Wenleewise

It's that time of year again. I sit and write, you skim and smile, grunt, chuckle, howl or my favourite- burst out in hysterical laughter. Merry Christmas to you and a Happy New Year!

By now you know the drill, I listen to Mariah Carey and others belting out Christmas songs while I inspire to remember and record the happenings of the year. Our Christmas music library consists of classics such as The Little Drummer Boy to albums familiar only to a minority: Twisted Sister's A Twisted Christmas. Their brainchild rendition of The Twelve Days of Christmas that includes, but is not limited to, "Seven leather jackets, five stolen rings, and a tattoo of Ozzy" is a brilliant, yet wanting lyrical story.

Now I don't like to brag but we have 1.4 days of iTunes Christmas songs. That's 643 songs! For many, that's about all you can handle all year and I can't say I blame you! Do I still have your attention or have you gone searching YouTube for the song mentioned above (it's there!). Before I lose you forever to YouTube, let's get to my 2014 recap!

January, marked David's birthday. I don't remember what we did so I will refer to my electronic memory, Facebook! As usual we had a few friends in for New Years Eve. In the morning I ran the Resolution Run at Crescent Park with many fellow runners. Then we mixed up the New Years day regime with a hyperborean swim in our friends' outdoor pool! HA- First polar bear swim for the Wiseman's and very possibly a new tradition! The hot tub felt good afterward!

February brought us the Sochi Winter Olympics which we enjoyed watching and wishing we were as svelte and athletic as these heroes. Hooray for our First place Canadian Women's Hockey Team! My home crew tried to keep up the Canadian fitness spirit with a few 2km family runs. Jacob left us all far behind! I ran the First Half Marathon race in Vancouver. What would that huge 1600 calorie burn be without the reward of food?! David honed his homemade pizza expertise and we devoured multiple circles of goodness. Later in the month I met up with an old high school friend, and we recalled some geriatric memories of fun and shenanigans. Remember Expo 86? I do! Wow- I'm old!

March found us in Maui- Whoohoo! We stayed 4 nights at The Maui Banyan in Kehei and 10 nights at Coconut Condos in Lahaina. Some highlights from this trip, other than the best days ever every day, included: Sunset horseback ride; Humpback whales leaping out of the ocean and waving their fins at us at Big Beach; Spinning Dolphins swimming alongside of us during a boat ride across to Lanai Snorkel Tour. Same tour, a humpback whale surfacing IMMEDIATELY in front of the boat forcing our Captain to slam on the breaks to avoid a head on collision! Sunny days, poolside reading, visiting the historic Banyan Tree in the Lahaina Courtyard, dinners at the Cool Cat Cafe, heaps of boogie boarding and body surfing for David and the boys, while I soaked in the sun and surroundings of this tropical heaven were easily some of our best hours spent together this year!

Back at home, in early April our Magnolia tree bloomed it's beautiful tulip like leaves. Outside in the garden was where you would find me this month! One gorgeous, mild day I ran 10 miles then spent 5hrs+ gardening- WHEW! David and I ran the 10km (6 miles) Sun Run race together again, the first time was 17 years ago. He has pledged that he will run it again with me in 2031 and I'm holding him to it! For the record, David did beat my time by "2 seconds". He has lovingly approved that I say it was his gut that crossed the finish slightly before my feet. Late April Jacob and I decided to up the ante and started TaeKwanDo together at a local club in Surrey, Kick It Martial Arts. You know, because my schedule isn't full enough already - Lol!

May was a good month to drive to Portland, OR: a city bursting with eclectic shops, unique cafes, cult restaurants like Voodoo Donuts, and the home of everyone's favourite t.v. show, Portlandia (find it on Netflix)! You might recall that in September 2012 a group of us (some wearing tiger spandex) climbed to the top of Mt. St. Helens in the Evergreen State of Washington. May 18, 2014 marked the 34th anniversary of the eruption. We gathered with the slower half of our climbing crew (sorry guys but it's true) for a non-planned reunion, and remembrance of the eruption anniversary. Again, I must state that our Mt. St. Helens climb of September 2012 was EPIC! Hands down more challenging both mentally and physically than a marathon race. Ahem, later that month, I ran the first of three Rock n' Roll series Half Marathons for 2014! Dominic celebrated his 14th Birthday shooting his friends at Planet Lazer then pretending he didn't like the amazing birthday slide show presentation produced by his beloved father. My guys are pretty cool and everyone knows it.

June was awesome. We had a big extended family get together here at the house for my cousin Cathi's 40th birthday. I love my Goudsward group! I took a road trip to Seattle with a friend to run the second of the series, Seattle's Rock n Roll Half Marathon. We didn't quite get our goal times but we got it done. Tough races, like tough days build character and give an opportunity to re-evaluate and reset goals. I am thankful for friends that push me, and experiences that challenge me. I also appreciate my lazy friends. There! Now, nobody's feelings are hurt! The boys were out of school early because of strike action and spent a few days at Grandma and Gramps' house. While their brain stimulation may have dropped due to the lack of reading/ writing/ arithmetic, they made up for it by riding bikes and rigging up some rope from the garage and PLAYED OUTSIDE LIKE WE DID IN THE OLD DAYS! Even Gramps got out on his bike and cruised the hood. Good times!

July & August were full months! Jacob and I continued with TKD and earned our yellow belts. KIA! Work never slows down even in the summer months (blasted, wonderful customers)! We went car camping (gasp) at Manning Park for the July long weekend and created lasting family memories of: struggling to stay warm around the campfire in the evenings; paddling around Lightning Lake in slight discomfort in our once roomy Clipper canoe; and put our love for each other to the test to conquer pain, thirst and hunger when the walk around the lake turned into a long, arduous hike. At least I got a wicked tan and burnt a gazillion calories. Ok maybe only a million. Car camping is a big change for us backpack campers. We did have a great time, delicious food cooked on our campstove, and enjoyed hot sunny days along with those cold nights.

My neice, Amica turned 1yr old in June but we helped celebrate in July with a big birthday party at her estate in Port Moody. Everyone brought gourmet food and presents as expected for any famous birthday girl and Amica returned the favour with a brilliant speech that was published in Time Magazine. Don't look that up.

Also in July, Ken, Sage and crew came down from Prince George so naturally we composed and retook a favourite past photo from our Burnaby basement dwelling years. It received rave reviews. We are that famous.

August saw the boys leaving a week before us on vacation. We took our annual trip to Huntsville, ON to ~~throw members of the family off the dock~~ spend quality time at the Wiseman family cottage! While the kids are away, the adults will play! David and I celebrated our 22nd wedding anniversary Wiseman style on our back deck with greek food ordered in, a home grown flower arrangement by David with a unique corn cob feature, and inevitably too much wine. Martha Stewart, you are so last year! Once home I ran the SeaWheeze (lululemon) Half Marathon with a couple friends who made the race fun while I was struggling to get to the finish line under 2hrs. At least I have an AWESOME "before" picture. No pictures were taken after. Your welcome.

In September, time was spent labouring in and enjoying the garden, walks at the beach, and an extended summer for the boys because of the continued strike action. This was ok because I was able to procrastinate even longer on the purchase of school supplies. Come to think of it, over the years of buying "per the list" we had gobs of never used duotangs, lined exercise books, etc. so in September I gave a shebang away to a friend with young kids. Parents of young children be warned- you do NOT need to buy everything on the list!

Happy 16th Birthday to Jacob in October, and whatever for me. For Jacob's birthday our monthly food budget was spent at The Keg with a steak for each of us! Warning to the young ladies- if you don't like red meat, you don't have a chance with handsome, sweet, funny, Jacob. A carving set was the perfect gift.

Instead of celebrating my birthday, I hosted a baby shower here for a friend from work. We did the usual baby shower charades: the baby food guessing game, drew funny pictures and ate too much. Magnum, my girlfriend's golden lab was staying with us and thought he could join in on the deliciousness as well but that ended badly. Could be chalked up to a few mini quiches, or perhaps it was the chips. We couldn't help it- he's just so adorable! When he comes back later this month it will be a pure dog food diet for that big guy!

October is always a full month of birthdays, Thanksgiving, Halloween and inevitable weight gain. My most most rewarding gain of the month was receiving six medals for running three half marathons (not in the same month). Yup, six. Thank you Rock n' Roll series. The Vancouver Oasis race at the end of October was my best time in awhile = 1:55:54. A slight 54 seconds off my goal. The day was grand- drove down with friends, ran with friends, drank beer with friends. Love.

November brought yard work clipping, the start of front yard patio, and some unusually cold days. No matter, I ran anyways. This time a 10000metre track race in gale force winds and freezing rain. Fun times! 52:40 later I was done my 6 races for the year. Not mentioned earlier but I have been involved this year as a member of our Youth Director search committee at church. We met regularly throughout the year to review resumes, pray and occassionally eat pizza. What a humbling experience to seek God and his plans for our church and community. Church is cool and God is good.

Welcome to December. Currently enjoying mild, 15+ temperatures. You know, perfect put up your Christmas tree weather. We had a bunch of friends here earlier in the month and while I don't miss the days of changing diapers, it was fun having a flock of little people here even though I blame them for my current sore throat, cough and overall malaise.

Going to end this trying-hard-to be-humorous-but-just-want-to-go-to bed letter with some less than 100% accurate but close height measurements. Jacob checks in around 5' 10" (still not as tall as his Grandpa John); Dominic at 5' 4; David unchanged at 5' 9" and no comment on the growing outward. Jacob's height has slowed in the last six months but Dominic is sprouting like an unruly weed...

Next morning: So while I leave you to wrap some Christmas presents and meet with friends later on for a rainy day hike and dinner, I extend sincere best wishes from my family to yours during this season of gift giving. I hope between the presents and hooplah you will make time to reflect on the Christ within Christmas rather than get caught up with the X it has become for some.

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Isaiah 40:28-29

Burnaby basement dwellers to current day. We've stayed together all these years!