Soccer Season

Brendan began practicing with his U11 Academy team in February.  They started out practicing at the expo building at the fair grounds.  I was surprised one evening when I went to drop him off and no one was there.  Another parent was also confused.  He called his wife and apparently we neglected to read our e-mail that day that told us practice was moving up the the soccer complex for the season!  Whoops! 

Thus far they have played six games, lost five and a draw for one of them.  The improvement in soccer skills is great to see from last year and, according to Karl and others who have seen it, Brendan's goal keeping is quite good this year.  I have worked some nights on the weekends they have played so haven't seen all the games. 

Brendan got to travel to Helena for one of the weekends.  It was the weekend that my mom was moving up and Karl was down in Las Vegas helping with that.  So he traveled with the Rauch family and had a blast.  I wished we could have been there for that one as Brian said that Brendan was awesome in the net. 

These are from the Whitefish tournament.  Brendan at goalkeeper, random soccer photo, post game feeding frenzy at our house!

Spartan Training

It helps to have a partner.  I am hauling a 60 pound sand bag on my shoulder.  Rita is holding a large pink penguin on hers.  Priceless!

May 3, 2013

Spartan Update-One Week to Go!

It's not about the race though.  It's not about the finishers' medal and saying I did it.  It's about mowing my lawn.

It dawned on me when I mowed the lawn for the first time this spring (which was only about 10 days ago).  It was finally warm enough for me to want to do it and not raining and/or snowing.  The grass was a bit long because it had been raining/snowing the day before.  A regular mowing of our back yard takes an hour to an hour and fifteen minutes with grass bagged and emptied.  We use a push mower because 1, our riding mower needs a new engine and 2, it's good exercise.  This mow took a bit longer.  It dawned on me as I neared the end, that I had been mowing for over and hour and a half, picking up and emptying the heavy, wet grass and my back didn't hurt.  I also wasn't tired.  Last summer, mowing the lawn was the only chore I did in my day and I needed a nap afterward. 

Since getting off the couch and working to be a Spartan Sprinter, all my chores are easier, my back doesn't hurt as often and all the little aches and pains that used to get in my way are gone (they have been replaced by a few exercise related pains, but those I don't mind).  I sleep better, I work better and I am happier. 

With less than a week to go before the sprint, I have developed some dang GI thing that brings on nausea out of the blue.  Hope it clears before race time, but as I keep saying to people, the race isn't as important as the journey.

I also want to say thanks to the people who have encouraged me on this journey: my sister, Lisa, for getting me interested in the couch to 5K running program; my team captain, neighbor, friend and fitness guru, Rose, for challenging me to do the race; my husband for supporting me and letting me work out even if it meant extra duties for him; my kids for cheering me on; many friends and my co-workers at North Valley Hospital who always ask how the Spartan training is going and notice that I am wearing smaller clothes now.

See you at the finish line!

Pictograph Caves

We had a little morning trip before the Geo Bee to the pictograph caves near billings.  They are no longer very clear to see, but interesting none the less to see.

State Geography Bee

The state geography bee took place in Billings on April 5th. To our delight, Brendan's best friend, Peyton, wanted to travel with us to support Brendan in the competition.  Brendan answered 7 of his 10 preliminary round questions correctly.  He didn't make it to the final but he was happy just to have the experience.  We stayed for the final and it was very exciting to watch these young kids.  We were so impressed by the information they knew.  We are so proud of Brendan!  He is eligible for the competition for the next two years so we hope he will have another chance to participate in this fun competition.

Easter

I have managed to get behind again!  Here are some pictures from Easter.  It was THE perfect day.  Sunday morning Mass, a beautiful, rare, warm spring day and a lovely dinner with friends Jeanne and Chuck (who also happened to be celebrating their first wedding anniversary that day).  I can't count high enough to count all my blessings!

Bubbles

Another herald of spring, bubbles!  To be outside and blow bubbles, sheer bliss.