Jingle Bell Run 2013

One of my resolutions for 2013 was to run in at least 6 races.  I had one more to do as the year came to a close, and while I looked all over for something to do, I couldn't find anything that appealed to me, so I decided on the Jingle Bell 5K Run again.  I ran it in 2012, so I knew what to expect.  Although I know it gets cold and wet this time of year in Portland, I felt like I could do anything for a short amount of time.  Just get in there, run it fast and get it over with.  What came as an added surprise was that it was the coldest weekend, or even day, on record.  Once again, I thought, this is mental, I can dress warmly.  I got this.  However, it was still so cold.  I tried to plan it so that I could hop on MAX in time to ride down there, get off, check my coat, go to the bathroom, and basically start the race.  But the problem was that the MAX was late, so that plan didn't go as scheduled.  And I ended up sitting outside for an extra 30 minutes or so, with the feeling slowly seeping out of me feet and hands, as I waited for the next available train.  Fortunately I made it down there before the race started.  And I wasn't too worried if I started late because I had a chip, so I felt like I could rely on the chip to record my time.  I walked straight off the train, passed the honey hut, took no time to look for the coat check, and walked to the start line.  I wasn't sure about this, but it was too late to turn back.  I was at the back of the pack, but again, I thought that was okay since I had the chip.  It took me 3 minutes to cross the start line.  And then as I soon as I could I started running as fast as I could.  I had no feeling in my toes the entire time.  And I ran with my heavy ski coat, hat and ski mask.  I'm sure I looked like a mad lunatic.  But with the MAX running late, I just had to go for it.  And my time was good.  I think I ran it in about 25 minutes, which I was proud of.  Only my official time was not my chip time, so that made me a little irritated.  If it had been, I would have placed 3rd in my age division.  Oh well, I managed to do it, and I survived the cold.  I went straight home and took a long, hot shower.

after

Voo-Doo Donuts were waiting for us at the end...I took the chocolate bar front and center!

Pre-Christmas Fun

Since one of my resolutions for the year is to do more blogging, I am going to add a few blogs that are perhaps a little old, but I would still like to share.  This post happened in the days before Christmas.  We have started some traditions as a family of things we like to do in the days leading up to Christmas.  One thing we like to do is go see the boat lights on the river.  So, we managed to get down there one Sunday evening.  The weather was not too cold, so we were able to stay out and watch the boats circle around before they headed up the river.

a christmas boat

youker family

another boat

with the grandparents

We also added a new tradition this year.  We went to see the singing Christmas Tree.  It was in the Keller Auditorium.  There was lots of singing and dancing, and it really got us in the mood for Christmas right away!

the stage

simon gets ready to enjoy some singing

We didn't make it to the zoo lights this year.  That's another one of our favorites.  Hopefully we can make it next year.  Christmas is a busy time for us, but we had a wonderful holiday season, and we hope you did too!

Resolutions 2014

I'm excited to start my resolutions for 2014.  When deciding what my resolutions should be this year, I thought back over the past couple of years.  Some of my decisions will be similar and some will be new.  Here they are:

1.  I want to run 1,000 miles this year.  I was about 50 short this year.  I think if I add a mile a week that should be close to hitting the 1,000 mile mark.  I want to keep doing races, but the races won't be part of my resolution.

2.  I want to read at least 10 books this year.  I get stuck reading magazines or the newspaper, and I don't read that many books.  I want to change that and do more book reading this year.

3.  Continue giving away at least one bag of things a month.  I fell behind last year, and since we will be moving in a year (or two), I'd like to get rid of more stuff!

4.  Continue spending time with Jeff on a regular basis.  Last year it was trying to get away at least every other month without the kids.  I'd like to continue that.

5.  More blogs!  I want to keep writing. 

6.  Go off Facebook.  I will be deleting my account on January 1.

I hope all of you have a wonderful 2014!  Happy New Year!

Christmas Tree 2013

A couple of Sundays ago, we got our family ready to go to the tree farm that we like so much and go cut down a tree.  We've been going to the same farm for the last 4 years since living here on the west side.  They have live trees, and we enjoy picking a tree out and cutting it down.  Then they wrap it up for us, tie it to the car and away we go!  Last year they added a bonfire to the area with hot cocoa or cider.  We had fun again this year getting our tree.  Here's a picture recap....

choosing the right tree

we found our tree

enjoying some hot refreshments

"me tired"

the finishing touch

Resolutions 2013 Update

I've decided to check in with my New Year's Resolutions for the year and see how things went.  Here's a recap of what my resolutions were last January:

1.  Run in at least 6 races this year.
2.  Donate at least 1 bag of items a month to charity (hopefully more than 1).
3.  Keep on blogging, ideally once a week.
4.  Spend more quality time with Jeff, perhaps a weekend away now and then.

#1.  This coming Sunday will make 6 races for me this year.  I'm happy to report that this was a resolution I was able to keep.

#2.  I was good about this one till around half way through the year.  Then things started to slow down.  But not for lack of stuff to give away.  It became more about the time it takes to go through closets and cupboards, bagging things and driving them somewhere to donate.  I am hoping to do another BIG purge after the first of the year.

#3.  Last year I blogged a total of 36 times, and as of right now, this is my 34th blog of this year.  I'd say I didn't do as well at blogging as I had hoped.  But at least I've kept it up.  I did hit my 100th blog this year!  I was happy about that.

#4.  Jeff and I were able to get away from the kids for a night or weekend at least every other month.  So I'd say we did well with this resolution.  It has really helped us stay connected to be able to spend time with just us, away from the kids.  

That's how things went this past year.  I'm going to start thinking up some new things, or maybe just tweak the old ones.  We'll see.

Halloweens: Past & Present

This post is a little past due, but I wanted to look back at some of our previous years of dressing up for Halloween.  This year was a last minute decision to go trick-or-treating, so our costumes consisted of whatever we could find in the closet.  We do a lot of recycling around here as well.  It worked out though, and the boys had so much fun walking through the neighborhood.  For them, I think they have more fun doing the trick-or-treating rather than eating all their candy.  In fact, I was able to convince them to donate most of their candy, keeping only a few of their favorites.  Here's a look back:

Daniel, age 1-A Tiger (2007)

Daniel, age 2- Bob the Builder & Sam, age 5 months-a Pumpkin (2008)

Sam, age 1-a Cowboy & Daniel, age 3-an Engineer (2009)

Daniel, age 4-Construction Worker & Simon, age 2 months-a pumpkin & Sam, age 2-Construction Worker (2010)

Sam, age 3-an Engineer & Simon, age 1-a Tiger & Daniel, age 5-a Cowboy (2011)

Daniel, age 7-Soccer Player & Sam, age 5-a Tiger & Simon, age 3-a Cowboy (2013)

Friendship

I can't express enough how much my friends mean to me.  I don't always say it, but my friends are very dear to me.  I think about the friends that I have gained throughout the years.  I am thankful that as a little girl, I was able to develop close friendships that have lasted throughout the years.  I think about the friends who came into my life during high school years.  Each of them influenced me in ways for the better and have really helped me be a better person.  I especially appreciate the friends who took me aside to teach me how to be a better friend.  I have friends who I met during my years at college and at working at camp.  Again, these people mean so much to me.  Then, there are those friends who I came to know as an adult.  I am so thankful that these people took the time to get to me.  The older I get, the harder it is for me to reach out to others.  So I am thankful for those who have befriended me.  I had the wonderful opportunity to see one of my friends this past weekend.  I am thankful for the times when I can see my friends, talk with them, visit with them, or even talk on the phone.  Distance has put some of my friends far away, but they are never far from my heart.  I  know that sounds cheesy, but I really do mean that my friends mean so much to me, no matter how much time passes between visits.  They have taught me so much, helped me when I was down, laughed with me, listened to me complain, and so much more.  I hope and wish that I in return am a faithful friend to them.  I know that if any of my friends need anything, I will do everything in my power to be there and help them.  I love all you...my dear, sweet friends!

spending time with Marla this past weekend