Thankful Thursday

This week has been AJ's spring break.  Of course, when you only go to school Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for half days, it's not as big of a deal as it probably is to the bigger kids.  Still, I've tried to do some fun, different things.  She got to spend the night with David's mom on Monday night (without Luke, which was a very big deal), I took them to a puppet show at the library yesterday, we had a mega play date complete with time at the playground/sand box and a pizza dinner, there was a surprise run-in with a friend at a park, and my mom is coming over tomorrow afternoon.  I know it probably won't be as exciting and memorable as future ones she spends splashing through the waves (in a full one-piece with her father and I looking on until she's at least 25 years old), but hopefully she has enjoyed it.

Here is this week's list:

1.  Dandelions.  And the little chubby fingers that grab them out of the dirt and the thoughtful, imaginative brains that wish upon them, and the precious sweet lips that blow their seeds all over the ground.  There are few childhood pleasures more simple and carefree than blowing dandelions.  

2.  Trying new fitness things.  Although training for my half marathons has kept me motivated and in shape, it's also kept me in a sort of rut/box, afraid to cross train.  I was often leery of missing important running time to do something else or risking an injury or soreness.  Since I'm not currently training for anything, though, I've branched out a bit the last two weeks.  I've been spending a lot of time on the stationary bikes and elliptical machines.  Then, this morning I took a 5:30am Bodypump (weight lifting) class.  I did not love the start time.  I will not love how impossibly sore I am tomorrow.  BUT, changing it up and trying new things?  Very cool.

3.  A forgiving heart.  Luke accidentally broke Audrey's special wand last week and David glued it back together.  She just remembered it this afternoon and was dancing around in it, declaring her princess royalty.  At her rest/quiet time, she wanted to take it into bed with her while she looked at books.  I leaned over to give her a kiss and braced myself against the bed...right onto the wand that was under the sheets.  I heard it crack and said, "Oh Audrey, I'm SO sorry, but I think I just broke your wand again."  She didn't hesitate, didn't cry, didn't even pout.  She simply said, "That's okay, Mommy.  Don't even worry about it" and gave me a kiss.  WOW.  The tender and immediate forgiveness was so sweet it made me tear up!

4.  April 10, 1999.  The day David and I met on a blind date.  Because he is the love of my life and my best friend.  Even when it's hard.  Even when I'm a witch.  Even when days go by without real hugs, real kisses, or real conversations.  He is my favorite and I am grateful for 15 years of knowing him.  

5.  Apparently today is National Siblings Day (who knew?!), so I will seize the chance to list that I am grateful for two awesome big brothers.  No one gets you and where you came from like your siblings.  It is such a blessing to walk through life having that kind of support and "I'll-always-be-here-no-matter-what" kind of love.  I also pray Luke and Audrey grow up being and staying the best of friends, if for no other reason than they'll both need to lean on each other when their father and I start losing our minds.  Some days it seems like it's not that far off... 

March 2014 Recap

March certainly came in like a lion and out like a lamb this year.  We had a few really beautiful weather days sprinkled in between a lot of cold, icky ones.  We managed to get out and enjoy the warmth when we could, but are definitely ready for spring to come and sit a spell.

The month was fairly easy going overall.  No major events, holidays, or home improvement projects for us. David and I squeezed in two dates PLUS a lovely 24-hour break when the kids went to his parents for a night.  Coincidently, we seemed to get along really well this month.  :)

It was a socially busy month aside from dates, too: I got to see the Taylors for a morning when they were in town, had a parent brunch with Audrey's preschool class parents, ate dinner with friends twice, celebrated a neighbor's 40th birthday at her party, and took Audrey to celebrate her daughter's 5th the next weekend.  The kids had their playmates, too:  We did story time at the library, a few playdates at the park, and I kept a friend's daughter while she worked one day.  We rounded out the month with a family dinner to celebrate David's grandmother's birthday.  

We had family pictures on March 8th in Toccoa.  A friend of ours that we knew in college lives up there and we love her style so much that it was well worth the drive.  Plus, it's Toccoa, so you don't have to go far to find open spaces without crowds.  They turned out absolutely amazing.  The hours upon hours of shopping for coordinating outfits for four people, ultimately buying up everything in sight to try on everyone at home, and then returning the stuff we didn't wear all paid off.  See for yourself in the gallery...when you're finished reading, of course.

The end of the month picked up pace a bit.  The third week, Audrey's school had Teacher Appreciation Week.  I made little dry erase frames for them and the registrar and took the teachers lunch from their favorite deli on Monday, we picked out hand soap/lotion and a Bath and Body Works gift card along with AJ's handprint and a note on Wednesday, and we made homemade cookies for them, the nurse, and the enrichment teacher and put them in cute jars for Friday.  We appreciated the heck out of them, because HELLO, they're preschool teachers and therefore royalty in my book.

We continued our small group on Sunday afternoons and have anywhere between 8-12 adults and 5-10 kids each week.  Our church also put on a great training session one evening this month complete with an amazing worship set and food at their new campus location.  After wrapping up the book Home Run, we'll be starting the book The Blessed Life and finish out the semester with it.    

Other news:  I got to be Mystery Reader for Audrey's class and then we snuck in a Mommy-Daughter Date at a frozen yogurt shop.  St. Patrick's Day was the no-work, easy "holiday" it should be and we all just wore green.  I also trained for and completed my third half marathon.  It was by far my favorite to date, and you can read more details about it in this post if you haven't already.  

The kids are doing well.  Luke had his two year check up and amazed the doctor with his vocabulary and social skills.  He said there are only a handful of two year olds he sees a month that are as easy and cooperative as Luke and only a handful a year that can follow all of the instructions he gave him (i.e. taking big, deep breaths, lying down on the table, etc.)  He was talking to Luke about keeping one of the tongue depressors to use in his vet kit I told him we had.  The doctor asked about looking in a lion's mouth with it.  Luke laughed and said, "NO Way!"

The last weekend of the month, we relegated his "bobble" (paci) to the bed and made a big deal about him only using it at naps and nighttime.  It took a couple of days of distractions and car rides were especially tough, but by day four or five, he was completely fine.  

Audrey is still loving reading and all things crafty.  She is astounding us not only by the level of reading she does, but how she reads with such great expression and inflection.  She doesn't nap anymore except for the occasional snooze once every 7-10 days.  Instead, she lies in her bed and reads for about an hour each afternoon.  Sometimes she'll work on her Lite Bright, a puzzle, or a maze book, but mostly it's books.  She just loves to read.  

I'm certain she's not to become a boorish bookworm, because she is also honing her sense of humor.  Nothing makes me smile bigger than to hear her giggle uncontrollably.  When she and Luke both get going, it's impossible not to join in.  Which is great, because she and I with our similar personalities butt heads at least once a day and often need the laugh.  (Yeah, yeah.  I'm "just waiting" for the teenage years.)

So that was March.  And with that update, I'll leave you with some funny quotes from the kids:

 - When praying one night, Luke kept stopping, squinting open his eyes and saying, "What's his name?"  We offered some suggestions, but couldn't figure out who he was talking about until about five minutes later when we were taking him to bed.  He suddenly blurts out, "UNCLE ERIC!", stops to pray for him, and then proceeds to bed.  

 -  While rocking out to the radio on the way home: Luke: "It's too loud."  Me: "It's not too loud, buddy."  Luke: "It's too loud for ME."  Then, AJ pipes up:  "Mommy.  Remember...empathy."

 - On the first day of Luke's "bobble" weaning, he asked for it a lot.  We kept repeating he only used it in the bed now, then changing the subject and distracting him.  On the way home from the park, he decided he'd had enough.  He didn't throw a fit.  He didn't whine.  He just calmly and plainly said:  "Mommy. [deep sigh]  I want my bobble."  It was too cute. It's like he was saying, "Look, y'all.  Enough's enough.  You've had your fun, now give it back."

 - Audrey is already rehearsing songs for her Pre-K graduation ceremony in May.  We've been talking a little about nervous butterflies and stage fright.  We discussed things she could tell herself, thoughts she could imagine, and a bible verse to memorize.  Knowing that she really hates feeling like all those eyes are on her, I asked "So, what would make you feel more comfortable when all those 'hundreds of eyes' are looking at you?"  Without hesitation, she responded, "Uh...Not to have hundreds of eyes looking at me."

 - While Luke was eating breakfast, I ran upstairs to get something.  I coughed a few times and heard him yell, "Mommy!  You okay?"  I hollered back, "Yes, Luke.  Thank you." and he yelled, "Okay, you welcome!"

 - The kids were riding their tricycle and Big Wheel around the park and David and I split up to cover each one.  I was up ahead with Audrey when I hear Luke yelling something out to me.  He'd gotten off his tricycle to jog after me and David said he kept hollering, "Mommy!  Wait!  I wuv you!"  Oh my heart!

 - Audrey really wanted to buckle Luke into his booster seat before lunch one day.  Before I could even open my mouth, I hear Luke warn, "Audrey! Be careful!  Watch you fingers!"

Don't forget to check out the latest pictures in the gallery:

March

Professional Family Pictures

Thankful Thursday

1.  Sunshine, sunshine, sunshine and the warm temperatures it has brought with it.  Hello, Spring!

2.  A good two-year check up for Luke.  Brag alert - The doctor was so impressed with his vocabulary and social skills.  He said there are only a handful of two year olds he sees a month that are as easy and cooperative as Luke and only a handful a year that can follow all of the instructions he gave him (i.e. taking big, deep breaths, lying down on the table, etc.)  He was asking Luke about keeping one of the tongue depressors to use in his vet kit I told him we had.  The doctor asked about looking in a lion's mouth with it.  Luke laughed and said, "NO Way!"

3.  "New" clothes.  I switched out the kids' wardrobes earlier this week and am in the process of doing mine.  I love seeing their cute outfits...and knowing most of them were consignment steals.  Their pasty white little elbows and knees are pretty adorable, too.  

4.  Finishing a huge organization project.  I know it's absurd, but I still print photographs and put them into albums.  Then, I number the pages and create a table of contents for each album.  Well, at least I did until life happened and I fell well behind.  I hadn't printed pictures since September and hadn't done the page numbering/tables of contents since right before Luke was born.  I also had about 100 pictures I needed to "file" back into albums that used to be in frames/were used as birthday party decorations, etc.  It's been one of those projects I never have time for but that nags me often.  I decided I really needed to bite the bullet and work on it.  Some serious concentration and a few...or a dozen...hours later, I'm all caught back up.  Ahhhhh.  (For now.)

5.  A new planner.  Yes, I realize using a paper planner is as antiquated as printing photos, but I can't help it!  Mine was running out and I have used Franklin Covey since I worked, but it's just not as practical for me now and costs too much for me to justify spending.  One of the ladies in my small group showed me the At-a-Glance one she uses and it was love at first sight.  I went out and bought one the next day and am really enjoying using the new format!

A new planner, cleaning out closets, and organizing stuff?  What a week - Pinch me.  ;)  

Fun Run

This past weekend was my big race - half marathon #3.  I had been feeling anxious about it for weeks.  I already felt undertrained for the hilly course and losing a week to my UTI didn't help.  By the time Saturday night rolled around and we returned home from a neighbor's birthday party, I was almost in downright dread.  Then, as David was saying prayers before we put the kids to bed he said something that caused an immediate shift in my outlook.  His prayer was simply, "Lord, help Mommy have a good race tomorrow morning.  Let her have fun and be safe."  
  
Have fun?

Huh.  

Now I know this may blow you Type-B personalities away, but the thought hadn't really occurred to me to have fun.  At least, that was not on the list of my top priorities.  This was a goal to meet.  A thing to check off the list.  A finish line to cross...literally.  Fun would be great if it happened, but it wasn't part of the deal.  

But when he said that, I thought, "Why the heck not?"  I realize I'm not going to be first in any of these big races.  Of course, good Lord willin' and the creek don't rise, I won't be last, either.  But what is the point of investing so much time and hard work into what is ultimately a hobby if you don't enjoy it?  And, truthfully, it's been a while since I've enjoyed running.  Instead, it has become a boring habit.  It's something I have moments of elatedness during (usually in the last 1/2 mile) and that I certainly am happy with the results of, but the love of it can be hard to find while alone at 6am in the cold and dark.

But this race, I decided, would be fun.  I would enjoy it regardless of my performance.  As soon as I made up my mind to do that, the pressure lifted and I relaxed....until the next morning, that is.

I popped out of bed at 5am, having gotten a better night's sleep than with my other two halves.  I got ready and quietly kissed David goodbye.  Heading towards the interstate, I was a good four miles from home when I realized I had left my wallet behind.  "No problem," I thought as I turned the car around.  "You left in plenty of time.  Just go get it and we'll try this again."

Back on the road, I searched the radio for some tunes to wake me up and get me in the spirit.  Every single station had djs running their mouths.  Every.  Single. One.  Do you know how hard it is to get in a happy, upbeat mood at 6am when people are talking about legalization of marijuana, gardening tips, and back pain?  Yeah. 

I finally got off my exit and weaved my way through traffic to a parking deck.  I had purchased "Will Call" for packet pick up, so I left my headphones, hydration belt, and GU Gel in the car while I went to go get my bib.  I'd go grab my packet, come back and drop off it and the t-shirt, pick up my things, and be ready to go.  No sweat.  

Alas, there was actually a lot of sweat involved.  It would've worked perfectly, except that I was totally unprepared for the distance I had to walk to get to will-call, especially against the flow of thousands of people heading in the opposite direction.  Still a block away and without any place to cut over a street, I glanced at my watch.  6:46.  I still had to get my packet, hike all the way back to the car, and then back to the starting line madness!  There was also the small issue of taking a bathroom break before starting.  The lines at the port-a-potties were insane!  I knew I wouldn't start right at 7, but I was still in a panic.  Maybe I'd get a really late corral.  Once I broke free from the crowd and spotted the Will Call booth, I began to run.  I grabbed the packet (Corral J? UGG! Not far enough back!) and the too-small shirt and sprinted towards the parking deck.  Tears stung in my eyes as the thought of missing the whole thing entered my head.  I've worked too hard for too long! 

Fun?  NO.  I am NOT having fun, Lord.  HELP!

I rounded the corner and saw a line of completely empty port-a-potties.  This is unheard of for a big race.  I ducked in and out quickly and continued my run towards the parking deck.  I made it back to the car then ran towards the start line area, which had already shifted a lot because of all of the corrals that had started.  I was sweating, stressed out, and had already run at least 3/4 mile.  I decided to cut over a street and hope it was somewhat close to where I need to be.  I squinted for the sign and read the corral.  It was J.  I calmed my heart and stretched what muscles I could for a minute.  I talked myself down.  I felt God whisper, "You can do this.  I've got you.  Don't write it all off before you've even started."  I breathed in deep and clicked my watch as my foot hit the start line.  Ready or not.

As I turned on Pandora to start, an upbeat Bee Gees song that reminded me of my Dad filled my ears.  Then I remembered a text from my Mom that had come in but that I didn't read in the rush.  I looked at it and felt her prayers and encouragement.  As the crowd began to thin out just enough for me to have some elbow room, I glanced to my left and saw the J. Mack Robinson College of Business building.  We were on Georgia State campus and right in the thick of my old stomping grounds.  My eyes took in the whole area, new and old.  I thought about all of the times I'd walked along that street on my way to and from class.  I never would've dreamed that nearly nine years later I'd be running a half marathon down the very same roads.  My phone buzzed and I read an encouraging note from my father-in-law.  Later, my mother-in-law sent one and, eventually, once he and the kids were awake, fed, and settled, I got one from David too.  (They didn't come down to this one due to the threat of bad weather, so the poor guy was doing the morning routine alone.  I was lucky he remembered where I was. )  I felt myself ease into my pace and turned on an audiobook.  As the city began to wake up and the darkness dissipated, I couldn't deny it: I was having fun. 

Every mile or so there were crowds cheering us on with bells, clappers, and posters.  Some of my favorites were: "Good job, Random Stranger!", "Worst Parade Ever", "Smile if you've peed a little", "Hill? What hill?!" (to which one runner beside me yelled, "WHAT HILL?  THIS HILL.  THIS HILL RIGHT HERE!"  We all laughed.)  There were the usual "If it was easy, everyone would do it" and "The faster you go, the faster you're through!" and "Pain is weakness leaving the body" etc.  By far my favorite that made me laugh out loud was "If this was easy, it would be called 'Your Mom'".  I know it's incredibly immature, but that one had me laughing for a good 1/4 mile.  It just reminded me so much of our group of friends in high school and college who never missed the opportunity for a great "Your Momma" joke.  

We entered parts of the city I was less familiar with - Little Five Points, Virginia Highlands - and areas I'd never been in at all - Inman Park, The Carter Center.  When we were away from the shelter of buildings, the wind was kind of strong.  It blew the blossoms off of the Bradford Pears and it looked like snow falling down.  It was beautiful.  

I knew mile 9 - 10.5 was the toughest hill-wise and tried to prepare myself for it.  We crossed a tiny bridge that offered a gorgeous view of the city and I tried to make a mental note of where we were so I could come back and show David.  We made it up a tough hill and entered Piedmont Park.  There was a sign and volunteers stationed around telling people where to split for the half marathon vs. the full marathon.  For a minute, I thought about taking the right turn.  I knew I'd have to walk a lot, but there was no doubt in my mind I could do a full 26.2 miles.  It would probably take me well over 5 hours, but I knew I could finish.  Then I questioned whether they would even let me in because I was only registered for the half.  I also knew that it would probably mean not getting a full marathon medal, and quite frankly, that sealed it for me.  There was no way I was going to do my first full marathon and not get a medal for it.  I decided to stick with the plan.  Maybe one day, but not that day.

We ran through a lot of residential areas and neighborhoods with people outside drinking coffee in their pajamas and cheering for us.  We entered Technology Square on Georgia Tech Campus and things became familiar again.  As I ran down Techwood Drive I thought about David and all our memories there.  I saw the stadium and recalled the many games we'd gone to with friends.  It began to rain, but not hard.  I climbed the hill up North Avenue to Tech Parkway and a gigantic inflatable Buzz greeted us with groups of Tech students around giving out oranges and water.  I was in the home stretch and I knew it.  I kicked it up, passed the 12 mile marker, and kicked it up again.  I knew because of all of the hills that I wasn't going to set a PR like I did on the extremely flat Thanksgiving Day half, but I still had a chance to beat my first half's time.  The cheering crowds thickened around me and I pushed harder.  I found one of my go-to songs, cranked it up, and ran until I thought my heart would burst.  

I crossed the finish line and stopped my watch.  2 hours 29 minutes and 2 seconds.  Not my best time (2 hrs 22 min 35 sec) but not my slowest...barely (2 hrs 29 min 20 seconds).  The hills were tough, but they weren't unbeatable.  I'd managed to run every step of them.  The best part?  It was by far the most fun of the three halves I'd done.  The course was a great run down...and up....memory lane, but more than that, my soul was refreshed.  I'd fallen in love with running again.  My mind had been focused right where it should've been:  Enjoying the gifts of health and ability that God gave me and the beauty of my surroundings - human and otherwise.  

I let it sink in that I'd just run 13.1 miles.  Again.  And in the end I'd had a great time and still met my goal.  Who knew? :)

Ecstatic to be finished.

My sweet notes and drawings from my favorite cheerleaders.  The picture on the left is Audrey and I running up a hill (I'd told her I was nervous about the course) and the one on the far right says:  "Get out and do it, Mommy.  You can do it.  Love Audrey, Luke, Daddy."

Done, Baby Girl. 

Thankful Thursday

1.  That David is home after a short business trip to Los Angeles.  And that we survived.  I think I've mentioned it before, but our motto when he's out of town is "just keep them alive."  For the most part this trip went very smoothly.  I think that's because of the help I had from my awesome in-laws and because the kids are older and it does get easier to solo parent as they age.  Still, Luke missed him a lot.  In fact, he often wanted to cry about it around 3am.

Welcome home, babe.  Guess whose turn it is to get up with him tonight?!

2.  My running endurance.  After being up late the last couple of nights (as is my MO when D is out of town, especially if he's on the West Coast), this morning's alarm went off early and I did NOT want to heed its call to go run.  I laid in bed and thought, "C'mon.  You can do this.  It's only five miles."  And then I replayed how crazy "only five miles" sounds.  Me, who last March was struggling to do a mile around our flat neighborhood lake path.  I don't know how much longer I can keep up the routine of these distances, but for now, I am very grateful for the health and stamina to do it.  It wasn't always that way...nor will it stay the case forever.  One day five miles is going to sound exactly like what it is - a really stinkin' long way to run - and I'll roll my eyes at just how obnoxious people sound who say otherwise.  :)

3.  Preschool teachers.  I'm sure they've made the list before...and semi-recently if I recall, but this week is Teacher Appreciation Week at AJ's school, so they're on my mind again.  That, and I kept a friend's two year old for five hours today and attempted to do a few "organized" crafts/activities with three kids four and under.  Oh my stars.  Those sweet women are simply not paid enough.  Thank God for warm temps and bubbles because I was out of ideas by lunchtime.

4.  Hallmark Channel movies.  Yeah, I said it.  As I mentioned, I've been staying up late while David was gone and working on some photo album organization.  I didn't want to watch any of the shows we usually see together and there didn't seem to be a lot of options for movies On Demand, so I succumbed to the Hallmark Channel's programming.  It was cheesy, but it was squeaky clean and had a happy ending.  It may make me sound 90 years old, but I enjoyed it!

5.  Spring!  It's here, it's here!  Pop some Claritin and enjoy!

Pray for a good race for me on Sunday, please.  I have half marathon #3...possibly the last for at least a while.  I have all of the normal jitters plus the added realization that I'm way undertrained for the hills downtown.  It won't be a PR, but Lord willing, I'll cross the finish line.

Thankful Thursday

Man, what a difference a week can make.  I am doing much better this Thursday than last.  After three painful and annoying days I reached out to a sweet, sweet friend who called me in some good antibiotics.  My UTI is cleared up, things have backed off a teensy bit for David at work, the house is clean, and a I got a few other nagging things off my to-do list:  thank you notes from L's party, blog and picture updates, a ton of returns/errands, the oil changed in my car, and yes, even sealed the shower grout.  

Add those things to this week's list, and you'll see why my frown turned upside down.

1.  A great girl's night out.  My friend Lauren and I have begun meeting once a month to eat and chat and it's been really cheap therapy for both of us.  There is 100% openness and honesty and it's very helpful in saving what's left of our sanity!  (As was the chocolate cake we indulged in during our 3.5 hour dinner last night.  I'll call that thankful item number 1a.)  

2.  A visit from the Taylors!!!  Kara and her kids came into town to see her family for a few days and we got to spend the whole morning with them today.  The time went by way too fast, but I loved every minute.  Her oldest squeezed me goodbye so tightly she made me tear up (from the love, not the pain :) ).  I am thankful they made time to come see us and am already looking forward to the next time we can get together!  

3.  A lunch date with my husband.  I had a health screening at David's office this week for insurance and then he treated me to lunch afterward.  It was cool to connect in the middle of a weekday and carried us through the monotony of the week a little bit.  

4.  Caffeine.  I don't indulge in it often, but boy have I leaned on it a ton this week with the start of Daylight Savings Time!  I think I've consumed more in the last 5 days than I have the last 3 months combined!  As I've mentioned before, I know it's just an hour, but it seriously takes me 7-10 days to fully deal.  Extremely indicative of my personality and resistance to change, I know.  

5.  Warm spring temperatures!  We had gorgeous weather at the beginning of this week and spent as much time as possible outdoors.  We all felt better with some time in the fresh air and sunshine.  Now to just resist switching out the wardrobes for a few more weeks...

So apparently all it takes to improve my mood 110% is some vitamin D, friends, my husband, and food. Oh, and the absence of infected kidneys.  :)

February 2014 Recap

I already posted about the biggest and most important event of our February, Luke's 2nd Birthday and Party, but there were other happenings going on too of course.

The first week, we had a surprise visit from my niece Annelise who was in town with my SIL for a few days and came over with my Mom.  The girls loved playing together and Luke held his own as best he could.  Audrey also had her rescheduled Toastie Toes (Pajama) Day at school that week since the first one was cancelled due to the snowy weather we had in January.  She loved wearing her pink flannel nightgown and slippers and they got to "roast" marshmallows and watch a movie.  

And, lest we think we were finished with the snow days, week two of the month had a different plan.  The snow starting falling around noon on Tuesday and Audrey's school was cancelled that Wednesday and Friday.  David worked from home on Wednesday and Thursday.  And by "worked from home", I mean actually worked.  For some people that's code for a day off, but not my dedicated hubby.  He did take it a little easier on Thursday and we were able to enjoy some family time outside in the snow in between conference calls.  It's nice that he gets to avoid the commute, but for the most part, him working from home holds no benefit because of the added headache of me trying to keep the kids away from him and quiet.  I tried to be creative this go-round with our snow day activities.  We did science experiments, had a pretend trip to the beach in our living room, made s'mores and snow cream, and watched a movie or two.  I even brought over a neighborhood teenager that keeps the kids during our small group to entertain them for a few hours one morning so we didn't go completely insane.  Still, come Friday, we were out the door and at Chick-fil-A....with the rest of the county.    

The end of that snowy week was Valentine's Day.  It was very low-key this year.  We had a neighbor/friend of Audrey's over that morning for a play date and then took a meal to a friend that afternoon.  That evening, we ate a fancy dinner of hot dogs and gave the kids a small gift plus...drumroll, please...tickets to the circus!  We went the next day to the Big Apple circus, which is small and not as showy as the Ringling Bros, but also not as expensive and are known for their better treatment of animals.  The kids enjoyed watching the acrobats, the juggling, and the horses and their tricks the best.  There were clowns (yuck) and a tightrope walker as well.  It was a fun family night out complete with a stop at Cici's Pizza on the way home.  Life doesn't get much better for a four year old and a two year old than the circus and pizza.  For that matter, it was pretty grand night for us too...minus the clowns.

It was also prime consignment sale month.  I dropped off my load, which was much smaller than usual since I just did the previous year's season for both kids and not every spring/summer thing they've worn since birth.  I shopped the seller's presale and found a ton of cute, cheap outfits for both of them for the warmer weather.  (Please oh please oh please come soon and stay, warm weather!)

The other big news of the month was that we started leading a couples' small group for our church on Sunday afternoons.  We're studying the book Home Run that our pastor Kevin Myers co-authored with John Maxwell.  It's been an interesting experience for us, but a good one.  We've never lead together like this, nor have we opened up our home to 14 complete strangers and their children (who stay in the basement with two teenagers we hire to watch them each week)!  It's been a big commitment for us - the weekends fly by faster than they usually do - but as with most things you do in serving the church, it's been a cool blessing too.  

What else this month?  Let's see....Audrey had Donuts with Dad which she was more excited about than Christmas (no, really.)  There weren't a whole bunch of home improvement projects in February.  I did drive nearly an hour each way to get a bunch of pictures printed from Wolf Camera to update some frames, but other than that, it was low-key DIY-wise.  Of course there was a ton of party planning, prep, cleaning, decorating etc. that ate up most of the month.  I have no doubt we'll make up for our lack of projects as the weather warms up.  

I'm still running a lot and am scheduled to do my third half marathon at the end of March. I think I'm going to cut back after that because the time requirement and toll on my body are both wearing thin, but I guess time will tell.   

The kids are doing very well, other than Luke having an ear infection before his birthday and both of them having a nasty cough earlier in the month.  It all gets a little fuzzy with the lack of sleep.  

Luke's vocabulary, sentence structure, and ability to reason have all sky rocketed in the past couple of months.  My absolute hands-down favorite thing he does/says lately is when he gets on to Audrey.  I know it's terrible of me, but he's had to listen to her nag him for two years.  Now he can give a little back and often does: "NO, Audrey. Dat's RUDE" or "NO, Audrey.  You no do dat.  Go time out."  She gets so stinkin' mad.  I have to turn my face away and snicker before intervening.  

He still loves tools and "fixing/hammering" things.  Of course, as most boys his age, cars and balls are also still at the top of his list.  He loves the show Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood (aka "Tiger Hood") as well as Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Elmo stuff.  We try to limit viewing time, but if we're out for lunch and then driving home after 12:30 or sitting in carpool line, you'd better believe the DVD player is on to keep him awake.  Anything to avoid a missed nap!

He sings a lot and is getting good at remember lyrics.  His attention span is getting a little longer, too, so he'll actually sit through a book or two.  I'm really trying to do better about reading to him more.  We've started going to story time at the library at least every other week which he really enjoys.  He sticks close to me and doesn't participate in the songs a whole lot, but he'll run right up to get his activity (bean bag, bubbles, etc.) for the short time and his hand stamped at the end.  

Audrey is reading like a champ and devours books.  She is also spelling pretty well (there goes that parenting secret code).  I've noticed her humor taking a real leap lately.  She still makes silly, nonsense jokes and phrases, but she's really understanding and making a lot of puns.  She's also fine-tuning her sarcasm and Mama couldn't be more proud.  

A few times lately she hasn't been thrilled about going to school, which makes me a little sad.  I know it can't always be 100% enjoyable, but I had hoped she wouldn't start feeling that way until at least second grade!  I think one of her little friends whom she adored has started making friends with some other girls in the class and isn't as close and kind to Audrey as she once was.  It was heartbreaking the first time Audrey brought it up and we had a long talk about it.  The other little girl isn't being mean or ugly, I don't think.  She's just expanding her circle of friends.  I am trying to convince Audrey to do the same and encourage her to make new buddies, but that child is more of a creature of habit than even I am.  She would eat yogurt and Honeynut Cheerios for breakfast, a turkey sandwich, pretzels, and strawberries for lunch, cheese and crackers for snack, and one of three things for dinner every day for the rest of her life if I let her!  Hopefully she'll learn to branch out in the area of friendships, but as she put it, it'll have to be with the girls because "most boys in my class are quite rude and talk potty talk...even at lunch.  I am not pleased with them."  Don't let her fool you though.  That girl can hold her own in bathroom jokes and thinks any type of gas is hilarious.  We're raising a real lady.  

The two of them together still alternate between best friends and worst enemies.  The sibling bickering can get fierce around here and it's sometimes a race just to see who can yell louder.  (I usually win.)  Still, they are sweet as sweet can be about 60% of the time, which gets me through the other 40%.  Audrey is such a helper and even when Luke begins exerting his independence, as he does quite frequently these days, most of the time she has learned to step back and try to calmly talk him through something while respecting his space.  They are quite the dynamo duo when they go off on an adventure together and will sometimes play for periods of up to 15 minutes together peacefully.  Small steps of sheer bliss!

So that was our February and our latest happenings.  Things change frequently, though, so check back soon!

In the meantime, here are some photo album links in the gallery for you to catch up on:

January 2014

Luke's 2nd Birthday & Party

February 2014

Happy March and many wishes for an early Spring!