US Master's Swimming Nationals

I haven't blogged in forever. But there is something so special in my life that I have to write a few lines. I don't even care if anyone reads it, because I don't know if anyone even reads my blog ever anymore since I don't post. But this needs to be OUT THERE cause it's so important! For me if no one else.

Tonight I will board an airplane and fly to Phoenix, Arizona, and I will spend the next three days swimming in races at the US Master's Swimming National Short Course Championship meet! I will swim the 50, 100, and 200 freestyle, the 100 Inidivual Medley, and the 50 Breaststroke and 50 butterfly. This is a huge swim meet, and will be my first high level swim meet in 20 years. I have been training all winter, but particularly hard for the last two months.

Why am I doing this?

I qualified! After all of these years, I was able to race in a masters meet in February, having absolutely no idea beforehand what times I would swim, and I qualified for nationals! I was fast. Faster than I thought I would be. Not nearly what I was as a teen, but that was 20 years and 7 kids ago. It was such an adventure for me, with great results.

Another reason for doing this? Because I can. Something about facing death and enduring that tortuous pregnancy to bring these awesome, beautiful triplets into the world, along with raising them their first two years, and SURVIVING it all, has given me the power and determination to LIVE out loud! Dream big dreams!

So today I was perusing swimming quotes, and I came across one that almost brought tears to my eyes. It read, "It's never to late to be what you might have been." My secret is this: When I was 17 I qualified for Jr. Nationals in the 50 free. But I didn't go. I was tired and it was only the 50, and I knew there would be many there who would be stronger and faster, and it seemed silly to spend all that money for travel, etc. to just swim a 50 free, especially when I didn't think I would place. So I didn't go.

I have no regrets. It is what it is. But I have wondered over the years...what if?

It's never to late to be who I might have been. This weekend is about that. Not about regrets or lost opportunities, but becoming today more of who I am meant to be. Pushing myself harder, faster, and further than I thought I could.

I am ready. I am excited. I have nothing to prove to anyone, but this meet is about BEING ALIVE. I love my kids and I love my life, but this weekend there is a towel and deck spot reserved for me, and I get to go do something that I didn't do back then, and I am a 38 year old, mother of 7! Somehow that gives even more meaning to this experience than it would have had back then.

It is never to late to follow your dreams, or create new ones! One of my favorite quotes is "The energy it takes to ignore an inner longing is greater than the leap of faith it takes to move you in the direction of your dreams."

There will be many swimmers there this weekend for whom this is just another nationals, just another race, just another fun event. For me this is profound. This is about returning to the core of who I am and leaping, faithfully, in the direction of my dreams.

Hawaii

I'm going to Hawaii. With my husband. Without my kids. For a REAL vacation. Not the kind where you hit the road with your family and come home more tired than when you left. Love them, but I'm leaving them home. I'm going to have fun. I deserve it. I will miss them. But I will enjoy Hawaii enough for all of us.

Wanna come?

Loyal friends are treasures

Dear High School girlfriends,
I just wanted to let you all know that I love you and all you have meant to me in my life. The past little while I have watched my sweet 15 year old daughter be treated so poorly by girls who were supposed to be her best friends. It has been painful to watch, but even more it has made me appreciate the awesome friendships I had. I am weary of the drama of jr. high and high school, but more importantly, I am realizing that the loyal friends I had and still have are rare and I am to fortunate to have had you all in my life during those crazy high school years. It was a tumultuous time enough as it was, but I was so blessed. I treasure you all.
Love, Jules

choo choo

The Step2 Choo Choo Wagon!

Okay guys, I just totally splurged.

I never do this, but I acted spontaneously on an internet purchase. I bought this wagon called the Choo Choo Wagon for my girls today. My reason for this spur of the moment purchase? Well, these have been out of stock and unavailable from the company for several years now, and you could only get them on e-bay for a bazillion dollars used, and ALL my triplet mom friends who have one LOVE them and SWEAR by them. For these babies I have borrowed everything from boppy pillows to carseats to high chairs. I haven't wanted to spend money on top of the hundreds I spend on diapers, clothing, shoes, and all the other baby stuff in 3's that I can't borrow.

But I caved. These wagons went back on sale today from Step2 and ALL the triplet moms are buying them. I'm not just saying that--they really are! On Facebook today it's all the rage! Who bought their choo choo wagon??? I almost feel like in order to stay in good standing with the triplet moms I needed to just buy it! So I did! I'm so happy the girls' 2nd birthday is coming up so I have a good excuse for my splurge! And phew, now I can remain a Triplet Mom.

I hope they will love their new choo choo wagon!

The Hubby

For those of you who don't know, I have a pretty wonderful husband. He's not perfect, but he's pretty terrific, and I would know, for I've been married to him for over 17 years. We've had our ups and downs, our communication breakdowns, our downward spiral moments into dysfunction, but we are both committed and we always emerge stronger individually and stronger as a couple. We found out shortly after the babies were born that parents of multiples (3 or more, not twins) have an 85% divorce rate. Whoa. We are determined to be in the 15% who stay together. And we're going to do it in a way that will make life not just survival, but enjoyable! The bottome line is that not only do I love this man, but I really like him!

I always say that at the naive age of 21 I made a decision that was wise beyond my years: I married this man. But can't take all the credit--I was definitely guided to him by one who knows us better. In marriage we are meant to complement each other--to fit together not because we are the same but because we are different. Dave and I do that. We balance each other, we challenge each other, and at the end of the day, we love each other. I'm grateful for such a wonderful partner. And I'm so grateful to have married my best friend.