After today..4 days remain..

Four full days to go and this craziness is over. I shouldn't say that I suppose, because once this is over, another idea, adventure or crazy dream will begin. 

Currently, we only have 103 miles out of the 565 miles to go. It's amazing to think that this will be done soon and our mission will have been accomplished. While skimming racing events in January, I came accross this Run Ranger Run event. I had noticed that teams were already together and raising money. Will we have raised the most amount of funds for GallantFew..no, but that's not the point. Whatever we come up with will help someone, somewhere...and that's saying something I think.

I don't want to get ahead of myself just yet, but with March fast approaching I want to think of something to do for the month. Whether it's raising money or awareness...I want to do something. There's no better time than right now. 

Keep calm and carry on? Nope, not this girl. Hells yeah, I want to change the world..so why not take that 20 seconds of insane courage and do something remarkable?? Why not? 

The time we're given on this Earth will pass. The Lord gave us this one life to live it for him and for others. 

Do what you do each day with J.O.Y in mind...

Do things for:

Jesus

Others 

Yourself

 

Brock and Reiker with their jar of money they have been saving for GallantFew 

Why 565 miles??

That's exactly what I've been thinking now that were knee deep in it...why 565 miles!?!?! Lol!! 

Honestly, this guy right here is why..

My baby brother. 

It's for him, and so many other "baby brothers" out there. For all the men and women who fight everyday for our freedom..so I can type this right now. So, in comparison to what they do each day, 565 miles is nothing.

So while on our trip to Washington, God really had a hand in my seeing Jake. He was stationed at Ft. Benning, Geirgia, awaiting orders to his post, Ft. Lewis, in Washington. I really wasn't too sure when I was going to see Jake again, especially since I'm in Utah. But the day I was to fly out, Jake got orders that they were leaving for Ft. Lewis that night! Which meant, we would be in the same state together again!! I was beyond excited! 

Well, the weekend came around and Jake had guard duty, so instead of him coming home, we thought we'd go to him! That journey is a whole other story!! After a 3 hour drive, car trouble and expired tabs arriving to the base..we made it in!!  Getting to see him was so awesome! Dad, Mom, Avaree and I all took him out to dinner and had a really great time. I loved seeing him!! 

Happy Happy Happy

Sweet moment between father and son..Rangers: Past and Present

This opinionated, athletic, caring and kind boy is my baby brother. I would move mountains for him. I am beyond proud of what he is doing and will always remember him as the blonde little guy running around causing mischief. I was in the room when he was born!! He will always be my baby brother, but has become a man right before my eyes. And what a man he is!

He is in Alpha Company with the 2nd. Ranger Battalion.. And he is my baby brother...he is why I'll do 565 miles. 

120 Miles..Boom!

120 miles out if 565 completed and it feels awesome. So far, 3 of us are logging miles and even if it stays just the 3 of us, I think we'll still get to our goal. 

On Thursday, the kids and I flew home after 10 days of running, visiting family and fun adventures in Washington. I love visiting but sure enjoy my own bed and being with the handsome hubs. The kids all did so good on the flight home, even with a full plane and a bumpy landing..probably the worst I've been on, but the kids were pro's! 

Valentines day was yesterday and tons of fun! I try to decorate the table with fun stuff for the kids and make it fun. They enjoyed themselves and Reiker ended up in a candy coma by 6pm. Shawn and I enjoyed steak, lobster, mashed potatoes, asperagus and bread! So delish!! Compression socks for me and a tattoo appointment and Seahawks Super Bowl coin for him....but the tattoo appointment may turn out to be mine! 😉

So, onto the next goal...completing the remainder of our miles. I envision lots of time on the pavement and getting down the ole bike and riding. I think a ride out to Antelope Island and back could be a good thing! 

Here are a few fun times in Washington..the land of Edward and Bella..

Kids made this for is for Valentines at the Rensinks! On our wall as soon as we got home! 

Ferry ride to Orcas Island..

Uncle Ty came too! 

Papa time!

Fun times..the three amigos! Brock, Aleise and Reiker

Night runs are fun!! 

Meeting baby Maddox! 

Valentines 2014

Candy coma in action!

Happy Valentines Day! 

I could post pictures for days!! 

Brrrrr Baby!

Oh.My.Heck.

It is fah-reezing. But, it could always be worse. Logging the miles is going great, Heidi..my ultra cool Ironman of an aunt and I have been out every day since I landed in Wa. So far we've got a total of 66 miles in and I think that our mileage will add up pretty quickly. 

The weather here is very cold, but once we start movin' I feel good. I can tell a difference from the elevation, and running in the trail is always nice. I love the paved trail I run on in Utah, but this is a wonderful change of scenery. After each run I feel good, except my knee has been a bit tight lately...hopefully that passes. 

Heidi and I being silly on the trail.  

Icecicles growing off rocks and trees, so cool! Literally. 

Trail runs are great with a buddy!! 

Got this inside my fortune cookie tonight..can you say perfect timing or what?! This is a project that I hope helps others profoundly. 

12 Down...How Many More Miles To Go?

So..today was my first run in February. My first run where my miles meant more than something just for myself. It's a pretty awesome thing were taking on and I look forward to more sore and tired evenings because of long runs/rides during the day. 

Today, I had a great run. 12 miles! I was planning on doing 10, but it was a great run. So good, that it just felt right to go a little farther. It was pretty cold out at first, but warmed up pretty quick. Although at about mile 9..I started to get really hungry. 

I thought maybe it could be a little fun to lay down some facts about me and my running, so here are 10 fun facts...

1. I signed up for my very first race November 2011, an ambitious Half Marathon...I'd never run in a race before.

2. Since then I've done a total of 4 Half Marathons and 1 10K.

3. My third Half, I was 16 weeks pregnant with Knox Baker Wilkins...4 weeks later I found out I was actually pregnant with Avaree Kate Wilkins. Best Surprise Ever! 

4. I have Graves Disease. I have an over active thyroid and take medication to help regulate function. 

5. I am the oldest of three children and have the two best little brothers. 

6. As a kid I suffered from JRA..Juvenille Rheumatoid Arthritis. I don't think my running was something they thought I'd be doing in the future. 

7. Your never too old to accomplish your goals...someday I will become a Nurse. 

8. I started craving Diet Dr. Pepper when I was pregnant with my third baby...and I still to this day. Prior to that, I loved Coke Zero. 

9. I love reading!  I hope that my kids seeing that and trips to the library will instill that same love within them.

10. I have 5 tattoos total with hopes to have more ;) 

My sweet brother the Ranger...thank your military for what they do!