Butterfly Release

Spring time at the Brodnik house means raising butterflies.  We order them from Insect Lore and when they arrive they have hatched from the eggs and are tiny little worms.  They eat and turn into fat, fuzzy caterpillars......then on to hanging from the lid into the chrysalis stage.  The anticipation builds as we wait for the Painted Lady Butterfly to emerge.  We've done this for many years and it never gets old....for me or the kids. 

Tempe Int'l Winners!

Two weeks ago on May 15, I had the opportunity to team up with 2 fantastically FAST women to compete as a relay team at the 10th running of the Tempe International Triathlon.  It was fun!  And even more fun was winning our age group.....Olympic Female Relay Team!  Ok, there was only one other female team, but we smoked them!   We had a great race!   Mark raced and turned in a PR.  Good times! 

Chemo Anniversary

Two years ago today I received my first chemo treatment.  I don't remember too much about actually getting the drugs.   I do remember being nervous, being late for my appt and being greeted by a crowd of friends who came to cheer me on.  It was the most incredible feeling of love from friends who cared enough to take time out of their busy day to just be there.  Their presence meant so much to me.  I've never experience something like that before. The joy was overwhelming.  I knew then that I was not alone.  Thank you to everyone who supported me that day with signs in the neighborhood and by coming to my chemo appt.    You made a difference in my life that day and I will never forget it.    So, today I do not celebrate the beginning of nasty drugs dripping through my veins, but the healing power of friendships.  I truly believe your love & support has helped strengthen & heal me!!    I am so grateful!  Love, srb

Thankful

On Wednesday evening, Mark was t-boned getting off the freeway.  Scary for all of us.  He is doing fine...sore and bruises.  It could have been substantially worse.  Thank goodness for side airbags.  The blue car is the one that hit him.  Guy ran a red light on the phone.   We are so thankful Mark is ok.  A little sad to say good-bye to the VW Passat.  We got it fresh off the boat from Germany a little after Luke was born.  It was good to us for 11 years! 

Mother's Day

On Mother's Day we went for an early morning bike then out to brunch at my favorite restaurant, Pomegranite Cafe!  Yum!



My geraniums are gorgeous this spring.  Heat is coming and I will miss them.

Two funny O's!

Rio Salado Tri

 This tri was the first official Team Brodnik event.....a sprint relay tri.   Mark swam 400m, I biked 12 miles and then I finished it off with a 5k run.  We missed 3rd place by 18 seconds!!!  Bummer!  It was fun anyway! 



Ready for the race!

 

Our biggest fans!  Real troopers for getting up early and leaving house at 5am!



Finishing up the bike leg.

 

Crossing finish with my crew!!

Great day for Team Brodnik!!!

Strong Women!

Happy Mother's Day!!   Here's a tribute to the strength of women everywhere.  These two ladies are not mothers, but they demonstrate an incredible inner strength and the ability to beat the odds not only to survive but THRIVE!  Hope this inspires you in some small way to overcome a challenge, live healthier, find peace or simply choose to be grateful. Thanks to all the women in my life who inspire me to be the best mom, wife, sister, daughter, friend.  Love you all!   

She is 48, a teacher, a triathlete and a cancer survivor.  She lost her leg and lung to cancer, but yet she  perseveres to amazing heights. Wow! 

While serving in the Army in Iraq, she lost her leg in a roadside bomb.  Six years after that accident she is one of the top paratriathletes in the world. 

Happy Easter!!

Easter Sunday at church with friends.

At Granny & Pops' house.

That's a crew!  Ready for the annual egg hunt.

April Stuff

Marquee Duathalon -- Suppose to be a half-ironman tri, but the city closed the lake because of bacteria.  So it was a duathalon......run 5k, bike 56 miles and run 13.1 miles. 

The kids can finally play Life by themselves.  This is huge!!!  I just don't have the attention span for the length of that game!  Phew!!  That's an endurance sport!!!  Ha!

Lois' school choir group sang the National Anthem at the ASU Relay for Life event.  She posed with Sparky for a shot with her Flat Alyssa!

 

Happy Earth Day!  One of our Team Brodnik Master Lego builders made this in honor of our planet.  Thanks, Pedro!

Fieldtrip to a Gold Mine Ghost Town.