Tour Dallas Pics

Ruthie and I did this back in April, but I just received the pics. It was a fun, short ride through Dallas. It was so much fun riding through downtown!

This was right before I ran into that huge orange cone that went up to my handle bars. Nope I didn't see it-I was too busy watching some guy peeing:)

This was the end, back to where we started. Ate pizza-little gross at 10am but oh well sounded good!

Another First!

We have had the wonderful opportunity this past year of taking Grey to the ER for googly-eye stuffed in the ear, dislocated thumbs, RSV. But yesterday was the first dental emergency. Adam has been dreading this day since the day Grey was born. He hit his two front teeth. Chipped one the other is loose and has turned black:( So we "snuck" into Children's Hospital (technically we shouldn't have gone in and used the equipment, laughing gas, etc) and Grey had his first trip to the dentist. Don't let the pic fool you. It was not fun and Grey did NOT smile the whole time. I had to get in the chair and he laid on top of me. I held his legs with my legs and held his arms and hands. He did NOT like having his tooth filed down. The sound was NOT relaxing and the laughing gas did NOT make anyone laugh. After a minute Adam decided it was not worth the trauma (to him NOT Grey-Adam just couldn't take making his baby scream). So I have THAT child. The one you see and think his parents need to take batter care of him and need to take him to the dentist. Little do they know his DAD is a Pediatric Dentist (well he will be officially next week!). Uggghhhh. I know it could be so much worse.......

I Did It!!!

Last Saturday and Sunday was the MS150-which they actually changed the name to Bike MS because we end up riding 167 miles. It was AWESOME. The first day was 80 something miles and the second 70 something (my bike computer crashed the first day so I don't have the actual mileage). It was amazing is all I can say. A teammate of mine has MS. I was so emotional for me but to see the experience through her eyes was just indescribable.

Highlights:

1. Passing 30 or so men on these long crazy hills (it was honestly like they were standing still) they were still talking about it at the finish line.

2. At the top of "Big Bertha" (incredibly heinous hill) still being able to pass people, but more importantly being able to encourage a woman who was literally in tears.

3. Riding with two men and when it was my turn to pull they weren't able to keep up:)

4. Crossing the finish line and seeing this beautiful woman who I had seen at registration, end of day 1, at rest stops, and being able to hold her crippled hand and tell her thank you for inspiring me.

5. Pulling 2 of my teammates at the end of day 1 when they just couldn't go any further.

6. Getting 2 texts from friends who I was missing on the ride very much. It was at the first rest stop that I stopped at. Then turning my shuffle on and the songs that remind me of both of them came on one after another.

7. On Day 2 mile 50 at a rest stop I mentally bonked. I felt fine physically but I just wanted to cry. Kristin wasn't there. I had lost all of my teammates. I was ALONE. And there he was. Big Dog. Rode with him on my first 60 miler. I didn't know if he remembered me but I remembered him and was elated to see him:) We talked (he did remember me) I cheered up. I found a 6ft6 (not Big Dog another huge cyclist) Texan rider to draft behind. And I was good to go.

Thanks to all who donated. These people with this disease are so strong but really need our help. And I needed your help. I couldn't have done this ride without the donations. It has been my goal for the last 6 months or so. It has been on my mind daily. I was so scared. Scared that my chronic fatigue would stop me from finishing. But I did it. My body and me accomplished something I wouldn't have even imagined I could do one year ago. One year ago 5 miles was extremely difficult for me. Yeah Val!

Engagement Photo

Here is Little Erin and Grey once again. Kristin and I are determined that these two should be married. So when they were sitting together on Kristin's back steps I yelled (seriously) at her to take a picture. I knew it would be the perfect engagement pic for them. Except for the dirty faces it totally is:) We thought about sending it out with "Save the Date" cards, but we thought we should let them decide when they want to get married.

31 and a Model!

My girlfriend Nicole started making jewelry about a year ago. It is simple and BEAUTIFUL. So my style. I love her stuff because I can buy a few pieces and they go with EVERYTHING and I am always complimented on them. So I want you all to go take a look. Oh and she asked me to be one of her models....I had such a hard time. I could not stop laughing at myself when it was my turn in front of the camera. So go check out her shop and me the beautiful model (not really). Just click on the earrings and it will open to a different page and you will see me, Katherine, or Buffy. I thought by enticing you to see me (not really) it would make go check out her shop:)

http://www.etsy.com/shop/designsbylucid

Happy Birthday To Me!

My Birthday weekend continued with a celebration with the fam. Thank you Lucy for the awesome hats, decorations, cake with AWESOME candles which included a musical one, and aBluetooth for my cell phone. Apparently she thinks I need one for when I am driving. Mom-I am an excellent driver/talker on the phone person.

Okay so my actual bday day consisted of 2 hours of spin class (perfect way to start my 31st year), lunch with friends, beautiful chocolates (which I wish I could show a pic of but I ate them all!), presents in the mail, and these AMAZING cupcakes from Kelly D. She is a cake decorator at Society Bakery (well known was even on Ellen as top 10 in the country and yes they really are that good). Kelly didn't just drop off the carrot cake cupcake I was dying for but a whole box that was made just for me:)! They are so beautiful. I have never been so excited about cake before. Grey was a little excited also (poor purple owl). But in his defense I told him he could have one but realized a pic hadn't been taken yet. Oh and what is so cute is that the cupcake that says Val is the carrot cake one! Thank you so much Kelly. It was the PERFECT ending to a wonderful bday weekend.

My Bday Weekend Begins!

My Birthday is April 19th (Monday) but that doesn't mean I shouldn't start celebrating now right? I mean 31st is a big one. So I invited my best girlfriends to join me for a Girls Night Out. All most everyone was able to make it (missed you Holly and Mo) and I had so much fun!

Me, Katherine (we used to not like each other and now are BFF's), and Mandy (my black friend)

Toni (thanks for sprinting from work and missing time with beautiful baby Lark), Me, Nicole (the Salt to my Peppa), and Amber (who's idea it was to go to Victor Tango-it was so freakin good).

Amber AGAIN (she cant get enough), Kelly (who also kicks butt for leaving work early to help me celebrate), ME, and Xtina (who hates going out but "suffered" through it and told me how glad she was that she did)

Ruthie, ME (again its my bday I had to be in ALL pics), and Kristin-the 3 Amigos

Ahhhh yeeeah

Did I mention how yummy the food was? I don't think we talked to each other at all once the food arrived.

Uhhh K you have something on your tooth

Seriously it was THAT good!

Xtina found this chair so I had to jump up and join her. It was not easy for me.

Awwwww

Did I mention it is MY Birthday?

It was such an awesome night. EXACTLY what I wanted for my bday. Thanks y'all for helping me celebrate. I love you all so so much.