Share and Share Alike

On this sweet Sunday, the last day of a splendid Winter Break, Bex decides to sneak a dognap in Daisy's crate. Daisy isn't quite sure if she likes this idea, but loves her BBF (best brother forever) and tries to join him. 

My B.L.U.E. Heart Project

It's a blue heart Kind of Sunday. I'm styled in blue wearing my new Wilson jersey while watching the Seahawks beat the Rams, whilst getting my January BHP fleece blanket made. The first week of each month in 2015, I plan to donate a handmade blue fleece knot blanket to a local hospital...stay tuned! 2015 is the year of  purposefull JOY-full Journaling: 'vlog it or blog it'... #rememberteagan #theblueheartproject 

www.theblueheartproject.com

2011 Danskin Fun!

Givin' it Another Tri! Danskin 2011

I just wanted to share a little pictoral ditty of another amazing and fun triathlon experience! Yesterday, I participated in my second Danskin sprint tri and it was awesome! My goal was to beat my times from last year and to do the whole thing in under 2 hours...I set a goal for 1:45:00.
I felt really good on all the disciplines.
This year the swim training was easy cheesy for me and the actual race went well, but I was slower than last year. My time for the 1/2 mile swim was 00:24:59. I had no anxiety this year and really enjoyed the swim.
My transition time needs to be cut BIG TIME! Six minute transition between the swim and the bike!!! You'd uh thought that I was getting a cup of coffee or something...not sure how much faster I can slither out of my wetsuit, dry, sock and shoe up, get my helmet on and boogie, but clearly I need to practice this so I can cut my time down!
The bike this year was amazing! Last year I hated all twelve miles of it mostly because of my chain derailing twice! This year I got myself a starter road bike that REALLY made a BIG difference! My bike time was 00:49:54! Last year, it took me over an hour!! This year was mountains and hills better than hour power last year! I really enjoyed the ride and actually passed some people! Last year, not so much...I got passed A LOT!
My three mile run rocked this year with 00:32:19, a 00:10:25 minute mile. I have kept a pretty consistent running regime this entire year and feel more fit than last year. I ran the whole 3 miles and even ran up the big hill! *I hate very few things in life, but running up hills is number 2 on my list...throw up is number 1...Sadly, running up hills makes me feel like I might throw up...but I pushed through, still hating the hill, but didn't feel like throwing up...yay!
I finished strong with a 01:56:58 Clock Time! Under two hours...very happy girl!
I had a blast with my Tri-Girlies and all of us did an excellent job!
I will continue to do sprint triathlons, but my next goal is to do a half marathon next year! I'd also like to do a long destination bike ride race with my hub, like the Seattle to Portland! Doesn't that sound romantic!?!
I'll keep you posted...Enjoy my little multi-media...*hoping it posts here or on fb. It's been a little ornery!

We So Excited!

Lovin' Friday right now...looooong week!! To much on the 'to do' list this weekend, but the sunshine that shone shiney bright today, makes me happy!
Fun snail mail today! Graduation announcements and invites are starting to arrive, trumpeting the arrival of such a fun time of year! Yes, that's right! Summer is right around the corner!!! As fun as it is, it's so hard to accept the reality that my kids and many of my friend's kids are growing up so fast and will be headed off into the great big world soon! 2011 Graduates were just four years old and in preschool just the other day!
As hard as it is, I am excited for the future! I think it brings back lots of memories of when I was Aspen's age! What was I doing, thinking, wanting, dreaming, learning, watching???
I was delighted when Aspen said she'd go with me to drop of a meal off for a friend who recently had surgery.
I love and cherish the conversations we might have...car rides are a mom's best friend and probably a teenager's worst enemy. :)
She told me her and her bestie wanted to go see "Fast Five" this weekend??...I'm like, what?...a movie about cars?... and then I swirved the 'ol 'When I was your age', exactly your age, my friends and I saw "Top Gun" seven times...at the movie theatre...and paid FULL PRICE...$4.50 each time!
We were more intersted in beach volleyball, karoke, and romantic storylines!
Cars? Really? It can't be all about cars?? Oh well...I guess that's a good thing.
Maybe I should Netflix "Top Gun" and show that girl a real movie! A movie about... about... MiG's??!
Is that what I told my mom?

Hope...The Butterfly Circus

So last night marked the beginning of our mid-winter break from school. My family came home, all feeling a little under the weather. KJ has been sick and was home two days, and Aspen needed to skip basketball practice last night because of feeling icky. Nate and I are exhausted and were looking forward to a little dinner, a movie with the kids, and just plain relaxing.

After heading out to pick up some take out, we headed home to pick a Netflix movie, since it seems that all of our video stores around us are closing!!

The movie Nate had in mind wasn't available on Netflix or Zune, so we tried finding another movie that everyone could watch. Even though our family loves a good 'ol Disney flick, having a teenager and a tween has taken us to a new level of entertainment...needless to say we all have our favorite genre so it takes forever to find something we all want to watch. All this to say, we started some B movie that looked like it might be a sports glory flick, which we all like. About 20 minutes into it, we turned it off due to VERY cheesy acting, attempts at inappropriate fillers of sexual nature, and a plot that was lost after the title...Definitely not "Blind Side"!

We attempted one more time to find somthing that we all could watch before Mom fell asleep! We decided on a comedy with Adam Sandler in it...should have known better, I know! One minute into it, even my teenager knew that I would start sighing heavily, as she glanced over and gave me her dubious grin...we gave it a little while longer and after WAY inappropriate content and the plain simple fact that we were losing brain cells, we turned it off and all said good night to each other!

Needless to say, I was really disappointed with the fact that although there are many well made, wholesome, heartwarming movies these days, there are just as many or more ridiculous movies! You all know what I'm talking about. Why would I or anyone want to sit and view something that makes me feel embarassed, uncomfortable, and just plain dumb. I was reminded of the Sunday School song, "Oh be careful little eyes what you see...for the Lord up above is looking down in love, oh be careful little eyes what you see"....the things I take in through my senses truly affect my heart and conscience.

Waking this morning to the alarming scent of wonderful, hot coffee, (Nate rocks) I sat down to check my Facebook and also one of my favorite bloggers, Doni Brinkman. She had the greatest post that renewed my 'hope' in filmakers that strive to create character building movies with meaning. I just had to share, too. Find a minute today...actually about 20, to sit and be inspired! I totally was! After viewing "The Butterfly Circus", watch the 'behind the scenes, too...I just totally loved it! Yahoo for 'The Doorpost Film Project'! This is a winner!

Click to Watch "The Butterfly Circus

Directed by: Joshua Weigel

Plot Summary: “At the height of the Great Depression, the showman of a renowned circus leads his troupe through the devastated American landscape, lifting the spirits of audiences along the way. During their travels they discover a man without limbs at a carnival sideshow, but after an intriguing encounter with the showman he becomes driven to hope against everything he has ever believed. Starring Eduardo Verástegui (Bella), Doug Jones (Pan’s Labyrinth, Fantastic Four) and featuring the debut performance of Nick Vujicic.” - http://www.thedougjonesexperience.com/butterfly.htm

Rockin' and Rollin' Her Heavy Metal!

Tell us how you really feel! ;) I agree, that your sophmore year is not the most favorable time to get full braces, but time does fly...kids don't usually get that, so I'm sure there are lots of Emerald City Peanut Passion smoothies in Aspen's future to make the time go by faster! ;)

Yes, Aspen's teeth look very straight already...her treatment is for her 65% overbite and it will widen certain areas that will align her bottom teeth, as well as prevent jaw issues later in life... She is NOT happy about her new accessories, but I have encouraged her to em"BRACE" the experience and before you know it, she will be all done!