i know, i know...

it's been a while. Again.

Life has been a little bit busy this year. It all started last December when Carey and I got the very strong impression that we should prepare to sell our home. (What?? After only a year??)

So we prayed and pondered and decided on mid-March to list with an agent. We spent the first couple of months preparing the house. We were a week away from listing when a chance conversation between my husband and a coworker ended up with an offer. So we are under contract and set to close at the end of this month.

Through all of this Carey has agreed to take a transfer back to Tualatin (What??? We were only in Bend for a year!!!). They will move us back after the school year ends. That is, of course, if we want to go. We are looking at other job possibilities in Utah, but nothing is set in stone yet.

So we will be moving out of my dear sweet home on June 1. Which happens to be the day we are heading over to the coast for a week, so I think the timing is good. I think that will make it a little bit easier.

Why are we going to the coast?

Well, for the Newport Marathon. I, along with my hubby and father, set out to complete this marathon after my training for the last one ended with a broken foot.

But, as fate would have it, I'm going to be sitting this one out as well.

My training was going rather well up until I hit about the 10 mile mark. I started getting this incredible pain in my right shin. I tried stretching, extra long warm ups, etc., but it just kept getting worse. It got to the point that on the day of my 14 miler, my foot became paralyzed, and I had to have my husband come pick me up (after only 1 hour and less than 3 miles) because I simply couldn't walk through the pain any more. I ended up being diagnosed with Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome. A pretty advanced case actually. So it was straight to surgery to avoid any muscle or tissue damage. I had a double fasciotomy- they released the anterior and lateral compartments from my knee to my ankle. Luckily the exterior scar is only about 5 inches and that is healing up alright. But the stuff they did on the inside of my leg takes about 2 months to heal.

I had been told over and over that it was unrealistic with this diagnosis/surgery to even think about the marathon. But a little part of me just couldn't let go. After all- there is a walking division- certainly I'd be able to walk it!! Right??? Well, yesterday I finally conceded. A few friends of mine who are also running Newport posted about their long run over the weekend. The emotions just swelled up from there. I can barely walk 5 minutes right now before my leg tires out. It will not be possible to walk 26.2 miles in just a couple of weeks. I know that now, and it has been very difficult for me to accept that once again, my body has defeated me. But I do know that I tried, and I gave 100% in my training and didn't stop until I literally couldn't walk any more. I don't know if I'll try for another marathon. The sports medicine doc said the chance of developing CECS in my other leg is high. So I think it is time to take up swimming or something.

But that doesn't mean that I'm not looking forward to going to the coast. The beach is my happy place and I honestly can't wait for Carey and my dad to cross that finish line. I know it will be an amazing experience for them.

In the mean time, I'm packing up my home, taking lots of pain meds, and just trying to figure out the purpose of us coming to Bend. It has been a wonderful year here- and I'll miss the friends I have made.

Life is good. Crazy, crazy, crazy. But good.

i'm still here..

A weekend trip to Portland

Oops- I guess I've been a little distracted for the last few months. But we are still alive and kickin' here in Bend. I realize that I failed to blog about some pretty big holidays and events- so, now I will catch everybody up:

Thanksgiving: Awesome.
Christmas in Utah: Super Rad.
New Years Eve: Great.
Valentines Day: Lovely.
Carey's Birthday: Fun.

I think that just about covers it.
I'll try to get back to regular weekly posts now.



snowshoeing field trip

a perfect 10...

A very Happy Birthday to the sweetest boy on the planet!



Today Steven turns 10 years old- it's hard to believe that a decade has gone by since this guy joined our family.



And a good decade it has been. Steven has always brought a sweet spirit into our home. He is the most thoughtful kid I know. Always making sure those around him are happy and comfortable. What a joy he is, I'm so luck he's my son!


Happy Birthday, Steven!