Monday, November 27, 2006

Bike Ride, and Family visiting!!!

Okay so I haven't really done a good post in a while so I thought I might try while the kids seem calm and occupied. Well lets see RC and I did the ride across Florida the end of October. 210 miles is what the total came too. RC was absolutely amazing. For those who don't know RC's cycling skills are a lot and I mean a lot more advance than mine. He could have easily hung with group 1 or 2 and rode with his buddies from church but instead chose to stay with me in group 5 or 6 (we seem to play leap frog with the other group soooo...). Every time my moral got low there he was to boost it back up saying how proud he was of me and that I was doing awesome. I did end up with severe leg cramps the second day so for a couple of miles I had to ride in the van. But the way I see it I still did over 200 miles on a bicycle in 3 days so I have nothing to complain about!!! It was a really amazing accomplishment for me and taught me a few things. You see the theme for the week was based off a song titled The Long Haul (I'll have to ask RC for the group who sings it) but in the song it talks about "Face the wind, Face the rain, Even the pain" which was written on the back of our shirts that we wore the entire ride. Well we did face the wind (oh my gosh did we face the wind), we had rain that God graciously cleared up before we actually got started on Saturday, and trust me We faced the pain!!! Well in this God taught me the difference in quitting and stopping. When we feel the pain and don't think we can go any further in whatever we face then its okay to stop and get rejuvenated and then start again on the journey. To take a short break and catch our breath is not quitting!!! Quitting is walking away and not finishing the journey or adventure you started. I needed this lesson because I was really beating myself up for having to ride in the van but it was pointed out that I got back on my bike after my legs relaxed and finished the Long Haul!!! I know RC enjoyed the trip tremendously and I now know why he came home so pumped up last year. I really have to brag on him because when he could have been upset about having to ride below his skill he humbled himself to make me more comfortable and to be my loving support that I needed during this trip. I look forward to riding this again next year (with much more training before hand, Yes RC I know you were right. Next year I will probably still grumble about it but I will go train the hills with you more!)

Okay so while all that happened my Nanny and PawPaw (that's my mom's parents) came to visit. They were here for a week. They came to surprise my Momma for her birthday and to help her with my boys while we were riding (Daddy was out of town so it would've just been Momma with the 3 boys). It was a blast with them here. We played a lot of cards (which to those who live here, I LOVED IT!!!!!!!!) Okay so I hope they get that hint. I know it meant a lot to Momma to have them here. She has really been missing her family in Texas. Well then they went home and about a week later my Sister, her husband, daughter and son all flew in. They came for about 3 weeks (with Jeremy having to be gone 1 week in the middle.) This has been an absolute blast because I got to meet my nephew for the first time. He is 3 months younger than Andrew. We went to Disney World the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. That was fun but cold. There were snow flurries early Wednesday morning in Orlando. Yes I know that sounds strange but its true. It was cool getting to see the kids enjoy Disney. Of course now they all have colds.

Well I think that is good enough for now. I will try to update again later.

Thursday, November 16, 2006

Pics

Okay so the mall here allows you to go trick or treating in the mall so here are some pics from that and camping the weekend after. I couldn't figure out how to publish the slideshow so you have to click on the link.

http://slideroll.com/?s=9zk3hhcx