Momma... turns 4-1.

Let BiRtHdAy season begin.... It starts with my birthday on the 5th of February and will include the birthdays of all our kiddos ending on April 5th.  My wonderful hubby treated me to birthday lunch at Joe's crab shack.

Then we spent the evening at home as a  family that included pizza and making ice cream sundeas. 

 

The kids made me a card. They are so thoughtful and supportive of my running. They got me a Nike band. It will  measure my distance, time, pace, and calories. I also got a pair of running shorts and some pretty cool socks. The best gift of all... is always the LOVE of my family.

HELLO... Twenty Ten... it's gonna be a good year!!!

I am such a ROOKIE at this whole race thing. The race series I had wanted to do this year was the California Dreamin' Series (Huntington, San Fran, & Long Beach). I had no idea how fast races SOLD OUT so I was bummed when I didn't get into my first one at Huntington. So I began my search for another race and found the Lajolla Half (April 25th) and immediately got myself signed up. Then 2 weeks ago my friend Susie told me of her friend that was running the Carlsbad with her but was now moving and couldn't do it. So with a 2 WEEKS NOTICE I agreed to RUN with her....our goal was completion NOT speed.

When the race began it was in the mid forties but warmed up to be a most beautiful day. The run itself was a scenic route mostly along the coast line.

There is nothing better than the LOVE of a family. I couldn't do anything without them.

WE DID IT!!  We completed our very FIRST half marathon... TOGETHER... 13.1 MILES!! Around the 8th mile Susie's knee started to bother her but we stayed TOGETHER ... AND we finished right under 3 hours (2:54). Not too bad for ROOKIES!!

I am looking forward to running at least two more half marathons this year.. the Lajolla Half (April 25) and America's Finest City Half (August 15). I am also looking forward to having Susie as my race partner.... This is surely the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Buffalo Alley 10K

Saturday, November 7th, 2009
Buffalo Alley 10K on Camp Pendleton... this race benefits the fallen and wounded soldiers. God bless the U.S.A.
www.camppendletonraces.com

The LOVE and SUPPORT of my family means everything to me!!

Addie (my running buddy) and me at the starting line.

This course is a tough one. It is ALL hills (mountains) and between the elevation and the cold weather I had an asthma attack within the first mile. I took my inhaler and convinced Addie to go ahead without me. I managed to keep moving and recovered by mile 3. Whew!

Addie finished 13 minutes ahead of me (PROUD of her) and came back to get me... now that's a great racing buddy! I felt so accomplished after completing this race and I mean to tell you that this course was UP hill BOTH ways!!!
 I am now training to RuN my first HALF marathon in February 2010. http://www.caldreaminracing.com/

Have I done any good lately?

YES... We DiD do GooD!! RACE for the CURE... 5k at Balboa park!

 

We RaN with a purpose. Cancer is NO good... no matter what kind it is!!! We CHOOSE to do this for those that have battled cancer and lost their fight...AND... for those still fighting the fight!

 

Me and my runnin' buddies, Addie and Diana. They are AMAZING! Thank you girls for such a memorable experience... See ya next year!!

 

 

It was amazing to see my family receive us at the finish line... especially little Miss Kalea Sue... SHE inspires me everyday to DO better... to BE better!!

MY SISTER... MY FRIEND...

My sister and her family came for a visit... leaving my niece and nephew to enjoy the rest of their summer with us. It was so wonderful to see Becky Jo. We talk everyday on the phone but I had not seen her in person in over 4 years!!

 

Me, Becky Jo and Paige (my niece) at the beach in Oceanside.

 

Becky Jo, Daddy and Me... We love our Daddy!!

 

Me and my sister... enjoying the sunset.

 

Becky Jo, Daryl, Paige and Zach... on the Oceanside pier.

SuRpRiSe... DADDY'S HOME!!!

Jeff's home... 7 weeks early!! Yippee!!

 

When Jeff told me he was coming home early... we decided to SURPRISE the kids. So I had to keep my excitement contained all alone for about 4 days. Then on Sunday (April 19) I took the kids to my Dad's house in LaJolla. When we came back, my dad had the kids across the street on the grounds of the San Diego temple. As we approached Brandon could see I was walking with someone but couldn't make out who it was... it was Kalea that instantly yelled "DADDY" and began to run towards us... the boys were right behind her. I think they were all in complete SHOCK!!

 

We are grateful for Jeff's service to our country and for his safe return home.

 

11...6...8...

 

March 5th, 2009: Brandon turned 11. He has been nicknamed "ACE" because he is our number one child (by order of birth). He looks like a gangsta with his new "VANS" hoodie and his wade of cash! Brandon plays as first baseman and pitcher for the Royals with the Oceanside Little League. He is a skateboarder and a complete California "Dude".

 

March 17th, 2009: Miss Kalea Sue turned 6. She has a SPUNK for life and a LOVE for everyone. She loves to be all GIRLIE but she will not be out done by her brothers... she is gearing up to play soccer soon.

 

April 5th, 2009: Our Joejoe Bean (as we have affectionately called him since his birth) turned 8. He, too plays on the Royals team with his big brother(and probably the only time that will happen). Joejoe is an outfielder and has caught his share of balls. He is getting excited to be baptized (when his daddy returns from Iraq that is). He is a builder... he has real talent when it comes to building with Legos. He loves transformers, too. Joejoe is ALL BOY and has a CURIOSITY for everything and an ENDLESS amount of energy!!

This is our LIFE... in the MILITARY.

Our kids are little troopers I tell ya... heads up and proud of their daddy as he heads off to Iraq (again).
Brandon says he will be the man of the house and gets a trail run on using daddy's cell phone while he's gone (to prove he is a big boy now). Joseph says he will listen and obey. AND little Miss Kalea Sue, with tears in her pretty blue eyes says she will take care of us all (Nami, Brandon, Joseph, Grandaddy Rickard and Mommy). She too promises to be a good girl.




As for me... goodbyes never get any easier... but I am proud... very proud of my hubby!!! This is... our life... in the military.

NO MORE ... training wheels

 

 

 

Jeff took Kalea's training wheels off this week. It has only taken him 2 days to teach her to ride without them. Jeff is AMAZING... he has a special technique in teaching them so fast.

November review

November was a very busy but exciting month for our family. I try to keep my blog postings short due to the simple fact everyone is busy these days. Let's face it we know you care but who has time to read the novels written by so many bloggers. Now with ALL that said... this entry is an exception... and with a New Year comes a promise of just trying to blog more often keeping it short and sweet.

Jeff earned a long awaited promotion to Staff Sergeant, which now puts him in a retirement category. This means that in about 8 years he can have a full retirement from the Marine Corps (serving his 20 years total). I don't know about you but I think he looks much to young for the word retirement. I am so proud of him. He is truly one of the few and the proud.

The Marine Corps celebrates their birthday November 10th and my Dad's (Joe Rickard) birthday is on the 27th. So, this year Jeff and I took him to the Marine Corps Birthday Ball as his birthday gift and as a Thank you for his love and support. Looking good Dad -- you clean up nice.

The guest speaker at the Ball was "The Gunny", most of you know him as the Drill Instructor in Full Mental Jacket. My dad is a big fan and especially enjoys his show, MAIL CALL. We didn't tell my dad about him until we got there. Surprise!!
Our family took a little road trip up to Knot's Berry Farm. The weather was perfect and there were no long lines. Yes -- we were the orange family as we are always referred to when we choose to wear our family color. Hey it works.

Brandon and Jeff tackled all of the roller coasters.However, Joey braved his first roller coaster and it was a big one. Joey was such a good brother to his sister, Kalea as he waited in lines with her to ride the rides. He held her hand and gave her lots of reassurance that the ride would be fun not scary. Kalea played into this role well but as you can see when it was time to ride she no doubt enjoyed it! We all had so much fun!!




The next day we went to "The Block", which is a huge out door mall. It is so big it has a bowling alley and a VANS Skate park. The boys (yes including Jeff) spent their time skate boarding while Kalea and I shopped and had our nails done. FUN for all!!

I keep a gratitude journal... that's where I write 5 things that I am grateful for each and everyday. It keeps me focused on the abundance of blessings in my life.
1.I am grateful for good health (especially for Kalea).
2.I am grateful for my loving husband.
3.I am grateful for my smart and beautiful children.
4.I am grateful for my Dad & my sister, Becky Jo and for their unconditional love.
5.I am grateful for the re-connections I have made this year with old friends (hip hip horray for face book).

Hope each of you had a Thankful Thanksgiving and are enjoying the Christmas season. We love and miss you all.

YES on PROP 8

Proposition 8: The California Marriage Protection Amendment

The entire text of Proposition 8 is as follows:
"Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid and recognized in California."

Proposition 8 places into the California Constitution the same language that voters already passed by 61% of the vote in 2000. This is necessary to overturn an outrageous California Supreme Court decision that overturned Proposition 22.

My dad has always taught me... "to stand for something or you will fall for anything". I am standing up and saying YES to Prop 8.

What will you stand for?

Please visit www.protectmarriage.com to learn more about how this decision can and will effect us and our children.

"Say it ain't so, Joe"

Regardless of WHERE you might stand and HOW you choose to express yourselves on the political issues of our time... REMEMBER that many people past, present and future will ensure that you keep that right and privilege... so as a THANK YOU to those very ones that have, are and will defend the country in which you live (including my husband) please VOTE! -- Jeni Brasfield

"This is a critical time for America. We must each be more involved in how this country is being run. Regardless of how you vote it is imperative that each of us take that privilege and freedom very seriously. You can tell by the title and the picture where I'm putting my support. Hope many of you will join me." -- Joe Rickard (Jeni's Dad)

Sissy's wedding

Kalea and I took a road trip with my good friend, Susan Scharpf. We went to Vegas baby! Julene Cox, who will always be known to me as "sissy", got married!! She is now Mrs. Chris Bateman. It was a beautiful wedding in the Las Vegas Temple.

I was the Dippin' Dots server girl. It was so fun! The Dippin' Dots stand came complete with little cups which I served to the guests. At the end of the night Susan and I decided to fill our goblets full (forget those little cups) Yummy!! Not to mention lots of fun when you stick them to your tongue (as we have demonstrated for you above).

Top: Jeni and Sydney outside the temple.

Right: Kalea and Jacob. Kalea says she is going to grow up and marry Jacob.

Left: Kalea and Sissy. Kalea had so much fun with all the wedding festivities. She has been "playing wedding" with her flowers (the ones in the pictures) ever since we left Vegas.

Dani Cox, Sissy, Jeni, Susan Scharpf

Silly? Who? Us?

Oh yeah... sissy wouldn't have it any other way. :)