Monday, March 12, 2012

Reflecting on the Last Decade

Next week I will be 40, yup, you read that right 40. This has had me reflecting a little bit on the last decade, where I once was and where I am now. It has been fun looking back and today I thought I would share some of the wonderful things I will remember about my 30’s.
I started out my 30’s living away from Justin, doing an internship in Timonium, Maryland. I spent four months there, and while the distance was tough for both of us, in the end it made our relationship stronger.  Once back home, I immersed myself in triathlon. I became certified as a triathlon coach and I worked with athletes of varying levels in both running and triathlon. I was already certified as a sports nutritionist, so being able to help athletes with both aspects of training was amazing.  During five years of coaching I saw many athletes coached by me cross finish lines of races ranging from 5km running races to Ironman triathlons. As a coach I am so very proud to say I watched over 30 half Ironman and Ironman finishers cross the finish line of their dreams under my guidance, what a thrill.



I completely understand crossing that finish line; in 2004 I trained for and completed my own Ironman in Lake Placid, New York. Words cannot describe the emotion of this accomplishment; it definitely is near the top of my all time experiences. I returned to Ironman training after this race and in 2006 completed my second Ironman in the UK. Again, while a totally different experience, the moment you cross that finish line is indescribable.

While in the UK, Justin and I took time to visit my family, some of whom I had not seen since I was twleve and Justin had never met. It was a wonderful few weeks.

During the preparation for my second Ironman race I began to search for alternative ways to fuel my body, looking for healthier options for both training and recovery. And this was the beginning of my next journey, heading back to school for holistic nutrition. I was looking for more from nutrition, I knew there was more to it and I was eager to explore it. I started school in September 2007 and loved it. I had no idea where it would lead; I just decided to go with the flow.
Since Justin and I had pretty much decided children were not going to be a part of our future, you can imagine his surprise and lack of words when on Christmas day 2007 I told him I wanted to have a baby. Yeah, he was speechless. But we talked about it and decided we would start trying on February 1, 2008. We would try for a year and if it didn’t happen, we would just move on. While, since I was charting, I know that we got pregnant on February 10, 2008 and a pregnancy test on February 27 confirmed it.

37 weeks pregnant
So, there I was a holistic nutrition student, not sure where I was headed with a baby on the way. Reece was born at home on November 6, 2008 and by this time I had graduated, with first class honours, and knew exactly what road I was on – I was going to specialized in mom, baby and toddler nutrition focusing on preconception nutrition right through toddlerhood. It was exciting and a little scary all at the same time.  I waited until Reece was 6 months before diving in and on June 1, 2009 Your Green Baby was born.  It was later this same year that I began to write my book Raising Happy Healthy Babies. An 18 month process, it was amazing to see this project through from first word to self published book in April 2011.
During the last decade, I have grown as a person, I have changed, and I have loved every minute of the journey I have been on. My highlight hands down was becoming a mom. The first moment I met my little man was the most amazing moment of my life.  My journey as a mom completes me and continues to push me to a new level of understanding, compassion and love.


So, looking back and reflecting has been an opportunity for me to enjoy the last decade again, but the truth is, it is the past. It is a wonderful past, but the reflecting is done, I now look forward to the next decade, excited about the journey I am on and looking forward to seeing where it will take me.

20 comments:

  1. I looked at reaching 40 as an accomplishment and I'm so glad to see you are doing that as well. It's really not bad and you have so much to be proud of...most of all that happy, healthy little boy who so obviously loves his mama. So early Happy Birthday! Celebrate everything!

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    1. I agree, a huge accomplishment. Thank you, I will!

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  2. What a wonderful journey. I love hearing how each little step turned your life onto a slightly different heading. What a series of wow moments and big achievements!

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    1. I didn't totally realize it until I wrote it down, and was amazed myself.

      It certainly was a great 10 years.

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  3. I agree Kim, looking back is important, but it's the right here and now where all the yummmy-ness resides. thanks for sharing your decade with us, and cheers to the one ahead!

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  4. What a full decade you've had! I'm sure the next will be even more full and full of adventure!

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    1. I sure hope so KC, looking forward to the adventures of my 40's.

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  5. wow- you certainly have been busy over the past few years. Happy 40th next week--- hope you have some big plans!

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    1. Thanks! No big plans yet, but you never know....

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  6. What an amazing decade! Thank you for sharing, and happy birthday for next week :-)

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  7. Wow Kim, your 30's were amazing, you accomplished so much.

    Happy birthday for next week. I know so many people turning 40 this year. So far my 40's have been the best.

    I wish you much health and happiness as you enter the fabulous 40's. xxoo

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  8. Thanks for sharing that decade with us. You have a lot to be proud of! I wish you a wonderful next "chapter" in your life.

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  9. What a beautiful post and a great way to look forward to the future by reminding yourself of all the amazing things that have brought you here today.

    Just curious, when is your big day? I have a birthday next week as well.

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    1. Thanks so much. My big day is March 19, how about yours?

      By the way, my lovely little bird arrived today. Thank you, it is lovely and looks wonderful on our nature table :)

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    2. My Mom's is the 19th, I am the 22nd.
      So glad you like her. My two boys gave her lots and lots of love for her to have a safe journey.

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    3. Happy birthday to both of you :) Tell your boys she arrived safely and received a wonderful welcome from my little man as soon as she arrived :)

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  10. Kim, I too am a March baby, just 10 days after you I will be celebrating! I'm loving this post! thanks for sharing the stops on your journey.... it's amazing to look back and create the map! :) I love that last picture of the two of you... Reece has sooo much of you in his face! :) hugs

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    1. Yay for March babies!!!! Happy birthday to you. Glad you enjoyed the post, I enjoyed writing it and reflecting. And thanks, that last picture is a favourite of mine.

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