Canadian blood

Fact about Zuriel:  He is Mexican.  

Second fact:  He is also Canadian.

How rad is that?  A Mexican Canadian.  He was born in Ontario, but his entire family {on both sides} is from Mexico for many generations, with a little bit of Spanish and French blood mixed in at some point.

He lived in Canada until the 2nd grade, when his family moved to Germany for just over a year.  After living in Germany, they moved back to Canada where he lived until the 7th grade.  While living in Canada, he played the beloved sport of hockey.  Z says there were ice ponds all over where they'd play "pond hockey" {because naturally, every kid had hockey gear}.  When they couldn't play on the ice, they would play street hockey.

The last four winter semesters, Zuriel has played intramural ice hockey for the University to get in touch with his roots.  Just kidding about the roots...but, he really enjoys playing, even though he's no pro.  

So Thursday night was probably their last game of the season because of the abnormal winter weather conditions we've been having lately.  And unfortunately, it was the first game I was able to watch this season.  I tried to make up for it by yelling lots of loud, obnoxious {but mostly encouraging} things, and took about 50 pictures.  Fortunately for you, I'm only posting about 15 of those phone pics.  

Here's to a close win {they went into overtime} and a good season overall!  

Side note... Z is number 53 and, naturally, practically every picture is a semi-close up with him in it--I'm the wife, I'm supposed to take pics of my husband.

 

And of course, we forgot to get a picture together.  Surprise, surprise.

My Valentine

Dear Valentine,

I love how you sweep me off my feet and into your arms.

I love that if I get into bed after you've already fallen asleep, you instinctively cuddle me without even knowing it.  I guess your subconscious is just as in love as the conscious you.

I love how excited you get when I make you your favorite cookies {extra raisins is a must}.

I love the way you look into my eyes and smile the biggest smile.

You're the greatest Valentine anyone could ask for.  And you're mine.  For eternity.

Love you forever and ever and ever,

The Luckiest Wife

While Z was out

My first evening alone I decided to make tacos.  Because, why would anyone not want to eat some chips, salsa, and tacos if they were in front of them?  I took these pictures and sent them to Z.  Needless to say, he was a bit jealous and wishes he could've been home with me for more reasons than one.

The following day I ran errands with my sister and it only made sense to include a lunch date.
Love you girl

Friday night, one of my very good friends from Texas came to visit with his girlfriend.  It was very, very fun to have them keep me company while my lover was out. We went to dinner Friday night and the following day we took off to Jackson Hole, Wyoming for the evening.  Jackson was an evening of greasy burgers and waffle fries, a walk in the park, pictures around the town, a wanabe snowball fight, and an 'adventure' trying to drive home in all that snow.  Thanks for a fun weekend guys!

It's always sad when we're apart but, thanks to family and friends, I ultimately had an enjoyable weekend!

Week 15, Round two

Saturday was a big day for me.  I knew that day would arrive quicker than anticipated and I knew it'd be somewhat of a determining factor--especially for my confidence going into the race.

Training for a marathon takes time and dedication.  And good running shoes.  But mostly, just time and dedication. Most training programs are 18-week programs, and two days ago was the end of my 15th week for the second time in my life.  Meaning, race day is less than three weeks away.....!

A couple posts ago I talked about how everything inside of me did not want to go for a run that day.  In the end, I ended up running the needed distance and was incredibly grateful I did.  One reason that particular run was so important was because whether I completed it or not would determine my ability to complete the long run on Saturday.  I was also sick and unable to run the week prior so I knew time to 'get my runs in' before race day was quickly diminishing--especially if I wanted to decrease my risk of injury from training too hard, too fast.  

Saturday morning came.  I woke up, ate a bagel with cream cheese, and got my 'gear' ready for my run while waiting for my food to settle.  I was preparing myself to run 20 miles, which was expected to take me 3 hours and 10 minutes, roughly.  For the run, I needed to wear a fuel belt.  The picture to the right is me and one of my friends running a half-marathon.  Looking back, we probably didn't need to wear our belts for that race...oh well.  If you can see, there is a small pouch in the center and two containers on either side.  For my Saturday run, one container was filled with water, the other with gatorade.  The tiny pouch was beyond 'stuffed to the brim' with my phone {in case of emergency}, PowerBar energy blasts,  and one Gu gel packet {the other 3 Gu gel packs were stuffed in my sportsbra}.  

I was so nervous, but excited.  To minimize insecurity and doubt for my upcoming marathon, I needed to finish this run, and preferably well. 

I wasn't in the mood to run 'out and back' this day--I needed some sort of loop.  So I found the loop of the half-marathon {pictured above} online and added an extra loop at the end to come up with the needed miles.  

My ipod was in my armband and I headed out.  I decided to not start off running to music, I needed to have a controlled, even pace and I wanted to soak up my surroundings--I was about to run through the back country of Eastern Idaho and I wanted to enjoy it.

It's an incredible thing to focus on your breathing, the sound of your shoes hitting the pavement, the wind, the occasional diesel truck or farm equipment drive by, cows mooing, and dogs barking.  I was so caught up in my surroundings and how my body felt, I didn't end up ever listening to my ipod the entire run. 

I ate my energy blasts and Gu gels on schedule: at mile 5, 10, and 16.  If I ever strongly believed in Gu gels, it was after this run.  I took the gels just before my body and muscles craved them and was glad I did.  

I only take my phone on long runs when I wear my fuel belt, but I'd never taken pictures.  This time it was so pretty I couldn't help it, and it only took a few seconds anyway.  

When I realized I was only a few miles from home, I couldn't believe it.  I was elated, and not necessarily for the reasons you would think.  Of course I was ecstatic because I was about to finish my 20-mile run and be able to eat, but more-so because I felt so good!  To my surprise, I didn't feel dead and utterly exhausted.  On the contrary, I felt like I could keep running.  I was on the biggest runner's high and I didn't want it to end.  Then for the first time in my training these last few weeks, I felt ready for March 3rd to grace me with it's presence.  The icing on the cake was when I looked at my watch and saw that I had run not 20 miles, but 21.

The only thing that could have made the experience that much better would have been to come home to my husband saying "I'm so proud of you!  I knew you could do it!" while giving me a big hug, despite the fact that I had dried, salty sweat all over my face and wreaked of someone who'd been sweating for over 3 hours straight.  But, since he was still in Reno, my dog sufficed.  And she was probably just as excited as he would've been because she got to lick my sweaty arms and legs while I stretched {what is it with dogs loving sweat?!}.  Gross.

Besides feeling hungry and sweaty when I got home, the only real pain I had was from the blisters I felt forming and rubbing in my shoes during my run.  I learned by about mile 11 that it was definitely time for new shoes, and quick.

If you haven't believed in yourself and in your ability to do more than you thought possible, start believing.  I know we can accomplish anything we're willing to put the time and effort into.  Sure it'll be hard, but man alive will it be worth it.  So give it a shot and test it out.  You got this.

What a cute guy

The hubster took off at about 4a.m. on Wednesday for Reno, Nevada, to participate in a school event/construction competition for his major.  Fortunately, he is expected to be home early Sunday morning {so the length of his trip could definitely be worse--I'm lucky it is only four nights!}.

I was browsing through old pictures of him as a cute little boy and thought I'd share a couple of funny ones...

He loves to be active and outdoors

He's a great and silly older brother

He has always wanted to own a big, loud, manly diesel truck.  Conveniently, I love seeing him in a big, loud, manly diesel truck--it's sexy

He was a runner in high school, years before I ever developed the confidence to give distance running a shot.  He is now my biggest fan.  He has been a constant supporter and encourager from the beginning of my desire to run road races.  I can't express how much I appreciate it--you're the best.

 He's so cute!  He moved a lot growing up--definitely a little traveler.  I love traveling with him and am excited to travel more once he finishes school!  I know we will move often with his job in the future and I'm excited!

He's such an easy going guy and loves any and everything we do for his birthday, no matter how small or simple.  I should try recreating this hat for his birthday this year, ha

 He loves the convenience of 'buzzing' his head...always had, and I'm sure he always will.  Conveniently, I find him incredibly attractive either way.

Such a good little student.  He has been working so hard in school, especially now that he is practically finished with his undergrad, I'm so proud!

He used to 'BMX' back in the day and loves fun toys like snowmobiles, four wheelers, wake boards, snowboards, guns, etc.  He hopes to own some of those bigger toys himself once day..

Him and some buddies in high school.  He gets along with practically everyone, I love it.

 His adorable and incredible family--I love them so much!

He's the second of five and he loves his siblings so much.

Haha he is just so sweet and so dang cute!  And we can't forget to recognize that awesome leather jacket he's sporting.  What a cool dude.

I know nothing about sewing...Zuriel on the other hand, knows plenty.  His grandma was a seamstress and lived with his family for some time, during which Zuriel quickly became her right hand man.  She taught him a lot so he could help her with her projects.  So cute.

Again, with some buddies from high school.  Look what a handsome teenager he was!

Love his big, brown eyes.  And check out that thick wavy hair, I wonder what our kids' hair will be like

He was, and definitely still is, a cute and silly boy.  

Can't wait for Sunday morning babe!

This or that

Today I woke up with every intention of going on a run within the first 30-60 minutes of being awake.  Every intention.  In fact, I went to bed last night ready and actually looking forward to this run.  I'm weird right?  {At least it's a healthy type of weird}.

I woke up slow, getting up before 9am.  I was dressed in my long spandex with my Asics, all ready to go just before 10am. {Reminder: the long spandex is necessary--I live in Idaho where it is 14 degrees Fahrenheit at 10am this time of year}.  Long story short, I somehow became distracted and preoccupied with other important, as well as unimportant, things that kept me from starting my run.  

.....2:30pm rolls around and I'm finally turning on my garmin and jogging out the door.  

After a few hours of being dressed to run and still sitting on the couch, had the thought crossed my mind to not run?  Yes.  Lately, I've noticed that if my training for a marathon comes up in conversation, the persons listening assume I am above and beyond what I actually am.  Well surprise, I have my days where I would just rather get my errands and cleaning done, or lounge in my sweats instead of going for a two hour run.  Their reaction to my crave for running includes thoughts of how it 'comes natural' for me and how they could never get themselves 'to do that'.  My reaction is, why not??

I wasn't born with any supernatural power that enables me with a magical desire and capability to run long distances.  I haven't always been a 'runner'.  This desire and passion for running is a recent development, believe it or not.  And if I had to put a date on it, I'd say I didn't start to love distances greater than say, five miles, until about August 2010 {basically a year and a half ago}.  

The reason I mention this is because towards the end of my run today, I began thinking about how I could have {and almost did} chosen not to run.  It would have been easy to come up with justifications to lounge today, run tomorrow.

My point is, is that there is no reason you couldn't decide, just as I did, to use your agency and choose to 'go run' if that is what you desire.  There may be an array of other desires you have for yourself, and all I'm saying is maybe all you need to do, is decide to do it.  It seems a person's biggest limitations are the ones they place on themselves.  We have more will power than we think and we need to give ourselves more credit.  Of course, we would be nothing without God, but even He knows we have greater potential than we could imagine. 

Embrace the nike slogan already, and 'just do it' {whatever "it" may be}.

Our Fridays

I don't think I ever posted about how I graduated in December...kind of a big deal...  And I'm thinking I'll save that post for later, after I actually 'walk'.  Ya know, the most important and official part about graduating...I'm half joking.

Now, my reference to graduating is relevant because I had to remind you that I am finished with classes, allowing more flexibility to my schedule {to say the least} on my days off of work.

Two days after getting home from our Christmas break, the man of the house started a new job.  Normally he manages the University's welding lab and metal shop, but he is only allowed to have that job while he is a full-time student.  SO, guess what.  He's not a full-time student this semester!  I love it because this means when he's not working, or working out, I get him all to myself!  What makes it even more fabulous is that his work schedule is as follows:  Monday through Thursday, 6am-5pm.  Sure they're 10-hour days {and it definitely tires him out}, BUT it means that he has a long weekend every weekend.  Never mind the fact that our bedtime goal is 9pm Sunday through Wednesday night.

Friday mornings {when I'm not scheduled for work} is what we look forward to every week.  It is the morning that Zuriel is most exhausted and he finally gets to sleep in.  We wake up slow, go for a run, have a good breakfast, and take it easy!  It's unreal.  He and I have never both been out of school during the same semester in the last four years we've been together.  Some Fridays we've hung out all day in our pjs.  Others we'll run a few errands.  Others we'll drive to the next closest city and spend the day window shopping and buying things and meals with gift cards we somehow almost forgot we had. 

The photo on the right was taken at Sportsmans Warehouse with my phone...after showing Zuriel the picture he says, "Oh my gosh!  You can't even see me!  Can I get it?!"  Love him.  His excitement over the most random things kills me--I love it.

And one friday we even went out to see a movie early in the evening, only to return home and cuddle to another movie that same night--making sure to not leave out banana splits and air popped popcorn.

 Notice the difference in the 'organization' of the banana splits...yeah, mine is the one without the yucky maraschino cherries and with the bananas purposefully diced.  It just tastes better that way--trust me.

Moral of the story--I've loved our Fridays together.