A Wincup Visit

As the year comes to a close I am finding myself behind on some necessary blogging!  Here's hoping I can get it done before we start a new year!

A week and a half ago we had a wonderful and surprising visit from our amazing friends Traci and Tyler.  They ended up coming to AZ in a bit of an unexpected way, and they made a quick stop by our house part of their itinerary.  I am so grateful, because one thing I am learning is that friendship happens when you are intentional.  Even if that means a 2 hour quick visit on a Monday afternoon.  

Lily, Evie and Audrey became fast friends and played for the whole afternoon.  I don't even think we saw them more than a couple of times.  They had a ball playing dolls and kitties.  All of them are incredibly strong and opinionated, however, they all figured out a way to play together and had a blast.  The 4 of us adults just hung out in the sunny yard catching up and playing with the little lady.

The last time I saw Ms. H here, she was brand new!  I couldn't help but pull my camera out and capture her.  She has so much joy and is such a happy heart.  I loved every second....so did Ellie.

I cherish the friendship that we have with this family and look forward to visiting with them again soon.  I am grateful that the miles are truly short between friends.  Much love to the Wincups! 

The Longmires 2017

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and all that jazz!  A New Year is upon us and we Longmires are oh so excited to welcome its arrival.

I won't lie, 2017 was a doozy of a year.  In both good and bad ways, this past year brought a lot of growth, tears and change.  It also brought much joy, renewal, repurposing, and direction.  2017 may have had many times of walking through a valley, but it also had many times of mountain top highs.  God is good, God is faithful, and we are grateful for a time of pruning.  I for one am hoping for a spectacular harvest!

Bob and I celebrated 13 years this year.  We are grateful for each other and have fought and found a sense of intense purpose and team work over the past 12 months.  Its been a harder season for us trying to recover both physically, and relationship wise from  IRONMAN. Learning to find balance in all of it has been strikingly big, and we have spent a year working through the want to's vs. the need to's.  The phrase, "just because you can doesn't mean you should" could probably wrap up a lot of what I have learned.  Through many tears and frustrating days we have always found each other.  We finished this year attending A Weekend to Remember.  Again, God is good, and I am so thankful that our struggles lead us to this event.  Marriage is hard sometimes, but doing hard is what makes good marriages great. You can't build strength unless you are faced with strong winds.  Our greatest prayer is that we continue to remember, Jesus first, Marriage second, Kids third...............and everything else after.  We still do!

Bob is thriving with PSPC and Matt (Bob's boss) is so thrilled that he has finally managed to figure out how to clone himself.  Bob is travelling more and more, but I am so proud of him and grateful that he can take some of the load off Matt.  His travel is really easy all things considered.  It ebbs and flows, but I will say it again, I have no problem captaining our ship while he is away.  The 3 of us girls manage life pretty great.  This year Bob and I had the amazing opportunity to TRAVEL.  We spent a week in the Bahamas and found ourselves in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Washington, Oregon, Colorado and California throughout the year.  We truly ventured this year and are so grateful that we have 2 little companions who LOVE to fly on an airplane.  A few of the big highlights for Bob this year was the second bathroom remodel, completeing the Petrified Forest Marathon,  and convincing his wife to let him buy a golf simulator (he worked hard for this).  He got it about a month ago and now has perfected the art of his swing.....and we now have our own backyard theatre.  The girls LOVE wrapping up in blankets and watching a movie.  You were right honey......its awesome.

I have had quite the year working through health issues and trying to find my place being athlete Bethany and everything else Bethany.  Here is one fact.....I am an incredible athlete.  I have great potential inside of the triathlon and running community.  I could do anything I wanted to.  BUT........that doesn't mean I should.  Wrestling with this strong, driven, hyper focused, no limits part of me, and the wife, mother, daughter of Christ, friend, laid back part of me has been a challenge I wasn't quite ready for.  I have had to work to master the art of letting go, and it hasn't been easy.  I pray that there will one day be time and space again for me to drive towards something like IRONMAN again, but its not now, and I have had to learn to let it go.   I am ever so thankful for a host of fabulous friends, travel, and photography that has given me other things to strive towards. 

 

Speaking of photography, my 5th year in business proved to be every bit as wonderful and smile filled as ever.  I am simply so grateful for the incredible people that allow me to photograph them.  I am looking forward to the coming year as I already have several weddings and numerous trips already on the books.   

A few of my own highlights this year were taking first place in my age group at the Rocky Point Triathlon, Reading all of the Harry Potter books and going to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, a girls weekend in Oregon at the Fueled by Wine Half Marathon, visiting Seattle and seeing my dear friend Anna, the Bahamas, adding a new doggie to the mix, and finally helping my parents find their new home here in AZ.  Its been a good year.  There is always joy.

Our girls are spectacular and the changes and growth we have seen in them this year has been one of the most awe inspiring and joyful experiences.  Parenting is such a gift.  Lily turned 7 this year.  SHES 7!  Its both hard to believe and perfectly true.  She is a bold 1st grader and loved by many.  This lady LOVES to learn, simply thrives on education and her teacher is ever so grateful for it, Bob too.  Her most requested thing this year was a "ton of national geographic kids books."  She teaches me about weather, and turtles, and frogs, and volcanos.........anything.  Ask Lily and chances are she can tell you something you may not know about our world.  She is amazing.  

Lily is creative and enjoys solving problems.  She and her Daddy are like two peas in a pod and are convinced that nothing broken is beyond repair.  She has also found that strong spirit when it comes to voicing her opinion.  She hates to be interrupted and is always ready to defend her stance.  She is bold, she is a fighter.........but she is also unbelievably tenderhearted.  Her compassion is a deep well that I am only beginning to understand.  While I see injustice, Lily feels it, she swims in it and it affects her spirit.  She has a deep sense of what is wrong and I can only be amazed at the Holy Spirit's sweet presence in her life.  This year is the first time that I can see the future when she and I get to be friends.  She loves me and cares deeply.  This year is the first year that she has shown any understanding for what I do. "Mommy, you do everything for us, how can I help you?"  She's special.

 Lily loves swimming.....still does, and when she is not doing swimming lessons, you will see her on a gymnastics mat, riding horses with her Memaw, riding her scooter, or running with her puppy.  This kid delights me.  She is beautiful, courageous, and a destined world changer.

I won't lie, this next kiddo I could write a novel on all that she is.  WOWZA,.  The Bible talks about being made in God's image.  The love this kid has gives me a daily dose of how great the Love of Jesus is.  This kid LOVES.  She does not go one day without telling me she loves me at least 3 times.....unprompted.  It just flows from her.  If you have experienced this little girls love you are a special being.  

Evie is in her 2nd year of preschool and doing awesome.  She is spicy and spunky and likes to constantly challenge her boundaries.  Yes, I have been called into the principal's office on a lot of occasions, but let me tell you........this kid is big.  She is going to do GREAT things.  She is a warrior.  She is our Wonder Woman.  Where Lily sees injustice and weeps at its sorrow, Evie straight up shields up, raises her sword, and heads into the battle, deflecting the bullets and leading the charge.  To know Evie is to know courage.  She has even made ME want to be a little bit bolder.  

Evie loves to play.  Her favorite activity BY FAR is tickles. Daddy cannot get into the house before Evie is antagonizing him to tickles.  The Bee and I spend a lot of time together still and I am constantly reminded that this year marks the last of the pre elementary years.  Time is a special thing and I am blessed to have been able to share it.  Evie loves gymnastics and playdates.  She is a good swimmer, but not in love with it under direction.  That's okay, she is good at a great many other things.  She loves her Memaw and Papa and is so happy that they are close. Evie loves having a constant revolving door of Grandmas.  She was treated to an amazing birthday celebration at Disney World with Grandma and Grandpa Longmire.  The kid came home simply joyous.  She met the Grand Canyon with Grandma and Grandpa Hill and has enjoyed a host of amazing opportunities with her Grandparents.  She is a giant, and she is special.

Our year has been marked with many great adventures and we exit its doors a little bit stronger and with a lot more wisdom.  We have experienced many adventures and ended our year one furry friend heavier.  The Lord has been gracious to us and we are blessed to be here at the beginning of the next chapter.

Merriest of Christmases to you!  May you be filled with joy and hope as you remember the true reason for the season. God's blessings to you as you embark on 2018.

Welcome Home Ellie

When our big dog Rocky died 7 years ago, we knew we needed time.  It was sad watching him go and with a new 1 year old and moving across country looming, we just couldn't add another dog into our life.  Little did we know that we would move 3 more times and have 1 more kid.  We loved the idea of having a dog, always have, but the reality of it was simply not gonna work.  We weren't ready.

Our girls are older now and just like its supposed to happen, there is a dog shaped spot that has been slowly opening up in our family.  This Christmas it was time.  So for the past several months we have been talking about it, discussing responsibility and fully immersing ourselves and our girls in what it will look like to be a dog owner.

Then came time for getting the actual dog.  Bob and I were committed to rescuing a dog.  While its not everyone's path, we knew without question that it was ours.  So I began the arduous process of researching rescues.  I knew I wanted a foster based shelter, and I discovered that its pretty common.  I also discovered that for most of these places "rescuing" a dog is akin to adopting an actual child.  Some had extensive application processes including home visits, construction schematics (for a dog run), equipment checklists and interview requirements. You had to have so much land and your fence had to be so high.  Your kids had to be vetted and interviewed and proved "dog worthy".........it was laughable.  All of this......FOR A DOG!  I was kind of discouraged.  Every time I would find a pup I was interested in I wouldn't match some crazy criteria.

So I prayed about it and kept looking. Then one day I ran across the Ghost Town Rescue right here in Mesa.  I scrolled through the dogs and saw little Ellie.  She is a husky.....and a terrier.  I have always wanted a husky again, (Rocky was Husky Malmute), but huskies are notorious runners.  They are free birds,and pride themselves on escaping and roaming.  While she was beautiful I passed her up in favor for the next dog I saw which was a lab/retriever.  

I called and set an appointment simply sure we were going to fall in love with Daisy the lab.  Bob ended up having  to go out of town, but if I had learned anything it was this, good dogs go fast.  If you find one you like.......move on it.  So that is just what we did.

I was so nervous with Lily and Evie in tow, driving to the shelter.  How were we going to know if a dog was a good fit?  What if it destroyed my house?  What if it was a biter.....what if what if.

Breathe Bethany.

We walked into the shelter and right in the front lobby were about 12 dogs in crates.....one of those had little Ellie in it.  I saw her, but looked past.  We were there for Daisy.  The worker brought Daisy out and she was.....BIG......and excited......and, in Lily's words, "so overwhelming."  Nope......shes not it.  We looked at another schnauzer mix.  Cute.....but not it either.  All the while Ellies white blue eyes just watched us.

It couldn't hurt to meet her right?  So the 3 of us walked to her crate, opened it, and sweet Ellie gently crawled out into my arms and licked me.  I set her down, and instantly gave the leash to Lily.  Ellie didn't pull, didn't push, just sat down, tail wagging and gently kissed both girls.  "Mommy, I love Ellie!"

That was it........people tell you that you will know when its right.  I did.  I walked to the counter and without hesitation said, she is the one.  The best part was when the owner came out and said, "Oh I am so happy for Ellie, she is one of the best, sweetest, most loving dogs in here. Everyone wants a lab, but she is the treasure."

So we brought Ellie home and I tell everyone I meet that I believe without doubt that we have hit the jackpot with this girl.  She is leash trained and has already done 4 runs with me.  Even though still a puppy, she is unbelievably gentle with the girls.  She loves affection and is willing to be snuggled.  Her belly is her favorite.  She is simply 30 pounds of the sweetest fluff.  We love her.

Ellie has found her forever home and is now a Longmire.  We are excited to adventure with her, and to watch our girls care for and love her.  Welcome Home Ellie!

#BestiesWeekend

Friendship is a truly beautiful thing.  One thing I find as I get older is that having deep friendships is a rare and wonderful treasure.  This woman and her kids are some of those gold nuggets in my treasure box of friendships.  I am so grateful for the way life put us together.  From high school to motherhood.

Since we moved, I have been fortunate enough to travel back to CO at least 4 times a year and have the privilege of baking in a visit every time I go.  They, however, have never been out to AZ so this year we decided to make it happen!  We scheduled our visit around a race, but life happened, and between a back issue for Sarah and very limited training for me we decided to can it in favor of just spending time together exploring our desert.  It was wonderful, needed, and an absolutely perfect reason to not muscle through a race neither of us was ready for.

We have mastered the art of the Sixie Selfie

The crew got in last Thursday and our 4 kids reconnected like they always do.  BFF status is just baked right into them and Caleb and Elijah are so fabulous with my strong willed, bold ladies.  I love those boys.....so do my girls.  Our first night was spent at home playing, chatting, having some wine and laying low.

Friday we woke up and Bob took the kids so Sarah and I could go for a run and out to breakfast!  I was so excited to introduce Sarah to Dawn and my breakfast crew ladies.  We had a great run up to the top of a little mountain, caught the view, and then enjoyed a great breakfast.  Bob built forts, buried them up to their ears at the park, introduced them to "the shelf" and did his usual Bob shenanigans.

Our afternoon found us at the AZ Science Center.  We walked around the center for a couple of hours and managed to get into every room on every floor.  The kids had a blast running through all of the exhibits and Sarah  and I just chatted and played.  It was wonderful and a great way to spend the day!

Friday night Bob took the kids out for ice cream while Sarah and I snuck away again for an evening of conversation and wine at my favorite local bistro.  What a great evening.  Thanks Bob for wrestling (and burying again) 4 kids!

Saturday was quite possibly my favorite day of their visit.  We began the day with yoga.  All 6 of us enjoyed an hour of yoga while Bob headed to the gym for weights.  After our class we rendezvoused at home to regroup and then head to the Usery Mountains for some hiking!

With all 4 kids in tow plus our new puppy (more on her later) we decided to take on the 3 mile intense hike up to the wind Caves!  I knew it was going to be a challenging hike, but Sarah and I also knew that our kids were totally cut out for it.  Not one of them disappointed.  They were all amazing little hikers.

It was steep and challenging, but everyone made it to the top and we all celebrated with snacks, water and a shade break.  It was so much fun to all work together.  Our big kids totally rocked it and beat everyone else up.  Our littles managed with only stabilizing help.  They were incredible!

I am beyond proud of this chick.  It was a BIG hike for her little legs and she did it.  We all made it down in one piece and home with a bunch of fun and empowering memories.  Sarah and I told each other later how awesome it is to have friends that do life the same way......kids in tow and everything.

The next day was their final day, and Bob was gracious enough to let me and Sarah sneak off for a 7 mile trail run with only the pup in addition.  It was a WONDERFUL 1.5 hours and I was so glad to be able to show Sarah a small portion of the desert I love so much.  Bob took all of the kids on a nature walk and they brought home a generous selection of "special rocks."  One thing is for sure, with Bob you will either talk science or talk space.  The kids got a fabulous lesson on granite, quartz and a host of other geologic finds.  The boys went home with a little more weight in their bags.

We said goodbye to each other with filled cups and happy hearts.  I am so grateful for her, and for the friendship we have built.  Here's to many more years of adventuring, wine-ing, picture-ing, racing and doing our bestie thing!

Speak Your Truth

We are living and parenting girls in a very interesting, empowering, and future changing time.  A lot is happening in our culture and in our world and women near and far are being given the platform and the ear to be heard, be fought for, and be believed.  Women near and far are boldly being encouraged to speak their truth.  

Of course the connotations of this movement are far deeper than what I want to discuss on this post, but the idea of speaking truth came up this week and it felt like a perfect tie in.

This child.  SHE IS AMAZING.  She is spicy, and beautiful.  She is smart and daring and bold.  She is unequivocally Evie, and Evie has no fear.  Evie does not fear outcomes, she doesn't fear feelings.  Evie does not shy away from speaking even when maybe not the most prudent to do so.  This girl Speaks.....boldly, and confidently.......and sometimes very loudly.

It's Christmas time, and we, of course, are now into the time of that jolly man in red, Santa.  Bob and I were not brought up with a deep belief in the magic of Santa. Christmas, for us, will always be about Jesus.  That said, we have allowed our girls to enjoy the magic of Santa.  When asked, "Mommy, is Santa real?"  our response has always been, "What do you think?"  and have let them draw their own conclusions.  They are smart....they don't need me to lie to them or demand they know the truth.    

I say again....my girls are smart.  They know, and yet our culture is awash with confusion.  As I said, I have let them wander a bit in this dicotomy.  I want my girls to think, I want them to enjoy the season, to embrace some magic, but I want them to know what they know and walk boldly in it.

So that is exactly what Evie did.

The principal called.........amidst story time in her class about a Turkey Santa, Evie stood up and boldly announced to the entire class that "Santa wasn't real, and Mom and Dad bring all the presents."

 In true Evie fashion, she didn't just stop at announcing her truth, but going to bat for it on the playground.  Yeah, she could have done things better, Yeah, she didn't need to do battle on the swings.

But....she's 4 and simply not afraid to speak her truth. 

It was an odd moment on the phone with the principal.  I really wanted to fall into a fit of giggles.  Of course she did,  and while her actions were not okay, her honesty was.   When you are 4 and you just want to be right, gentility is not your strength.  That's okay....one day it will be.

I won't lie, Evie came home from school and both Bob and I praised her for speaking truthfully. Teaching our little girl that speaking truthfully is ALWAYS the right thing to do, but that it must come from a voice of love is a big thing.  We talked about respect and kindness and that bearing the truth in love is what really matters.  That's what Jesus would do.  What a dynamite conversation to have with our little giant.

Its a simple thing, but learning to speak her truth now is something we are both incredibly proud of her for.  Jesus loves this little girl big time and His plans for her are big and beautiful.  Her boldness is her greatness. We will work tirelessly to give her the tools to communicate in a spirit of love and respect, but for now we are very proud of her for speaking up and speaking boldly.