Simply Hidalgo: Team Daren

So last week we headed to Austin, TX for a Team Daren event. Since my brother-in-law, Miles, was going to be gone for a training exercise (ironically in California) I decided to fly out a few days ahead of Jared with the boys. I was so excited to spend time with Caroline and Finley, make a trip to Hobby Lobby and check out some of Austin. As I mentioned in my last post we had a nasty and highly contagious stomach bug. It hit in full force 4 days before we were scheduled to fly out. All of us were better within 48 hours, with the exception of Carson who finally stopped vomiting after day 8!

It was my first time flying with both boys by myself and it was Maddox's first flight. Luckily no one vomited on the plane. So lesson learned-buy the flight insurance! Won't make that mistake again.

They stole my cinnamon raisin bagel! Stinkers.

Bothering Carson. He was trying to watch Mickey on the iPad.

Even though a childless trip to Hobby Lobby would have been nice, the reason why we were in Austin was to run the Warrior Dash in honor of Daren. Thankfully, no one was vomiting during the race, everyone who ran felt great. Finley and Carson didn't vomit until after the race on our way to the hotel, in their car seats (which was super fun to clean the next day). As we pulled over into some random gas station in downtown Austin, pulled Carson out of his car seat, striped him down and wiped out his seat the best I could he looked up at me and asked "Mama are you mad at me?" Shattered my heart into a million pieces. Of course I was not mad. All Caroline and I could do was laugh because otherwise I would have cried. Poor Caroline's car smelt something fierce.

Seriously awful but lets talk about the race.

Last year we did the Solider Marathon at Fort Benning. I was unable to participate since I was 32 weeks pregnant with Maddox. So I was happy to run along with everyone this year. The race was a 5k with about 10 obstacles. I won't lie, it was harder than I thought and my shins were all bruised from the obstacles.

I was in the back the whole time and the last one through on most of the obstacles. Everyone ran together and cheered me on. A friend told Jared during the race " Your wife is bad ass. She just finished chemo and her hair is starting to grow back and she looks great." I have lost all my baby weight but I really have not had a chance to gain all my strength and endurance back post baby and chemo. A piece of cake for Jared however.

Even though it was hard and I was tired towards the end of the race my mind was on Daren. I may be a "bad ass" but he is the true hero. I was honored to run in his memory.