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! :)