What else has been going on?

Other than our trip to Whibey 3 weeks ago, we also drove to Montana last weekend for a wedding on Saturday night. It was a great trip of visiting friends in Spokane, short visit with some of my family in Montana and LOTS of driving. But totally worth it! We had a great time together and enjoyed hanging out so much. 

Mark's every-other-Friday's-off have also started. So far we've spent 2 of the 3 on road trips (Whidbey and Montana). Right now Mark is up in Seattle for an overnight trip to do some recruiting for work at his old school. 

Me? I'm working on some weddings. I have one tomorrow (rehearsal tonight), another in 2 weeks, and another 2 weeks after that. And of course, my day job. My weekend calendar for the summer is quickly filling up! I've also enjoyed lots of lunch dates with friends. 

While Mark is gone yesterday and today, I'm holding down the fort with Lucy, my cousin's dog that we're dog-sitting for a week. She's a super cute labradoodle. We're having a good time together, except her desire to get me up at 6:30 this morning. But after we went out for her to "do her business", we managed to squeeze out another 1.5 hours of sleep, that was fantastic! Although I can't believe how much I miss my husband in just one day!! Makes me wonder how I get through those 2+ weeks trips!!

Now you are mostly up to date ;) I'm going to go shower before lunch with a friend and then the wedding rehearsal tonight. Speaking of which, the rehearsal should be VERY interesting! It's a wedding for an Ethiopian couple. There's quite the cultural barrier when it comes to the type of ceremony and even some random things like what a prelude is. In addition to that, things aren't really done ahead of time or on time and I can't pronounce anyone's names! I've been half dreading it for a couple weeks but after a good reprimand (done in love ;) from my running partner yesterday morning that this couple deserves a special day as well (even if they don't do things the way I think they should be done), I had a quick conversation with the groom this morning and am feeling more ready to "wing it" tonight. I can see how when I'm doing weddings it will be hard to remember that this is their ONE big day when for me it's one of 10 weddings on my calendar. 

Half Marathon... almost 3 weeks ago

Yes, I realize I haven't blogged in FOREVER. Honestly, I'm drawing a blank when it comes to blogging. 

Almost 3 weeks ago we drove to Whidbey Island for what has become our annual Whidbey Island Half Marathon race. It's a fun one to start the year with because it's a nice course and my my Mom has been able to make it make the drive for the second year. She brought her running partner from Montana and I brought mine from Portland. 

It was, unfortunately, our slowest time ever for a half marathon (at least for Trisha and me), but it was a fun way to start the running year. We really hadn't trained very well so knew it wouldn't be our best.

And of course we always have a great time with Mark's parents! It's always fun and relaxing to go up there. 

Mark and me before the race. He's my wonderful support system and was the one to get up early and drop us all off at the start line. He always thinks about stuff I'll need, like snacks, water, extra clothes. He's super wonderful!

From L to R: Krista (Mom's running partner), Mom, me, Trisha (my running partner). Before the race. It was a chilly morning, but got beautifully sunny during the morning.

Mom and Krista running past Mark's parent's driveway (I don't have a good one of Trisha and I). It's cool because the route takes us right past their place, twice, because it was an out and back. Mark had water for us and even some cut up bite-sized homemade energy bars his mom had for us. 
Finished!! It's always great to get the first race of the year done. Being half marathon trained (even if it's not very well) by March is nice. 

After the race we went back to Jack and Jean's and had homemade scones and fruit. It was a YUMMY way to end the race!! Because Montana was having snow storms that day mom and Krista had a slow drive back and did some shopping and stayed the night in Spokane while Mark, Peter, Trisha, and I headed back later that afternoon.