Spring? Yes. But it Doesn't Look Like it.

Winter is in the past but the scenery is still in winter mode.  But its looking better (melting) but not feeling like it (freezing temps).  We have 2 races down for this year, the Frozen 5K and the Red Beard 7K run, in which Isaac medaled again in both.  2nd place for the Frozen and 3rd for the Red Beard.  Next race of the series is Memorial Day so we have quite a break, but B and I have our 2nd Half on April 20th though.  The Earth Day Run in St Cloud (SCSU). Now Mother Nature better get her act together before then.

Talking about a bad winter, the boys now have school til the 7th of June...so far.  Like I said, Mother Nature better get her act together cause we don't need no more make up days.  Teachers are even moaning.

Happy New Year! Day 1 of 2013

Its a new year, so new goals are set! 
*Im shooting for running 1000+ miles.  6 down and 994 to go.  Im keeping record this time and would have LOVED to know how many miles Ive done in the last year.  I know how many Ive done with the Nike+ Sportswatch, but Ive done more on the treadmill, and that doesn't keep track.
*Half Marathon #2.  April 20th.  Earth Day Run (St. Cloud-SCSU).
*Work on strength because I can't even do 1 measly pushup...the real ones, not the girly ones.   
*Isaac is shooting for a 10K.
*And someone is going to move to the downstairs bedroom.  Its either one of the boys or us.  Im thinking us.

Running 2012, Complete

We have crossed the finish line.  Running 2012, Complete. No more races left til the New Year (January 19th, the day after Carson's 7th Birthday). We've done 5K's, 10K's, and even a Half Marathon ALL in 2012. From not being a runner at all to being a Marathoner.  Hard work and dedication takes you places where you thought you'd never go. And it all started with a treadmill purchase and the Couch-to-5K training program back in January. Running also showed a health issue to my heart (higher than normal extra beats and that it starts off too fast when active, recovers well though) but it also helped my knees from Plica pain (though I still can't do lunges or squats).     

Proud to see where we 3 stand in the in the Glacial Lakes Championship Running Series standings, even though I have no clue on how it works and really don't care to know either. We just run the local races, who knew there were this many, and have fun doing so, no matter how fast (Isaac)/slow (Me) one goes. Isaac (age 10 and under) placed 6th out of 28 with starting the series in August. I took 8th of 152 (age 30-34) and Brandon took 5th of 86 (age 30-34) with us both starting the series in May. *Note we also ran some races separate from the series as well, which include our very first 5K run (Mental Health 5K), the Stingers 5K, and our Half.

Since 2012 was about running and getting the distance, 2013 will be the year of strength.  This lady can't do 1 real pushup.  Nuff said!

Happy Holidays from the Eichhorsts!!!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Photo Card

View the entire collection of cards.

Half-Marathon COMPLETE. Mission Accomplished.

My ultimate goal since starting running back in January was to run a half-marathon.  I already achieved my short goal of 5K's and long term goal of 10K's and everything inbetween, which Ive always wanted to do, so I upped the anti, and signed us both up for the Graniteman, which was held in Sauk Rapids (St. Cloud area) this past weekend, Sept 8th.  The start of the race was a chilly 43 degrees (my hands/wrists, arms and legs were still numb halfway through) but ended in the 60's.  Yes, ended.  We survived it.  Official time was 2:17:15 and was good enough for Team Eichhorst to place 3rd in our division.  It was an amazing experience, including cheering squads, motivational signs, honks, cow bells, and high 5's along the way from complete strangers and kids.  Rush after rush after rush. What a high.  If we can do it, anyone can.  So anyone who has thought about running, do it...tie those shoelaces up because you'll never reget it. Aim high.  Sign up way in advance, nothing motivates you more.  The training sucks every ounce out of you but is totally worth it at the end (not to mention losing 20lbs while at it).  Not many people in the world that can say "I finished a half-marathon" or "a marathon", and I can proudly say that we have... and are now part of those elite groups. Mission Accomplished!
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And if the race that you're running have Pacers, don't be afraid to join in a group.  They are well trained accomplished marathoners who help you stay on pace or help you push yourself for better. They carry signs with the pace.  But they do go faster than the pace they have.  Minnesota has such a group called Minnesota Pacers Pace Team.

*Warning*...Be sure to look IN the cups at water stops along the way if your the kind of person who also pours water on your head to keep cool. You may end up with a Gatorade shower.  Stops carry BOTH Gatorade and water.  Listen wisely, cause I guess they ask which you want, which I was too busy listening to music and not them, so like any other race, I grabbed whatever I saw first.  Bad move. I poured Gatorade on me, thinking it was water.  But it was a great way to keep my mind off of running though...wondering where and what the fruity smell I kept smelling is coming from.    

Isaac's First 5 K Run... and More Race Ramblings

Isaac got Stung!  August 4th, Isaac ran his first ever 5K race (Stingers 5K Run).  He trained hard for it.  And results were awesome.  He clocked in his best time yet, 32:23.  Couldn't be more proud of the boy (how can't we when our first ever 5K run was in 38 min).  By the end of that evening, he decided he wanted to do more races.  So on the 25th, we 3 will 'Run Around Raymond'.

A week before the Stingers run, B and I ran a 10K (Pillsbury Push in Kerkhoven).  76 min.  That grass run (full of ruts), at mile 5, got me good (slowed down my time).  Surprised I didn't twist an ankle.

Now Sept 8th,  B and I are running a half-marathon...called the Graniteman.  Its out in Sauk Rapids (St. Cloud).  So wish us luck!!!

Summah Time!

Schools out for the summer as of May 31st at 3:05pm.  Seems like they just returned from winter break.  Carson is now a FIRST grader and Isaac is now a THIRD grader.  Kianna has 1 more year with me before she heads off to Kindergarten.
Their last day included some fun and laughs.  The whole Roosevelt student body and staff headed over to Bill Taunton Stadium to watch selected teachers/staff play a game kickball with the Stingers.  Roosevelt has this thing about playing kickball on the last day of school.  It was going on when I attended there and now they brought it to a whole new funner level.  At the end, the teacher won the 1st annual kickball extravaganza.  Now bring on the maddness of summer sports and camps.  Each kid, now including Kianna, will do 2 sports.  Isaac has Soccer Camp and Tennis Camp.  Carson has Soccer Camp and Gymnastics.  Kianna has T-ball and Gymnastics.  But no month will be as busy as May was for school activities/field trips and appts.  Glad to have May out of the way.  What a headache that month was.  Geesh! 

Some May Happenings....

Memorial Day/Law Day 5K was W-E-T!  It was delayed some due to lightening but was eventually held (still raining and 50-some degrees).  Since it downpoured for quite some time, the trails were flooded.  It took 3 days for my shoes to dry.  That was an edurance test right there as I don't do well in cold and wet (or hot and humid) conditions period, but we did it, in 37 min (beat other race time by a minute).  Finishing is what it is ALL about.  Time doesn't really matter.  But unfortunately, Isaac didn't get to do his half-mile run, but he has another chance this August for his 1K run.   

Stingers Opener. Its that time again.  Hot Dogs, Pop, and Popcorn....err...Ball games!  We attened the opener (again cold and later, wet) and Isaac got to be the Jakes Pizza Delivery Ball Boy, or the kid who brings out the ball to the mound at the beginning of the game.      

Couch-to-5K Success and more...

At the beginning of the year, we bought a treadmill.  We wanted to get more active and start train running and eventually run 5K's (3.1 miles) this coming spring/summer.  It all started with the Couch-to-5K program, 9 weeks of training, 3 days a week.  Ive actually succeeded in the Couch-to-10K program as well, 13 weeks of training 3 days a week (ran a 10K, 6.2 miles, only once, in 78 minutes flat).  My ultimate goal is running a half-marathon, 13.1 miles, but it seems slim recently due to some heart troubles Im having (heart starts off too fast and has more than normal extra beats to it so I have to take running slower than I was going but I can still run/jog).  Finding that came about when I passed out for no reason weeks ago.  Ive had blackouts/light headedness/numb/tingles only going from sitting to standing for YEARS, but never passing out.  Usually I could get myself out of the blackouts and such, but not that time.  I already knew I had low blood pressure as well.  It took a good 2 hours in the ER for the feeling and strength to come back to my limbs.  Days later, I got a Holter 24 hour ECG done (which found the extra beats), and also a Stress-Cardio (further testing-haven't heard back yet).  ANYWHO....           

On May 15th, Brandon and I decided LAST minute to run the Mental Health 5K Run/Walk.  It was our very first 5K race (it was actually 3.21 miles).  It was fun!  What a high!  And we now know what to expect and how the course is mapped and where to turn and cross and just the feel of the trails itself.  Highlights:  goose poop, the geese themselves (we got hissed at and followed!!!!), jumped over dead carp (HUGE!!!), and got barked/growled at by a dog that was jumping/hopping behind a fense that was ELECTRICAL along the top (the dog could easily jump over it though).  Anyways, we finished in at a little over 38 min.  Accomplishment a Success!!! 

Our next run is the Memorial Day/Law Day 5K Run/Walk.  And this time, Isaac is going to join in and do the kids half-mile run.  So far his best time for that is 6:38.  Also late this summer, he will also participate in a 1K kid race (.62 miles to be technical, but that particular run is .65 miles). 

Also... only 10 days of school left (not including weekends)!!!!  May 31st can't come soon enough!!!!!  I'll then have a 3rd grader and a 1st grader.  Next school year will be Kianna's last year of staying home before she heads off to Kinder.  I always say to people you really don't know how time flies, until you have kids.         

Let the Birthdays Begin... Happy 6th Birthday, Carson!!!

Carson is now 6 (and missing the 2 bottom front teeth too).  He brought cupcakes to school to share with his teacher and classmates and then for supper we had pizza (the boys turned in their free personal pan pizza-Book It-making everything cheaper, lol).  And of course there was cake.  Star Wars...he wanted Transformers or Power Rangers but they didn't have them, which I found strange and odd, but oh well.  He was okay with Star Wars.  Presents=DS games.  Obsession.  His drug.      

A not so Merry Christmas...but a Happy New Year

Unfortunately our Christmas wasn't so Merry.  The stomach virus invaded our house over Christmas so home was where we were at, up to our knees in vomit and diarrhea.  Lovely, huh.  But the kids really liked their presents...especially the DS's that the boys got.  Both nice and content making for a quiet house. So after that virus came and went, we were clear to enjoy the New Year.  And yes, both of us stayed up to see the New Year change over. 
Hopefully the really nice outfit and shoes I got Kianna specifically for Christmas, will fit on Easter.  Ironically last Easter I got Kianna a nice dress to wear but of course illness stopped that from happening too.      

Family Pictures 2011

It was that time of year again.  Family Pictures, with the in-laws.  12 total. 6 adults, 6 kids.  But here are some of our family. 

School Pictures

 Isaac, 7, 2nd Grade

Carson, 5, Kindergarten

Kids Update

School has been great for the kids.  Both like and enjoy it.  Carson comes home singing songs and telling what they did in gym.  He loves Tech days (computers). It was a rough beginning for Carson since early on he caught a week long high fever virus that was going rampage in his class (one day there was 6 kids absent).  He ended up with Pneumonia during that time too.  So far he has missed 6 days, 5 were of that time. The other was a Shriners appt.  He is excelling in all areas, first report card given. But the Art teacher gave him a bad report (3-not working to ability, or whatever 3 stands for) which looks silly and out of place on the report card.  Carson says he does the same as everyone else.  So who knows on that part. But we wish he would be the Carson in school, at home.  Still a tough stubborn boy at home.    

Isaac doing great too.  Same stuff told each year (a teachers dream to have, excells in Math and Reading but needs to slow down on his work...sounds familiar).  But for the first time since Kindergarten, he has missed a day of school.  A one time high fever morning with an upper respiratory virus....that too hit the kids recently (Bronchitis for Carson). His teacher had a rough start as well.  She missed the first 2+ weeks of school due to an illness that landed her in the hospital.  Thankfully they were given a sub that stayed with them til the regular teacher came back.
Kianna. Little Miss Attitude.  She looks like she could be in school (and she wishes).  She is as tall as the Kinder kids and wears the size of shoes they do (just a size down from Carson).  And to think she has got 2 more years before she starts.  There goes my gymnastic dreams for her...lol.  Basketball???  Volleyball???  Still hoping for gymnastics.  Oh yea, she recently learned how to write her name by herself.            

Summer is over...School is back in session

Summer vacation is OVER and School is now in session.  2 kids in school, leaving a quiet house for Kianna and I. 
On Sept 6th, Isaac went off to 2nd grade and on the 8th, Carson went off to Kindergarten.  Both like school and their teachers (Loge for Isaac and Otto for Carson)...and this mom likes the SILENCE in the house!!! 

*pictures to come later*

Another School Year Down

June 3rd marked the end of school year.  Isaac is now a 2nd grader and Carson is now a Kindergartner.  Come fall, we'll have 2 in school.  After a bad Kindergarten year attendance wise for Isaac (RSV, surgery, surgery complication 4 day hospitalization, week long high fever virus,...), he made it through all school year, this year, without missing any.  Perfect attendance for all of 1st grade. It was my goal for him, and he succeeded!  Now only if Carson could follow but that is never going to happen (its going to be one interesting year for him).

Happy Summer Vacation!!!    

Happy 3rd Birthday, Kianna!

Kianna is 3 now and there was no way to stop it.  She was even counting down the days herself.  She asked for McD's for her birthday dinner, which she got.  She also asked for a Tinkerbell cake, which was delicious. 
She is into Tinkerbell (her favorite), Barbie, and Princesses.  LOVES to bike.  And she is also the best shopping partner there is (even asks if we can go shopping).  So happy and glad she is a girly girl and not a tom boy like many thought she would be with having 2 older brothers.  Proved many wrong, hahaha! 

Happy 7th Birthday, Isaac

7 years ago, we opened up the next chapter of our lives. We became first-time parents. Our first born is now 7 (and in 1st Grade). Crazy.
We enjoyed a basketball cake, after supper from Burger King (which he requested). Then opened some presents (a new 20-inch bike and a new scooter). Before bed we played some Connect 4, his FAVORITE game, which was from Grandma/pa Radabaugh.

Happy 7th, Peanut, and hope you had a great day.

One Year and Counting

One year ago on the 18th of February (yesterday), we learned that after 3 rounds of chemo, B was now cancer free. God stuck to his promise and answered our prayers. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!

PT Update

A setback. Had 2 other knee specialists look at my catching/clicking problem at PT today. Plica is causing my knee alignments/movements to be all backwards. So its back to the drawing board for a few things. If not working after awhile....back to the Ortho to talk about surgery.

Carson's 5 yr appt

Its medically official, he can go to school now in the fall. He's got the shots done (with a few tears and moans). He is still square...his weight and height match up. He even decided he wanted to give a urine sample. Isaac always hated it, never did it. So he was proud of that, getting one over Isaac. Its the little things that count, LOL.

Also, Isaac lost another tooth last night. So he was happy to see that the Tooth Fairy is still around as its been awhile since last lost one.