2011 In Pictures (and a few words)

It has been a truly incredible 2011 and filled with so many different emotions. Wanted to do a quick post of some of the highlights, and what I think about when I look back at the past year. Enjoy. :)

January 1, 2011 - The Fiesta Bowl w/ Kyle's brother and his wife to watch OU. Boomer!

February 7, 2011 - Super Bowl. Green Bay Packers are #1. Go Pack Go!

March 31, 2011 - Mini-Hanson concert/Radio promo in Palm Springs with Michelle and Kyle.

April 2011 - My husband (far left) and his Marines the day they deployed to Afghanistan. 

Spring 2011 - The husbands left and we started hiking to keep busy.

May 13-15, 2011 - Met some of the most amazing people in Tulsa, Oklahoma
for a members-only Hanson event.
Bonded by Hanson. Family for life.

June 2011 - Filmed a vlog with my best friend, Vincenzo, while eating German snacks.

July 3, 2011 - The 4th of July NOIZE Party

Glow sticks. Glitter. Girl Talk. Red Bull.

If you weren't there, you wouldn't believe the stories.

Summer 2011 - Skype dates with the husband were always treasured.
Even thousands of miles away he knew how to make me laugh.

July 10, 2011 - Ran my first half marathon, The Summerfest Rock n Sole in Milwaukee, WI.  Between the poor race planning and the weather, it was a horrible experience but I survived!

Late July 2011 - This sums up Stephanie and I's caffeine fueled road trip from Wisconsin to California.

August 5, 2011 - Celebrating our 5th wedding anniversary alone.
... the life of a military wife. 

August 2011 - Took my sister to DisneyLand for the first (and second and third) time.

August 21, 2011 - Ran my second half marathon (with a 30+ minute PR) with my little sister at the finish line.
This was my first race having family at the race to cheer me on. Felt incredible. 

October 2011 - HOMECOMING! After 7 months, he's home. 

November 21, 2011 - United Stated Marine Corps Birthday Ball

As the year draws to a close, I also want to reflect on the loss of five men from our Darkside 3/4 Marine Corps Family while on their most recent deployment to Afghanistan. May these men never be forgotten, and their ultimate service to our country always be remembered. 

Cpl Paul Zanowick

LCpl Jason Hill

Cpl Mark Goyet

Lcpl Christopher Camero

SSgt Leon Lucas

What will you remember most about 2011, and what do you look most forward to in 2012?

Don't Worry. I'm Still Here.

It's been quite crazy the last few weeks. Scratch that. It's been a ridiculous 2011 and I think I've been moving at 88 MPH. If only I had Doc Martin and the DeLorean to take me back to the beginning of the year to slow things back down. Hmm... wouldn't that be nice?! The year started with prepping for the husbands deployment, continued with him deploying to Afghanistan and me going back to Milwaukee for a few months. I ran my first half marathon (and my second) and played tour guide to both my sister and my mom here in California. Throw in a few cross country road trips, and at least a hundred incredible memories and you'll have my 2011 to this date.

Since the America's Finest City Half Marathon in San Diego 3 weeks ago, I have found myself in such a horrible post-race depression/funk/rut. It's funny how as I was crossing the finish line at that race I was thinking about how I couldn't wait to start training for a full marathon, and a week later the last thing that I wanted to do was put on my running shoes. Thank goodness for all my incredible running friends who urged me to lace up, and my good friend Kama who got me to the gym yesterday for a killer spin class and weight session. It feels amazing to have the endorphins surging through my veins again. Tomorrow my friends and I have a challenging 5 mile hike planned and I'm so excited to take it on. Also, Tuesday officially starts my marathon training for the Carlsbad Full in Carlsbad, CA. It's so crazy to think that in just over 18 weeks I'll be crossing the finish line to my first marathon and able to call myself a marathoner.

So yes. I'm still here, just been very busy and was laying low from the running community. I'll be more active from here on out. Promise.

We Run For Those Who Can't

I always love reading the shirts of fellow runners, and seeing everything from various charities to "I run because (insert motivation here)". It's always amazing to see where runners have been, and what their motivation is to continue for one more mile. I've learned that runners tend to wear their heart on their sleeve, and my running group for the AFC Half Marathon in San Diego on Sunday was no exception. Who were we running for? Five incredible men who gave the ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan and we pray will never be forgotten. You will recognize three of the men from my previous post from my first half marathon, but unfortunately two more names have been added to the list of fallen from our 3rd Battalion 4th Marines Family. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: The Marine Corps is a family. The Marines themselves are brothers, and their wives/girlfriends/sisters/mothers are sisters to each other. 

We ran to honor these men. 

We ran to remember their sacrifice. 

We ran in hope that others would read their names and never forget. 

Cpl Paul Zanowick

LCpl Jason Hill

Cpl Mark Goyet

Lcpl Christopher Camero

SSgt Leon Lucas

Post race. Runners & Our Cheerleaders.

Also, a huge thank you to one of our Darkside Moms who had these shirts made to honor the men lost (whose names are listed on the back).