InstaFriday

It has been a bit!

Why?  I cannot tell you, but it has been really busy over here on Goldenrod...we have the Instagrams to prove it.

 1. Nothing like an early morning swimming gift to make you thankful

for your friends.

2. While re-writing our calendar, Elliott wanted to polish up his 2's.

 

3. Last week, it was a football game between the bowling pins.

This week, it is a baseball game between the army men.

4. Trying to master Grandma Klein's pecan rolls with the Klein women.

5. The secret to a good time: surround yourself with Katie Terpstras

and you'll be laughing for hours.

6. The van has become what I remember of the school bus,

the back it the best.

7. Now that's a sign of a good dirt cup!

8. Gibson shouts from the dryer, "Mom, I can't find my UnderArmor!"

 9. Soon to be Oreo Cheescake.
10. Or, maybe not!

11. Elliott has been a measuring fool lately, measuring everything in the house.
12. The first picture hanging in the baby's room, who will God send to us?

13. Cheese. Swine. Wine. To. Die. For.

14. Out on the town.

15. My first Mat Kearney experience at the House of Blues turned

out to be my favorite concert experience ever!

16. I imagine this is what it would have been like if we had met in college.

 17. That voice. Those lyrics. Spiritual.
18. Matt (with two ts) and Steve reminded that they have some pretty fun wives!

 

 19. The breakfast after the fun.

20. My new, favorite T-shirt.  Thank you Matt for blessing me.

 21. We had to! It's not everyday that you have hot asian buns

in real life and on a sign!

22. Yep, that just happened.  I am so glad it did.

23. Could that be the sun?

24. Attempting my first t-shirt necklace.

 

25. Headed to the pool.

26. How does this happen? I swear it was clean 12 hours ago.

27. Gibson's day off started with Battleship, and

28. ended with bowling.

 29. Headed to Grand Blanc for some turkey and some stuffing.

30. Elliott's idea of Heaven....watching football all day.

31. Ping. Pong.

32. Are we really standing in line at Target @ 12:32 a.m.? Yep!

 

32. One hour later and we are

33. spent. 

 34. Late night drive home turned out to be a pleasant one as Steve

and I were able to talk in a quiet mini-van.

35.  Thank you Pinterest!

 36. Steve stole me for a surprise date that included MoDiv, jelly bellys

and a glass of wine.

37. Now that is the longest silverware I have ever seen.

I linked to Life Rearranged. 

InstaFriday {Race Edition}

Last Friday, in a matter of 24 hours Katie, Kmac and I drove to Chicago, ran 9.3 miles and drove back .  It seems like a short period of time and I have to admit, it was a whirlwind,  but in that 24 hours we lived a lot of life and made the most of our time away.

 

 1. Our first view of Chicago.

2. Upon entering our beautiful hotel room, we saw this picture.

If that doesn't sum up Year 32, I don't know what does.

 3.  Before our trip I had never heard of Bubble Tea.  Thanks to the baristas

at Argo Tea I tried my first glass, and enjoyed the bizarre experience.

 4. Kt and Kmac attempt their first horsemanning pose, and I have to say,

I think it was a success. 

 5. Filling up on rice and other goodness for our pre-race meal.

6. The iPod has arrived thanks to two very generous people.

 7. Race day in Chicago.

8. After seeing signs at mile one, two, three, four, five, six, seven,

eight, and nine, this sign was my favorite of all.

 9. And now one of the main reasons we ran....hot chocolate and

10. chocolate fondue.

And in the end, what happened in the 24 hours that we traveled to Chicago and back, was much more than can be told in a picture. What you cannot see is the hysterical laughter, a few choice words, and lots of girl talk.  Thank you my dear friends for 24 hours of pure living.

 

The Race That Almost Wasn't

The odds seemed to be stacked against us {kt, kmac and me} as we attempted to complete our longest run to date in Chicago's Hot Chocolate 15k Run. We had successfully finished a 5k and a 10k and even the Mud Run, but for one reason or another pulling together the Hot Chocolate Run was no small feat.

Originally, we were all about it, at least as all about it you can be when it comes to running for an hour and a half straight.  We were in shape, it would be a new challenge and we would get to enjoy chocolate fondue after the race, and we won't lie, we only run in races that have great after parties.

Then on one of our dark night walks the cookies started to crumble.  We all had an ounce of doubt about the race and we were talking ourselves out of it.



It didn't make sense to travel all the way to Chicago for a race.  We really hadn't been training for it specifically.  Katie was going to be on vacation the week before.  And, was running 9.3 miles something we really wanted to do?


So, we himmed and hawed about it, dragging our feet because we didn't want to be the one to say, No, let's not do it . or the one to say, Yeah, lets do it! ... Road Block #1


After much deliberation, several facebook messages and one sleepless night we all decided to pull the trigger. Take that self-doubt and common sense.



While Kt booked our room, {thank your for your generosity kt's mom and dad!} I signed up online.  Kt quickly followed and Kmac wrapped up the registration with the last click of the mouse.  As each of our registrations popped up on facebook, my excitement began to grow, we were really doing it!


I was over the moon until I saw it .... my sheer haste and mindlessness, staring me directly in the face ... 

No, it couldn't be! But, yes, yes indeed it was.  Instead of signing up for the November 5th, Chicago race, I was now signed up for the December 3rd, D.C race. ...Road Block #2


After a bit of panic and some possible tears, {who would cry about such things?} I successfully contacted someone at the Hot Chocolate Headquarters and was told that they would switch my registration for me.  A near catastrophe was averted and it was clear sailing from here on out.

And, smooth sailing it was.  At approximately 2:14 on Friday afternoon we were loaded up and enjoying a sunny ride on our way to Chicago.  We were chatting, laughing, sharing stories and just passing by Saugatuk, when suddenly it hit me like a ton of bricks. 


I forgot my iPod! 


This, in my opinion, was even more disastrous than running in Washington D.C. all by myself.  Every non-runner/runner knows that music is key in motivating/distracting you in even the shortest of races, let alone a 15k....  Road Block #3. 


As I sat trying not to cry, again, super sleuth, problem-solving Kt kicked it into high gear and saved the day.  With her quick thinking, super speedy facebook messaging and an almost immediate return phone call she had arranged an iPod drop off with another girl who would be heading to Chicago in a couple of hours.  {I am forever indebted to you e.b. and mr. e.b.} Road Block #4 solved for the moment.


With that crisis calmed, it had to be smooth sailing for the rest of the way, and it was, until packet pick-up.  After several blocks of walking and searching we found a jammed packed central station with a line around the corner to pick up our packets and really cool jackets.  The lined moved quickly and in a matter of seconds Kt and Kmac had their packets.  I, on the other hand did not have a packet.  I, on the other hand was still registered to race in one month in the fine capital of our nation....  Road Block #4.


After a trip to line #1, a referral to the customer service line, a trip back to the packet pick-up boxes, a journey over a strip revealing no name, one more question to the nice volunteer and several reminders that it would be okay from my very patient friends, Road Block #4 was taken care of before we knew it, and we found ourselves posing the the Hot Chocolate mascot.

With all of that under our belts, all we had left to do was eat dinner, hit the sack and run a 15k in the morning, which now seemed like it would be the easiest part of the trip. 

And, with a curbside, drive-by, delivery during dinner, Road Block #3 took a final tumble. Nothing was stopping us now. 

After a restless night sleep for all and a morning full of butterflies, race day had finally arrived.

We were in the windy city, and we were ready to run.

With our ear buds in and our adrenaline flowing, we set off on the streets of Chicago.  We ran through tunnels, over bridges, through brownstone neighborhoods and back into the city.  We sucked down goo at miles three and six and drank Gatorade and water every chance we got.  We crunched cups and pounded the pavement with the best of them, and in the end finished a 15k with the sun shining upon us and a pride we had never felt.  

With the time of 1:26:17 {9:16 min/mile pace}, I crossed the finish line and #29 off the list.

In the end, the Hot Chocolate Run was so much more than a race or the road blocks that stood in the way.

The Hot Chocolate Run was about three friends who said yes.

It was about three friends who took a chance.

It was about three friends who decided they were worth it.

It was about three friends, who in a year's time, have realized that they are much stronger than they ever thought they were.

Chi-Town

Summer has been fast and furious in this neck of the woods.  The long days that summer bring have been filled to the brim with swimming, riding bikes and many adventures.

One of our many adventures took us to Chicago. 

The last time we were Chi-town as a family, Gibson was a toddler and my belly was bulging.  It was winter, and due to our circumstances our options were limited. 

For this adventure, we had a much different set of circumstances. Now, we were hitting the city with a six and four year old in tow, and the possibilities were endless.  Armed with our three day bus passes the boys and I took to the city.

As the boys learned how to read bus routes, we took in Lincoln Park Zoo, Shedd Aquarium, Adler's Planetarium, the City Beach, John Hancock's Observatory, the Lego Store, the Cheesecake Factory and many more experiences that Chicago has to offer.

At the end of our stay, I realized just how smooth of a trip it had been.  The boys were at a great age.  They had the stamina to keep going and going and going, and they took in each and every experience. 

I then realized just how valuable those experiences were when on the last day, as we were on our way to the park, {to enjoy our two pieces of cheesecake and a rice bowl to die for} we happened to miss our stairway back to our bus stop.  Instantly, Elliott stopped us and said, Momma, that's the way we need to go.

Amazed by his awareness amidst the streets upon streets that seem to blend together, I told him how impressed I was.

To which he replied....

Chicago's my city.

And with this statement I knew we accomplished our mission.  We attacked the city taking away more than money could buy. 

Tips for Navigating Chicago Solo:

1. If you are going to visit any of the museums in Chicago, I highly recommend buying the CityPass. I made the decision to buy one after standing in line for the aquarium, by myself with two squirrely boys, for 30 minutes. {with an additional 40 minutes still looming ahead}  With this pass you have 9 days to visit several Chicago Museums and it serves as a fast pass, which means you don't have to wait in line.  If you visit two of the listed sites you essentially pay $10 to skip the lines.  If you visit three you save money.  It's a bit pricey, but lets face it, what in Chicago isn't?

2. Buy a bus pass.  For $14 I had a three day, all access, bus pass that could take us anywhere in the city.  Added Bonus: kids ride free.

3. Just Ask.  When in doubt just ask.  There were several times that I was unsure of what bus to take, and each time the drivers were more than happy to tell me which bus I needed for each destination.