Thursday, October 27, 2011
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
race day
"Run the first part with your head, second part with your personality and third part with your heart"
That was what one of the signs along the race path said. I loved it. I needed it. This was a tremendous experience, but an incredibly challenging course.
My parents arrived at 6:30 am to be here for the kids, Brooklyn was already up and at em. We had a great drive over to hood river, chasing the sunrise, just talking. Great start to the day. We parked and got bused up to the start point. The race began halfway up to the Columbia Gorge Rowena Crest Viewpoint.
So, the race began! Off we went. We ran the first 4 miles together, Matt would ease up ahead of me on a hill and I would do my best to catch up with him on the downhill. Now, let me quantify *I did not drive, walk or even look at the map or details on this race* so truly I was running it blind. Matt had told me on Saturday night that there was a big hill, but I think I chose not to listen and I definitely chose not to ask any further details i.e. how long and what was the steepness of said hill. So, suddenly at about mile 3.5 I realized we were going down hill...a lot...and I didn't see an end to this hill. What I did know about this route was that there was a turn around point...at the bottom of this *endless seeming* hill.
I once again kept up with Matt to the bottom of the hill. Pulled out my (strategically stashed in my sports bra) and downed it at the bottom of the hill. I did the loop, was SO encouraged by all the people with signs and horns cheering us on, took a deep breath and looked down as I set back up that hill. Matt took off.
It was nothing short of God moving my feet at 2 miles in, I do not know how I made it up without stopping, but I did. Then there was a tiny respit, then one more hill. I knew after that last hill it would be steady or down hill from there, so I began to set mental "people goals". First there was the girl in the blue shirt. She had been a few yards in front of me for most of the race, so my goal once I had my breath and legs back was to pass her. I did. It felt incredible. Next was the girl in the pink shirt, probably 1/4 mile in front of me. I passed her. Then was purple pants, and finally, there she was, the girl in the blue and white tank top. I had started side by side with her, but she was gone from my eyesight shortly after the race began. I was behind her until about a mile out. I had been running my heart out down the winding hill (which had the most breath taking views of the entire valley). My legs felt like jelly, but I was running on pure adrenaline. We came over a bridge and a spectator shouted out "your almost there!". I took off. I mean I all out sprinted. I passed her, and that was my final goal.
I was so focused and exhausted at the end I forgot to look up and see my time?!! How could I not look?
Matt ran up and hugged me and side by side we chugged our water, caught our breath and SMILED. We did it!! It felt incredible. What a great (and insane) date!
That was what one of the signs along the race path said. I loved it. I needed it. This was a tremendous experience, but an incredibly challenging course.
My parents arrived at 6:30 am to be here for the kids, Brooklyn was already up and at em. We had a great drive over to hood river, chasing the sunrise, just talking. Great start to the day. We parked and got bused up to the start point. The race began halfway up to the Columbia Gorge Rowena Crest Viewpoint.
So, the race began! Off we went. We ran the first 4 miles together, Matt would ease up ahead of me on a hill and I would do my best to catch up with him on the downhill. Now, let me quantify *I did not drive, walk or even look at the map or details on this race* so truly I was running it blind. Matt had told me on Saturday night that there was a big hill, but I think I chose not to listen and I definitely chose not to ask any further details i.e. how long and what was the steepness of said hill. So, suddenly at about mile 3.5 I realized we were going down hill...a lot...and I didn't see an end to this hill. What I did know about this route was that there was a turn around point...at the bottom of this *endless seeming* hill.
I once again kept up with Matt to the bottom of the hill. Pulled out my (strategically stashed in my sports bra) and downed it at the bottom of the hill. I did the loop, was SO encouraged by all the people with signs and horns cheering us on, took a deep breath and looked down as I set back up that hill. Matt took off.
It was nothing short of God moving my feet at 2 miles in, I do not know how I made it up without stopping, but I did. Then there was a tiny respit, then one more hill. I knew after that last hill it would be steady or down hill from there, so I began to set mental "people goals". First there was the girl in the blue shirt. She had been a few yards in front of me for most of the race, so my goal once I had my breath and legs back was to pass her. I did. It felt incredible. Next was the girl in the pink shirt, probably 1/4 mile in front of me. I passed her. Then was purple pants, and finally, there she was, the girl in the blue and white tank top. I had started side by side with her, but she was gone from my eyesight shortly after the race began. I was behind her until about a mile out. I had been running my heart out down the winding hill (which had the most breath taking views of the entire valley). My legs felt like jelly, but I was running on pure adrenaline. We came over a bridge and a spectator shouted out "your almost there!". I took off. I mean I all out sprinted. I passed her, and that was my final goal.
I was so focused and exhausted at the end I forgot to look up and see my time?!! How could I not look?
Matt ran up and hugged me and side by side we chugged our water, caught our breath and SMILED. We did it!! It felt incredible. What a great (and insane) date!
| Place* | Name | Team | Bib No | Age | Gender | Age Group | Div | Chip Time | Gun Time | Pace |
| 65 | Matt Feenstra | 734 | 34 | M | 21/57 30-39 | 2 | 1:47:17.2 | 1:47:35.7 | 8:11 |
Place* | Name | Bib No | Age | Gender | Age Group | Div | Chip Time | Gun Time | Pace |
60 | Lauren Feenstra | 733 | 29 | F | 16/112 20-29 | 2 | 1:51:42.2 | 1:52:00.3 | 8:32 |
Saturday, October 22, 2011
eleven months
I can't believe Ben is 11 months old. Time has been flying by! Seriously, he's going to be a year old. What?!
He is definitely more of a toddler than he is a newborn. He is cruising along the furniture like a mad man, definitely showing signs of wanting to walk, just not quite there. I think that's where some of his frustration and whininess comes from, his desire to be fully mobile, able to keep up with his sister, and his in-ability to do it!
He is also down to nursing 1-2x a day. We're just about done. So bitter sweet. I have loved nursing, even through the difficult time of him refusing to take a bottle, I still adored it. Side note, now he takes a bottle like it's nothing.
He eats like nobodies business! This kid can eat, and eat, and eat. He loves raspberries, cheesy eggs, crackers, spaghetti, black beans, yogurt. He doesn't seem to like chicken...unless it's covered in bread crumbs or deep fried in a nugget form.
He is such a lovey baby. He is a mama's boy, BIG time, but such a love. I can't wait to see his personality continue to develop. He already shows more interest in the traditional "boy" toys, like the few cars we have or balls.
Brooklyn continues to crack us up daily with the things she says. She is so articulate it really blows me away. Some of these are things I've been writing down and saving over the past several months.
Playing in the pool in our backyard, Brooklyn looks at me and says "Benny has a curly bottom!". Meaning his boy parts. Hahahah.
This morning we had music on the tv and lady atabellum came on. There was a picture of the lead singers and B told me that the lady in the picture was the man's wife. I smiled and casually asked "what does wife mean?" she responds "wife means that she's happy".
Last night while drying herself from a bath she looked down at her nipples, looked up at me, looked down again, then up at me and said "mom, where are you nibbles". I sent matt a text telling him what she said, to which he replied "either in your shirt or the pantry". Ha!
She wandered into the kitchen and said to me "mom, what can I do when I grow up?"
Benny was hysterically crying when we got in the car to leave church a few weeks back, so brooklyn handed her blanket over and said "here benny, you can have this" matt and i looked at each other just beaming with pride. She is VERY possessive of her blanket, so the sacrifice was big in the world of a 3 year old.
He is definitely more of a toddler than he is a newborn. He is cruising along the furniture like a mad man, definitely showing signs of wanting to walk, just not quite there. I think that's where some of his frustration and whininess comes from, his desire to be fully mobile, able to keep up with his sister, and his in-ability to do it!
He is also down to nursing 1-2x a day. We're just about done. So bitter sweet. I have loved nursing, even through the difficult time of him refusing to take a bottle, I still adored it. Side note, now he takes a bottle like it's nothing.
He eats like nobodies business! This kid can eat, and eat, and eat. He loves raspberries, cheesy eggs, crackers, spaghetti, black beans, yogurt. He doesn't seem to like chicken...unless it's covered in bread crumbs or deep fried in a nugget form.
He is such a lovey baby. He is a mama's boy, BIG time, but such a love. I can't wait to see his personality continue to develop. He already shows more interest in the traditional "boy" toys, like the few cars we have or balls.
Brooklyn continues to crack us up daily with the things she says. She is so articulate it really blows me away. Some of these are things I've been writing down and saving over the past several months.
Playing in the pool in our backyard, Brooklyn looks at me and says "Benny has a curly bottom!". Meaning his boy parts. Hahahah.
This morning we had music on the tv and lady atabellum came on. There was a picture of the lead singers and B told me that the lady in the picture was the man's wife. I smiled and casually asked "what does wife mean?" she responds "wife means that she's happy".
Last night while drying herself from a bath she looked down at her nipples, looked up at me, looked down again, then up at me and said "mom, where are you nibbles". I sent matt a text telling him what she said, to which he replied "either in your shirt or the pantry". Ha!
She wandered into the kitchen and said to me "mom, what can I do when I grow up?"
Benny was hysterically crying when we got in the car to leave church a few weeks back, so brooklyn handed her blanket over and said "here benny, you can have this" matt and i looked at each other just beaming with pride. She is VERY possessive of her blanket, so the sacrifice was big in the world of a 3 year old.
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| benny at the park |
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| cutest dinosaur ever |
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| I was playing around with costumes yesterday |
Monday, October 17, 2011
short and sweet
Brooklyn came out of her room the other day and said "mom, where's dad, I need to tell him something". I said in the garage. She walks out to the garage, and very seriously says "Dad, I have something to say to you", long dramatic pause, "I really love princess jasmine".
Nuff said. This girl is amazing.
Nuff said. This girl is amazing.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
handsome
Ten things you may or may not know about Ben:
1. He hates socks
2. He LOVES his blanket & binky
3. He does this shudder thing when he's cold or tastes something new
4. He's kind of abusive (he loves to pinch me, grab my face, pull my hair) and it's all to show his affection
5. He can now nod his head yes and no
6. He thinks dancing is hilarious
7. He has the best laugh in the world
8. He'll put anything in his mouth, sticks, dirt, old crusty food, you name it
9. If he's really upset and I put him in the stroller, he will calm down pretty quickly while on a run
10. He loves the ladies= total flirt ;-)
Monday, October 10, 2011
sunshine & pumpkins
Saturday we went with some great friends to Baggensto's farm for family field trip. What gorgeous weather we had! Then after the tractor ride and pumpkin hunting we headed to McMenamin's for yummy (and extremely chaotic) dinner and beer. Great day!
my <3
The getting ready pic
The staged pic
The mama's & babies, Erin & Harper, Erin & Tatem, Ben & I and Britt
This picture kills me, two little elderly people holding hands
two weeks til go time
Matt and I have continued to train for our half marathon in hood river, which is coming up FAST. It's on Sunday the 23rd...two weeks. Yikes.
We went on our longest together yesterday (thank you tete for watching the rug rats). 10.5 miles! It's been really great to run together, I mean come on, how often these days do we get to be together with the opportunity to talk un-interrupted for and hour and a half?! Not to mention, having someone to distract/encourage you on runs that long is awesome! I am so thankful I talked him into doing this with me. We've been through so much together...a puny half marathon is going to pale in comparison :) But it's sure going to feel good when it's all done!!
We went on our longest together yesterday (thank you tete for watching the rug rats). 10.5 miles! It's been really great to run together, I mean come on, how often these days do we get to be together with the opportunity to talk un-interrupted for and hour and a half?! Not to mention, having someone to distract/encourage you on runs that long is awesome! I am so thankful I talked him into doing this with me. We've been through so much together...a puny half marathon is going to pale in comparison :) But it's sure going to feel good when it's all done!!
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| he smoked me at the end (but hey, his leg's are longer) |
Thursday, October 6, 2011
and update...finally :)
I have been so terrible about getting on here lately.
Some re-caps from the past few weeks:
Brooklyn is still absolutely loving school! It just warms my heart so much. She is super into halloween this year, like the decorations and pumpkins and all that stuff. We haven't figured out exactly what she will be yet, but whatever it is, I can assure you it will involve a dress of some sort. Our neighbor across the street has this witch that lights up and she talks about that (and witches in general) all the time. "I don't like witches mom, but only good witches".
Ben has entered that stage where he HATES to have his diaper changed. He twists and turns and kicks and screams. It's a lot of fun :)
Matt was changing his diaper on Sunday and I hear him from the other room trying to reason with him "Ben, come on, just hold still, this shouldn't be this hard!" Brooklyn runs up to him and says "don't you ever, never talk to Benjamin like that. Don't talk mean to my brudder!". Matt handled it so well. He calmly explained that he wasn't talking mean to him, he was just trying to get him to hold still (so as not to get poop all over the carpet) and he praised her for looking out for her brother. Serious bond there.
I walked in yesterday to see brooklyn's face smashed up agains ben's and I said "what are you doing?" brooklyn responded "we're having a marrying kiss!", to which I responded "we don't kiss anyone with a marrying kiss" and b said "ok, come here ben, I'll give you a dog kiss!". She just cracks me up...all the time. She loves to kiss passionately. I would be lying if I said it didn't terrify me. The fact that she calls it a marrying kiss, tells me she understands the difference between a normal kiss and a kiss between married people. Ack! How can a three year old get that? At any rate, we are treating it very delicately, don't want her to feel like she can't express her love and affection, but also don't want her to think she can open mouth kiss anyone she wants :) These are the times I wish I had a manual.
It's been a rough month as far as teeth and colds. Ben's been cutting teeth for what seems like forever, two more just came through in the past week. Poor guy has the same immune system his sister had, he has this cold that won't go away. He is crawling everywhere, and is starting to walk himself along the furniture. I think we may have a walker by one year.
Matt has been working like a dog. Lot's going on at work and school. Hopefully by the end of the month things will have slowed a bit. We are just thankful for all the opportunities and doors God has opened and continues to open. It's craziness right now (and will be until school is done) but even if he wasn't in grad school full time, it would still be craziness. Right? I always justify the hard moments with "well, he's not missing out on a whole lot right now" which is only partially true, but it will all be done and over before sports and homework start.
We made a spur of the moment trip to Canon Beach two weekends ago. Went to Mo's for lunch, attempted to play in the sand (it was very windy), played at the park, picked out some tasty candy and made some memories.
Some re-caps from the past few weeks:
Brooklyn is still absolutely loving school! It just warms my heart so much. She is super into halloween this year, like the decorations and pumpkins and all that stuff. We haven't figured out exactly what she will be yet, but whatever it is, I can assure you it will involve a dress of some sort. Our neighbor across the street has this witch that lights up and she talks about that (and witches in general) all the time. "I don't like witches mom, but only good witches".
Ben has entered that stage where he HATES to have his diaper changed. He twists and turns and kicks and screams. It's a lot of fun :)
Matt was changing his diaper on Sunday and I hear him from the other room trying to reason with him "Ben, come on, just hold still, this shouldn't be this hard!" Brooklyn runs up to him and says "don't you ever, never talk to Benjamin like that. Don't talk mean to my brudder!". Matt handled it so well. He calmly explained that he wasn't talking mean to him, he was just trying to get him to hold still (so as not to get poop all over the carpet) and he praised her for looking out for her brother. Serious bond there.
I walked in yesterday to see brooklyn's face smashed up agains ben's and I said "what are you doing?" brooklyn responded "we're having a marrying kiss!", to which I responded "we don't kiss anyone with a marrying kiss" and b said "ok, come here ben, I'll give you a dog kiss!". She just cracks me up...all the time. She loves to kiss passionately. I would be lying if I said it didn't terrify me. The fact that she calls it a marrying kiss, tells me she understands the difference between a normal kiss and a kiss between married people. Ack! How can a three year old get that? At any rate, we are treating it very delicately, don't want her to feel like she can't express her love and affection, but also don't want her to think she can open mouth kiss anyone she wants :) These are the times I wish I had a manual.
It's been a rough month as far as teeth and colds. Ben's been cutting teeth for what seems like forever, two more just came through in the past week. Poor guy has the same immune system his sister had, he has this cold that won't go away. He is crawling everywhere, and is starting to walk himself along the furniture. I think we may have a walker by one year.
Matt has been working like a dog. Lot's going on at work and school. Hopefully by the end of the month things will have slowed a bit. We are just thankful for all the opportunities and doors God has opened and continues to open. It's craziness right now (and will be until school is done) but even if he wasn't in grad school full time, it would still be craziness. Right? I always justify the hard moments with "well, he's not missing out on a whole lot right now" which is only partially true, but it will all be done and over before sports and homework start.
We made a spur of the moment trip to Canon Beach two weekends ago. Went to Mo's for lunch, attempted to play in the sand (it was very windy), played at the park, picked out some tasty candy and made some memories.
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