C25K

The past 4 weeks I have been doing the C25K program (couch to 5K), and I have to say that I am in LOVE!!! (I started at week 4 because I did so much cycling this summer that I felt I was in a little better shape then to only run for 30 seconds at a time). I started this program in April or so to prepare for the 5K race that I ran in Oakley the beginning of June, but I never finished it...and I started from the beginning, but I as I worked my way up I got frustrated that it was only having me run minutes and not distance.  All I was thinking back in May when I stopped doing the program was, "Just because I can run for 30 minutes without stopping, does not mean that I can run 3.1 miles"...so I started doing distance running and not minutes!  I made it through my 5K just fine and even finished with a faster time then I ever dreamt possible.  Then I came back to CO and bought a road bike, which took the place of my running because I loved it so much (there's something to be said about the adrenaline rush you get going 30+ mph on a bike down a mountain with the wind blowing in your face).  So after my first 5K ever, I never really ran again until about 4 weeks ago.  Which brings me to what happened about 4-5 weeks ago...
In January, I got a phone call from one of my greatest friends from college asking me if I would be interested in running the Kansas City Half Marathon...and at the time I was like sure...that's 8 months away and there is no reason that I couldn't run 13.1 miles by October...well, Oct. 20th has come and gone and I didn't run the 13.1 miles that I told my friend that I would...did she?  Of course she did, with another friend of mine. I am so proud of them, but when I read my friend Mel's blog about their race (you can read it HERE!!!!), I cried....I cried because I know how hard these girls worked to run this race and I was so happy for them, and I cried because I was supposed to run this race and I don't think that I have felt the feeling of disappointment in myself worse than I felt that day reading Mel's blog.  I was so disappointed because I was supposed to be there running that race, and I didn't...there are many excuses I can come with for reasons as to why I didn't run this race, but the bottom line is...I didn't stick to my training, I rode my bike more (I actually rode around 700 miles this summer), I didn't push myself, I didn't make time for it, and I just didn't do it.  I remember one day begging Mel and Lexie for some motivation...and my girl's pulled through and gave me different quotes for motivation, a blog entry to read that kept Mel. motivated...etc!  In fact I still have my 13.1 sign hanging on my mirror in the bathroom that Lexie made me, and now it haunts me!  (I will have one of them on my car in April)

So, Mel. and Lexie are working toward their 2nd half marathon in April...and I WILL BE RUNNING IT WITH THEM!!!  I am not backing out of it this time...and I am training in the winter so that I can't push my running off because I want to ride my bike (I really do love my bike).

My motivation???
When I was begging for motivation that I didn't take seriously, Mel. sent me a link to a blog that you can access HERE, I did read the post that she sent me and that was it.  I never went back, and I thought oh geez, that b*tch is already running 10 miles and I can barely run 4 miles...I was not very motivated and I didn't go back on her blog to read about her journey nor did I care.  A couple weeks ago, I remembered that blog post, and well tonight I finished reading Mama Laughlin's entire blog, and I'm telling you this girl has wit, humor, motivation, and inspiration!  I couldn't stop reading it when I saw her pictures comparing her at the 200 lbs. that she used to be to the 140 lbs. she currently is!  Needless to say, I have become a groupie and follow her blog now.  My motivation starts with her story and how she lost weight, became a runner, and now inspires a ton of people to start moving!!!  Mama Laughlin ran her 2nd half marathon this weekend and I can't wait until she blogs about it!

So, in 2 weeks I will be a C25K graduate and will be running the ColderBolder...yes, that is a 5K on Dec. 1st...I know, I know...it's gonna be freezing, but I can't wait...of course, I am looking forward to the beer and Chick-fil-A I get at the finish line!!!



So April 13, 2013....

I WILL OWN YOU!!!!

Twenty Nine

Here I am, in the second day of my last year in the twenties!  How did that happen?  Where has the time gone?  It seems like just yesterday that I was graduating high school, in fact I got a text yesterday on my birthday from my best friend from high school saying that it's hard to believe we are almost out of our twenties!
Yesterday was a great great day to start my 29th year of life...I slept in, sat on the couch and drank my coffee while Mia snored in my lap, caught up on some of my DVR'd shows (I'm so far behind), and then after much self-motivation I laced up my sneaks and went for a run!  I spent the afternoon at the spa with a great friend getting a massage, mani, and pedi...I needed that massage sooooo bad and it was wonderful! We met some more friends out for sushi and I got to take a bath in white wine when the beloved Rosa hit her wine glass and it went all over my face, that stuff seriously dripped off my chin...all I can say is that thanks be to the Lord that it was white wine and not red like the rest of us were drinking! After dinner we went to a wine bar and just had girl chit chat until we closed the place down!  I can still remember the birthdays when I had to go to the clubs and dance until me heart was content, but I can't tell you how much more I appreciate a nice relaxing evening with a bottle (or 3) of wine with great friends!
This weekend is one full of relaxation, DVR, and running!  I can't tell you how nice it is to be able to relax and fly by the seat of my pants for a couple days!  The last two weeks have been completely packed with things to do and I haven't had a free night to relax until last night!  Well, I'm off to take Mia on a walk to the mailbox so that I can get all my birthday cards, I was given instructions from my little sister to wait until today to get my mail so that her card would be on time!!!

A day full of PUMPKIN!!!

I spent the day with the cutest little family of 4 last week and we had a day of baking with pumpkin!!!  I love the time I get to spend with the Bixenman's.  Even though we live in the same city we do not get to see each other as often as I would like, but when we do get to see each other we have a great time!

This was the first time that Miss Brogan was able to help add the ingredients, stir, poked at the food with her fingers, get flour all over herself, taste the food to tell me how yummy it was, and add a little more pepper than the recipe called for!  She loved it!!

Adding the ingredients!

Look at me...I think I got more flour on me than in the bowl!

Miss Brogan and I after the cookies were baking!

We made pumpkin molasses cookies and pumpkin cheesecake muffins!  Matt devoured the pumpkin cheesecake muffins and was already asking Sarah to make more before the first batch was gone!  I loved the pumpkin molasses cookies...they are oh so yummy!!!

Two of the sweetest little girls I know!

Baby Harleigh!!!  She looks just like her daddy!

Miss Brogan!!!!  What a sweet little 2 1/2 year old!!! 

pinterest projects

Tori came to Denver for the weekend and we had a great time.  It was short weekend, but nevertheless a great one with great company!  

Tori's first pinterest project: A Christmas wreath

My first pinterest project: An earring holder

Sisters: Mia and Gia

My princess...Miss Mia:

Two of my favorite pups:

I'm always sad to see my family leave when they come for the weekend, but always grateful that I have the close, loving, and fun family that I have!  I am truly blessed that my family loves each other, enjoys each other, misses each other, and are the best friends that I could ever dream of having! 

Life's Journey

When I was in Sioux Falls last month I went to see my sister's classroom.  As I was walking around her room and taking in the life of a gifted student, I noticed one thing.  It was a piece of old, yellow newspaper, an article snipped from a paper that gives us the news of everyday life, but at the end of the article was the name that is oh so familiar to my eyes, Jera Ahrens.  My sister, when did my sister write an article that was published in a newspaper, and as I began reading it, I realized that I had seen this poem before, but had long forgotten about it.  I snapped a picture of it secretly with my phone so that I was to blog about the imagination of my older sister.

Life's Journey

I am a graceful run on a warm spring day through the neighborhood.  The stress melting away with every pounding footstep.

I am a giraffe who reaches its long neck to way from the best leaves at the top of the tree.  The stretch sometimes a struggle, but always worth the reach to dine from the top. 

I am a shiny and sleek black 330i BMW with chrome wheels gliding through the city.  Those silent wheels turning as I make my wayward way through the world.

I am the round kitchen table at which my family prays and converses.  A place where daily events, laughs, and tears are shared with those I love the most. 

I am a salad full of ingredients that are all mixed up.  Emotions that are tossed about by life's defining moments.  

I am a piano pounding out life's song while making a beautiful noise.  A noise sometimes quiet and pleasing...sometimes loud and brash.

I am rain washing away the bitterness of the day and leaving the world refreshed for a new tomorrow.  The anxiety of the day cleansed and a fresh start lying at the doorstep.

I am an oak holding strong through life's whirlwind of happenings.  I lean toward the sun looking for warmth upon my face.  

I am the hope hiding behind my brown eyes.  The hope that believes in the end good will trump evil.

I am...me.

If I remember right, I believe that Jera wrote this poem as an assignment when she was in grad school.  When I reread it that day that I was standing in her classroom and load of emotion came over me.  I was proud...proud that my sister has an imagination beyond anything that I have ever imagined.  I was touched...touched that this poem spoke to my heart.  I was in awe...in awe that my sister put all her emotions into this poem for the world to see.  I was in love...in love with the fact that the person that wrote this poem is one that I have always looked up too and has taught me lessons in life that I will never forget!  

Jera, you are one that I will never see as anything less than amazing!  You have been through life's troubles, but never once have you wavering to be someone less than you aspired to be.  For that, I look up to you and think about you when I have tough decisions to make that might make my life a little difficult for the time being.  We are sister's by chance and a chance that I am so glad I was put on earth to take!  I love you!  

AUNTIE x 1, 2....and THREE!!!!

I can't express how blessed I am to have sister's that love children.  They both chose a profession that they wouldn't be able to do without loving children.  Jera was convinced that she was ready to take that love for children home once again last December when she had my adorable godson Hudson.  I am more than ecstatic to announce that Tori is now also convinced to bring that love for children into her home in April!

BABY GOETZ is due for arrival April 4, 2013!!!!!!!!! Making me an Auntie x3!!!!  I couldn't be more excited to have another adorable little niece/nephew to spoil!!!  I can't tell you how much I have been praying for a little niece!!  We just need one...the girls are way out numbered in my family!!  We need practice with bows, dresses, frill, tutus, pink, and glam!!!!  I wouldn't trade my nephews for anything, but we just need PINK!!!!

As for me, well I'm not convinced at all that I want to bring children in my home to live with me, so I am more than happy to spoil these adorable children that I can give back when the tears start rolling down their face!!!  That's what auntie's are for and I am beginning to think that God put me on this earth to be the best aunt in the entire world!!!

Love this happy couple to death!!!  They are going to be wonderful parents!  Can't wait to plan Auntie Alli weekends with all the nieces/nephews!!!!

The Tundra

A couple weeks ago I spent the weekend in Sioux Falls, SD seeing my sister and her adorable little family!!!  I love visiting them!  Seeing my nephews was definitely the highlight and the main reason I went was to watch Nicholas play football!!  Besides my family, I think that I am one of the only ones that still calls him Nicholas...he would prefer Nick, but this aunt doesn't prefer Nick because makes him just sound that much older...I know that he is 13 and will be 14 in a few short months, but I have to try to keep him that little boy that he once was crawling around Nana and Papa's house while I was babysitting him for Jera!
Nicholas is on the "B" team and he managed to get a tackle and a catch during the "B" team game!!!  He was so proud that the second he got home he was posting video clips that his Grandma Judy recorded for him! He pointed out a few guys and said, "I have to tackle those guys in practice and let me tell you, that is NOT fun!!"  When the football game was over I hollered at him to come over to me so that I could get a picture with him in his uniform and pads, but he said..."No, I have to go tot he bus."  I guess he is growing up if he won't take a picture with his favorite aunt!!!

There he is!!!  My sweet 13 yr. old nephew!!!

Somewhere out there he is in the huddle!!!

Hudson was the sweet little boy that he has always been!!!  When he got home from daycare on Thursday after I arrived it took him a little bit to warm up to me...something that I didn't like, but he warmed up to me and was snuggling with me before too long!  Hudson is growing up...he is sitting up and playing by himself, holding his own bottle, and laughing!  He has the cutest curly hair...this aunt threatened his dad if he cut this curly locks off!!!  

Hudson is such a happy little boy!

I love my cereal!

Such a big boy holding my own bottle!

Me and my handsome Godson!!!  Love him dearly!