It's all about the shirt!

This weekend was the Fargo Marathon; one of our favorite weekends of the entire year.  It’s a toss-up with Bison Homecoming! 

What do these weekends have in common?  Friends.  Family.  Sense of community.  Anticipation.  A reason to eat whatever we want all weekend long.    Cheering sections that can't be beat!  Both weekends start and end at the FargoDome!  Not to mention, both are a great excuse to get a new shirt!

What makes these two weekends different?  Homecoming we buy a ticket to sit in the stands and cheer.  Marathon weekend, we pay to play!  We tie up our shoes, pull back our hair, and head to the start line.  There's nothing like it!!

This year we signed up for the half marathon and “oopies” (as Pinky would say), we just never started training.  This is kind of an important part of marathon weekend.  Needless to say, I was feeling less than prepared as the marathon approached.   (Besides the fact that I had found pretty awesome running shirts for Beret and I.)

Fortunately, I am part of the marathon version of the 3 musketeers and we have an “all for one and all for one” mentality when it comes to race day.  We were hoping to run about 6 miles and see what happened after that. 

The good news:  We ran just about the entire thing. 

The part that reinforces the need for training: The last 5 miles were incredibly slow and painful! By mile 10, pretty much the only thing that was getting me to the finish line was knowing they would have an abundant supply of nutterbutters and chocolate milk (which they did)! The little cups of cookie dough were the icing on the cake! Next year my shirt should say “will run for cookie dough!” 

My favorite running shirt!  (Philippians 4:13)

It all starts at the dome: bright and early before the race

Obviously going for a GOOD time and not a good TIME! 
We love to stop on Broadway!

Yes, he rocked the fargo half marathon!  And is already
talking about how many minutes he can cut off his time by training next year! 

Our favorite cheering section!  So sweet!

I wasn't kidding about the food! 

With our medals and our #1 girl!

Cheers to a job well done!

I think I need a new pair of shoes.  Pretty sure I need to see someone about my knees.  But I am pretty sure I'll keep my awesome running partners and the shirt for Fargo Marathon 2013!

Mother's Day

My Pinky-Pie

We make a good team! 

Our little Pinky. 

A mother (or mum/mom) is a woman who has raised a child. 

Today I celebrate all of the mothers who helped me become the person and mother I am today:

My mom

My grandmothers

My sister

My friends

My aunts

My mother-in-law                                       

Being a mother is awesome. 

                It’s hard. 

                                It’s rewarding. 

                                                It’s challenging. 

                                                                It’s unpredictable.

                                                                                It’s a blessing.

                                                                                                It’s true love.

We had a great day at our house.  Last night we went to bed listening to Pinky serenade us from her room.  We woke up to smiles and giggles as we got ready for church.  We enjoyed a bagel lunch with friends.  I spent the afternoon in my hammock with a book while Pinky napped.  We snacked in the park and then we played and played! We enjoyed a dinner of burgers and fries with Pinky’s auntie/Godmother and her “uncle to be”.  And now, we listen to her little voice singing in the room next door.  An hour after she first lay down, I just walked in to remind her it was quiet time.  Her response:  “Mommy, I’m talking to Golliath.”  (Any guesses what story we read tonite?) 

She cracks me up.

                She makes me smile.

                                She makes me glad, every day, that I am her mom.

                                             

How can I be anything but happy this Mother's Day?

"Ta Da"

Pinky's Thursday night activity this spring (and our weekly comic relief) is gymnastics.  There's approximately 20+ 2ish year olds in her class.  Each with a parent (or 2).  And 4 instructors.

This seems to be the perfect combination for TOTAL CHAOS!  She loves it! 

Each week the teachers set up little stations and parents try to get their child(ren) to wait in line to practice the exercises.  In order for this to happen, parents have to drag them off the trampoline, pull them out of the foam (fungus) pit, and chase them around the gym.  (No problem!)  After each exercise, a "ta da" is prompted, followed by lots of colorful stamps (rewards) up and down the arms and legs of the children.

Here's a glimpse into the world of Parent-Tot gymnastics with a 2 year old:

NO fear!  (She gets that from her daddy!)

Can I get one of these at home?

Fungus (I mean foam) pit. 

She can do it without help . . . . Really!

Check out that form!

Hop!

"Ta Da!"  (followed by some stamps!

The "Fun Aunt"

As a young adult, I was never quite certain if I would ever be a mom.  What I was quite certain of was that I would be an aunt one day . . . So when my friends would talk about the names of their future children, I talked about being the “fun aunt”.  Oh, the plans I had to spoil my siblings' children, and the children of my dearest friends! 

Little did I know, not every day of “aunt-hood” would be fun.  Some of the hardest days of my adult life have been part of being an aunt.  I knew that I would love being an auntie . . . but I never imagined the love I would have for these children who do not live in my home, but certainly live in my heart!  The thing about being an aunt that I didn’t quite know, but quickly learned, is that you are part of a story that isn’t your own.  Four nieces.  Three nephews.  I love them dearly.  I celebrate when they celebrate, but  I also cry when they cry.

I wouldn’t trade being an aunt for a gazillion dollars.  I love all of the fun things we get to do. Take trips to the lake and the farm.  Have sleepovers and campfires.  Skip the main course and go straight for dessert(s).  I buy their Girl Scout Cookies, their Boy Scout popcorn, their magazines, cookie dough, etc.  That’s my job! And I love it!

Most of the time . . .

Last week was one of those not-so-fun weeks. I was called upon to take a journey with one of my cherished loves.  Although I was certainly willing to go, I was completely overwhelmed with fear, anxiety, and sadness as I prepared to leave.

We feared this journey would be difficult in ways we couldn't even fathom.  We did all that we could humanly do to try to set things up so they would go as smoothly as possible . . . Most importantly, we called on our prayer warriors for help . . . And help they did!  The prayers for our journey were coming from all around the country all week long.  People even set their alarm clocks for 4 am the morning we left, to pray for us as we departed.   What makes this story mine is that I was part of something that can only be described miraculous, for I know that it was only by the grace of God that we got to our destination safely and without struggles.   The people we met along along the way, who helped us in ways we didn't even know we'd need, could only have been sent by our heavenly Father, answering our prayers. 

At the end of the day, I returned home from this journey alone.  That was the plan.  That was part of what made this journey so dreaded and difficult.  Yes, there were tears shed.  Yes, there was some grumbling.  Yes, there were some tense moments.  But for just a few hours, last Thursday morning, I got to be the fun aunt.  And for that, I couldn’t be more grateful!

To all of our prayer warriors out there, my cup runneth over.  Thank you!  Thank you!  Thank you!

The Comforts of Home

We are back into the swing of things after enjoying "spring break".  A year ago, we traveled to sunny AZ, where we "defrosted" in the warm desert sun.  This year, we decided to stay put and enjoy the comforts of home.  Once the school year starts, we typically don't spend many "vacation days" at home.  It was a nice change to have a week off with nothing to plan, pack, or prepare for.  We took it one day at a time and enjoyed every minute!  Here are some of the highlights.


Saturday - Swimming lessons in the morning and an evening with friends!

Sunday - Church, naps, and dinner out on the town.  (We had to leave the house . . . someone made 4 jars of pickled eggs and we couldn't stand the smell any longer!)

Monday - The THREE of us had the day off and we enjoyed the day lounging and playing in the snow!  It's not very often you will find all 3 of us home on a Monday!  It was quite a treat!

Tuesday - One more day off for the 3 of us.  The boys came and played in the morning.  The girls came to play after naps. Followed by outdoor adventures with Frosty!  We consumed more than our fair share of marshmallows and hot chocolate!

Wednesday - Someone had to go back to work while the rest of us stayed nestled in at home and enjoyed a little snowstorm.  Fortunately, the weather didn't interfere with our "playdate" with the BISON!

Thursday - Afternoon visit with friends.  After-dinner trip for some frozen yogurt for dessert!  Pinky's favorite flavor was the chocolate in my bowl . . . It's a good thing she's so cute, I don't share chocolate with just anyone! 

Friday - A trip to the mall in the morning.  Lunch at the office with daddy.  Dinner at our favorite local Chinese restaurant.  AND an evening with a big bowl of popcorn and the "State B".

Saturday - Swimming lessons in the morning with a special audience followed by lots of play time!

 Sunday - Breakfast with Gma and Gpa.  A nice long nap in the afternoon.  A little polish on the toes.  And another bowl of popcorn and "Happy Feet". 

We rested.  We snuggled.  We read books.  We sang songs.  We got plenty of fresh air.  We had lots of soggy wet mittens.  We had a variety of yummy snacks.  We made lots of memories with family and friends.  And we never left city limits!

"Fishing!"

Practicing our fine motor skills!

Loves time with her babies!

Quite possibly the best spring break ever!  (Although I haven't ruled out Mexico in 2013!)

Splish Splash

Pinky is over half way through her first set of swimming lessons.  It's been so much fun watching Pinky as she becomes more comfortable in the swimming pool!    You are probably wondering what swimming lessons are like for a 2-year-old.  Well, these are some of the skills her teacher is working on with the class:

• blowing bubbles
• splashing
• learning that you move when you kick you legs
• reaching towards objects (balls/rubber duckies) floating in front of you with both hands
• floating on your tummy
• floating on your back (one of Pinky's favorites)
• feeling what happens when you push your body off the sides of the pool in the water
• jumping in, and maybe even going under
• trying to build independence in the water

These are some of the songs we sing when working on these skills:

• "The Wheels on the Bus"
• "Twinkle Twinkle"
• "If You're Happy and you Know It"
• "Ring Around the Rosie"

We try to take turns so that she is comfortable in the water with both of us . . . She's probably more daring with her dad and more clingy with me.  But it's fun, and wet, and quite an adventure! 

January

January has never been one of my favorite months . . . after packing up Christmas, it has always felt like a long 31 days of bitter cold and lots of snow to "get through"!  To be honest, I find that it's usually a good month to hybernate.  January 2012 has been a different story at our house!

Thanks to an unusually mild January, it was actually 50 degrees on Pinky's birthday.  Imagine that!  We spent the afternoon outside enjoying the beautiful weather . . . without coats, mittens, hats or boot.  AWESOME!  I take that back, we did make Bella wear a hat . . . if you call a bike helmet a hat . . . when she cruised around on her new 4-wheeler!

Pinky's birthday party included friends and family (complete with a surprise visit from Grandma and Grandpa); Minute to Win It Games; a butterfly cake; and as many of Pinky's favorite treats and snacks as we could (M&Ms, fruit loops, gold fish, pizza and chips & dip). 
In addition, Pinky has started swimming lessons, which means for the last 4 Saturdays (and next 5), we have had the chance to enjoy a nice warm swimming pool, where Pinky is becoming more comfortable and confident in the water.  Lessons typically include singing familiar songs incorporating lots of action: kicking, reaching, twirling, splashing, dipping the ears, and blowing bubbles!  If you ask her about lessons, she'll quickly reply "ring around the rosie."  Evidently one of her favorite songs in the pool.

We've used our shovels a few times this month, but to be honest, I find the few inches of white fluff out thereto be quite lovely . . . I'd much rather look at a little white snow than dead grass . . . and it's way more fun to play in.  Pinky enjoys playing outside any chance she can get.

January was a busy month:  Birthday party, outdoor adventures, swimming lessons, and visits with family and friends.  Hybernation was not on the list this year! 

Maiden outside voyage for her new wheels!

With her "number".  We're still working on "2".

Butterfly cake.  YUMMY!

Swimming Lessons

Shoveling snow with her rake!

And yes, we did get a family birthday hat picture this year! 
Just before bed!

Now, bring on SPRING!!!!  HA!