no excuse not to tri

So this happened today...

I got a bike.  An actual road bike.  No excuse now not to keep up the training for my first triathlon.

I definitely think the salesman at the bike shop was more excited than I was.  He kept telling me how exciting it is to be getting my first bike.  I just kept looking at my new death machine and wondering if this bike and I were going to get along.

D is thrilled.  I texted him when I got home from the bike shop letting him know the bike had been sized and was now solely in my possession (he was at the shop with me but had to leave to get to a meeting) and his response was "want to ride tonight?"  So I got a babysitter and he and I went to the greenway to ride.  We rode almost 14 miles; the first 7 miles were a lot slower than the last.  I started to get the hang of being clipped into the bike and the way it felt and became more and more comfortable.  Of course, after the first 7 miles, we stopped to turn around and I fell.  While stopped and standing completely still.  My right foot was unclipped and I leaned too far to the left (where I was still clipped in) and fell right over.  I have a little bit of road rash and a bruise from where the bike landed on my leg but I'm fine.  And all of my friends who do triathlons told me this happens and they have all done it.  So that makes me feel better...but D and I did get a good laugh about it.  I guess it is better to fall while not moving than to fall while riding!

about to go on my first ride

The first ride is done and under my belt.  It can only get better...I hope!

Tomorrow Meega and I are taking the kids to the zoo.  It will be nice to do something different instead of the pool, park and gym.  I am looking forward to being outside and the kids are so excited to see the animals.  Can't wait!

the big 1

Today we celebrated Walker's big first birthday!  It was a cute sailboat theme and the decorations were anchors, boats and the colors were red and blue.  Everything looked adorable...especially the sweet birthday boy.  I mean, look at this face!

The kids all played great and were so excited for the cake.  After eating some yummy pizza, they chowed down on cake.  The Mayor ate 2 cupcakes and had some bites of D's cake.  That boy LOVES cake.  But often do you get to celebrate the big 1st birthday...so let them eat cake!

the cake

the smash cake

cute cupcakes

Meega and the birthday boy

my boys

daddy and his girl

the birthday boy...waiting for cake!

waiting for cake

waiting for cake

thinking about what to do with his cake...

...he figured it out...he did us proud!

It was a great party celebrating our sweet little man...I can't believe he is already one.  Feels just like yesterday we were at the hospital anxiously awaiting his arrival.  Now he is one and we are 3 weeks out from The Mayor starting kindergarten.  Ok, changing the subject before a panic attack sets in...

We just hung out at the house after the party; a rain storm came through, again, so we watched a movie and took little cat naps.  Then we went to a local bike shop so I could be fitted for a road bike.  Yikes.  I was able to ride one of the bikes around the parking lot...and let me tell you, I was a nervous wreck.  This isn't like our old 10-speeds.  I don't know how I will ever feel comfortable riding on a road.  Thankfully, we will do lots of riding on some bike trails where I won't have to worry about cars so I can become very comfortable with the bike.

I am excited about a nice quiet Sunday with the family.  We haven't had a day with nothing planned for awhile...going to be a great day!

chattanooga and #37

This past weekend we were in Chattanooga for one of D's races.  Unfortunately, the triathlon was changed to a duathlon due to flooding in the Tennessee River and a ridiculously fast current.  Because it was unsafe, they canceled the swim portion so racers ran 2 miles (in lieu of the swim), biked 26 miles and then ran the 10K.  D was bummed the race was changed, but once we saw the current of the river we realized it was the right decision.  

Our good friend Gary was racing as well so his wife Cathi and their girls Alli and Emma went as well.  It was so nice being with good friends during the race.  I liked having Cathi there while we were cheering and The Mayor and Love Bug loved having their friends there to keep them entertained.

We arrived in Chattanooga on Saturday and enjoyed walking around the city and having a nice dinner together.  We all turned in early since Gary and D had to be at the race site by 6AM on Sunday.  I had to wake the kids up shortly after that so we could be down there a little after 7:00 so we could see the race start at 7:30.  Luckily, good friends, snacks and smart phones made the morning very enjoyable.

We are so proud of D...another great race!

We made it home Sunday late afternoon, went out for a quick Mexican dinner and then we were all in bed and fast asleep by 8:00.  It was weird going to bed while the sun was still out but I needed it.  I didn't wake up until 7:30 the next morning...felt like a million bucks!

The Mayor had VBS this week.  He was so excited and I was thrilled that two of his teachers are my dear friends.  One the last day, my friend Stacey told me she was sitting by The Mayor and he just looked at her and said "I love Jesus because he protects me.  He always protects me".  I almost cried when she told me that...I just love that he is starting to understand just how amazing our Lord is and how much he is loved by Jesus.  I can't wait until next year when Love Bug will finally be old enough to go as well!

On Tuesday I celebrated the big 37th birthday.  I'm sure I say it every year and I know I will say it every year from now...but how am I 37???  I really do not feel that old.  I mean, that's old right?  I am officially my parent's age.  I remember my parents being this age.  And now I am this age.  I swear I just graduated college...really...I did...  Time. Slow. Down.

The day was actually a great one.  The Mayor greeted me with a big Happy Birthday and lots of hugs and kisses and Love Bug sang the birthday song to me.  One of my besties Hayley took me to lunch and then D and I took the kids to see "Despicable Me 2" that evening.  We all loved the movie and made a meal out of popcorn and candy.  Perfect birthday!

Tomorrow we celebrate our sweet Walker's 1st birthday.  The kids are so excited about the party...they have been talking all day about singing to him and eating the cake...especially the cake.  It's going to be a great weekend!

the start of the race

biking out

Alli and Love Bug having races while waiting for the guys to come in on the bikes

The Mayor playing "Angry Birds"

the girls...Alli, Love Bug and Emma

biking in

about to cross the finish line

Gary and the kids

so proud of daddy!

my girl has some rhythm...she was dancing at the finish line

look at those curls...still dancing

Gary, D and Rob

she slept the entire way home...look at that face :)

water fun

This summer is flying by...we are less than one month from The Mayor starting kindergarten.  I am trying my hardest not to think too much about it because I really don't feel like having a panic attack.  I am just trying to enjoy my time with my boy and hoping time will slow just a little bit.  It's not.

This summer has been so odd; very mild temperatures and lots and lots of rain.  Today was the first hot and sunny day we have had in weeks...and it didn't even last all day.  We had torrential rain by 5:00.  But before the rain, we took advantage of the hot and sun and met up with our friends at a splash pad park nearby.  The kids had a great time running through the cool water while my friend Tiffany and I sweated to death while watching them.  Thankfully there was a large canopy we were able to take cover under or this trip was going to be cut very short.  After the kids played for a couple of hours, we headed to the concession stand and ate some popsicles before heading home.

We were home and able to rest for about 20 minutes before it was time to head to karate.  The Mayor is doing really well in his new class and even received his full green stripe yesterday for his basic weapons skills.  We are so proud of him.

Tomorrow promises more rain so I am looking forward to lunch with some of our favorite people, Sue and Meghan and running errands to get ready to paint Love Bug's big girl room.  We really need to find a pink we like and get her room painted so she will stop waking up in the morning crying because she doesn't like her room because it isn't pink!  Wow, do we have a girly girl on our hands!

the girls

Love my sweets

cuties

enjoying some popsicles to cool down