I did it, and then I thought I was going to die, alone

I ran my first official 5k, the Disney’s Cinderella Royal Family 5k.  I ran it in 42 minutes.  I was very excited and so very proud of myself.

I was in wave 3 of 5.  16 minutes after the first runners started, it was my turn.  It started in the EPCOT parking lot and I started out strong.  I passed by a bunch of people, and was passed by a few that took off fast.  Everyone had told me that there was so much excitement and music, so don’t wear headphones, so I didn’t turn my music on.  The first mile was quiet and through nothingness.  It was tough and I was starting to doubt my ability to do it.  I passed mile 1 and slowed down a little bit so that I could turn my music on to give me some momentum.

Shortly after that, I entered EPCOT, around Mexico.  That is when there was music and cast members cheering and all kinds of excitement (of course, right after I turned my music on).  I ran around EPCOT, past Norway and China, by Germany, Italy, Japan, Morocco, and France.  I walked for about 10 seconds up the hill heading over to the United Kingdom around mile marker 2, but picked back up the run.  We ran behind the United Kingdom and came back by Canada.  We ran up to the front of the park, around Spaceship Earth and then back up toward it and out the side of the park into the parking lot.   I saw mile marker 3 and knew that I was almost there.  I rounded the bend and saw the finish line.  I felt okay, but all I wanted was to see my family.  I kept running, but I kept looking and then I saw them – my wonderful husband and my two beautiful children.  That gave me everything I needed to cross the finish line.   I finished and I got my medal!

We had a wonderful vacation until the day we were returning home.  Then I started to feel horrible.  I had terrible abdominal pains.  Then I threw up the entire flight home.  So, we went to urgent care straight from the airport, and they sent me to the ER with appendicitis.

So, here I am 2 weeks after my first official 5k, with 3 holes in my abdomen.  And they say running is good for you.  I am here to say, it is not!

1 week until my 5K

I’ve been running for about 10 years now.  But, I could never get past the 2 mile mark for the longest time.  I try and try, but my chest tightens up, phlegm starts to build up in my chest, and I start coughing. I find it hard to go on.

2 months after Maxwell was born, I decided that I was going to run a 5K.  I started running, and the same thing happened.  But, come a few months later, I decided that I was going to do it, no matter what, and I registered for the Princess 5K at Disney.  I’d have a year after Maxwell’s birth to get it.  I found that, once I hit the wall, even stopping didn’t matter.  The coughing actually got worse when I stopped.  So, one day, I just kept running, through the pain … through the inability to breath.  And, surprising enough, after a half mile, it got a little easier.  I finished my first 5K.  When I got home and sat down, I still felt like I was going to die.  I coughed all day long.  I could barely pick up my kids, I was so weak.

Then, 3 months ago, we moved to San Antonio.  It’s harder here to run.  The hills are just too much.  I haven’t been able to run a full 5K since we moved here.  I have to walk up the bigger hills, but my pace has been close to an acceptable pace over-all.  I’m just very nervous about next week.  Plus, the benefits I was hoping for when I started this haven’t come true.

I’ve now run/walked a 5k, once a week for the past few months  now.  Do I feel better?  No.  Am I healthier?  No.  I’m actually less healthy.  Since I started running, I’ve gained 10 pounds for each mile that I added.  So, in the past 4 months, I’ve gained 20 pounds!  Does my daughter see someone she can be proud of?  No.  In fact, on my last run, while I was pushing the 60 pound stroller up the huge hill, coughing, she said to me, “Mommy, why are you going so slow?  Why aren’t you running?”

So, I’m 1 week from my 5K.  I still don’t know if I’ll be able to finish, or if the “your going too slow” cart will pick me up part way through the run.  I need to finish.  I need to see my daughter’s face as I cross the finish line.  I need my husband to be proud of me for finishing.

But what next?  The reason I started this was to get healthier.  But, 20 extra pounds later that hasn’t happened.  I couldn’t imagine pushing myself further and gaining more weight. What’s my new goal? I’ll keep you posted when I figure it out.  I’m open to any suggestions, especially from my fitness friends!

Contemplating returning to work

When I had my daughter, there was no question. I couldn’t imagine leaving her all day.  I quit my job in an instant.  Now, 4 years later, I still feel the same way, but there are other factors that have me here today.

We recently moved to San Antonio.  So, now we have a mortgage to pay as well as rent.  Things are more expensive here than what they were in Orlando.  We have a nest egg that is going to slowly dwindle away to nothing if we don’t do something. And, there is a job opening up at the company Jeremy works for that would be perfect for me.

Maxwell is only 1 year old.  The thought of putting him in day care tears me apart.  I would probably cry for the first month at the office.  Jade is 4 and starting full-time preschool in the fall.  She is having such a hard time to adjusting to everything already, that me leaving all day would be very hard on her too.

I know we could make it work.  I know I would get through it.  I know the kids would adapt.  They are strong.  And, we would be making enough money to be able to focus on family time on the weekends.  I’d greatly appreciate any thoughts from my readers.  What would you do?  What do you suggest I do?

Happy Birthday to me!

Well, I’m another year older!  I’m not one of those people who is afraid of getting older. I love my birthday.  How did this one go?

I’m 38 years old, just 2 years away from the big 4-0, and my husband will not let me forget it.  But, I’m not bothered by that.  Everyone has to get older. But, luckily, I have 2 very small children that keep me very young.  I don’t feel 38.  I don’t feel old (well, except for the aches and pains).

This year was tough.  Back in Florida, I had just started to get some real friends over the last few years.  I had people who were there for me when I needed them, who would call me to do things.  But, just 2 1/2 months ago, we moved away, to San Antonio, TX, where we know nobody.  So, this birthday, there was no dinner with friends, there was no party. I started to feel sad.  I got 6 phone calls and 4 texts.  1 friend called.  None of those friends I thought I had in Orlando called or even texted me.  None of them sent a card.  I got Facebook posts from them, but when you are someone’s friend, you would think a text message would be sent.

I at least have 2 wonderful children and 1 amazing husband.  They took very good care of me on my birthday. I am so lucky to have them.

Happy Birthday to my kids!

The birthdays are finally over and I have 2 very lucky and very happy kids!

We traveled to Orlando this past week to celebrate the birthdays of my 1 year old and 4 year old who have birthdays 8 days apart.  First, we had cupcakes on my 4 year old’s birthday with the family that was in Orlando.  She loved it!  And, the next morning we woke up and took her to Magic Kingdom where we let her be a sorcerer of the Magic Kingdom.  After a few missions, we went and had lunch at Cinderella’s Royal Table at the castle.  She had the best seat in the house because every princess came straight to her when they entered the room.  5 princesses in one lunch, plus she got to have frosting in a cone for dessert.  That was one happy girl.  After that, I had scheduled fastpass+ experiences with Rapunzel and Snow White (Jade was dressed as Rapunzel).  Then, the new talking Mickey sang happy birthday to her.  We ended the day with Enchanted Tales with Belle.  It was wonderful!  She was so happy.  I don’t know what made her happy, her day at Disney or getting a Kindle Fire of her own.

The next day was the big 1st birthday party for Maxwell.  It was themed after the book the Very Hungry Caterpillar. I made a caterpillar banner that stretched across the food table and had a picture of Maxwell for each month of his first year.  The food was all the foods from the book.  Apple, Pear, Plum, Strawberries, Oranges, swiss cheese, salami, sausage, pickles, cherry pie, cupcakes, chocolate cake, lollipop, and green leaves (spinach).  It was a huge hit.  Maxwell did great with the cake (and got frosting everywhere).  He handled being passed around by all of the family very well too, as long as someone was feeding him.  The crafts for the bigger kids were a huge hit (they made butterflies and colored).  I forgot to read the book, but it was a great party.  It was nice seeing our friends and family.

But, I am so glad it is all over now.  We have two very lucky kids, and I feel so blessed to be their mother.  I love throwing parties, but planning and throwing a party 1100 miles away from your own home is difficult and stressful and I am glad it is over.  Next year, I am looking forward to 2 parties a week apart for a 2 year old and a 5 year old!

Can you go home again?

Tomorrow we’re headed back to Florida to celebrate the kids’ birthdays.  Jade is super excited, although nervous that someone is going to take her stuff while we’re gone (more on that later). I know it is going to be weird being there when we don’t live there anymore.  How will the boys do, that is what I’m most nervous about?

I moved away from Michigan when I was 18. That first time I came back to visit my family, it was weird.  Although I had only been gone for a few months, I clearly didn’t belong there anymore.  I had moved on, and the people there had moved on it.  We didn’t need each other anymore.  This is what happens when you move away. So, now that we’re going back to visit Florida tomorrow, I’m hoping my family will be okay to see that everyone has moved on and survived without them there.

Jade has already said some things that really make me upset.  First, she said, “when we go to Florida, I want to stay there.  I don’t want to come back to Texas.”  She’s clearly not as happy here as I hoped she would be. I know it is going to take her a little longer to get involved and to make some friends, but it is tough to see her struggling, because she’s such a sensitive girl.  Second, when she asked if we were leaving our stuff here, and I told her yes, she said, “you need to make sure that every door and window is locked so no one can come in here and take my toys.”  I don’t know where that fear is coming from.  But, I’ve assured her that we will not let anyone take her things.

Jeremy is stressed with work (you know, a new job and all, plus he’s worried he isn’t meeting up to their expectations).  So, taking this weekend to leave town is going to be tough on him. I hope he can put it aside and enjoy the time with our family.

So, I’ll let you know how the family does next week when we get back.  I know we’re going to have fun (lunch in the castle with the princesses, Maxwell’s birthday party, and so much more).

Adventures with Customer Service

Moving to San Antonio has been a challenge, to say the least. First there was the car problems on the drive out. Then, we had problems with our Sears delivery of washer, dryer, and refrigerator. And, since the day before Thanksgiving, we’ve been dealing with a furniture store, trying to get a good quality bedroom set. Now, a month and a half later, and 7 visits later, we still don’t have a quality bedroom set!

I hate (and I don’t use that word flippantly) talking to customer service. I have been on the phone with these people way too much. I am stressed just talking to strangers, and I have to be on the phone with these people at least once a week. I get all emotional when they aren’t helpful and take it personally that these people don’t think I deserve quality furniture. I sit on the phone for sometimes over an hour at a time, with a 4 year old (well almost) and a 1 year old (again almost) tugging at me, climbing on me, screaming, singing, etc. almost in tears because they don’t seem to want to help me at all. Just thinking about it again has me almost in tears.

And, after today, it looks like we’re going to have at least one more visit sometime in the future.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET A BEDROOM SET WHERE THE DRAWERS ALL WORK AND THE BACK ISN’T FALLING OFF?