MS Hike - Copper Mountain 2012

Over the past few years, I have really enjoyed getting out and being active in my community and communities across the state. I have participated in many events, but I feel like I get the most out of events such as walks and runs for specific organizations such as my Break the Cycle Race, Relay for Life and the MS Hikes. This past weekend, while participating at the Copper Mountain MS Hike, I was reminded why I get the most out of these events (besides the fact that they are great exercise).
While on the hike and at one of our rest points, a lady and man sat down beside my team and we all began talking. Turns out the lady has MS and has lived with the disease for almost 20 years. She was telling us all about what she does to help the MS community and what she participates in. She takes part in the MS hikes, MS bike rides and more...and her husband participates by her side in every event. When we asked about how long she's lived with MS, she told us how she had been officially diagnosed 15 years ago. The lady was 40, so that would have made her about 24 or 25 when she was diagnosed. However, she said she began developing the symptoms of MS at 19 years old, while playing college basketball. Her symptoms and diagnosis of MS obviously changed her life and many of her plans; however, this woman was determined not to let MS control or ruin her life. That's when she told us about the hikes, bike rides and more that she does to raise money for and awareness for MS and to be an example for others with MS. She also told us that she thanks God everyday for her diagnosis. She said prior to her diagnosis, she took many things in life for granted and that since her diagnosis, she doesn't even take the small things in life (like the ability to walk) for granted.
I hope we can all learn something from this amazing woman. Here is to taking nothing in life, regardless of how big or small, for granted.

 Hike MS Copper Mountain, July 2012 (7 mths pregnant)

Team SLV @ Hike MS Copper Mountain, July 28th 2012

2012....What a Year!!!

Wow....it's been a while since I've posted and this year is already half over. How time flies. 2012 has been extremely busy, fun, trying, challenging and everything in between. After competing in Mrs. Colorado in February, my husband and I received some unexpected but exciting news....we were expecting. We are currently awaiting the arrival of our second baby girl in November.
I graduated with my Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in May and passed the state licensing exam. In just a few weeks, I will be a National Certified Counselor (NCC). I opened a private practice in South Fork, Aspire Wellness Counseling, LLC (www.aspirewellnesscounseling.com). After graduation, I took a trip with a fellow classmate and my good friend, Wendi, to the Windy City. Chicago was a blast and I can't wait to go back to Navy Pier, W Hotel and Bliss Spa.
The 2nd Annual Break the Cycle Race against Domestic Violence was held on June 16th and was a huge success with 46 participants, raising over $1,100 for the San Luis Valley Break the Cycle Scholarship which will be awarded in August for the first year. When choosing the course for the race, I wasn't putting much thought into the layout or difficulty, I was simply looking for something that distance wise made a good 5K. My outlook on the course I chose was changed after this years race. After the race, one of the participants (a domestic violence survivor), came up to me and was talking about how difficult and challenging the course was. She said it was a perfect example of what someone in a violent relationship experiences: there are ups and downs, times when you don't think you'll make it, times when you want to give up, and a point when your literally running for your life. I was so inspired by this woman and her daughter, who left a violent relationship just two years ago. She crossed the finished line and then ran back across with her daughter. At one point, I noticed this amazingly strong woman with tears in her eyes. It was at that moment, that I realized more than ever why I do this...not only to educate people on dating and domestic violence, but to also encourage, empower and support those who have been there and made it through or who are currently going through it.
The San Luis Valley enjoyed some visits from the cast and crew of the upcoming film, The Lone Ranger, which was filmed in Creede during June. The Lone Ranger features Johnny Depp as Tonto, Armie Hammer as Lone Ranger, Helena Bonham Carter, Tom Wilkinson, William Fichtner, and Ruth Wilson. The film is scheduled for release next summer. During their stay, my daughter and I were honored with the opportunity to get to know William "Bill" Fichtner, who is playing a bad guy in the movie. We happen to be members where Mr. Fichtner was working out and swimming and we met him at the pool. He swam laps everyday and would then visit with us about how filming was going, what he would like to do or see while he was in town (all of this after being playfully harassed by my daughter about how long he did or didn't swim that day). He is genuinely a great guy. Anyone who says people from Hollywood are unfriendly, self-righteous or whatever doesn't know everyone in Hollywood. After spending two weeks visiting at the pool off and on, Mr. Fichtner (without being asked) stopped by my daughter's 8th birthday party, which we were holding at the pool the day he was leaving town. It was fun hearing people's stories about their run ins with various celebrities. For example, Armie Hammer supposedly went into a local bike store and purchased the oldest used bike in the store and the owner of the store didn't know who he was. He asked if he was with the movie and Armie said yes. He asked what his role was or what he did and Armie responded, "I'm the Lone Ranger". I wasn't there to know what was said word for word, but this is the version of the story I was told. My father, who is building a house on the same street many of the stars were staying on, saw Armie walking his dog on multiple occasions. Everyone I talked to who met him, said Johnny Depp was pretty nice too. The night before the cast left town, Johnny signed autographs for over 3 hours in Creede, taking the time to briefly visit with each person there and personalize an autograph to those people. We also have friends who have roles as extras in the movie. My friend Rob, who owns a bed and breakfast with his wife, had a role as an extra; as did my chiropractor. This is one movie I can't wait to see!
And July is here, WOW! After all the fires that have swept across the state, our town board decided not to allow fireworks for the 4th of July. It was weird not see fireworks on the 4th, but the decision by the board was a smart one. We have since been getting some good rain showers every afternoon and we are very thankful for those showers. Tomorrow starts a busy schedule of trips for me and my family. Tomorrow night, my mom, daughter and myself will be walking with the South Fork Masonic Family in Relay for Life. My mom lost a cousin and aunt to breast cancer, one of my husband's good friends lost his 30-something year old sister to breast cancer a couple of years ago, and a girl I went to school with just passed away a couple of months ago of breast cancer at the age of 30 leaving behind a husband and two young children. At the end of the month, my mom and I will be traveling with Team SLV to Copper Mountain to participate in Hike MS. We joined the team last year and walked for a local state patrol officer who had just recently been diagnosed with MS. This year, we are walking for multiple people who we know with MS, including the mother of my husband's business partner and best friend.
I'm going to try to keep up to date on my posts and not let so much time go by before posting again. Best wishes to each of you and many blessings!

 Top 5 Finishers @ 2nd Annual Break the Cycle Race against Domestic Violence

Back: 1st - Gabriel Torres (South Fork), 2nd - Logan Shaver (Monte Vista), 3rd - Kyle Blain (Marietta, Ohio)

Middle: 4th - Anna Ulrich Hobbs (South Fork), 5th - Holly Wheelwright (Del Norte)

Front: Myself