Running for a cause - it makes me run faster!

When I first signed up to run a half marathon I did it for two reasons, to see if I could last 13.1 miles and because it was at Disney.  When that goal first came into my brain, my second set of twins were 9 months old in 2011 and I never, ever imagined I would be hooked as using running as an outlet in my life.  Yet here I am in 2015 and I not only ran that Disney Princess Half Marathon, I have run 2 others and I am on my way to my first and maybe only Glass Slipper Challenge!

Goals are awesome, I usually set some lofty ones when I am still on a runners high.  Most of mine are crazy but I am fortunate that my husband, family and friends always support me! Back in 2014 after finishing the Princess I knew what my next goal was, The Glass Slipper Challenge before I turn 40, yes that is not far off!  I even spoke that goal out loud unlike my first half goal!  What is the GSC?  It is a 10K on Saturday and the Half on Sunday, both run through the wonderful and amazing ground of Disney but yikes that's a lot of miles for two days!

Registration was coming close, I was nervous, this race combo sells out in MINUTES so I started thinking how can I make this race a guarantee but yet help someone in need so here I am August 2015 signed up to take on the Glass Slipper Challenge and for a cause that most will not know about - Girl Power 2 Cure and the girls who are fighting Rett Syndrome.  And friends I need your help.  Not only to raise money so I can make my goal a reality but to help these girls who cannot run, walk or talk but yet still are alert and alive!

What is Rett Syndrome?  Great question which I asked myself after a mom reached out to me on one of my running boards and said they have spots for GSC.   So research and reading I did, talking to Sophia's mom and pouring over her photos and videos brought tears and now I am honored to be able to run for the girls who cannot.

Rett Syndrome Quick Facts:
• Debilitating neurological (movement) disorder that predominantly affects females
• Baby girls are born "normal" but begin to lose acquired skills between the ages of 1-3 years old
• Caused by a single gene mutation that leads to underproduction of an important brain protein
• The leading genetic cause of severe impairment in girls - most cannot speak, walk or use their hands
• Despite their physical disabilities, girls with Rett Syndrome are believed to be functioning mentally at a much higher level than previously thought
• As prevalent as Cystic Fibrosis, ALS and Huntington's
• Another little girl is born with Rett Syndrome every 90 minutes
• Rett Syndrome is a potentially REVERSIBLE disorder. Research has proven once protein levels are back to normal levels, symptoms subside

Basically these young ladies are unable to do all of the things they love for themselves, but with your help we can bring the fun to them.  Check out this photo of Sophia water skiing this summer - look at that smile!  And all of those awesome people in the water behind her were there to help!  

I know I just asked for your support earlier this year and I am grateful for all that you do to support me and my causes which I team up with.  I am once again calling out to you my friends and family to help me help others.  I will be holding some fundraisers at home but if you can spare $1 or $5 you can donate here: 

https://gp2c.kindful.com/princess2016/trinas-gsc-powered-by-gp2c

Girl Power 2 Cure is connecting all of the runners for this amazing cause and helping us with many ideas but without you all we cannot help these girls smile.

Now I run with a purpose, I believe it makes me faster and if you know me I am NOT a fast runner.  It helps me focus, especially when I am hitting mile 10 and just want to quit.  I cannot quit, because others that I am running for do not quit. They cannot run yet they never give up!  

Thank you for taking the time to read and if you so choose to support me I am forever grateful!  If you see me out running, beep the horn or give me a holler - it makes me go faster!  

Much love!  

How did we get here????

That is the question running through my head right now, how is it possibly the night before my little ones head to Kindergarten? Where have the last five years gone?  Is the day when all 4 of the minions are in the school together here?  It just cannot be - but it is and this momma is a HOT mess.

Five years ago I had not even begun my blogging journey, it was in my head of should I write this all down or not, will I care to keep it, does anyone want to see what I have to say?  These were my thoughts and wonders, nothing about do we have everything for Kindergarten.  I was a very sleep deprived mom of 4 kids all 2 and under.  Not one thought would cross my mind about Kindergarten, I could barely remember who I fed at what time and had they all pooped that day or not.  I had one mad at me because he still went to daycare when I stayed home with the littles, one who thought she was bigger than she was and was testing her independence and two who needed me ALL the time.  Kindergarten was YEARS away, or so I thought.

It's time, they are ready their preschool teachers told me so, it's time for me to let go and to watch them grow into who they are destined to become.  It's time to once again meet a new teacher and see how we can fold her into our lives.  It's time for Cale and Mallory to make the big step into Kindergarten.

We have been counting sleeps for a few weeks - everything is counted in the number of sleeps remaining around here.  They are excited, just the last two days did I see any nerves come out.  The fears, they are there but that's okay they will make it.  Matthew and I have been answering questions along with Maggie and Caden about their day, where they will go and what they will do.  They are asking us where all of their friends are, we are making sure they know but that they also know there are many new friends to meet.

We got our supplies, WHEW what a night, we go in shifts next year!  We have our outfits for the first day picked out.  We know that Mommy and Daddy will be there when they walk into school.  We know who is packing lunch and who is buying lunch because it is Hot Dogs and chips.   We know that their years they spent with Ms. Lauren has prepared them for this day.  We know that they are ready but yet this momma is struggling to let her babies go.

I think it is definitely harder this time to let them head to Kindergarten since I know they will grow so much and change so much.  They learn at rapid speed and never look back from day one of Kindergarten, I am supposed to love that but part of me just wants time to stand still.

Five years ago, Caden had hand, foot and mouth and we were divided into two different places so the babies did not catch it.  We were getting by no sleep, no showers and no plans other than making it to the next feeding.  We were not thinking about our kids starting school and the fact that they are the Class of 2028.  We had different vehicles, jobs and goals for our careers.  We had no idea this day would actually come but it is here with full force.

We are ready, we will survive tomorrow and Kindergarten will become our routine.  We will see our brother and sister among the halls and on the bus and know that they are there if we need them.  We have our angels at school and in heaven watching out for us and guiding us.  We are READY!

Watch out LPS here we come, Mrs. Chipman is in charge of my babies and I know she will take care of them!

Caden and Maggie are excited and nervous about 2nd grade, they are the BIG kids in school and will be the ones who rule.  They have fabulous teachers and we cannot wait to see what the year will bring!

So ready or not the school year is here, Kindergarten and 2nd Grade are here!  There is nothing left to do but embrace it and celebrate!

Let's go - here's to a great 2015 - 2016 school year!