Discoveries in the Last 4 months

Hollands Discoveries:
~ her charm
~ her hands
~ her temper
~ her laughter
~ her voice
~ her dis-taste for tummy time
~ her love of attention
Mommies Discoveries:
~ the sometimes chaos a new baby brings
~ Price of diapers... whoa
~ shopping with all 4 is so not worth it
~ having a baby around is better then any other form of entertainment
~ 4 compared to 3 is a big jump
~ the feeling of awe while watching my girls interact
~ the fact that its okay to go to bed with dirty dishes in the sink

The Tri? nope, the Bi? nope..... The Du!!

Well, I did get my much anticipated shirt but I didn't get my TRI. To say that I was disappointed would be an understatement. Saturday morning the people in charge of the Tri decided that the pool water was too cloudy for them to safely let us swim. It was freezing cold and a little rainy but no lighting or thunder so I assumed that we would for sure be doing the swim leg of the race. NOPE. Instead we were to run a mile, bike 13 miles, and then run (AGAIN) a 5k. Thus it was officially called a Du-athalon and not a BI-athalon. WHATEVER, I was really excited to DO a TRI not to Do a DU (still getting over it I think :) After we began the first run I was ticked, I was supposed to be swimming not running at this point! I am sure I looked as miserable as I felt :) Then I remembered (you know that little voice in your head that tries to help you out sometimes) that one of my goals was to ENJOY myself while doing the entire race. So after that point I kicked myself for being so negative and became determined to have a good time. And that I did my friends... I had a GREAT time :) The bike was amazing. I loved it. The speed, the wind, well everything! I had a blast on that thing. Never felt so good to yell "Left". After exiting the bike and having my legs feel like frozen jello (seriously.) and trying to run I once again had to tell myself that I was to be enjoying myself. So after a bit of a mental breakdown I decided I needed to find someone that was running about my pace so I could run along side them and continue to have a good experience. So I found Linda, or was it Monica? Hmmmmmmm whoever she was she was great! We had a great time talking and keeping each company during the last part of the run. I finished under my goal time and didn't come in last! Which granted was not that hard but I can safely say that I am proud of myself and way proud of my little sis who ROCKED it the entire time. Even though I still cant cross out completing a TRI on my goal sheets I can look forward to bettering my time with the bike and the run for my next (cross your fingers, say your prayers) Tri-athalon that will be August 7th!!

** sidenote** I am quite sure that this is the ONLY race that along with fruits and water to hand out once you have crossed the finish line they give out cookies and Diet Coke.... Yep, I will for sure be doing this Tri next year :)

Trying to Tri

If you'll not settle for anything less than your best, you'll be amazed at what you can accomplish in your lives."Vince Lombardi.

"Now if you are going to win any battle you have to do one thing. You have to make the mind run the body. Never let the body tell the mind what to do. The body will always give up. It is always tired morning, noon, and night. But the body is never tired if the mind is not tired....You've always got to make the mind take over and keep going."- George S. Patton

Just some inspirational thoughts for myself as I head into this weekend. SO NERVOUS! Let me repeat myself just so you really understand how I am feelin' S0 N-E-R-V-O-U-S! Ever since Brynlee was a baby I wanted complete a sprint triathlon. Here I am, 3 days to go and I am excited, nervous, relieved, curious, and last but not least hopeful. Hope I dont pass out, hope I dont drown, hope I dont drink a gallon of pool water, hope I dont freeze (it is supposed to be 57 degrees... no joke), hope I dont fall on the bike, hope I dont get a flat tire, hope I am not in LAST place, hope my legs can carry me through the run, hope I can dump a glass of water on my head during the run( seriously it is way more fun then it sounds) hope I can sleep Friday night (and that Holland will as well!), hope I dont gain 5 lbs in stress induced eating! But most importantly I hope I can enjoy myself and live to talk about it while sporting my new shirt :)

8 years ago....

I was finishing up finals week at my first semester at USU
I didn't comprehend what a Mothers love was like
I was feeling my little one moving and was anxious to snuggle her
I was taking care of my tiny, and I mean tiny apartment
I didn't own a washer, dryer, or a sofa
I had no idea what after birth exactly was
I never knew that I would love someone so much.
I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so happy
I had no idea what it felt like to feed a baby of my own
I had no idea what it meant to worry
I hadn't watched Michael perform a blessing in the middle of the night
I didn't know the relief a midnight blessing could give
I didn't think I would ever look at my stretch marks with pride
I had no idea what a sleepless night felt like
I thought I knew and understood how much my parents loved me
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much
I didn't know I would absolutely love being a Mom

8 years, and 4 pregnancies later I am eternally grateful for the opportunity that I have been given to be a Mom to McKenna, Brynlee, Raigynn, and Holland. Happy 8th Birthday McKenna! Thanks for teaching me how to find joy.

HOBBLE CREEK!!!

You have registered for the Hobble Creek 1/2 Marathon 2010 Half!
Date & Time
August 21, 2010 05:15 AM
Location
Mapleton City Park*
Purchase
Michael Monsen - Hobble Creek Half Marathon Registration
Purchase
Tiffany Monsen - Hobble Creek Half Marathon Registration

Yep, Were doing it again, Why you might be asking?? Trust me I am asking myself that same question :) Except of course for the shirt.....