on a room make-over show?

Too bad I have to move the destroyer and his bed in there while I get his room mudded and painted! I think the 'white' duvet will have to be removed to get through that one alive. Ha ha. I am so excited that Kiah is totally in love and loves to sleep in her new room!....For those of you who know...the owl... is still there - I was thinking of tying it into the princess cutout picture somehow by writing a story about a princess and a king and the king gets turned into an owl by the villain but then he watches over her always... what do you think my options are:)?

Awesome Dad!

We love the Dad in our family! He is so great at playing with the kids and teaches them all kinds of new things all the time. He is an explorer and an adventurer and is always playing spontaneous fun new games that just naturally happen when he is playing with the kids. We all adore him and the kids constantly miss him and ask for him when he isn't around. He is the best breakfast maker around and spoils us quite often with the pleasure of his specialty pancakes or waffles - no matter how I try - even with directions - mine never turn out as good as his. We are so proud of how hard he works at school and are amazed that he continually does so well despite having three other jobs, owning our own business, having kids and a wife, a huge acreage, and a busy calling at church. We know that he will be a fantastic vet because of his natural ease working with people in business, his attention to detail, his skill with surgeries and working with his hands, and his continual need to analyze, research, and learn. I am so lucky to have someone who adores me and tells me that I'm 'hot' when he knows I need to hear it and even when I may not, who trys so hard to provide our every dream and wants us to have anything we could ever dream. He is a dad who would protect his kids as fiercely as this mother bear, even from this mother bear:) He has such a big heart and it has an especially soft side that is wrapped around both of his kids fingers. He is a good leader and makes sure that we are always on track while making decisions. He ensures that we remember to say our prayers always and is great at explaining things about the gospel and life to the kids, (and to me:))in ways they will understand. He will always do all he can for all of us and we think that he is such an awesome Dad!! We love you Dad and cherish you always.

Fishing

At the beginning of June we went to spend a few days with Grammy and Gido and one of the highlights was the trip to Angling Lake fishing!! We went after supper, and when we got there we had the lake to ourselves and the water was glass! We piled in the boat and had a great time! Kiah took her brand new pink fishing rod that flashes pink and green when you reel in the line and Cayden took his brand new mini rod - thanks Gido! Kiah was the only one to catch a fish and it was huge! We all had fun and fell asleep in the truck on the way home. I will have to admit, Kiah was a little dissapointed after Gido had filleted the fish and she thought she got to keep it as a pet - she exlaimed "Gido - Why did you peel my fish"?! when he came upstairs with the left overs. Now she knows - when we go fishing - we eat the fish. Mmmm.

HAPPY #2!!!

Cayden turned two May 26th! He is getting to be such a big boy! He is still such a jolly sole and continues to be the most mischieveous little rascal I have ever met. He keeps me on my toes and we love him soooo much. We love your grins and giggles, your love of teddy bears, the way you say 'YAASS', the way you march your arms and are on a mission no matter where you are going, how you love it more than anything when we laugh at you, your love for animals and the outdoors, your bountious energy, your instant smile in the morning, your quickness to appologize and forgive, that you are a milkaholic, that you love us and tell all of us all the time and smother us in morning hugs and kisses. Happy Birthday my boy!