Falling in place

Things are falling in place, finally.  I got my client a few weeks ago, the week several assignments were  due and even a test. It was a rough week, but things have started to get easier.  I've finally seen for myself, I am not going to ruin his life, lol.  It's not quite as bad as I'd worked it up to be.

Living here has made it easier to be a family.  HR has been home on several occasions when we might not have been able to see him had we been "home" in Weslaco.

Story time before bed.

Last week I didn't get to run much.  I came down with something...sinus infection maybe.  I had a difficult time breathing and had a terrible migraine for two days.  This week I got back on track.  Sunday I did insanity, and yesterday and today I was able to run for about a half hour each.  

Caiden called HR today, and we all got to talk to him.  We are trying to arrange for him to come during his Spring Break (which is 2 whole weeks and then some).  We are all excited!!!  Trey has a had a language explosion and Ryan is unstoppable.  I think he will be my little runner!

Be My Valentine Run

This past weekend I ran the Be My Valentine Run put on by one of my college cross country/track teammates, Ceci.  She has created several races in the past two years that are fun, lively and hard to get into if you wait too long.  She is making quite a name for herself in San Antonio.  I have signed up for a few of her races before, but I have been unable to make it~once I was busy have an emergency C-Section, another was about the time Trey had his seizure.  I almost missed out again due to....I will diagnose myself to spare you some details....a stomach bug.  I decided that although I was drained and didn't feel up to it, I would surely regret it.

Don't you just love Ceci's run logo?  This would totally be me and HR!

I ran into some old faces from college, and I had a blast running the course which was on the river.  It started and ended at the San Antonio Museum of Arts, which my husband and I took full advantage of after the run. The scenery was beautiful.  I ran nice and easy and chatted up some of the runners (Ceci, you and your runs are definitely well liked!!!)  I had goals for a run time, but I didn't end up trying to pursue them.  I just took it in.  It had been a rough weekend, full of disappointment, but I made the best of it all, including the run.  I ran close to a 9:00-9:15 pace, but finished in about 29 minutes, due to having to stop a couple of times to retrieve my sock which had bunched up at my arch and was causing a blister.

One of the race sponsors was Alamo Beer.  After the race I got a beer for HR.  While he was drinking it he noticed something floating around in it.  It was very likely some plastic from the cup itself. So, while he's looking down and swirling it, some guy walks over and asks if there's something wrong with the beer.  HR tells him there's something floating around.  The man says, "Well swirl it around a little more and maybe the Virgin Mary will appear and you could charge people to see it."  THEN, he proceeds to introduce himself as Mr. Alamo Beer himself.  The founder/owner in the flesh.  We had a drink with him.  I totally name-dropped and told him that Ceci was a good friend and got me hooked on it.  He was a pretty cool, down to earth guy.

One of the things my husband loved about the run is the intimacy.  I've been running since I was 9 years old, and I don't think I've ever participated in anything like it.  The bib numbers are personalized and as you come in every person is called by name and cheered in.  The owner of Alamo beer was walking around introducing himself and making sure everyone had a good time.  Ceci was taking single/taken photos.  It was well organized, well run and well worth the travel (it's a 2.5 hour drive for me) even if I didn't get to "race".  There was just a feeling of....well, like everyone is family or friends.  It was such a good time.  We didn't get to stay too long after because the boys weren't feeling well, but I can tell from the pictures that we missed out on even more.

Rad Run

Today was the Color.Me.Rad Run.  Many of the CSDO grads participated and it was a blast!

Brianna, Tori & Me

The three of us rode up together.  All of us grads had planned to make shirts and coordinate our outfits, but it's grad school and finding a time when everyone could meet was rough.  We decided to make our own fashion statement.  We also happen to be the only newbies that participated.  (We are first semester grads, the others are second).

We found some more of our group

 
So, we made our way to the start line.  The wave times that people registered for basically meant nothing.  To keep things moving they had several waves within each main wave.  We just happened to be cut off from the first 10:15 wave, so we were at the start second 10:15 wave.  We were so spunky and energetic that the MC called us out.  He wanted US to start the wave.  We had lost a few of our team members in the cattle herding process, so he was cool enough to make everyone make way for them to get through.  We were directed to trip anyone that tried to pass us in the first 100 meters or so, lol.  Have I mentioned our team name?  PURE AWESOMENESS counted down in the MC's megaphone to start the next wave.  So cool! I think we all ran those first 100 meters, some walked, some ran, some did both, but we all had an amazing time.

The MC is the dude in the middle, the one that looks like a smurf!!!

After with the original musketeers + Adina

After the run we went to eat on the bay.  It was a beautiful day and the live music was great.  I wish that part of the day didn't have to end.  Now, the dreaded H-word.  Homework all evening so that maybe I can enjoy the Superbowl tomorrow.

Tennis Balls + Moving Cars

According to our program director, throwing tennis balls at moving cars is very therapeutic.  Not exactly my idea of stress management.  Of course, I prefer to run.  This week, I was able to run with HR a few times.  I enjoy running with him and wish we had more time to do so.  Sometimes he starts out on the bike and I run and then we switch off periodically.  Today we actually ran together, no bike involved.  It was nice.  At times we were just quiet or weren't running exactly together, other times he slowed down to run with me and we talked or I sang loudly (and horribly) the song playing on my iPod at the time.

Trey is still in a period of adjustment at daycare, but he is fine once breakfast is served.  Ryan went from not even attempting to walk 1-2 weeks ago, to running this week.  He is so silly, always smiling.  I'm missing my Caiden, but he is really enjoying his new adventure.  I'm happy for him.

School is going.  I have a lot going on in the coming week.  I will finally get to meet my client next week.  I'm nervous, but excited.  He happens to be a nine-year-old boy, so I'm already a little sensitive about that...he's Caiden's age!  I know I will learn a lot from him.  I have several assignments and a test to do next week, eek!

My in-laws are watching the boys this weekend.  They offered and I didn't want to be disrespectful and argue, lol.  It comes at a perfect time, as there is a color run this weekend that most of the CSDO grads are going to be participating in.  I'm hoping to snap some pictures for a blog about it!  I will also be spending time working on a stuttering project and preparing for my client.  Busy weekend!!! I love my kids, but I'm happy to be able to have a little kidless fun with a great group of new friends. Updates to come....

Hit the ground running

Since the move I have run just about everyday.  I took a day off this past Saturday because HR was away at work and I didn't have anyone to watch the boys.  I have noticed I am feeling sluggish.  My sister suggested that it may be my diet or sleep habits.

I'm beginning to understand that it may be a combination of things.  It is crazy windy in Kingsville, being so close to the coast.  Despite feeling less than motivated, I have continued to run daily.  I even found that there are not just 3 dogs, but 7...6 of the same breed.  I will try to snap a picture soon, but I'm not exactly thinking about taking out my phone while running past these puppies.

I am enjoying the view though.  It's peaceful and calming, despite feeling like I'm running in place.  I have even had to resort to walking at times, it's just so draining.  I believe that it will only benefit me in the end.  Apparently the wind never dies, so I will have to make the most of it.  Hoping to start incorporating a track workout or two each week at the university track.

Milestones

Ryan is thriving in daycare.  In just a week Ryan has begun walking.  Before we moved here, he was not in daycare and he showed very little interest in walking.  He's been pulling himself up since he was about 6 or 7 months, but he rarely walked along furniture.  Now, seemingly out of nowhere and with little practice, he is walking across the room pretty easily.

He is also 24+ hours pacifier free.  I wanted to wean him from it within a month or so of moving here.  I informed the daycare that I would prefer them not give it to him, but I left it in case they needed to because of his transition (moving and the daycare for the first time).  The first week he had to use it often, as he cried a lot and this was one of the only things that would soothe and comfort him.  Yesterday I forgot the pacifier at the daycare, which I thought might be a problem at bedtime.  He went to bed easily without it!  His teacher said he didn't use it at all today.

Caiden loves his new school.  He has made friends quickly, but as it's only been 3 days, he hasn't gotten the names down just yet.  I'm sure that after a semester of going in late, getting out early and having lots of breaks (it's more of a year-round schedule), he will be dreading Texas public schools.  I facetime with him a few times a week...charging the iPad now. (=

I have been doing a lot of running.  My body is feeling it, I feel sluggish and work out...so tomorrow I may just bike and give my running legs a break.  Saturday was the only day I wasn't able to run because HR was away working.  This weekend I probably won't be able to run at all; it's not an off weekend for him.  I will likely take the boys for a couple of long walks on the wagon.  They really enjoy being out here in the country.

Caiden: Long story short

It has come to my attention that my subtle clues about Caiden haven't been received.  Upon careful and lengthy consideration, I decided to allow him to stay with his father for a few months.  He is currently in California and really enjoying the time getting to know his dad.  It means that we here in Texas have to take a backseat, which is by no means easy.  It is one of the hardest things I've ever had to decide on, but I truly believe it is in the best interest of those immediately involved.  I'm so happy that he is enjoying his time and taking on new adventures.  So far he is making the most of it.

Caiden went rockclimbing for the first time.  He said it was scary at first, but he loved it.

Cashed in thousands of tickets at Dave and Busters (His father and I started saving them several years ago).