I am Thankful for Many, Many Things

My Life - This really encompasses so many things, but mainly the fact that I am alive, and have a healthy body, an active mind and that I have the chance to live in a land that offers so many freedoms to do whatever it is I want to do to improve myself, my family and my community. I also have to give it up to the men and women who work on a daily bases to protect those freedoms and I don't just mean soldiers (although they are pretty darn incredible at what they do), but also give thanks to the people who every day try to make a difference like police men and women, nurses, teachers. Without you my life would be a little less safe and so I am grateful to have you in it!!

My Husband - How thankful I am that we found each, even after all these years together. We have managed to get through some pretty crazy ups and downs that life always seems to throw at you especially when you least expect it or want it. I guess it's a good thing we both like roller coaster rides, cause we may be on one for life and I wouldn't want to be on it with anyone else. We have grown together, yelled together, laughed together, cried together, been afraid together and come out on the other side of things stronger than before. I love the time we are able to spend alone together and I hope we continue to grow in our love and respect and friendship in the years to come. What more can be said but that I love you babe!

My Kids - I promise not to make this the longest section of this post, but seriously, I am thankful for my two girls, for coming into my life and making me a mom (I was always afraid I would never get to be one) and for bringing so much joy and sunshine and laughter into my life. I know I will make mistakes and not always do things the right way, but I will always love you two with all that I am and I hope in those difficult moments my love for you will be enough. I love watching you grow and learn all about the world around you. You are my angels!!

My Friends (You all know who you are) - You give me strength when I need it the most and just by being in my life I am a better person. I love that there is never any judgement and there are always sets of listening ears to hear the latest news whether it be good or bad or just plain crazy. Thanks for making me feel like I have a place in the world where I can turn whenever I need a friend - life without you would be no life at all!!

My Family - Even though we live apart and never get together as often as I like, we are a family and whenever we do get together, I love hearing and seeing and watching all that you have made of your lives. I love seeing my nieces and nephews and all the cuteness that they bring to this family (seriously, we have some cute kids) and I love hearing about the struggles, accomplishments and moments in life that bring you happiness. I will always be here if you ever need anything and I know you will be there for me as well, through the good times and the bad.

Halloween pics - Yah, I know I'm late!

So it has taken me this long to finally download the pictures from my camera from Halloween and given that it is not quite Thanksgiving yet (I still have 5 days) I figured I can still share them and not run the risk of being TOO late and overlapping on holidays, Plus the pictures are too fun not to share, so enjoy!

A carved this pumpkin all by herself. She picked out the design and punched out the picture and carved it all by herself. I think she did an amazing job and she had so much fun. She even managed to make it through the "guts" part of the pumpkin.

The night before Halloween, we took the girls to Lagoon for the last time on our season passes (there was no way I was going to take them on the actual last day which was Halloween) for Frightmares. They had a blast going through the different Spook alleys and riding on their favorite rides one last time.

I have to admit some of the high school kids they had working there were more annoying than scary, but I guess that's what you get when 15 year olds run a theme park!

It was a little chilly for full costumes so we just painted faces and wore hats, but K was the best little witch and A was her trusty black cat. They loved the fact that they got their face painted (by yours truly) and they turned out looking pretty good, although I am really glad that K does not have those eyebrows in real life.

One of the spook houses ended up being a little more scary than we planned on (at one point I screamed like a little girl) and K was a trooper and just screamed right back at anything that jumped out at her that she did not like. Needless to say in the Haunted High School she did a lot of screaming at various and random creatures. I wish I could have had video of that as it was too funny. A just stayed really close and kept really quite, probably hoping that no one would notice her.

Calling all Princesses, Calling all Princesses - On Halloween Night we went to the little hot dog roast that a neighbor up the street hosts each year before heading out and trick-or-treating.

The girls pulled in some serious candy and this year we had to stop halfway and get a grocery bag from a friend to dump their pumpkins into as they (and the pockets on my jacket) were already overflowing and we were only about halfway around our neighborhood.

In case you can't tell, A was a Renaissance princess and K was a Parisian Princess and both looked beautiful. They loved that they got to wear mommy's make-up and have "sparkly" eyes (that was K's description of how she looked) A was especially proud of her gold sparkly shoes and dangly grown-up earrings.

By nights end they were both pretty tired, but you could tell they had a blast!! I think the picture of K and the smile on her face as she was trick or treating really says it all. She loved that she had a friend to go from house to house with, especially since her big sister keep taking off and leaving her in the dust (literally).

A loved that she got to spend the nights with her BFF M (the Zombie Bride) and J - the Egyptian Queen. They had so much fun just laughing and giggling and comparing what candy or treat each other got, it totally reminded me of the joys of just being a kid.

Hope your Halloween was as fun as ours was this year!! My girls will be eating candy until Christmas!!

US Virgin Island - St. Johns - January 2010

Duration - 7 days

Cost - **FREE** --> all expenses are going to be paid by A's company. we only have to bring our swimsuits and personal items, and maybe some $ for souvinours for the girls.

Why --> Because my husband ROCKS in a major way as he ended the year in the #3 position for sales in terms of $$$ sold in medical diagnostic equipment and reagents and they take the top 10 reps who each get to bring 1 guest on an absolutely incredible trip. Seriously, we are talking over 200 sales reps and he was #3. He ROCKS!!

I get to go along as his "+1" and I plan to fully enjoy my time there. I can't wait to walk on the white sandy beaches, swim in the turquoise blue ocean and bays and partake of all that St. John's has to offer during our stay!!

My mind is spinning with images of leisurely massages, snorkeling with shiny/colorful fishes and turtles, lounging by the pool, tons of great food and fabulous fruity concoctions, uninterrupted relaxation and oh so much more.

This is why I CrossFit

I am trying to improve myself in the following areas - Cardiovascular/respiratory endurance, Stamina, Strength, Flexibility, Power, Speed, Coordination, Agility, Balance, Accuracy. All the skill areas required for optimal physical competence.

I don't watch TV while I work out - it's a distraction.

I don't use treadmills and fancy big machines. - they are not functional.

What you will see everyday is a lot of sweat and you will use a lot of chalk.

My hands are no longer soft and wimpy, they are callused and torn up, but they are my battle wounds and I wear them with pride.

New friendships are made every day because you can only suffer alongside someone for so long without learning who they really are.

The CrossFit Mindset:
1 - I will promise to do my best. My best will vary from day to day, hour to hour, minute to minute. But in that minute, I will do the very best that I can.
2 - If I can run, I run. If I can walk, I walk. If I must crawl, I crawl. And when I make it, I will rest. And live to fight another day.
3 - I fear no man, but I fear my workout. If I don't fear my workout, it isn't hard enough.
4 - I may puke. I may cry. But I will not quit...Ever!
5 - I will not cheat. There is no honor in cheating. I will call out cheater when I see them, as they have no place in my gym.
6 - If you see someone puking or passed out, they are merely resting.
(the above points were written by author unknown, but he/she really nailed what is at the heart of a crossfitter mind and put it down better then I ever could)

Makes you want to run right out and join a CrossFit Gym in your area, right?

Just my thought for today!

I don't know who originally wrote this, so I can't really give the proper credit to the right person, but whoever you are, we could be friends, because you get me - thanks for putting this down into words I can share. (my own commentary added just because!!)
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I'm impatient (oh yes, yes I am)
and a little insecure (especially under my brave outer shell)
I make mistakes (oh so many mistakes, I have stopped trying to count)
I'm out of control (if you knew what really goes through my head sometimes, you might think i was a little crazy)
and sometimes a little hard to handle (especially if you mess with someone I love and care about)

But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you absolutely don't deserve me at my best.
(the last statement is truth, pure truth!)
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Thanks for listening!