In the amount of time it takes to watch two movies...

...we ran a marathon! I know, we're nuts. "Why would you put yourself through that?", you may be asking. We asked ourselves that very question around mile 25. The answer: because we can. Our legs work, our lungs work, we're in our late 20's and...why not?

I don't want to be one of those "runners" that talk about running with a twinkle in their eye like they're the only ones on the planet that have the ability to keep a pace going for more than 20 minutes. The truth is: anyone can do it. You just have to try it.

Back to race day. After 6 months of training, we got up at 5:15 on Sunday morning and laced up for our big run. It was dark outside, and the streets of downtown Portland were packed with runners from all over the country. We met 8,000 other people at the start line. The gun fired, and everyone started moving. It's actually pretty amazing to be running alongside that many people. Then, loud drums filled my ears. A huge band of loud drummers played for us as we ran the first mile, it was pretty incredible. I couldn't hear anything but the drums. I kind of felt like I was in The Lion King, when that huge herd of antelope-or was it caribou?-ran through valleys. It was a pretty incredible experience.

Around mile 8, Andy and I were cruisin, with 18 miles to go. Heath jumped in the race and joined us for 5 miles, which was really fun. She was so excited for us, and was super encouraging by reminding us what an amazing thing we were doing and how great we looked. She really put us in a great mood during, what could have been, the hardest part of the run (the middle).

Then around mile 23 is when we were really aching. This is when we hit the wall. We were totally out of energy, dehydrated, and pretty much every leg and foot muscle was shot. I've never seen Andy's face look so yellow and drained. We were silent-niether of us complained to eachother or tried to chirp a little "we're almost there". It wasn't worth the energy. We both knew how we felt. Of course, we both knew that giving up was not an option, and we would keep running together until the end.

Finally, we crossed the finish line together! We did it! I was so happy for Andy. This was his first marathon, and he was so tough! What a champ! We made great time: 4 hours, 10 minutes.

Afterwards, we were met with our biggest fans: Heath, Grant, and Amelia. They made the trek all the way from Puyallup to watch us run. We spent the afternoon together celebrating and relaxing.

Dr. Laura (from talk radio) says "the only way to increase your self confidence is to do something you thought you could never do". Spot on, Dr. Laura. I feel pretty badass.

uh, yeah...I can handle it.

It's been three weeks since the first day of school. I have eight kids in my classroom. "Easy", I thought, on that first day before the kids came. "I'll just do it, and then at 3:30, it will be over".

I'm learning that I have this strange perception of my ability to handle things. I naively think that I can do pretty much anything. I usually think in relativity to time. It goes a little something like this: "I can handle anything. It might suck for a while, but I'll just do it, and then it will be over." Like when I moved the queen size mattress up our stairs all by myself. I thought, "hmmm. It will be 20 minutes of frustration and using all of my body strength. There will be lots of manuvering, and I might get hurt, but I'll just do it, and then it will be over." Or like when I ran a full marathon, "It will be 4 1/2 hours of moving my body. I will get really tired and sore, but I'll just do it, and then it will be over." And so, it was this weird concept of perseverence that got me reved up and ready to go on the first day. Then the kids showed up.

Without going into too much detail, I will tell you that nothing could have prepared me for what was to come that first day. With my cute tall boots and my favorite pencil skirt, I walked up to the arriving bus to greet the kids as they got off the bus. (Yes, it's the short bus). I was blown away. I saw kids with disabilities so severe that I was actually a little scared of them when they got off of the bus. I was not the only one who was scared...they were also not pleased with what they saw. I was their new teacher, this was a new classroom, and most importantly, it was a transition in their life. And it is transitions that make them most uneasy and unwilling. I will spare most details, but I will mention that there was a lot of biting, scratching, screaming, throw up, poop, and lots and lots of tears. And the worst part was: it was not "over at 3:30". It was not something that I would just "do, and then it will be over". It was my job. Everyday.

The next day came and it was not much different than the first. I kind of wanted to give up and just let them sit in the room all day and do what they want. A daycare. I wouldn't get scratched or bitten, they wouldn't scream and cry. And I'd still get paid the same.

Then by the third day, I was learning. I learned who needed to sit in a certain corner of the room so that sunlight didn't touch them. I learned who needed to chew on something so they could focus. I learned who needed a garbage can next to them for when they had to throw up. I learned who needed classical music, who needed loud, repetitive music, and who needed complete silence. I learned who needed a little back rub and who needed to be completely untouched. I learned that giving up on teaching them is the last thing I could do. And that my job was more than something "to do, and then be done with".

Now we have had three weeks of school. I'm still learning about my kids and they're still learning about me. There is structure and routine, which is something I thought would take months to get. When I say, "circle time" the wheelchairs start turning and the kids slowly start to come over to me, moaning and groaning.

It is not easy, but, I think I can handle it. I really love these kids...even the scary ones.

We're in!

Here are some quick pics of our new place. We have a lot of work to do still, but we LOVE it! Enjoy!!

Coffee Gets Me Pumped About Life...

So two extra cups than usual, and I'm PSYCHED.

• Big Hunk and I celebrated our 3 year anniversary yesterday--Oh ya!

• Dean and Bonnie are visiting this weekend--Oh ya!

• Going on a sweet hike tomorrow--Oh ya!

• Moving into our new house next week--Oh ya!

(....our actual house is actually way nicer than this one here)

• Running our full marathon in 8 weeks--Oh ya!

• Me and my crazy twin turn 26 --Oh ya!
  
  

a great weekend and a new chapter

For the 4th of July weekend, Andy and I packed up our sweet ride and headed down to the Oregon Coast. We camped three nights in Cannon Beach. We were sure to include some of our favorite things in our little excursion: coffee, vino, hotdogs, a small town parade, a long run, a romantic fire on the beach, volleyball, and lots and lots of sun.

When we got home on Monday, we had quite an itch. A house-buyin itch. So, we did some fancy prioritizing, picked out a nice place for a good price, squeezed our eyes tight, and jumped. We made an offer and the offer has been accepted, as of an hour ago.

We learned two important things about us: we are great campers, and can make grown-up decisions, I think.

SASQUATCH

Andy and I packed up our tent, sleeping bags, sweet shades, and beer and headed to the middle of Washington, to the dry, desolate, insanely expansive Columbia River Basin. It was here that we met up with 25,000 other amped concert go-ers. I'm talking about the Sasquatch Festival at the Gorge Ampitheater in the good old town of George, Washington (yep. like the president).

I was pretty pumped to show off one of our states most beautiful venues to Andy--who's been bouncing off the walls for months totally stoked about this HUGE event (literally 15 of his most favorite bands all played at this festival). It was everything we thought it would be. We spent three days listening to more bands than we could count completely. Rocking. Out. I can successfully say that I have learned about lots of cool bands I didn't know about, about the art of hippy dancing, and the craziness that arises when you mix TONS of people, a beautiful place, and LOUD MUSIC. Our favorites included Bon Iver, Fleet Floxes, Santigold, Gogul Bordello (crazy gipsy punk), Mos Def, Animal Collective, M Ward, and the Avett Brothers.

As usual, a great time with great friends, from Pullman and Bellingham. We came home late last night groggy and tanned. Count us in again, for Sasquatch 2010!!!

drum roll, please...

I'm pleased to announce two new additions to our life...

Number One:

Miss Amelia Sue Lane

Number Two:

2009 Honda Fit

...that we can sleep in...