Moving and Shaking!

Things have been extremely busy around here, hence the long lapse in my posts lately.

I think that my family has signed up to be professional movers because we are moving AGAIN. This will be the second time that we have moved in the last seven months. I am getting pretty good at packing boxes, picking out paint colors, new carpet and remodeling. We have now remodeled 4 houses in the last 5 years and I know that this one will not be our last. Unlike our last move Kinley and Hadley are feeling pretty excited about moving this time. We have painted their new bedroom pink with a raspberry accent wall and their playroom is absolutely adorable. It has pink walls with a white chair rail, under the chair rail we painted chocolate brown on the walls with big pink polka dots, it is too cute! This house will be a good move for us. It has enough bedrooms for all of the kid’s and a large loft for them to hang out in. Once we get moved in I will post some photos of their playroom.

With the craziness of packing, painting and training for a marathon I have had very little energy left to do much else. I am pretty much wiped out right now. Last Saturday I ran 14 miles at Wilder and I struggled during the last 4 miles with some painful IT band issues. Right now I am trying to prepare for my next long run which will be 18 miles. The run is a week away and I am already having so much anxiety over the thought of it. Training six days a week has been a huge commitment and there are days when I feel like quiting but my wonderful new Team in Training friends inspire me to keep going! I am also very inspired by the cause and I often have to remember why I am doing this in the first place. When I cross that finish line I will have ran a marathon in memory of my loved ones who have lost their lives to cancer and I know that will be an amazing feeling!

So with everything going on right now I have been slow to post on my blog. I am exhausted daily but I am enjoying life to the fullest!

The Good:

• Despite life daily stresses I love my life
• I love running, it is like a natural Prozac
• My husband has been amazingly helpful
• My girls make me smile constantly
• I am happy!!
• I cannot wait to move
• Pink Taffy Designs is doing AWESOME in this economy!!! We just hired a new employee  =)
• I can paint & strip wallpaper
• I love packing with bubble wrap tape!

For the Record

For some reason there has been much interest from certain people who I do not even know in regards to my marriage and what I post on the internet. Since assumptions and gossip can ruin peoples lives I would like to set the record straight.

1. I love my husband very much!!

2. Reggie and I have a very open & honest relationship and communicate more then most married couples do.

3. Reggie and I have a very fun loving marriage and we like to have fun with one another.

4. We often joke around and act silly, maybe you do not get that, if you knew us you would!

5. I am extremely faithful to my husband and would never have it any other way. My X-husband had an affair and I would NEVER put anyone through that pain, especially the person that I love and choose to marry.

6. What I post on Facebook to my friends is none of your business. Assumptions about what I post are just that, assumptions.

7. Marriage is hard enough without outsiders meddling in things that they know nothing about, mind your own business!!

8. Just because you think that something is wrong that does not make it wrong!

9. You do not have the right to meddle in my marriage!

10. If Reggie has a problem with something that I post he is a big boy, he truly can handle himself.

11. Reggie and I love each other very much, do not mess with our family!!

That’s about it folks. I am so sorry for the negative post but when someone that does not even know me decides to interfear with my family I will not tolerate that for one second! I am extremely protective of my marriage and my family!!

Quote Of the Day:

“Make somebody happy today. Mind your own business” ~Ann Landers

Shopping Trip & Random Thoughts

Today I took my girls to San Jose to go shopping and then we went out to lunch at the Elephant Bar. For some reason Kinley is terrified of the huge elephant head on the wall and once again would not enter the restaurant so we had an enjoyable lunch out on the patio. Despite the frightening elephant decor we had a great day! I am really loving their ages and I love that we can do girly things together! There is just something about having a shopping day with my girls that makes my heart so happy. Shopping with them reminds me of the fond memories that I have of my shopping trips with my mom and my sister, those are the best!

I cannot believe how fast my girls are growing up! I really thought that I would miss having a baby and that I would always long for another one but I have to tell you that this stage is the best. At ages 3 and 5 they are turning into little people who can now do things for themselves, have opinions and can communicate. I really do not miss diapers, no sleep, lugging strollers and diaper bags all over the place, no sex and no social life. For the first time I feel totally confident and secure in saying that I am done having children! I am enjoying getting a little bit of my independence back. It has been so long since I have been able to go out or do anything alone. Don’t get me wrong, I totally love being with my daughters but since I started Team in Training it has really been the first time in years that I have been able to have some time to myself. Tonight I went out with my TNT team to the Green Valley Grill and we had an excellent time. I cannot even recall the last time that I was able to do something like that. I am enjoying watching my girls grow and I am loving the little bit of new freedom that comes with that for me. I still have not managed to get out on regular date nights with my husband but hopefully that will be next!

Speaking of the husband he has really been great lately and has totally stepped up to the plate! Joining Team in Training has been a huge commitment for me and I could not do it without Reggie. Since I have to train six days a week Reggie has been spending a good amount of time taking care of our daughters. I am so grateful and appreciative to be married to such a supportive husband. Without his support I would not be able to do TNT. Thank You Reg, I love you for always being there for me, for cheering me on and having faith in me. Thank you for humoring me when I need it, being my shoulder to cry on and for always telling me how proud you are of what I am doing. Training for this marathon is a family effort for sure and you have been my biggest fan, thanks again!

The Roller Disco Fundraiser

The Roller Disco Fundraiser was Friday night. I was happy to see so many familiar faces and so much support from my amazing friends, family and my Team in Training Teammates! I was also excited to see lots of new faces from the community who showed up to support the cause and make contributions to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society!

I have hosted enough large events to know that there will be mishaps along the way. I have learned over the years that it is best to not sweat the small stuff as I am usually the only one who will notice. However, I was ill prepared for the mishap that came out of my husbands mouth at this event. As we were standing in the booth making our welcoming announcements to my friends and family my husband announced me as “Aimee Hyatt” for those of you who are not familiar with my past “Hyatt” is my X-husbands last name. The next thing that everyone heard in the microphone was me saying “What the HELL… HYATT? That has not been my last name in 6 years!” Reggie then quickly corrects himself and says, Oh, I mean Pool, Aimee Pool”. Of all the times and places to call your wife by the incorrect name, the name of her X-husband. I guess it could have been worse, he could have called me another woman’s name… Sometimes I really wonder what goes on in his head? We have been together now for eight years, have two daughters together and we all share the same last name… Hmmmm?

12 Mile Run at Pogonip

I am so excited!! Today I ran my longest distance to date. Not only did I run 12 long miles today at Pogonip but the first 6 miles were all uphill. The run was amazing! I felt great and I had the best time. Last night my nerves were getting to me a little bit. Many people had told me that Pogoip would be an extremely hard run and that the hills were brutal! I was also nervous about the fact that this run would be 4 miles longer then I had ever run before.  To my surprise I really enjoyed this run. Mentally I was focused and I enjoyed almost every minute of being out there running in the beautiful forest. I still cannot believe that I ran 12 miles today. The trails felt so much easier than I ever expected. I am so excited and I feel great!

GO TEAM!!!!

And were off to conquer Pogonip!

Are we have fun yet? Of course we are!

We did it, home stretch!! Last 10 feet of our run….. Oh Yeah baby, we conquered Pogonip!!

Prayers for Baby Johnny

My adorable nephew Johnny just had his first birthday last week and that was a huge celebration for our family as Johnny was a preemie who unexpectedly entered this world two months too early. Since Johnny has put on lots of weight from a year ago a looks like a healthy baby boy we tend to forget that he is still a preemie. Tonight baby Johnny is sick and is having asthmatic wheezing. He is on a nebulizer and that is of some help. If his symptoms do not improve by tomorrow Johnny may have to be admitted to the hospital. Please pray for Johnny’s health. He is a strong little guy and has come so far in the last year but we really do not want him to have to go to the hospital!! I know that Johnny will be okay and that God will take care of him.
 
Johnny~ Auntie loves you little man!!

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26.2 Reasons I’m Running a Marathon with Team in Training

1. Because I want to raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

2. Because I want to loose weight.

3. Because I want to make a difference.

4. Because I want to know I can do it.

5. Because I want to fight back against cancer.

6. Because I want a cool race shirt.

7. Because I am running in memory of my loved ones who have lost their battle against cancer and for all the TNT Honorees.

8. Because I want to run across the finish line.

9. Because training for a marathon makes me feel great

10. Because I want to celebrate with a well-deserved bottle of red wine, a good dinner and an fabulously yummy chocolate dessert.

11. Because when I run I feel more alive, even when I feel like I’m dying.

12. Because I want to challenge myself.

14. Because I like any excuse to use Body Glide and wear my running skirt.

13. Because I can!

15. Because I love my team in training friends.

16. Because it provides good conversation.

17. Because I want to get toned up and in shape.

18. Because I am so much happier on a day to day basis when I am running!

19. Because I want to set a good example for my girls that exercise is important.

20. Because I love that special connection I feel with my team, Go Team!

21. So I can have something to write about on my blog.

22. So I can spend money on all the new running gear.

23. Because it’s just so much fun – at least in theory, right?

24. Because I love to eat carbs!

25. Because running keeps me in a good mood, at least most of the time.

26. Because I got talked into it.

26.2. Because I am healthy and loving life.

Support Trudie’s Race

Through Team in Training I have been blessed to meet some amazing people and make wonderful new friends. There is one person who I just loved instantly, not that I don’t love them all because I do! But today I want to tell you about Trudie. Trudie and I have developed a very fun friendship and we enjoy each other’s personalities and sense of humor. Trudie keeps me going when I am feeling weak and tired and she is a great running partner!

I want to share Trudie’s website with you because she makes the most beautiful jewelry! Trudie’s website is called Brighton Belle Jewelry and it was founded Christmas Day on the beach in Brighton, England 2006. The founder Trudie Ransom comes from Brighton and over the years has developed a passion for dynamic and interesting jewelry. Trudie has traveled the world, spending time in Australia, Thailand, South East Asia and the past 10 years in Santa Cruz, California – where she now calls home.

Inspiration for her designs come from the jungles of Thailand, the Australian Great Barrier Reef, the cool deserts, mountains and beaches of America and the pebbles of the beaches in Brighton.

Support Trudie’s Race with Team in Training and shop on her website!!

Brighton Belle Jewelry

Marathon Training Update

I am getting so excited to go to Seattle in November to run a full Marathon. We have decided to make a family road trip out of it. We will be driving to Seattle with my sister and her family in their huge diesel pusher. The RV is amazingly huge and longer then my house! I am not only looking forward to the trip but Becca is going to run the marathon with me. She is going to train to run the half but I am going to talk her into doing the full marathon, I know that she can do it!

I am still nursing an ankle injury which has been extremely frustrating for me. I went to the foot doctor this week and I was diagnosed with a stress injury to the tendon. I was given an air cast to wear and I really hate it. Hopefully I will not need it much longer. Part of my recovery will involve deep water running classes and I am looking forward to do that.

Team in Training has really brought out a lot of emotions for me! I am typically not an over emotional person. But since I started TNT I have seen a whole new side of myself and so have my friends and family. I think that I have cried more these past few weeks then I have in the last year.

I attribute this to frustration. I have high expectations for myself and when I set my mind to do something I become very frustrated when anything gets in my way. Starting out with my training I quickly found out that my body could not do what it did 10 years ago, then I had knee issues and now I have my recent ankle injury…Grrrrrrr!! I just want to be able to give 100% to my goal and my training and when I cannot do that I get very frustrated.

Last Saturday was our 10 mile run. I was having the best mental run that I have ever had. I felt great. I was running and talking with my TNT friends and I was not lacking any energy to keep going.  By the time that I arrived to the water stop I was limping and in pain upon walking. I was feeling really nervous at that point that I would not be able to complete the 10 miles but mentally I still felt great. As I continued on with my run I noticed that my ankle did not feel all that bad when I was running, the pain came on when I would slow down or walk. When I arrived to the 5 mile point Coach Brain was there in his car and after he evaluated my ankle it was determined that I should not finish the run. I was so upset. I was feeling so good and I new that I could do it. I wanted to add 10 miles to my accomplishments and I did not want to be held back by my injury. With my high expectations for myself I once again shed a few tears over the situation but I knew that the best thing to do was to go with Brain and cheer on the rest of the team that was still running.

Thank You Trudie, Josie & Eileen, I LOVED running with you! You were my strength! My new friends from Team in Training mean so much to me and they are wonderful inspirations!  GO TEAM!!!

Please visit my TNT web page:

http://pages.teamintraining.org/sj/sbhalf08/apool

Soccer

Last weekend the girls started soccer. It was just too cute. My best friend Devon bought the girls pink shin guards and pink soccer balls. The pink soccer balls came in extremely handy when all the kid’s were given the exact same ball to kick around. The pink defiantly made it really easy to know which balls were theirs. Kinley & Hadley loved playing soccer and the best part is that they are on the same team as their cousin Nathan!

There will be more soccer posts to come!