Results

Okay, I'm completely not thinking. How could I forget to tell you Cary's race time? Maybe it was the ear infection, but what ever. Here they are!!

Overall Finish: 11:40 (no the below times do not add up to 11:40, due to his time in each transition)

Swim: 1 hr. 11 min.
Bike: 6 hr. 9 min.
Run: 4 hr. 3 min. (holy cow that was fast)

Cary's Richmond Marathon time in November was 4 hr. 7 min. Okay, that's just crazy. Way to go Babe!

more pictures

here are some more pictures from our trip to Coeur D'Alene!
From left to right-Glenn, Dave, Julie, Me, Cary & Jason!

Cary could not take a single serious picture with me, the entire week!

Here is the team at the expo a few days before the big day!

Home Sweet Home

We arrived home somewhere around 1 AM this morning but what a sweet moment it was. I kept saying "i love my house. i love my house." The cats took the first opportunity they could to test Cary's patience by sitting outside our bedroom door and crying for a good portion of the night. I think they missed me. Thankfully we had some sleeping pills which kept Cary from hearing them after several minutes. I on the other hand had a quite different experience.

When we were landing in Richmond I noticed my right ear was throbbing and would not open up. A sinus something has been haunting me the entire trip, which is totally typical when I travel in the cattle car. So I didn't sleep very well (or much at all) b/c my head was throbbing. Wouldn't you know right about the time I got over the pain and drifted off to sleep was when Cary's alarm went off. We had to both drive down town to his office in order to work out the cars. So I decided that I was going to the drs.

I guess it's not a good thing when the dr. walks into the exam room and as I'm explaining my pain he looks in my right ear and says "WHOA, You have an ear infection." I KNEW IT!! Seriously it's been easily 15 years since I've had an ear infection. So a day I had taken off work to organize the house, do laundry, grocery shop and get back into home life has turned out to be a "sick day." How long do ear infections last? Oh well, I'll do as much as I can, when I can that will just have to be enough. I'm still very thankful we are home, safe and sound.

Coeur d'Alene Complete

Hey yall! Praise the Lord the race of the year is D-O-N-E!! Also want to praise the Lord for his protection, positive attitudes, strong bodies and a race complete. I was amazed when asking Cary about cramping (he cramps in EVERY race) and he told me he had NO cramps the entire IM. A-MAZING!!

Everyone on our team completed the race in their own estimated finish times and all spirits are high this morning. Sure some are walking a bit more bow legged than others, but the muscle tightness will pass. Julie & I are still pretty tired. We agree that most people probably wont understand how much work goes into cheering for a race like this, unless you've actually done it. 13+ hrs. of intense concentration and waiting with bated breath as 4 racers pass by. Trying to make sure there is efficient video footage of each racer and then making sure we get accurate still shots as well. My eyes hurt this morning. Not to mention the strong sun and slight sunburn on the face. But all of this is a small price to pay for a happy, satisfied husband.

The fun thing is now I get to go shopping!! :)

(Wish I had some fun pictures to add, but the majority of photos were taken with a higher quality camera than mine and I don't know how to get the pictures off the camera)

Mom's blog

Hey! I just checked out my mom's new website and linked to her blog. Check it out on the right. She and my dad are currently in Slovakia on a missions trip. I was surprised to see some photos they have taken are already uploaded. So fun!

Update

The mood around the house is a bit different this year than 2 years ago. There isn't so much energy, but more nerves. There is one housemate who is showing excitement, Dave. He was cute this morning. While eating breakfast he was talking to his wife and coaching her how to take pictures with his high tech camera. He said "just take lots of pictures." I couldn't help but smile. This is his first IM and he is asking all of the questions the rest of the gang asked 2 years ago. I love it. Even yesterday Cary commented that he felt like the only person who is really excited about this race is Dave. (this is Dave)

On another note, I'm concerned about the swim. We went down to the lake yesterday and watched as all of the guys practiced. The water temp. is below 57 degrees. They estimate by Sunday morning it should be 58 degrees. When I finally saw Cary come out of the water I rushed over to him. He said, "The only way I can try to accurately describe the swim practice...pain. The first ten minutes was painful. We made it to this buoy and I popped up holding my hands out of the water because they hurt so bad. Jason said he had a 'brain freeze' headache." Cary began cramping 1/2 through the 1 lap (race is 2 laps). However, he did say that about the 1/2 way point his body got used to the water temp and "it wasn't so bad." My opinion...it wasn't so bad b/c they were going into hypothermia! Usually during the swim portion of the race I leave the transition area and head out to a cheering spot on the course. I'm going to have to reconsider this. Thinking that it might not be so bad to hang around and make sure everyone makes it out of the water okay.

This is what Cary is doing right now. He's working on tweaking his bike, preparing his various transition bags and mentally preparing for tomorrow!

Coeur d'Alene

Sorry for leaving you in the dark with the last post being on Monday and then I update you on Thursday.

First, Monday was wonderful. Although Mother Nature had another idea for us, instead of the pool we (Courtney, Peyton & I) had a fantastic time hanging out and just catching up. I really miss seeing them regularly, thankfully it's not a long drive and I can make up excuses to go see them. I absolutely loved having the Cassada kids crawl all over me. For those of you who don't know, when it comes to toddlers, my lap is prime property. Nothing like reading to children who are all curled up next to you and on your lap anxiously waiting for you to read the next word. Priceless. Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures, but if you want to check out Courtney's blog you can see the cute shots she took.

Now, yesterday was about 12 hours of traveling and the Lord blessed us by keeping our luggage on all of our planes. I was convinced we lost Cary's luggage, but at the last minute the belt began moving again and there it was. If you know the story behind his luggage, you would know how bummed I would have been if it had been lost.

Strangest thing happened to me last night. We finally got all tucked away and off to sleep I quickly went. Then at some point I woke up and looked up through the window above the bed and was convinced the sun was rising. After looking at the clock, which read 4:15 and then my watch which read 7:15, I wondered if we slept until 4:15 in the afternoon. I knew I was tired but what time is it? So strange, I went back to sleep. Not worth any more mental energy. Still don't know what that was all about or the light being that it's now 8:30 here, 11:30 back home. I'm going to have to figure this time thing out.

Okay, here is a parting picture from our balcony. AWESOME, minus the vent pipe from the neighbors house.

No Ordinary Monday

Today will not be like any other Monday. I am taking my parents up to Dulles so they can catch a flight for a missions trip. Then (and this is the BEST part) I get to go see my fantastic friends Courtney & Peyton, and play with their amazing kids at no other place other than THE POOL!!

This is my first pool experience this summer (okay, thinking that my last pool experience was a year ago on our joint family beach trip, but I could be missing something). I was so excited this morning that I woke up early (has been a bad trend lately), exercised, got ready for work and packed my bathing suit before heading out the door to work. So not only is it a short day, but a SUPER fun day!!

1 more hour at work before I need to leave for the parents house. YEA!!

Cartigan

I can not believe it. When I walked into the office this morning I was cold for the first time in 1 week. I finally turned on my lights and opened the window shades for the first time in a week. Thankfully I have a cartigan in my bag & I wore jeans to work!

Entertainment Anyone?

Okay, so we will be leaving one week from today for Cary's Ironman. While I was out today I realized that it's time to figure out what books to read and movies to be prepared to watch on the plane or while I'm bored and laying around the house. Keep in mind that on race day, Cary will be racing for 12+ hours (maybe less) and I'll be standing around for hours on end waiting to snap a picture of someone I know. When he's not racing, everyone (except me) will be preparing in some shape or fashion to be racing. Needless to say I'm expecting quite a bit of down time. So here is my request of your fantastic minds. Respond to this posting with suggestions for good books & movies. I'm thinking mindless reads (like I loved Shopaholic & Baby -- I read that while at the beach for spring break) and another more thought provoking read, any good movie you've seen recently.

Thanks guys! I'm looking forward to your suggestions!!

Rush of wind

Sorry guys for a lack of posts lately but I've been trying to survive without A/C.

Last night I was about to drift off to sleep when I heard a rushing sound outside that brought all of my senses to attention. I looked at Cary and said "Is that wind or rain?" We couldn't figure it out. Cary didn't seem to care but I looked at him and said "Cary, if this is rain it WILL affect my day tomorrow." (meaning working in a slightly cooler office). After a moment of not moving a muscle and straining my ears to determine the sound I finally got up. I pulled the blinds up and the trees were whipping around. As I was lifting the window I said "PRAISE THE LORD!" It was wind, not rain but still I was thrilled to have some sort of movement in the air. After a good amount of coaxing, Cary joined me and we sat next to the window with his head hanging out and mine resting on the ledge and we watching the lighting, fireflies and felt the wonderful breeze. I was thrilled!

It didn't appear to have rained last night, but today is supposed to be cooler, probably warm to me, but not 100+.

SERIOUSLY?!?

The A/C is STILL broken in my office. I have beads of sweat running down my body and my neck actually is glowing. My fingers are beginning to stick to the key board. WHEN IS IT GOING TO STOP?!

Some co-workers have stopped by my office to talk and said "we can chat about this later, it's too hot in your office. I can't stay here." My idea, go home early and hit a pool!!

Progress

Well, the fog lifted around lunch time however the air conditioner is broken on my half of the office so now it's just on the verge of being unbearable. no, I'm not complaining, just dreaming of some ice cream.

Fog

So far, today has been a wierd day for me. It's like a thick fog is resting over my head and I'm having trouble concentrating. I knew I should have stayed in bed for an extra hour this morning!

Neil

This is Neil, Sr. He was the VP of our hauling division. Neil passed away on Tuesday. It's the first loss in our construction company family and we are all very sad. After countless years of smoking, 3 mo. ago Neil found a lump on his leg. It was cancer. 6 weeks ago he had the cancerous tumor removed from his leg, but then after a long recovery the drs. found that his lungs were eaten up with the disease.

Neil was rough around the edges and by far an unpolished man, but he was one of the hardest working people I have ever known. As my brother said last night, "he was a man on a mission and he wont let anything get in his way."

While Neil was in the hospital my dad visited him frequently and lead him to the Lord. His final day of consiousness Neil was in a peaceful place spiritually and ready to see what action was going on in heaven. How great is it that we serve a God who loves each of us no matter where we've been in our lives or how long it's taken us to reach Him. 6 weeks left in life on earth and Neil finds the Lord. That is what brings me peace.

The funeral is this afternoon and we are busy supporting Neil's family and providing any sort of care and prayer. Please say a prayer for his family.

Don't worry

Below is an exerpt from Beth Moore's blog. I found it very encouraging and felt it needed to be shared.

"Why do you worry? What possible use does your worrying serve? You are aboard such a large ship that you would be unable to steer even if your Captain placed you at the helm. You would not even be able to adjust the sails, yet you worry as if you were the captain or the helmsman of the vessel. Be quiet, dear soul - God is the Master! Do you think all the commotion and the uproar of this life is evidence that God has left His throne? He has not! His mighty steeds rush furiously ahead, and His chariots are the storms themselves. But the horses have bridles, and it is God who holds the reins, guiding the chariots as He wills! Our God Jehovah is still the Master! Believe this and you will have peace. 'Don't be afraid' (Matt. 14:27)."

Hmm..

I'm going to go ahead and make the assumption that "Turkey Sausage" is a fake food. It's amazing to me the amount of flavor that can be packed into fake food.

Good suprise

Cary surprised me yesterday with tickets to see Sugarland last night! SO fun! We were in the front, maybe 7 rows from the stage. My ears have not recovered. They are amazing in concert, so much energy and you can tell they really have a blast performing.

Weekend in review

CAUTION: this post pretty much revolves around delicious food we ate over the weekend. So there will be lots of "yumms" and then pictures.

Friday evening started with my mom's birthday dinner. Yummy Italian food and we took home leftovers which will feed Cary and I for 2 additional meals.


Saturday evening we caught up with Greg & Jessica and headed to the annual Greek Festival. Serious Yum. Wine, fantastic home cooked Greek food, great friends, I mean I don't know if it gets any better than that.

Me & Jessica

Greg & Cary (these 2 get along so well it's hysterical). Short story, we met Greg & Jessica at a local restaurant before heading to the festival (this was their first GF experience). Jess & I sat across from each other as did Greg & Cary. No kidding, Jess & I could not get a conversation in b/c these 2 were gabbing it up so much. Instead we just stared at each other chuckling. I just had to wait until we got into the car to talk to Jessica b/c it was clear there would be no conversation at that dinner table.

Okay so I forgot to take a picture of my food b/c I was so hungry and excited, but I did get a shot of the dessert. The round object is baklava and I'm not sure what the donuts are called but it doesn't matter b/c they are soaked in honey and dusted with cinnamon which make them very yummy.

A toast to a fantastic evening!