December Recap/Christmas 2013

Tuesday, December 31, 2013

The month's festivities started out with my Bible Study ending and a brunch social to close out the semester.  Then, on the first Saturday, we had David's company party at Chateau Elan.  It was the first we'd been to in several years due to either moving, lack of sitter options, or I'm-too-dang-pregnant-to-have-to-shop-for-a-fancy-dress-and-find-other-people-interesting-all-night syndrome.  It was really nice to get dolled up and go meet/see some of the coworkers I hear so much about.  David wasn't thrilled about the dressing up part, but it's a small price to pay as far as I'm concerned.  Endless adult conversation + free food + a night off from cooking/cleaning/bathing/bedtime?  Yes, please.  We were wild and crazy and even stayed until about 10pm.  Then we remembered kids don't care how late you stay up and we had a 9:00am church service to get to the next day, so we went home and got in bed. 

The next morning my mom, who had been awesome enough to stay over and keep the kids the night before, joined us for church and then some window shopping at the mall before lunch.  It was nice to have so much consecutive one-on-one (one-on-four?) time with her.  After lunch, she headed home and we got ready to go to Cookies and Cocoa with Santa at our neighborhood clubhouse.  When the kids woke up from naps, we changed them and headed down for our appointment.  It was so much nicer than having to wait in line forever at the mall and pay $30 for a terrible 5x7 shot.  We walked right up, he read Audrey's list and talked to her, the professional photographer took a couple of shots, and then we quickly threw Luke on his lap as she snapped a few more.  David and I even jumped in the last one and it turned out great.  See for yourself:


We ate a couple of cookies, drank hot chocolate, and the kids colored pictures while we chatted with a couple with two boys that we'd met at the pool over the summer.  The mom and I swapped numbers and email addresses and promised to schedule a play date soon.  We made good on our word the next Wednesday when we met at the neighborhood park for a little while.  

The next week things started to pick up as they tend to do this time of year.  Audrey and I went out for a Mommy-Daughter dinner and shopping date one evening, which was so nice.  I rarely get one-on-one time with her anymore and it's such a treat...not to mention immensely easier than having both or just Luke at his age.  

That Wednesday was Audrey's Christmas program at school.  She was dressed in a star costume, which was very big and awkward on her.  Bless her heart, she didn't sing hardly a word and looked scared for her life the whole time.  She did ring her handbell at the appropriate times during "Silent Night" (which was anything but silent in that room with 50+ 4 and 5 year olds ringing bells!)  After her performance, I raced back to the room to finish setting up the refreshment table and then fix her a little plate.  She showed us some of the artwork she'd been working on and told us about different areas of her classroom.  Later that night I asked her why she didn't sing when I knew she knew the words.  She explained that it was because it was her first time on stage.  I told her it wasn't...that she'd done a Grandparents' Day performance at her old school.  She said, "Yeah, Mom, but that was only hundreds of eyes looking at me.  Today, there were THOUSANDS of eyes staring."  Poor baby.  I do hope public performances get easier for her!  

That Thursday, the kids and I drove up to Greenville SC to meet my friend Kara and her three kids for a play date at a children's museum.  Kara and her family moved to Lexington in July and, though we've seen each other a few times since, we have missed them terribly.  Greenville is about halfway between us, so we decided to meet up there and I'm so glad we did.  The kids had a great time exploring all of the cool exhibits and Kara and I actually managed to catch up in between keeping an eye on everyone.  At one point she took one of her girls to the bathroom while I held 3 month old Reid and watched the other kids.  I was thinking, "man, this isn't so hard!  I got this" for a full thirty seconds before I realized I'd forgotten to keep an eye on Luke and had no idea where he was.  He was just around the corner playing, but I guess if you're going to lose one, it's better to lose your own.   

The same day also marked our one year anniversary in our house.  I had spent hours and hours putting together a video for David of all the before/after photos and a typed-up project list of what we'd accomplished in that time.  We watched it that night after the kids were in bed and were both really amazed at how much work we'd done and the changes that had taken place.  Truth be told, it still doesn't feel 100% like home, but it's much, much closer than it was a year ago and with each brush stroke, nail hole, and grout line, it's getting there.  

The second weekend of the month we spent Friday night at Christmas in the Park which is a cute little festival put on by a local church.  They had different tents set up to look like a village and each one had a different activity - making an ornament, playing a game, writing a letter to a soldier, hearing a Christmas story, etc.  They also had live music and ballet/dance performances on stage.  It was really cool and got all of us in the Christmas spirit.  We ate dinner out and went home to prepare our house for a party the next day.  That Saturday, we finished cleaning, did some wrapping, and baked cookies until our friends arrived around dinner time.  There were 8 adults and 8 kids, so we wised up even before we had committed to host and decided to do pizza.  The adults chatted as much as we could in between paper airplane retrieval, helping with sticker crafts, and sibling disagreements.  It is always so good to catch up with this group whom we've known since high school.  For just a little while we can all pretend we're as young as we were back then.  Until someone bursts our bubble with "Mooooooom!  He took my book/toy/airplane and won't give it baaaaaack!"  Oh well.  

The next day we had my dad and stepmom over to celebrate my dad's birthday.  We ate lunch (that they were generous enough to bring as they drove all the way out, no less!) and visited for a little bit.  We had cake and ice cream, let Dad open his present, and then Audrey squeezed her way in between them and showed off her new reading skills.  They left around nap time and David and Audrey left to go on a Daddy-Daughter shopping and dinner date while Luke and I hung back to clean up from the party, wrap books for Audrey's class book exchange, and sneak leftover birthday cake.  Audrey and David got back just after dinner time and she was gushing about how awesome a time they had.  She did a great job of not telling me anything about my gifts, which was impressive.  

The next week, the third in December, was a very busy one.  During the days I ran around buying gift cards for Audrey's teachers' gift card wreaths, went in to her school to get the kids' fingerprints on the teachers' cards, finished up last minute shopping, shipped packages and cards, cut 102 rectangles and prepped for a craft for Audrey's class party, and hit the grocery store at least three times.  The evenings were busy too.  I delivered a meal to a friend recovering from surgery on Monday night, we hosted one of David's customers from work for dinner on Tuesday night (a first in nearly ten years of marriage!  Guess my lucky streak ran out!), and Wednesday we snuck away for a dinner date complete with a stop at Toys R Us then Target to find just the right baby doll that Santa would leave for Audrey.  

Thursday was a self-imposed chill-at-home day.  We worked on a craft gift, finished putting together the teachers' wreaths, and had a lunch picnic in front of the Christmas tree.  We went to the park that afternoon and played our hearts out, literally closing the place down. After meeting David for dinner at our favorite mexican restaurant, we drove around to check out Christmas lights while eating candy canes and belting out carols.  It was one of those great nights that make the season.  

On Friday, David's mom kept Luke while I helped out at Audrey's class party.  We did centers, then I went to pick up pizza while the kids had Play Ball and did their book exchange.  I came back and helped serve the class then cleaned up while they went to the playground.  I was meeting my co-room mom to give the teachers their gifts with her, so I got to hang out and be a part of most of the day.  After we gave the teachers their presents, I checked Audrey out a few minutes early.  I was so looking forward to a night of resting and a Christmas movie, but it was cut short because I insisted on taking Luke to a Minute Clinic to get his ears checked.  I was almost positive they were fine, but my relentlessness wouldn't let up and I was worried about being in the same boat as last year when we spent 3-4 hours in after-hours care two days before Christmas.  So, instead, we spent two hours in a CVS to hear, "yes, they're red, but they aren't infected right now."  Obviously I was thankful for that news, but more than a little mad at spending one of our last free evenings before Christmas there.  No matter...we made it home in time to have scarf down a late dinner and watch Frosty the Snowman.

The next morning I did a short-long run before we packed up the van and headed to our first Christmas celebration at David's grandparents in Alabama.  Since we were trying to pack so much in before hitting the road, we let the kids open their gifts before lunch.  They got some adorable stuff and did a great job savoring each gift.  We ate and ate and ate and then put Luke down for a nap while we ate some more.  He woke up just in time to let us adults do our gift card swap, visit another minute, and then load the car for the ride home.  Our visits there always go too fast, but we so enjoy seeing everyone.

The next day we went to church and then came home to clean house, help Audrey wrap her gifts, and make a gingerbread house.  We pulled out the gifts for celebration #2 and loaded up the car in preparation for our next day's trip.  David had started coming down with a cold, so I was trying to simultaneously rest up and get everything else finished in case it wiped me out too.  

On Monday morning, we left early to drive to my brother and sister-in-law's house in Villa Rica.  We got there around 9:15am and ate a delicious brunch of sausage balls, cinnamon rolls, hashbrown casserole, and fruit.  The kids started opening presents and played really well together (at least the older three) and with the new puppy and new kitten my brother's family had gotten a week earlier.  They were so fuzzy and cute!  (The pets...not the cousins.)  I took a lot of pictures, but forgot to do any video which annoys me.  Regardless, the gift exchanging, catching up, and loving time with family marched right on and was as crazy and awesome as you can imagine with five kids five and under.

Christmas #3 began the next morning on Christmas Eve when David's parents came over to celebrate with us at our house.  They came bearing gifts galore for all of us, but my favorite thing they gave me were four published annual books of this very blog.  I have been wanting to have them forever and it meant so much to see them in print.  Of course I can read through past entries online, but being able to flip through them and see the words in my hands is really special.  I hope they will be something my kids treasure in the future.  

My in-laws humored my request for an easy lunch and we ordered pizza and ate on paper plates.  I know how to treat family right, don't I?!  We ate and played with the kids' new toys and listened to them serenade us on the sunporch with Jingle Bells and the Pledge of Allegiance because, sure, why not?  Around nap time they left and we put Luke down and gave Audrey a stack of books to read quietly in her room.  We wanted to make sure she stayed awake so she'd go right to sleep at bedtime and Santa could come promptly.  :)  While they rested, David attempted to sleep off some of his cold while I prepared sausage balls, monkey bread, and corn pudding for the next day.  

After the kids woke up, we baked and decorated Christmas cookies, fixed our traditional Mexican dinner of tacos and cheese dip, bathed them, and put them in their new Christmas pajamas.  They each got to open up one present (always an ornament) and then chose a cookie to eat by the fire, which consequently caused an infiltration of wasps, so we turned it off and shut the flue.  We laid out the cookies for Santa and poured out the bag of reindeer food she'd made at school in the front yard.  All the boxes were checked - we were ready!  We read the Christmas story from the Bible and The Night Before Christmas, said prayers, and put them to bed.  Then Santa came and worked quite loudly putting train tracks together on the train table he'd previously assembled.  His helper may or may not have had a tough time keeping the ponies-on-a-stick and Tickle-Me-Elmo from going off, but somehow the kids slept through it all.

The next morning dawned bright and early for me as I preheated the oven, took a shower, and then began cooking our traditional holiday breakfast of sausage balls and monkey bread.  By 7:30, David, Luke, and I were ready to go but Sleepyhead Audrey was still sacked out.  We woke her up and waited for the cue from Daddy that it was safe to come down the stairs.  When they rounded the corner, the site that was laid out before them was a kids' dream:  a fully assembled train table that took up most of the family room floor and a pony-on-a-stick for each of them.  For Audrey, there was a Cabbage Patch Doll, a set of Fancy Nancy books, and a stuffed pink poodle just like she requested.  For Luke, there was a Tickle-Me-Elmo, a new book, and a set of Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood sticker scene.  Their stockings were brimming over with new DVDs, suckers and candy, crayons, and activity packets.  They jumped on their "horses" and ran around the train table in excitement.  Months of imagining that scene paid off while I watched their joyful faces.  

The rest of the day was wonderfully predictable:  open present, play, eat, rest, repeat.  The kids went down for naps and David and I exchanged our usual gifts of dates.  Long story short, I wanted to surprise him with a new TV for the basement but decided not to.  Instead I gave him the choice of renting a sports car for a day or putting the money towards a new TV.  Like the rest of the male population would have chosen, he picked the latter.  He gave me an overnight stay at hotel downtown for the Hot Chocolate 15K run later this month.  What's more, he gave me the gift of him doing the 5K portion of it!  I love this new tradition we have going of date exchanges.  At this stage in our life, what we need most is time together and taking time to plan something the other would like and then getting to anticipate it with each other means so much.  

After the kids got up, we played some more and I started dinner.  I'd made corn pudding the night before, bought potato salad, and had leftover beans I cooked for my brothers', so all we had to do was the ham, some rolls, microwave mashed potatoes, and mac and cheese.  I had never done a ham before, but the deli lady at Publix sold me on a Boar's Head glaze that seemed really easy.  I finished setting the dining room table with china plates and crystal glasses and lit the taper candles.  Audrey asked if we could stay in our pajamas for our fancy dinner and it took me approximately .02 seconds to say, "absolutely."  For all the work being a grown-up is, it sure pays off when you get to pave your own way sometimes. I wanted to do a "nice" dinner in the dining room this year but who cares what we wore?!  I may have them dress differently when they can dress themselves, but for this season in our life, eating microwaved mashed potatoes beside our first home cooked ham while in our pajamas equaled absolute perfection.

After clearing the dishes, we let the kids each open their final present.  They only got three each from us but the opening of them lasted all day because we stretched it out and played so much in between.  Audrey got a Spiral-graph art maker, a set of walkie-talkies, and an Ariel and Prince Eric doll set.  Luke got a Little People merry-go-round set, a ball and hammer toy, and a tool belt with tools.   We played some more and then changed out of pajamas into fresh pajamas - ahhhhh - and read one of my favorite children's Christmas book "Spirit of Christmas" by Nancy Tillman.  What an awesome way to end an awesome day.  

The next morning, I got up super early and was at Kohl's by 6am.  Since we've celebrated Christmas with my family on the day after for the past couple of years, it's been awhile since I've hit the post-Christmas sales.  I thoroughly enjoyed it!  I made returns without standing in line and didn't hit a crowd until my third store - Parson's Christmas Shoppe.  I went to Kohl's, Target, Parson's, and Belk and I was home by 11:30 for lunch with everyone.  Even better was that I only spent about $50 thanks to gift cards and returns and I got a ton of great finds!  Later that afternoon, Audrey and I hit Home Depot for a return and then Hobby Lobby, but didn't get anything from either one.  We ate leftovers for dinner and enjoyed another night of just hanging out. 

David went to work that Friday and then, on Saturday, we dropped the kids off at Pam and Ed's to spend the night while we ran some errands and went out to lunch.  We came home and began undecorating our tree while catching up on our DVR.  We were productive, but it was especially nice to do so by just sit on the couch wrapping up ornaments.  We got down all the boxes from the attic and I packed up the family room before deciding that was enough work for the day.  So, we sat around and vegged some more.  At one point I asked David what time it was and then we quickly realized we didn't care!  We'd eat when we got hungry and go to bed when we got tired.  SUCH a nice feeling. 

Unfortunately, the kids, and therefore the grandparents, had a tougher night.  Audrey was coming down with David's cold and Luke was still fighting his.  Still, they didn't want to come home early so they toughed it out and my awesome in-laws hung in there and then brought them home after lunch the next day.  I ran out for a pre-birthday pedicure during their nap time and then we settled in for a night of more undecorating and playing.

The next day was my birthday and we took off for some returns at the mall.  While there, we road the merry-go-round and window shopped a little.  We decided to head home for lunch and then, because it was my special day, David was a good sport and joined me in some closet reorganization before nap time.  The kids slept and we researched anniversary trip destinations and dreamed about where we wanted to go.  After the kids woke up, we went out for dinner at Five Guys and home for cake and presents.  The kids gave me a really cool floor lamp for the craft room and David got me a gorgeous new watch.  I don't cry over gifts, y'all, but I totally teared up at that one.  I had been wanting one for so long and dropped a few hints, but honestly didn't expect it.  I love it and felt really, really splurged on and spoiled.  He nailed it.  It was the icing on the cake of a day filled with family time, organizing, and...actual cake.  GREAT 31st.

David worked New Year's Eve, more so than he wanted to as he had a conference call at 11:30 that night.  He managed to get off at 11:57, though, and for the first time in several years, we stayed awake to ring in the new year.  Of course, we were asleep by 12:10, but at least we saw the start of 2014.  

Great holidays, great month.  Busier than I would've liked, especially right before Christmas, but I think that's just the reality of the holidays with young kids.  My motto this season seemed to be "at least it's not as crazy as last year."  Something about closing and moving two weeks before Christmas reminds you that it could always be busier.  Next year I'll aim to do a little more beforehand and commit a little less during, but best laid plans of mice and Type-A women and all that...

Sorry I don't have more details on the kids or any cute quotes for you in this update, but considering the volume and detail I just covered, you probably need to get back to whatever you should be doing anyway! :)  

I hope you all had a fantastic season and wish you a very Happy New Year!  I look forward to chronicling more of our adventures and sharing them with you in 2014.  God bless!



Thankful Thursday

Thursday, December 19, 2013

1.  My Dad, whose birthday was Monday.  Since this blog is about 4 1/2 years old, I feel like I'm starting to say the same things about loved ones when it's their birthday.  The bottom line:  He's the best Dad a girl could ever ask for and I am eternally grateful for what he has taught me about God, life, relationships, and even a few handyman tricks.  Happy Birthday, Dad!  We love you!

2.  A day at HOME.  Aside from days when I've spent the entire time cleaning house, today was the first weekday I've been home with both kids from breakfast through nap in months.  Seriously.  We are constantly on the go and this month has been especially nuts.  It was awesome to be here with them and not have a thing to do (okay, a little laundry) or a place to be (though we did hit the park post-nap).  We did a Christmas craft, played blocks for an hour, colored, had a lunch picnic in front of the Christmas tree (with Luke's first PB&J, no less!), cozied up and read books, and played pretend campout.  Fun!

3.  Personal growth.  If you've known me for more than five minutes you know that I am a Type-A, OCD perfectionist.  But in my old, old age, I am seeing a little improvement that I'm thankful for.  For example, at the last minute I got an email from another mom in Audrey's class saying she couldn't bring the cookies she'd signed up to bring for the post-program party because her daughter was sick.  Once upon a time I would've stayed up late baking something from scratch, but instead I whipped into Kroger and bought a couple dozen of their beautifully displayed Christmas cookies.  Earlier this week, I was stressing about getting something done on my to-do list and then I suddenly stopped, realized it wasn't a priority, and just like that, took it off the list and let it go.  On Saturday we hosted a party for friends and ate pizza on paper plates.  I know these seem like really small and insignificant things, but trust me, they're big deals and I'm thankful for them!

4.  A road-trip play date.  Last Thursday the kids and I drove up to Greenville SC to visit my sweet friend Kara and her three little ones.  We met at a children't museum and played the day away before swapping Christmas gifts and hitting the road.  It was wonderful to see them and catch up and I hope there are many, many more miles put on the van doing just that.

5.  An evening jog with the kids.  According to Luke and his "watch" it was 40 minutes long!  Love these sweet babies and am so grateful for them, their health, and the example of healthy lifestyle they're seeing from my running.  It should help a little in offsetting the example they're seeing set in my cookie consumption. :)





In less than one week from today, Christmas will be over, y'all!  I am praying we stay healthy and that time slows down so we can really soak it up.  I hope the same for you and yours!  

November 2013 Recap

Time has flown so quickly that I had to look back to make sure I'd even written a October Recap.  I'm sure most all of my monthly updates start with similar sentiments, but I can't help it.  Time really does fly, whether you're having fun or not.  Thankfully, we have been.  Read on for proof:

We started out the beginning of the month with a trip to Savannah to see my brother, sister-in-law, and niece Annelise.  The kids did well on the ride down, especially now that Luke will watch a DVD.  We tried to mix in other entertainment, but I'm not going to lie, I am super duper thankful for that built-in DVD player and I feel very sorry for the parents of my generation and older who had to brave the road without it.  

We got there, played, and caught up a little before heading out to dinner.  Saturday morning, after the guys returned from an early morning fishing trip, we took the kids to a Disney on Ice show in downtown Savannah.  They all loved it (even Luke!) and were absolutely mesmerized.  We went out to lunch afterward, then back to the house for failed naps and some play time outside.  My sister-in-law cooked a yummy lasagna for dinner that night and we bathed everyone and tucked the girls into Annelise's room for their "sleepover."  The second night they had a little trouble getting to sleep, but they still had a blast being in the same room.  On Sunday, my sister-in-law and fellow runner Kim and I got up early and left the kids with the guys while we went out and ran 11.5 miles together.  It was really neat to have a partner to chat with, and especially cool to get to spend that quality, uninterrupted time with her.  The trail ran along a marsh area and it was gorgeous.  We got back to their house just in time to shower and for us to pack up.  It was a really fun weekend of the girls playing (and talking) nonstop and Luke doing a great job of tagging along and staying an arm's length away from the kitties he loved to watch.  I've said it before, but there is something so special about seeing your kids and your siblings' kids make memories together.  I pray there are a lot more visits and some FaceTime in between!

While we were away that weekend, we had our hardwood floors and banisters refinished.  Well, they started on them at least.  They were supposed to be finished by Monday the 4th and ready for us to walk on that evening.  Instead, it was Thursday before they were out and then they still had to come back the next week for a little touch-up.  It was all well worth the wait, mess, and inconvenience, though, because they look amazing and we love them.  We also finished our main floor bathroom remodel by replacing the faucet, light fixtures, towel racks, and other hardware.  

Once those two main projects were complete, we turned our attention to piecing everything back together and deep cleaning it all.  I'm sure there is still sanding dust in crevices I overlooked, but for the most part, we have managed to get it back to normal.  

In other news this month, my nephew James turned two and we partied hard Veggie Tales style at his birthday party.  We also had my mom out to celebrate her birthday.  We picked out a new table and chairs set for the kitchen, which was especially interesting since it was done via text message pictures between David and me while he was at work.  I got to be Mystery Reader for Audrey's class one Friday and coordinated one of her teacher's birthday presents of a flower from each child and earrings and a gift card from the class.  I also got to have a ladies' night out (line dancing lessons, no less!), a long-overdue dinner out with a girlfriend, and a short visit from my sweet friend Kara who now lives in SC.  David and I went on a wonderful date night complete with Christmas shopping.  In the midst of all that, I ran 81 miles while training for my second half marathon, which was on Thanksgiving Day (more on that later, hopefully).  

The third weekend of the month, I couldn't wait anymore and dragged out the Christmas decorations early.  I justified it by saying that Thanksgiving is late this year and that last year we were moving and didn't get to enjoy it.  It sounded good enough to me, so we went for it.  We cranked up Alabama Christmas and decked out three trees and the house with 20+ boxes of decor.  It was so fun to really take the time this year to place things around and find new homes for all of our favorite pieces.  

So, that was the month!  I don't have a lot of updates on the kids, but here are a couple of quotes and facts:
  • While our hardwoods were being redone, the kitchen and most everything downstairs was inaccessible. I set up a "silly" picnic in our master bedroom walk-in closet and we all ate in there for breakfast. AJ got in the van this afternoon and said, "I told Ms. Natalie I ate breakfast in a closet this morning, but she didn't really laugh." I asked her if she explained WHY and that we all ate together and she said she couldn't remember whether she did or not. I emailed the teachers and they both wrote back saying they were laughing themselves silly over that one and promised they learned a long time ago not to believe everything they hear.
  • This month I witnessed our first real Big Sister sticking up for Little Brother situation. A little boy kept taking Luke's paci at the playground. Audrey intervened and used her body to block the kid while holding it in Luke's mouth until I could help. I'm pretty sure she was ready to use deadly force if necessary. It was awesome.
  • Luke has started doing this hilarious half-whisper, half-mouthing words at you while squinting up an eye like he's telling a secret.  It's really difficult to explain, but it is absolutely precious and hilarious to encounter!
  • Audrey is reading like c-r-a-z-y and even charged some of the adults in our family money to hear her read a book.  It was all in the name of a good cause, though, of course.  She put everything she earned in her bank for church and in the end collected $30 for the church offering by reading and doing chores!  

To make up for my lack of good kid stories and updates, I'll give you a mega Picasa gallery 
update:  





Enjoy!  

Half Marathon #2/Thanksgiving 2013

This year's Thanksgiving was the coldest one since 1910.  And because I was out there running my second half marathon in the brisk 24 degree air, I can say I commemorated the record-breaking temperatures well.  

The night before the Turkey Day race, I was a bundle of nerves.  The cold had been brutal earlier that day while I was out running errands and the wind cut through to the bones.  Nonetheless, I had trained hard and was going to at least attempt to do this thang.  I figured worst-case scenario, I could veer off course into a warm gas station and call David to come pick me up. Sometimes all you need is to know you have an out to make your brain okay with moving forward.  

I was determined to get more sleep than I did the night before my last half and turned out the light around 10pm.  Unfortunately, I didn't sleep well at all and, in fact, was awake at 3:30am for good.  I left around 6:00am and drove carefully over to the race site, avoiding the icy patches on the roads.  A friend of mine had recommended wearing a black trash bag to hold the heat in.  I skeptically took one along just in case.  As I pulled into a parking space, I saw a guy next to me get out and put one on. "Oh!" I thought.  "This really is a thing.  Okay!"  Turns out he and I were the only two who thought it was a thing.  The haphazard way that I tore it made it even more comical, I'm sure.  I wore it during stretches and then ditched it.  The race was delayed about about ten minutes because they were salting ice on the course (it was fo' REAL cold, y'all.)  I sat in the car as long as possible and then made my way to the start line.  Ready or not...

The first mile or so was tough.  My hands hurt so badly that I was already questioning whether I could make it.  I prayed as I flexed them inside my gloves and the pain subsided by the second mile.  I watched others around me, most barely identifiable as humans under their mounds of clothing, scarves, and hats.  Of course there was one guy in shorts.  There's always one guy.

The mile markers on the course were way off, which made it tough mentally, but my Nike app kept me posted.  I knew pretty early on that I was going to have to make restroom pitstop.  For a runner, the mental anguish of knowing you're going to have to "go" is even worse than the discomfort of having to go.  You start stressing about how long you can wait, where you'll find a potty,  IF you'll find a potty, etc.  It is torturous.  This was a much smaller race than my last so there weren't any port-a-johns along the route.  I finally eyed a BP on the horizon, stopped my watch as I stepped off the course, ran all the way inside and to the bathroom, and had the quickest restroom trip in history.  I restarted my watch as I sprinted back down to the course.  Relief!

With all the time I'd had on my hands the night before, I read some articles and inspirational quotes about running.  One word of advice from a coach stuck in my head:  "Run the first third of your race with your head, the second third with your personality, and the last third with your heart."  I put his advice into play and focused on form and breathing for the first third.  The second third I kept reminding myself how stubborn and determined I am.  The final third was most definitely all heart, as it was the toughest.  

Another thing I realized is that the more I focus outward, the better I do.  When I reached the half-way point and turned around, I began to notice those that were behind me on the other side of the road.  I yelled encouraging words to them and cheered them on and it was amazing how much it helped me.  I imagined how hard they'd worked to get there and what their stories were.  Was this their first half?  Had they lost a bunch of weight?  Were they running to honor someone or specifically for the cause (Children's Healthcare)?  I prayed for their endurance and strength as I passed them.  It dawned on me how much of a metaphor this was for life - the more I shifted away from thinking of myself and my "aches" and began focusing on others, encouraging them, and praying for all of us, the better the race seemed to go.  This very much holds true in my personal everyday life as well.  

But alas, even when I do get a runner's high and an important life lesson, it doesn't carry me forever.  By mile 9 or 10 I was struggling.  My normal pace is between 11:30-12 minute miles (I'm slow, but I get there!)  This race, however, I hadn't had a mile over 11 minutes.  I was booking it to get it over with!  In my training runs, the last mile or two is typically the easiest because I know I'm almost finished.  In this half and my previous one, though, the end has been the hardest because I have pushed so hard through the entire course.  I texted David updates along the last couple of miles and cranked up my music as loud as I could stand it.  I played mental games, prayed for almost everyone I knew, and tried to power through.  The course was much flatter than the last race, so that helped immensely.  Still, 13 miles is a LOOOOOONG way.  Especially in those temps.  My water bottles kept forming ice on the caps and, as unladylike as it is, I became quite familiar with the term "snotscicle."  But hey, if you look pretty when it's over, you didn't work hard enough, right?!

Finally I hit the 12 mile mark.  Around 12.5 miles I increased my speed a little. As the finish line came into view, I strained my eyes  to look for my family.  I saw them bundled up, waving and cheering and my eyes stung with tears as I waved back.  There is nothing -  absolutely nothing - like having the ones you love there to cheer you on as you accomplish one of your biggest and hardest goals.  I envision it on nearly every long run and actually getting to see them at the end of my races has meant the world.  

I crossed the finish line having shaved nearly six minutes off my first half marathon's time.  I was elated.  And cold.  And tired.  But mostly elated.  Again, I praise God for the strength and endurance to make it through.  Never, ever did I think I'd do a half marathon and most certainly not two.  And yet, as we drove to Alabama to celebrate Thanksgiving with David's mom's family, I stared down at the medal in my hand and knew I had.  

We got to David's grandparents' and I immediately jumped in the shower (much to their relief, I'm sure.)  I got cleaned up and we feasted on the usual amazing meal plus several extra dishes his Grandma had slaved over.  Everyone was so sweet in congratulating me and asking about the race and I knew they'd all been praying for my run.  We caught up, laughed over Luke and Audrey's antics, and took a few pictures before Luke and I both laid down for a nap.  I slept for about half an hour and then we all hung out until it was time to hit the road for home around 4:30pm.  

We got back to our house and reheated some leftovers.  After dinner, we decorated our tree while watching the Macy's Tree Lighting.  I cannot explain the overwhelming joy I felt being able to do that in our new home.  As I said on my Thanksgiving TT post, I was so disappointed to miss our tradition last year.  The kids loved playing with their ornaments and Audrey critiqued her homemade ones from last year.  Apparently she doesn't remember her Mama's red solo cup bell. We timed the angel with the tree lighting finale (we know, we are SUCH dorks) and then hurried the kids into their beds.  We crashed not long after they were asleep, fat and happy.

The next day was a flurry of cleaning, decorating, and preparing for Thanksgiving #2 with David's dad's side of the family.  I'm not sure if it has just been awhile since we'd hosted a non-birthday party gathering, but we both completely underestimated how much work we had left to do to pull it off.  Somehow it all came together in the end, though.  Everyone arrived and we ate and ate and ate and talked and talked and talked.  It had been several years since the whole group of us were in the same place at the same time and it was really nice to see everyone together again.  The kids warmed up to everyone almost immediately.  I'm not sure whether they laughed harder or made everyone else laugh harder at them. We capped off the night with the obligatory group picture and everyone left with plenty of their choice foods in tupperware containers and baggies.  We fell into bed tired but happy and were quite thankful we still had two days of the long holiday weekend ahead of us.  

I can't quite remember what we did with the rest of the break, though I know cleaning up, church, playing, decorating, Christmas shopping/wrapping, and at least one nap were a part of it.  It was a wonderful Thanksgiving and every bit of it was enjoyable.  Okay, maybe not that first or ninth mile, but the rest of it was great.  The food was wonderful, as was knowing I earned every bite.  We loved seeing all of David's family and I loved hearing the voices of mine.  Such a great day!  Like the temps, it was definitely one for the record books.

Thankful Thursday - One Year in Our New Home

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Today is the one year anniversary of our new house. Even 365 days later I am still marked by the journey it took to get here and how God was faithful through it all.  

In celebration, I put together this video for David of all the projects we've tackled this year. The four of us had a cheesy dance party in our family room tonight and I felt such joy and gratitude. We've poured our blood (yes literally), sweat, and tears into it and it's HOME.  For that I am truly thankful.  

Click the link below to check out the video.  
The picture quality isn't the best, but you'll get the idea.

Again?

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Last night I had one of those moments where the tears come out of nowhere and you're powerless to get yourself under control.  Your heart sinks and you feel overwhelmed and frustrated and tired.  What brought on this sudden discouraged outpouring, you ask?  

You ready?

...A full laundry hamper.

Now you either just completely checked out because you cannot identify or you began nodding frantically in agreement.  For the latter group, read on.  (For the former group, call someone you know in the latter group and offer to do something for them.)

It was just one of those moments of "AGAIN?!", ya know?

How is it possible this laundry hamper is full AGAIN?

Are we really out of apple juice AGAIN?

Could Luke's ear be infected AGAIN?

Is it time to figure out dinner AGAIN?

Did Luke just hit his sister AGAIN?

Why is the check engine light on AGAIN?

Is Audrey really losing her mind about something so ridiculous AGAIN?

Am I going to have to change wet crib sheets AGAIN?

Is it really time to pay this bill/buy that one shoes/give that one a haircut/scrub this toilet/pack that one's lunch/run this errand/send this email/deal with this person's drama AGAIN?

Our sermon on Sunday was about not defining success as up and to the right (think accounting gain or a growth chart) but as not going to the left or the right.  It was about staying on the path in between guard rails.  It was a good message and I really did understand it, but personally I just want to know where I can pull off and take a nap.  Success in this current season of parenthood is measured by everyone making it to bedtime alive.

Oh fellow tired Mommas and Daddies, tell me you get this!  This "Mundane Lane" stage of life is so, well...mundane.  And exhausting.  How do we survive The Blur?

I don't know that I have a great answer for that, but I do have a suggestion:  Switch to the positive "agains."  For example, as I rocked Luke to sleep last night and he nuzzled his head against my neck, I thought "Ahhhhh"...again.  

Before I fell asleep, I heard my husband say "I love you" again.

Audrey made me laugh out loud with her great sense of humor again.

God gave us a surprise financial blessing again.

An encouraging friend sent a sweet text at just the right moment again.

I enjoyed my favorite kind of chocolate chip cookie again.

Luke did something adorable again.

My bed is warm and comfortable again.

The kids played well together for five whole minutes again.

Audrey's sweet, innocent prayer made me smile again.

The sunset sky is gorgeous again.

My hardworking husband brought home a paycheck again.

I heard one of my favorite songs on the radio again.

There are some days I don't want to get up and do it all over again, but I will because that's my calling and my job.  I know for sure that the days I focus on the positive "agains" go a lot more smoothly than the days I don't.  

I'm not a fan of the "treasure every second, because it all goes so fast" advice.  There are many monotonous moments I don't want to experience again, but I know I will.  Probably over and over and over.  But in each day, there are also a few fleeting ones that I would love to repeat.  So I try to slow down and savor at least one of those sweet times, because I do realize that those are the ones that years from now I'll be desperate to have back again.