Cheers to 2015

I sat down yesterday and wrote an entire blog post on saying goodbye to 2015. Then, when I couldn't sleep last night, I decided to delete it and start over. I rewrote the whole thing in my mind.

That's my way of writing. When the words come, I write furiously then let them sit. I reread them. It's funny because there are times when I instantly know that I hate what I have written and then I delete all of it and start over without giving it a second thought.

Other times, I can take the foundation and morph the words into a piece that I love. This is the process that I've used my whole life. Even in middle school and high school (before computers and even typewriters), I would hand write entire papers and then mark them up and rewrite them or just throw them away and start over.

That brings us back to this blog post. I wrote this long post full of things from 2015. I knew the minute I saved it that it wasn't what I wanted to say. I decided to let it simmer and reread it today.

My writing mirrors my life in so many ways. I create content by making life choices. Once a choice is made, I give it time before I evaluate it. Some times, I can take the choice and its' foundation, make adjustments and produce amazing results. There are other times that I realize that I just need to let go and start over.

Life is a continual cycle of making choices, evaluating them, letting go, making adjustments, learning, and moving forward.

After I wrote the first post, I found this great quote on Facebook:

"Do not move on to 2016 without letting go of something significant from 2015, an old idea, habit, fear, concern of ego. Let go to free up the whitespace for something new to enter." - Brendon Burchard

How appropriate.

2015 was a fine year. It certainly had some amazing moments but like any other year, it had challenges. As I get older, I try to learn from the choices I make so that I continue to pick the best option next time. As a wife and mother, the option I choose doesn't just affect me but in many cases, it has the ability to change our whole family cycle.

If I add another commitment to my plate, will it take time away from Altman and the children or will it allow me to spend more time with the boys?

For example, I chose to be Room Mom this year for Jackson's class. I was hesitant about saying yes. But, I found that it allows me to help the teacher and to see my son regularly during school hours. I get to watch him learn and grow as a person. Good choice. I'll be more than happy to choose this option in the future.

What will you let go from 2015?

I've started my list. And I plan to remind myself of it every day. I have a lot to leave behind in 2015. What I leave behind has helped me grow to the person I am but it's time to look ahead to a new year, a new chapter, and the fun that lies ahead.

Happy New Year friends!

We Have Children!

I am no expert on raising children. When Jackson was born, we tried to keep our expectations simple because everything was so new to us. Our main goal was simple. Keep the kid alive. Each day that he was alive at bedtime and when it was time to wake up was a success. So far, we're 100% on that goal. When Karson was born, our mantra became "survive and advance" and we still stick to that one.

We are heading toward a transition time. We moved on a long time ago from the infant phase and then the baby phase. We hit the toddler phase like a freight train. I don't remember terrible two's with Jackson but Karson has been more than willing to expose us to this phase. I am ready to move on to the tranquil three's. Or the fun four's. Those exist. Right?

Karson is becoming a person. A real boy. One that "do it myself" and has "my turn" and doesn't want help from mommy or daddy. One that wraps his arms around my neck and gives me big kisses. One who tackles Jason down in the family room floor. One that would follow his brother to the ends of the Earth. He knows how to make us laugh and he understands when he's in trouble. He is taking life head on. Literally.

We now have children. We've always had children but specifically, we had infants, babies, toddlers, and even preschooler.

Now, we have a kindergartner and a toddler that is finding his personality.

That toddler is soon to be a preschooler and then a kindergartner. Our kindergartner has already completed the first half of his first year of school. Soon we'll see first grade and I am guessing that I will wake up soon and be preparing for graduation. There'll be lots of homework, activities, laughs, tears, and more in the years to come.

I read an article earlier about how there's a fine line of happy and grief as your children get older. We are still in a wonderful place where the boys want to snuggle and be held. They want to hold my hand but I am painfully aware that each time Jackson holds my hand could be the last time. There may be a time when he's too cool for that and I'll live but I will miss it terribly.

There'll be a time when my itty-bitty Karson is tackling down other players in sports instead of running around our family room like a mad man.

We spent the night away last night and I am guessing that's why I am so sentimental today. Jason and I needed to go out, have fun, and sleep. And we did. And then as soon as breakfast was finished, I was ready to come home to the boys.

My boys.

Some Thoughts on KTC

If you are a KTC member then this post is in your September Footnotes magazine. If you aren't a member then we'd love to have you join the fun. With that said, I wrote this article a few weeks ago but feel it is important to share with everyone....

Fall is coming. I love Knoxville during this time of year. My absolute favorite run is on the morning of a home football game. Whether the game is at noon or 7 pm, I find fellow Volunteers clad in orange setting up tailgates and prepping for a day of fun with friends. I can already smell the bacon, eggs, barbecue, and more as I run past those folks.

I hope to be able to lace up for those runs this year. I have battled injury after injury this summer and just can’t seem to heal. But, I keep trying. I may never marathon again but I keep going to therapy, testing better eating habits, researching shoes, and continuing to educate myself on how to be my best as a runner. My body needs a little extra love these days and I am committed to loving it so I run well into the future.

KTC is full of pieces and parts and so many programs. Like a runner, sometimes one or more of the pieces needs a little extra love. There are so many components to my job but I’ve been making a conscience effort this summer to think about KTC outside of events and I am committed to loving it so it runs well into the future.

I love so many things about KTC. I love our history. I love the stories of athletes who ran for KTC as youngsters and come back because of their love of the sport and the organization. I love hearing about our founders and our original road races. Can you imagine being timed using a stopwatch and a popsicle stick? Let that sink in for a minute.

I love what we do. We provide an avenue for our community to be its’ healthiest. Simple. Our vision is “health living, healthy community – one step at a time” and that is still the best vision that I have heard in years.

We work hard to offer the best to our participants, volunteers, and participants. We research other organizations, we attend events that aren’t our own, we read articles about running and programming, and we follow your conversations on social media.

I could never, ever do this alone. You should all know that the staff and key volunteers are doing their best to make sure everyone has the same experience. We may not always get it right and when we don’t, we have serious conversations about how to improve. When we do get it right, we go home with a glow from a good day.

I love our people.

The heart and soul of this organization are the volunteers. Even the staff give so much time that it can’t all be chalked up to being “part of their job” but as a part of their being

In over 50 years, the organization has had its’ share of injuries. But, I can tell you that I am so excited for the future. KTC is primed to be injury free and running well next year and beyond.

See you on the roads!

Kristy

Melting Down

It may be the heat. It may be that I bought a house and sold the condo while on vacation. It may be that we had roughly 21 days to pack up 10 years of belongings while caring for 2 kids. It may be that we did a double close and moved all in one day. It may be that we almost doubled the size of our home and now we have to take care of all this space....

It may be that I strained my gluteus medius in June and that my hip problems were already flaring up prior to the sprain meaning that I haven't run consistently since mid-May....

It may be that my baby, my sweet Jackson is now 6 and going to kindergarten in a few weeks...

My guess is that when you take all of the above, it was only a matter of time until I had a meltdown.

It happened yesterday. I knew it was there when I woke up and it continued all day long.

Karson has a double ear infection. He had been sleeping so well but hasn't slept well in days. He's been grumpy and for good reason. I took him to the doctor and that was miserable. We waited 25 minutes for a nurse. Then we waited another 20 or so for a doctor. Toddlers don't like to be confined to small spaces for 45 minutes. And, they definitely don't like someone probing their ears when they have an ear infection.

Not only is Jackson adjusting to a new, bigger home but he is also getting ready to take the leap into kindergarten. He hasn't come out and said it but I am believe his anxiety levels are through the roof. His actions and behavior tell me that something is up and I hope it all settles for him soon.

We are edgy. I am down a staff person and there is no end to the to-do list. No end. Every time I mark something off the list, I add 5 more items.

At 38, I know how to take care of myself. But, I am human and forget.

I eat badly. I sleep little. When I do sleep, it isn't restful. With the injuries, I am not getting that good "clear your head" kind of exercise. There is laundry to be done and dinner to be cooked (and groceries to be bought for that dinner). I allow my anxiety levels to get out of my control.

This is all a great recipe for a meltdown.

I hate them. Having them makes me so mad at myself. No one wants to talk about them but I can't imagine I am the only one that has them.

I am forever thankful to Jason for not running away because he has to live with me when they happen. He is always so calm. That's why we have such a great relationship. He is a great balance for my personality.

Today, I feel somewhat better. I had physical therapy this morning, tossed out some wild ideas, made headway on said to-do list, and am excited to see kids out and running tomorrow morning. I am excited to spend the weekend with all of my boys.

Tomorrow will be even better.

From here, I regroup.

I will look at the schedule and purposely schedule more "admin" days. I will make one dish that will last for days. Maybe I will teach Jackson to do laundry. At least kid laundry.

I am blessed beyond imagination. I have an amazing husband. I have two beautiful children. I have plenty of work. I have a beautiful home and in a wonderful development. I have been given the opportunity to serve some of the areas' greatest organizations. I have great PT help and am on the road to running regularly again.

Time to learn my lesson from ignoring myself and time to put myself on top of the to-do list. Otherwise, I am hindering and not helping and if you know me, you know how I feel about that.

For now, I have some things to wrap up before the boys get home.

See ya on the roads! :)

New Adventures

Tomorrow, unless something goes terribly wrong, we will close the door on a big part of our life and start a new chapter.

In 2005, after a little over a year of marriage, Jason and I bought our condo. At the time, we didn't think we wanted kids and this place was a great setup for us. Master on main with attached bath, main living on first floor, and three rooms upstairs with a full bath. We used one room for an office, another for a guest room, and the other was empty for years.

We moved from a 3 bedroom apartment and going from rent to mortgage was so very satisfying and we were very proud of ourselves and our place.

Fast forward to 2009 when we brought home the eldest. We moved our bedroom upstairs so we could be close to Jackson. Our office moved downstairs and the garage became the workout room.

Fast forward again to 2013 when we brought home the littlest Altman. Our room remained upstairs and suddenly our guest room was a baby room.

We've tried several times to sell the condo. It was never the right time. We tried in 2009 and the economy tanked. We tried again a few years later and still it didn't sell. We tried again after Karson was born that was a mistake and we weren't ready to be showing the home.

We decided in late April to fully commit to selling. We needed to move and to get settled before J starts kindergarten. We had no idea the market was so good and we'd be buying and selling and closing within a month.

On the advice of the lovely and awesome Marian, we moved a bed downstairs to make the master look like a bedroom. The office went back upstairs and Jason, Karson, and I have been sharing a bed in Karson's room so that we'd still be close to Jackson. We cleaned and prepped the place for market.

We looked online at dozens of houses and all sold before we could see them. We found two places and one was in the same development as some friends. We loved it on the spot. We put in an offer before we left for vacation. While on vacation, our place went on the market and we sold it. I can tell you vacay isn't nearly as relaxing as it should be when trying to counter offer and complete real estate transactions but hey, we were thinking long term and it made the extra work from the beach okay.

This was our first home. This is the first home that our boys will remember (Karson may not even remember it...) and will be a place that holds so many special memories. We hosted birthday parties, Thanksgiving meals for friends, planned thousands of events from our kitchen table, and cooked dinner here almost every night for the last decade.

We are so excited about tomorrow and our new home. It will be a great place for the boys to grow up. I will miss our condo. (Probably even more so when we are doing yard work!) I will miss the coziness of this place and I will cherish every memory made here.

Time for a new adventure.

See ya on the roads!

Dearest Karson...

Dearest Karson,

It is 9 pm on the night before your actual birthday. You think today was your birthday because we celebrated with Italian Ice, playgrounds, playing at Krutch Park, presents, and cupcakes. Tomorrow is a busy day and we wanted you to feel special so today was the day.

You are asleep now (thank you!). Your dad and I are having an adult beverage on the sofa and trying to unwind before a very chaotic 8+ days.

Two years ago on this day and at this time, I was on the sofa timing contractions. I knew you were coming soon. I had known for days.

On June 20, 2013, we found out you were footling breech and you'd have to be delivered via C-Section. No choice. I cried to the doctor we saw in the office and she had my normal doc call me that afternoon. He said there was no other way. I was already in labor and too far in to safely turn you. Surgery it would be.

I was heartbroken. So many people judge on how you deliver your kid and I didn't want to be a bad mom because I couldn't deliver you the same way that Jackson was delivered (although that didn't go well either).

The next day (two years ago today), I was contracting from the time I woke. Truthfully, the doc onsite for the ultrasound the day before wanted me to deliver that day (June 20). She kept telling me to go home, get my bag, get Jackson settled with someone, and come back. We didn't do it. And the doctor on call that Friday wasn't one that I knew so you'd have to wait until the 22nd when my normal doctor was on call to be delivered. Thankfully you did. If my water had broken, we'd have been in a lot of trouble.

On June 22, 2013, you were born late afternoon during the most amazing delivery ever. We laughed and joked and talked through the whole thing. Your dad was there and I was able to kiss your face within seconds of your birth. You spent some time in the NICU. You had fluid on your lungs and they couldn't keep your body temp where it needed to be. But, you rallied quickly and we were able to come home just days after you were born.

You have taken us on a wild ride since. I have never had another human being take me from anger to smiles to frustration to pride at any given minute on any given day. It can be exhausting. Really exhausting.

You are stubborn. You are impatient. You want to do it your way. You don't want or need help.

I could play dumb and say that I have no idea where you get those traits but I know too well where they come from and what lies ahead of you.

Here's what I can tell you....

1. Stubbornness is good sometimes but in many situations, you need to be open to others. Just do it. You'll learn.
2. Patience is necessary. It sucks sometimes but totally necessary for being a good person. And for learning and growing. You can't be your best if you are impatient.
3. Keep doing things your way. I have found that it helps to solve problems. That doesn't mean that you can discount other ways and ignore suggestions from others but I have found that if I take all the information from all sources then I can usually figure out the answers. Just make sure you give credit to those who help you.
4. You do need help. I still struggle with this one. Your father made me see that two is better than one. But, I still struggle with asking for help. Don't. Ask for help when you need it. Ask for help when you don't need it. Engage other people in whatever you are doing. Seriously. It's the best way for everyone.

I love you itty-bitty. You are amazing. You have this flaming red hair and these blue eyes that can see right through a person. You are going to do big things. I know it in my heart.

Love you dude.

Mom

Randomness

Random thoughts on a Saturday afternoon...all very random and in no particular order of importance.

Baby gorillas are cute. Very cute.

Being at the Zoo in a torrential downpour isn't really that much fun.

Karson likes Oreo Ice Cream Sandwiches. We may never get Oreo out of his shirt.

Only my kids would be on the train at the Zoo when it derails and runs off the road. Yep. That happened today. No one was hurt.

Two years ago today, I found out that Karson would have to be delivered C-Section. I cried. A lot. Then I cried more. Turns out, it wasn't so bad and I recovered just as quickly as I did with Jackson.

Jackson is really (really with an exclamation point) into numbers these days. While I admire his eagerness to learn addition and subtraction and all things numerical, I am not a numbers person. He counted from 900 to 1000 on the way to Target. My head hurts. A lot.

Buying a house and selling a house is hard.

Packing is really hard.

Buying a house, selling a house, and packing while working full-time plus, chasing two kids, trying to rehab my hip, and keep up with my other community commitments is hard. Worth it in the end but still hard.

I can't wait for the move to be completed.

I am glad we aren't moving ourselves. Moving companies are awesome (I hope).

My left hip is the bane of my existence. It would be good if my pelvis would stay in its' place and the muscles around it weren't so angry all the time. I don't care anymore whether or not I can run a marathon this fall (the answer is likely no) but I would like to relieve stress through some running. And soon (see above random thoughts).

Through all of the randomness, I have the best husband that a gal could ask for who is also the best father that I know. I hope both kids grow up to be just like him.

See ya on the trails!

It is the end of May. I have no idea how that happened....Okay, that's a lie. I do know how we got here - I just can't believe that we are here.

In less than a month, my "baby" will be 2. In less than two months, my first "baby" will be 6. My heart overflows with joy but aches at the same time as they grow up. They are great kids. They are handsome and both are very, very smart. And they are funny. They make me belly laugh daily and it takes a lot to make me actually belly laugh.

It's been a wild year. Not just 2015 but summer 2014 to now. I left a job, started a business, and went back to KTC. We went through major life changes and major life situations.

I went from feeling fairly lost and not feeling like myself to remembering who I am and what's important in life to me (and hopefully) settling into a groove.

KTC does good work. KTC isn't just road or trail races. KTC is a community organization doing good things. I am looking forward to the remainder of the year when we roll-out programming that will ultimately help our community. Physical well-being is key. It is important for our physical, mental, and emotional selves and we need to put a higher priority on it and KTC plays a big role in that for so many companies, schools, and individuals and I am excited to see how things unfold.

Personally, in the last year, I maintained and maybe even renewed some lifelong friendships, found that other friends seemed to drift away, and have made some great new friends. I've been humbled by the support of so many who have encouraged me along the way.

I have also found a renewed urge to change some lifestyle habits. I signed up for a fall marathon and am incorporating core work and yoga into my weekly routines again.

Most importantly, in the last year, I have found that I am very proud of myself. I am juggling a lot of balls in the air so to speak. Some days, things fall right into place and other days, I struggle to get by.

That's life. I am busy. There is no way around it. I created the schedule, I said yes, and now I want to fulfill my commitments because that is who I am. I want to help and never hinder.

I am proud to teach my kids about hard work. And, I am proud to show them what it means to give back to the great community that has given so much to Jason and me.

I am proud of myself for pursuing my passions and being the best person that I can be. I am excited for the next chapters. I am excited for new adventures and new relationships.

Every Run is a Lesson

It has been a long time since I have regularly run long runs. I am literally building from the ground up again and essentially starting over.

I haven't trained for a distance run since before I was pregnant with Karson. I have been busy growing the family, taking care of the kids, building my career, serving our community, and being a wife. It hasn't been a priority but I feel like now is the time. This is the year.

Well, I did feel that way when I registered for a fall marathon. However, since clicking submit, every run has been a challenge.

Admittedly, I usually have a 2 to 3 week period in May/June when every run is terrible. Acclimating to the heat is awful for me.

I must be in that time period. Each run this week was worse than the one before. If I could have bailed on my 7 miler this morning then I would have - except I had to get back to my car and hitch hiking down Neyland wasn't really an option.

Before leaving this morning, Jackson was a playing a game and getting so upset because he couldn't get past a certain point. I told him to keep trying. Keep practicing. Don't give up easily. You'll figure it out....

Today's run didn't go well. That's life. If it is the worst thing that happens today then I am lucky. There are more runs to come and I will keep trying. Keep practicing. I won't give up and I will figure it out. The goal is to cross the start line and cross the finish line this fall. This is just part of the journey to get there.

See ya on the roads!

Jackson asked me today why I like to run alone sometimes. I run alone so that I can work on my own fitness, gather my thoughts, and problem solve a variety of things. Sometimes on an easy run, I write a blog post in my mind. Today was one of those days.

Jackson and his fellow Fire Dragons played their last soccer game of the season yesterday. After the game, we had a party and everyone got a trophy. You might think that it is silly for everyone to get a trophy but honestly, we don't know what other kids are overcoming to make it to each practice and game. Years ago (before kids), I would have said that participation trophies are silly and you have to earn them but now that I am a mom, I know that win or lose, those trophies are earned.

Last night, I posted a picture of my #22 from his game and although the picture wasn't significant, I was flooded with so many thoughts about our eldest and the last year.

I will be very honest in saying that watching Jackson play soccer tests my patience and my abilities as a mom. He is a big kid and I forget that he is a child. A young child. I am almost certain that he is the youngest on the team. And, I am almost certain that he's the only one not in kindergarten yet.

As soon as I posted the picture, it hit me. He is a kid. He isn't even 6 yet. He has an entire lifetime to play sports and truthfully, the kid has come a long way in the last year. He is truly remarkable.

He had major surgery last year. MAJOR. An adult would likely have a hard time recovering - if ever. His doctor did an Achilles tendon repair (the 2nd in his 5 years on this Earth) and moved his Tibialis anterior muscle. Yes, that's right. He MOVED it. Jackson was in a cast for 6 weeks. The full leg cast went on after surgery and then a cast below the knee went on three weeks post surgery. He has three scars that seem to be fading but who knows if they'll ever go away.

We had a party after the second cast was removed. I remember watching Jackson run across the playground and my heart sank because I was worried he'd never run straight again. The doctor had given us a play by play from the beginning. Even before he was born, J's doctor gave us a play by play of what would happen and when and how he would likely respond. It is hard to accept what you've been told when you are living it. I look back now and laugh because J's doctor is an amazing and super smart guy and I am so thankful for him because he was right.

Jackson didn't have to play soccer last fall. His season started within two weeks of having the second cast removed. We didn't force him into it and told him that he could sit out if he wanted because of the surgery. He wanted to play. He wanted to see his friends. The first few games (and maybe the whole season) had to be hard on him. He never complained but I cannot imagine that he wasn't in some kind of physical pain.

He wanted to play again this spring. I was hesitant. He isn't aggressive and he had never once chased the ball or even come close to having contact with it. I was worried that we were setting him up for disappointment. Other kids seemed to be improving each game but he wasn't. I had forgotten about his surgery and forgotten that he might need an extra minute (or two) to catch up.

He proved me wrong because he is that cool. We don't talk about it much. Once in awhile, he'll show someone his scars but that seems to be mostly older girls that he wants to impress.

His progress has been remarkable. No, he didn't score any game winning goals. He didn't score any goals. But, he got in there and he chased the ball and he kicked it a few times. When his foot touched the ball, it was like a "Hail Mary" to me. Behind my sunglasses, I cried a few tears when I saw his foot connect with the soccer ball during a game.

He perseveres. He works hard. He gets up every day and keeps going. He improves. He doesn't complain. He isn't the star of the team but I will tell you that in another season or two and he is going to be a force to be reckoned with.

I signed up for a marathon this fall. I haven't finished a marathon since 2007. I hate marathons. But, I am going to try to remember every single day that we were lucky and our son's foot could be fixed. My eldest has been through two surgeries in 5 years but you might never know that if I don't tell you the story. He is amazing and I plan to train for this marathon with him in mind during every single run. If he can get up every day and keep going then so can I.

See ya on the roads!

It's Not All Fun and Games

This week is hard. That is not a complaint but the truth. After several years of doing this, it never gets easier. Never. And, it isn't just hard for us. It is hard for the volunteers who put their blood, sweat, and tears into the CHKM.

Even though it is hard, what you'll see this weekend is that Jason and I will be running around and smiling and making an effort to talk to every person and catch up. This week is hard but the connections on Saturday and Sunday are priceless and amazing. But, the bottom line is that the week is hard.

This year seems harder than the previous years. The last year has been hard. We've had big life changes and made big life decisions. Whether they were good choices or not remains to be seen and only time will tell. At the end of the day, 2014 into 2015 and especially this week have been harder than every year before.

Maybe one reason is that we now have two mobile kids. Jackson seems much more aware of the situation this year. He seems to pick up on the stress, the anxiety, and the overall unavailability. Even when we we are all together, one of us is not really there. (By the way, putting that out there makes me want to vomit.) He asked me this week when things would be normal again. He asked me why we are gone so many nights. Each question is like a stab through the heart and each time, it brings me to tears. Only I don't cry in front of him. I bottle it up and wait. I won't cry in front of him because that would make him sad. He is a sweet and kind kid and I refuse to be the reason he is sad. But when he's gone and when I am alone, I cry. He'll probably have no long term memory of this race week but in the here and now, it makes my heart hurt.

What I hope he takes with him is that we help people. That is who I am. That is who we are as a couple and as individuals. Those Facebook tests tell me that I am a leader or that I have ambition...and I do. I want to lead people to a healthier lifestyle. I want to lead KTC to be the go-to expert in health and wellness and community service. I think that KTC offers our community great things but I believe, actually I know, that it can do more and be more.

This week is hard but the people make it priceless. The volunteers who show up every year remind me why we do this. The finishers who cross that line for the first time make me weepy with tears of joy. All of those stories and all of those journeys make the long days, sleepless nights, and all of the hard times absolutely priceless.

This week is hard and it is far from over. There will be highs and lows. There will be the unexpected bumps in the road but generally after one of those bumps, there is someone there with a story and a hug and I remember why we do this.

So, with that said, I will see you at the fifty!

Time to Catch Up

Hello there. It has been some time since I have actually published a blog post. I've started several but never finished them. I won't say I have been busy because I am moving away from that word. I will say that I am blessed with a beautiful family and some wonderful opportunities.

I am in between meetings with not enough time to start a new task and too much time to go ahead and head over the next venue so I thought I would do a quick blog to catch up with you.

After serving as interim Executive Director for Knoxville Track Club starting in November, I was hired back permanently with a start date of March 1. Same job as before but with a slightly different title.

When I became interim, I wondered if it was the right thing to do to come back permanently. I have been there and done that so to speak and I left. But, I left with unfinished business. There were several factors in my initial departure and we don't need to rehash them but let's just say that I left with a lot still on my to-do list for this community. At the end of the day, that is why I wanted to return.

Knoxville is fortunate to have a great network of local organizations, government officials, and community members who strive to guarantee that we have greenways and trails to run, walk, bike, and hike on any time we'd like.

In my opinion, we are poised to be the "go to" city in the southeast and even nationally for physical fitness, outdoor community events, and overall experts on health and wellness and good quality of life. The Knoxville Track Club fits naturally into the equation as experts on planning running/walking events and providing a great foundation of programming to support a good quality of life.

Outside of work, I am still plugging away with community service. I am humbled and blessed to serve on the boards for United Way of Greater Knoxville, Volunteer Knoxville, and to be the incoming Chair for the Community Health Council beginning in April.  In addition to those boards, I also serve on sub-committees for all three and I am thrilled to also be part of committees for Leadership Knoxville. I enjoy the service and each one of these groups compliment one another and the work I do for KTC.

Above all, we are having a blast with the kids. Karson has developed this amazing personality and I am amazed daily with Jackson's sense of humor, his creativity, and his intelligence. And I am blessed to be coming up on 11 years of marriage to the man that is my best friend and my overall favorite. It's been a wild ride and I can't wait to see where the years take us.

That's it. Time to pack up my bags and leave the Starbucks for a meeting.

See you on the roads!