Almost every week of 2014, I changed the TriathlonMami Facebook page cover photo.  As I sit here, on the eve of a new year, I am looking back at the pictures and remembering the good, and bad, times; both of which are inevitable with any passing of time.  I also sit here optimistic, believing 2014 was a year of building so that there can be much growth in 2015. Thank you to every single person that has been with me on this path, even if for a day.

Here is what we went through.

DECEMBER: ThumbsUp, which started as a one time event where I participated at the South Beach Triathlon with my disabled friend Kerry, has turned into a nonprofit and is ready to go BIG in 2015. It is a leap of faith. Here is  a post on the launch.

NOVEMBER: I raced Ironman Arizona in November but the word that most described me during the month was Thanksgiving.  I travelled with my family through the desert, and we rode our bikes on a long family bike ride the weekend of thanksgiving. These things made me happy, and grateful.

OCTOBER: Although I didn’t race until November … what consumed me during the month of October was Ironman Arizona and the extraordinary preparation that goes into a race like that.

SEPTEMBER: We had to move houses, and we found one on a street similar to this one.  It seemed unbelievable that we would get the house we wanted, at the price we needed, but I believed it was possible.  And it was.

AUGUST:  I love summer vacation, hanging out with the boys and having no particular schedule.  This picture was taken on the Sunday before school began.

JULY: Florida got a huge lesson in civics when the Aaron Cohen Life Protection Act was finally signed into law. I wanted to be sure my kids understood it’s importance, and how regular folks like us have the power to change things. Here is more.

JUNE: Just as I was starting my Ironman Arizona training I sprained my ankle.  The injury didn’t derail my training all together but certainly affected my frame of mind.  Add to this Brazil’s loss at the World Cupand it was a challenging moment.

MAY: We got devastating news that Brianna, a second grader in Dreamer’s class, passed away in May waiting for a heart transplant.  I had fundraised for her and eventually raced Ironman Arizona in her memory. RIP sweetheart.

APRIL: After months of preparation, I finally raced the South Beach Triathlon with my severely disabled friend Kerry.  It was a massive team effort, and one which would propel a whole new shift in my career plans by the end of the year.

MARCH: I received the 3M Positive Impact Award, which showed me that the shifts and changes going on in my life were positive and leading me in the right direction.

FEBRUARY: We raced several 5ks as a family in 2014; it’s one of the things I love about us.  In February it was the Tropical 5k representing the Florida Dairy Farmers.  It was a great experience to mix my blog and my family so directly.

JANUARY: The year had a rocky start with my mother having surgery.  Usually, she is the caretaker as my father is also ill. However, on that occasion, we had an opportunity to show her how much she is loved and how much we care about her.

So many other things happened like my boys racing triathlons, or the Swim For Alligator Lighthouse, but there were only twelve pictures to put here.  Again, I am so grateful to each and every one of you.

How about you? What are some of your 2014 highlights?