Tender Mercies

Hello again! The final countdown has begun until we drive out of Alaska onto our new adventure. I coached at UAF for the last time this morning. It was surreal. One thing I am going to miss about my town is the continual winter wonderland. I'm also going to miss the short winter days, although I know that sounds surprising. There is just something magical about it. It has been very important for me to get out every day during lunch time to get some sun, even if the sun isn't directly overhead. I've heard a study that explained how a rainy day in Seattle provides far more lumens--the amount of visible light given off by an object--than a bright TV studio.  Wow! So, I use this as a reason for me to get out in the winter, no matter how cold it may be. In order to accomplish this, I have chosen to walk to the rink instead of drive. I've counted myself lucky that it has been a warm winter so far, staying above 0 °  F most days, so all it takes is some proper bundling u...

I remember the first time I saw a Bod Pod while touring a potential college during my senior year of high school.  I thought it was so cool that this school had a machine for the Athletic Training students to use to measure and learn about body composition. While I would have loved to have gone to this particular school and learn about and use the Bod Pod, the university I ended up attending and graduating from did not have such luxuries. I never thought I would have my curiosity appeased and actually get to use one until last month when I heard that the Army Wellness Center on post had one.  Naturally, I made an appointment to be tested so that I could have a baseline of what my body fat % is as well as my resting metabolic rate, though I know numbers are not everything.  (If you are interested in this kind of testing and you are in the military, I would highly suggest checking out your wellness center to make an appointment because it is FREE.) It's an egg-spa...

Post race smiles. I made sure to wear my good luck running t-shirt. This explains why you've seen it so often. I don't know any other place where the summer solstice gets more people together and out of the house than in Fairbanks, Alaska. It is almost easy to say that if you didn't have any plans on the 21st, you either just moved here or you really didn't want any plans. On New Year's Eve 2013 I went to bed at 12:01 am. On the Summer Solstice 2014 I went to bed at 2:30 am. It was still so bright outside.   With Cami and Michael Crutcher after our awesome finishes. Marshall and I ran in the Midnight Sun Run 10 K last night. It began at 10 pm at the University and ended at Pioneer Park.   I ran it two years ago alone , but Marshall was not there to run it with me and we were out of town last year, so this was out last year to do it together! I have taken a break from running so I was pretty nervous going into the race, hoping I had prepared enough over ...

I seem to blog more when my husband is away. Must be the extra free time. But guess what I did today?! I was spontaneous! And had fun on my day off!! It feels so good. There was no ice today, so I did not have to go into coach and my body thanked me for it. In all fairness, I haven't had a vacation since Christmas, and with Marshall having been gone for nearly three months since the new year, I just need. to. stop. Don't think I don't love  my job. But I am realizing more as I get older that the mind is just as important to rest as the physical body. I had been noticing that my emotional state had been in need of serious TLC this week, especially when I realized that it was Wednesday and I had not seen any of my friends since Saturday. It is so important for me to see girlfriends on a regular basis, especially when my husband is out of town. So on Wednesday evening, after a super emotional private breakdown in my living room, I drove over unannounced to see anothe...

Wow, I sure do wear a lot of hats, don't I? And those don't even cover all of my titles or responsibilities. It's a good thing I love everything I do, or I would be wasting my time! As I got off the phone from wishing my Father-in-Law happy birthday the other day, I wondered if people really know what goes on in the day-to-day life of me. I really don't lead a typical Army Wife life, nor does my schedule follow a typical pattern. So what does a "normal" day look like for me?  Welcome to "A Friday in the Life of Me..." enjoy! My body wakes up naturally at 5:30am.  This was the view from my bedroom window as I checked the weather. It was promising to be a beautiful day! One of my favorite morning habits is I listen to an inspirational talk on my phone while preparing breakfast. I do not have the time to read or study in the morning so this gives me the spiritual "boost" to get me going in the right frame of mind. Today...

This picture makes me so happy. Don't ask me why. Maybe it's because I am make-up free, except for the Alaskan Mascara. Normal people sleep in on Saturdays. I'm not normal, and was up before 6 am this past Saturday.   There is something very peaceful about waking up before the rest of the world. The air is still and my mind is more clear. Marshall and I decided to wake up and go on a little 3 mile run in before Conference began at 8am. We got a little Vitamin D therapy, some endorphins going, and quality time together.  All before 7am.  I had not run outside since September because I am taking a break from running, but this felt good. We ran out along the ski trails in Creamer's Field, through the trees, and watched the sun rise. The quiet solitude was priceless.  Plus, I got my Alaska mascara fix. Be jealous.   It's all smiles after our run at 7am on Saturday Morning. Temp: 18 degrees F After our run, I did what I have wanted to do all winter...

It has been a long journey these past two years. Throughout the experiences of many doctor visits, lab tests, ultrasounds, and a surgical procedure, I have been very grateful for health insurance. I cannot complain about being in the Army and the ability to just go to the hospital and get lab work done without paying anything for it. But there came a point when we exhausted our resources here in Fairbanks, and had to chose between putting our family on hold or paying out-of-pocket to see a fertility specialist in town (there is no Army fertility specialist in Alaska).  At first, my Army gynecologist said I would be able to get the initial consultation with the specialist paid for by our health coverage. But after the referral was denied, she said that because fertility is an elective procedure, nothing would be covered.  This is why we have savings, no? After a few weeks of praying and thinking about it with Marshall, we decided it was time to go forward and make t...

Stress.    (Dang, I've said it! Shhh...don't tell anyone, okay?) The opposite of the S word. Pure beauty and a winter wonderland! The top of Birch Hill, Fairbanks, Alaska When you read or hear that word, how do you feel?  For me, I really don't like that word at all.  Never once is that word associated with something positive. But it seems to get used all the time. Why is this?  While I can't speak for anybody else, I can speak for myself. I am naturally a people-pleaser. I like things organized and planned out. I coach skating five days a week, which includes a coaching schedule that is as consistent as Missouri weather. I am married to a soldier, which implies constant change as well. Nothing I buy is pre-packaged or fast food; I prepare all of the meals from scratch on a daily basis. I cross country ski.  I teach nursery at church. I do yoga 4-6 days a week. I help out with the youth group at church. I go on frequent dates with my ...

Some people get their adrenaline rush by skydiving or driving really fast. I get mine from running in a marathon relay. Oh boy, was it fun! The morning was gorgeous, but cold: when I started running it was 24 degrees.  The Equinox Marathon has the traditional 26.2 mile marathon, a 40 mile ultramarathon for crazy awesome people, and a 3-person marathon relay for really awesome people.  Our third teammate made it in! Official time: 3:56.09 The Adventure Squad team consisted of: Jenessa: Mile 1 to mile 8.4..... 1:03:30 Marshall: Mile 8.4 to mile 17.1 (and a 1800' climb!)..... 1:26:26 Reta: Mile 17.1 to mile 26.2.... 1:26:12 Overall placement: 13th out of 117 teams Open Mixed Relay Placement: 4th! This race is NO JOKE!  I had been mentally preparing for this race for many weeks now, and I had been planning on enjoying the race experience, rather than worrying about time or placement. It is something I have been working on lately.  Well, toda...