An Accompished Weekend

Happy 4th of July to all our friends and family members. OK, don't really pay attention to the date that I am typing this, it has been a bit crazy here and this is the first time I am able to get to the computer to wish everyone a Happy 4th. So I guess the better thing to say is: I hope everyone had a safe and happy 4th of July.

After spending a week in Annapolis, Brian, the boys and I loaded up our stuff and headed back to Ohio to spend the afternoon with my family. My mother planned a BBQ for the entire family since both my brother's family and ours were in town at the same time. This was a first in probably 6 or 7 years. I guess that is what happens when two members are part of the military and have lived on opposite sides of the country most their careers (even they were even in the country). This was gave all of us an opportunity to wish my brother well as he prepares to head to Afghanistan for a year. We send him with our love and wish him a safe and speedy return.

During the BBQ are family did what it does best: Drink and Compete. Brian and I were able to wipe the ground with all competitors as we dominated the corn hole board the entire afternoon. After not losing the entire day, we stepped away only to rush the boys off to see fireworks. It was a great boost to our egos. It only continued the next day when Brian and my sister, Ang, took down my brother, Roy, and family friend, Cindy, on the golf course. Way to keep the winning streak alive.

Back to the fireworks, they were great. It was probably the closest Brian and I have ever been to the fireworks, they were practically right above our heads. Never would have thought the boys would miss them, but after such a LONG day both of them had fallen asleep before the finale even began. Bless their tired souls. They were adorable, until we had to carry them the half mile walk back to the car. Boy, did my back get a workout.

After I took it easy on Saturday, while Brian was out golfing, I prepared myself mentally for my triathlon race. On Sunday morning, as I left Brian and the boys still sleeping, I wondered to myself why I was going to create such agony on my muscles. The chills kept running through my back and the butterflies kept twittering in my stomach, but I was able to set up my bike and gear and walk along the beach thinking about the coldness I was about to swim through. As the time counted down to the beginning of the race, my family members began to arrive. Brian brought the boys and my sister and her friend, Renee, came to cheer me on or make fun of me, depending on how you look at it. (all in good spirit). Always behind schedule, my brother and his family finally did arrive in time to watch most of the race. After swimming a 1/4 mile, biking 14.3 miles, and running 3.2 miles, I am happy to say that I completed the race in 1:44.11. Coming in under the 2 hour goal that I set for myself. To my surprise, I manage to come in 3rd in my division. Not too bad, I have to admit. Once the butterflies left my stomach I was able to remember why I subject myself to this feat: Because it is such an accomplishment when you cross that finish line, and there is no way to describe how it feels when your entire family is there cheering you on and supporting YOU.

Not to leave you thinking I was a wonder woman or anything: I basically sat on the couch and took a nap all afternoon to recuperate.