The flu, Disney On Ice, & a Half Marathon

This week has been a busy one. Usually the course of things entails my kids catching some germ, a week of me cleaning it up, and then catching it; realizing only after they are all done being sick, how terrible they felt. This time, however, I was blessed to catch the flu first.

Monday was a holiday and we had a great time just relaxing at home enjoying a Star Wars Movie Marathon....then Tuesday morning came the flu. Elaina came into my room around 6:00A, complaining about her stomach. After helping her, I had to send her back to her room because my stomach was turning, too. Dan, the incredible husband that he is, stayed home and I spent the day in bed. By the end of the day, around 5:30p, I was feeling better (the one good thing about the flu is that unlike a cold we usually catch the 12-24 hour crud and then we are done). I came downstairs just in time to tag Dan and let him have his turn. I was hoping that the kids would be skipped or could quickly get on with it so they could be better in time for Disney On Ice the next day, and believe it or not, my prayer was answered. Lucy and Nathan spent the night on my lap,but luck was on our side and by morning everyone was feeling much better so.....

We made it to Disney on Ice. My parents gave all of the grand kids tickets to the show for Christmas. Our crew included Grandma Gibson, four moms, and fourteen 9& under cousins. It was alot of fun! Really, the kids had a blast! (Thanks Mom and Dad!We love you!) Dressed up in Disney costumes, we went to Metro Pizza for dinner and then off to the show in the uncanny, 3-day straight rainstorm, which, I have to mention, rarely happens here. (I don't even own an umbrella.) The only drawback to the evening was that I failed to plan for souvenirs. Those Disney people are geniuses when it comes to marketing!

Thursday was a good, normal day, and I turned my attention to the upcoming race. We were already down two sisters due to injury, Callie has a sprained ankle and Bec had already run the Ragnar, an earlier half marathon and was feeling ready for a change of pace- she is now biking like 15+ miles a day with Dave) Then, on Thursday Nat got sick with a sinus infection and it didn't look like she was going to make it.....Well anyone that knows me knows that one, I NEVER stress about anything, once I make a decision there is NO wavering, NO second guessing, and that I LOVE to run by myself... ....Oh wait that is only the woman I hope to be NOT the woman I happen to be currently ... Anyway, it looked like I was on my own, but at the last minute Nat decided to go with me and this morning, I ran my second half-marathon. I improved my time by 20 minutes from last year and ran the whole thing-- that was my goal.

It is funny how good voluntarily making yourself run 13.1 miles can make you feel but it does. I am really pleased with myself. My intention is not to brag, but it has been a long time since I have felt able to say that. I ran the whole thing by myself-- well with 2200 other people- but I mean at my own pace, pushing myself when I started to waver, and without relying on someone else to pull me through. I do have to admit that knowing Natalie was running with me-- well like 10 minutes in front of me, with a sinus infection I might add- she really is incredible- did help to keep me motivated. I also have to mention that I couldn't have even done it without the support of my wonderful husband. He watched the kids and encouraged me to go when I wasn't sure what to do. I am so grateful for you Dan!

You might be noticing the lack of pictures on this post. You wouldn't believe it! I, of course, didn't take pictures of the flu and forgot my camera for Disney on Ice, but you would never believe that I remembered my camera for the race and on my drive over to the race I put my camera down in the cup holder which just happened to be holding a cup full of water. I didn't even know what I had done until we got to the Dixie Center and went to grab it for a pre-race picture. I am cursed when it comes to photography!

Well this post is probably long enough, I plan on updating for the last few months, too, but have to run and help Elaina, she is using her Easy Bake oven and has "been waiting forever"!!!