Big Kids

We no longer have babies, no longer have "rug rats". We just said Happy Birthday to our little Dean who is now 2 years old.

I was asked if I was sad that our little guy is now not so little, and what do you think I said?

Well, you are probably wrong... I am not sad. I enjoy having big kids, I LOVE the fact that they can feed themselves and play together. I am excited about the idea of preschool, and that Dean is now old enough to start tumbling classes.

Big, crazy kids. That's what we have now. I love them so much, and I can't wait to see what they will learn next!

Christmas in Photos

While I was away..

While I was away, doing a little bit of running, a lot happened! Lily was in her very first ballet recital! Isn't she adorable!!! ;)

Super cute! I am so proud of her!


Meanwhile... Gavin turned 8 years old AND got one of the leads in the school play! He got to play the role of "Dr. Molar". My very handsome boy is growing up!


While Gavin did have one major role in the play, I think that Dean stole the show! (Watch the video to the end for some comedy).

I am very glad everyone had such a great time while I was away.

26.2 people

Running a marathon is like... well, I hear its difficult. Have you heard about the "Wall" that some people face during a marathon? Basically, running for that long of a time period can get pretty intense. I have learned of a little mental trick to help me get through any road blocks that I may face during my very first marathon. The "trick" is that for every mile that I am about to run, I am supposed to think about, or dedicate that mile to a specific person, and therefore I can't give up on that mile and let that person down. Get it? This is my list, written down for accountability purposes.. (there is no way I am going to let any of you down):



1. The first mile is dedicated to my dad, because he is going to be there at the start with me.

2. Mile 2 is for ... I am stuck already! .. I don't want to put anyone in mile 2 because I know that my adrenaline is going to be pumping, and I am not even warmed up yet, let alone about to give up. Ok- mile 2 if for ... my dog, Frankie.

3. Mile 3 is for Sweet Lily who is now 3 years old!

4. During mile 4 I will be thinking about my SIL, Audrey, who has 4 kiddos, and who has just started running herself.

5. Since I am thinking about SIL's, the fifth mile is for my other SIL, Jessica, who also has picked up on running!

6. Ok, so moving on to my sister, Shelly. Hopefully I will be able to stay with her and do the Virginia Beach marathon for my birthday.

7. Lucky 7 is for FRC's Lucy. Always bubbly and kind.

8. This mile is for my dear son, Gavin, who turns 8 just 2 days before I run!

9. Of course I can't leave out my other son, Dean. Mile 9 is for my handsome baby boy!

10. First 10 Done!!! Mom in law, Chris.

11. My mom

12. TC

13. Half-Way point! Ready to turn around and come back where I started! I will be thinking about coming home to my babies!

14. Papa, and heaven.

15. Next is my big Brother.

16. Then Randy

17. And of obviously next comes Marcie

18. I think mile 18 will be dedicated to FRC president Bruce, who just completed his very first marathon, and qualified for Boston during it!

19. My mile 19 is supposed to be for this happy old man I saw walking around the airfield on my last long run. I passed him a few times and he was just so happy and was cheering me on.. he just makes me smile.

20. Almost done! Just a 10k left (maybe just over an hour to go) I will be thinking about FRC vp, Candi, who is one tough cookie, and just took 45 mins off of her last marathon.

21. Keeping with the FRC theme, Tamera is next. She pushed me through my very first 13 mile run, and always told dirty stories up hills to make me not think about the climb.

22. My old high school friend Pia is next. I saw a picture of her doing the Disneyland marathon a year or two ago, and I was so inspired that I started racing myself.

23. I will be thinking about my neighbor, Susan, who is the ultimate super-mom. PTO, FRG leader, up for the "family of the year", Yard of the month winner. It seems like everything she does is 110%!

24. Next I will be thinking about my (former) neighbors; the Smiths and their unending generosity, Amy Texas who is one tough cookie, and all of the other good friends that have come and gone so fast in this army community.

25. This maybe one of the most difficult and challenging miles, I will be imagining squirrels, and my good friend, Eileen, who just completed an ultra-marathon! (50 miles!)

26. Big #26 is for Sylvia, who should be waiting at the finish line for me.

0.2 This last 2 tenths of a mile is for my finishers medal, and for the Mai Tai I am about to drink! So I guess, more or less, the last little bit I am running for me.

Christmas Sneak Peak

Here is a sneak peak at our Christmas card photos!http://lgphotography09.blogspot.com/2009/11/m-family.html

On a lighter note

I am so super glad that this is the last week of school for me (for a while). All of this marathon training on top of the school work and the whole 'being a supermom' thing is just starting to be a little too much. Dean isn't feeling 100%, and Lily doesn't really like him right now (see my previous blog: "Biting"). Gavin is awesome as always, but without football he is a little bored.
School starts up right after Thanksgiving week, and even though it's only a week off of school, it's a much needed break. Oh yeah, and did you know that I leave for the marathon in like 18 days! OMG! Just a lot of craziness, but I do love it all. And I really appreciate having a few days away from Accounting!

Biting

It's a problem. It's a problem that I thought was dealt with and that we had moved passed weeks ago. I mean really, you would think that the first time your sister bites you, you would learn not to let her teeth come anywhere near you. But, alas, Dean loves his big sister so much that any interaction, whether it be hugs and kisses or pushes and bites, is better than no attention from her.

And wouldn't you think that the older child with the larger vocabulary would be the one NOT to bite? I thought children used physical force only when they didn't have the words to express what they wanted to say. So much for that psychology class..proved them all wrong.

Sister

The kiddos and I took a 5 hour long car ride to go see Shelly and her kiddos, Amanda and Nathan, over the weekend.
We played at the park.. Here is Nathan 'throwing' the ball to me:
We watched lots of Disney movies. Lily and Amanda are too cute!

My toddlers had a lot of energy, so we were back and forth to the parks throughout the entire weekend.

Amanda and Deano became BFF's

Ha! Gotcha Shelly! I snuck in a pic of my sis:

The cousins and I had a blast! It was nice to see my sister after a few years break.

You should too!

I have joined the national donor registry, so that if someone is in need, and I can help, I will.

Why is it?

Why is it that after the mountain of laundry has (finally) been conquered, and neatly flip-folded, and as I proudly put away as many towels as my arms can hold, I come downstairs to see piles of clothes strewn about the room? As I think, "Sabotage!", a giggling little toddler jumps up and says, "Peek-a-boo!" so sweetly that I have to laugh as well.
Oh the "Peek-a-boo" years, just you wait little Dean, the years where you have to fold your own laundry are coming up soon.... revenge will be mine. ....Muahhahahaha....