I DID IT!!!! I met one of my goals!

{Ok this is really a different look for Blogger (can you tell I haven't been on for awhile)... so bare with me as I try this new format out.}

[Post Edit... I know I go in to a lot of explanation - but this way I can cement this beautiful experience in my brain! It was inspirational, truly]

I have to say... I am super proud.

I DID IT!!! 

I ran my first 5k and I didn't walk...not even one little step... I ran my heart out. I ran and ran and ran. I did it with our friend Captn Sue. She cracks me up... to prepare for our run - she ran with me only TWO times - one mile each!! And she walked part of those two miles. I, on the other hand have been running at least 3-4 times a week working myself up to 3 miles! And I finally did it... the day of the race.

Our view on our way to the race!

Just before our race... look at our view of the ocean

Race was just about to start-quick shot in front of the Start

I remember the first mile being exciting... We ran next to an ARMY battalion and Captn. Sue being an ARMY helicopter pilot herself... 'sounded off' with them! It was so cool. We also saw Batman running... he cracked me up. It was just WOW... looking at all the people running or walking for Breast Cancer, passing walkers, inspired by the women who are survivors... feeling an overwhelming sense of belonging there to show my support.

And they're off...

Can you see Batman?

Reading some of the signs people were wearing "I'm running for..." or "In memory of..." it really, really made me cherish what I have and those around me. I can't put in to words the feelings that were going through my brain when the start horn rang... I guess excitement, nervousness, honor (to be there doing a run for a wonderful cause), humbleness, and angst over reaching my goal.

I had such wonderful support. Captn Sue & I ran together until we saw my Mr Safety Man with FOUR girls with him... he was mock-babysitter of CS's dear daughter and one extra we were watching for the morning.

Spotting our family

Tearing up...seeing my Mr SafetyMan and the girls

Some treats for the kiddos

Loved seeing our support

 But as I spotted Dear Mr Safety Man right before mile marker one...
I then saw my girls and they each had made special signs for me...SO SPECIAL...

I will cherish that image in my heart...F.O.R.E.V.E.R!!!

It reads "9605 (my #) go Kiper (Kipper) Love BooBooBear" (long story)

"Go Momy love, Sweetpea" (love the 'momy')

Truly I will never forget it. It made me tear up and choke up. And crying while running is really hard!
After Mile Marker 1, I pulled ahead for awhile. Captn Sue was close behind and she didn't walk the entire course either!! SO PROUD OF BOTH OF US! I kept turning and clapping and encouraging her on... she'd give me a thumbs up that she was ok. The funniest part was when little kiddos would pass us and not even seem winded... oh the youth!

Now by Mile Marker 2 - I was ready for some water- in fact I couldn't wait thinking I was going to die without it.  I made the mistake of going for one of the first people holding water out - & so did

Every.Single.Walker.in.front.of.me.

I almost stopped running and started to walk to try and navigate and get through plus catch my breath... even though in my head I kept singing (think Dori from Nemo...) "JUST KEEP RUNNING! JUST KEEP RUNNING". 

I am so blessed I was running with Captn Sue- as she had gotten in front of me and was waiting - running in place and back to me, took one look at me and in the drill sergeant tone she has... demanded "COME ON KIDDO! You can do it! THROW DOWN THAT WATER, just swish it! COME ON! LET'S GO"!!!!! Now if she hadn't done that... I think I would have started to walk, but I didn't... I went... and then at another point when I thought I could not continue - she pointed out that we were on the last big turn... that I could do it! It was so good to have the support! 
From Mile Marker 2 until about half way to the end I was struggling a bit but I pushed myself on - giving little pep talks in my brain ("JUST KEEP RUNNING Kymmie JUST KEEP RUNNING JUST KEEP RUNNING").  We were lucky however that there was a FANTASTIC breeze, I wish it was pushing along like in the beginning of the race - but it helped to cool us off. And that sun hit hard when we rounded the last turn with about a 1/4mile left to the race.

I pushed hard to get to the left turn at the finish line. I could see the people turning and I knew it was close... Captn Sue and I picked up our pace a little and when we made that turn... I told her "COME ON...PUMP IT UP! SPRINT TO THE END" and we did... we pushed ourselves super hard and reached the finish line together (with Sue trying to get her hand in front of me!!! LOL).

We did the 5k in (I think) under 39 minutes. I had a slight malfunction with the stopwatch. We figure on average we did about an 11minute mile!! 

And then I felt very yucky. Like embarrassingly yucky- enough that I started to retch (sorry TMI). But there are all these people on the sidelines and a barricade in front of them so I couldn't get through. I couldn't believe I might hurl on these poor people. I stopped and bent over and there was Captn Sue in my ear again. COME ONE KIDDO DON'T STOP... you HAVE to keep walking" SO I did... and retched some more. BUT I am proud to say - I didn't boot. Oh thank goodness for small miracles... I didn't boot.

Cooling down after the race...a bit red-faced!

Mr Safety Man tried to get to the finish line before I did - but he had to drop off Captn Sue's dear daughter at her class and hike over with 3 other girls... but he was there so soon after I got there... I truly appreciated him being there. The girls were all so proud and supportive and most of all my sweet, dear, Mr Safety Man took some cute shots of us and told me he was proud of me.  I got such WONDERFUL support from my friends and family and it gave me such power as I was running. I truly felt them all there in my heart, and supporting me with their wonderful prayers and thoughts. It truly was inspiring and hard (again) to put in to words.

One of my BIGGEST fans!

I really did it!!

I TRIUMPHED!!

WEEeeee TRIUMPHED!

My fans with one taking the photo!

I . DID . IT !!!! I DID IT!

I did it EXACTLY 2 years after my life-changing HUGE spinal surgery... 

I did it when 2 years ago I could not even walk without a walker!

I did it with the grace of God, support from my loved ones, and hard work.

I met one of my life-long goals.

It feels really good.

Summer activities con't...

What else have we been up to?
Well - Sweetpea went on her very first EVER sleepover camping trip- the week after we got back from Maine. She was pooped and it was hard letting her go - but away she went.

 She. had. a. BLAST!

She got to go with her lil' bff - E. and they had a great time together. It was so good to see her when she got home however. Boy I missed that sweetheart. And BooBoo missed her big sister (although she won't admit it). But Boo and I played hard, went to parks, did some crafts, read books, watched movies, and snuggled... a lot.

We've boated, snorkeled (even BOO - who hated to put her face in the water last year!!!), watched fireworks glorious fireworks - watched with new friends. We've done lots of crafts, started our plans for a secret (shhhh) garden - complete with a bistro table and chair set), read, prepared fab dinners (and so much better for us), celebrated Daddy's day, played on fun playgrounds, played with friends, enjoyed the freedom of playing outside AND sleeping in, and last week I taught a week of sewing camp!!!

Both girls joined in the week of sewing camp and I think they did a good job of learning. Sweetpea was a HUGE help to me - like an assistant. But it was also hard on both girls because while doing sewing or crafts they are used to having my FULL attention and not sharing it with SEVEN other little girls. All-in-all we had a GREAT week. And the feedback so far I have received was positive!! I even got a few more sewing machines!!! And Mr Safety Man found me the DEAL OF THE CENTURY... I got a VIKING (slightly used) but the price was totally unbeatable!!!

My sewing campers!

Some big news... we also received an Etsy "convo" from a local store in Sarasota... she really liked what she saw in my Etsy shop and wanted us to put some creations in her store! SO we made the BIG decision and as of July 12, 2011 - we are now mArrineRs monTage - with an actual PHYSICAL location! We are super excited about this next step... but it has taken some MAJOR work to get ready. I just really hope something sells. Thank you to everyone that's been so supportive (even if you don't read this silly blog... hehehe).

The girls have been troopers the last few days - between doing some MAJOR overhauls in our rooms... organizing the house (MAJOR throw out as well...), trying on clothes, getting caught up on chores, shopping for the new store displays, and well... just boring stuff for kiddos... they have really shined. We spent DAYS working in their rooms and our bedroom - that have been neglected for MONTHS AND MONTHS. And the rooms are starting to turn around... still need a lot of help - but starting. Our girls both want to be "more responsible". The driving factor...they want to do 4H this Fall and take care of (pretend there's dramatic music - here - )... DUM DA DUMMMmmmm...

Bunnies!!

...oh boy...

Today after setting up 2 displays at MUSE GALLERIA - the store where we have mArrineRs monTage creations...I took them to a pet store and we got to pet bunnies, hold them and talk about what we could do etc. to be more responsible. Helping out and being active members of the family, became the topic of choice. It should be interesting to see where this goes. But our #1 goal is the responsibility factor... and keeping rooms clean, doing chores, saying their prayers, doing good works for others, reading and working on school type stuff for the next year (not in that order) - all falls in the  category of responsibility.

Love this girl...FACE in the water!!!

Love this girl

He's so cute...

yep that's me...& the girls...

Boo jumping! YIPPEE!

Projects girlies made

Yummmy dinner my honey made...

Anyway...  I digress... I guess in retrospect we have had QUITE a full summer thus far... tomorrow we are meeting some friends at the beach and just relaxing... That will be super nice. I am really looking forward to catching up and watching our kiddos frolicking in the waves...

I guess that is what summer is about... to stop having such high expectations and to really just relax, enjoy, let good times and good memories just come. To release what "HAS" to happen and just let things happen. The girls will remember different things about the summer - but what is important to me - is that they remember ME (and of course Mr Safety Man too) being there... being an ACTIVE part of their summer with them. I want them to look back and think - I had a lot of fun with my Mommy this summer. We get to be together... and honestly - if you know me - that means more to me now than it ever has before...

That is ultimately what matters right?

Bittersweet

It's been a week of bittersweet feelings... I don't like it.

I've been doing pretty well. We've made it almost through our year of "firsts". I've had so many people call and write offering such sweet support! I truly appreciate all the support. The year anniversary date of losing my nephew Andrew has come and gone - along with my 16yr wedding anniversary and my parents 44th. I thought it would be a lot harder... but actually the days before were the hardest & saddest.
I focused on my Mr Safety Man! I cannot believe it's been 16yrs married! It's been a blink!!

So this weekend was not a fun weekend... but it was a necessary one. We've been sorting, organizing, cleaning, throwing out, trying on, giving to Goodwill, etc etc etc. It feels good to get my life back in order. But for some reason I just don't feel like I have.

This summer is supposed to be about fun, spending time with my girls, and just make up for last summer. And I just don't think I'm there. I feel horrible that I'm always cleaning this place, always have something that needs to be done.

I see people and they are getting so much done, they're reading every day, doing fun crafts, just doing awesome stuff... and I feel like I haven't... But I guess maybe we have. Perhaps I am just whining...

I dunno you tell me - here's what we've been up to...

The first 10 days we were on vacation in Maine. We did get to do a lot of fun things...Like

Dedicating an important bench in Grammy San's name, spending time with Pam, Linda, & Sandy - we love you!

Special lady!

Installing Grammy San's granite bench in the woods on MORSE MT

Finding beautiful spots, spying Fairy Houses

Reflecting upon quiet moments

Investigating tide pools

Writing in the sand special to Mommy

Planning our new home (someday) Isn't this color the BEST?

Cuddling with my boy! Love this kiddo!

Loving the ocean!

Quality time with my nephew

Flirting with Mr Safety Man

Getting stuck with abyss below me... Watching beautiful waves coming in and out

Playing in the Buttercups

Smelling intoxicating Lupins

Sneaking some snuggles

Tiptoeing in the grass (boy I miss New England grass)

Being goofy

Rolling down REAL hills

Visiting old towers (sorry too tired to turn it)

Remembering our engagement on Mt Battie - admiring the CAMDEN harbo

Making bubbbbbles!

Sneaking some quality time with my sweeties

Stealing quiet moments by the Atlantic on a ROCKY beach

Finding fun spots to explore

Sharing family time

Loving our family

Standing up to my NEMESIS - Verona Island Bridge (over huge gorge) bleck!

Supporting, visiting, and loving three generations of family

Climbing like I couldn't 2 yrs before

Visiting Bath Maritime Museum and being in AWE of history

Becoming a fish...(visiting LL BEAN)

Celebrating Daddy's Day - and being GOOFY with 'said' Daddy!

Actually SWIMMING in sub zero water

Hunting for seashells after

And saying some hard goodbyes... LOVING spending time with our family

 And the rest of our time... well let's hit that tomorrow...