Frostbite 15k

Thank the good Lord this weekend was MUCH better than last weekend.  :)

This morning I participated in the Frostbite 15K race.  It's a local race with, what my running partner Samira and I called, "Real Runners."  Funny how we never really considered ourselves "Real Runners," in spite of our running accomplishments.  When I mentioned this to Cary he said, "Well yea real runners do this race.  I mean think about it, only dedicated runners will train and run a race in FREEZING temps for the fun of it."  Very true statement.  It seemed small, 600 + participants, great course, well supported.  It's definitely something I'll consider for next year.

It was a race that I like to refer to as "a reason to get off my butt and do something."  We ran it for fun, NOT time.  Although I will say it was nice to see the last mile + at a sub 9 minute and felt like I wasn't even pushing myself.  I think I could be a better/faster runner if I actually applied myself.  But to be honest I run more for the social aspect, and let's not forget the fact that I'm married to a man who NEEDS me to run.  Seriously, it's a legitimate need of his.

2 girlfriends trained with me for this race, Samira & Christine, all 3 of us ran the 1/2 marathon together.  We've had so much fun getting together on Saturday mornings and going out for long runs training for this race.  We have approached our training runs as an opportunity to get away from the demands of Motherhood as well as a chance to just hang out and let's not forget the incredible endorphin kick.  Poor Christine came down with a bug this weekend and wasn't able to run with us today.  She was missed.

The next race is the Monument Ave. 10k.  Yep, that's one I'll do for time.  I guess I just have to learn how to apply myself.  Whatever that means...

One of those days...

Some days you just wake up and know it's gonna be one of those days.  E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G. is a fight.

I think it was about 7:45 AM when I knew the only way I was gonna make it through the day was by filling my house with worship music.  Sesame Street went off and Pandora went on.

I don't know why we have days like these but I do know that I MUST stop whatever I'm doing at times, sit and really listen to the words of the songs and point my focus on HIM for the strength to make it through just that moment.

Thankfully the only indication for my children that I'm struggling is my tone of voice and patience.  I've failed at breaking several times today.  I've asked Ellery for her forgiveness.  But I'm gonna try to not beat myself up but instead just move on, try to figure out what we're gonna have for dinner tonight and look toward my 8 mile training run in the cold wind tomorrow morning. 

Oh yea, and I'm eating my way through the day.  That always seems to help, a little...

Big Boy

Mark this day as one that just made my life a little bit more interesting....

He is one proud little boy, that's for sure!

He clearly isn't ready for his afternoon nap and I'm not ready to spend the next 30  minutes worrying about him.  So I took him out of the crib and will wait a bit longer until he's ready to go to sleep and NOT crawl out of his crib.

Keeping it real and random stuff.

I am very much aware of the lack of blogging lately, especially of the important holidays!  Oh well, one day I'll get to it.  Don't know why, just not in any hurry to spend my few moments of free time waiting for the computer to upload pictures. 

Walt is eating solid foods, crawling like a champ, squealing very loudly and a complete joy.  Today I began feeding him Puffs along with his lunch and the action of trying to pick up the puff and get it to his mouth was so exhilirating that if he didn't have a puff on his tray he began to arch his back and cry hysterically.  So begins the signing lesson of "MORE."  I had to try to slip in some food while he was opening for a puff.  Life has gotten a little bit more interesting with this little man.

Ellery is about to push us over the edge.  She's getting out of bed, blatantly disobeying us and now having to learn what the "truth" means.  We have tried just about everything with the "getting out of bed" thing and I know consistency is the key.  If you ask her about the RULE, she says "stay in bed."  She KNOWS, but chooses to push us.  Today we had the conversation of what it means to tell the truth.  She and I played a little game like this:

Mommy:  Ellery, tell me if this is true or not true:  Brother is crawling on the floor

Ellery:  That's not true.  (he was in my arms and I was holding him)

Mommy:  Good job!  Now, let's try this one.  Ellery just went poo on the potty!  Is that true or not true?

Ellery:  TRUE! 

Mommy:  No Ellery, that is not true.  You did NOT just go poo on the potty.

Oh the joys of parenting.

Cary bought us a Roku for Christmas.  It is a box that streams the internet over your TV so you can watch Hulu, Amazon, Netflix and other streaming stuff.  We are trying it out to see if we'll cancel cable and just stream our shows/movies.  The only down side is that HGTV and Food Network are not available to streaming (yet?).  Like I really have time to watch TV these days...

That's all I've got for right now.  :)