My latest goal has been to complete a sprint triathlon, which is swimming a quarter mile, biking 12 miles, and running 3.1 miles. I have come full circle over the past 14 months from zero motivation to run to completing my first sprint triathlon. I am thoroughly enjoying the new challenges and pushing myself to levels I never thought were possible for me. So, here is my new license plate!!!
This is the swimming portion - in a parasite infested lake - in October!!! I am in the lake swimming in this photo - somewhere out there.
I am choosing not to post the pic of me exiting the lake - some images are best left out! This is me leaving on the bike portion on my S-L-O-W mountain bike. I was so tired of hearing people passing me saying, "On the left!" as they rode on their 10 speed street bikes. If - no - When - I do another tri, I WILL definitely be riding a street bike. I feel like I lost a lot of time on this portion because of lack of good equipment.
The girls enjoying the fun while their Mommy is out torturing herself! I am thrilled that Mark and the girls were able to be there to support me and cheer me on. I would not have been able to complete my goal if it had not been for Mark's support and motivation. He rearranged his schedule many days so I could go out for some training. Thank you Babe!
This is me finishing the bike portion and entering the transition area. My legs were literally shaking uncontrollably when I dismounted the bike. I thought how in the world am I supposed to get these legs running when I cannot even stand up. Some how they worked it out, and I was able to get going.
This is me starting the run portion of the race as I was saying to Mark, "This is harder than childbirth!" Not really - but I tend to exaggerate when I am in the moment!!!
This is me coming to the finish line - full force as hard as I could push it!! I was so overcome with emotion at the end. Mark was looking at me like what is wrong with you??!! It was all of the emotions of not sleeping for a week because I was anxious and nervous, hours and hours of training, completing a monumental goal (for me that is), and being female that I just lost it at the end. It was a great feeling of exhilaration!!!!
This is my running partner and friend, Amy R, who tortured herself with me. We decided to challenge ourselves together with this monumental goal, and we both succeeded well above what we had anticipated!!! I am so thankful I was able to run the race "along side" such an awesome person and special friend!!! She and I left home at 5:30 a.m. to get the race at 6:30 a.m. for body marking.
My sweet and supportive family standing next to me cheering me along!!!
Amy R and her family enjoying the day with us. Mark, the girls, Amy R's husband, and her kids left home at 6:30 a.m. to get to the race by 7:30 to see us for the swim portion. They just barely made it in time to see us exit the lake.
We had a wonderful day and enjoyed a delicious lunch at Cracker Barrel (my favorite) after the race! I am so thankful I decided to challenge myself and accomplish this personal goal. I am pondering what my next goal will be. I have to give God the glory for the entire day - HE completely took care of every concern on my heart!!!
Oh - BTW - My van is burgundy not blue!!! If I were going to personalize my license plate, it would not say "TRI MOM"!!!
We took the girls to Bethlehem First United Methodiest Church to pick out pumpkins, and some how we walked out with 4 pumpkins.
The girls are posing for Mommy while Hannah is falling through the wood slats.
Hannah found her pumpkin!
Sarah found her baby pumpkin as she calls it.
The girls are on a mission to find the perfect pumpkins!
Hannah has inherited her big sister's bike & helmet, and yes, she is adamant about trying to ride it at 15 months old. Her precious little feet cannot even touch the pedals. So cute!!! 
I am loving this "season" in our lives. However, I look forward to the day when both of our girls can go with us on family bike rides, and each one pull their own weight!
We took a trip to Baba and Papa's "petting farm" one weekend for a family wedding. The girls practicing their piano on their Great Grandmama's piano.
Sarah is walking the goat named, Lily, around the backyard. She had a great time bonding with the little "kid."
Papa's heart is happy seeing his granddaughter enjoying Lily.
Baba and Papa sitting on the golf cart while Sarah walks the goat and Hannah drinks some milk - cows milk -- not goat's milk!
Hannah is practicing her penmanship!!!
This is Sarah and Hannah and their cousins, Trey and Morgan. It was Sarah's first wedding to attend. It was a beautiful outdoor garden wedding at a Bed & Breakfast in Aiken, South Carolina.
Yes, Hannah is being occupied with an empty water bottle! At least it's not some other kind of bottle - right!!!
Sarah is trying to floss Hannah's teeth after leaving the dentist office. Hannah is not liking so much! 
I have more to post, but I will have to get back to being a Mommy, wife, cook, nurse, maid, and launderer.
This is the swimming portion - in a parasite infested lake - in October!!! I am in the lake swimming in this photo - somewhere out there.
I am choosing not to post the pic of me exiting the lake - some images are best left out! This is me leaving on the bike portion on my S-L-O-W mountain bike. I was so tired of hearing people passing me saying, "On the left!" as they rode on their 10 speed street bikes. If - no - When - I do another tri, I WILL definitely be riding a street bike. I feel like I lost a lot of time on this portion because of lack of good equipment.
The girls enjoying the fun while their Mommy is out torturing herself! I am thrilled that Mark and the girls were able to be there to support me and cheer me on. I would not have been able to complete my goal if it had not been for Mark's support and motivation. He rearranged his schedule many days so I could go out for some training. Thank you Babe!
This is me finishing the bike portion and entering the transition area. My legs were literally shaking uncontrollably when I dismounted the bike. I thought how in the world am I supposed to get these legs running when I cannot even stand up. Some how they worked it out, and I was able to get going.
This is me starting the run portion of the race as I was saying to Mark, "This is harder than childbirth!" Not really - but I tend to exaggerate when I am in the moment!!!
This is me coming to the finish line - full force as hard as I could push it!! I was so overcome with emotion at the end. Mark was looking at me like what is wrong with you??!! It was all of the emotions of not sleeping for a week because I was anxious and nervous, hours and hours of training, completing a monumental goal (for me that is), and being female that I just lost it at the end. It was a great feeling of exhilaration!!!!
This is my running partner and friend, Amy R, who tortured herself with me. We decided to challenge ourselves together with this monumental goal, and we both succeeded well above what we had anticipated!!! I am so thankful I was able to run the race "along side" such an awesome person and special friend!!! She and I left home at 5:30 a.m. to get the race at 6:30 a.m. for body marking.
My sweet and supportive family standing next to me cheering me along!!!
Amy R and her family enjoying the day with us. Mark, the girls, Amy R's husband, and her kids left home at 6:30 a.m. to get to the race by 7:30 to see us for the swim portion. They just barely made it in time to see us exit the lake.
We had a wonderful day and enjoyed a delicious lunch at Cracker Barrel (my favorite) after the race! I am so thankful I decided to challenge myself and accomplish this personal goal. I am pondering what my next goal will be. I have to give God the glory for the entire day - HE completely took care of every concern on my heart!!!
Hannah enjoyed playing with Sissy's silly bands! 
The girls trying out the tent before night fall. Hannah would not sit in it unless I was in there with her. Oh boy - our REAL fall camping trip is going to be a real adventure!!
Sarah and Daddy before I said sweet dreams and nightie-night!!!
We brought out our fire pit for some ambiance! 
The girls got their faces painted - of course! That's Sarah's favorite thing to do.
My sweet friend, Mrs. Leslie, met us there with 4 kids she was babysitting. She and I have always made the Duluth Festival a day of fun together! Here we are during the parade.
Mrs. Annette and Chloe during the parade.
Mrs. Leslie posing with the girls!
Me and my girls on the bus heading back t0 the the car after the festival. Hannah even got in a little snooze while we there! Fun times! See ya there next year Mrs. Leslie!!!
She asks me just about on a daily basis if she can paint her nails. I put a towel down on the carpet, and then she goes to work. Occasionally, she will paint my nails; however, most of the time she likes to paint her own nails. She actually does a pretty good job. I guess she has a future career as a nail specialist. Is that the proper name for the ladies who paint nails at these "LV Nail" shops???? 
This is Hannah on the way back home today - eating her feet! Oh, I wish I were still that flexible!!
