THE HALF

Around Thanksgiving I got it in my head that I wanted to run a half marathon. I had been running to loose my baby weight and was starting to really enjoy it. I always enjoy a challenge so I though...hey, why not. Now for all of you that know me...this was not easy because I AM NOT A RUNNER. In fact I always told my sister Natalie that she was crazy when she ran cross-country in high school. I would sometimes follow her on runs on my bike and nearly die...so the thought of having to run it...well, IMPOSSIBLE!!! But I am happy to announce that I DID IT...I RAN (I NEVER STOPPED) A HALF-MARATHON!!! It was a challenge but I loved every minute of it!!! So here is a list of the top ten things I loved and learned about running a half marathon.

10. I loved the rush of running and passing and weaving around other runners.

9. I learned that there are two kinds of drinks being passed out: water and HEED (YUCK)!

8. I loved that they passed out gummy bears at mile 8 (kind of weird?).

7. I learned about the "runners runs"...self explainitory.

6. I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED running along the Spokane River in the city in which I was raised and love so much.

5. I learned that it was not my new running shoes that made my toes hurt insanely bad (I have horrible feet and possibly bursa).

4. I loved running with my dear friend Cassandra and have developed a running friend for life!

3. I learned that slow and steady really does win the race AND that the winner of the full-marathon doesn't run...he freakin' sprints!!! Who was I to really think I would run next to him for a minute. Try a nano-second!!!

2. I LOVED SEEING MY AMAZING FAMILY AT THE END OF THE FINISH LINE...IT WAS HEAVEN SENT!!! ALL I COULD THINK OF THE LAST 3 MILES WAS...FINISH THE RACE SO YOU CAN SEE YOUR KIDS AND HUSBAND!!! THE REAL REWARD OF THE RACE, THEN GETTING TO RUN THE LAST 100 YARDS TO THE FINISH LINE WITH JENNA!!! THIS MIGHT SOUND WEIRD BUT IT WAS KIND OF SPIRITUAL.

1. I learned that I am a runner and ANYONE can be a runner!!! I learned so much about myself and my determination. This was a big goal of mine and was so happy and emotional that I DID IT!!!

Moving on up the blogger list...finally...

After months and months of no blogging...finally a post...and a picture just to prove that we are still alive and doing well! So here is a little McCombs family update...

This was on Mother's Day. My most favorite thing to do is go to Manito Park with my kids, so that is what we did on Mother's Day. It was beautiful and green, but not many flowers. But there were Koi fish in the Japanese Garden, thank goodness!!! Drew would have been very disappointed. It is always an adventure between trying to keep the boys out of the ponds, "off-roading" with the double stroller down a very steep, dirt hill, and feeding the ducks--that were pre-occupied, so we just fed the giant catfish!

Joel Update: A miracle happened in the McCombs household this last month. After 4 years of waking up an going to work at 4am every morning...Joel was promoted at UPS to the Business Development team at UPS!!! This happened literally two weeks after he told UPS that he was putting in his 2 week notice. His bosses' boss talked to Joel and told him that he might want to reconsider and that opportunity for promotion could be anywhere from 1 year to 3 years, but it might be worth the wait. Amazingly enough, Joel decided to stick it out a little longer, and two weeks to the day is now an Account Executive at UPS!!! His first day was yesterday and he LOVES it!!! We feel extremely blessed!!! The best part of the job is that he can now stay up with me to watch Desperate Housewifes on Sundays!!! Just kidding...he does that anyway!!! Don't tell him that I told you that.

Another tradition of mine is to take a picture with my kids on every Mother's Day. They NEVER cooperate, but someday I will look back at these pictures and remember how crazy and fun (most of the time) they were when they were little.

Amber Update: After months and months of training, I will be running my first half-marathon this Saturday. Prayers would be appreciated (and needed). I am really excited. I just hope that whatever causes that extreme pain in my toes, possible Bursa, decides not to show up during the race.

I took this picture of Jenna a couple of months ago...I love it!!! I just need to figure out the picture editing thing and post some more of this little beauty!!!Jenna Update: This little girl is loosing teeth like crazy!!! The amazing thing about it is that she has me pull (rip) them out of her mouth! She is one tough cookie. She is LOVING first grade still and is participating in a running program at school where the kids keep track of how many laps that they do at recess. When I asked her how many miles she has done already her reply was, "Like 40 miles." Maybe 40 laps...but it was cute. She is also reading soooo well! She loves to draw and write stories about unicorns and pegasus'. When we were at Manito I told the kids that they needed to touch a Japanese fountain and put a drip of water on their forehead and make a wish. I asked Jenna what she wished for...a pegasus and to be rich. Not bad. She also asks questions like crazy and when you give her an answer she says, "Why?" and questions our answer which drives her mom and dad CRAZY!!!
Drew, my little "regalon"...or whatever that Spanish word for favorite is. Joel says that Drew is my favorite...and some moments he really is...I would like to bottle him up and keep him 3 forever! He can be soooo cute and funny...I just can't get over him. But then sometimes I would like to give him away...like this last Saturday when he knocked his pop over at Costco 2 TIMES...on a SATURDAY BEFORE MOTHER'S DAY!!! CAN YOU SAY CRAZY!!! I quickly remind Joel that all of my kids are my favorites...but I am enjoying Drew right now.

Drew Update: When he is not being totally sweet and oh, so handsome...you can find Drew running around in his underwear and snowboots. And if you can't find him in the house...just look outside on the trampoline. He loves dragons (we saw "How to Train your Dragon"), preschool, and fruit. He is looking forward to his Dad taking him to see "Iron Man 2"...which Dad has promised with out telling Mom. When Dad asks Mom, "Do you want to come?" I reply, "No, thanks. I don't want everyone to look at ME and say...why then heck did that MOM bring their THREE year old child to see IRON MAN 2!!! What kind of parent is SHE!" I will leave that up to Joel.

And last but not least is Ethan...there will be another post for Ethan...he is crawling all over me and demanding attention...stay tuned.