I Harnessed my Chi in Burley

I seriously did. Maybe. I think I know what Chi means.

So I've been going crazy with so much stuff going on that the crazy has recently been accompanied with grouchy, short tempered, and weepy. And no, I'm not pregnant so don't ask. Well, since me being off kilter apparently effects everyone in my life (thanks Dave for pointing this out multiple times a day), I'm glad my trip to Burley, Idaho came when it did. The Spudman Triathlon was awesome (again), and without the two kiddos I was able to hear myself think. This thinking led me to realize that there are four things I need in my life in order to feel balanced, happy and energized: good friends, happy kids, my darling and direct husband, and my own sanity. The last may never really happen, but I hear there's some good pills out there if it gets really bad.

Friends

Thank goodness for other women who are as crazy as I am. I love that there are other human beings on this planet that understand me and my frustrations, who like to spend money with me :), and who are funnier than heck. I love having friends. And though all of them aren't as nuts as these three, sorry to tell the rest of you guys, you're all still nuts.

So at the begining of the year I started training for triathlon season with some gals from the neighborhood. We even had a trainer kicking our rears into gear. I even spent lots of money. I even had good intentions. Then I quit. I have many reasons and excuses, but the bottom line was my bottom. It's too big and I wasn't willing to put in the HOURS AND HOURS it took to train. Estella, Chellese and Valarie are troopers though. Seriously, they are amazing. And not even just at being athletes. They've all got it together big time.

Don't they just look awesome?!

Here's Estella after the Tri. I swear she crossed the finish line looking as if she maybe did a 20 minute jog instead of an olympic length triathlon.
Ahh, Chellese. Love her. She did awesome too! Plus she's so crazy she took four boys under the age of four (two not her own) to the DMV to renew her driver's liscence just to give her something fun to do for the day. What were you thinking?
Valerie has the most dedication of anyone I've ever met. She used to run like me, and now she's insane at swimming, biking and running. So cool.
It was a blast to see them compete and do so well! I love these girls!

My Boys
So after about an hour in the car going up to the Spudman I felt like crying. Poor Dave, he thinks I can't stand being alone with him, but really I just don't know what to do without screaming and hearing "Mom.Mom.Mom.Mom." a million times a day. Turns out I actually like the crying. Well, maybe like is too strong, but you know what I mean. Distance makes the heart grow fonder for sure and I missed my boys so much even if it was only a little over 24 hours I was away from them. I realized that though they are pretty much the sole cause of my insanity, they are also such a huge part of my happiness.

This is us at the zoo. So sad this is like the only recent pic with us three all in it.
Pretty sure this is me calming T down cause he accidentally just peed his pants.On the way home from the Tri I got this awful headache that just would not go away. Dave said it was probably from all the sweet silence of no kids, and my brain just couldn't take what it wasn't used to. Sure enough, the minute we got home and the wrestling and crying began, the headache magically dissapeared. Not only are my kids awesome to smooch on, they're also my asprin.

My Dave

So my husband amazes me like no one else. He can also make me more ticked than anyone, but we'll save that for the councilor. So when we signed up for the Spudman in January my only goal was to beat his time. Of coarse that didn't happen since I didn't even don on my wetsuit, but even if I had I couldn't have beat him. Dave has more ability than anyone and it all stems from his drive. If he says he can do something, he can and will. I really think our bodies can do amazing things if our minds can only propel us forward, and he sure has the mind power. I, on the other hand, am prone to giving into my fears and aches and allow myself to be held back. This exists for both of us not only when it comes to exercise, but basically eveything in life. I think this is main reason I married him. He can do what I only dream of doing.

He's in the middle. The whole vibe of the Spudman is one of the most amazing feelings ever. There are so many people who have so much will power and such physical ability that it manifests itself in an excitement and energy that is hard to compare. Can't you just feel it?!

This is right before the swim. It was a beautiful morning.

He's out there somewhere.

Here he is at transition two.
He's coming down the hill to the finish line! This year he had way more energy than last and it was way evident by his finish. He did so great!
All done and in the shade.
Way to go babe! Can't wait for next year!

Myself

So here's the thing. I say yes a whole lot. I write too many to-do lists. I don't sleep well. I eat crappy. I am always holding a child and sometimes its the 47 pounder. I like a clean house. I like alone time with my husband. I like to read. I like to blog. I don't sit down till well after the kids are in bed. And all of this leads to a tired, frazzled 28 year old who has taken up some four letter words. So this weekend in Burley, I decided this: let it go! Let the house go for a day without dusting a thing. Say no occasionally but do what I can. Go to the gym. Kiss my husband more even if this means holding my baby less. Get a grip lady! Besides taking a shower and feeding the kids, what do I really HAVE to do today? Well, there are some things, but others are expendable. So I decided I'm gonna relax. I'm going to treat myself to pat on the back and a sigh of relief even if toys are everywhere and we are eating tacos for the second time this week. I'm doing just fine. Right? I can't be everything to everyone. People don't even like people who try. It's too stifling. Sometimes I think my kids and friends even like me better when I'm not together because that means I'm lessed stressed and more imperfect. So here's to letting go of control freak and embracing easy going.

It's like these four. You do the best you can, you eventually finish, and there is certainly going to be some reward at the end right? I'm just crossing my fingers my reward isn't a potato medal.

If you're looking for some direction and balance I'll swear by Burley. Just don't stay at Burley's Best, right guys?!!