Fairhaven 15K Therapy...

A few weeks ago I was having one of my more recent moments of being emotionally unstable due to life and all that's happening in the present. I'm not ashamed to say that I have minutes (sometimes hours) where the tears have no shut off switch and the desperate pleas with God for health seem more like yelps for help. 

With Tim's job, come weekends or evenings of tag along dates that usually end up with me enjoying a five star meal or solid nights rest with no midnight wake-up calls. (If you're in the Seattle area, I recommend eating at Barolo's...best meal I've ever had...and that's saying alot as it was rabbit!)  Lately, we've been able to have two overnight weekends in Seattle where I've been able to recharge my batteries, catch up on sleep, regain my bearings and do some much needed ME retail therapy. It's been years since I went shopping for me and not for the other four in the house. Yes, I did strike some clearance sales for the kids but I'm dutch and saw a good deal that I couldn't pass up. It was on the way home where Tim politely spoke up and had asked in the most kind, sensitive way if I could find a new therapy. 

"I think we need to find you a new therapy that's not so expensive. Maybe you could take up reading the Bible or running?" 

In the moment, I laughed. I needed too. But in all honesty, running has been a form of therapy for me and it's becoming addictive too. Yes, it has it's wears and tears on my body and geriatric knees that follow, but it is mind-over-matter that can be challenged and pushed through when the adrenaline kicks in and the gun goes off. My girlfriend Jackie and I have been running distance together, chatting up the county roads and at moments searching for a random farm outhouse in case of desperate needs to pee. We laugh, cry, pray, and find it refreshing when we can find a sitter for the kids and push through ten miles. Last weekend we ran from Lynden to the foothills and even snagged some water from the Everson 10K! It's rewarding to accomplish 11.5 miles and the therapy is free...most of the time. 

Yesterday was one of those moments where I could hear the feet moving, find steady breathing, smell the bay, and hear the final cheers feet from the finish line. Fairhaven Waterfront 15K was the therapy Tim was looking for when asked to find a new therapy. 

The kids, Tim, and my parents were there at the finish line to cheer me on and give me sweaty hugs in the end. I love being able to show our kids healthy activities and to experience the excitement in a race. Two weeks until the half marathon...I'm ready. 

{ Melissa, Jackie, and Myself }

{ Thank you Jessica for helping rid the knots and working the IT band massage on Friday. I was as loose as a goose and felt great }

{ My Hero won't be able to be there at the 1/2 marathon so she sent me flowers to greet me at the finish line with my banana lovin' baby }

{ Jackie, Melissa, Myself, & Jenna }

This was a gorgeous race (if the fog lifted) along the bay and Boulevard Park. My knee had some moments thinking it would give out on me but I forced through the pain in the end and reminded myself that My Hero can do years of treatments...

keep running sis. 

Nine Years of Blessings

Nine years ago, Tim and I became first time parents to the text book child. 

Addison Jean Broersma

She came after 22 hours of labor, 4 hours of pushing, and then followed with an emergency C-section at 2:22am on a Monday early morning. We were beyond thrilled to finally meet our daughter and were ready to show her off to our families. Addi was a perfect baby and has has always been the one to give me the least amount of grief! She is diligent in her studies, loves to read, loves her family, cares about others and how her decision making effects them, enjoys her girlfriends and always wants more play dates. She is into zebra everything, loves purple, pink, and red, and could eat spaghetti with butter and parmesan at any given moment. Still very much into grooming horses, is an amazing artist, and has her mothers passion for retail therapy. Swims like a fish and LOVES her siblings and her LEGO friends. Addison has been an absolute joy to parent and we are so thrilled to see God work in her life. 

Yesterday we were able to celebrate Addison with her friend party and family in the evening! Here are a few pictures from the day of parties. 

{ These little ladies have been HUGE blessings to our daughter. We praise Jesus for giving Sweets such amazing girlfriends who love Jesus and strive to be their best. }

 { The Pinterest attempt at making zebra stripped cupcakes and homemade frosting... }

 { candy nuggets...not poo }

{ Pure joy shining through }

{ Missing Genevieve but surrounded by girlie goodness }

 { funny }

The reality of it is, is that there is no stopping Addison from growing up. The emotional highs and lows have started and I'm sure it's only the beginning to the awkward years that follow. There is more concern about what we wear and the need to do things on our own is at its highest ever. I can no longer do "cute" hair do's unless asked or suggested from increased remarks to do something other than that what was already done. The stylist in me goes crazy some days! We limit the trips and outfits from Justice as I just can't stand the bedazzled look on some tops or the writing on the bottoms. From then until now has had many memories filled with so many levels of adorableness and complete innocence from the true gift from God. Addison has brought us tears of joy as she triumphed over silence to victory in her studies. We are excited to see her spiritual gifting in compassion and serving already experience itself in many ways through friendships and family, but also in blessing strangers. God has BIG plans for this beauty and as much as I want to freeze time I'm beyond excited to watch God grow and develop His little child. Tim and I are so blessed to have had 9 years with our Sweets and can't wait for many many more! Happy Birthday Miss Addi Jean!

...really...the rabbit cage?

There are moments in life where words will never out-live a picture. Today God blessed me with one of those moments...

Poor Sandy was a little traumatized but survived the ordeal of a human being in her domain. Yes, this human being was trying to climb up the ramp to get to where all the Sandy pellets are, but was caught mid-climb. A thorough, disinfectant bath was executed after removal of such little person from the cage.  New locks will be purchased tomorrow to prevent such disasters from ever happening again. 

My Model Moment: Here for a few hours then gone in a flash.

I must say...being a model is... FUN! Melissa and I were asked to play around for an evening pretending to be women from the 1940's. I was told to play the villain and Melissa the sweet one. (this may come as a surprise to some but we believe the roles were reversed!) I'm not sure I've taken very many serious pictures, but as my Honey has said, "YOU LOOK MEAN!" I guess that means, job well done?

At first we thought we'd shop Value Village and our grandma's closets for anything remotely close to this era. We came up empty handed which resulted in Cheek's retail store in Lynden providing us each with 4 complete outfits we came to love and envy. One of my stylists that used to work for me when we owned the salon provided 40's hair and make-up from her team at Northwest Hair Design. Mandi and Briana did an amazing job making us mommies feel like a million dollars and took us from sweat pants to hot pants in an instant. I can't say I'd wear red lipstick again in my life but it sure made me aware of everything they touched as my lips were pink for a day after. 

So on to Fairhaven we hot mama's went with our daughters in tow as we played models for the evening. Addison thought it was quite hilarious as she was the one in charge of holding the blanket up between the car doors to prevent hot shots in the parking lots. And sure enough, as we went from one outfit to another and changed from one pair of heels to the next, our inner model-wanna-be person came out with flair! 

Michelle Rainey from R5 Images was wonderful to play around and snap with as she too enjoyed the evening getting what she had wanted to do for awhile. Oh, she got her 1940's fashion shoot...and then some. Even if she never did anything with these photos, Melissa and I gained a memorable experience of playing model for a few hours. With many laughs between outfit changes, mommy stories told, little girls laughing, and feeling gorgeous for the night...it was all an experience well worth the time to prepare. I believe every mommy ought to have her model moment. A moment where the sweat pants vanish, hats tossed out, slow motions played so nothing gets out of place or falsies lost. Heaven's to Betsy we lose an eyelash! 

Now, I must tell you that Cheek's now has access to use any or all photos for

marketing techniques which means future embarrassment may be coming soon to a shopping cart near you.  Winco came at the right time as I will now be shopping Bellingham until someone's face disappears from the bucket that holds the nourishment for my family. I'm just not sure I can shop facing myself...

 { Sweet Melissa & Meanie Pants Steph }

{ Never in my life have I worn such nice clothing or been so concerned about getting them dirty }

 { Thanks to my awesome friend and birthday timing, this dress now resides in my closest }

So there you have it...a brief glimpse into my model moment. And like a true model we rewarded ourselves with greasy, calorie free Bob's burgers at 9:30pm as we somehow forgot to eat dinner. It was well worth it and not a fry left to steal! 

Make sure to check out R5 Images on Facebook!

Also, if you need any clothing or jewelry go to Cheek's on 3rd Street and ask for Laura...she's amazing! One look at you and she'll pull jeans that will fit perfectly and will have you smiling within minutes of wearing them. Tops, dresses, and shoes too!

And any hair needs go to Northwest Hair Design on Front Street: ask for Mandi or Briana!