Friday........

I started a blog post last week about how TGIF isn't real. I was writing it because I was exhausted and still had mounds of laundry to do and a full weekend of refereeing children (after several days of solo refereeing the children) and at the time, Jackson had suddenly spiked a fever....

This life is a 7 day operation and there isn't a lot of time for the R&R that I keep hearing about.

I can't say that I agree with myself on this Friday.

I left work with the TGIF mindset. I turned on music and then turned it up and drove to pick up the boys without looking back.

The last couple of weeks have been overrun with challenge after challenge after challenge. Both at work and at home.

The littlest is still sick. He is still coughing and after 9 days on medicine, I don't think he is better. It looks like we will be heading back to the doctor next week unless he has an amazing recovery this weekend. He's seen 3 doctors in the last 8-9 weeks (since before Christmas).

Jackson has had some respiratory issues and I think we have them under control now but it's been a bit stressful for all of us.

When either Altman or I travel, it just throws everything off. This last week was no different. It will be weeks before full recovery. As a side note, to the hard working, single parents out there...you are amazing. Seriously. Bring your kids over sometime and I'll watch them so you can take a nap.

Work has been hard. I won't sugarcoat it. There are many challenges and we've undergone changes and while I believe we are moving in the right direction, I long for a day with no fires to put out and a few minutes to actually drink my coffee (I don't even care if I finish it...I just want to get in a few sips...)

Because of schedules, I have worked out very little this week. That is never good. I need my workouts. I need the runs to clear my head and the strength training to feel strong. And I knew that missing the workouts would make me less patient and more tired but I missed them anyway.

I'm taking this moment to acknowledge that I need a minute to just be.

The family room is a mess. There is laundry to be done. The kitchen needs to be cleaned up. But, I don't know that I am going to do a thing.

I think I am going to sit on the sofa and read. Or do nothing. The children are fed and waiting for me to give the green light to play the XBox. Altman is on his way home and he's an adult so he can take care of himself.

So maybe there is something to the TGIF afterall....if only for today.

See ya on the roads. Kristy 

It's a New Decade!

Happy New Year and Happy New Decade! I generally don't get pumped about the new year but am feeling a little nostalgic today mixed with optimism.

Years ago, I started living by the notion that every minute of every day is an opportunity to reset. I don't always do it but I try really hard. Life is less stressful when you aren't carrying around a bunch of anger, resentment or whatever has your feathers ruffled. We are working to instill the same thought process with the boys. Again, it isn't always perfect but we continue to try.

I do love that so many folks out there take this as an opportunity to set goals for themselves. I have found over the years that many people just need that reset "button" and January 1 is a great option.

The last 10 years have been quite the adventure for us. We started the decade with a baby and now we have a 10 year old who is dangerously close to being taller than me. We welcomed the tornado otherwise known as Karson in to our lives and we moved to our current home. We welcomed new pets to the family and lost some of the best fur babies that I've ever had. There have been job changes for me and Jason has continued to organize the best event in town while making it better each year.

So here we are...2020.

In 10 more years, if we are lucky, we'll have a kid in college (or working - whatever he chooses) and another who'll be learning to drive. Our priorities and schedules and life in general will continue to change every day, month and year ahead of us. No doubt there will be plenty of tears but if the last 10 years is an indication, there will also be plenty of laughter, hugs and love.

For the next year and beyond, my plan is to focus on myself. I haven't focused on my running/fitness as much in the last 5 years and it's time to put some effort in to it. I have goals (nope - not sharing) and am looking forward to challenging myself.

I'm going to keep learning. Continually working on my professional skills and maybe even back in the health/wellness arena. I enjoyed that for so many years but haven't coached or taught classes in years because of the schedule.

I am ready to get scale back on stuff. We have too much. We've accumulated things over the years and it's time to part with a good bit of it. We are blessed to be able to afford our stuffed closets and full storage areas but the items we aren't using could be a blessing to someone else.

Lastly, I want us to travel more. I want all of us to have adventures that we'll remember forever.

Whatever it is that you're planning for the year ahead, I hope it's an amazing year. And if you fall off track, you can always get back on it. Just remember that every minute, day, week or month is an opportunity for a reset. Some resets aren't instantaneous but small steps can make a big difference.

Cheers to 2020!

Dear Jason...

My dearest hubs,
You did it again. You earned a top three finish (2nd to be exact) on one of the most mentally and physically challenging race courses that I have ever seen. 

All marathons are hard but this course leaves you alone with your thoughts throughout the majority of the run. There are few spectators out there unless you count deer.

I am so proud of you. I realized yesterday that Jackson learned hard work, resilience and determination from you.

You train in the heat. You train when you haven’t slept. You train on vacation. You seek help when injuries threaten you and you keep at it.

You run alone because that’s what our schedule will allow. And you don’t listen to music...what the heck by the way? It’s just you and your thoughts.

Day in and day out, I see you - the boys and I see you - putting in the work.

And through all of it, you never miss a beat as an amazing father and husband. You never miss a minute of work.

I spend race days in a state of anxiety and excitement. I love seeing you on the course (why else would I willingly push seventy pounds of kid) and then waiting for you at the finish.

Watching you out kick that dude coming down the stretch yesterday will be one of my all-time favorite Chickamauga memories. At the end of the day, I know it hurt but you weren’t going to let him beat you. 

Yesterday’s finish is a testimonial to your hard work, resilience (early Achilles pain and a late side stitch during the race) and determination to finish the best you could.

I am so proud of you. So, so proud. 

143 babe,

Me