15 Years

Yesterday, was Norm's & my 15th Wedding Anniversary. It's hard to believe that what seems like so much time has gone by since we were married. We have grown so much in so many ways since we met and married at a young age. I thought I'd reminisce by posting a few pictures of our life together.

The night we met: May 18, 1994
(our friend must have had a premonition to take a picture of us together) About a month later when we were engaged

Wedding Day: August 13, 1994
(look at how young we were!)

August 1999: 5 years later
(our first home)

Norm running the Tucson Marathon & me very pregnant

Cory (age 3) and newborn Andrew

August 2004: 10 yrs later
Cory's baptism

The extended family at Cory's baptism
(little Rachel up front in her pink dress)

August 2008
Celebrating our 15th a year early in Hawaii
(Norm & I really need to get an updated picture together)

We've had our ups and downs, but overall it's been a wonderful 15 years and I'm looking forward to the many more years we have to spend together.

First Day of School

The kids started school yesterday (I guess I'm a bad mom since it took me until this morning to post this, unlike all my friends). They were all very excited about the new year and new teachers. They each got a few new items of clothing for the year. I was most surprised at how much Andrew and Rachel had grown since last year. I'm excited to find out at what age each of them grows tall enough to look me in the eye.

Brothers

Rachel: 2nd Grade, Ms. Strosin

Andrew: 4th Grade, Mrs. Samuelsen

Cory: 8th Grade (am I really that old??)

Everyone got new shoes

It will be fun to see what this new year brings. Cory has the opportunity to go on an 8th grade trip to either DC or Florida and was excited that he tested into Algebra (he'll be starting on his high school transcript). Andrew has the opportunity to go to the Grand Canyon and I'm hoping to go along with him (overnight bus ride and all - I already have my custom ear plugs). Rachel is just excited to be in second grade and told me that she's going to be hatching butterflies this year.

Summer Lake Fun (and the drive home)

We spent Tuesday through Saturday at Apache Lake. On Tuesday we arrived in time to set up camp and relax for a bit before darkness fell. Wednesday we were up pretty early, ate a quick breakfast and headed out on the boat. Cory took the first try on the wakeboard, didn't get up, but maybe another time. Andrew seems to be a natural on the wakeboard. No effort needed to pop his little body out of the water. He likes to one hand it and still is learning how to control the board. He rides "goofy-foot" like his dad (left foot forward instead of right- his dominant). Rachel goes next and is a bit excited/scared. She needed my help in the water to get set up. She pops right up like Andrew, but isn't ready to stand up so she just squats her entire ride. I take a turn and was very happy to get up on my first try (I think I'm finally getting the hang of it after 3 seasons). My goal this trip is to get myself back into the wake since I can get out just fine. Didn't get up the courage to do it on Wednesday, will try again Thursday. The rest of the day was spent avoiding the heat/sun in the shade and water and doing some tubing.

Thursday we slept in a bit, but still got up earlier than most of the boats. Rachel and Andrew joined us in the morning (Cory prepped for almost being a teenager by sleeping in). Norm got the first run on the glassy lake. I went next, took a good faceplant spill when I caught my edge. It took me a few minutes to recover, but I went at it again. I got the courage to take on the wake and got in, but couldn't keep my balance and crashed. One more run, but no wake this time, I quit on my own time. Rachel decided she wasn't up for wakeboarding, but Andrew jumped right in. He had a few good runs and is attempting to go out of the wake without falling. Finally we headed back to camp to find Cory up and wondering if his family was ever coming back for him. We picked up Cory and headed over to the marina to pick up some ice and treats for the kids (Andrew had earned his by wakeboarding). Cory and Rachel eventually earned theirs by giving the wakeboard another try. Cory took a turn on the skis- his personal favorite. He smiles the entire time he's out there. The Smith family had arrived during Tuesday night and that afternoon the kids had a fun time hanging out in the water with them. More tubing in the afternoon and I think Norm got in a few more runs on the wakeboard himself too.

Friday we slept in really late. More wakeboarding for Andrew, Norm, and I. I even crossed back into the wake without crashing- YEAH! Tubing for all. A nice day overall- a bit overcast in the am, but it didn't last. That afternoon we spent with the Smiths at a nice shady cove to beat the heat. Dinner and bed. Very hot that night- it really didn't cool off much like the last few nights.

Saturday's plan was to get up early, wakeboard a bit, then head back to pack up camp and leave before the serious heat. Norm got his runs in. Andrew went too. I went and got up the courage to try crossing back into the wake again. I did it a few times, then figured that I should be able to cross out the other side and did it without crashing my first try! I did the whole thing a few more times just to make sure it wasn't just luck. Happily it wasn't. I'm hoping that our next trip I can still do it and keep improving. After Rachel and Cory decided that they didn't want to wakeboard or ski, we headed back to pack up camp. Did a quick job and headed home. Little did we know what adventure lay in wait for us

Just outside of Superior, AZ one of the tires on our boat trailer blew out. No problem, we have a spare, right? Well, it was flat, so after unhitching the boat, we head back to Globe where we (when I say we, I mean Norm- All thanks go to him for being out in the hot sun working hard) fill the spare and head back. After getting the spare put on, we're on our way again. A few minutes later (about 5-6 miles) the spare blows too! What to do- the Jeep spare wouldn't fit or we would've used it. Thanks to having some survice on my cell phone and internet we find out that the closest tire repair store is in Apache Junction. We unhitch the boat again and head out. Got to the tire center just about 2pm and I noticed that they were bringing in their display tires- are they closing?? Luckily the manager was happy to take our $$ in exchange for 2 new tires & one new wheel. I think the employees worked double time so that they could get out of there for the day (they were closing up when we pulled in). Got some lunch for the family and headed back to the boat. Norm sets to work chaning out the tire again. Just as he's about done a highway patrolman stops to help. The patrolman surpervises and Norm finishes the job. We arrive home safe and sound 8 hours later. 4 hours longer than the trip should've taken. Thankfully there were no injuries or damage (except for the tail light on the trailer that got busted by the first blow out).

(For pictures see Facebook- my battery died on Friday, so no pics of any of the Saturday fun)

Arizona Distance Classic

The kids & I before the race

Feeling tired going uphill

Getting some encouragement from Rachel

My race number & medal

I ran a half marathon this morning. When I started running again last summer, I had a goal to be able to run a half marathon by the end of a year. It was a very hilly course and the last few miles were tough, but I finished in about 2 1/2 hours, which is the time I expected to run it in. Next year, my goal is to shave 15 minutes of my time. (Yes, I'm going to do it again)

A New School Semester

I was able to work today at the U of A Adult Hearing Clinic fitting hearing aids. It was my second time working at the clinic and as such I was a bit nervous. My supervisor (Dr. Muller) was nice enough to let me do some things hands on so that I could start the learning process.

I was also able to find out exactly what my spring semester schedule will look like. Dr. Muller let me know that I was selected at the only first year student to work 2 half days in the clinic. Usually first years start out working only 1 half day. It was a surprise to me and a great complement that they see that I have the desire and potential to take this on and do well. It will make my life a bit more busy than I had expected, but it will work out. All in all it ends up that I will be in class or clinic from 8 am to 6:15 pm on Mondays & Wednesdays and from 12:30 pm to 6 pm on Fridays. My Mondays & Wednesdays will be a bear, but it will be nice to have Tuesday & Thursdays free. Wish me luck.

New Year's Resolutions

I've never been a big fan of New Year's resolutions because I always end up failing miserably (in my own opinion). When I've made a list, it always consists of the regular goals. You know: prayer & scripture study (personal, family, spouse), weekly FHE, exercise, becoming more organized, creating a perfect family atmosphere (no yelling, staying calm, etc.) What generally ends up happening is that I begin to feel like a failure, not good for my self perception (something I've always struggled with) I'm a perfectionist & not very good at it. I really hate to not do great at things and let others or myself down (in my view). As I've grown older and matured some (I still feel like that awkward teen looking for acceptance more often than not) I'm beginning to realize that although perfection may be a goal, it limits me in enjoying my life.

I am not a naturally organized person (just ask my mom what my room looked like as a child/teen) and it takes an aweful lot of effort to keep as (dis)organized as I am now. Clearing out clutter that has accumulated in our home brings me satisfaction, but I'll never be one of those who has "a place for everything & everything in its place" (much to Norm's shagrin) and I'm ok with that. So, my organization goal for this year is to go through every room at least once during the year and declutter. It shouldn't be too bad since I've already gotten started.

We've always struggled as a family with daily scripture study. Over the last month we've instituted a read one chapter a night after dinner and it seems to be working well for us. I found out that at the churchwide youth program last night that the youth were challenged to read from their scriptures for just 5 minutes a day. I have decided to take on that challenge myself as well. I will be able to find 5 minutes in my busy schedule for individual scripture study.

Lastly, I made a goal when I started grad school to exercise regularly during the semester and made the commitment to fulfill it. I figured that since I had begun to enjoy running that I'd make it my goal to be able to run the 3 mile loop around my neighborhood by the end of the year. Thanks to my running buddies I've met this goal and feel good enough about my running skills to sign up for my second half-marathon (I completed my first in 2004). I'll be running it at the end of March. My goal it to end the year feeling healthier (and to run the 8 mile Saguaro Nat'l Park Labor Day run). I'd also be happy with carrying around ten less pounds as well.

So, my main point to all this is that making resolutions/goals isn't a bad thing. I've just learned that I need to make sure that mine are realistic for me.

Musings

It's been quite some time since I last posted anything to my blog and being that I've woken up earlier than I needed to this morning & can't fall back asleep, I thought to myself, "Why not post something?"

So, what has happened in the last month or so at the Trepanier household. Let me make a list:

Thanksgiving with the Thornton's (Robert, Kassie, Alanna, Kellen, & Elsa) and Grant & Estelle at our home. - one sibling shy of half the Harward clan

Norm got fed up with our main computer running so slow & cleaned it up by erasing the drive and starting over.

I got the facebook virus on my computer (I blame lack of sleep due to school for my misjudgement) and had to reset it as well (I still haven't put all my data back on)

Rachel got her new glasses & looks very cute in them (I wll post pictures as soon as I remember to take one. We have also forgotten to put them on before she heads to school quite a few times. I'm just not used to thinking of her with them & she gets a bit annoyed with having to wear them. That's my lil' spitfire.)

We finally got our Christmas tree set up and decorated on the 8th. (Thanksgiving was too late this year. Cory did a fabulous job of putting our artificial tree together. He took over since exams were keeping me busy)

Cory visited the orthodontist & we found that at some point in the next few years, he'll be needing braces, not just yet.

Andrew turned 9 and made some serious cash. (It's been burning a hole in his pocket ever since. I really need to get him to the bank. I also just realized last night that he would be turning 10 next year! He'll be entering double digit territory. What happened to my little 5lb 13 oz-er? Why can't they grow up a bit more slowly?)

I studied, reviewed, & crammed for my last exams & finals and finished my first semester of graduate school. (I passed them all, some with flying colors, others by the skin of my teeth. All my hard work throughout the semester paid off with "A"s across the board. 1 down, 7 to go Really, 1 down 5 to go since we don't have any exams/finals during our externship year)

Norm enjoyed three days of vacation while I was busy with finals & the kids were still in school. (He really loved the time to himself)

Norm & I went Christmas shopping a few times while leaving Cory at home in charge. (I'm loving having an in house babysitter. The house hasn't burned down yet ;)

I got to work in the UA hearing clinic for the first time and didn't mess anything up. (Dr. Hesse was right there to guide me which helped. I'm offering to test anyone's hearing to keep my "skills" up over the break)

Norm has been working on his ManDen. (I'll take some more pics & post them to facebook)

Norm patched our living room ceiling. (I'm considering finishing my downstairs paint job over my winter break now that it's repaired. If you don't know why it needed to be patched, ask me & I'll tell you the story)

I believe that brings me about up to date on my blog. With the new year approaching I'll attempt to be better about posting things, but I'm not making any promises.