Summer is the annual permission slip to be lazy. To do nothing and have it count for something. To lie in the grass and count the stars. To sit on a branch and study the clouds. ~Regina Brett
I have taken a hiatus from blogging mainly because life has been flying by faster than I can keep up with it. I also believe that summer is a time to truly kick back and let go. Everyone keeps asking me what the kids are doing this summer and I am like, "Ah, nothing." Seriously, when did summer become a huge schedule fest? I remember my summers as a kid being time outside swimming and playing, lounging around and sleeping in - the best! I truly believe that kids need down time just as much as adults. Now, this is not to say that we have not been busy this summer but it has been filled with lots of down time.
This summer marks some really cool anniversary's for me and our family. We have officially met the two year mark here in Florida - wow! Mike and I were reminiscing last night on our date night about how quickly it all happened, moving to Florida and establishing ourselves as Floridians. We marvel at the beauty of the beaches and the lovely warm winters we get to enjoy. We do miss our families and certain aspects of Minnesota but overall this has been a fun adventure for us as a family.
The other anniversary I am celebrating is with my friend Jen. Ten years ago she and I competed in our first ever triathlon. I remember that in the winter of 2004 Jen asked me if I would be interested in competing in the Lifetime triathlon that summer in Minneapolis. I was super pumped and we started training early. We really focused on the swimming for that was our biggest weakness and yet I think we both grew to love working on laps. We spent our weekends training in all three disciplines and it was such a great time growing together as friends. Then a funny thing happened about halfway through our training - I got pregnant! I remember thinking, OMG, what am I going to do?
Luckily I had a great OB/GYN who was totally supportive of me continuing with training and doing the actual triathlon. I had already been training beforehand so the rule of thumb was you could continue with whatever you were doing as long as the pregnancy was normal. Well, we kept trucking along and come race day we were ready to work.
I remember looking around all the people in my heat for the swimming portion and I said nicely, "Please try not to kick the pregnant lady." I think I got a few elbows in the head but the baby bump was safe.
The biking portion went well. I knew I was going to need to take it easy for it was 90 degrees outside in the Minnesota, summer sun so I told Jen to go ahead. I wasn't looking to win the race, completion was my main goal. I made it through the biking portion and to my delight, Jen was there waiting for me so we could run together.
We did a run/walk and I will always be thankful that she stuck with me even though I knew she could have easily gone ahead. The crowds were cheering us on, both of our families were there and we made it past the finish line with energy to spare. It was a great feeling and still to this day I am amazed at how strong the human body can be.
That day will always remind me that we are stronger than we think we are, especially during tough times. The other aspect that plays into mind is that great saying from one of my favorite movies, "It's a Wonderful Life." The quote is, "Remember George, no man is a failure who has friends."
Friends make our lives more complete and joyful. Friendships also change over time. Jen and I are two busy moms now and we live in two different states but those memories and those feelings always remain.
The anniversaries of moving to Florida and competing in my first triathlon are milestone events that will always live in my heart. These events have shaped the person I am this very day. Living in the present but honoring the past.
As we journey onward this summer, enjoy what is, honor what was and let go of what might be the future.
The summer light in my heart honors the summer light in yours,
Namaste
This summer marks some really cool anniversary's for me and our family. We have officially met the two year mark here in Florida - wow! Mike and I were reminiscing last night on our date night about how quickly it all happened, moving to Florida and establishing ourselves as Floridians. We marvel at the beauty of the beaches and the lovely warm winters we get to enjoy. We do miss our families and certain aspects of Minnesota but overall this has been a fun adventure for us as a family.
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| Enjoying time as a family together this summer in the Smokey Mountains. So relaxing... |
The other anniversary I am celebrating is with my friend Jen. Ten years ago she and I competed in our first ever triathlon. I remember that in the winter of 2004 Jen asked me if I would be interested in competing in the Lifetime triathlon that summer in Minneapolis. I was super pumped and we started training early. We really focused on the swimming for that was our biggest weakness and yet I think we both grew to love working on laps. We spent our weekends training in all three disciplines and it was such a great time growing together as friends. Then a funny thing happened about halfway through our training - I got pregnant! I remember thinking, OMG, what am I going to do?
Luckily I had a great OB/GYN who was totally supportive of me continuing with training and doing the actual triathlon. I had already been training beforehand so the rule of thumb was you could continue with whatever you were doing as long as the pregnancy was normal. Well, we kept trucking along and come race day we were ready to work.
I remember looking around all the people in my heat for the swimming portion and I said nicely, "Please try not to kick the pregnant lady." I think I got a few elbows in the head but the baby bump was safe.
The biking portion went well. I knew I was going to need to take it easy for it was 90 degrees outside in the Minnesota, summer sun so I told Jen to go ahead. I wasn't looking to win the race, completion was my main goal. I made it through the biking portion and to my delight, Jen was there waiting for me so we could run together.
We did a run/walk and I will always be thankful that she stuck with me even though I knew she could have easily gone ahead. The crowds were cheering us on, both of our families were there and we made it past the finish line with energy to spare. It was a great feeling and still to this day I am amazed at how strong the human body can be.
That day will always remind me that we are stronger than we think we are, especially during tough times. The other aspect that plays into mind is that great saying from one of my favorite movies, "It's a Wonderful Life." The quote is, "Remember George, no man is a failure who has friends."
Friends make our lives more complete and joyful. Friendships also change over time. Jen and I are two busy moms now and we live in two different states but those memories and those feelings always remain.
The anniversaries of moving to Florida and competing in my first triathlon are milestone events that will always live in my heart. These events have shaped the person I am this very day. Living in the present but honoring the past.
As we journey onward this summer, enjoy what is, honor what was and let go of what might be the future.
The summer light in my heart honors the summer light in yours,
Namaste
