And my DNA says...

...that I AM Irish!

For Christmas, Jim got me the 23andMe DNA kit. I've been wanting to do it for a while, but it is kind of expensive and I just never bit the bullet (and part of me was scared to find out where my ancestors came from in case I wasn't actually Irish!). Anyway, I finally mailed in my saliva sample in February and waited (not patiently!) for the results.

Well, today the reports came back. While this DNA kit tells you a LOT about yourself, I was most interested to see what nationalities I'm made up of. And honestly, a little worried that I wasn't even Irish...would have been a huge blow considering I've thought I was Irish my whole life (with a maiden name of Walsh, who wouldn't?!?!) and named my three children with Irish names!

And I AM IRISH!!! Quite a bit actually. Here are my major ethnicities:

European: 99.9%

Break down of European:
German: 46%
Irish/English: 37%
Broadly Northwestern Europe: 12%
Rest: small mix of lots of others!

My strongest genetic match was with Ireland and United Kingdom, even though I have more German DNA. Weird. So I'm a stubborn, thrifty (German traits) and have a temper but never complain (Irish traits!). Yup, sounds an awful lot like me :)

There's a ton of information provided that will take a while to go through. If any of you have done it, let me know and we can link our accounts! If any family members want specific details on health or genetic things, just let me know!

So much fun, especially for me since I really thought I was just a "mutt." Now I have a concrete answer for where my ancestors came from.

Tredmill

So, I've been running at the gym since November. Due to some breathing issues, I can't run outside if it is colder than 40 degrees, so off to the gym I went. But I ONLY use the tredmill, which kind of feels like a waste of money. AND...Jim generously almost ALWAYS watches Mac so I can go (Mac is a pain when I bring him). But I kept thinking having one a home was really the way to go. We would save the gym membership fee and I could run any time, because Mac would just be home with me (and hopefully leave me alone!).

Well, Jim hates running on a tredmill, so while he agreed it made sense for me, he felt like he'd never use it so we kept putting it off. And, it is impossible to shop for one online. You don't know what you're really getting (did you know that not tredmills are made for RUNNING?!?!? What?!?).

So we went to Johnson Wellness and Fitness (used to be 2nd Wind Exercise) and got some good info, but had a little sticker shock. Jim had found one online that he really wanted but it wasn't being released until Sept! Finally, he just said that I'd be the one using it, so just to buy one. Okay, he didn't have to tell me twice.

After Finn's karate tournament on Sunday, we went to the store (they were having an amazing sale on the brand we liked), and I picked one out. Done! (there were only four models to pick from, so I could handle that!) And it was delivered yesterday! It is a little weird how excited I was (I even "saved" my morning run to do after it was delivered!).

I still need to "figure" this one out. My run didn't go very well. The program stopped after 30 minutes, which screwed up my flow. It "feels" different, so I just need to get used to it. It doesn't have a fan (argh!...but I just ordered a clip-on one, so easy fix). I think we are going to move it more centered in front of the TV, if there is room behind the couch (these things take up a LOT Of room!). One really cool feature is on the screen while you are running, you can display trails from national parks so it looks like you are running on the trails! Really neat.

Anyway, I'm off for my long run (yuck!). Hopefully it goes better than yesterday!!

Who said competition is better?

Finn, that's who! (believe it or not!)

Begrudgingly, I brought Finn to his first Karate Tournament on Sunday. Jim brings him to karate. Jim signed him up for the tournament (per his teacher's urging) and Jim was supposed to take him to the tournament.

Now, don't go thinking I'm terrible because I didn't want anything to do with it. I don't like the unknown. I don't like crowds. I didn't think Finn had practiced his moves enough. I was worried about Finn's overall attitude and willingness to participate (history has taught me that!). I don't like figuring details out and we were given NO details about this tournament. I'd never been to Maple Grove High School before...oh...and when we pulled up, there was a huge church service going on, so there was mass chaos. ARGH!

But Jim woke up with the dry heaves, so I said, "I guess I'm taking Finn?" Like...stop puking, get out of bed and PLEASE take him! But, no, Jim was too sick so I took him.

The funny thing was that Finn was amped to go and was SO excited. Who is this and what have you done with my son? In my anxiety ridden haze, I must have asked Finn a thousand questions like, "do you think we should go in this door? Do you see anybody from your Dojo? Where do you think we should go now? There are a lot of people down there, should we go see if that is registeration? He was like, "um, I'm nine, mom!" But it kept me moving instead of hiding in a corner somewhere.

We eventually found Master Chris (the leader of his Dojo) who apparently RUNS THE WHOLE DARN TOURNAMENT! And we were able to register and get some more information. And find somebody to tie Finn's belt (his momma ain't got a clue!) and asked a teacher to show him his second one-step because he wasn't 100% sure. Jim wisely suggested leaving plenty early so we could figure things out and not be rushed. THANK GOD THAT WE DID!

We found Finn's mat five minutes before his time slot...and Finn just "did" it. He listened to instructions. Went where he was supposed to go. Was patient. I mean, seriously, that alone made tears come to my eyes. Then it was his turn. And he freaking ROCKED IT! I mean, boom. He was so confident and accurate. Even the other parents were impressed. Here is his demonstration (hard to hear him but it was SUPER loud in there):

https://photos.app.goo.gl/D4OwjAWwVSw5G0r82

And he got SECOND place! (out of three, but still!!) He was SO PROUD OF HIMSELF!!! And that feeling stayed with him almost all day. Honestly, it was one of the highlights of my life to experience that with him. God had a plan...I need to learn to trust a little more. I really truly feel like karate might be Finn's "thing." He has come so far in two months and I can't wait to see where he goes.

He is wearing his white belt for the tournament although he is now a gold belt (you test at the level you were at when registering because he hasn't learned his gold belt one-steps, yet). We have his gold belt meeting today with Master Chris. We will order Finn's sparring gear at this meeting, which he is really excited to get.

Ice skating is over!

Yesterday, Korri and Mac had their last ice skating lesson. While it felt like the season lasted forever, I really can't believe it is over. Both kiddos improved SO MUCH over the weeks. Finn came with to watch (since he had karate right after) and now he wants to take skating lessons, too!

Here's a glimpse of Mac (green coat):

https://photos.app.goo.gl/a41EeaTf7DKh16Cd2

And here's Korri (she was practicing stopping):

https://photos.app.goo.gl/e9S5lMj7qOqovN0W2

Both kiddos passed their class. Korri was in pre-alpha and now will be in alpha, if/when she takes skating lessons again. She did so well, her coach started teaching her skills from the alpha class! Mac was in tots and even though he passed, would be in tots again because of his age.

And so far at least, we do NOT like hockey! I kept making sure, especially with Mac, after each lesson. However, I could see Korri really taking to figure skating. We'll see!!

Little Leprechauns

We LOVE St. Patrick's Day at our house. After ice skating lessons and karate, we ate some green mac and cheese for lunch (helpful note: do NOT dye your mac and cheese with pureed spinach...it was gross!) and went to the parade in town. And Korri made a leprechaun trap (which wasn't tripped this morning...oops...but was when we got back from skating!).

The weather was BEAUTIFUL. Grandma, Zander and Zachary met us at the parade. In the evening, we even had a fire and made S'mores!

In honor of St. Patrick's Day:

May you always have...

Walls for the winds 

A roof for the rain 

Tea beside the fire 

Laughter to cheer you 

Those you love near you 

And all your heart might desire.

Gold is better

Finnegan went to his first karate class ever on January 13. Some students from Dojo Karate in Buffalo came to his school to give a demonstration and he was hooked! I'd been wanting to get him involved in karate for a while but I didn't take the initiative and I really think that if I had pushed him to do it, he wouldn't have wanted to or wouldn't have stuck it out.

So, anyway, he had one trial month to see how he liked it. During that time, he got his first belt (white), but pretty much every student gets that one just for showing up! He's really taken to karate and while he is a home body and NEVER WANTS TO LEAVE, once he's at karate, he loves it and really thrives. After his trial month, we met with the dojo Master and signed Finn up for a plan that will get him through his red belt (white, gold, green, purple, blue, advanced blue and red) and will take approximately 18 months!

Anyway, on Thursday, Finn graduated from white to gold. He had to demonstrate 4 skills and 1 character strength in order to move to his gold belt. The ceremony was so great to see and this momma loved seeing her bird fly. He looks so official with the gold belt now! I'm not exactly sure what he needs to do for his green belt, but I'm sure he'll figure it out.

Here is the video of him receiving his new belt. Pay attention to when Master Chris asks him if he listens to his parents (he puts his thumbs parallel to the floor meaning, "so so!"). It is hilarious, but honest!

https://photos.app.goo.gl/fGkJnhpFfrFndzx82

Finn also is participating in his first karate tournament on Sunday. He's only doing the beginner division, where the judges help you in case you're nervous. Jim and I both agreed it was a good way for Finn to try it, since he HATES being in front of people or the center of attention. I honestly think Finn's part will take 10 minutes, so Jim is going to take him. It is a HUGE tournament, so I'm sure it will be nuts and I didn't want to add having to keep track of Korri and Mac while we were there.