Heroes Among Us

What would you do if a stranger was in need of help? Would you jump into action or sit and watch hoping someone else will do something? These quick decisions and reaction could be life changing.

My trip to Bachelorette Las Vegas was not all fun and games.... One Morning, Kathrine McFadzean aka Kath was starting her day just like every other day in Vegas. Composed herself and wondered around the Venetian to find an eatery ending up at the food court. Quietly enjoying her breakfast sandwich from La Deli Cafe. When she observed something strange. She stopped wondering what was happening. She dropped her sandwich running to the coughing young blond woman near the garbage can. With no previous First Aid Training, she approached the woman. "Are you Choking?" she said in a clear and clam voice. The women shook her head yes while grasping her throat. Just like a certified expert Kath, stepped behind the woman making a fist with both hands and thrusting upward. Once, twice and the third time was a charm the small piece of chicken was loosened from the woman's throat!!! Seconds later a security guard wearing a phony Italian Police outfit came over and notified the two women that he had called for the EMTs and also that he had just taken first aid class. Why he did not step into action we will never know. The Hero, untrained, compassionate and brave, Kath, saved the day. But.... Who Was it that she Saved??....It Was Our BRIDE STACEY!!!!!

Thank you Kath, for being there and jumping into action.

My Girlfriends

Over the last two weeks I have been fortunate enough to have spend some Seriously Quality time with my girlfriends through hosting an out of town-er, going to Vegas for a Bachelorette party and camping at Crescent Bar. The ladies are some my closet friends that I have met all over world from Briarwood Elementary to CAPA studying abroad. What a variety of gals too. We are talking teachers, PT, PR, NOAH, Nurses, Business Managers and Hair Dressers. There is something so special about the bonds we have made over the years and the new ones we quickly establish.

My out of town, Karlee. She lives in Indiana. We met studying in Florence. She frequents Seattle regularly and every time Mandy and I try convince her to move out here. Mandy and Karlee staid at over and gr abed some dinner just caught up. We spent some quality time watching the fireworks at my moms and do some shopping downtown.

Stacey's Bachelorette Party in Vegas. Eight beautiful girls. No agenda but pool and sunshine. It was so stress free. No Drama. I know Stace through Kath who I lived with in Pullman. Actually, I know all these Vegas Girls because of Kath. Friends of friends are great especially when they become my friends. I finally met Kiko. Who I have heard so much about and it turns out she is my Twin ;-) We all laughed pretty much the entire trip .... does anyone have some change I can have? HeHeh..
Camping in Crescent Bar, with the girls. These are my lifers. Friends from back in the day. We had a girls weekend camping trip to the beautiful Crescent Bar. Now after being in Vegas the weekend prior I was not ready for Camping! I got bit by every single bug in Crescent Bar, over thirty on my FACE! Needless to say we did not take too many photos... I brought the monster tent that Steve gave to Tommy. Thanks Steve we love the tent. Pretty sure it could sleep 15! It is huge. We're thinking about setting up and renting it out in the back yard. Anyways, Sun, River, beer and good friends. It is Just So Fun!

Moral of the Story.....I Love My Girls. So many laughs, stories and good times.

It's Raining in Seattle

In true Seattle fashion, it is raining. This year we almost did not get to have the annual Forth of July Fireworks display over Lake Union due to the lack of funding. However, local companies came to the rescue and funded the show. Thanks Bill! Now, fog and rain may ruin the show after all the efforts of local philanthropists.

The show must go on. Hope all this burns off and we get to see the show.

Wedding Planning - Engagement Photos

With all the excitment of the Marathon, wedding planning took a backseat. But now with only 10 Months to go it is time to get serious about planning.

We took engagement photos a couple weeks ago and now have to pick our favorites for the save the dates. Big Descion! Most of our photos are very artsy and contemporary. I am almost wiching I would have asked for more head shots. We only have a couple to choose from.

I wanted to post a slide show of all the photos however my limted blogging experience is hindering me. I will work on it.

Which photo is your fave?

My First Marathon

June 26th 2010 Seattle Rock n Roll Marathon

There is something to be said about setting a goal for yourself, working hard and accomplishing that goal. On June 26Th, I did just that. I ran 26.2 miles without walking or stopping. The journey to get to the finish line started two years ago.

I injured my foot and was not able to complete my training the prior year. This forced me to only run the half. It was frustrating and sad to say the least.

This year totally made up for all the bad feelings from the year before. It started with the drop off at Fotser golf course. We jumped out of the car and I almost did not want to get out. Little scared of what this day would bring. Chris, Leslee and I had to walk to the start line. Which appeared closer than it actually was. About a mile warm up walk to the start line. Making our way my tummy rumbled with nerves and my breakfast. Finally, reaching the start line I felt proud, excited and mostly just emotional. For some reason I just wanted to cry.

We had about an hour wait which we mostly spend in the porta potty line. With 5 minutes to go before the start we were still in line. The national anthem sounded. My eyes filled as I quickly realized we better get our butts in the start line. Panicking, I quickly reminded Chris, Leslee and myself that OUR race does not start until we cross the start line. This I remembered from last year’s race when we were forty five minutes late due to traffic. This idea of ‘my race’ was the theme of the day for me. I continued to remind myself that it does not matter what is going on around me. Today is my day. My Race. My Marathon.

There will be a day when I can no longer run and today is not that day. This is also where that idea comes from. Today is my day to run. I ran the entire race. Not stopping to fix a shoelace, stretch my legs or even drink water. The only stop was a quick shuffle step to kiss Tommy and then I was on my way. I don’t think that technically counts as walking.

As someone who trains with a Garmin and being in Finance. I have a tendency to get hung up on the numbers. But not this day. Not this race. This was my day. Every time I would check my pace. I would remind myself ‘You’re doing great. This is a good pace’ ‘I am doing this. I can do this’. Even at mile 25 going up the hill at an 11:30 pace. You’re doing this. You’re running your race. I kept talking to myself making small achievable goals and continuously having positive self encouragement.

The pain quickly fads as you realize this is no longer a struggle you have made it this far. You will complete this race. You begin to feel light on your feet and want to reflect on all the good that you have in your life. How lucky we are to be able to do this? How Lucky I am to have Tommy? How much hard I have trained and worked to get to this exact place, The .2.

I came off of the Alaskan Way viaduct ramp and the street was lined with people. Who did I see first? My Dad arms wide open waving at me with both hands and cheering. He jumped up and down tried to take a photo but I was too fast. Just like that he was out of my sight. I turned the corner and the band started to play. I cannot remember the song because I was yelling ‘I did it! Wahoo! Yay!’ Kind of silly to cheer for yourself but at this point I could not help it. Then Leslee and Steve right on the corner. It was a perfect place I saw them right away. Then Erin and Tommy cheering and yelling with of course lots of cowbell. Tommy held out flowers for me. I grabbed them like a baton hand off in a track race. Next, Kimberly, she was jumping up and down beaming with pride. I could actually see her tears. Then Team Flying V, my running pals. I gave them all high fives. I did more cheering for myself you can even here me on the finish line video (I am all the way to the right on the video)., I cross the finish line, and busting into tears overwhelmed with emotions. A lady came up to me and gave me a huge hug and said 'I am a crier too!'
It was an absolutely amazing experience. Could not have had a better race. Although, I think I could have been faster...