TC10K

Three months ago I was talking to Sharon about exercise and somehow we got talking about running a 
10 km race in Victoria... I have never done a race since track n field in school and I always love a challenge and a goal to work towards. So I said sure! I was nervous though... I haven't ran since high school. I do lots of walking and hiking but that's it! So began my training. I probably should have been properly trained as I know now I pushed myself too hard and have really hurt my knee... But I will find out more hopefully at my orthopaedic appointment next week! 

Steve went fishing super early Saturday morning with mark before I headed for my night away! Unfortunately he never caught anything but they saw orcas playing right near their boat which is amazing! 

Sharon came rolling up my driveway in the afternoon in a cute little Fiat she rented! She didn't want to take the big old diesel truck to Vic... I don't blame her! We grabbed some coffees and were excited for an afternoon of no plans! Except we got stuck in traffic for a solid half an hour... But we had no kids with us so we enjoyed ourselves! 

After settling at the hotel we went out for a walk to find somewhere to eat and ended up at the old spaghetti factory... I laughed because it is such a family restaurant... And we were having a night on the town... But was so hungry I was thankful for the quick arriving food! Always yummy! And I had wonderful company! Isn't Sharon lovely! ?

After a good sit in the steam room and sauna we went up to the room to catch the end of the hockey game... Yay Calgary! We then started watching Jurassic park and I just couldn't! I mentioned it and Sharon hopped out of her bed and said let's go! And I reluctantly crawled out and we went across the street to a cute waterfront pub and had delicious raspberrymojitos! Yum! Probably not the best thing before a big race... But totally worth it!  

My knee was in a lot of pain as I pushed myself too hard during the week and was in pain walking in my right knee. I also stepped on sharp metal and had a puncture on the bottom of my foot. I was in pain walking to the restaurent in the evening that Sharon almost convinced me not to run in the morning... As did my mom therapy morning. Was it really worth it? I mean my knee was really really hurting... But I felt like I worked so hard- I would be so disappointed if I didn't show up! So I had too... We ran as a part of the Monet Spa team and all had matching purple shirts. We lined up in the hour and half finish section...

Amongst the 8000 athletes that showed up that morning! It was an amazing event to be a part of and so fun! 

Feeling excited! And cold! 

I started therun with Sharon and Elizabeth, but the crowd was so thick I couldn't do it, so I plugged in my earphones and started a light jog. The crowd was insane and I felt I was weaving in and out of the walkers trying to maintain a nice speed. The run was gorgeous... Running downtown Victoria... Cherry blossoms raining all around us, the ocean on my right. I was just thinking how blessed I am to love here and it felt like I was running in a picture!  At around 5 km my knee and right hip hurt so bad... I felt like I needed to give up... So I stopped and walked and grabbed water at the water station and prayed through it. I really wanted to finish strong. So I started running again and my upper body felt so strong like I could go forever... It was my stupid knee. So I maintained a fair pace- praying the whole way through until it just went away! So either my prayer was answered (which I believe it was!) or my Advil kicked in! 😜The pain was gone and with 1 Km left I was able to pick up my speed for the home run... It felt so good to cross the finish line! And I finished the race in 1 hr and 3 minutes. I was so proud of myself for this accomplishment! But then when I was across I was lost in a sea of people! So I found my way back to the finish line and was able to take pictures of the rest of the team crossing the line! 

Sharon and I... We did it! Thank you friend for challenging me to this! 

I really have loved this little journey of training for something and I hope I can figure out what is going on with my knee so I can continue to run for fun and possibly keep training for more races in the future. I love taking Meeko, plugging in my ear phones and just running through this beautiful place I get to call home! 

Friday

Last week was a slow one with a sick Amara. She was sick on and off for a couple of weeks- being super irritable, no appetite, sleepy, cuddly and feverish. There was no rhyme or reason to it and she would sometime wake up happy and other times not. So we stayed pretty low key. But on Friday after school Danika went to a friends house and Adessa had her buddy Ava over. The girls had a "princess tea party."  These two are two peas in a pod... And Amara is never to be left out! 

After the play date we met the dollmans at the kids favorite restaurant... The Doghouse. It was crazy busy and apparently it always is... A little gem of a place with yummy food and the most amazing looking desserts! 5 little girls between the two families. 

Chelsey was so helpful with one tired little Amara! 

Saturday morning Danika went to Sydney's 9 th birthday sleepover party. It was a doll party and she had so much fun... She is growing up too quickly! 

Meanwhile...

My sister and her family are enjoying life in the Cayman Islands and sending me a few pictures to make me a wee bit jealous! But I am happy they are having such an amazing day snorkelling and swimming with turtles and sting rays. They just rented a condo on the beach! 

Saw a few cute little sayings on Facebook and had to use them... This one is so Adessa! Always in her own little world. I love it! 

And then this one... Amara was given a tutu for her birthday and loves wearing it! She dresses herself in just her tutu and her pink hat on almost a daily basis! 

And this... 

My hubby! He is brave, patient and persistent... An overcomer and I am so proud of him! He has been so busy lately and his amazing name is getting out there that he has phone calls daily asking for his company to do work for them. He is handling it so well and I couldnt be more proud! Even though the days can be long with an extremely busy husband I am blessed to have someone who works so hard to provide for us... And I need to remind myself of this often! 

Monday

In the morning I met crystal and faith at the trans canada trail to get in another run. 

It was another gorgeous day and so I put in my ear phones and hit the trail. My knee and hip were both pretty sore so I took it pretty easy. I love running this trail even though it is not a loop it is so peaceful and beautiful! And helps that Crystal has Amara in a bike trail. They just stayed at the beginning of the trail and the girls just walked and explored with the puppies. 

Once I was done my run we were having a little picnic in the parking lot when a lady walking a dog told us to put our dogs on a leash and then as she walked by she said, "and those kids too!" I was in shock.. And part of me wanted to take the lady out! But I then felt bad for her and wished I would have yelled Jesus loves you instead of pardon me in a shocked voice! She must have been having a terrible day to say that!!! 

My run on Saturday... Dropped the girls at a birthday party and Steve dropped me off as well to run home! Meeko has sure been getting in shape with me too! It has been fun! 

Tuesday

After grocery shopping this morning the girls and I stopped at the Dyke just down the road from us. It is a beautiful off leash dog park that runs along the Cowichan river. We went for a beautiful walk and Meeko ran wild with a bunch of dog friends the entire time! 

We were stopping and reading all the signs and this was the recommendation on how to spot the lizards and toads! Hilarious! Apparently I need to fill some sachets with pine and store in my drawers... I wonder if it will attract my husband too! 😜

 

My beautiful girl... Complains at the thought of going for a hike or walk but explores the entire time and is so happy in nature! 

Gorgeous... I love having this beautiful girl home with me twice a week still.. Thankful I had the option for her! 

The morning was perfect! 

Amara moves to much to capture a picture of... But she ran pretty much the whole time to keep up just wanted up when the big dogs came running at her! 

Cutting the backyard lawn today I found hundreds of these gorgeous flowers... They made me smile! 

Crystal and faith stopped by for a quick lunch visit and then Adessa had her friend Alina over all afternoon and Danika brought her friend maaike home from school. The weather changed quickly today so while it started raining the girls had a snack and tea party and then painted some rocks! 

After dinner- Amara painted for the first time!!! She loved it! And kept asking for more colours. 

Good day 😊

FEELS LIKE SUMMER!!!

Today was the BEST! We got up, packed a picnic lunch and some extra clothes, packed up the boat and headed to church. We said our goodbyes to the wonderful Kaleo students we got to know so well and then headed for the boat launch. It seriously felt like summer! I didn't even think to pack sun screen but by the middle of the day I regretted that as I could feel my shoulders burning and knew the girls would be burned as well.

First boat ride of the year!!!

Captain Amara was crying for the first half as it was her nap time, but driving the boat made her a little happier!

The girls don't look too happy! Sitting with my little friend Elyssa

Headed to Tent Island... lowest tide of the year apparently... we have never seen the ocean so low, so there was lots of exploring and clam digging to be done!

This girl would explore and find awesome things and then realize she had mud on her and start crying until she got distracted by the next moving object.

The men and their boats... 

The biggest and the Littlest

She was pretty fearless near the water this year... big change from last year!

Besties digging for clams

The scenery on Tent island is so stunning!

So is this little sweetie

Super cool starfish

We have heard there was a sand bar that goes from Tent Island to Penelakut and to not take the boat in between but we have never seen the water low enough to actually see it! We were pretty excited!

Gorgeous tree and beach!

Exploring the sand bar... or seashell bar.. the ground was made up of crushed seashells

So many clams!

Gorgeous snow covered mountains in the distant!

The Moms!

This kid... after our long exploring adventure of the island, Amara was DONE... but nothing a few cheezies and cookies couldn't fix!

The men then left to do some fishing, and the girls got in their swim suits!

7 girls between the 3 families... Kailey is missing in this picture... hence why the men left fishing! 

Brave little baby girl!

Adess and Kailey going for a swim

Their little restaurant they set up

Sleeping in their "home" 

The day was perfect and was complete with my baby falling asleep in my arms on the boat ride home. I do not remember the last time this happened and so I cherised it deeply. Those eyelashes! But as soon as the boat stopped she sat up and was ready to go... my little baby is growing up!