Met My Goal- UPDATED WITH VIDEO

This weekend we participated in the ICEMAN bike race, and although it was called the NICEman all weekend, because we had temps in the 60's, it was one of the most grueling things I have ever done...short of giving birth. Last year Rebekah and I watched as our men participated...this year we decided to join in on the fun. I started training in mid-July, just 6 weeks after giving birth to Parker, with the goal to just finish the race without dying. As it got closer my goal was to finish in an hour. The times for our age category last year ranged from 48min - 1hr 25 min. I DID IT!!! I finished in 1 hr 1 min. I am more comfortable on my bike today than I was just four short months ago, but flying down hills and maneuvering sand, gravel, and trees still makes me nervous at times. I did come out of it with a few battle wounds when I hit a deep pile of sand and flew over my handlebars (I was not hurt). After a minute to re-gain composure, I was up and at it again to finish the race. I wish my fall could have been captured on film. It was a sight to see, I am sure. The girl behind me, after making sure I was okay, said, "it looked pretty". I'll take her word for it.

I love biking for many reasons, but most of all it is something that Chris and I can do together.

Many of the guys in our circle of friends enjoy this sport, but Rebekah and I are the only two girls brave enough to join them. Juggling being new moms (getting little sleep), going back to work, being the best wives ever :), Rebekah taking master's classes, and me having three kids under four AND training for this race was difficult at times, but we made it work. I am so glad we could push each other to new levels.

Chris and Ben were able to see us off at the starting line,
but then had to go to prepare for their own race.
Do you see us? We have our hands raised.

A few last words of encouragement as we wait for the count down.

We kept our eye on the prize...and crossed the finish line...Thanks to all of you who watched our kids, prayed for and encouraged us, and made it possible to accomplish this goal.

We watched as our men crossed the 19 mile marker...what an incredible task. The boys race was 28 miles. I am SO proud of Chris. He trained hard, juggling work, home, and fatherhood, and shaved 20 min off his time from last year. I was beaming watching him cross the finish line. I love you Chris!!!!


The victory pose.

We celebrated with a relaxing morning on the beach with B and B, before heading
back home to our families.

We also HUNG around

Only four more days!!!

Did you see the ticker at the top of my blog...only FOUR more days until the Iceman bike race. I am getting more and more nervous as the race gets closer. Training has been on the decline in the last few weeks, due to it getting dark earlier and earlier. We have had to depend on the weekends for riding. All in all, I feel pretty ready, but nerves are on edge. The weather is supposed to be great...a slight chance of rain, but high of 52. I'll take fifties and rain over 30 and snowy hands down. With only a few more days, I am planning to get a ride in today and Thursday. I have to say that I was filled with doubt when I signed up for the race back in March (6 months pregnant), knowing that it would be mid-july before I could start training after giving birth to our third baby, and being really out of shape. I have to say that all these months later, I am very proud of where I am today. I am not in perfect shape, but confident that I will do well in the race. Managing, three kids, wife responsibilties, work, and training proved difficult some days...but here I am ready to embark on this challenge. Come back this weekend for race results :)

The Bear Went Over the Mountain

Hope you enjoy this video as much as I do...this is one of M's favorite past times in the last couple weeks. She loves to sit by her CD player and sing her little heart out. This is one of her favorite songs these days!!!

Our baby boy is 4 months old

Can you believe it...Parker is four months old today. I remember sitting in the hospital, pitocin running through my veins, waiting for labor to start, like it was yesterday. And now this precious boy is FOUR months old. He has changed so much in four months. Here are some highlights of the month.

He loves his excersaucer and bumbo seat
He laughs and responds to us all the time
He is sleeping 10-11 hours every night
He is napping three times a day, two long naps (1 1/2 - 2 hours) and one short nap (45 min) a day.
He still loves sitting in his swing and bouncy seat
He weighs 16 pounds now (I need to measure how long he is)
He goes for shots next week :(
He is wearing 3-6 month clothes, but quickly growing out of them
He is happy almost all the time
He is nursing 5 times a day (every 4 hours)
His head is much more stable now when being carried
He went on many bike rides this month strapped into his carseat which was strapped into one of our bike trailers. We would ride for about two hours and he never made a peep.
He has adjusted to taking a bottle while I am at work (he was not too fond of it the first few times)

He loves sucking on his hands
He loves when him mommy sings to him and watching football with daddy
I love him more than words can say.

BEWARE: MUCH CUTENESS AHEAD!!!!!

(this was one of my favorite photo shoots yet....love fall time)

LOVE those eyes!!!




What a sweet little face!!!

and for your viewing pleasure...three SHORT videos

Daddy making P laugh

Melia making P laugh

Peek-a-boo

two years ago...

Two years ago Eva was born in an ambulance on the way to the hospital. Four EMT's, myself and Rebekah were in the ambulance as we raced down the highway...you can read the whole story HERE. Just a few days after her birth we visited the fire station to introduce them to Eva Kay (again). Her story even made the local paper. One year later, they held a small one year birthday party for her at the station. And just this weekend we went for another visit to show off our precious two year old baby girl. Here are some picts from the visits.

First Visit, 1 year later, two years later

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Melia on the fire truck, 1 year Later, and M and E two years later

There is a stork on the back of the ambualnce that will be there for the life of the rig. Year one and year two...

BIG change, BIG week

Last week was quite a week...

Melia started preschool...Chris got laid off...24 hours later had an interview set-up and got a job...Eva turned 2...Melia had her first soccer game.

Last Tuesday morning Melia was ready to go backpack in hand. She walked through the doors of her preschool, found her cubby, hung up her backpack, entered the room, found her name tag, and went off to play. All was good...so I thought. As I was getting ready to leave, two little girls started screaming, and I mean, plug your ears, breaking glass screaming. Melia looked at me, her smile turned to panic, her lip curled, and the tears started flowing down her face. Having two infants and a soon to be two-year old, with me, I gave her a hug, and told her I would see her soon. The teacher, who was sitting in front of the door, to prevent escapees, tried to calm her as I left. I put P, Ty, and Eva in the car, drove up to the curb and ran to the outside window, to check on her. She was standing in front of the door, finger in her mouth, sobbing. My heart was breaking. I got back in the car and drove home.

Four kids under four all packed up and ready to go...Ty is with us on Tuesdays!!!

Finding her cubby

and in she goes

9:30am, and Eva, who has been asking incessantly for Melia since leaving the school, is now starting to cry. She does not understand why her sister is gone, and wants her back immediately.

What a sad little sister...she ran back to the car when I told her it was time to go get "Mia"

I just get her calmed down and the phone rings. It's Chris calling from work to tell me that the sales group that he works in was eliminated and he no longer has a job. He had to go pack his desk and he would call me back in a little bit.

Already on the edge of tears, my heart breaking for my girls, I called Rebekah, and the tears started flowing uncontrollably. She listened to my sobs and offered words of encouragement. As reality set in I went from feeling very unsure to knowing in my heart we could trust in the Lord.

10:00am - Melia's teacher called to let me know she was doing great...it made my heart smile.

10:40- I pack up the kids, and head back to pick up Melia. She had a smile on her face, and although reminding me that she cried and wanted me to stay with her, she has a good time. Chris came home in the afernoon and spent hours on the phone and internet, updating his resume, and trying to make connections with people from Compuware (his previous company) and by the end of the day, he had an interview set up for the next morning.

As of Thursday afternoon, he had a job at Compuware again. Praise God for His provision. He starts tomorrow!!! We enjoyed having daddy home for a few extra days this week.

Thursday was a big day, not only is Chris employed again, but our Eva girl turned 2. We had a great family day. Melia had preschool again (and did great dropping off this time, she was a little nervous when the crying started again, but she put on her brave face and joined the fun), and then we spent the day at a local orchard. We picked apples, pears, squash, peppers, and green/yellow beans. My mom and niece joined us for our day of fun.

Picking Beans

Picking/eating apples

Lots of playing...

and kissing goats....

more kissing goats...

Chris's favorite animal...I can't tell you how many times he has asked if we can buy a billy goat.

Over the weekend Melia had her first soccer game. I think Chris was more excited than M to go pick out soccer shoes, shorts, shin guards, and socks. She looks so adorable decked out in all her gear.

#28 is the cutest girl on the field

We also celebrated Eva's 2nd b-day. I cannot believe that our baby girl is two years old. Two years ago, I delivered her in an ambulance with my best friend, Rebekah, by my side. You can read the whole story here. Next week we will go see the EMT's that delivered her. It is always a fun time.

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!!!!

Just a cute pict of P...can't forget about him!!

Peach of a Ride

The name of the ride we did today...Peach of a Ride. Chris and I along with the Pinchbacks, Corey, Spina, and the Riley's rode 26 miles today.

Where: dirt roads in Memphis, MI.
Why: for fun and training
Time: 2 1/2ish hours
For what: yummy peach cobbler at the end of the race

Pinchback and Rayner clan road together the whole way. The weather was BEAUTIFUL. I am very tired and my legs are sore, but I am feeling more and more confident that we will be able to accomplish the Iceman Slush Cup Race in November, in a respectable time. Truthfully, training has been a lot of fun. Who knew biking could be so fun? I love that it is something that Chris and I can do together, it's free, and it's great exercise. Riding with Chris or Rebekah, around town or at Stoney, it always proves to be a great time and a great work-out.

The Girls