September Challenges

I'm hoping September will be a turning point for me, and I'm piling on the challenges to help me get started.

1. Participate and complete the 30 Day Husband Encouragement Challenge.
2. Join my Running Mom friends in jointly running 343 miles between Sept 1 and Sept 11.
3. Continue my running and average 10 miles a week for the month of September.
4. Finish 2 of my unfinished crafting projects.
5. Complete the Craving God 21 day devotional.

I plan to update weekly, so please, friends near and far, help me stay accountable!

Back in the Game

I am so excited that I am back to running. Today starts my 3rd week back in the groove and it feels wonderful! I'm pain free, stronger, and faster than I was before my injury. I'm still going to physical therapy once a week for a few more weeks to keep working, but am able to train for my next race, on Sept 25th. I've restarted the Couch to 5K Program (C25K) and I'm on Week 5. This week that means:

Day 1: 5 min warm-up, Run 5, Walk 3, Run 6, Walk 3, Run 5, 5 min cool-down
             I did that this morning and covered a little less than 2.5 miles. It felt really good, the last 5 minute run my legs were a little heavy, and it was up a hill, but I made it.

Day 2: 5 min warm-up, Run 5, Walk 3, Run 8, Walk 5, Run 5, 5 min cool-down
             Wednesday morning run

Day 3: 5 min warm-up, Run 8, Walk 5, Run 8, 5 min cool-down
             Friday morning run

Good Night, Gorilla

Anyone who spent an evening with Declan last summer was probably asked to read Good Night, Gorilla to him. The rather hesitant ones quickly realized that their part of the reading involved saying, "Good Night" repeatedly. Declan filled in all the rest of the words. He even opened his eyes and mouth wide to act surprised just like Mrs. Zookeeper does.

This summer, Declan reads his favorite book to Abigail. He reads all the words now, as she "helps" to turn the pages. She even remembers when to act surprised! She hasn't quite figured out the snoring part that comes at the end, but giver her a few more days.

Nothing is sweeter than watching Declan reading to Abigail. And absolutely nothing makes me prouder than to see them cuddled up together reading books.

Earthquake or Dinosaur

As I'm sure you know, there was a 5.8 earthquake in Virginia today. I'll admit, it was quite scary. Mostly because I didn't know what it was. And because the kids were upstairs (aka, away from me) napping. After it was over and the kids were playing again, Declan asked me if the ground was still shaking. I said no. He said, "It was a dinosaur, I saw him walking on Little Einstein's and he made the ground shake." Makes perfect sense! Almost more sense than (another) Virginia earthquake.

The Perfect Family

Today's sermon at church was about replacing our image of the "perfect" family, with the faithful family. One in which we focus on sharing our faith with our children. The best way to do this, is to lead by example. Something I often feel I fall short in doing. This week, I'm focusing on putting everything else aside and spending time with the kids. To eat meals at the table all together, instead of them at their little table. To read more books and spend more time coloring. To be slow to anger and quick to hug. We'll start out small and see how it goes.

My perfect faithful family

Motherhood: Amazing Changes in Lifestyle

Often times I forget how much my life has changed in the last three years, and especially in the last 18 months. I forget about how simple, easy, and yes, even boring life was before I had kids. This morning, for example, I awoke at 0430 to drive a friend to the airport. It took me 5 minutes to go from sleeping to walking out the door, with a fresh cup of coffee in my hand. I think my record for leaving the house with two kids is 20 minutes.

I notice other changes, too. Like my morning TV time used to be FoxNews, or when DH is home, ESPN. Now, it is fully consumed by Veggie Tales and the Disney Channel. Daily activities were planned at the last minute and I never had to think about being home in time for naps or whether I could fit any other car seats into my car. I was in complete control of my life and my schedule.

So why does it feel so much better to have these little ones run my life? Because there are moments throughout the day when I can see the difference it makes. I can see how much they love me. I can see how spending 30 minutes at night reading the same books over and over again, or trudging through another Dr. Seuss book will mold them into the readers we are.

Whenever I am having a "woe is me" mother moment, I will pause to reflect on the hugs I get in the morning and the kisses I get before bedtime each night.

Declan's Second Third Birthday

Yes, my children are spoiled, everyone who knows me knows that. BUT, they are fantastic children, so what am I supposed to do? Anyway, we had family up for a Birthday BBQ for Declan. He had a blast! The highlight of the day (at least in my mind) was the cake I made. I recreated a cake that my phenomenal cake decorating friend Rachel made for another 3 year old boy. 

Declan received some awesome presents! Including a new bookshelf, assembled by Uncle, and loads of new books to put on it! We read a few of those books last night and had a wonderful time! 

Thank you to all who made it out to help us celebrate. We are very fortunate to live close to family for occasions just like this. And for such wonderful military friends who we've been lucky enough to be stationed close to again!

Declan's Bit 0-3!

Declan turned 3 yesterday. I cannot believe it. But he had a wonderful day.

We went out to lunch at Chick Fil-A and for the first time ever, I let him get ice cream for dessert. His daddy helped him eat it, since it was huge! Then, after naps, we gathered at the pool with his friends and had cupcakes and went swimming. After his special birthday dinner, he chose meatballs, we opened presents and Declan worked on his new lego set with DH. It was a wonderful day for everyone. And we get to do it again with our family on Saturday!

Isn't it wonderful when your child likes the latest fad? Cars 2 Juice boxes!

Wonderful cupcakes, hand iced by the wonderful Kate Cole!

The birthday boy waiting for his cupcakes.

Opening his Lego Mater kit.

Showing Daddy how happy he is to have Legos!

The finished product.

The proud papa and Mater.

Almost 3...

August 2, 2008

August 2, 2009

August 2, 2010