9/11 Salute to Heros 5K

Today marks 10 years since the 9/11 attacks on the United States. It is pretty amazing how it has impacted my life and my children's lives even though they weren't even born yet. Geoff, their dad and my amazing husband, is in Afghanistan fighting terrorism so we will hopefully never have another event like 9/11. This is his 5th combat deployment, they never get easier but knowing that he is making a difference for his country and his family makes the time apart a little more bearable.

I wanted to remember all those HEROS and innocent victims who gave their lives on September 11th and in the 10 years since the attacks. So I decided to run a 5K dedicated to all those men and women. I proudly wore our 3rd Battalion 4th Marines shirt in honor of the Marines who gave their lives for this cause during this current deployment. All of their names were proudly displayed on my back as I ran.

This was my first race since having Brynn and recovering from a stress fracture earlier this year. I really didn't have any expectations as I was just out there to show my support. And I am just getting my pace and distance back. I was just going to run and reflect on what the last 10 years have been like. Well I was pleasantly surprised that I set a new PR (personal record). I finished the race in 26:12. I was SO happy and so proud to be running a PR on such an important day.

Today's race has renewed my motivation to keep up my training and get back into running half and full marathons.

5 Months Down

Today is the completion of 5 months of this deployment. It has been a long, crazy deployment. Today I think about how far I have come in 5 months but I also think about how much I am missing my best friend and how much time I still have left to go. He is missing out on SO much of our lives to make other people's lives better. Sometimes we sit and think is this lifestyle worth it? To my husband, yes it is. I am extremely proud of my husband everyday for the job that he does so selflessly.

It is also a trying job on the home front as well. I am basically a single mom to 3 very active children on an isolated base. I really am thankful for the amazing friends that I have that keep me sane and support me through these trying times. Military wives tend to form a tight bond and they really become an extension of your family. I have made some friends that I gladly call family!

To my husband...we are patiently waiting for your return. Blake, Abby, Brynn and I miss you so much and are so proud of you and the job that you and your Marines are doing. We can't wait to have you back! We love you!!

What a difference a year makes

A year ago Blake and Abby hated going on the boat and wearing their life jackets. This last weekend we went down to Coronado and played on the boat again. They both LOVED the boat and Blake even started learning to water ski. He "surfed" with Michael on the surfboard while be towed behind the dingy. I was so amazed at how far he has come in the last year.

I then left Blake and Abigail in San Diego with my cousin, Kim as she offered to keep them for a few days so I could have a much needed break. They spent 5 days with Kim, Michael, Zachary and Patrick and had lots of activities everyday.

The twins got to go to a Nature Preserve, feed the ducks, swim, play with their older cousins and all around be spoiled. I cleaned the house and it actually stayed clean for longer than 5 minutes, I got to go to the commissary, I went running and got to take naps during the day. It was a much needed break.

We took a quick ride around the channel to see how the kids liked the boat. They loved it!

Blake learning to ride the boogie board.

Abby surfing.

Blake learning to water ski!!

Me and Brynn

Abby climbing the rock wall at the park. 

Abby going for a swim at Kim's house.

Blake and Abby at the Nature Preserve. 

Feeding the ducks. 

After a few days I actually missed the chaos of our normal life with 3 kids. It was just too quiet with only one child. Blake and Abby returned home last and it is back to our normal go, go, go life and I wouldn't have it any other way!

Run for the Fallen/ AFC Half Marathon 8/21/11

After I had Brynn I started training for another half marathon, I signed up for the America's Finest Half Marathon in San Diego. I also talked some of the girls from my running club to do the race as well.

While we were training our Battalion lost some amazing Marines, that gave the ultimate sacrifice during their deployment to Afghanistan. A wonderful lady offered to make shirts to memorialize these men and honor them as we ran.

I didn't realize how hard it would be to get back to my pre pregnancy milage and pace. I ended up pushing too hard and too fast and wound up with a stress fracture and had to pull out of the race. The other girls pushed through their training and completed the race on August 21st. I was there with some friends to cheer them on and honor the Marines that I was proudly wearing their names on my back.

Dawn, Me and Heidi getting ready to go cheer.

The three runners and three cheerleaders. Can't wait to be a runner with them next time!

The back of our shirt with all the fallen 3/4 Marines names.

Trying this out

So here I am 5 months into a deployment and 6 months into being a mom for the 3rd time, and I am going to try and blog. I really hope I can find the time to keep this updated.


Like I said and most of you know, we are currently almost at the 5 month mark in this deployment. We still have a couple of months left but I am at the point in the deployment that I am OVER it. I just want my husband and father of my children home. I miss him and they miss their daddy. I can't wait for Geoff to get to know Brynn again, he left when she was 6 weeks old. 

All the kids have changed so much. Blake and Abby are in preschool 5 mornings a week, which is a nice break for me. I get to workout every morning! They are loving it! 

Brynn is now 6 months old and is trying to crawl, she gets up on her knees and rocks back in forth. It shouldn't be too much longer until she is moving all over the place. She is also eating solid foods now. In the morning she has cereal with fruit and in the evening she has cereal with veggies. Unlike her brother and sister, she is a great eater. She has loved everything that I have tried with her so far.

I have been working on losing all the baby weight that I gained with Brynn. I have been working out 6 days a week and a couple of times a week I have been running with the Battalion's running club, The Thundering tHERd.  It is nice to run with a great group of ladies that we all have something in common, running and our husband's are all deployed. I also have set my sights on another half marathon this winter.

Geoff seems to be doing well (as can be expected) in Afghanistan. He just really misses us and feels like he is missing out on so much of the kids lives. He really appreciates all the mail and support that he has received since being over there. 

I will try and update this blog at least once a week with what is happening in our lives. I know it is hard to try and keep up with us sometimes. I hope that this blog will help keep our friends and family close to us, we miss you all!