The Next Beckham

For some time now Gavin has been into kicking balls around. This of course makes the Riley household proud. But unlike Ayden, who also went through such a phase, Gavin takes this very seriously and is quite particular about his practice. He either dribbles (as quickly as he can) down the hall, or, he sets the ball up for a 'big kick'. My favorite is when setting the ball up, he is especially particular about how the ball is sitting and that it not move after he places it. In fact, if the ball continues to roll after his perfect placement, he starts to get upset and frustrated and he will even place the ball down, step back, assess and reposition the ball. It's hilarious. To anyone who has watched decent soccer....this routine should sound quite familiar.

Today, I was able to catch some of this behavior on tape. Enjoy the two videos below.

Oh, also note, Gavin kicks only with his left foot (as does Ayden still) =)

Love and Support (Part 3)

Tuesday June 19th, 2012. My last day of work before I compete in the Ironman and take a much needed full week off to be with my family.

I roll up to the office, mind full of to-do lists; matters to wrap up at work; things to pack for Ironman; things to pack for vacation; things to remember to ask J to pack for kids; things that must be in place before we leave town for a week and half....things, things and more things.

As I stroll up to the door I notice a few co-workers coming in together. I also notice they have some delicious Starbucks in their hands (the important things!). So, I open the door and hold it for them to catch up. As I am commenting in their Starbucks, I notice they are wearing shirts that look the same. Mid-setence, I start to stumble over my words as my mouth is working to keep up with my mind while I read the big bold orange word "Ironman" on their shirt and the pieces slowly fall into place. They are just smiling as they watch me (slowly) put together exactly what was happening.....

Bottom line: The entire firm wore shirts that said, "RL&L is cheering for Tessa, Ironman CDA, 06.24.12"....I was yet again aww struck. How many people can say they work somewhere so supportive??? Many of them were already donning orange bracelets...who would have thought...

At the end of the day we took a few group shots [to be posted once I receive a copy from a co-worker] which were comical and hilarious. I felt like I was in a movie. Does this actually happen in real life?!?! Apparently it does...and I am blessed for it to be mine.

Thank you Rusing Lopez & Lizardi!

Love and Support (Part 2)

The orange bracelet was just the beginning....

About a month ago, Candice had asked that I keep a specific morning open to hang out with her before I left for the race. So, two weeks before the big day was our date. After a nice swim I ran home and got ready to have some girl time. I had received a text from Candice saying I only needed socks and comfy shoes. I had no idea what that meant or what to expect.

Around 10am Candice showed up at my door ready to go. I hopped in the car to find an envelop on the seat with my name on it. So, I opened it up. Inside was a flyer for the new rock-climbing facility nearby. Candice explained that the was the adventure we were going on. I have to admit I had mixed emotions. First, I was excited for the adventure and so grateful to have such a dear friend who would go through the trouble to plan this and arrange for J to cover the kids. Second, I was a little nervous about whether rock-climbing during my taper was really the best idea. Regardless, there was no doubt I was going to do what ever she was gracious enough to plan for us!

Candice then explained that we had to go by Karen's parent's house to grab Karen's rock-climbing gear. I thought this was a little bizarre because my past experience had always been that we could rent gear at the facility, but...hey, you don't question when someone plans a surprise for you.

So, we pulled up to the house and hopped out. As they opened the door I saw Shyla and Harper playing on the floor and turned to Candice and said quietly, "wait, what is going on here...", then came the "SURPRISE!" shouted in unison. I turned the corner and there was everyone....with signs and smiles and tons of food (most of it Paleo too!!).  The surprise party was a send-off for Karen and I with love and support from our T-Town friends and family. It was awesome. I have to admit I was bummed not to be there for Karen's surprise, but she got there first, so they surprised her and then she was part of my surprise shouting crew. It was awesome (did I already say that?). I was speechless and crying. I know Hillary got it on tape (I'm sure it is memorable ha-ha), but I haven't seen it yet. I will throw the video up in a follow-up post when I receive it.

Rather than an afternoon rock-climbing (which any other weekend would have been super awesome, I swear Candice =)), I spent the afternoon swimming, playing, eating, laughing and hanging out with my friends, my family (they joined too) and their kids. It was in one word - Perfect.

It was so sweet. Karen and I were both beyond appreciative and grateful. I've said it before and I'll say it again....our group of friends is priceless.

Thank you all. A million times over, thank you. You have made me feel loved and supported like I never thought possible. You have all shared words of wisdom and encouragement when I needed a boost and continue to inspire me through your daily lives, commitment to your families, continued accomplishments, and never-waivering friendship.

The future...

Or actually......right now...

Love and Support (Part 1)

As you know, the big event is coming....SOON!

Where did the time go??

Anyway....in yet another humbling act of support, Jeremy had these bracelets made for friends and family to wear in support.

As you can see in the pictures below, one side says "I'm Cheering for Tessa" and the other side says "Ironman CDA 06.24.12". I thought it was such a cute idea, but I didn't realize how much of an impact they would have on my emotions and motivation! It has now been a few weeks and all around me I see the orange bands....co-workers, family, friends. What is most impactful is when I'm in the middle of a completely unrelated conversation and the orange catches my eye peaking out from under a shirt sleeve or during a hand motion of the speaker. It hits me every time like a wrecking ball....wow...what am I about to attempt? How did I get so blessed to have such spectacular supporters in all facets of my life??? And of course, in true Tessa fashion, my heart gets stuck in my throat as I hold back some joyful, appreciative tears.

[Speaking of tears...there have been many tears lately....not bad, but many. More on this in a later post.]

But back to my husband and my support team. These bands were an awesome idea and while at first I was embarrassed (and admittedly sometimes still am), I found that people were actually upset with me if I didn't offer them one. This was both baffling, humbling and more....much much more, but whether due to a lack in my vocabulary or simply a deficit in the english language for deep, honest, raw emotional expressions, I still don't have the words to portray my feelings of gratitude and aww. [You might think this sounds overly emotional for folks wanting to wear bracelets (though I vehemently disagree), but what you will read in the coming posts, is that this was merely the tip of the support iceberg].



Leading the 'Support Tessa Team' are my hubby and mother. Where did they come from??? They have unquestionably supported me through any crazy adventure I have decided to pursue to date, but this takes the cake. Without hesitation J and Mom has been patient with my emotional ups and downs through the training; patient with their lion's share of kid duties; patient with my doubts; patient with my over excitement; tight lipped about any of their doubts, frustrations, and exhaustion. I know they are as excited as me for this weekend and for good reason. They have lived and breathed this training adventure and moreover, they have done the heavy lifting to allow me to pursue this conquest to the best of my abilities with minimal to no barriers. I look at the past 6 plus months as their training for Sunday's spectating extravaganza. Though J touts himself and as a 'professional spectator' (and truth be told he is darn spectacular), but from experience, nothing comes close to an Ironman spectator....I can't wait to hear their experience and take on the day and the atmosphere. It is going to require some cowbell-ringing-endurance and certainly some patience.....hence, the training.....I know it will serve them well - haha :)

There is another member of the 'team' that often goes unrecognized.....our very own Ms. Sarah. To accommodate my early (early) morning training schedule, Sarah has extended her days with us (and the kiddos) to help out in the early morning. She has more than often stayed late to cover (often without notice - sorry about that!!!!) when J and I simply can't shove everything we need to do at work in, in time to be home to let her off. She never complains. She contracts every illness our kids bring home [Note - Sarah and I apparently both have terrible immune systems] and always does so with a smile and chuckle. She has listened to many of my training or work trials and tribulations and last but most important of all, she takes world-class care of the two most precious things in my life. To top it off, Sarah is traveling with the family to Ironman to help with the kids throughout race day. She is not a flier, but is taking it in stride [I have this vision on her clinging on to Ayden during take-off and landing that makes me chuckle (is that terrible of me??!?)]. It goes without saying that we love her; it goes unsaid too much that we appreciate her. She is part of the glue that holds us all together and she is part of the family. It is only fitting that she be here too :)

My Little Richard Simmons

Gavin see Gavin do Part 3

For some time now, Ayden has been in to building obstacle courses and making us all participate in traversing them....on at a time....and only when and how he says to do them.

Well, Ayden has a new pawn now that Gavin is (kind-of) coordinated enough to climb and apparently lacks all concern or awareness for falling....

The Riley Oasis

This past Saturday we broke down and purchased a more sophisticated water adventure for the boys to play in on the porch. Our hope is that they may have friends over to share in the fun (and that there would be space enough for them in the water).  As you have seen in previous posts, we had been using what is actually a water/sand table as our, Ayden named, "Splash Park", but I watched the kids try to shove themselves in it (much less both at the same time) too many times. So, thanks to our family store, Target!, we now have the Riley Oasis complete with water slide and ball toss.

The best part of all is that we are able to fit this and the sand box (red thing in back of pictures) all under the porch, so they are in the shade the entire day. Trust me....these iridescent kids do not need sun exposure :)

Come play with us any day!

The opposite of clean is...

Gavin.

This is what happens when mimi makes her delicious paleo muffins after bath time.....

Gavin see Gavin do Part 2

I believe this will become a routine post in our lives for many years to come....

This past weekend we were thoughtfully give new twin mattresses by my Aunt Tata, so we were able to get rid of the 50 year old mattresses (yes, literally 50 years old - they were my mom's when she was little) that Ayden has been sleeping on since he moved into a big boy bed.

During the transition, Ayden took it upon himself to use one of the old mattresses to create what he called a "circus". This entailed taking all the pillows in the house he could reach, all the stuffed animals, and any blanket he could get his hands on and piling them around the old mattress laying on the floor of the family room. From there he proceeded to use one of the comfy chairs we have in the room to jump from and onto the mattress. [I do have to admit that in fact I gave Ayden this idea as I thought he would enjoy it, and the gray chairs are comparatively low to the ground.] Well, in fact he loved it. Hours of entertainment, exercise and imaginative play.

You might be expecting a picture here or a video of him....well, that didn't happen.

BUT, once Gavin woke up from his nap and saw the super duper 'circus' and flying Ayden, he couldn't resist but to immediately try it himself. At first, he wanted to hold a hand whie he flopped off the chair onto the mattress, but in true Gavin style, it didn't take long before he bypassed the hand and simply took the plunge himself.

Here is a video of him doing it all on his own.

Also, some pictures of daddy looking on and looking slimmer than ever!