We Run , We Run

I was quiet leading up to Memorial Day & on the day itself. I had every intention of blogging last night but was so overwhelmed from the day I wasn't sure I could. Memorial Day means so many different things to so many of my friends. For me personally it means trying to honor those we loved & lost. I decided to help organize the http://www.wearblueruntoremember.org/index.html walk again in our hometown this year. I hoped,  prayed it would go over well and we might double our miles pledged in honor of the 6,687 military men & women who made the ultimate sacrifice since the global war on terror began in 2001. I had no way of knowing exactly how large & meaningful this walk would be once again.
Last year I barely made it through the calling of the names. This year we shared all of the 43 names with the other walkers to read aloud. As I looked around the circle of remembrance to hear the names called the look of sadness or smiles was very breath taking. Each person called a name, all 43 men & women were even if for a brief moment remembered. That is what Memorial Day is about. It's not about bar-b-ques and four day weekends. Those are a nice bonus,but it should be about taking time to make sure the families of our fallen heroes know their loved ones will never be forgotten. With the help of two good friends I was able to make that happen I hope for the three Goldstar families in attendance. Yelm Pledged 426+ miles, compared to the 196 last year I was so excited! The weather kept a few away as it was rainy & cold. But we had 65+ people show up despite the weather and run or walk those miles pledged. Some even did a couple extra miles. As I ran my miles some with my husband & some by myself I was proud at that moment. Proud of this community I live in coming together over one ladies Facebook event to honor these brave heroes. I laughed, I cried, I smiled , I ran to remember yesterday. It was a great day and worth all the hours of work. Yes I think I will be doing this again next year, because I can still run when 6,687 fallen can't.

The Fallen Honored on May 27, 2013

SFC David Cooper Jr Sept 5, 2007

SFC Clifford Beattie May 22, 2011

SGT Joel Dahl  June 2007

SGT Christopher Kruse November 17, 2007

CPL Luke Runyan February 17, 2008

Chad Groepper February 17, 2008

SSG Keith Bishop

SSG Thomas McFall

CW2 Bryan Henderickson

SGT Faith Hinkley

SPC Danny B Daniels

CSM Kevin Griiffin

SSG Michael H Simpson

1LT Robert N Bennedsen

SGT Phillip Anderson

SSG Michael B Quinn  2003

CW4 Matthew Scott  2005

SGT Mark A Mardia  2005

CW2 Joshua Michael Scott  2005

SPC J. Adan Garcia  2006

Lance CPL Emmanuel Villarreal  2007

SPC Chad A Edmundson  2009

PFC John C Johnson  2011

PFC Leroy Deronde lll  2012

1LT Thomas M Martin 

PVT Calvin E Ross

SFC Wyatt Goldsmith

SSG Nicholas A Sprovtsff

SGT Justin D Norton

SPC Daniel Unger

MSG Mark Coleman

PFC Christopher E Hudson

SSG Guy S Hagy Jr

CPL William J Rechenmacher

SPC Joshua G Romero

SPC Frik J Franzese

SPC Ailen Reding

CPL Jeff Starr

SGT Ronald Milton Randazzo

PFC Arden Bradley Cooper

We Run

We Run for those

Who Ran before

To the fields of battle,

To the fields of war.

We Run

We Run

We Run for those

Who Run No More.

My amazing soldier who supported me during all the crazy getting ready for the event.

Honor Has No Finish Line

 

 

 

Honor Has No Finish Line

It's that time again when the wear blue community starts planning their Memorial Day events. Well a lot of us have been planning for a few weeks or months now to make sure it all goes smoothly. If your not sure how you can show how much you appreciate & honor our Fallen on Memorial Day I have just the thing. Wear blue: run to remember has their pledge site up & running again this year for Memorial Day. You can run or walk to show your support for the Fallen, the Fighting, & the Families. Memorial Day is not just another four day for our family and we hope everyone will take the time at some point to honor the sacrifice of so many. Please remember you can run or walk ANYWHERE!! You do not have to be close to one of the meet up locations. My husband ran in Afghanistan last year while I ran in Yelm. It's just about taking time to remember and show the families their loved ones are never forgotten. Take a moment to watch the video tribute to the blue community and then head over to pledge your miles today.

Tinker Bell & All That Disney Magic

Well folks my plan since I saw all the posts on the Disney Princess Half-marathon pop up on Facebook was to go run it in Florida next year. Then life happened & with the husband deploying at the end of the summer a trip to Florida is out. Bummer! BUT never fear we live super close to California which means July 9th THIS GIRL is signing up for the Tinker Bell Half-Marathon in Disneyland. It's set for January 2014 so it will be the perfect time for a much needed mommy break. I always try to plan one trip that is at least 3 or 4 days away with out the kids while the husband is deployed. It's for their safety & my sanity-haha

Now my running partner in crime & I have to come up with a team name. It doesn't have to be Disney but we thought why not? We will be wearing our blue run to remember  shirts with some fun add-ons for the half. We would love a few name suggestions from anyone who is more creative then us , shouldn't be hard. Here are the only three we came up with & we aren't just thrilled with any of them. The names are printed on our bibs that we want to keep so something cute & fun is a must!

Minnie Marathoners- we would have Blue Bows instead of red.

Then we have Blue Belles after Belle in Beauty & the Beast.

 Next is Magical Mermaids , mostly because Ariel is my favorite Princess.

But we are open to all suggestions that are fun that we can't think of on our own. I am excited for July 9th to come so we can register and get this race planning started. I hope after running my first half on June 22nd I am still excited-haha Wish us luck and post any fun team names you can think of please.

Runners Unite for Boston

I don't have the dream to run a marathon, but I have friends & family that are marathon runners. I had a cousin who was 2 blocks away when the blasts went off. She never got to finish her race, she had no idea if those with her were okay. I am sad for those innocent spectators who always encourage us as runners at the end when we think we can't possibly take one more step to reach the finish line. I am sad for those 5,000+ elite runners who qualified for what they thought was the race of their lives that they never got to finish. Today a movement swept across facebook, twitter, & the country. Runners showed their support by putting on a race shirt & running for Boston. 

We ran for everyone who can no longer run. Who are now sitting in a hospital recovering from wounds. We ran for those who never got the chance to finish their race. But mostly we ran to show whatever cowards that are behind this attack, that we won't stop running. That runners have an unspoken solidarity with eachother. That even if you don't know that runner passing you on a trail, you wave, smile & feel like they are family. The cowards did not break our Amercian spirit. Instead just like 9-11 it only brought out the best in our country. It reminded us that in the darkest moments of American history there are true heroes willing to step up & help.

Rucking 26.2 miles into hell: A hero's story

wear blue:run to remember - In the wake of a tragedy

That a widow who was running in memory of her husband was there in the midst of chaos can write so eloquently of how her spirit is not broken.

"For me, a girl who was invited to run to honour her soldier who was taken by another terrorist on 27 April 2011, it threw me back into a spot where I immediately felt out of control, that my life was being torn apart, and I stood immobilized sobbing for again the terrorist sought to take yet another thing that matters in my life."

Today, I was running the Boston Marathon. I was the cheerful girl zipping through the marathon with a swish of her red polka dotted skirt and a huge smile on her face. I ribbed the army people working the course with my call out, "Air Power." I stopped twice to use the potty and I was but a quarter mile from the end when I heard a loud boom, felt the street shake, and started to smell a smell I never smelled before. All hell broke loose. People were screaming and sprinting away from the finish line. The race immediately ended. For me, a girl who was invited to run to honour her soldier who was taken by another terrorist on 27 April 2011, it threw me back into a spot where I immediately felt out of control, that my life was being torn apart, and I stood immobilized sobbing for again the terrorist sought to take yet another thing that matters in my life.

I find joy in running and I have grabbed my life back by running. It is the singular aspect of my life that allows me to find my faith and to find happiness. I am sitting in total disbelief. How could it be that two potty breaks saved me today? How can it be that as I was running to snub my nose at the terrorist that took Phil, another sought to destroy the hard fought for happiness I have found. It cannot end this way. I am shaking and I am physically ill tonight, but I will pick myself up one faltering step at a time until I can run victorious once again. I cannot let these vile monsters create any more fear in my life. I just can't.

There were heroes today. I met a man who was an instructor at my training these past weeks. He brought his family and found me. He got me back to my hotel. A nurse sat with me as I sobbed my eyes out and shook violently in the Dunkin Doughnuts store. So many people called me. My phone did not have reception, yet the singular two phone calls that got through were phone calls from people who came to get me. My children were terrified and that is what hurts. This event brought fear back into my family--fear of loss and fear of violent acts. How can I fix the hurts in my children when I am right there? I ask for prayers and I ask for some time to process this event. I will find the strength that I fall into with my faith. The terrorist will never EVER maim my heart, my spirit, or my drive to live life out loud. Got that?

author:  Linda Leonard Ambard

The cowards could not have anticipated the out pouring of human kindness, all though they should have if they can remember 9-11 at all. 

I was honored to run in blue for Boston today. I was joined by some amazing friends & all over the globe as others laced up to run today. We will not stop running if anything it makes me a lot more excited for my first half-marathon in June. It makes me want to train harder to finish. I will continue to pray for all those in Boston tonight that lost loved ones or have injured family members. I will keep running will you?

Balto Does Vegas

 Balto, my best friend Sam, & I all left last Wednesday for Las Vegas Nevada. We were going to take Balto to his trainer & puppy raisers to live for the next 6 to 9 months. It was a lot of fun & a lot of work. Balto did great on the plane ride & the flight attendants all wanted pictures. We arrived and he was a bit stressed over all the foot traffic but it was perfect for training. Training is what he & I did- a lot! Stephanie our trainer had us shopping on the strip, riding escalators, & eating at restaurants. Balto took it all in stride & was pretty worn out at the end of most days.

Yes he slept on the bed with me & snored! But when I got sick one afternoon he snuggled up and made me feel better. He deserved to be pampered before heading into bootcamp.

Here are a few pictures from training at an open air mall with Freedom . Balto also recieved his new Michael's Angel Paws 
training vest. 

We also had a fan from our Facebook page  Jeremy's Journey  

take the time to come meet Balto. Thank You Sandy it was nice to meet you & put a face with the name.

 After two days of long training & evaluations it was time to take Balto to meet his new puppy raisers. His temporary parents are so nice & were so excited to welcome him into their home. They really put me at ease & Balto took no time at all showing off for them. He jumped right into their pool taking his first swim ever!

He Loved the Pool!

He then loved meeting his new fur friends & playing in the yard.

I gave a few parting kisses & he kissed me back in true Balto fashion.

Then I left trying not to cry. I made it to the hotel before a few tears slid out of my eyes. But I knew / know he is in great hands with Stephanie. I know that the puppy raisers want him there and are excited to help our family out with training. This helps me a lot. Balto will continue his journey as a SDIT until he comes home to Jeremy. We will see him in 10 weeks & we are already counting down the days.

Now to share some fabulous pictures our friend's son came & took for us before he left. I knew when Balto returned the cute puppy phase would be over so I wanted it all caught on camera .

Joseph Currall Photography  

Took these amazing pictures that melt my heart everytime I look at them. We are so blessed to have friends with such amazing talent.

I Spoke to Soon

It's really kind of amusing in a weird it's normal to me kind of way. Last week like a ding-dong I did the math & realized out loud that Paul had been home 9 months with no orders to deploy from the Army for the first time EVER in 6 years. I remember looking at Paul & smiling thinking "wow we may actually be done with year long separations. You might be able to just ride out the last year of the Army at home with the family." Yeah I should have kept all these thoughts to myself in my own brain. I spoke them out loud for the universe to hear . Mostly for the Army DA Gods to hear & say to themselves "OOOPPPS, how did we miss this soldier, he should be on orders already we are slacking!".

Paul did have orders come down to head to West Point to teach for two years. I would have loved to move like four years ago. But now with our oldest about to start his junior year of high school it was not a good idea. Not to mention that once again they did not have the medical we need for Jeremy's EFMP packet. A call was made by Paul, & DA said we will look into getting those deleted. We didn't think about it again assuming he was good to stay at JBLM. Then Monday morning he get's to his office turns on his computer to log in & find a nice email from DA. Your right MSG your family can't go to West Point the orders are deleted. BUT you can GO unaccompanied to x, y, or Z for twelve months you choose ASAP or the Army will choose for you. Have a great week, hope to hear from you soon. So yes folks once again we are on orders for the husband to leave, no time frame yet, but once again we didn't make it a year with him at home.

Now the truly bizarre part is when he called me I didn't bat an eye or shed a tear. I thought well this is normal & I'm okay with this again. I think my body no longer register's it means a year of single parenting again with all that can go wrong happening. I honestly think my body & mind have a built in system now that just goes with the flow. Sounds crazy to a lot of people I'm sure. But this has been my families normal going on seven years now. Paul home a year then gone a year. I think also it helps knowing we can pick were he chooses to spend the year & it's not in a war zone. He was really upset & retirement was tossed around again. I let him know I would support whatever decision but we are just so nervous about him getting out & there not being a job. He hasn't had the luxury of completing any college because well he was at war for the past few years been a little busy staying alive. He was told he could complete a year's worth of school while he was gone this time. I guess they are giving the college back to our soldiers. It should have never been taken away but that is a whole different post. 

So were you may ask did we decide? The husband will be taking a tour of Egypt folks for a year. Time to leave is still to be determined. he will call DA this morning & pray they keep their word of letting him pick. He really was not to keen on going to Korea- can you blame him? He will get two times he can take leave so we hope to either fly to meet him somewhere do a family vacation or he will come home. We will see how his morale is & what he thinks he needs most. The boys aren't even phased, just like me this is their normal now. We do hope this is it, that once he can complete some college over there he can come home & retire. He is not interested in doing sergeant major as that would mean another year long school away from the family. Please keep us in prayer as we adjust to all that him leaving will entail again. As soon as we get dates I think reality will sink in for us all as a family. But hey I can do this & like I told my mom. You all bought a house right down the street from us, I'll just go live there for a year & she can move in with the boys-HA! 

Now to read up about Egypt and were he is off to on his next Army adventure.

This is what I picture in my head. But this is what we looked up as well.

I want to go visit if we can go to the location of this picture.

When the Army promised my husband he would "See the World" they certainly didn't lie on that one promise they made to him.