Short Stories from Woods Household

This month is flying by...seems like I start all my blogs that way! Ha! But here is a quick run down of where we've been, what we've been doing, and how we have done it!

This past weekend we participated in Oktoberfest at Disability Supports of the Great Plains. (where I work) Face painting.  Costumes and photo booths. Bouncy houses. Games. Root beer. Bierocks.  Chocolate cake.  Rides.  Pumpkins. Music...aka My kids' dream fun place!  Needless to say the 2 little ones took nice long afternoon naps after...

At the end of September, I flew off for a weekend getaway with my coach, and some friends I met there.  We played and we worked hard training.  And of course it was on the beach in St. Petersburg...had a great trip, only wish it would have been a longer
trip.  So here's to next time! :)










My clients have been working really hard...training at the Y. Working out. And inspiring me.

Blake joined me in a workout session the other day and I loved it!  He loves to learn, can mimic anything, and his motor skills are off the charts!  Love this kid!



















Autum participated in her first cheerleading performance and camp Friday night.  She was a junior bullpup...and we all froze as we watched her yell, jump, and pump those fists to a Bullpup football win!  I think she is hooked. She keeps asking if she can do it again and again...

 Autum has also been participating in her own tumbling and trampoline class at Next Level Gymnastics in McPherson.  This girl can pick up movements fast.  She's doing well and loves it!  She's fun to watch.

And both Blake and Autum have figured out a new way to settle their sibling rivalry.  Put on the gloves and get out the bag!

Glimpses into past month...

We celebrated birthdays.
Kids visited both Mimi and Papa's houses.
We have frequented the park with the cooler weather.
Went to the State Fair.
Competed in another CrossFit Competition.
Been at numerous gymnastics practices.
Preparing for cheerleading camp and performances.
Blake had to be sedated for a teeth cleaning and some fillings.

My sister is expecting so my girl's are in full on baby mode. It is pouring down rain this morning and I am hurrying the kids along to get to school on time.  I carry Blake out to the van (because he always finds the mud)....buckle him in.  Hurry back to get Leah going and help her with her bags.  Get her settled in van...turn around to see Autum at the door...baby doll on each hip, a gigantic diaper bag that is completely full, slung over her shoulder, and a baby doll folded up under her shirt.  I start shaking my head on the way back to get her..."no, no, nooooo...I am not taking all that to school..."  And as if on cue, her tears begin to fall, alligator tears type of cry...and to avoid a full on meltdown...I grab both babies off her hip and the diaper bag and turn to head to the van...telling her she will take the dolls and bag to school but NOT into the school...and to hurry up and follow me!  I hear her feet shuffling behind me as she yells "my feet are getting wet!"  And I throw all her babies and bags into the van door and turn to grab her...only in time to see her "deliver" her baby out of her tummy...right onto the pavement in a water puddle.  She stops in her tracks and begins to cry...I tell her it's ok...the baby will dry off, bla bla bla....she yells, "BUT I'mmmmmm nooooooooooooot duuuuuuuuuuuue for 3 more weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeks!! WAAAAAHHH!"

Hahahahha...I scooped the baby up. Put her back in her tummy, buckled her in, and off we went.
I'm still laughing...as I type this...8 hours later...

Cousins! (and a Leah photobomb)

Birthday at La Fiesta

Kansas State Fair trip

My little farmer.

Ag Building at Fair

Montana Mike's family lunch date for my birthday

Swolemates CrossFit competition...150# snatch PR (been working years for this--if you can't tell by this pic, my excitement level)

My SwoleMate Sarah!

These glasses have made the rounds in my family as a gag gift, Blake got a hold of them this weekend while visiting Mimi and Papa.

Family pic at McPherson Hospital, before Blake's sedation and teeth cleaning.

 

Battle of the Bluffs

 

This past weekend, Labor Day weekend, actually my mom and I traveled to Cedar Bluffs, Iowa for my first individual CrossFit competition this year. Battle of the Bluffs.  It has been no secret that I have a love for this sport and that I feel God is leading me forward in it...for now.  In this point in my life, it takes a village to do anything, go anywhere.  So my in-laws took the kids to their house for the weekend, which my kids always LOVE!  My husband was working.  And luckily, my mom had the weekend off from her many recreational activities, so she could go with.  We opted to stay with some dear friends who reside in Omaha to make the trip that much better.  

 I always say if I get event 1 out of the way, then I breathe easier the rest of the weekend.  So I was in the first heat of the first event.  I had to push hard at double unders, olympic lifting movements and burpees...I got 2nd place in that event by 1 sec!!!

This was the last set of 50 double unders...my shoulders were burning, lungs on fire, and it was obvious in my face! ha!

Hands down one of the biggest highlights of my weekend!!  My besties surprised me and showed up to cheer me on in day 1 of the event.  Seriously almost got tears in my eyes when I saw them walk up before I took the floor for the first event.  Love them!!

Event 1: Toes to bar (seen here) and sled pull (which I had never done before)

Sled Pull (95#)

Event 3: Chipper!  I felt like I was in the land of giants all weekend :)

Obvious first rowing series of Chipper..nice, relaxed...

45 Box Jump Overs

Wall Balls

Chest to Bar Pull Ups--these have been my nemesis since Open WOD 12.5..and I have been working my tail off lately to get better at these...mentally and physically!  I was able to stick to my strategized plan my coach and I came up with and nail these!  Hands down one of the other big highlights of my weekend!  Overcoming this weakness and mental stumbling block.

Pistols

Last rowing effort...not so smooth, easy...hah!

Done!  (with Day 1 anyway)

This was probably one of the most fun times I have had at a CrossFit event.  I met a lot of new friends, especially other moms--shout out Sioux Falls ladies! :) I made some new connections.  Competed against gals I have no doubt I'll see in the big games someday soon.  And competed against some who were just at the Games in July.  As I look back on the weekend...I loved having my mom there as she has never seen me compete.  I love the blessings God has bestowed upon me to use for His glory in fitness and athletics.  I loved being able to pick up conversation with old friends, who we stayed with, like there had been no time lapse between our previous encounters.  I love the support of friends and family through social media and phone calls/texts.  I love being able to come back to my little old home gym and work hard again with new fire.  On a side a note, the competitors nicknamed me "HOME GYM" all weekend because of my not belonging to an affiliate and working out at home 99% of the time.  Ha! I loved it!  And I love how God uses me as a motivation and inspiration to others and their health goals/views. 

Everything in Christ. Nothing without.

Firsts

Leah did her first triathlon. The Salty Pup triathlon in Hutchinson.  She swam 100 m. Rode her bike 4 miles.  And ran 1 mile.  She trained off and on throughout the summer to prepare.  My mom and I did the Salty Dog triathlon, put on by Hutch Rec.  It is an annual event we have done for many years now.  The big difference this year was my daughter joined us!  3 generations competing.  I went first in the events and my goal was to finish fast so I could get back and help Leah start on her events.  I got back just as she was finishing her last lap of swimming.  Thank goodness my dad was on the scene to help out.  He got her started.  I tell you, it takes a village because my grandparents kept the little ones overnight at their house so we could be up bright and early to compete. 

After I saw Leah surviving the swim event, I was able to breathe a little easier.  I knew that would probably be the toughest part for her. Her first 2 miles on the bike was waving and smiling..the last 2 miles...her handlebars were weaving back and forth and  her little legs were slowing.  I helped steer her into the transition area so she didn't take out any volunteers with her wobbly steering.  We took a few sips of drinks and off we went for the last mile.  We walked/jogged to landmarks along the way.  As we neared the finish,

she took off!  Smiling and sprinting her way across the finish line.  She did it! And I couldn't be more proud.  This was our first  event/activity to do together, and it was a blast!  My heart was full. 

When finishing, my dad told Leah he'd buy her anything she wanted because he was so proud of her! I glared at him under my sunglasses knowing this girl doesn't hold anything back in demands, desires, wants!  She said, "I was thinking about this on my bike ride, and I want a box of hair dye and a lipstick taser!"

Yep. That's what she wanted.  Luckily she settled with some back to school clothes and shoes.

Then after that big weekend...Leah began school!!
Her first few days as a 3rd grader..and her new back to school outfit she earned from her triathlon finish!
And Blake, Autum and I started a new tradition of feeding the ducks before we pick up Leah from school each day.