theblessingofverity.com

Is anyone reading this today who remembers reading those words ten years ago? “Kids, it’s been ten years today since I started blogging, and I’d like to get upstairs and write a little this afternoon. routine…ensure that supper is being prepped and the six boys and Verity are all gainfully occupied (“Boys, turn off the screen and step away from the computer”)…get Katie off her potty and settled with her toys> Now Verity’s shouting out random nonsense in the living room, which means that she’s bored and needs redirection… <run down and squeeze the potatoes baking in the oven to see whether they’re done, set timer for kids, give Josie quick help, bring Verity to my room with a toy>

Began running with a local women’s running group and learned that I needed to run more slowly in order to run longer distances. During the first part of the 2019-2020 school year, I would run early in the morning if it was a run day, and would lift weights at the gym with the trainer during the lunch hour while our mother’s helper was with the children. As I am training for a 10K in February, a competitive obstacle mud course in April, and a half marathon in May, my workout schedule looks like the following: Monday, chest and triceps for 1 to 1.5 hours, base run Tuesday, lighter legs and core for 1.5 to 2 hours Wednesday, back and biceps for 1 to 1.5 hours, base run Thursday, heavier legs and core for 1.5 to 2 hours Friday, shoulders, core, occasionally full body (such as battle ropes), base run or sometimes sprint intervals Saturday, easy (slow) run of three to four miles (sometimes with a friend) Complete 10 pushups with no break (PR 8 ) Complete one real pullup with no assist (still working negative pullups) 10 minute plank (PR 6 minutes, next goal 6 1/2 minutes) 75 stationary lunges per leg (PR 50) Deadlift 200+ (PR 180) Squat 200 (PR 160) Learn to do real weightlifting with free weights

This organization is doing an amazing and desperately-needed work, and it takes financial support to keep the inn partnerships viable, the flagship inn (The Terrace Guest House in MD) running, and now to help fund a new AMR respite inn (Lawton Place Manor) down in North Georgia! About a year ago, an anonymous friend gave us a gift of funds toward a respite weekend through the A Mother’s Rest respite retreat organization. Joe was accumulating travel points which would make a rental vehicle nearly free of charge, and we have discovered that we love traveling together–especially long road trips. The sound of the crashing surf, the scent of the shore carried on a warm and brisk wind, the full moon glinting an otherworldly glow over the waves and the twisted branches of the driftwood trees, the sand and salt water comfortable against our feet, the wild sense of fun and freedom, what could be more different from our daily life?

Nici had a week and a half paid time off, and Freya and Jane supervised at home while Joe and I drove overnight and stayed at our generous friends’ Freya, Nici, and Jane all helped at home while Joe and I took another long road trip to a couples’ retreat in Jekyll Island, Georgia this fall for Joe’s birthday, thanks in part to an anonymous donor through A Mother’s Rest. On right below, in white hat…finished my first half marathon at the end of September, coming in third place for my age and gender~ Was privileged to run in the same 5K as my 79-year-old father and 25-year-old eldest son, October~ And completed an Acre Breaker obstacle challenge course with a runner friend the following week, a gift from Joe, SO MUCH FUN~ Continuing to lift weights at the gym five days and run twenty to thirty miles each week~ Nici reading her library book picks aloud to the four boys last Verity loves to help me put dirty laundry in the washers, move wet laundry to the dryers, pull dry laundry out of the dryers, fold laundry, and put the laundry of the four little children away.