STOP....... Be Thankful

I'm finally doing it.  I am buried in a mountain of pictures and editing to do as well as a host of other things but tonight I am just going to stop.....and be thankful.

This year I hosted my very first Thanksgiving.  Bob's family was going to be in town this year and I was only too excited to have my home be the place for celebrating.  I must say I missed my Momma and Daddy, but I did enjoy thinking through and planning for my very own version of the holiday.  I decided to make chicken instead of turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, broccoli, cranberry sauce and of course Grandma Fran's pumpkin and dutch apple pie.  Aunt Linda brought green bean casserole, corn casserole, bread and sparkling cider while Great Grandma brought her yummy pistachio salad.  So delightful....our table was most definitely full!

We only had one minor setback which of course happened in the whole "cook the chickens" process.  I had one of my chickens in my glass baking dish that I have had for years.  I add water to the bottom of my pans while my chickens cook and after years of doing that it finally gave in and went BOOM!  Glass baking dish shattered filling my oven and house with greasy chicken smoke.  I had to laugh......of course that would happen :)

Which brings me to one of the many things I am thankful for......good friends.....and closer neighbors.  My dear friend Sarah graciously let me borrow her oven for 40 minutes and effectively saved our Thanksgiving day.  Bob was such a doll to take over the cleaning and before I was back from the neighbor's house the oven was clean, dry and ready for sweet potatoes and casseroles.  Yes, I am thankful.

Dinner only arrived 20 minutes behind schedule and it was worth the wait.  Thanksgiving isn't really about the food anyways and I sat down thankful for the reminder.  As we went around the table saying what we were thankful for I just smiled and realized what a sweet season of life we are in.  We have Great Grandma and a host of Aunts and Grandmas that love us, we have a beautiful home, healthy family, an IRONMAN goal, gorgeous girls and a future that is bright and beautiful.

Tonight I want to stop amidst the busyness that inevitably surrounds me, be thankful for the incredible season of life we are in and remember the year I hosted my first Thanksgiving.  

Fun

I have been so busy this Fall.  It's good.....just busy.  There have been countless mornings, evenings and weekends where the girls have spent their time with Bob.  Thank goodness for the man. He loves to let these kids play.   I think he has decided that if he ever writes a parenting book its going to be....."Just Play with Your KIDS!"  

And let me tell you, these little girls LOVE him.  They are constantly dirty, with crazy hair and whatever they ate still on their faces, but man do they have some fun.

I couldn't believe the other day when I came outside and found Bob with the leaf blower in Lily's face.  She was giggling up a storm and had the biggest smile on her windblown face.  I would never think of doing that with my girls, but it wasn't even a hesitation with Bob.  I am grateful for that.

I have simply no doubts that as these little ladies get older they will always remember and love their Daddy.  He's fun and they have fun together. 

He has set the fun standard high and for that I am truly grateful.

Journey to IRONMAN: A Year Away from Glory

I can see it.....

The finish line......

Everything hurts.  Its been such a long, long, LONG day.....

I don't know why I am doing this and I have fought myself and my aching body for 13+ hours...

But

There it is.  Right down the line.  Only a few more steps.....just a few more seconds.  The crowds get louder, their cheers bringing me to the end.  I feel my tired body reenergized, "You did it!" I say to myself.  Allowing the reality of a dream come true overtake me, I speed up, against the screaming in my legs.  I raise my arms in victory and cross that IRONMAN finish line. "Bethany Longmire, YOU ARE AN IRONMAN!" I hear.  A victory cry escapes my lips and I fall into the arms of my loving family having done it.

A Dream Come True.

Do you see that picture above.....I AM REGISTERED!  My journey to the title of IRONMAN 140.6 has officially begun.  The place is set, the date is set, the money is paid.  I am headed to IRONMAN.

And I am SO EXCITED!

This past weekend was spent out on the course volunteering and cheering many of my AZ TRI Club members onto glory.  It was incredible.  To truly see the human spirit, go to an IRONMAN, volunteer for it, be with the athletes, see their struggle and witness their victory.  It. Is. INCREDIBLE.  

The race this year was brutal.  Our sunshine state was covered in clouds and rained ALL DAY.  It was cold, windy, wet and for many....miserable.  A true test of will.  So many people said to me, "well this will make you never want to do and IRONMAN!"  

They don't know an IRONMAN.  I was so empowered.  IRONMAN isn't about the day.  It isn't about the race.  It is about the journey.  The months and months of training, the people, the sacrifice.  The race day is the victory lap for months of commitment.  You never let bad weather wreck your victory lap.

In order to ensure a spot for myself in next year's race I volunteered at one of the run aid stations for about 5 hours.  What an experience.  It was so incredible because I got to see the lead elites as they finished the final leg of their IRONMAN race. WOW.

After a long day of cold, wet spectating, I came home exhausted.  Boy it's a long day.  I had to be back at the race start by 6:30 this morning to register.  Yes, I had to take the girls.  This morning we headed down to the Tempe Beach Park where I waited in line, paid my money and confirmed that I am on my way. My girls did great.  They are gonna be the best little fans. 

The countdown is on to IRONMAN AZ 2016.

I'm coming for you M dot.

She is BRAVE

5 years ago as I was holding a little tiny, not sleeping baby I remember thinking to myself......man some day this little girl is going to be 5.  I don't know why 5 was the magic year I was thinking about, but I just remember contemplating the reality that she wasn't going to stay my little baby forever and that one day....she would be 5.  Well, that day was FRIDAY and look at this beautiful Lily.  SHE IS 5!  She is almost a Kindergartner......she is a blossoming little girl.  My baby is growing up.

And so so SO beautifully.  While I was editing the picture above I actually shed a few little tears.  She is a breathtakingly beautiful, full of life little girl.  Bright, hopeful, joyful and fun.  I am just so proud of her.

This year Lily decided that she wanted a BRAVE theme for her birthday party.  Merida is the princess and she is a determined, unyielding, passionate, opinionated, beautiful, strong and brave princess.....just like Lily.  Merida is an archer and Lily has taken to her little bow and arrow with style.  Memaw got Lily completely outfitted in her Brave attire including matching sandals, tiara, dress and bow and arrow.  Lily was the part.  Lily is BRAVE.

Lily got to invite some of her very best friends over for a morning party complete with archery contest, cupcake decorating, pinata smashing, playground time and presents.  

Lily Grace has such a big heart when it comes to her friends. You can tell she is well liked by all and loves to be part of everyones fun.  

Katie

Jade

Katie

Colton 

(Lily wanted to invite our neighbors so Colton got to be surrounded by the ladies! He fit right in!)

Makensie

Hayden

Kayden

Tatum

Evie Bee

Cupcake decorating was a blast with the kids.  Each of them got to decorate 2 cupcakes and I loved watching the creativity of each kiddo.  

This little girl loves to have people sing her Happy Birthday.  She sat in her chair like a princess just smiling and soaking it all in.  

Our last big event for the party was to whack the pinata.  This was the one request that Lily had for her party was a pinata.  I found us a little horse and filled it with chocolate.  So much fun.

I think the best part of the weekend was having all of this amazing family in town.  My Mom surprised Lily last Thursday and we had Grandma Jill, Grandpa Steve, Great Grandma and Aunt Sue in town too.  

Happy Birthday Lily.  A lot of people LOVE you, especially Mom.  Although we may disagree sometimes, you are one of the brightest lights in my life.  I love you to the moon and back.  You are big and strong.  You are Brave.