Memorial Day Lineup!

So the weekend is fast approaching (never fast enough if you ask me) and I have a few things going on. I have 2 races, and 2 anniversaries (one joyful and one, is a remembrance). Right now, I am sitting in my living room watching the last episode of Oprah, which is crazy because I never get to watch it and now it's the last one! Of course the only reason I am not sitting in the closet I call an office, is because my baby girl has a double ear infection, and I wanted to be home with her this afternoon... She finally went down for a nap at 345pm, so I am typing fast incase this is one of her famous 30 minute power naps!

Anyway, my races, I am excited! Saturday is the Dirty Myrtle Mud Run which I am doing with my son, Joshua. I am pretty stoked to see him jump in mud pits and enjoy an event! I have been waiting for this event for a while - time to get down & dirty once again!

Sunday, well it starts off with the Military Appreciation Days 5k at 8am, I know it sounds crazy, mud run & then a 5k the next day BUT my registration was FREE - why? I served in the US Army :) So I would encourage anyone in the Grand Strand Area who are currently serving or have previously served this country to  come out and participate for FREE! The end of the day will be a BBQ at  a friends house, which is great because I won't have to cook!

Sunday also marks the 3rd Anniversary of my fathers passing... I am glad to have some very positive and uplifting activities planned for this day. I've been thinking about it a lot lately, probably because my neighbor/friend just lost her mother to cancer this past week. I think about all the things he missed, and all the things I missed seeing him enjoy. For one, walking me down the aisle, another, the birth of my daughter. Somedays are hard, I know it seems cliche to say 'time heals all wounds' or 'it gets easier with time'... I guess I think it just hurts less, not that it stops hurting (maybe it does and I just haven't gotten there yet). Nevertheless, Sunday will be full of mixed emotions, but mostly positive because all I can do is think about all the moments he was here for and not focus on what has been missed. I can't bring him back, so I have to believe he hasn't really missed anything, he's been with me all along.

I saved you a seat daddy...

So that brings us to Monday, I know this is going to probably sound crazy, seeing how the 29th was my fathers passing 3 years ago, my 2nd wedding anniversary is the 30th. It wasn't quite planned to piggy back like that. Honestly, we had picked the first weekend of May but chose to push it out so that family could be there. As I looked on the calendar in the month of May, it was the first weekend which wasn't going to work, then 3 weekends of bike weeks (which wasn't really how I imagined my wedding weekend) and then the last weekend... so I just picked it (for some reason I was set on a May wedding!)... It was weeks later I realized what date I had picked...

I had the most perfect wedding, it was beyond my expectations, it was the most beautiful day, all the people I love were there. My mom & son walked me down the aisle and I married my best friend. I was surrounded my family and friends, I felt like I was living a dream, and still feel like that! In the past two years we have faced some sad times, and a lot of joyous occasions and through it all, we have always been there for each other. Stephen, you are my best friend, my cheerleader and biggest fan... I am blessed to have found you and I couldn't imagine life without you. Together we make such a strong team and that is what inspired the creation of 'Team Epton' because everything we do, we do as a team.

I remember writing my vows and it still holds true:

Stephen, 
Today we begin another chapter of our lives together. 
You are my best friend, you are the one I share everything with, my hopes, my fears, my dreams, and my secrets.  I have never felt I had to be anyone but who I am.  You have seen me at my best and at my worst;  you have cheered for my successes and comforted me thru my losses.  Today like yesterday and all the days that we have been together, and the days which lye ahead, I am committed to you thru the happiness and joy, the challenges, and everything we will see in the future. 
Before God, our families and our friends, I pledge my trust, faith and love to you and our marriage.  
Today I chose you.