Author: rachel

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who’s a nerd?

At first I thought my super good friend Valerie’s comment (see comments on hey, mrs. brightside post) referred to Adam and Jeremy, her hubby, as nerds, which I am used to. But then I took a closer look, and no, no, she referred to The McCracken’s (that is plural, and possesive I guess, in my universe) as nerds. This is something new and different for me. And I am not quite sure how I feel about it.

Has my smartness *British style* turned to nerdiness? Is this phenomenon a virtue of me growing into my thirties? Maybe it is because I am married to a genius? Or perhaps it is simply because I have lost my kick-ass (sorry moms) globe trekking abilities, which has severely dampened my cool factor?

I have been called many things in three decades: a brainiac, a word snob, type A, well-read, and even miss bossy pants. All of these adjectives have boosted my self-confidence. But a nerd? Come on Val, is that really what you think of me? Is that really all you’ve got? *enter witty retorts*

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love is spoken here

Adam and I would like to acknowledge our mothers this weekend. They are both shining examples of unconditional love and conviction. So without further adieu, the following spotlights two of our most favorite women.

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Name: Catherine Ann Penning

Occupation: 1st grade teacher a.k.a angel on earth

Favorite Pasttime: Chasing dad around the kitchen island with a spatula shouting, “James, I’m gonna get you.”

I love my mother. I remember being in the seventh grade and still loving my mother. In contrast, all of my friends were at war with their moms. They ‘hated’ them and did everything they could to make their lives miserable. I never felt that way. I liked being around my mom and I always felt that she liked to spend time with me as well. She has supported me through such decisions as serving a mission, trekking the globe, moving to Las Vegas, adopting four kids from a far away place, and deciding to homeschool them. Some of these decisions were a little easier to support than others, but she has always trusted my instincts and my ablility to discern what is right for my life’s path. And for that, mother, I am forever indebted to you.

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Name: Debra McCracken

Occupation: Librarian

Favorite Pasttime: Scrapbooking, or rather purchasing scrapbook supplies and dreaming of the day she can use them without fear of little terrorists a.k.a Quinn and Zoe.

I also love my mom. She has been an example to me from my earliest memories. She has picked me up and bandaged plenty of knees and elbows. She has supported me emotionally, spiritually, and financially! Though I know she has thought I’m crazy with my hikes and canyon adventures (sorry about that Chrismas Eve mishap, Mom!), she has always encouraged me to follow my dreams and let me know that there is nothing in the world, except for the limits I place on myself, to stop me. I am proud of her for taking on the added stress of getting her Master’s degree now, after sacrificing it earlier in life to raise me and my siblings. I love you mom, and will be eternally grateful for the love you have shared with me.

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target.com, you just lost our business

Yeah, that’s right, you heard us. We have many friends and family who have generously provided us with hundreds of dollars in Target gift cards for our adoption. This has been a huge blessing for us because we live in Logan, UT where there is not currently a Target store. We are in the process of picking and purchasing a point-and-shoot digital camera for our trip to Colombia. So logically we decided to use some of our Target money to purchase the camera we were looking for.

Adam just tried purchasing the item online at target.com, but was unable to use the number of gift cards it would require. Okay, understandable. Adam then called customer service so that they could help him finish the purchase over the phone. Pretty simple, right? Not asking much. We are wanting and willing to give Target a few hundred dollars.

What was the call center’s response, you ask? “Well, maybe you could go to a Target store and combine the gift cards there.” There was a small exchange over us not having a Target, and something about how they use the exact same screen we use to order things so there is absolutely no possible way to override the system….blah blah blah! When Adam asked to speak to a superior, he was met with the “our calls are recorded for quality….”

The bottom line: we’re buying our camera from B&H, which we prefer anyway. The same camera is $50 cheaper, there is no sales tax, and shipping takes less time. Oh yeah, we love B&H and have never been dissappointed with their service. Buy all your camera stuff from them–they’re great!

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hey, mrs. brightside

Let’s shout it out together: Mamma Penning doesn’t have MS. We are still convinced there is something to this whole small brain thing though, right mom?

Seriously though, dazed and confused steeped in relief sums it up. The short of the long is that Cathy doesn’t have MS and she doesn’t have Dementia. Mom will go through a battery of tests that the neurologist has ordered. He is specifically looking at blood clotting issues that could help prevent something more serious later on. I guess I won’t share too much of my mother’s personal medical history on the world wide web. :)

Anyway, thank you all for the many inquiries of concern over the past couple of weeks. It’s a small, or maybe large, reminder to enjoy the brightsides of life everyday so that we keep a deep reserve to draw from when things get a little cloudy.

Love you mom….soon to be Abuela to four more cuties! This little episode doesn’t get you out of visiting Colombia this summer. Nice try.

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the downside of up

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How can there possibly be any downsides to finishing a 1/2 marathon? Oh that’s right, you have to keep up the hard work you put in OR ELSE! Yeah, I’ll admit it. The only thing I’ve participated in the past two weeks that comes close to exercise is a 5k (Race for the Cure) this past Saturday in Las Vegas. You’re probably thinking that is pretty amazing of me, right? WRONG! It’s the only thing I’ve done. I haven’t walked, jogged, biked, or crawled since Salt Lake. And that wouldn’t be so bad if I had continued eating the 1600 calories/day that my body was so used to. Oh noooo, I have to go on  ‘vacation’, which is just another term for driving long distances, visiting family and friends, and eating all the time. Sheesh!!! I feel super crappy right now, and I’m the only one to blame. I’m sure I’ve gained a few pounds, and I’m determined to jump back on the exercise train as soon as I get back to Logan. *much encouragement needed*

Okay, enough lamenting. We had a great time particpating in Race with all our friends. Here are a few of my favorite pics!!!

30423049305530583064307930823091We also made an after-race stop at IHOP. Jeremy ordered the healthiest of us all with an egg-white omelet and fruit. Adam entertained Carter by letting him jump off the chair onto the ground. The entire DeMarco clan joined in, making us a party of 18.

For me, the best part about moving back to Las Vegas are moments like this. Adam and I have an amazing circle of friends–they are family. We vacation together. We worship together. We support each other. We laugh and cry together. I miss my family and living near them desperately. I get very sad when thinking of leaving my sister and her family in Logan. I want so badly to someday move back to the Northwest. I would not, however, trade my life as it is right now for anything. This is our home, and we feel strongly that this is the best decision for our family. Fortunately, we have the best of friends, which makes the move so much easier.

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a night out in Portland

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After our foiled hiking, Adam and I were ready for something spectacular. We found it in Powells Books in downtown Portland. It really is the “City of Books”. They have an info board and complimentarty maps to help find your way around. The best part about it was that instead of one shelf of adoption books, we scored four shelves. The same went for homeschooling. Adam spied an entire aisle of Chinese books…everything from reference books to childrens books to adult literature. I had to drag him away. We’ll go back, honey, I promise. Anyway, we came away with some fabulous resources, some of which were half price because they were used. It was AWESOME!!! We also had dinner at Claim Jumper (of course) with Dan and Jes. I tried something new–surprising, I know. I had the Jamaican Sweet Potatoe. It was yummy…and a super healthy option. And yes, Dan’s platter really was that big. At least the food didn’t go to waste–he got a couple of lunches out of the left-overs. Regardless, it was totally picture worthy.

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Thanks for hangin’, Davenports. A special thanks for chauffering us to Powells, especially on a ‘school night’. We know how overwhelming the store is when you aren’t looking for something specific. We are so glad you’re our friends. Now if we could do something about the Las Vegas heat. I fear it’s the only way to get you to move south.

Oh yeah, Jes and I scrapped some of baby Georgie’s pictures on Tuesday before we headed home, but Adam hasn’t downloaded the pics yet. I’m honored that she lets me participate in such a sacred memorial. Aunt Rach misses you baby!!!

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don’t do it, rach!

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Those are the oh so infamous words from my dear friend, Jena, repeated many times to me the week before the 1/2 marathon. All I wanted was a little diet coke….just a little. Thanks for the support, friend. Soda is obviously one of the worst things to have before a race because of it’s sodium content. Instead, I hydrated like a maniac. Unfortunately, we all went out to dinner the night before and had chips, beans and yummy chimichangas…not smart. So I think those two things cancelled each other out. :) Regardless, the SLC Marathon was a huge success. We all finished, some of us faster than others, but we all completed what we set out to do. How rewarding, right?

I cannot express how important accomplishing this goal was for me. In some respects it has given me some much needed closure to all the ickyness I’ve felt the past few years. I have purposely not done as much as I’m capable of…all in an attempt to feel better after each miscarriage. Obviously, that didn’t work very well. Having a goal, working hard for it, and then accomplishing it has reminded me how capable I am of doing whatever I want. The only limitations are those we place on ourselves–how true this really is? Some of you might say you could never walk/jog/run/crawl 13 miles, but really you could. You know that. The question is, what would motivate you to do it? We all have a price, and mine was the thought of a happier, healthier, stronger me. Me, only better!!!

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As for the race itself, I learned a few things for my next race: 1. use the bathroom one more time before, no matter what; 2. make sure the room’s a/c is working so I can actually sleep for a few hours; 3. drink water at EVERY station, don’t skip the first one; 4. don’t rub my callouses off in the shower two weeks before the race–really, really stupid of me, and boy do I have the big daddy of all blisters to prove it; 5. sunscreen up, even if I’m wearing a visor.

This post would not be complete without discussing our post-race dinner. Dave and Jena treated everyone to Rodizio Grill @ Trolley Square. Oh man, food has never tasted so good. And you better believe Jena and I had Soda!!! The food was absolutely scrumptious, the company was delightful, and once again we are reminded how important friendship and family is to us. Thanks Again, Demarcos, not only for dinner, but for inviting us to participate in the race and for being such a good influence for good in our lives.

Jaimee and Randi–my quasi-training partners were also completely inspirational. There is no way I could have kept going all 12 weeks without my training buddies. We had so much fun groaning about our workouts and then feeling completely rewarded when we finished them. I am so very proud of both of you mamas. You are 1/2 marathon moms, that’s huge!!! Don’t let anyone take that away from you.

Well, my next run is the Race for the Cure 5K in Las Vegas in a couple of weeks. I’m also running that with Dave and Jena–Adam might even join me on this one. First, I need to work on these sore muscles though. Maybe a massage, tomorrow!!! In my dreams. :)

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21 pounds and still losing!

I couldn’t stand it any longer. I felt the need to get on the scale today. I knew it would be a good day. Drum roll please…….I’ve lost 21 pounds in 10.5 weeks. My goal was two pounds a week and I’m totally doing it. I wasn’t going to weigh myself until after the 1/2 marathon next weekend, but I figured why not?

I feel great, and I am motivated to keep exercising and keep losing. I probably could have worked a little harder, exercised a little longer, and ate a little less to maximize my results. But I am so okay with slow and steady weight loss. Besides, as I pat myself a little on the back here, I did this in the midst of losing my grandpa, losing a baby, and a few spontaneous road trips. I say, not bad, Rach!

Instead of emotionally eating the last three months, I’ve focused myself and my energies on a goal. It has been the absolute best thing I’ve done in a really long time. I think I have 30 lbs or so to fit into all of my pre-marriage clothes, but it’s better than 50 lbs, right? The best part is that I’m doing this all on my own…no pills, no surgery, no daily training session (which I wouldn’t mind), and no crash starvation dieting! It’s just me, my calorie counter, my pedometer, and the open road! That’s the most rewarding part.

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sooooooo busy and happy birthday

I have been so busy the past couple weeks. I traveled to Washington to help my mom and sister. My mom drove back with us for a week of Spring Break. I made FOUR scrap photo albums (okay, Adam helped with this). And in the midst of all of this I’ve worked 4-8 hours online every day–trying to wrangle some more adoption money. And I’ve continued training for the 1/2 marathon, which is only 10 days away at this point.

It’s the busiest I’ve been since June, and I’m glad for it. It makes the adoption waiting fly by. Adam and I are off to Las Vegas this weekend for an adoption shower that his mom and sister are throwing for us. My mom and Jaimee/Brian are also coming. More travel–yippee. I haven’t even washed our clothes from the Washington trip yet. Guess what I’ll be doing tomorrow?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Jaime Lynne Lea this week!!! The McCrackens love ya, girl.

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“hey, you look hot!”

That’s right! I was standing in the kitchen the other day in black pants and cute black sweater with my hair cutely done. My husband walked through the room and out of the blue said “hey, you look hot!” and then gave me lots of kisses. This might not seem like a big deal to some, but to me it’s huge. Adam hasn’t said that in a really really long time. He’s said I look pretty or beautiful or nice, but not hot. I still have so far to go in terms of fitting into all my clothes and looking the way I want, but it’s a start. The best part about the compliment is that it was totally unsolicited and honest.

I go to the doctor on Wednesday for a follow-up so I can get my current weight. I went to the doctor right before I started my training program so I’ll be able to get an accurate number on how much I’ve lost. I’m hoping for 20, but I’ll be happy with 15. I’ve been working out this past week, but I haven’t counted my calories since we’ve been working at my mom’s all week. So now I’m not sure where I’m at.

One more thing….I was able to jog almost all of my five miles the other day. I can walk miles and miles and miles, but I still can’t jog super lots. I was so proud of myself this week. I think it helps that I’m at a lower elevation and not fighting the monster hills. Thanks for the challenge Jena, I jogged about 3/4 of the five miles. SLC is only three weeks away–I’m soooo excited!!!