My New Ninja

I got a Ninja blender for Christmas. I have destroyed many blenders in my short 37 years on earth, so I have been very leery of sinking money into yet another! But I LOVE me a good smoothie! Well for Christmas my dear husband got me a heavy duty Ninja! I tried it today and made an Orange Julius, which I haven't done in YEARS! I have many fond memories of making these during the hot summer months of my youth! YUMMMY! The ninja performed beautifully! Here is the super easy recipe if you wanna give it a whirl!

6 oz. frozen orange juice concentrate
1 cup milk
1 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
8-9 ice cubes

1. Combine all ingredients in blender.
2. Blend for about 1-2 minutes. Enjoy!!

I tri-d again and SUCCESS!!

If you have read my blog in the past, you know that my Auntie Renetta and my sister Megan got me started doing Triathlons this summer. We did Blue Lake and the victory was sweet! Our main goal though was to participate with my aunt in the first ever Stake organized Triathlon for women. She and her friend were inspired by their first experience, that this was something SO many women could benefit from.

Renetta set up a facebook page with all the details of the great event. It was also a place where the ladies could coordinate when and where they would be working out in anticipation of the big day. Someone would post, "I will be swimming Wednesday morning, come join me". And several people would meet and swim together, and get to know each other, and teach each other, laugh together, encourage each other when it got hard. Exactly what the relief society should be! I loved checking in from time to time and seeing the relationships being built and watching women come to the realization, that their health and their well-being actually was important. All too often women lose themselves in the struggle to raise a righteous family. And we also tend to isolate, not forming those bonds of friendship that could benefit us in so many ways as women! From a Stake standpoint, I saw people from other wards who didn't even know each other come together to ride bikes, swim or go walking or running! These are friendships that will continue. And hopefully so will the attitude that as women, we deserve a break, for our mental and physical health. We CAN feel great about leaving the kids home with dad to take some time to get out with friends and get healthy! I live far enough away that I did not get to create new bonds with the people in my Aunt's stake. But as I crossed the finish line, they cheered for me! As we passed each other on bike's or while walking, we cheered each other on. What a beautiful experience!

So this journey started Friday night when I picked up Megan, loaded the bikes on the van and headed to Monmouth! We got stuck in some slow moving traffic and were almost late! When we got there, Judy Homer, Wendy Bollinger and their friend were already there. Right away we headed to Pastini in Corvallis to "bulk up" on our carbs. Melia met us there. It was a fun evening of laughter and good food! We got home and got sleeping arrangements settled and then we talked for a while and fell asleep after 11. We had to get up around 5 to get ready and get checked in for the Tri.

I have to admit, this is only my second Triathlon, but WOW it was so well organized. We got checked in, placed our bikes and headed to the aquatic center. I was really worried about the swim, being in the lanes with four other people and all. My last tri was in a lake, and there was plenty of room to spread out and get your rhythm. Would the pool be too chaotic? Our heat started at 6:35 and it was GREAT! I had to slow down a couple times, and I got to pass a few times too. The swimming felt so good and I was second done in my lane. Yippee!

We quickly got dressed and headed to the bikes. At this point Megan, Melia, Renetta and I were all together. We rode together and when we came across bikers headed the other way, we sang hymns! Pretty silly. It was very cold and I was the only one in our group with short sleeves. I get so hot when I work out that I never need a jacket, but I should have had something this morning! From time to time I glanced down and ice crystals had formed on my arm hairs. Brrr....
About a third of the way through the bike course I warmed up just enough to stand it. From then on it actually started to feel nice, although my wet shirt was frozen stiff in places! The ride was beautiful! Very flat and in the country. It was so foggy in some spots, it seemed a bit surreal. We lost Renetta at the turn around and Megan and Melia pulled ahead a bit, so I was on my own. Someone had dropped a cell phone earlier, so I stopped to pick it up. I bent over and felt something pull in my back. Ouch! But I pushed onward and made it back for the walk. Megan and I stayed together a few minutes, but she wanted to do more running than I was capable of at that time and off she went! It was a double loop and I was SO very tempted to head back after the first loop. Who would know? No one. But me!! I knew I had to push onward and complete this triathlon fair and square! So around the loop I went! They had some great volunteers who cheered us on and that felt really good!

As I neared the track and finish line, there was my Uncle Rich, cheering me on. I remember him at ever transition, smiling, cheering, encouraging. Since my husband and children had not made the trip this time and since I don't really know the people of my Aunt's stake, it felt so nice to see a familiar smiling face! Thank you Uncle Rich! I love you!

I ran the last part all the way through the finish line where Megan and Renetta were waiting for me! Renetta hugged me and gave me a beautiful dough medallion the Relief Society had made for us! What a perfect ending to a great Triathlon! We waited for Melia and we watched many more ladies cross the finish line. Most of them had never experienced anything like this before. Many of them were probably terrified to think of what would be involved, but these women were so happy and proud as they finished this wonderful event! I am so grateful to my aunt who started this all back in March with her first Triathlon. I am thankful for the encouragement that got me started and kept me going. And I am SO very grateful to the Monmouth Oregon Stake who cares enough for their sisters to provide them with this life changing experience!

Megan and I had to leave shortly after so Megan could be home to go on a Zoo trip with her family for a company picnic. The hour and a half drive was fine for the first half. After that, we both got a little tired from coming down off our athletic high! I got home and my kids were gone. I was cold, still wearing my wet suit under wet clothes. But I was tired. To shower? Or to fall asleep? That was the question. I took a nice long shower and climbed in bed. About an hour later Richard got home with the kids. They had ridden their bikes to get haircuts and then gone to the park to play. I enjoyed a nice quiet day at home with them. Just what I needed after all the excitement.

I have now completed my second official Triathlon. The first one wasn't just a fluke, I AM A TRIATHLETE! I probably won't do another until next Spring...officially that is. I do plan to keep training and Megan and I would like to do a trial run once a month or so, just to keep on track. But what a wonderful way to end Triathlon Season!

Interested in changing your life in a positive way? Let me know!

Beach Day

We got to Fort Stevens on Wednesday and Thursday was supposed to be THE only nice day that week, so we headed over for some fun in the sun! Joseph loved climbing all over the Peter Iredale shipwreck. As a Mom, I got a bit nervous at first with all that rust, but the kids are up to date on their shots and we tried to be really careful!

My Beach Bum!

There was a lot of sand play, digging giant pits and watching it fill with ocean water. Also as always the ocean was a big draw, the kids LOVED playing in the water. It was so nice out, mid 70's with pure sun shining down on us, that I went out with them a few times! It was SO cold, but once the numbness sets in, the fun begins!

The kids made a new friend and I got to talk to him mom for quite a while. That was nice!

It was windy on the beach, but in a really nice way. Richard flew several different kites!

Fort Stevens

We'd been planning this camping trip for months! It seemed like August would be our best bet for good weather. We got a great tent camping site and were ready for some camping fun! We planned to leave on Monday and come back on friday. And then the weather forecast took a turn for the worse. Monday was rainy and Tuesday was torrential. Well the way reservations go, you cannot change your reservation and if you are not there occupying the site, they will cancel your reservation, give the site to someone else and keep your money! Nice huh? Richard learned all of this Monday when he called to say we could not make it until Wednesday. Setting up a campsite in the rain is not fun or easy, especially with kids along so we decided we just could not go down Monday. The woman on the phone said she would put a note on our record stating we would be there late, late Tuesday. So Wednesday morning we got up really early and drove out praying the site would still be empty! We got there as they opened up and luckily our reservation was still good. It was pretty nice being there so early. We were set up by 10am and the kids were riding their bikes around the loop and making friends!
The campsite went way, way back! It was really huge and I think we will try to always get this one! When we first arrived there was a small pond in the middle of the site that I was a bit worried about, it was a Joseph magnet! But it dried up within an hour or two and then the site was perfect in every way!!

Annalina was thrileed when she got to try one of my Juice Squeeze drinks. I adore them and held out until all the Capri Suns were gone, then finally let her try them. She loved them, of course! Even better, she loved the Ruby Grapefruit that I don't really care for much!

I am not really big on the whole camping thing, but I admit, Richard loves to be the camp cook and doesn't mind cleanup duty, so it works out well for everyone! Where else would he cook and clean up EVERY single meal?? Maybe camping isn't so bad huh?

Sleeping Like a Baby

This is classic fetal position!!!

Rose Gardens

Wow, row after row after row of beautiful, sweet smelling roses! What a delightful way to spend a morning! Annalina smelled just about every variety!

Rose Garden Park

Richard and I took the lil kids to the HUGE Rose Garden playground the other day. They had never been there, and honestly I don't remember ever going there myself! The place is HUGE! There are lots of fun things to play on! The kids had a wonderful time playing. When they got their fill of play, we went on a small hike and ended up at the Rose Gardens, which I will post about next. Fun times!!

OMSI Fun

I remember as a child going to OMSI when it was up by the zoo. They moved into Portland years ago, but I had not seen the inside. Some friends gave us an OMSI membership as a gift and so Saturday we went to explore yet another part of Oregon I have neglected! It was so much fun. We had actually been to see an OMNI-Max show a few years back, but I have never had the pleasure to exploring the exhibits. The kids had a great time! We even got to see a planetarium show which bored the kids a bit since it was a live show, but hey, they are short! We look forward to going to see another show soon!
This was the kids favorite part of the Einstein Exhibit. Actually there was a lot of fun stuff to see, but the huge head was pretty cool.

I got pics of everyone as an astronaut, but I look the best(because my head takes up more of the hole)!

Our infrared family! Aren't we HOT!

Joseph was really into the bones and things....

And, as always, Annalina LOVED the critters!

With all of her past hearing problems, this exhibit was pretty interesting to Annalina!

I TRI-ED and I SUCCEEDED!!

I had many things going against me for my very first Triathlon at Blue Lake on July 31st. Some are far too personal to share. But I had determination, the support of my friends and family and I prayed and prayed to be able to do this! I can't begin to express the emotional roller coaster this has been! Aside from giving birth, this is probably one of the most difficult things I have done!

We got to Blue Lake early on Saturday morning. All my kids came along even though we had to leave at 6am. I had not slept well the night before. My stomach hurt, I woke up hot, then I woke up cold. I was sure I had food poisoning. I got up at 5am and started getting ready anyway. I was too nervous to eat or drink. I got checked in and headed over to the bike area. Renetta helped me set up my stuff and Megan handed me protein bars and water. We wore gold swimming caps and headed to the Lake. It was a cool morning and overcast. The water was warm compared to the air. We were the second to the last wave to get started. The air was electric with excitement. We were here and ready to go! We got into the water and after the countdown off we went! Melia and I hung back. I did not want to be kicked or hit so I stayed to the side. The water was very murky, so I could not swim free style like I normally do, that would have been too scary. I did the side stroke most of the way, alternating to back stroke when I got tired. A woman in our wave was struggling. I kept calling encouragement to her and I think that distracted me from my fear. I found that the swim was actually my favorite part! I came out onto the beach and there was my family cheering and waving at me! What a rush that was!

Transition to the bike was tough. But after a few minutes I was ready to go! The ride was beautiful, along the Columbia River. It was still overcast and cool, but it felt great! Renetta and Melia soon passed me. The cross winds were brutal and my legs soon began to ache. I did not now the route, but it was an out and back path, so people were coming back while I was on my way out. I kept watching for a purple helmet, knowing Megan was way up ahead of me. I can't tell you how good it felt to finally see her and have her tell me I was almost halfway there! Soon after Renetta and then Melia went by cheering me on! I was looking forward to the turn around so the wind would no longer be coming at me. I was wrong though, the wind was against us no matter which direction we went. The high point of the bike ride was being passed by a cute 70 year old lady! I hope I am still doing this at 70(and I hope I can pass a 37 year old)! I had a lot of time to think and to pray. I loved being able to pray to the Lord while I was struggling but seeing such beauty all around me. I was hurting in many ways and did not think I would be able to handle the 5K. Triathlon is such a personal sport, I was competing with myself only, just trying to finish. I loved how supportive the other women were. We would cheer each other on as we passed each other. I thought of how alone we are in this life. We can't really stop to help another along, we can only encourage and love one another and pray for strength for ourselves and those who are struggling.

As I made it back to the transition area, it felt like I was the last to come in. There was my family, all of them, and my sister Marella with Conrad, and my parents, and they were waving a Team Amy sign. I knew I could not quit. I dropped off my bike and headed for the 5K. The muscles in my legs that were hurting on the bike ride settled and I felt like I could complete my first triathlon after all! Again the 5K trail was out and back, so Megan, Renetta and Melia all passed me heading out. I came along the lake and knew I was almost back. There was Adrienne and Tim at a bend in the trail. Adrienne handed me her flip flop, a little joke since I had a dream that I had to carry a flip flop with me the whole tri. I carried it across the finish line. As I approached it, I heard my name and number being called over the loud speaker. And then there was my husband and my family! Renetta came up to me and placed my medallion around my neck. I had done it. I came across that finish line by myself, but I knew I was not alone.

My husband took hundreds of photos of me and my "teammates", sadly I did not get any with my family. I do not like most of the photos of me, however I look forward to comparing them to future Triathlon photos, you know, when I am a smokin' hot triathlete! In my division there were 131 people who finished. I was 128th. There were hundreds more in other waves, and probably only 10 people came in after me. It took me 2 hours and 34 minutes to complete the 1/4 mile swim, 12.5 mile bike ride and the5K. I am so happy I endured to the end and was able to finish. I am looking forward to doing this again and again! I want to thank my sister, my aunt, my children, my husband, my family for loving and supporting me and my Heavenly Father for hearing my prayers!!
If you click on this photo and make it bigger, you can see Megan and I waving at the camera!!

Tri-ing, really,really trying!!

This past Spring my Aunt and my sister talked me into Triathlon training. I must have been mentally imbalanced(and looking back, I truly was) to agree to this. But you have to start somewhere and sometimes it is best to just jump in and get going! I have often thought I would like to be a runner, but then thoughts of getting to a healthy weight would always stop me in my tracks. I once set a goal to run a 5K with Jake, but only when I was skinnier!! That day never came. Good news though, I still have time! I have been biking a lot this summer and have gone swimming a few times too! My left foot has been really bothering me, but I still have tried to get out walking when I can! I joined a "Biggest Loser" challenge with friends and have cut sugar from my diet. I am not dieting and carefully watching what I eat, but the weight is slowly coming off! Hmmmm...could training for a triathlon be the key to weight loss? It has become a way of life, one that I enjoy! My focus is on me, and that is not a bad thing! I take the kids to the park and they play while I walk/jog. We go biking as a family. The changes I am making are good for the whole family!

Renetta's stake is hosting a Triathlon in September so Megan and I signed up but decided that was too far off. We registered for the Blue Lake Triathlon on July 31st with Renetta and Melia, a friend of ours. I was having serious second thoughts. I have been anemic for the past few months and with my foot hurting I was thinking of holding off to do my first Tri in Monmouth. My dear sister told me I could do it. But did she really know that? I nap once or twice a day how can I make it through 2 and a half hours of heavy physical activity! My Aunt called me and explained something very important. She said,"Amy, you will be tired, you may not have the energy to finish and that is ok, you will be ahead of where you are today and the training you have done will show". I went to the Dr and he prescribed an anti-inflammatory for my foot. Within 24 hours, NO PAIN AT ALL!! I asked him if I should do this Triathlon, he told me to go for it. Well that was it. My last hope for backing out was my Dr's advice!

Still fear and doubt were my constant companions. I can swim a half mile, I can bike 12 miles and I can do a 5K. But can I do them all together?? I was afraid not. The week before Blue Lake, I decided to do a run through in Hillsboro, just to see if I could. I mapped out a 12 mile bike trail and a 5K walk. Renetta called to see if I wanted her to join me. She lives an hour and a half away and I did not want her to have to drive three hours just for me, so I told her not to come. But she insisted and I will be forever grateful for her being there for me. We met at the pool at 7am. We swam, I felt great, we rode and it was fun, then we walked and the feeling I got as we came around the corner back to the pool was amazing! I had done it! We had done it! I hugged my aunt like crazy, then drove home in tears! I was on a high for a couple hours, calling Richard and Megan to tell them I could do this!! Around 1pm I fell asleep. The kids came and went,and each time I woke up my body ached. At 3pm I was up and feeling great! I can do this!!

The next morning Megan, Melia and I headed out to Hagg Lake to try Lake Swimming, the last big hurdle in my mind! We were all nervous about swimming out in the open water! We got in and did it. It was a bit cold and the water was cloudy. It was not a comfortable, fun swim, but we did it! I am ready, we are ready! We can do this!!

What a difference a couple days can make!

I needed a break. It is summer time and things have been a bit crazy and I really just needed to go somewhere, away from it all, and enjoy myself! But without money for a room at the beach or somewhere else relaxing, I was at a loss as to where to go! I have been wanting to get down to Monmouth to visit my Aunt and Uncle so I asked, could we do a sleepover? Aunt Renetta said OF COURSE, come on down! So the two little ones and I set off on our adventure, starting with the drive through car wash! Joseph use to be terrified of it and honestly I don't think I have ever driven through one myself, so it was a fun new experience! We drove what seemed like forever to the kids(about 45 minutes) and stopped at Walmart in McMinnville. From there it was probably only about a half hour to Monmouth. It is a beautiful drive and the kids watched for animals along the way even getting to see some buffalo!

We got up to the door and Joseph knocked, and knocked and then knocked again! Then we heard Aunt Renetta cheering from inside the house! What a fun reception that was for the kids. She was so excited to see them and got them special juice drinks, made rice crispy treats and had all the makings for smores!

OK, time out for a moment! I am a mother. I am use to mothering my kids and making sure they are respectful and careful and not a bother to anyone else. My dear sweet Aunt made them feel right at home. Have you ever heard the words, "Don't worry if you spill your juice on the floor, its ok" or "you can eat in any room of the house, its fine with me"?? They have a beautiful new dining room set and I told Joseph to be careful playing with his cars on it, but Renetta said, "Don't worry about it". In her home, my kids were free to be kids and it felt so nice!

So it was probably the hottest week of the summer, it got up to 97 that first day. We took the kids down to the park and they played in the fountain.
Later we talked Uncle Rich into going with us to the Dallas aquatic center to swim! Renetta is helping me train for a Sprint Triathlon at the end of July, so she was teaching me techniques for lap swimming. I can swim fairly well, but had a lot to learn about endurance swimming and utilizing my energy efficiently! Uncle Rich stayed with the kids in the smaller pool and Renetta and I swam 20 laps together. I did it! It was hard, but I did do it! Annalina and Uncle Rich went down the water slide again and again and then Annalina swung into the pool on the rope swing and used the diving board. Joseph was pretty scared when he first got in the water. There is a big water feature and then a lazy river that makes the current in the small pool pretty strong. But by the time we joined them, he was floating in an inner tube, having a great time with Uncle Rich! It was soooo much fun to watch my kids having such a great time, and to be there with my Aunt and Uncle!

We had Pizza for dinner and Uncle Rich cooked it on the BBQ! There was much discussion on whether this would work, and the pizza did burn on the bottom, but it was SO good! I am tempted to try that next time we get a pizza!

Renetta, the kids and I slept out in the yard and Renetta and I stayed up until about 2am talking. I found that Renetta and I have so much in common! It was so nice to just chat freely with someone who loves me and understands me! I love my Auntie Renetta and I am so grateful to have her in my life!

The next morning Rich and Renetta took us bike riding around Monmouth, then the kids ran through the sprinklers while Renetta and I rode some more! Before heading home the kids talked Renetta and I into going back to the swimming pool. She took the kids so I could do some laps! I swam and swam and really wanted to get my 20 laps in. I was thinking a lap is down and back, so I was counting each length of the pool, but just had to quit at 30. I was so sad to have to go tell Renetta I could not do it on my own! 40 lengths was just too many for me! She laughed at me and explained I only needed to do 20 lengths! Yippee!! Not only had I done it on my own, I had overdone it by 10 laps! I feel confident that I can go the distance on the swimming part! Now to put it all together!!

We headed home from the swimming pool. The kids were exhausted and content after a fun couple days in Monmouth! I feel energized and ready to get back to life and its many challenges! Thank you Uncle Rich and Auntie Renetta for allowing us to come stay with you!

What kids value most....

So a couple weeks ago, I had the pleasure of taking my two young ones on an adventure! I have been feeling the need to get away for a bit and was invited(or did I invite myself? Not really clear on that) to spend the night in Monmouth with my Aunt Renetta and Uncle Rich. While packing up I told each kid to put what they wanted to play with in their little backpacks and take it to the car. When we got there, this is what I found....
Joseph's bag had cars and monster trucks. And that was ALL he brought. There was tons more room in his bag, but he said he just wanted to bring his favorites.
Annalina's had animals, both beanie babies and littlest pet shop critters. Not surprising, but still very cute!!

Two things that keep me going.....

Celebrating Summer!!

Friday was a beautiful day here in our moist little part of Oregon! After rain, clouds and more rain, it was delightful to get out and spend some time in nature. I took the kids and met Megan and her kids and Marella and her kids at the 53rd Avenue Park, which is just a couple miles up the street from us. The highlight of this park is the water feature. The kids have a blast every time we go. Annalina and Joseph just adore being best buddies with their cousins Leila and Nathan. I had so much fun watching Conrad play. He entertained himself, jumping from step to step, then eating grapes. He is such a happy guy and I loved seeing how his big sister Britlee loved playing with him and chasing him around. She will be a fabulous mother someday! It was also fun to see Kathryn play in the water, never getting to close to the spraying, but splashing in puddles. She is adorable with her curly red hair!

It felt so good to be with my sisters. We talked and enjoyed each others company and this was something I needed very much. The sun was out but there was a nice breeze and we sat in the shade of a new little tree. Family and Nature, both reminders of the Lord's love for us! Getting to enjoy them both together was absolutely priceless!!


Conrad, catching some air!!