Merry Christmas!!!

Today was a pretty great Christmas day for our family. I mean ANY Christmas morning where the kids don't wake up until 8:30am makes it an instant success in our book. We have been going, going, ever since that time though and are ready to crash now. I'll post details in the next day but wanted to wish you all a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

20 Miles Baby!!!!

I am already sore and tired (kind of makes me wonder how I am going to walk around Disney World for 3 days after a marathon) but I ran the whole 20 miles today. It wasn't an "easy" running day for me either but my teammates and I were on a mission - plodding along until the end.

When Barb, our team coach, hugged me at the finish line tears sprang to my eyes (again, makes me wonder what kind of state I'll be in when Kate hugs me at the finish line at Disney). Anyway, I feel many emotions right now - fatigue, weakness, happiness, gratitude and a little bit of anxiety about adding 6 more miles on to this - to make it a marathon!

Happy Birthday Kyle!!!

I have to give a shout out to my younger brother Kyle who turns 30 years old today! Kyle is the second in line of the 4 boys and is an amazing man. In honor of his birthday, here are just a few reasons that make Kyle amazing.

1. He is amazingly bright and loves to learn. No not like I often did -to pass a test- but to really learn! Weird...:)

2. He loves to play Guillotine and other games for hours on end with me. Love it!

3. He is fluent in at least 4 languages.

4. He is an amazing athlete and excels in most sports. (He was the hot soccer player in HS). True story.

5. He is my only sibling who is as excited as I am to go for a run together when we are on vacation.

6. He served a mission in Italy and has taught his daughter Italian. At 3 she is bilingual and working on trilingual.

7. He is hilarious. It is rare to see him without a smile on his face when we get together.

8. He chose one awesome woman to marry.

9. If I want to learn something from the scriptures, he's my man. Quite an impressive scriptorian.

10. The man has amazing hair and the longest eye lashes you've ever seen. My favorite cut is still the hot soccer do, with bob length hair tucked behind his ears. As Will Smith says in Men in Black " I make this look good"!

Happy Birthday Kyle. Love your guts!!!!

11 Years!

Today Jason and I celebrated our 11 year anniversary. I use the word "celebrate" loosely since the day consisted of work followed by a team in training pasta dinner in preparation for our 20 miler tomorrow and a last minute trip to Target. All of the day's activities revolved around and included the kids too so we didn't officially celebrate our anniversary yet. We hope to do that in 2 weeks after the holiday rush has ended. We did acknoweldge our day though by giving each other cards and small gifts. Jason (whose not the most romantic guy around and usually doesn't see the value of flowers) surprised me with a dozen red roses and a sweet note recounting the first time he gave me flowers while dating. It was a very sweet gesture and didn't go unappreciated.

So, 11 years ago today we were married and on the "longest night of the year" (Winter Solstice) too, as we've heard MANY times. :) I am one lucky woman and I can honestly say that I feel the happiest I ever have and am so grateful to be going through this crazy life with Jason.

Christmas Outfits

I have a hard time picking out "the" Christmas outfit for my girls and I did no better this year. So instead of choosing, I just get a few. These are one of 3 for this year! :) In response to a kind primary teacher's comment on how nice Kate looked she replied, "My Mom said that I can't roll around on the ground or anything though". Yes Kate, that's right.

I mean, how can you have 2 girls and not get caught up in the cutest matching dresses, especially for the holidays? Ava put hers on in the store and said, "I'm pretty princess". That is what prompted the 2nd matching dress purchase of the day.

I'm totally biased I know, but I just wanted to eat them up today! Of course, the cute dresses came off immediately after church - can't push my luck.

A Christmas Carol

Luck was smiling upon us this weekend... At the last minute, a friend offered our family 2 tickets to see A Christmas Carol at the Alliance Theater in Atlanta - (front row even). We had to rearrange our schedules a little but it was worth it and Jackson and I had a fantastic time - just the 2 of us.

Jackson commented as we were leaving for the show, "Dad and I get to do things a lot, just the two of us, but you and I don't". It's true. As life has become more complicated, Jason and I divide and conquer. That usually means that I take the girls and he does most of the activities with Jackson. A special day out with just Mom and Jackson made this neat opportunity that much cooler in both of our eyes I think.

I was surprised how still Jackson sat throughout the show (he's 8 and a boy - need I say more) and when it was over he seemed genuinely bummed that time passed so quickly. It is so much fun to pass along fun childhood memories with your children isn't it? I have the best memories of watching Radio City Music Hall's Christmas Spectacular every other year with my cousins. Those were the best times.

I am going to try and see if I can buy tickets for The Nutcracker next week and take the whole family. I can't wait to share that experience with my children!

Ava's 1st Haircut...Finally!

At just over 2 and 1/2 years old, Miss Ava had her first haircut today. She actually didn't have very much to cut but the beginning stages of a mullet were forming and I just couldn't allow that to happen. If you look closely you can see the wings at the nape of her neck.

There were no tears, fights or antics for her first cut either. I was poised with camera to take it all in but she just hopped up onto the chair and did every thing that the hair dresser asked. She has been accompaning Jackson and Kate to the salon for long enough that she knew to ask for a lollipop at the end of it all and was pleased as punch that she finally had a turn in the big chair.

Run Forest Run...

So yesterday I ran 18 miles in preparation for the upcoming marathon (we kind of got lost and ended up having to make up our own route but it worked). In 2 weeks we'll be running 20 miles and then start tapering down in preparation for the race!
On Friday night a friend asked me, "are you excited for tomorrow's run?" In truth, no I wasn't. It isn't that I don't enjoy running because I do, but I am growing weary of the time commitment associated with training for a marathon. It is so much greater than the 1/2 marathon was let me tell you. This past week's schedule included running 6 miles on Tuesday, 10 miles on Wednesday and 6 miles on Thursday plus a 4 miler sometime in the week. I also weight trained 2 times and then on Saturday spent 3+ hours running the 18 miles.
Perhaps I am feeling the strain more because it is the Christmas season and there are so many other things that I rather be doing with my kids than running. I am very much looking forward to the marathon but I don't know if it is because I am looking forward to the culminating event of my efforts or because it will mean an end to this rigorous training schedule. :)

Genius

My friend Allison, tells me that I am sucker for all new products and I must admit that I am. I am intrigued by new ideas and have to see if they do in fact, make my life easier/better in some way.
Truth be told, I am a tissue and TP snob - they really must be Puffs and Charmin. It may seem ridiculous but I have grown accustomed to their super soft and non injurious ways.
So, this past weekend I once again found myself with a cold and had to go out for some back-up supplies. During this excursion I happened upon Puffs with Vicks. Interesting... I of course purchased them and so loved them! While I don't recommend them for everyday, they are perfect for that super stuffed-up yucky cold congestion.
I am glad that Jason didn't notice that I laid one on my face while going to sleep. Hey, whatever works right?