This past year has been a very momentous one for me, both personally and professionally. My baby started preschool this year (yep, tears were shed) and my oldest made his way into first grade. I am stunned that they have grown so much (see previous part about this awful phenomenon) but so proud of the little people they are becoming (ok, not always so proud...but mostly).
I graduated college with my Bachelor of Science in Nursing. This was a very long, hard road and it was so rewarding to finally reach the end of it. I also marked my first anniversary as a nurse in the medical intensive care unit. I am blessed with an amazing job that I am thankful for everyday. I am also constantly reminded about how little I know and how much there is to learn. But on the same token, everyday is a little better and I am putting the pieces together more and more...it is a constant learning experience for me...and I adore it.
I completed my first half ironman (what about half of this blog is about!) and was able to make another check mark on the long theoretical "bucket list" of my life. Although I won't attempt this again for a few years, I will definitely be back and will go beyond this to do an Ironman someday...ahh and the "bucket list" always seems to grow. But I did qualify for age group nationals recently and am very proud of that accomplishment as well...Vermont here I come!
2010 also marked the year I started with my amazing coach Bryan Hill of Catalyst Endurance Coaching. I had always considered myself competitive but Bryan has brought out the true competitor in me...and she is ready for some bling...so 2011 better bring it...cause I'm ready.
There have been so many other wonderful moments of 2010 that I wish I could remember...there are also other moments I wish I could forget. Like anyone I have had my ups and downs...if you know me you were probably there and I must thank you for the support and love and help to get through it all. But mostly I am just grateful to have had another year doing what I love and loving what I do. I am surrounded with love, life, and people who mean the world to me.
As 2011 comes around in a few short hours I will start it off with a bang and cross yet another activity off my proverbial list by completing a century tomorrow morning. There will be no medal at the end, only the sense of accomplishment I always get from doing something I once thought impossible. But the best part is that I will be doing the distance with people I hold very close to my heart...it will be epic...and painful! I have many goals this year...but those will come and go and at the end of the day all I will be left with is myself, my family, and my friends...those things never change. I will keep my eyes on the prize but I will also not forget to stop and smell the roses (I'm really digging the proverbs right now!)...like one of George Strait's new songs says:
Life's not the breaths you take
The breathing in and out
That gets you through the day
Ain't what it's all about
You just might miss the point
Trying to win the race
Life's not the breath you take
But the moments that take your breath away
Although I will be trying to win the race (some of them in my age group anyway)...I won't forget to remember what is really important in my life.
I am so grateful for the year that has gone by and exceedingly hopeful for the year about to come...may it bring joy, peace, and love to my family and those I love...see you next year!
