Why do I do it?

the very hungry caterpillar party

what I think of this hat

it's so much better with my eyes closed

the birthday girl and her fancy bib from Oma 

how old are you dani? (I'm 1!) Her fancy eric carle birthday outfit

the very hungry caterpillar cake

the Banks kids at Ben/Andrea's wedding. these are my people.

When I married Nate, I was so excited to plan the wedding, sort out all the minor details no one but me would notice, and have in my eyes, the perfect wedding. As the day got closer, I realized how ridiculous it was that I was stressing over the perfect shade of green for the marbles in my fish vases. Really? Really. Has a single person confronted me over the choice of jade green marbles in my centerpiece. Not one. I was actually quite jealous of my sister Victoria's wedding, as it was so low key and enjoyable for everyone. No one was snapping at the wedding planner and tricking her into letting my grandparents walk themselves down the isle. My parents and sisters had to deal with me, and of course, pitched in quite a bit of their own money, which I didnt enjoy watching either. I secretly swore that I would never go over the top again, and Danika will elope.

SO...when the day comes for Danika's first birthday party, what do I do? Do I hold a casual barbeque or have a desserts only gathering for a short and simple little shindig? Like I promised myself I would? Um, the answer would be no. Of course not! I enjoy putting myself through agony over the type of hotdog I might choose, or the number of vienna sausages I had to buy. I let my tension and anxiety get to me, and put, again, my sisters and parents through the joy of watching THAT. Not fun. And for what? Pictures? I guess! Will Danika remember it? Nah. But she will have some good pictures, that's for sure. 

The day turned out to be quite fun, though I didnt get to socialize with my old friends as much as I'd like to. It was fun watching my old college drinking buddies running around with little 2 year olds. It seemed as if we were taking turns showing off our children's temper tantrums to see whose could be the loudest and most dramatic. Danika didn't win. This time. She was too busy shoving chocolate cake in her pie hole and liking strawberry frosting off every. single. finger. I wonder where she learned that? Hmm. I (Ariana) do not lick my fingers. I use a napkin like a civilized human being. Who does that leave? Nate. Brady. or my DAD. 

The house was complete with a caterpillar in the front yard, red balloons attached to long skinny green string, a caterpillar picture from showing months 0-11, caterpillars in coccoons (hotdogs), kabobs with everything the very hungry caterpillar ate, miniature caramel aples,, cupcakes formed in the shape of a caterpillar, and lime and raspberry sherbert. I had to do something healthier. The kiddos went home with caterpillar headbands, caterpillar eggs (easter egg with playdough), and a felt very hungry caterpillar. It was a good time. I enjoyed putting it together. 

Now the question is. What did I learn from all this? I have her Denver party coming up next Saturday. Hmmmm. I learned to delegate, that's what I learned. :) Just joking (mom and tori!). 

Eh. I learned that the pictures will be good because its my baby girl in them (and me!). I just have to get the BIG details right and the small things wont matter. I also learned that on my grocery list in very tiny letters so no one can see, will be "wine." I think I might just have a glass BEFORE rather than after the next time around. 

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26.2

That's right folks. That is a BIG number. In fact, it's three digits! almost 4 years ago, I joined the teaching crew at Bookcliff Middle School. In that crowd, I met several folks that I still adore, that really pushed me to think outside the box in many ways. One of them included the challenge of running my first marathon. In January of 2006, I started training. Partially to prove myself to them, partially to prove myself to myself and partially to impress that boyfriend I had at the time. I happened to accomplish all three :) In June of 2006 I wandered up the road to Steamboat Springs and entered myself into a group of people who I consider to be absolutely nuts. The morning of the race, I sluggishly woke up to several phone calls from my father offering advice on how to finish this thing called a marathon. Though I doubt he believes me, I took his advice and stuffed a pack of almonds in my sock and a bottle of water into my waistband and hopped on the bus that would carry us up another 2000 feet straight up a mountain. 

I got off the bus and about passed out. For several reasons. 1. the reality of the ridiculousness of this idea hit me. 2. it was unbelievably cold. in JUNE. 3. there were lots of really hot men. 4. the altitude reached nearly 11000. WOOPS. Oh well. No turning back, right? the shot gun went off, and so did I, without really realizing it. I did good running with my fellow teachers for a couple miles. Then I saw THE HILL. I did not train for THE HILL. What's a girl to do?I walked :) 

I could tell you every detail of that 26.2 miles. But I won't. I will tell you that about 10 miles into it, my feet went numb and apparntly started turning in under my legs and I had no idea. Until a paramedic shared that information with me. And followed me. the. rest. of. the. way. 

But I finished. 6 hours and 2 seconds later. REALLY??? yes. really. And guess what? I want to do it again! Crazy, I know. 

I love that I have this ridiculous goal to accomplish. I love that I know I can do it. So... be on the lookout for my 26.2 training updates. Coming soon :)