Our 4th of July started with a bang (literally) as our family hit the streets of Everett, WA running after the gun sounded to begin the Yankee Doodle Dash. After working out for over a month now, I decided it was time to stretch myself and enter our family in a race...not a 10K, 5K, but a one mile family fun run. We had a great time...kids in a borrowed double stroller...Drew and Katie Jean running side by side and plenty of cheering folks along the side of the streets. The last two blocks we let Fiona out of the stroller to run. It was amazing...she picked up a huge stride...big smile...and in the words of Forest Gump, "I was running". Drew and I could hardly keep up. Fiona ran to the finish screaming "I won, I won the game." It was a classic and a reminder of why I'm getting in shape again. I don't want to miss a moment of my kids precious lives. Moments like this.
After fourteen years of absence of any regular fitness routine, it was a milestone for my general fitness and good to know that I wasn't huffing and puffing the entire way. I was pleased with my efforts even though I wasn't able to run constantly the entire time, I reminded myself I have to start somewhere. We all do sometimes the start is just a bit harder. My main goal for entering the healthy realm again has been for my kids as well as my self esteem. Our kids are active and they are gifted athletically. Ten years from now, I refuse to be the mom on the sidelines severely overweight, sipping a Slurpee with an expanding bottom. Sadly enough, I think I was heading that way, but I know I've turned the corner. Twelve pounds gone, several inches lost, and clothes starting to fit better...I know I'm on the right track.
Working out is hard, but it is also fun. I'm in control of my own body and it is a lot more fun then the enjoyment I get from a good piece of cake and sitting on the sidelines watching my family. Don't get me wrong...we are an active family, but I was never doing constant personal aerobic workouts for my heart health and toning my muscles under my three rolls of fat...make that two rolls of fat now. :) I'm thankful for my workout buddies...Rachel, Crystal, and Angie...thanks for the talks and keeping me coming to the YMCA. I've got a long ways to go, but at least I'm getting there and I have the T-shirt to prove it. I ran in the Yankee Doodle Dash 2008 and that is more than I can say for the past fourteen years.
From inside the little blue bungalow,
Katie Jean
Camping in the Northwest...pictures worth a thousand words...memories worth more!
12 lbs and 6 ozs of pure heaven picked in one hour for a whooping $1.25/lb.
Who can resist a bunch of Irish lads in a sack race? In true Britten style, we PACKED it in this weekend. We enjoyed Trail Fest, a birthday party in which Drew and I performed as Willy Wonka and Oompa Loompa, camping in the back yard, church service, a picnic put on by the Seattle Irish Heritage society, and to top it off an outdoor concert of the Chieftans. WOW! (I'm tired just typing it all.)
)
Blogging community,
. But for now she has her heart set on being a doctor on Mondays and a garbage collector the rest of the week. Gee, I just wanted to be a race car driver at her age.
Kids are smart. They don't always work in the way we expect or want them to, but they still for the most part remain efficient. (Whether we like their way or not!) Take exhibit A...pictures of the kids picking raspberries.
Brilliant! Now, why didn't I think of that. Thanks to Fiona the entire family has a new skill in picking raspberries.
Our 4th of July started with a bang (literally) as our family hit the streets of Everett, WA running after the gun sounded to begin the Yankee Doodle Dash. After working out for over a month now, I decided it was time to stretch myself and enter our family in a race...not a 10K, 5K, but a one mile family fun run. We had a great time...kids in a borrowed double stroller...Drew and Katie Jean running side by side and plenty of cheering folks along the side of the streets. The last two blocks we let Fiona out of the stroller to run. It was amazing...she picked up a huge stride...big smile...and in the words of Forest Gump, "I was running". Drew and I could hardly keep up. Fiona ran to the finish screaming "I won, I won the game." It was a classic and a reminder of why I'm getting in shape again. I don't want to miss a moment of my kids precious lives. Moments like this.
Check out the look on the faces of the two men in my life. Unbelievable. Why men get excited about power tools...I'll never know.
