The Home Stretch

Back in February we signed up to run a marathon, not knowing that Matt's work schedule would change and that he would be in the toughest of grad classes at the same time. I am so proud of his hard work! Now, we are in the home stretch - almost to race day. And ironically, we've run a marathon this whole year. Well, actually, over 400 miles, but that is just road miles. Life mile markers are a whole category in itself.

Finding time to blog has not been easy, and then when I can write, I have a writers' block of sorts where I don't know where to start. My audience includes family, friends, and strangers - and I am just mostly writing to help me remember stuff. So all I have been writing about is the memories I want to remember. Not the yucky stuff. So, I am not apologizing for my lack of writing - that is just annoying - but really, saying that it has been a hard year.

I looked through my Flickr photos just so I could remember the fun times we have been blessed to have this year. The best thing about the year? Marriage. Matt is a dream husband and a treasure. More than I had ever hoped for, he continually amazes me.

The worst thing about this year? Not having time to be the friend or family member that I want to be. I hate to sound like a broken record, but being away from home 11 hours a day makes a lot of things have to go out the window. Like, a weekday social life, for example. Then, on most weekends this year, Matt had to work one day of them. Since August he has been blessed with a new position at work, but it has come with lots of overtime. We are grateful for the income, but it is hard on him. On us. Lots of work hours + marathon training + grad school = grueling year.

Matt's folks whom we have been house sitting for 2 years for returned home this summer - we love them to pieces - but there is just no room for us anymore. We are taking up space that they need, as we waited out if this job for Matt was the right one. Since it is work-from-home, he can move with it.

All this to say, we are moving back to Western Washington before the end of this year. Iamsoexcited.

But before that? VACATION. A much needed, year overdue long week away. Back to DC - where the Marine Corps Marathon awaits.

Remind me next time I plan a vacation to leave the marathon part out though, okay?

I will be back next week with a recap. In the meantime, cheer us on! ;)

Finally - A Post!

Life is so crazy right now. I have thought about a bunch of potential blog posts in my head then never get to writing them. My only "down" time is at work, when all my projects are done and I am stuck there for a day. Once home it is a race against the clock to get to all my personal projects and tasks.

We are less than two weeks from freedom - the marathon will be over by then, and Matt's really tough class that he has right now will be completed. Yeah! He has worked so hard, I am so proud of him!

In spite of the crammed schedule, we were blessed to get in some much needed family time this past weekend. On the four hour drive over, Matt worked on a paper. On the drive back - same paper! Even now, he types.

We celebrated my older sisters' birthday on Saturday by going on a chocolate tour! It was really fun and a beautiful day in Seattle. Fall colors galore. Lots of laughs and lots of...you guessed it...chocolate ;)


We loved seeing our little nephew and sister-in-law. Love those curls!


Sunday was a big half-marathon race for us. "Big" in the sense that it was a run in which we really pushed ourselves, and for the cause - our soldiers! "Race for a Soldier" was a blast - and we got personal best times. It was cold, and I am getting over a bug, so I struggled a bit. But, we did it! Immediately afterward, we found our way to a nearby Panera and indulged in a broccoli cheddar soup bread bowl. YUM!

God blessed us with a beautiful evening ferry ride across the Puget Sound:

That is all I have time for now, just a little fun update. Happy Monday, all!