The Parker and Shumway Clan

My First Tri....a lessoned learned

So I completed my first sprint triathlon last night and overall I had a blast and can't wait to do another one but hopefully under different circumstances!!! It was a little intimidating being surrounded by all these well trained and experienced triathlons with all their amazing $2500-5000 rode bikes and all the professional gear that comes with it. But for the most part it was all very exciting and I was very anxious to see how it was going to all play out. I had to keep in mind that this was my first race and what better way to learn but from the best. The women's wave started at 4:50 pm and at that time it was 108 degrees! I got out to a quick start and felt good through out the 3 mile run besides my throat being on fire and my mouth was super super dry from the heat . I finished in 7th place and quickly transitioned to the bike leg of the race. This was tough being that tired already so off I went on the 11 mile ride. That's when the nightmare of Satan's lair quickly approached.......let me feel you in real quick before I start. My training for the cycling leg was mainly my cycling classes at the gym and biking around the area where I lived which was all FLAT GROUND. I was really dumb not to make it out to that actual course and do a few practise runs, but with our schedules there was no time for that. Sooooo I PAID for it!!!. Three-fourths of the course was uphill and oh yeah there are these things called gears you are suppose to take advantage of. Having only practiced twice on my old school 1970 tank of a bike I wasn't familiar how and when to use the gears. I didn't know that you had to change gears before you go into the hill. OK so if you could only imagine me going up these inclines like as if in slow motion exerting way for thrust and surging like never before and going NO WHERE!!! YIKES!!! I was struggling while all of these people buzzed by me effortless and barely breaking a sweat. Finally there was a break where the course was down hill and the gear I was in was working for me then. There was 3 laps to this course so every uphill battle I got further and further behind. An hour later, (mind you it only took me 42 minutes on my trial run last week on flat ground), I came into the transition area to quickly strip and run to the pool to complete the race. I was getting excited, even though I really couldn't feel my legs. I was happy to swim cause I knew I was almost done and that swimming was my strongest leg of the race. I was able to pass up 16 women and put myself from 44th to 28th place over all. I placed 2nd individually in the swim leg. That made me feel a lot better to know that. This triathlon was probably the most challenging thing I have every done both mentally and physically next to giving birth to 2 children. This experience taught me a lot about hard work and determination. I wanted to throw the towel in during this challenge but I am so glad I didn't. Wow I never could have imagined how hard I would have to push myself to complete this race. I can't wait to do them again and Alan says he will do them with me from here on out. We are both excited to keep in shape and to push ourselves even more.

HEAVEN SENT

Kaden is such a character and has such a cute and outgoing personality. It is so amazing to me where one day I can hardly make sense of his gibberish and the next day completely understand what he says and actually communicate with him. He is such a charmer and anyone that passes by he will raise his right hand and say in couple octaves lower,"HI". He loves planes and is always on the look out for any in the sky when we are outside. Kaden loves his baby brother Jack and sometimes shares his beloved cars with him. But the best part is when he lays on the ground next to jack and gets real close and says" awwww baby" and lays a big one on the top of Jack's head. Kaden has always been extremely gentle with Jack but not so nice with the cat. We are working on that. He loves his bucket of cars, all the plastic spoons in the drawers, and lately loves to where my watch where ever he goes even at bath time and to bed if daddy will let him.

Jack is six months now and it just blows me away how time flies. He rolls and is trying his hardest to scoot across the floor. He loves to watch whatever Kaden is doing and is always babbling and laughing lately. He is so happy to take car rides and for that fact likes to be anywhere but the house. He is easy going and overall a happy baby. I can hardly wait for Jack to get a little bigger and to see all the fun stages he will go thru.

We are so blessed to have these two sweet, sweet boys who chose us as their parents on this earth. We pray daily for guidance to lead them on the path of righteousness and to teach them of the love our Heavenly Father has for them.

A SHOUT OUT TO MY HUBBY

I just wanted to give a shout out to my wonderful hubby, Alan. We are very busy here in the Shumway home and the past few months have been extremely fun! We have had alot on our plate being a full time parents to our two beautiful sons during the day and he taking them at night, both of us working are full time jobs, trying to fulfill our callings in the ward, and I have been training for my first sprint triathlon. I couldn't do all this without the love and support he continually gives me. He is so good to me and the boys! He is such an amazing father who constantly is laughing and playing with Kaden and Jack . After he gets home from work he takes over the role as mom by playing, feeding , bathing and putting the boys to bed, and then even manages to get the house straightened before he goes to bed. He runs and swims with me to help motivate me to get into shape, and the best of all, he makes me laugh all the time. I know that our Heavenly Father has a bright future in store for us and I cant wait to take this earthly journey along side of him. I love him dearly and I am so happy to be married to him for time and all eternity!! Thank you for all that you do and for being my best friend. Love you babe.

Goodbye Elder Parker. We love you and will see in a couple of years!!

The Parker Family Together

The last couple of weeks have been so exciting and so busy! Danny came home from his mission,

Bekah flew in on Saturday to be here, and Spencer was preparing to leave for his mission to Micronesia Guam on Wednesday the 27th. It was fun to have the whole family together again one last time for the next couple of years. So alot of family time was needed and it was awesome to only live a couple miles away instead of 45 minutes!!!! I have the best family in the whole world and love and respect everyone of them. We laugh with all the good times and we cry with some of the challenges that come are way, but in the end we know we have each other and that's all that matters. ( I think I might just shed a tear:)

That Sunday before Spencer left, Danny gave his home coming talk and Spencer gave his fair well talk. It was so awesome to hear how far Danny has come and all the wonderful experiences he had while serving the Lord. I really admire him for the hard work he put into his mission.

Spencer's talk almost sounded like he was a return missionary, no, but his testimony is so beautiful and the love he has for the gospel will shine through to all those people in Guam.

I love my sister, Bekah so much and really appreciate what a super awesome sister she is!!! We have so much fun and she always makes me laugh and the best part laughs at all my jokes! We miss her so much now that she is back up at the Y, but we look forward to seeing her this Thanksgiving, where the weather will be finally nice, yeah!!

Time to catch up! WELCOME HOME DANNY!

Ok, so I am a couple weeks behind on my blogging and so much has happened that I am forcing myself to sit while the kids sleep and get this done. Well ill start with my brother Danny came home from serving a full time mission in San Bernadino on August 12. It is so fun to have him home and hope his adjustment is smooth sailing. He is such a funny guy and it seems like he has never left. I love him so much and am glad to have him finally meet his two adorable nephews.

A couple weeks before Danny came home I practise with Kaden using one of his missionary pics, to recognize him and to say, " Danny!". So when we went to the airport to get Danny it seemed liked Kaden knew exactly who we were getting and as soon as Danny got near, Kaden leaned into him to give him a hug and yelled, "Danny". It was priceless.

I am so grateful for Danny and the love he has for our Savior and in good times and in bad he never gave up but tried even harder to teach the gospel and to serve all those around him. Love you Danny!