New Toys

Kyle recently got a new toy, a bow.... and he has loved playing with it for the past couple months...


So, I decided it was my turn.. and I got me Cricut Expression Cutter...

It does such amazing things... Cuts all sorts of shapes, designs.. You can use it for card making, decorations, scrapbooking, bulletin boards, play time, even to make the vinyl wall hanging phrases that I have been wanting... I am going to enjoy figure this thing out!!

Mothers Day

Five years ago, Mothers day was a day to say thank you to my mom and the women in my life who served as loving role models to me... it was a day that had a little meaning, but didnt tug at my heart in the way it did for others.

Then, these two came along....


And, now.. Mothers Day has a different meaning... meaning that goes well beyond words. I know it is a day we are supposed to celebrate mothers, and society has shown us I should get breakfast in bed, gifts and feel pampered.... Yet, I think it is the opposite. It is a day for ME to give thanks and celebrate the gift I have been given.. the gift of being these two girls mom... the gift of getting unconditional love every day from the purest of hearts and souls...the gift of knowing that these two need me, love me and know me in ways that no other person will ...

Yes, being a mother is a lot of work, it is an amazing responsibility.... and it is an endless gift... I am truly blessed. As I tucked my girls in after they were sleeping, I said an extra prayer as I watched them lie there peacefully.. I said a prayer of thanks.. and of hope, for all that is yet to come.

Thank you for making me a mom.

Half Marathon Finisher!!

I did it. I ran the Hippie Chick Half Marathon.. 13.1 Miles without walking... and I ran it in a time of 2:05 and some seconds.. :) Just about 9:30 minute miles.. :) I am so happy. I had hoped to have a time around 2:05.... and I did!! It was an amazing feeling to finish, as I was exhausted... It did answer one question.. NOPE... not interested in running a marathon! I placed 169 out of 655, and in my age group, like 32 or 33 out of 89.. :) IN all honesty, my placing didn't matter.. I just wanted to finish.. and with a good time!!!!

Here are some photos from before and after....


Getting ready to go....

Keep Running... Keep Running...


And afterwards, we enjoyed camping and sitting by the fire.. though I took a few walks to avoid tightening up!!


Thanks to all my Hippie Chicks who trained and ran with me... we rock!!!!

Brownie Surprise

My MOPS group is having a Mothers Day Tea.. and I am providing some of the treats... So, for the chocolate treat.. I decided to make Brownie Surprise.

All you need is this:


You mix up the brownie mix, and put in a mini muffin tin. In a separate bowl, you mix up the cookie dough.

Then you drop in a bit of cookie dough in the middle of each brownie.


Bake and serve.

In each brownie, there will be a bit of chocolate chip cookie!! Yummy.... I saw this idea on a blog somewhere... and it is yummy.

Mileage Update

So, as the day looms nearer (only 3 days) til the Hippie Chick Half Marathon, I logged my last miles for the two weeks. :) In the past two weeks, i have logged 26.8 miles.. check out the side bar for my totals so far.

I am just taking it easy the next couple days.... well, easy in terms of formal exercise.. I have a ton going on with other things, and so will keep my muscles warm running around doing stuff!! :)

OK, wish me luck!!!

The Three S's

During my senior year of high school (yes, a few years ago), I spent most of my time with two very special friends. Sarah, Shelley and I were inseparable.... and I mean inseparable. We seemed to go everywhere together... and quickly became the Three S's. Now, my younger years were not the picture perfect time at home, and I often felt like I did not have a home, and didn't really belong anywhere. These two girls (now women) changed that. With them, I felt like I belonged. We laughed, cried, and dreamed together. They were there for me during a time when I didn't really know who I was... well, none of us really did, did we? These were the years of figuring it out.. of testing waters and seeing if we sink or float. Well, often, when waters were tested, I floated because of their support and love!!!


After our senior year, we all three went our separate ways to college and our adventures; continuing the journey of finding out who we are, what we want out of life, and where our paths will lead us... And it took all three of us in very different places. At first, we reunited as often as possible.. then like many of you, the years and other life commitments took their tole, and we found ourselves seeing each other only once a year or two (sometimes longer and longer).

However, part of God's plan I believe, we have all found ourselves in the Pacific Northwest. We all have become so many things; women, professionals, mothers, aunties, wives.... We have each spent the better part of the past 15 years defining who we are, and I must say: we are amazing.

Even after all these years, I still feel like these ladies can see right through me to my truest core. They bring out the best in me, and make me smile just being with them. I am so blessed in my life now, and I feel blessed to be surrounded in my community by wonderful friends, yet there is something about those who have known you before you knew who you were... those who loved you and grew with you. Those who knew me before, during and now.... While we have spent many years apart, I look forward to the many years ahead... of continuing this special bond and friendship that began so long ago...

I love you, my friends!

MIA

Where did April go? I realized that I have been gone since Easter... well, not gone, but away from blogging. I have thought about it, but this month has just flown by and I find myself wondering where it went? Did I sit down and enjoy it? Did it go by because I was moving at a pace that was too fast? Were our days filled with busy activities that in the end we will not remember?

I sure hope not. I will just chalk it up to being a busy month, filled with time spent enjoying my girls... and waiting for summer. yes, I am waiting for summer.... is it here yet?? Let me know..

I will update my mileage soon... I have continued to run, though slowed down for a couple weeks due to visitors, just when I should have been picking it up!!!!