Thankful Thursday

Things I'm Thankful For Today:

-The sun. It's so nice to be able to play outside all day, eat dinner outside, go for runs and not worry about weather. A life lived outside is just better!

-For going ahead and trying something totally outside my fashion comfort zone and finding the most perfectly comfortable pants in the world. I will be living in these all summer long!

Do you see little Olaf?

Pants - Marshalls and at a low enough price I may go get more patterns!

-An unexpected/unplanned weekend free. I don't love when Jamberry Parties fall through, but when they do we make the most of the time. We are going somewhere, not sure where yet, but working on finding a cabin, house, or room for a quick overnight trip. :) 

-Little cowgirl boots and pretty summer dresses...so adorable! 

Future fashion blogger!

-Having the gumption to do your own thing, even if it means a scarf that doesn't match, and is too hot for the sunny weather. 

-My herb garden is growing, and now I have more containers to plant lettuce, carrots, green onions, and beans in! I love growing my own food!

-Good wine paired with a good book, and time to sit and enjoy both. It doesn't happen every day, but when it does I sure do appreciate it! 

-For an awesome birthday camping trip for Sky. I will post more later, but for now I'm thankful for the gifts she was given, all of which she loves and has been playing with non-stop. The books, that we are reading over and over, and the items stitched with love that are already treasured favorites. She's a lucky little girl to have so many people in her life that love her! 

She cleared off her bed of all other blankets, pillows, and stuffed animals to enjoy "The best blanket and pillow ever" (her own words). She goes in there and checks on them during the day to make sure they are still there.

What are you thankful for today?

Happy Birthday Sky

I can't believe we have a 4 year old! It's nice to be able to say that she's now been with us longer than the years spent waiting for her!

Adoption is a test in faith and patience. My mantra was "It will be the right baby, the right birth mother, and the right situation, at the right time". 3 years is a long time to wait, but it was so worth it.

Sky is so perfect, and so us, and so makes our life complete. I'm thankful every day that her birth mother gave us the most precious gift in the world.

We are off for birthday camping this weekend, per Sky's request.

 Take my picture Mommy...oh but wait my shoes are not perfect!

 4 means I'm an adult, and I can drive your new car mommy. 

No, she can't drive my car, but she can upgrade to a big girl booster car seat! She can buckle herself, and it's like a whole new world for both of us!

Sky Right Now: 

-Loves corn dogs and mac n cheese

-Must have cuddles every day to be happy

-Would rather be outside all the time no matter the weather

-Works her buns off in the garage and yard with daddy

-"I want to work on computers like daddy"

-"I'm a super strong girl mommy"

-"I'm ready for duty"

-"Let's have an adventure"

-Wants to travel to the North Pole, Italy, The Great Wall of China, and Disneyland 

-Loves riding her bike, running, and playing chase

-Asks to go camping or go the beach every single day

-Wants to visit the farm every day

-Loves swimming and school and is doing well at both

-Plays her harmonica in bed to fall asleep (by favorite thing about her right now)

-Mostly wears running shoes or cowgirl boots

I could go on and on, she's just so much fun, so full of love and adventure and so perfect in her imperfection. 

Simple Family Adventures

I've posted about this before, but with summer right around the corner and family vacation & weekend trip planning happening for a lot of folks it's a good reminder.

Adventure has always been important to us, and it seems to be a big theme for a lot of people this year. I'm seeing it all over the place, and I love it. I'm making lists and filing options away for future adventures. While I wish adventure meant we were globe trotting whenever and wherever we want, the budget doesn't allow for that, and you know there are things like jobs, school, swim lessons etc. So, whats a family to do when "big" adventure isn't always an option?

Go big, or go home right? WRONG! How sad to let the little, every day adventures slip through the cracks, and only plan for the big trip/vacation once a year, or every few years (whatever the case may be). I for one want to enjoy life every. single. day.

It's a simple concept really, open your front door and say "I wonder what adventure we will find today"! Every time we leave the house Sky says something along the lines of "I'm ready for my adventure Mommy". The exact statement changes from day to day, but it's always about what adventure we will find that day. Even if all we are doing is grocery shopping, it's going to be a fun filled adventure somehow, someway.

A lot of our adventures take place at the park, and while you would think it may get old, since it's so close and we are there all the time, it really doesn't. We always find new ways to have fun and new things to admire and speculate over.

 Shadow Family.

Be still my heart. Picking flowers for Mommy.

A few ideas for making everyday an adventure: 

-Letting the tot pick out a new fruit or vegetable at the store to try

-Guessing what might be in the mailbox on the walk to get the mail

-How many potential fiery homes can be found in your yard

-What color flowers will we see at the park

-Go to the local nursery or home improvement store and have your kiddo pick out a plant or seeds and their own pot/flower box to create their own flower or vegetable garden

-Driving around in the car while testing out the new big girl booster seat, and waving to other's as we drive past

-Take the globe/map/Nat Geo magazine (you get the idea) outside and map things out in the yard or find similar bugs from the magazine in the yard. Better yet let the kiddos find a good spot for a lions den (or living space for any outrageous animal that may be in the Nat Geo magazine but would never live in your yard) in your yard, or at the park 

-Family outings to the park, the whole family, are so much more exciting than the usual mommy and Sky (for us) trip to the park

-Finding ways to include them in activities that typically are done without them. Now that I don't have the jogging stroller I hardly ever run with her, so including her in running (her on the bike, while I run) is a huge adventure (more like a game of chase) for her

The nice things about kiddos is they like routine, and find comfort in doing the same types of things every day. You don't have to do wild crazy stuff to find adventure. Be excited and they will be excited, and all of a sudden even mundane things like going to the post office become an exciting event, with new discoveries! It also makes it easy to change one tiny little thing to make things more adventurous than usual. 

Catch us mommy, catch us...yeah right.

 Worlds best balancing tree!

 Tuckered out after playing and running around the park.

The best adventure of all...letting her walk Silas and choose the path we will follow!

Checking out a new store...my adventure shopping in a new wine section, her's was picking out a cookie in the bakery.

And sometimes the best adventure of all is building a fort in the living room, and slaying monsters in a princess dress, viking helmet, and party shoes. 

Running In Your Head

Anyone who's ever run, even just a little bit, knows that running starts and stops in your head. From the very basics of how the human body/brain works to the emotional and mental strength to press on long after your legs and body send signals saying they are done.

Thankfully, or not depending one how you look at it, I know for myself what being "done", and being "really done" is and the difference between the two. "Done" means I'm tired, I want it to be over, I could stop and who would care, lets just call it a day right now. "Really Done" means it's not healthy or safe to continue, I'm risking injury or serious illness if I don't stop right this second. "Really Done" has only happened during training runs thankfully.

It takes the same determination and strength to listen to both types of Done and proceed accordingly. I know, I know, how hard is it to just stop and take care of yourself right?! While I haven't had to DNF (did not finish) a race yet, I have had to drop from a half to a 10K, and have skipped a race entirely, and that was hard. I know for myself it would be extremely difficult to call a race once I've started. All the training, travel, race fees, planning, goal setting down the drain, and the disappointment in self that I'm sure would follow would make it darn near impossible for me to not finish at almost all cost. Almost....I'd like to think I'd stop if I was truly sick or risking serious injury.

I am all too familiar with the other kind of Done though. I believe that we, or at least I, race to the distance. So, even if I'm "only" running a 5K I still have thoughts about half way through of just wanting to stop, and be done, and why oh why am I doing this.

Making running life decisions during a race, especially a longer one, when having issues is probably not the best time to be making them. Sort of like shopping while hungry. But, I had done just that. By mile 9 or so I was dealing with stomach acid burning it's way up my esophagus, feeling the life drain out of my legs, knowing I had not trained properly at all (zero hill training...mostly because of car accident treatment plan), being beyond frustrated that yet another fueling experiment had not worked, and yet again running in warmer temps than my body likes...hello sweaty chills and uncontrollable shaking. I was so frustrated with everything, but mostly with my state of mind. I was starting to think I couldn't finish, that I had no business even being there trying to run. Those last miles I was fighting my body and my mind to keep going.

The result...after crossing the finish line I decided I was going to be done with half's for sure, maybe even running for a good long time. It just felt like everything fell apart, and the last few races have been that way.

Per usual I sent a text to my Dad letting him know I finished, that it was hard & I had once again been sick during the race, but still managed my 2nd best time. His reply was along the lines of (I forget the exact wording) that's because you are determined and you pushed through. Those few words changed my entire thinking.

I've been striving for the perfect, strong mental game. Nothing but positive I can do it thinking with zero room for doubt or thoughts of I can't. I don't like self doubt, in life, or running. But, really the mental strength comes from having those thoughts and not giving up. Somehow finding the strength to run to the next fence post, now get to that tree up there, ok water stop in 1 mile you can make it, keep your legs moving, even slowly, only 2 miles to go...your short training runs are longer than that. That's a strong mental game right there, digging deep to overcome the negative thoughts, and tired body to keep going.

Sky and I at the Bannister Mile

I could take lessons from Sky for sure. It was so interesting running that mile with her and listening to her thought process. 3 year old's think verbally, so every thought that crossed her mind crossed her lips. She was tired, and hot, and talking about how hard it was. But, she was also talking about everything that was distracting her like the practice going on in the field next to the track, the other runners that were lapping us & cheering for them, telling me she was going to run slower, ok now faster, switching lanes, holding my hand, then not. 

At 3 she already has that strong mental game in place using all sorts of tactics to distract her from being tired. Not finishing that mile never crossed her mind. I gave her the option every lap to call it and be happy with what she'd already done. Every single time she said "No mommy, let's keep going, I'll finish". I'm putting that on a loop in my mind next time I start struggling "No Sky, I'm going to keep going, I'll finish". 

I'm still taking a half marathon break, because I have got to figure out how to fuel (or not, maybe it's time to try only taking water and nothing else) without making myself sick. I have a list of options I've researched, and will be spending some time on my own, running the way I need to to figure it all out. At least I have made peace with the mental side of it though. 

Thankful Thursday!

I have so much to be thankful for today!

-So happy to be home with my babe, baby, and dog. I loved my trip, but my heart is always longing to be home. Be living our adventure filled, simple little life that we have going on. Plus, I just really love being home, in my house. 

I couldn't find the little Olaf so I added a munchkin to the pic instead. :)

-That my husband had a Mother's Day gift waiting for me in SB. It made my heart happy, and I love how the pendant (walnut & brass) fits my style! Nitin is the creator, designer, maker at Corvus Woodcraft in SB, CA and does amazing work. You can connect with him via FB or IG to see pics of his work, request your own piece.

-It's sunny today. Not going to lie it was no fun flying home to rain, so the sun is a welcome break. 

-I have a hair cut early next week! Look at how flat and sad my hair is. So sad, plus I want my bangs back. 

 Not a great pic, it's blurry but I love her smile and antics!

-Silas puts up with her kicking him out of his new bed so she can take it over.

-A nice little break in CA. I didn't realize how much I needed it until I was back home. I feel so fresh, less irritable towards munchkins antics and sass, and looking forward to each new day. 

What are you thankful for today?

Santa Barbara Wine Half

-edited to add photos at the end of the post-

Oh my goodness, we had so much fun! Before I get to all that though a few thank you's. Dad for gifting me the registration, Mark/Jan and Gentry for making sure Sky was taken care of while I was gone for 4 days!, Michelle for committing to going with me, Bob for supporting her in training and being single Dad for 4 days, Kim (and boys) for sharing your living space with us, and making us feel welcome, and Amy for hosting the gang on the farm while Michelle and I were running our hearts out!

It was funny to me that, but a blessing really, that it was overcast and cool the whole time we were in Santa Barbara, but it was sunny and 80 back home. Thankfully we like running in cool weather so it worked out perfectly.

The race itself, and Destination Races in general were pretty great. The second half of the race is where all the hills are, and the majority of the elevation gain is between miles 6 and 7. Like, almost all the elevation gain is on crazy steep mile long hill right at mile 6. That sucked, but it is what it is. We got it done and we finished, and Michelle got a big PR out of it, so that's awesome! I had trouble with the heat towards the end (it cleared up and the sun came out), and tummy trouble after accidentally taking in nuun instead of water. But, I stuck with it and got my 2nd best half time, so I'm happy with that.

Even better, nothing from the car accident popped up after. I feel like I'm back, and that's all I really wanted out of this. I wanted to feel like I was back to normal and could run without worrying about flaring anything up.

Finisher medal and commemorative bottle of wine, that we had to drink before flying home since you can't carry one wine. BTW - that medal caused security issues at the airport. It was mildly amusing.

I don't have any before, during, or after pics of us because I didn't run with my phone. Michelle took some, but blogger doesn't like the download of them, so unless you want to follow her on IG or twitter you won't get to see them. :(

The race actually isn't anywhere near Santa Barbara. It's up in farm country near Solvang, a Bavarian town in the Santa Ynez Valley. Beautiful vineyards, orchards, and farms from start to finish. It made for scenic running, and plenty of distraction which was nice. I can't speak highly enough of Destination Races and how spoiled they made us feel. 

While this was the most expensive race I've ever done, it's easy to see what that money gets you. I could get used to running like that! :) The best part was the emails they sent letting you know you stated the race, your 6 mile split, and your finish time. It was really nice to have an instant email with our finishing time rather than having to wait to look it up later. The expo, shuttle to the start, finish line/wine tasting area were all well done, well marked, and so much fun. From start to finish we felt pampered and like every penny had been well spent. 

Enjoying our celebratory glass of wine in the wine garden.

 For once it's a race shirt that fits, and I love the grape cluster bib!

While I have a few things to work on/figure out before running any more half's I'm already planning on saving my money and registering for the Woodinville Wine Half Sep 2016. I'd love to run with Destination Races again, and it's only a few hours away rather than a few states away. :)

The rest of our time was spent visiting with Kim, and enjoying Santa Barbara. 

 Enjoying a walk on the beach that evening. 

Easily the most active I've been post half and you know, I think it works. The leg and knee pain was gone fairly quickly, and while my legs were still tired, they were not all that sore. 

 Sweet little flower growing up through the cracks.

 Not a bad way to enjoy our last lunch in Cali. Kim was able to get away from work for a bit for a walk on the beach before we flew out.

 I now have dreams of stepping out my back door and picking fresh lemons off my lemon tree. So fresh.

 Mimosas the day after, and the best pulled pork nachos I've ever had, not to mention the prices were similar to Tacoma, and that's saying something if you know how pricey SB is!. Santa Barbara Brewing Company

I was so hungry after this race. I usually am after every race, but I was ready to eat full meals every 30 to 45 minutes this time around. And, the funny thing is my taste buds were a mess. None of the wine at the wine tasting was good, I dumped it all, and believe me when I say I don't dump wine. We went to an Irish pub for lunch after and I ordered a Ruben sandwich, my all time favorite, and I hardly ate any of it because it didn't taste good. The beer was good, and oddly enough the asparagus pasta Kim made us...I don't really care for asparagus or tomatoes, this pasta had both, and I LOVED it! I mean, I could have eaten it all by myself! It was sort of crazy really. I don't crave sweets either, but we felt the need to go get cake at a GF/Vegan bakery we found. It was perfect.

 Raspberry lemon and Berry patch cake...amazing! Lilac Patisserie

Legs up and enjoying 805 Blonde at Fitzpatricks Irish Tavern in Solvang. At this point we'd been up since 4 am (7 hours) and finished the half...I was ready to fall asleep.

The pillow cocoon Michelle built. Easily the best sleep I've had with all the pillows and comfy bed, plus no munchkin waking me up.

Racing aside, it was refreshing to get away for a few days. Enjoy my own schedule and whims, and have time to spend with Kim without the distraction of being Mommy. Everyone needs a reset and this was exactly that. I came home feeling refreshed, rested, and ready to get back to "real" life. 

Next up Rainier 2 Ruston Relay in a few weeks. Another bucket list race!

Got the photos to work...thank you Michelle for sharing!

 Start Line.

 Finish line!

Yummy asparagus pasta and wine...I think I had 4 bowls of it!

The Beauty of Acceptance

We all like to be in control, or think we are in control, but the reality is there is a lot in life we have zero control over. The beauty of accepting that is way less stress! 

I had let myself get stressed out about the SB race, and traveling to it. Will I get air sick and even be able to run, will it be to hot, will the training come together for me, will I forget to pack something I need. I had will I'd and what if'd myself into being stressed out to the point of not being all that excited about it. 

It was frustrating feeling so out of sorts about something I wanted to be excited about. So, I focused on what I could control...my training runs and getting as many in as I could, packing days early and making sure I have the items that I can't easily replace in the bag and ready to go, making sure I take my motion sickness meds and drinking plenty of water leading up to tomorrow, and not worrying about the weather/heat. I can't change the weather, and I can't even do all that much about air sickness. It happens, or it doesn't regardless of the medication being taken. Do what I can do to give myself the best shot and let the rest of it float away and not worry about it. 

Instead I'm thinking about how much I do enjoy flying (even with the potential for motion sickness), how even though the training cycle wasn't perfect I'm feeling the best I have since the car accident and actually feel ready to run, I will be in beautiful SB drinking wine & enjoying girl time with Michelle & my SIL, I'll have time to read without a munchkin interrupting every few minutes. Rather than worrying about what may or may not go wrong I'm thinking about everything that will be right, and I'm so excited! 

Better yet, it's the day before flying, and I'm as ready to go as I can be until it's time to put the final few things in the bag tomorrow morning. No stress here, and that's beautiful indeed. 

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I've been meaning to share this Seafood & Chorizo recipe for weeks. The problem is it's a Cooks Country recipe that is protected, meaning you need to pay for access to the site. I don't want to go to blogger jail, so won't share the recipe here, but if you click on the link it takes you to a 14 day free trail. It's worth it just for this recipe alone, but while you're there print/download as many of the other ones as you can because if it's there on the site it's good! When I try something new, and Sky gobbles it up, it's a keeper for sure!  

The stew...Sky actually did most of the cooking.

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A few random pics for you...

 We stopped at Tucannon Cellars on our way to plant the vineyard. Had to have a little Rose` before the work started! 

 How we road trip.

The road to E Wa.

How To Plant A Vineyard - The Easy Way

There really is no easy way...but it's not a bad idea to hope a friend or family member decides to plant one and you can go help, without being the one that puts in hour after hour, day after day, week after week, month after month, and hours of schooling to make it happen.

The truth is there is so much work that went in to getting things ready for a single day of planting that it's impossible to share it all. I know that my aunt and uncle have been working until dark every day after work and sun up to sun down every weekend for months now.

Rows before anything was planted. 

What were they doing? Putting up row after row of wire and support poles to get ready for 1,250 vines to be planted. That was actually less than intended, but there was a problem at the nursery so only a portion of the vines arrived and were planted. Which, while not ideal actually worked out because in addition to planting all the vines we were able to help install the irrigation as well. We would not have gotten to that most likely if all the vines had arrived as originally planned.

That right there is where wine comes from. Sort of looks like a cranky twig sticking out of the ground. 

There are a lot of steps to planting. My aunt and uncle did as much as they could over the last few months. When Mark and I got there Friday evening we started putting the bamboo poles in. There is a measurement to follow so things line up as they should and every few feet you stick a pole in the ground, right up next to the wire that's already been strung. 

Once the poles are in people know where the vines go and can start digging holes to put the vines in, which need to be right up next to the pole. The goal is to get everything as close to that bottom wire as possible because the irrigation tube (black tube on the ground in the above picture) will clip to the bottom wire and water the vines. As "we" finished putting the poles in place Saturday, others starting digging the holes at each bamboo pole, and after the holes were in a few people want along with arm fulls of vines and put a vine in each hole. The rest of us followed behind and started filling the holes back in. 

There were about 22 adults working in the vineyard, with my Mom and aunt in the kitchen literally cooking all day long to keep us all fed, and it took from about 7 am to 3 or 4 pm for the last vine to go in. The irrigation took a few more hours after that, and was finished up Sunday. At least I think it was, we headed for home before it was done, but it seemed to be well in hand. 

Row 8, vine 5...the vine that Sky planted. :) If the wine from that vine taste sassy we know why!

After...all vines are in the ground. 

I was surprised at how little difference there was between starting and finishing. The vines are on one hand so cool, but on the other so not impressive. From a distance you couldn't even tell that we had done anything really. 

But, we had. We worked all day in the sun and sand, and while it was hard work, it wasn't particularly challenging. Dare I say it was even fun. We had fun visiting with everyone that showed up to help, and getting to know other people in my aunt and uncles life. 

There is a huge sense of accomplishment in working all day and being able to say I helped  plant a vineyard. And, it offered a small taste of what it's like to work in a crop field. I have a first hand appreciation for those that work in crop fields assuring we can go to the grocery store and purchase fresh fruit, veggies, beer, wine, clothing etc. It's hard work, some of it is much harder than what we did, and I'm thankful that there are those who are willing to do it. 

 Friday evening when I still thought I was having fun. Just kidding, it really was fun work the whole time. 

Gifford Vineyard Established 5/2/2015!

 Planting the first vine!

 Of course we had to toast with wine before planting the vines! 

 Michelle, Bob, me, aunt Candy

Uncle Paul with a bundle of vines.

 Grace (above) and Kiera (below) planting their vines with Bob and Michelle. 

By this point in the day the sand was seriously hot...I don't know how that isn't burning Kiera's legs! 

I'm thankful we got to be part of it all, and got to see how the process works first hand. I'm excited for the day when it's a vineyard full of lush green plants, and we can stroll through the rows admiring the grapes. 

We helped plant a vineyard...can't get over it! Congratulations to Aunt Candy and Uncle Paul...you are vineyard owners! 

P.S. and now I get to go run a half through some vineyards! So excited for Saturday!