Dora, is that you?

 

I walked in to my dim living room a few mornings ago, and thought that a huge blow up Dora doll was, yes, a person!

I was startled, jumped, and began to think......

What was it like before I had toys in every corner? Or before the time when I cleaned my house once a week, it stayed that way for the most part.
What was it like when I could just up and leave when I needed to. Not waiting for a sleeping baby to awake from her nap, or the night.

Truth be told. I don't know. I don't remember life before my girl!! I can't imagine my life any other way! I'm so blessed to be able to stay home with her so many hours a week and watch her grow. I know that it's time I'll never get back. Ever.

Even when it seems hard. I seem worn down and tired, I would never in a million years trade it for anything in this life! That is pure joy.

So, I try to remind myself when I look around and see a hurricane of toys (and non toys that have become toys) everywhere that it wont be this way for long. I'll blink and she will be in college. I'll be praying for the messy toy days!

If you guys know me well, you know that I like to keep a clean house. I like it to look neat, pretty much all the time. If I kept it neat all the time I would not sleep. Or be a lot more grumpy-- So something I've learned as a mother of a toddler, is this...

I've learned to get on the floor and play with her. Keep my basic cleaning done so that there is dishes in the cabinet, clothes on our back, and clean tubs to bathe in, and let life go on. In 20 years I wont care about a messy house!

I have a lot of mommy (and mommy to be ) friends, who can probably relate. I am just coming in to this understanding with in the last few months. And it's, well it's liberating.

I have a very small amount of time to enjoy this little face

Been dying to blog all weekend!

Well, as most of you know, I set out to run the Tulsa run (9.2 miles) at the beginning of the year? Just a goal that I set for myself to get healthy, to stay in shape, have some time to clear my head, meet new people etc.....

Shortly after I fell in love with running, and became addicted to all the chemicals (endorphins, adrenaline etc...) that my body produces, I learned that the route 66 half marathon is only 4 weeks after the Tulsa run. SO I decided that I would go for the 13.1 miler with a little more training.

Fast forward to this weekend.........

We ran 15 miles. Yes I said FIFTEEN.. it still sounds funny coming from my mouth!

We were scheduled to run 12, which would have been our farthest to date. We got to chatting with our friends. We were in another town. In another frame of mind, where everything to be worried in the world was gone. Our friend ask how we were feeling at our 6 mile turn around, and to our surprise, we felt great! So we went out another mile and half.

We're chalking it up to great weather, lots of GU, sports beans, great company, pretzels, wonderful water and gatorade stops, and a multitude of people doing the same thing we're doing. And looking strong doing it!

I've learned so much about (distance) running, and myself the past few months. I'm so excited to continue. I'm looking forward to the winter when I'm not training quite as much. I'll still be doing 4-5 shorter runs. Can't wait!

To some of you who don't run, or have only run a little, this may be pretty insignifigant to you.... But anyone who has run over 2-3 miles, and has an understanding for how challenging it can be, might appreciate it a little more.

Just know that even if it seems so unattainable it's NOT! If someone had told me in February when I was huffing and puffing through my couch to 5k program, that I would be running 15 miles and liking it, I would have laughed in disbelief!

Whatever your goals may be, stick to them!!!!! They are so rewarding when they are met, and exceeded!

I know, I know, yet another running blog, but this one inspired me......

It's racing season.

We've done a few races in the past few weeks. Now that the weather is cooling off, we are loving all these runs!

3 weekends ago we did the "Skirt Chasers" race. It was a really (( HOT!!!!)) fun race. Just a 5k. The girls got kilt looking running skirts since it was at the Scottish Festival. And they also got a 3 minute head start in front of the men. So... That's why they call it the Skirt Chasers. Such a fun race. We both got a PR on this race, even though it was so hot, and so hard!

Jess and I before the race.

Kat, Me,Chera, and Jess after the race.. They came to cheer us on! (By the way they are ELITE runners!!)

I can see the finish line!!!!!

Jessica and her friend who ran to pace her--

One cute boy, and I before the race.... This is before he killed me in time!

We are comparing bellies. She's 5 months preggo... I just wanted to make a big belly ;-)

The girls acting silly.... Pose!

"Can't catch this"

We also did the Susan G. Komen Race for the cure the following weekend. My friend Melissa works for the Cancer Treatment Center and this is a huge race for her. She also is the daughter in law of a survior....On top of those things, she has been training for her first post baby 5k. 

So I got us some matching shirts...Sparkly and pink of course!

And made us some ribbons for our hair!

I also made Gail (Mel's mother in law) a flower with a sparkly ribbon inside of a pink rose to wear

The girls...And Liam!

Almost to the finish! We can see it.....

Her goal was to finish in 32 minutes. She finished in 30:55.

We had a little "fan" waiting for us at the finish line!

The Punk Sparklers--- That's our team name!

This past weekend, Scott ran the ZOO run! It was a perfect day for a 10k!
I just went and supported him.

He did an amazing job! He ran a 10k (6.3 miles) in 53:30! That's wicked fast!!

Here he comes!!! Looking strong!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So needless to say, we're enjoying the racing season!




-- There are several races coming up in the fall that we are excited to do!

Here are also a few random snap shots (obviously taken with my phone, since I don't carry a CAMERA while running) from some of my runs. Some things take my breathe away, and I know that taking a picture will never portray what I actually see, but it's the memory!

GOOOOOOOOD MORNING!! I beat the sun up.

Sunset. We run this a lot at Melissa's place.

We got a random and SUDDEN down pour one night.. And ended up with this! Which eventually turned in to a double rainbow.

Meeting Jeanean and breaking up her 22 mile run so that she doesn't have to do it alone! We're switching off.

time to pop a bean or 3.

Shelly and I playing in the water fountain! It was a steamy one!!!

 SO if you are a runner. I recommend taking lots of pics for great memories! I love looking back at them. They all have stories. Enjoy being outside before it gets tooooooooooooo cold!

Trip to the ZOO and the FAIR

Dad and Anisten in the petting zoo. She liked to feed the goats but not pet them.

a couple of monkeys!

Anisten and PAW PAW on the train.

LOL.

must....get..... in!!!!!!!! ( waiting, not so patiently for the carousel)

We have a yard stick.. Rockin the wagon, and the piggy tails..

Oh my! We found a Dora, it's her size. We HAD to have it.

Yes, we put her on a leash. Go ahead and judge us, we used to judge others before we were parents of a toddler.

I was crouching to take her picture, and she walked up to me, and was trying to do the same! So cute.

We had a fun filled weekend with Mi Mi and PAW PAW. Did lots of outside activity- right up our alley! The weather was great. Perfect weekend.