Halloween 09

It is true. I am a sucker for really cute Halloween costumes. Don't worry, while I might love Halloween costumes, I can never get away from my "life on a budget" ways.

For Halloween 09 Quin was a tiger. Costume purchased at Old Navy at 40% OFF costing around 13 dollars. A perfect costume for him this year because he LOVES to roar. BTW: Q even won 2nd place for his age group at the church costume contest.

Blue wanted to be a fairy. Knowing that it was the wings and the tutu that she really wanted, I grabbed this lady bug costume when I saw it at TJ Max for $20. Quite the deal considering it had tutu, wings AND antennas.



Ben and I always take the kids trick or treating in our own neighborhood. It is a one lane, one way in, one way out neighborhood with about 22 houses. Perfect location in our minds.

As in years past, Blue decided to drive to each house.

This year Quin decided to walk.

The thing is, they have been the only trick-or-treaters in our neighborhood for years. Because of that, we will never be able to take them anywhere else. The have learned some unrealistic expectations of trick or treating.

First of all the candy...because they are the only trick-or-treaters, all of the neighbors give them as many as 5 or 6 pieces each, sometimes more. They only went to about 9 houses and still had pumpkins full of candy.

Another unrealistic expectation is that some houses give extra treats just for them. Like this year, one house gave them not only candy but also change purses. Then there are the neighbors who missed Blue and Q's door to door visits. One house came to us earlier in the day and gave them gift cards to Wendys. Another felt bad that they missed them and brought an entire bag full the following day.


My favorite unrealistic expectation is that they just walk on in to everyone's house. They even used the bathroom at a neighbors house about halfway trough the neighborhood.

While their unrealistic expectation will never allow us to take them anywhere else, it is exactly why I love my neighborhood and more importantly my neighbors!

Sometimes Life is Hard

Sometimes it is hard. Sometimes it sucks.
Right now is one of those times.

My husband travels for work. This is nothing new. Sometimes it is for longer periods then I would prefer. Right now is one of those times. Ben has been gone for two weeks. Only home a couple of time to change out the clothes in his suit case. Last night I got to the breaking point.

No longer able to pretend none of it bothered me.

This sucks and I am tired. I am tired of doing it all by myself. Tired of taking care of the kids and all that in tales. Tired of the laundry. Tired of picking up the house. Tired of our animals. Tired of making of the meals. Tired of cleaning up of the meals. Tired of sleeping alone. Tired of being alone.

Do it all Kim and by the way try and have a career.

I want to scream. I want to cry. I want to run away.
But can't.

It's Life.
Sometimes it is hard. Sometimes it sucks.

A Delay In Finishing the Vacation Report

Oh, How I miss my days in Jamaica.

I am currently in survival mode. Ben has basically been on the road since our return from paradise and will not be back until Thurs of next week. He is on a plane right now heading home for a visit that will last less then 36 hours but right now we are happy to take what we can get. I have handled extended road trip before but what puts our house in survival mode is the fact that the babies have been sick. I have cleaned up more puke and poo in the past two weeks then I had in the entire year before my vacation.

Surviving is me doing just enough to get by and trying my best to keep my spirits up. I am trapped in a house with two small children with constantly changing levels of wellness. They seem fine and I have a glimmer of hope that they will get to go to school and then there is puke. To make matters worse, puke always seems to happen in the middle of the night. Which means I have had little sleep and this mommy needs her sleep. The only good news is that Delainey is finally old enough to throw up in an approved vessel. Changing the sheets a 3:30 am is not fun.

With not a moment to myself or a chance to get a workout in or an errand ran it has been hard to keep my sanity. I am dreaming about Jamaica, dreaming about leaving the house, dreaming about the end of puke.

So hold tight campers. I will be posting more pictures of our wonderful trip to Jamaica very soon and the best is still yet to come.

Sunday and Monday in Paridise

Sunday
For some reason Ben and I wake up early when on vacation. Around 6 am. I guess because when you are in such a wonderful place, there is no reason snuggle back down under the covers but instead every reason to start the day as soon as possible.

Being on the 3rd floor gave us the opportunity to sleep with the french doors open. We fell asleep to the crashing waves and awoke to the quite pure of the small tractor racking the sand in front of the resort.

There is no room service but you can fill out a card the night before and they will drop off some fresh Blue Mountain Coffee and limited breakfast items. For us only the appetiser for the big breakfast we would go for once fully awake.

Our Daily 6:30am Delivery

Morning view.


View to the Left of cute little beach bar.

Couple Swept Away is known for their workout area. They have everything...weights, lap pool, hot tub, running track, tennis courts, racket ball, ping pong, pool table, Basketball court, and spin, aerobic, yoga, and palates classes. I even heard someone complain that there was not a step class so they found her a teacher and gave her a couple special one on one step classes. The Fitness Area is located across the street along with a Juice Bar that makes fruit smoothies. They also serve Red Bull and Guinness. No liquor except Guinness.

A large selection of the CSA guests might never see this area except that they put the Spa in the same location. It is a fabulous part of the resort so this year we decided to work out while on vacation and we started with doing weight on that first morning. We took picture for proof:



After finishing the work out and trying out a couple of their fruit smoothies we were off to the beach. We had several good hours in the sun but being the rainy season, afternoon rain showers are common.


We personally don't mind the rain. Not only do they cool down the heat of the day but they produce some spectacular views. While many retreat to their rooms, we enjoyed finding a vacant little hut to watch the storms come from behind us and move on out to the ocean.

This one is in front of the beach bar.

Only a couple of steps to refresh our drinks.

For Sunday nights dinner we left the resort to eat at a boutique hotel on the cliffs called the Rock House. I have always wanted to see this small resort with its cute little huts and award winning food. Ben had planned and arranged for the whole thing before we got here. Very romantic Ben. Good Job!


After dinner we returned to the resort and found a hidden room by the Martini Bar that had GREAT air conditioning. Just another game that Ben would beat me at while on vacation. No Worries, I did have fun taking pictures in the dramatic lighting.



Internet is not available in CSA rooms but we found if we sat on the stair way in the rear of or building we could get spotty wireless. Not only good for Ben to check his Fantasy Football but also making it possible to SKYPE with the kids almost every day. (Thank Mom)



Monday
Monday...About have way through I did think...What a great Monday.

A Jamaican going to work during our morning coffee.

Once done with our coffee Ben and I went for a run on the beach. Ben wore his running shoes but I went barefoot. A decision I would later regret. This would be our last run. My calves were tight the rest of the trip. I regret not wearing shoes but also regret not being able to run on the beach again.

The early morning is such a quite and peaceful time on the beach. It really is a shame so many miss it. But then again I am sure they are saying think it is a shame I miss the nightlife.

After the run and breakfast we went for a couples massage and then off to the beach.

Kim, You had a massage?
Yes, Even me the girl who doesn't like to be touched got a massage.

Did you enjoy it?
Sure.

Did you relax?
Well no! I had to keep my mind going over to do lists so not to think of the large man touching my naked body.

Are you going to do it again?
Yes, on Friday.

Our Annual feet picture.

The happy couple.

Me reading on the beach and enjoying a Pina Calada.

The rains came but today we retreated to the room for an afternoon nap. A nap hoping we would stay up past 10pm. Once waking we decided to get a snack but never made it past the swim up bar. OH, the swim up bar. Lots of drinking and laughing and making new friends. Too much drinking. This would be why we like to only visit the swim up the bar once a trip.


After to much time in drinking at the Swim Up Bar, that nap didn't matter. We almost didn't make it to Dinner.

Ben almost not making it to dinner.

But some how we got a second wind and made it to the repeaters dinner. The Repeaters Dinner is a must because they serve steak and lobster. The dinner lived up to our expatiation's.

Rusty and Tom.
We met them the night before and would be friend with them all week long.

3rd Anual Husband and Wife RETREAT

Call it what ever you want.
Retreat. Vacation. Get A Way.
All that really matters is that it was perfect.

BTW:Because I want to remember every detail, I will be giving my trip report over several posts.

This is the third year in a row that Ben and I have managed to take a vacation, with no kids, to the same island that we honeymooned on. Jamaica. I consider it our island. Delainey has begged to go many of a time but I tell her she will have to find her own island. This one is just for us.

I can't not tell you enough how much a week with just to two of us means. We have promised each other that even if Jamaica is not in the budget that we will still hide away some where for a week a year, just the two of us. A week a year to celebrate our love.

Thankfully Jamaica is still in the budget, so, off to Couples Swept Away we went!

This year we decided to fly to Miami Friday night so we could get to the resort several hours earlier on Saturday. With the use of Hilton Honors Points there would not be addition costs for the hotel in Miami. Really I can't believe we never thought of it before.

Here is a picture of Ben at the Dallas Airport.
Desperately needing a vacation from his Blackberry!

We got into Miami around 10pm and took the shuttle to the Airport Hilton we were staying at. Bonus! The Flight Attendant from Dallas to Miami gave us a bottle of red wine. Got to LOVE First Class. (Have I ever mentioned to you how much they really try to get you drunk in First Class?)

After dropping our bags in our room we went out by the pool and had a couple of glasses of wine and watched planes take off. I was hoping this would help me fall asleep. I never sleep well the night before vacation and come to find out, being half way there didn't make a difference. In fact I think I got about 3 hours of sleep. Ugh. I looked like I had only had 3 hours of sleep so, my solution was to wear my sunglasses inside the airport and the plane. Knowing how silly I looked, Ben and I made jokes that I was a famous person that did not want to be recognized. No one too famous, instead maybe a has-been reality TV star.

Shuttle to the Miami Airport.

Now either Ben or I am a fan of the Miami Airport but I do have to say I LOVE their Fish Art on the walls.

Here is us on the plane. First Class!!

Seriously! Get this man away from his Blackberry!

Being Exhausted, I did my best to sleep during the short hour and a half flight. This meant skipping the in-flight morning cocktails and waiting until we landed, went through customs and made our way to the "Couples Resorts Airport Lounge". Once there we had a couple of Red Stripes and waited for our shuttle to the resort. I guess the nap worked because I finally took the Sunglasses off.

Waiting for the Shuttle to Couples Swept Away.

The ride to the Resort take an hour and a half but this includes a potty break half way there. Because we arrived early we would not be able to completely check in to our rooms for about a half an hour. No Problem Mon, Off for a quick lunch at Sea Grapes, our favorite lunch spot on at Swept Away. After finishing our Grilled Red Snapper on Coco Bread and sweet potato chips with to die for dips we returned to the lobby to get our room assignment. We did decide to upgrade our room to the ones located right on the beach and I have to say it was a great decision because the room was our favorite so far. (ROOM 4317) It was on the third floor corner with a perfect view of the sunset.

Perfect View

Another perfect view.

The view was so amazing that we decided to just hang there until dinner. We would end up spending a lot of time on our perfect patio. Taking in the view, talking, drinking cocktails, listening to music, napping, reading, playing UNO. Enjoying each other.

We decide to keep track of points and make it a UNO tournament.

BTW: I got my ass kick!!

Ben, the UNO King.

After the sunset it was off to Dinner! We knew it was lobster night and because it is an all inclusive Ben and I both ordered a double serving of Lobster! Not to mention 2 appetisers, soup, salad, & desert. What a great way to end the first day of our vacation!

Oh, Jesus

We are members of a local Episcopal Church.

I grew up in the Episcopal Church.

When I was young you did not get to take communion until you were confirmed, around the age of 13. Communion is when the congregation takes part in the ritual of eating the body and blood of Christ which is represented by drinking wine from a common cup and eating a bread wafer.

Now a days, the Church lets anyone, no matter their age, who is baptised, take part in this ritual.

I am guessing the people who decided this did not have small children.

Twice now one of our children have managed to get some body of Christ before we have had the chance to tell the priest, "blessing only, please."

Today was one of those days and Quin, the three year old, took the body of Christ and put it on top of his head. Ben grabbed it quickly and hand it to me and then the priest and I pretended it was one that he put directly in my hand.

The first time one of the children received the body of Christ it made it into their mouth and then quickly came out of their mouth. I believe it was Blue. I do remember there was an "ick" face and then the wafer was handed to me, resulting in me getting to eat second hand Jesus.

Ben and I, as parents, have decided our children will wait until they are older before they partake in communion. They still go to the alter with us and get a blessing from a priest but no body or blood of Jesus just yet. I understand the Church's views behind their decision but have to say I disagree with them on this one. I will do my best to have my children know and love Christ but, as children, I think it does them some good to not only understand but also desire a deeper relationship with Christ. I remember how it felt to finally be able to participate in Communion. It is my goal for my children to have this same memory.

I prefer to keep Communion a very special part of the relationship with Christ and not just another part of the church service.

I AM A TRIATHLETE

Well I did it! I am a Triathlete! I even have pictures to prove it. You can tell I enjoyed myself because I seem to have the biggest smile on my face in most of the shots. With out a doubt, competing in my first Triathlon is in my top 10 favorite moments in life. Up there with getting married and giving birth.

I do admit I had quite the panic attack the night before after picking up my bid packet. A Bid Number is the number they give you which decides the order everyone starts in. Mine...151. The other women I knew participating were in the 400's. What!!! No! No! No! How did this happen? 151? This is were all the professionals were. Flash backs of being 8 year old and always coming in last. Deep Breath. Deep Breath. I went to bed still worried but knowing that there was nothing I could do to change it. I would just hang out with the big dogs. Maybe no one would notice. Ya right.

5 am came early and I was ready to go. Lets get this party started. The panic from the night before was gone. I was ready to TRI.

Because you are not allowed to listen to you iPod while in a Triathlon I listen to my "Run Kim Run" Playlist one last time in the car on the way there. It was a cool and raining morning and this was perfect in my mind because the alternative was HOT and Humid.

I quickly learned that there was positives and negative to having a low bid number.
Positives:
I watched how the "pros" set up.
The sooner I started the sooner I would finish.
There is less of a possibility to come in dead last. (Note, in this tri this is not possible because there is an official last place woman)
Negative:
I would get past by many. (Note I did pass a couple of woman, yes like 2 woman)
Before starting the race I did feel like someone posing as a "real" athlete.

People ask "How did you do?" I guess because that is what you ask someone who was in a race. The answer, "I felt like I came in first place!"

I am amazed at how far I came over 12 weeks. Amazed and Shocked! Hell, I was smoking the occasional cigarette in the beginning of my training. It ranks as one of the most inspiring and empowering things I have ever done. When I signed up for this challenge it seemed impossible and I was terrified I would not be able to do it. When I stood in line waiting for my turn to start, I was excited and knew that I would succeed. There was no fear.

There are stats and a place finish but none of that matters. A month later and I don;t even remember the numbers but I do remember the feeling of crossing the finish line. I remember the hugs from my husband, kids, mother and friends. I remember feeling there pride in me. I remember feeling like a Rock Star!

I would like to thank WIN for KC Triathlon. All involved were top notch. If you are a female thinking of participating in a Triathlon, the WIN for KC all Female Tri is the perfect one to start with. I can not thank them enough. Their goal is to empower women and they do a Fabulous Job! Half of the participates on that Saturday were first time Triathletes. All of the participates were true athletes!

Waiting to line up.

And 151...GO!

Yep, I am in there somewhere.

Coming out of the Swim. Not near as bad as I thought it would be!

First Transition. Swimming done.

Now it is time for a 10 mile bike ride.


Bye Family...I will be right back.

(Picture from the race photographer.)

Leaving for the 5k run.

Trying to be just like Lucas.
(Picture from the race photographer.)

My fan club.

The Ta-Ta Sisters

Me and my neighbor.

BTW: Thinking "Well HELL, if she can do it, I could do it"?
Yes. You can.

If you decide to sign up for a Triathlon, I do recommend the book "Slow Fat Triathlete". It is a great book and helped me learn what to expect and that Yes, it is possible.