I cried watching Camille win the CrossFit Games

    I have no idea where I'm going here today.  ;)  Hang in there with me.  First of all, I am inspired having watched the 2014 Reebok CrossFit Games this weekend (starting Wednesday, actually, and continuing through today) from Master's division athletes to teams and individuals.  Each group has its own attributes to admire.

     I have heard many things from people (nonCrossFitters) about how it's a cult (what?!?!) or an obsessed group of people.  Well, I am honestly a bit obsessed.  I've grown my devotion to the sport (YES, it's a sport!) throughout the 4 years since I've begun.  I worked harder and harder to make it from one scaled WOD (Workout Of the Day) to another to finally doing them mostly RX'd (prescribed).  I still cannot do certain movements, and the ones I can do often aren't really that pretty.  However, I get better each time, and I'm still getting stronger at 41.  :D  I was doing the 3 days on, 1 day off thing (mostly) for a while, but God pointed out to me in my bible study that year how CrossFit had become more of an idol.  Now, it's not like CrossFit was breaking me down morally or harming me, but spiritually, I was putting SO much more thought into when, where and how I would do a WOD the next day.  I'd plan my whole day around it, but I wasn't putting much time and energy into checking in with God.  SO, I gave it to God.  For some people, that sounds ______ (fill in the blank with stupid, crazy, nuts, not something God cares about, etc.).  For me, that is something in which I wholeheartedly believe.  It was just another thing from which I released "control."  In fact, He was not anti-CrossFit, either.  ;)  He was great with my schedule, dare I say better than I was.  He opened up time where I thought I had none, ADDING a WOD here.  He changed my perspective to allow me to live in the present and enjoy something else he wanted to bless me with that day- TAKING a WOD away.  I did that for a while, and I was a much better woman, mother and wife because of it.  In doing that, it showed me how well my body felt with a little more than 1 or 2 days of rest a week, too.  So, I've stuck with more rest, and it hasn't been a trade off in strength.  YEA!  Now, I try to do one on, one off.  I'm still not always consistent, but I DO NOT LIKE missing WODs.  I've put in a lot of hard work so far, and it's kind of scary to risk losing any ground.  So, I try to keep it up.  Watching the Games, though, the athletes made the workouts look relatively easy.  It's deceptive to a spectator.  Unless you've done a workout like that, you could not possibly know the suck factor.  One event, Triple 3, was ridiculous, and I'd done it the day before the athletes.  It sucked so much energy out of me that I feel asleep for 30" on the couch afterwards and dragged my body through the rest of the day.  Yet those elite athletes came back and did 3 MORE workouts that day, and they did 7 more during the following two days!  I rested!  So, when Camille Lebanc-Bazinet won after 5 years of competing and putting in the work, I had to cry.  All of that time and effort finally paid off for her.  It was an awesome moment to watch... on my couch... drinking a coffee.  ;)

     Last night, I had the privilege of listening to Russ do a run through on his presentation for today.  He's leading the opening day of Twitter's Global Sales Conference with his awesomeness.  It's a methodology of leadership and development of people that he's also been writing a book about.  He is SOOOOOOO good at what he does.  Starks was pushing a bar stool around the island/kitchen while Russ presented to us.  However, Anthony, Chas and I sat with full attention taking in what Russ was teaching.  It was interesting, and I loved it!  In fact, I was left disappointed that I wasn't going to be a part of the exercise and full day of presentation.  It made me think about what I value.  My thoughts took many tangents afterwards, and one of them led to CrossFit.  I value autonomy, and I think that may be another reason why I enjoy and can do CrossFit on my own in my garage.  I love the flexibility of it, not having anyone else around me with which to compare myself/my effort/my time, and that CrossFit feels like an individual sport in a sense.  I still feel part of a community, though.  The CrossFit community is HUGE.  They are amazing fans of each other.  They embrace you no matter what your age, weight, or ability.  They are just excited that you are at their box to experience the wonderful change that happens internally often before you see changes externally.  It's difficult to describe to someone and have it sound as compelling as it feels.  It's like Reagan to Gorby "TEAR THIS WALL!"  It tears down walls in your mind that say "You can't go there."  "You can't do this."  "This area is off limits."  Your mind probably has "good" reasons (lies, really) telling you why those three statements are true.  Then suddenly, you tear down one wall, and you break free!  It opens up all of this space of opportunity and possibility that you didn't know existed inside you.  Therefore, you run up to the wall on the other side and slowly chip away at IT, too, to see if you can tear it down, and if so, find out what's on the other side.  It keeps happening.  It happens to me still.  There is a growth in your mind and in the way you think about yourself.  You are freer.  You are stronger both mentally and physically.  You feel AMAZING.  Right or wrong, CrossFit.com will post a WOD that I read and laugh at immediately.  "Yeah, right!"  Then, I think, "Well, if they put it up there, then they think we can do it."  So, I do it!  I'm not the fastest, but I finish it strong... and tear down another wall that limited my thinking.  THAT'S why CrossFitters will try to weaken your excuses and reasons for not trying it.... because even though you may not think you can, they KNOW you can!  And, they just want you to discover it- that feeling inside.  It will change you in other aspects of your life, too.  You start looking for more walls standing in your way.  ;)

     *stepping off my soapbox*

      This Saturday, we spent time with friends from South Carolina here on vacation with their adult sons.  Paul and Tara Hinson invited us to join them on a their trek to stop at a few spots in the area before they headed to Yosemite, and we did!  We met them at In N' Out Burger because their boys had never been.  Then, we went to the Vista Area on the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge.  After that, we drove to Lagunitas Brewing Co.  From there, we went to Russian River Brewing Co, but the line to get in was long, so they nixed that idea and carried on instead to Armstrong Park to see the redwood forest.  :)  Russ and I had a great time, of course, as Paul and Tara are genuine and fun people.  The boys hung in there, and Starks was happy getting to the forest and playing with sticks.  Relationships are work.  Not work in the sense of struggle but in terms of effort.  You have to make time for the people you care about.  It can be as easy as spending a Saturday driving to great places with friends, or it can be scheduling yourself from home life and work to fly somewhere else to spend time with someone you care about.  My husband has taught classes at work on "Work Life Balance" because he is amazing at it.  What he tells people is you just make being home a priority.  It doesn't magically come into balance, but you have to make that your priority and make changes and decisions that don't jeopardize it.  It's work because there is effort involved.  However, as an adult, I've not been disappointed with making time for people.  The payout is more than worth the effort!

     Speaking of relationships, we have three more "wake ups" until we leave for our East Coast trip!!!!  We are leaving our dogs and house in very capable hands, and we're heading out to meet up with the Neadings for 10 days!  Oh.My.Goodness.  The bonds we have with each other are priceless.  I love all 5 of them.  I ENJOY all 5 of them.  I cannot wait for hugs, laughs, chats, and being together.  We will show them Philly for a couple of days and then head to a beach house in Cape May.  This annual trip (minus last year) has afforded us time to catch up with friends and family.  This particular trip means more time with family, and it's going to be awesome!  Plus, worlds merge for us as the Neadings are introduced to Russ' side, a view into his life, and how he grew up.  We cannot wait and are on a countdown here!  It's such a blessing to love and be loved.
 

Can I get you a Motrin?

     Shoot.... Sickness abounds in our home so far this summer.  Russ began with this chesty cough while we were camping, Anthony started it on our return home, Chas developed a somewhat milder version (though the cough persists) last week, and Starks' began yesterday culminating with a fever at and through the night. :(  Double :(  I do try to tell my kids that we need these moments of mild sickness so that we can better appreciate when we are healthy and feeling like ourselves.  However, this plague altered our summer plans a bit.  I had envisioned summer being beach trips, lots of Great America rollercoaster rides, and friends.  Although our summer has taken a different path, I appreciate it!  I'm thankful they're not missing school...  They're not missing anything!  I'm glad Starks didn't get sick until after his baseball tournaments!  (More on that to come.)  I'm glad I get to baby the baby.  ;)  I'm thankful that my body has fought hard to keep it at bay.  Granted, this battle has meant two hour naps after breakfast at times, a decrease in workouts, and early bedtime, and caffeine in the afternoon to keep me going.  Wow... reading that back sounds it hasn't cost me anything but instead has afforded me good rest- and more coffee!  I've actually enjoyed just being at home more and a little more able to stay on top of the every day chores that I complete while they're in school.

     The little guy watching TV, coughing, fighting a fever, and resting this morning.   

     Saturday was our last baseball game of summer- as we'll be on the East Coast during the last tournament for the Belmont Brigade.  We're considering a possible fall ball team, but fall is when gymnastics ramps up in preparation for meets from Jan-April.  I think we're just having a hard time letting it go.  In fact, I can't seem to hang up his baseball bag in storage.  I don't want to admit that it's over.  Like in gymnastics, when we see these huge advancements in his capabilities over a few months before competition season begins, I've seen the same kind of growth in these two months of baseball.  He's so much fun to watch.  I get the same kind of butterflies in my stomach before he gets on the rings that I do when he steps up to home plate or moves to make a catch in the field.  I know how much he wants to do well, and I get a little nervous for him.  I have to say that the best sound is a fly ball hitting the leather of his glove, or the crack of the bat when he hits a home run.  He's awesome.  It's been fun how Russ has kept up with all of his stats and made sure to tweet them for family.  Russ even cancelled a dentist appt. at the last minute last week because he KNEW Starks would hit a home run with his new bat that game, and he wanted to see it.  And, he did.  Starks hit his first out of the park home run that game and one in each of the two games after that.  The 1.5 hrs Russ and he put in at the park on Monday working on Starks' swing and his throw from third to first really paid off!  Even Chas and Anthony, coughing up a storm, wanted to come see his games last week.  They saw those special moments, too, and it meant a lot to Starks.

     Now that baseball isn't filling our time, we've got 10 days to kill before we leave for Cape May. :D  Obviously, these next few will be spent close to home because of Starks' being sick.  Who knows what God has in store for us this week.  I do know that I'll be taking it one day at a time and soaking in the "sick love" while I can with Starks.  Poor kid.  I hear him coughing now, and it's that barking cough that somehow has sent us to the ER every year since he was 6 months old.  Keep him in your prayers for us!  For now, I'll run some errands (I've got his t shirts from his first baseball team to now + these last two gymnastics seasons in a bag for www.ProjectRepat.com to make a quilt for his bed.  HIGHLY recommend these guys.) and start some chores.  I'm enjoying this relaxation and time of life when my kids are old enough to enjoy me yet be without me should I want to work out, leave the room, or run an errand.  I'm feeling full lately, and it's wonderful.

Laraway Family Update!

     You know when you've been on vacation, and so much has happened that you don't really know where to start?  That's me right now.  I'm still feeling so full from these past weeks that I feel like highlighting a part isn't fair to the other parts and blessings I've had.  I feel like I should make a list because I love lists.  I like paper in this paperless world, pens- especially with different colored inks, and marking off tasks/showing progress in a day's work.  PLUS, I have complete "Mom" brain.  So, if I don't write thoughts or tasks down, I'm off to the next thing and lost in another activity or motive.  Well, here it goes- our life for two weeks in a list!

1. I'll begin with Chas' talent show the 2nd to the last day of school.  We packed up the drum set into the FJ the night before, woke and ate early on Tuesday to leave at 7:30, got to school, set up his drum set in the gym, and then I left to drop off Starks at school.  I immediately went BACK to the middle school and was surprised to find myself as the only parent there to watch.  Granted, there were two shows, so maybe they went to the later one.  I was very happy to have been allowed to peek into this gig.  ;)  Chas ROCKED it.  When I say he ROCKED it, I mean it.  He was fantastic, and like a pro, kept drumming with three appendages while he pulled his bass in with the 4th- as he played it with his right foot no-less.  (His drum set at home is on a rug so as to keep it from sliding.  We didn't roll up the rug for school.)  1/2 the school cheered at the finale.  (The other half were outside and to attend the 2nd show.)  He was so confident and in his element that it all just seemed too easy.  I found out later when I picked him up that they chose the top 3 (in no particular order, they wouldn't say who was 1st, 2nd or 3rd) as winners.  He won a $50 iTunes gift card.  Perfect.  He was on cloud nine and a rock star getting congratulations from people in all grades that he knew and didn't know.  ROCKED IT! 
   
2. I left there to lead the 3rd grade picnic activities at our local park.  I brought our 150ft long rope from home, and the kids played tug-o-war nonstop!  It was a great mix of planned activity and free play.  Starks stood so close to me as it neared the end and could not leave my side as his bucket was full!  He just had to keep showing me how much he loved me and was thankful.  Again, how awesome was THIS day!?!?  Too awesome.  Especially as two things had also been marked off my to do list for the week.  ;)  Just kidding... mostly.  Here's a picture of Starks and his friend, Stone, kicking butt in the beach ball relay race.  
3. Wow... next was the LAST DAY OF SCHOOL, JUNE 25TH, a LONG time coming for my family!  It was an early dismissal day, so Russ came home from work early, we had a quick lunch at CPK, and we headed up to school again for the 8th grade graduation!!  It was a major Charlie FoxTrot in terms of organization.  This school has grown so much in the last few years that it's a little overwhelmed.  400+ kids in the 8th grade class!  As Carl crawled over the mountain (the fog bank of the Bay), it settled and "spit" on us throughout the whole ceremony.  There were enough seats for 200 people, so we just stood around everywhere straining to hear the speakers outside with so much talking and noise around us.  However, we stood at the back and ran up the aisle only to take pictures.  I mean, it's a great milestone, but it's almost like graduating preschool... it's just a necessary step forward.  I don't think the scholastic feat is really something to celebrate (though Anthony graduated with straight A's), but what it represents certainly deserves some recognition.  I mean, he's technically a HIGH SCHOOLER!  Wha?!?!  So, we celebrated, stood proudly, and watched our handsome son get his "diploma."  He later had an 8th grade only dance at school, and it was Oscar themed.  He was WAY undressed in khakis and a polo shirt!  However, he doesn't care about that stuff, but you could tell EVERY girl there did.  Man, he has no idea just how handsome and awesome he is... 
   
   
   
   

4.  That night and the next morning, we packed up the FJ and trailer for our camping trip on the Yuba river.  If you're not familiar, check it out.  It's amazing.  Our campsite was about 10" from Downieville, so we were off the grid.  It was wonderful!

(FYI, just click on a picture to see  a larger image!)

This was our first run as a family with the trailer- a sort of trial run for an Alaska trip we want to make next summer.  It was awesome to have everything so contained, to have hot and cold water in a sink for dishes, have our gas stovetop on a long counter, and have it all set up rather quickly!
Here's a pic of the counter... ahh... a place to set dishes after rinsing and a place to prep dinner!

Our first day, Starks befriended Griffin in a campsite next to us.  We will now always remember his birthday as it is on Russ' and my anniversary, July 8th.  Essentially an only child, he was thrilled to have a playmate!  He and Starks caught many lizards, skipped 100's of rocks, talked, and shot rocks with slingshots over and over.  Starks was quite sad when he left as he thoroughly enjoyed their talks and alone playtime.  :(

 Most of our days were spent in the river, one day in Long Lake at about 6000ft elevation,

on 4 wheeling trail,

 and 1/2 a day in town to see the USA v Germany game and for pizza night.  ;)

We also played a game with two kids from another campsite that Anthony made up which involved lots of sprinting for 10 minute periods.  LOL.  We were addicted to the Maze Runner series and found ourselves reading a lot, and the hammock always provided a nice respite.  And, of course, we did some bike riding everyday for a bit!

The river provides so many areas that offer rapids, rocks to jump from, and slower "pool" like areas.  The weather was in the 90's, so it was a perfect scenario for water fun!  Here are some pics of us playing- some in fast motion!

 look at those back muscles!

 I have to say that the freedom with not having to stay clean is liberating.  The possibility of cleanliness isn't even an option, so you don't even have to try.  LOL.  This is a scene at the fire pit, and Starks has on flip flops.  Around the fire pit, it's dusty dirt, so flip flops only offer protection from stepping on something.  This little guy's feet were mostly bare for the trip, and BLACK from dirt.  It was a blessing to have him walk to the beach near our site and just rinse off his body in the water before bed.  He was a little Pig Pen walking around all week... and in heaven!

Before camping, I read about a burn restriction in the forest.  However, we thankfully were able to have fires in our pits.  (big sigh of joy)  It's just a cozy place to sit around every morning and evening. 

 My body would be ready to get off the ground and backpacking mat at some time from 5:45-6:30.  It'd TRY to sleep, but my body would shout that we needed to move.  So, I'd unzip our vestibule, crawl out quietly, restart the fire, and drink my Starbucks DoubleShot Light from the can while I sat staring at the fire and waking up mentally.  Talk about peace.  The birds would be chattering over the constant gurgling of the river, the fire would pop and buzz, and I'd either sit there singing songs in my head, think, and/or pray for my family and friends.  It only got better when Russ would finally wake (sometimes 2hrs later) and join me with a quiet smile and DoubleShot for himself.  ;)  One morning, I placed a log on the fire, and saw this.  It looked to me like a cartoon "Terminator Cat" that had half of his head shaved off and was reaching out with stubby arms.  A machine cat.  LOL.  What do you think? 

We ended up leaving a day early after playing the afternoon on the river, and it was a good idea.  We then had the next day, the 4th, to unpack, do laundry, buy food, and get ready for our weekend.  I was sad as we drove away, but I was also overwhelmed with thanksgiving.

5.  My birthday, July 5th, was outstanding.  I'd actually spent the 4th reading "The Death Cure" so that Russ could then start it.  However, I saw fireworks from the deck which triggers my birthday celebration for the next day!  I spent my first day being 41 reading cards that showered me with love and appreciation from Russ and the boys.  They'd gotten me a new watch and some lovely smelling products.  ;)  We stayed home and did a family WOD before lunch.  We ate at a burger place for lunch, and the boys were especially talkative.  We were living a moment that you KNOW is special, and you sit there soaking it in and not wanting it to end.  Just awesome.  I'd asked for Russ to take the dogs for baths and nail clippings for my birthday as I hate doing it.  So, he did that for me, dropped me off to get a pedicure, and then picked me up when I finished.  During that pedicure, I got to talk to my sister on the phone which always fills me up!  I got an afternoon "birthday" coffee before coming home, and then we rested here.  I wanted pizza and a movie night at home, and we watched "Spaceballs."  LOL.  Great stuff!  So, that was my birthday full of peace, family, and love!

6.  Our anniversary was yesterday, and of course, it was a work day.  However, Russ and I had our daily morning date at Starbucks together, so it started as it should have!  It ended with Starks' first baseball game of this tournament.  They handily won 13-5 with Starks hitting a line drive single up the middle, a triple and a double with his 3 at bats.  The boys did a fantastic job, and the team played well!  It felt like any other day in life, but throughout, I found myself thinking back to our wedding day often and remembering getting ready in his room.  His friend, Jeanine, giving me something old, blue and borrowed, and she was excited to help me make it a special day.  I wondered that day if his family thought this marriage was not going to last as we made our way with his family in tow, in the pouring rain, to the Justice of the Peace office, on a Wednesday to get married!  We've been married 16 years now and have known each other 22 years.  I used to look forward to the age I'd be when my years knowing him were more than my years on Earth NOT knowing him.  Now, I look forward to when I've been married to him longer than I was single.  That's a long time coming- 9 years, but I know it is.  He said it so well yesterday when he wrote to me that we've "grown into" each other rather than away from each other.  I feel the same way.  He's been my friend since 1992, and like any deep, healthy friendship, the layers of love, appreciation and admiration keep getting added on... like a candle being dipped in wax.  It grows, mixes and warms together to become one, solid piece.  I totally hit the jackpot in life with Russ at my side!  He loves me, and I know it.  He lets me be who I am without judgement.  He doesn't ever make me feel ashamed about any aspect of myself.  He challenges me at times to think about my perspective or beliefs, and often, that reflection leads to my own growth.  He loves spending time with me, and that makes me feel valuable.  He appreciates what I do for our family, and he lets me know it.  He treats me like an equal partner in life.  He knows what it means to me to spend time with friends and family, and he blesses me with opportunities to do so.  He makes me laugh and is adventurous.  He is kind with his words and thoughtful about what he says and how he says them.  He is a good listener, and I feel heard.  I am incredibly happy and blessed with him as my partner!  

Well, that's been our family's life recently, and now we are enjoying our summer.  All eight weeks of it one day at a time!