Hawkins High Points

2013 Resolutions

Unfortunately, I was not successful at meeting all of my resolutions for 2013. A review:

1. Run a 5k - FAIL.

I started the Couch-to-5K program three times and kept getting interupted by injury. But even though I didn't accomplish my goal of completing the 5K in 2013, that doesn't mean I'm giving up on the goal! I'm about to do Week 6 Day 2 and will keep trying!

2. Buy a House - SUCCESS!

With only six weeks notice that we were losing our apartment, Ben and I were able to find a house that we could afford (kind of) in a neighborhood we like (kind of).  We have been having fun with the remodeling, and are really excited for this year's projects - the yard and the kitchen.

3. Sleep More - FAIL and SUCCESS

In retrospect, this is a poorly chosen goal.  It's not specific so how can I know if I accomplished it.  When I wrote this in January 2013, I had a three month old so of course I was desperate for sleep.  If success is Mackenzie sleeping through the night, than I was successful.  However, I continue to struggle with insomnia, sleep interruption, etc.  In that sense, it's a failure.  

2014 Resolutions

1. Complete my 2nd XTERRA Triathlon

I have my heart set on the XTERRA Tahoe in August because it is the only California XTERRA offering a sport distance.  If anyone wants to train with me, I love company!

2. Spend less on clothes than I make by selling old clothes.

Although it was never a formal resolution, I have gone the last 18 months without purchasing any new clothes.  My goal for 2013 is to clean out the closet and hopefully sell a few items on consignment, mom swap, etc.  Any money I make can be applied to the purchase of new clothes.

3. Exercise for a minimum of 150 minutes per week.

In order to make sure I am successful, I'll set up a tracking spreadsheet.  I'm hoping that a nice side effect of this resolution might be some weight loss, but I care less about the number itself and more about how my clothes fit and how I feel.  Any weeks were I go under 150 minutes, those minutes will be added on to the following week.

What are your resolutions this year?  I wish everyone strength, perseverance, and growth in 2014!

It's been a busy year for the Hawkins family!  We started off the year with Ben teaching his second semester at San Jose State University.  He taught Biotransport Phenomena and worked with students in his lab doing Microfluidics research.

Sarah and Mackenzie kept busy during the day by going to play dates, library story times, and new moms group at the hospital.  On Wednesday mornings, they hung out at the YMCA.  Mackenzie went to their child care program while Sarah taught a kids gymnastics class and occasionally a water aerobics class.

In March, Sarah took Mackenzie on her first airplane ride to visit Nana and Papa in New Jersey.  Nana really liked showing Mackenzie off to her friends.

In April, Sarah was approached about applying for a job at the Timpany Center.  While she hadn't planned to return to work until Mackenzie was older, the job description seemed perfect for her.  She was the successful candidate through the interview process and even managed to convince them to change the position from full time to part time so she could still have time with Mackenzie during the week. She is now working as the Program & Operations Director and Mackenzie is a student in the Daffodil Room at San Jose State University's Child Development Center.  

In May, we celebrated Aubie's (Andrea's) graduation from Fresno Pacific University.  We are still so grateful that Ben's job allowed us to move back to California and participate in family events more often.  We were also proud to send Colton off to college at ASU in August.

Summer was full of adventure for the Hawkins clan!  We took trips to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Shaver Lake, and even took Mackenze camping with Grandma and Grandpa at Huntington Lake.  The biggest adventure for us, however, was embarking into the crazy world of home-ownership.  In August, we got the keys for our first home - a 900 square foot townhouse in the Willow Glen area of San Jose.  The house needed a lot of work but we had to move in right away so we have spent every free moment since painting, wiring, and drilling while we try to make it "ours."

Toby, Maximus, and Bella are adjusting to their new house.  Max and Bella really like basking in the light that pours in from our skylights.  Toby really likes having a yard for the first time, although he still hasn't quite figured out his electronic dog door.  Mackenzie loves petting her "shats" (cats) and chasing her "dada" (doggy).

Fall marked Ben's third semester teaching.  He reprised his Intro to Biomedical Engineering Class which tripled in size from last year! He also led the Senior Project class while he continued his advising and research.

In November, we took a cold but fun trip to Yosemite with Grandma and Grandpa. We spent the weekend riding the trails  - we were quite the sight with Larry's trike and our chariot trailer rolling through the Valley!

There were no plans for "family Thanksgiving" this year, so we went to San Simeon and enjoyed some quiet time on the coast. Mackenzie and Toby both really enjoyed the elephant seals, and the whole family enjoyed hiking around Morro Bay and Big Sur.

Christmas was a lovely time with our extended families.  Mackenzie isn't quite old enough to understand the concept, but she still enjoyed her new toys and having lots of people to play with.  We are now hoping to get some rest before the New Year and new semester for Ben!

We wish you lots of peace, love, and adventure in 2014!

I first started having trouble with my ticker in 2003, when I had to be resucitated following orthopedic surgery because I wouldn't start breathing on my own after the anaesthesia.  Then, in 2004, I had a cardiac event while on a bike ride through the beautiful Sonoma Valley.  This started a long road of tests and doctors appointments.  Different diagnoses started rolling in.  First it was Wolf-Parkinson-White syndrome.  Then it was Hyperplastic Left Heart Syndrome.  Then Preventricular Contractions.  Positional Orthostatic Tachycardia.  You get the picture.  Moving from state to state meant poor continuity of care and never an accurate diagnosis. 

Then in 2012, I was lucky enough to find myself pregnant.  While I was so excited about it, my as-yet-to-be-correctly-diagnosed heart problem was not so excited.  I immediately found myelf in the care of a fantastic cardiologist in Maryland who took one look at my EKG and knew EXACTLY what was wrong - Atrioventricular Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia or SVT.  The diagnosis was simple, the treatment while I was pregnant was not.  The rest of my pregnancy was consumed with medication, ER visits, illness, work restrictions, and light rest until Mackenzie was born in October.  Trust me, it was all worth it!

In November 2012, I decided to meet with a cardiologist to discuss resolving my SVT completely.  He didn't need any convincing, surgery was the way to go. Could I come back the next week?!?

So that is how, one year ago today, I found myself in the pre-op room at El Camino Hospital in Mountain View, waiting for a cardiac ablation.  The procedure was strange and uncomfortable, but really nothing compared to a natural labor!  I'm happy to report that a year later, my legs can't keep up with my heart instead of the other way around!

Three hours after surgery - I was up and walking around so I could get home to Mackenzie as quickly as possible!

Last week I had to travel to San Diego to attend a workshop.  

On of my best friends, Jarie, lives down there, so I got to spend the week with her, her husband Stevie, and their adorable hamster, Indiana Jones.

I convinced Ben and Mackenzie to fly down at the end of the week and join me and we had a lovely time!

On Thursday, we had a lovely dinner in City Heights with Uncle Frances, Aunt Natalie, and Cousin Irene.  Irene, who is 3 years old, had fun showing Mackenzie all her toys and running around singing "ABC's" with her!

On Friday, after my workshop was over, we went to La Mesa's Christmas celebration.  The parade was a bit of a letdown, but the bagpipes were great!

We even ran into Santa Claus!

On Saturday, we joined Fran, Natalie, and Irene at the San Diego Zoo.  It was a beautiful day, even in the middle of December, and we had a great time walking around looking at all the beautiful animals and riding the Skyfari!

Irene had fun hamming it up for the camera!

Mackenzie imitated the monkeys!

Then, the unbelievable happend - she actually fell asleep in her stroller... IN PUBLIC!!

On Sunday morning, before we had to head home, we met up with one of my oldest friends at Hash House A Go Go.  Todd and I were Barrier Breakers together for a million years, so we like to do handstands for photo ops. Here was our attempt in the last time I visited Todd in 2008 - I was 20 lbs heavier and much weaker than now!

Our 2013 attempt went much better (for me at least!).

The flight home was short and sweet - Mackenzie even got her own seat! It was nice to be home, but we had a great time visitng friends and we hope to do it again soon!

In case anyone is wondering what Mackenzie needs for Christmas, we have our wish lists posted on Amazon this year.

Happy Birthday to Ben, on his 32nd birthday.  Mackenzie was very happy to hand him his gift, but after he opened his new iPhone, she stole it and tried to talk to Nana on it! We are looking forward to celebrating more this weekend, but we are mostly just grateful that Mackenzie slept an extra 20 minutes this morning.  Ben said that was the best present!

Hawkins High Points underwent a major overhaul this week.  It's been long overdue!  When my Mac Book Pro died in spectacular fashion in July 2012, I lost my favorite website building application.  The version of HHP you have seen since then was patch worked until I figured out what to do with it.  Finally, this week, I decided to install and learn a new CMS, Concrete 5.  How do you like the results?  Ok, it's still a work in progress, but there is room to grow!

As I write this, I'm sitting in a very comfortable hotel bed in San Simeon, California.  My darling husband is out taking Toby and Mackenzie for a walk, while I enjoy some peace and quiet.  I finished a magazine (from June...), I brushed my teeth, and now I'm relaxing and typing my first blog post to you.  If I drank coffee, I'd take a big swig right about now and sigh with content...