Our Dear Princess

Maaike wanted to take her new princess crown (purchased for her Halloween costume) to bed tonight.  We told her she could have it with her, but should leave it beside her bed so it wouldn't get broken, which she did with apprehension.  I didn't realize how greatly difficult it is for a true princess to not wear her crown at all times until I went to check on her a little later on ...

Pretty irresistible.  I have to say, Sleeping Beauty's got nothing on her ... ; )

Wow.

With the help of my super-supportive husband, as well as my good friend, Mandi, and my Mom & Dad, I have been training to do my first half marathon.  These awesome people not only have allowed me the time to run, but are also encouraging when the going gets tough, checking in on my progress and giving me the strength I need to get back out there.

It's been a tough road.  I've been especially struggling the last few weeks as the mileage has increased.  It doesn't help that it's pitch dark out most every morning when I'm out pushing to put one foot in front of another.  And, to top it off, my partner in crime, the person I was going to run the 1/2 marathon with, had to bail as her father-in-law rudely scheduled his wedding on the same weekend.  I know.  The nerve.  Needless to say, I've been pretty down on myself, negative about the whole process, sure that I'd never get my zest for running back up to where it was.

This week I went to the Running Room and discussed my issues, and I was given some tips to get me over the 13-14K "hump".  Tips in hand, today I had my darling husband drop me off in Dieppe so I could run home.  It was overwhelming the difference in this run than any of my previous ones.  For one, I had never used energy chews or gels much before.  Crazy, I know!  Now I know why this is such a big industry!  I rocked this 18K.  No issues.  No problems.  Just an awesome, amazing, steady & strong run.

The icing on the cake?  Finding my darling husband at the end of my route, carrying our beautiful daughter on his shoulders -- both of them cheering on this week's accomplishment.  It was so exhilarating, I admit I got a bit choked up.

This run changed my outlook, from start to finish.  Valley half, here I come.  And I'm gonna kick your ass!

Glad I didn't miss ...

... the beach!  Yesterday was a beautiful sunny day.  The perfect beach day.  So, I had a brilliant idea: let's go to the beach!  Maaike was so excited when I picked her up from casual care and asked if she wanted to go swimming in the salty water.

When we arrived at Parlee, the tide was just going out, there weren't too many people, there was a little wind so there were little waves -- all that AND free parking ('cause it's off season)!  I'm so glad that I have the opportunity to grab life by the horns and enjoy the salty sea air with my little "fish".  We built castles and mud pies and walked the water's edge and searched for sea shells and talked about sea weed and just had a perfectly awesome day.

I'm so glad I didn't miss that.

A much needed "time out"

This weekend Andrew & I took off for a weekend together ... alone.  It was a long time coming.  Although we have been out on dates together, and I have left Maaike with my parents for one overnight while Andrew was away, I don't think we've even gone for an overnight together as a couple since Maaike has been born.  Ya, she's almost 4!  Did I mention a long time coming???  And this was two nights away.  Honestly, I was more worried about how I'd do being away from her than how she'd do hanging with her BFF Isaiah and fam.

Yes, while we spent the weekend vacationing in St. Andrew's, NB, our great friends, Rob, Connie & Isaiah, took in Maaike for the weekend.  Their fun included a trip to King's Landing.  Maaike can't stop talking about her weekend.  She did really well.  So proud!  And so awesome that we could get away knowing she was happy and having fun.  Shall we do this again next weekend, folks?  : )