San Diego AFC 1/2

AUGUST 16, 2009...SAN DIEGO, CA

I cannot believe I have waited this long to post on my 1/2 in San Diego...geez, I must be busy!!! It was a blast to say the least! I got there late Friday night and went directly to the hotel which was amazingly cool!!! It overlooked the Harbor Island Marina.

I slept well....I love hotel pillows! The next morning I had breakfast all by myself (WOW!) and then headed to the expo for the race. I did buy a few things and then waited for my friends to come.

I caught up with Kim Cornwell and my best friend from high school, Stephennie Tieri. After the expo we headed to Pizza Nova on Harbor Island Drive and met up with some more high school friends. It felt like I had not aged one bit....I loved hang'n with Kim, Stephennie (and her husband), Wes (and his daughter), Dana, Kisha, Scot, and Kristeen (and her sister). It was so much fun!

That night my best friend from PA, Keri, came down to San Diego (they now live in Simi) and we went to dinner. Keri stayed the night with me in the hotel and waited for me to finish my race the next morning....of, course, she did not have to wake up at 4 like I did...LOL. After the race we hung out at Horton Plaza and just loved being around each other until I had to take the red eye back home.

I could not sleep one wink the night before the race...I was so excited. I was so nervous though because I was worried I would have no energy for the race. At 4 a.m. I ended up getting out of bed and getting ready for the race. We all had to be on the bus at 5 a.m. in order to be shuttled to Point Loma Pt where the race was starting, as they had all the roads blocked for the race. Oh man....breathtaking!!! It was dark but you could see all the lights of downtown San Diego. I met up with Wes and Kim at the race point and ate breakfast and just waited until 7. Believe it or not, there were 8400 runners in the 1/2. It was AMAZING to see so many runners....all ages and shapes - very inspiring! It took us 10 minutes to cross the starting line and trigger our pace tag on our shoes once the gun went off. The feeling of running with so many people around you was weird....some places it was elbow to elbow.

It finally thinned out at about the 10k mark. I had run beside Kim up until then, but I felt a great boost of energy so I told her I was going to speed up. My 10k time was 1:04 which is an easy run for me and I was pleased. I knew I could speed up and try to finish by 2:00, which was my goal. It was so beautiful to run along Sea Port Village and see the ocean and the ships. I was in love and I become quite homesick for San Diego. To my surprise, I had known there was a bit of a hill at the end, the race started to incline about mile 10.5. I was not too worried as I am fine on hills...but it kept going and going; every corner we turned, the hill still existed. I was saying....there is always the downhill on the other side, but it never came. I was so frustrated and it kicked my butt. I ended up walking about 1.75 miles of the 2.5 mile incline. I was tired. Others were cursing around me and some sitting on the curb. Why would they

end a race with such an incline...are they SERIOUS???? Oh well...I did not make my 2:00 goal, but instead 2:23 which I am so fine with! I ran the race and loved it and it really did not matter what my time was. I loved it and it was a great adventure!!! I am grateful my sweet husband, Gordon, encouraged me to run and meet up with my old classmates, and hold down the fort here at home while I was away....he is amazing!!!

Funniest comment of the day!!!

"Mom...Do you remember when you used to wipe me after I went poo? (I, of course, said...yup.) "Those were the good 'ol days!"

OOOOKKKKK!!! What am I suppose to take from that statement....so funny and off the wall. It never fails...Meredith has been known to have the greatest comments....I look forward to more! She brings such laughter and joy to our family.

Lundrigan Family Poem 2009

Last night for FHE, we played a story game and looked up scriptures that referred to 'love'. Following that, I asked each person in the family to write down one sentence regarding our family/love and that we would compile all of them together to make a family poem. It was really fun!!! We all then decided in which order they would be written down. So, here it goes:


Our Family

Our family is good, our family is bright, 
we love each other and that is right! (noelle)

I feel happy about my family. (meredith)

We all have laughter and joking in this family (jared)

With Levi screaming and Meredith pouting,
With Noelle dancing and Jared scouting,
With Hannah blabbing and Nathaniel conducting,
With Jeffrey sleeping and Mom and Dad working,
We have love at home (jeffrey)

Families are about the Love and the power within. (nathaniel)

My family is the most important thing in my life (dad)

Love shall dwell in our home with every simple act. (mom)

We love our family. (hannah)

~Lundrigan Family 2009

17th Wedding Anniversary - Antigua Trip

Antigua - 2009

Gordon surprised me with a trip to Antigua for our 17th wedding anniversary.  We had planned to go there about 6 years ago, but I think we ended up getting pregnant with Meredith and 

our plans were changed....last was our first year going away; we went to Hilton Head Island and Savannah, GA, but this was driving distance if anything went wrong at home.  This year, we were being brave and headed out to sea....

We left Sunday morning at around 8 in the morning....our exchange would be in Miami, FL and then on to Antigua....the de-icing of our plan in GSO caused us to miss our connecting flight.  The airline accommodated us by flying us to Puerto Rico for the night and paid for some dinner and breakfast.  It was quite interesting the hotel they put us up in...it was in the airport itself and it was if we were sleeping in a shoe box; very small and  

claustrophobic, but hey, we were alone and together and that in itself made it OK.

The next day we finally arrived at the most beautiful resort I have been too (ok...the only resort I have been to...LOL).  We were immediately 

greeted and asked if we wanted some champaigne.....asked for water instead!  They upgraded our room because we had missed a day; absolutely beautiful!!  We enjoyed the pool and a nice beach party that night.  

Our week was full of lots of adventures:  Sailing on the ocean on a catamaran, kayaking in the ocean, jet skiing in the ocean, snorkeling (I got over my fear of the ocean with the encouragement and love of my husband as he promised me he would stay right by my side to make sure I did not drown!), a day in a cabana being served whatever we wanted, fine restaurants and great food, nighttime walks on the beach, a pedicure, romantic evenings in our room, relaxing days laying at the pool, and some swims in the ocean.  The water was perfect...turquoise in color and just slightly cold to be refreshing.  There was always a constant small breeze to make it beautiful!  You could not smell the salt of the ocean because of the NW breeze that was constant (made sailing perfect!!).  The temperature was constantly high 

70's, low 80's....HEAVEN!!!  

It was quite weird at first...being childless, that is.  But it quickly kicked in that it was OUR time now and time to reconnect and talk and snuggle and kiss and well, you know!!!  The awe of 17 years of marriage touched both of our hearts...the thought of how fast it has flown, yet the memories of how many things were packed into those years:  many moves to great cities and 7 beautiful children which reflect the love that we have for each other....Both Gordon and I look at our kids and realize the reason why we had so many kids, besides the fact we love babies, I wanted lots of babies, and we are building up the

kingdom of God, is because we love each other so much....each kid is a reflection of the love we hold so dear for each other.  Our marriage has been so easy....so wonderful....so natural!  Isn't that what everyone wishes for their marriage; breaks my heart when I hear of the ones that struggle...Not only does it help to be so madly in love with each other, but living the Gospel and holding it so dear to your heart blesses our marriage and family life!  Doesn't mean there are no struggles, we work together through the trials and respect each other - being selfless - and giving 110% all the time.  

So....my heart did miss the kids all week, but honestly, my mind did not think a lot of them during the first few days.  My brain was being rejuvenated after 15 years of sleepless nights, getting this and that, and you know what all goes in to being a mother and wearing a gazillon hats.  I knew they were taken care of:  the three oldest were were grandma and grandpa and the four youngest were with a babysitter at home, Rachel.  Levi loved Rachel so much and I knew he would be fine with her.  Unfortunately, Levi spiked a fever the next morning after we left....soon after Noelle had a fever.  She took great care of them and she had helpers waiting to be called if things got any worse.  I felt comforted knowing this.  It wasn't until Friday morning when we were eating breakfast that I got chocolate chip

pancake....I never eat pancake; what was with me?  It reminded me of the kids, and when I sat down at our table, Gordon asked why the chocolate chip pancakes....I immediately turned teary eyed and had to swallow really hard so people would not notice....I was ready to go home!!!  Gordon was ready the day before, I could tell.  He was constantly talking about the kids.  His heart is so full of love for the kids; he is the best father I have ever seen.   

Our return trip was uneventful and our kids stayed up waiting for us....we returned to the house about 11:30 at night.  It was such a wonderful welcoming from the kids with lots of love and hugs and kisses....Levi was not mad at us, he just would not let us out of his sight thereafter.  

Yes....I am 37.

Well, turning 37 was not all that bad.  I was dreading it, moping around, and just being a cranky brat the day before.  But, the day started off beautifully!!!  First off....no one woke me up and that was Gordon's careful planning as he knows how much I worship sleep!  Secondly, my awesome children made me scrambled eggs and a fruit smoothie breakfast in bed!  SWEET!!!!  I didn't even have to clean the dishes up....  There was no school on my birthday, so that made everything work out great.

So far, so good.  It seemed like it might as well be a good day, so I dropped the attitude and began to LIVE!  My kids sent me on a run and told me they will hold down the fort.  I ran 10 miles that day and it felt amazing....almost 2 hours of noninterrupted thinking and pondering and just being alone.  It was so rejuvinating....of course, I was quite sweaty and icky and had dust from the trails all over my face....but hey, I wore it well.  I then came home and took a bubble bath with Levi, freshened up and got dressed.

Next, Gordon came home and started preparing my birthday dinner.  I had bought a really nice sirloin tip roast.  He prepared it wonderfully and it melted in our mouths.  We had mashed potatoes and corn and it was great!  I did not even lift a finger....boy was I being spoiled!! Gordon's mom made the birthday cake which was a white cake with chocolate ganache in the middle and an almond vanilla icing.   YUMMMMMMMM!  Good thing I went running earlier.  I got a new waffle maker and a new bathing suit and dress to cover the bathing suit for our anniversary trip to Antigua in a couple weeks.  Oh....some pretty darn cute homemade cards from my monkeys as well :).

The night ended with putting the kids to bed and enjoying some quiet time with Gordon.  It was a wonderful day and I am glad I realized turning 37 was no big deal.  I had 51 birthday wishes on facebook....more than I have ever had in my whole life on each given birthday....I guess another perk for having facebook!!!  As well, I had some great phone calls from family and friends which made my birthday even sweeter.  Wow....did I get some attention...heee!!!  

OK....birthday is over and now it is time to get back to reality.  The reality is I am truly blessed with amazing friends and a wonderful husband and adorable children....I am spoiled regardless if it is my birthday or not.  

Why does time fly by so fast.....

I am feeling a bit emotional as in a couple days I age one more year....SO WHAT?  BIG DEAL?  That is what I have always said in the past....but I am starting to feel differently; in fact, I am feeling a bit anxious and scared.  I do not want to grow older.  I have so enjoyed being in my 20's and early 30's.....I have so enjoyed people mistaking me for a 25 year old....even with 7 children.  But, the early signs of aging have appeared and being a redhead, perhaps they are appearing too soon.  My husband made the comment the other day that perhaps I should look into something to help the wrinkles under my eyes....Are they really that bad?  Aren't they laugh marks?  I look at myself every morning and see the bags and wrinkles and it makes me sad.  I guess this makes me a bit vain; but I guess it is ok because the only one who cares is ME.  I will take this moment and be as vain as I want as I wallow in the thought of aging.  I love the way I look....I do not want to wrinkle up and look OLD....it scares me to death.  I have taken up running, something I have hated to do all my life, and it makes me feel young; but why doesn't my face express how I feel inside???  So....37 it is on Monday; my husband is turning 40 this year and looks younger than I do....  Where has time gone?  There isn't enough time to enjoy each living year, to enjoy everything around us, to enjoy every thought processed in our heads, to enjoy every adventure that is put forth in front of us.  So....for now, I am sad and I think that is ok....

High School Get-Together 1/2 marathon

I am SOOOO excited!  Ever since this facebook thing, I have gotten back in touch with so many old friends, it is great and it has made me feel so YOUNG.  I have found an old friend who loves running as much as I do and we share our trials and successes with each other.  I am also sharing the experience of a 1/2 with another childhood friend in February; I haven't even seen her in 20 years...I wonder if she will recognize me or be disappointed in what I look like :).  Anyway....I have also talked to some old track buddies from high school (I was really big into track!).  A couple of us have expressed the desire to get together this year some time and run a 1/2 together....kind of makes me feel like we are all in it together letting LIFE know we can still enjoy being active!!!  I hope we get a great turnout....how fun will that be!!!!

New Year 2009

I cannot believe how fast each year is flying  by now a days....I now know what my Grandma Minnie meant when she said time flies by faster each year....I am excited for a new year though....I hope there will be lots of adventures and what not.  One exciting event is Gordon's and my 17th wedding anniversary!  I believe we are taking off this year and getting away!!!  Yeah!!!  Last year we went to Hilton Head Island and Savannah, GA....that was the first time we actually went away. I am still wondering where we will go this time, it will be exciting to find out (I think Gordon will surprise me!!!).  I am so blessed and grateful to have a wonderful husband who adores me.  Even after 17 years, we are still madly in love with each other :) Another thing Gordon and I have never done is have professional pictures taken of us....Gordon had me get pictures taken of me when I was almost due with Levi just to capture the moment of being pregnant since he was our last one.  I will love seeing those!

Jeffrey turns 16 this year and will get his license; I know that will help me out a lot with all the driving. I still cannot believe in two years he will be done with high school; where does time go; then he will be off to college and then on a mission.  I just want to cry, but I know this is what he needs to do and I will smile wide just knowing he is doing the right thing.  The other kids are close behind....I am excited to see how each of them grow this year.  

Perhaps I will get started on taking some college courses.  I am itching to go to work and experience my second dream (first was being a wife and mom).  Some interests for me are physician assistance school, nursing, or sonography.  Each one interests me and we will just see where life takes me.  Once Levi is in K, I can go full  force and then be able to help out with college tuitions and all.   

I am excited to continue my running and weight lifting workouts.  I am determined to be as fit or more fit than I was in high school this year.  I have a 1/2 marathon on Valentine's Day with my dear friend, Devon.  I am sooooo excited for that.  I also want to master the 1/2 and compete at the end of the year for the 1/2 here on the trails....the same race I did last year when two other friends and me split the marathon.  That will give me a goal to work towards.  

Gordon's job with Merck is secure as he survived all the lay offs going on; we will see where his careers takes him as well this year.  

Other than that, I have a few decorating ideas up my sleeves now knowing we took our house off the market and plan to stay put!!!  I will post pictures once the projects are complete. 

Happy Times.....

Gordon's Gallbladder Surgery

Who would have thought one of us would experience losing an organ in our lifetime....how scary is that...don't we need all those organs in our bodies?  Hmmmmm???  It all started on Thanksgiving Eve when Gordon started experiencing severe pain under the right ribcage....an emergency room visit determined the extent of his pain and the knowledge that he will need to have his gallbladder out.  A lot of reading on both sides of removal and non-removal of the organ was done by both of us; we were going to be very informed on the pros and cons Obviously, the pros outweighed the cons to having the organ removed.  

It was December 22 when we headed to the short stay unit around 5:45 a.m.  Everything moved quickly and smoothly while we were there....got him dressed in the surgery gown (they even had a vacuum which hooked up to the gown blowing warm air into the gown to keep him warm!!!).  Soon enough they wheeled him away and I was sent to the family waiting room along with a beeper. Luckily, I took one of Hannah's books, Twilight, which I tried reading once before, but this time I needed my mind on something other than Gordon laying there being cut open....I dove into the book and got hooked....it was great!  Before I new it, the beeper was buzzing telling me the surgery was over and the surgeon was coming out to talk to me.  Dr. Thompson said the surgery went well and then handed me a container which contained one of his stones.  He had five stones and the one in the bottle was the size of a marble....so interesting to look at and see what the body can actually produce.  I asked him more questions and he informed me about his recovery and whatnot....very nice guy.  I then sat back down and dove into the book some more while he was in the recovery room coming out of anesthesia.  About two hours later, the beeper buzzed again notifying me to return to the short stay unit.  I actually ended up walking right behind him while he was being taken back from surgery.  I recognized his body once I saw the gurney.  He was still groggy and in lots of pain.  I helped the nurses pull him over to the other bed in the short stay room.  He was so pale and in LOTS of pain.  The nurses tried to manage his pain and tried him on some morphine which did not phase him one bit.  The pain got so bad that he said it was worse than the attack itself....it was the gas that was blown into his abdomen to assist in the surgery that was pressing on his diaphram and pressing on all the nerves which was causing all the pain. He ended up back on Dilaudid to put him at ease.  The next attempt was to get up and go to the bathroom.  Once up, he threw up and burst one of the incisions open leaking blood all over the floor while he was trying not to pass out.  We made it to the bathroom with no success at going.  His body was not cooperating which is one of the side effects of surgery and anesthesia and drugs.  The idea of catheterizing freaked him out and he said, NO, I will keep trying.  That evening, he was finally able to go to the bathroom with lots of effort but they would not let him go home because he was still on mega pain killers and was still nauseated.   At the same time, I had the flu....I think I visited the bathroom more than he did....that was not fun :(.  I continued to read as he was in and out of sleeping/needing more pain meds.  He ended up being sent to the 5th floor to spend the night.  After we got him setup in there, I ended up heading home around 9 p.m. to relieve Mom and Dad from taking care of the kids all day. BOY did I sleep well!!! Gordon called me at 8 in the morning and told me to come and pick him up....he was ready to come home.  It was so nice to see color in his face and him up and walking around...even if it was gingerly.  The kids were told immediately not to "hug daddy" as his incisions and stomach were still distended and painful.  To bed he went and he slept most of the day drugged on Percocet and nausea medicine.  Each day he got better and better and we took care of him the best that we could.....dealing with the flu bug in the house as well as Christmas and vacation.  He lost around 10-11 pounds during this whole experience and I lost 7 worrying about him, having the flu, and trying to maintain some order in the house. Not exactly the ideal way of losing weight...but hey, I cannot complain.   It is not ideal either watching your spouse being wheeled away into surgery....all that can happen was wearing right on my sleeves....but there were so many prayers by family and friends and I could feel them all and was so comforted during this time.  It really could not have played out any better than it did except for the fact that Gordon did not recover as fast as expected...but that is ok too!  No major side effects from losing the gallbladder which is great too!!  As one would say, "It is what it is....."  and we all move on and enjoy the next day.