Running

I hate running.

It blows.

But it burns off that extra crap I've been carrying around for the last 5 years, 

and dang it... I'm sick of being jiggly.

Anyone seen this?

When I get on that cursed machine, I've got my head in the game...

I'm revved up...

I'm feeling ready to feel the burn...

5 minutes in... I'm the kid in yellow.

10 minutes in, I feel like I want to take a bat to the dumb timer telling me I've only done 10 minutes.

12 minutes... I hear "Another one bites the dust" on my iPod,

and because 70% of the songs I hear, evoke some sort of dance memory, 

this pops in my head...

Right around 1:05 where she really puts her ass into it....

Ok.  Back in the game!

16 minutes...  I'm back to the kid in yellow again, and now feel a little sick.

Finish my 20 minutes.

Drive home.

Throw up.

Brush teeth.

Take shower.

Write this for no real reason.

Going to bed.

Good night.

A chilled out Monday morning

I slept in this morning!

It was 7:18 when I heard the first door open.

It was quickly followed by the other door and the two little noisemakers were in bed with me!

I was ok with this, 7:18 is  AWESOME!  Much better than 5:30 or 6 as it usually is!

Now, we've had breakfast (complete with a spilled glass of water and a dumped over bowl of Lucky Charms), have watched 2 episodes of Team Umizoomi, and I've wrapped and re-wrapped Ellie's baby about 100 times. Lila asked if she could stay in her Jammies all day, and I agreed.  Mostly because I will probably stay in my jammies all day, at least until I have to go to work tonight.  

It was a crazy week, and it feels really nice to have a day with nothing to do other than be with the girls.

Yesterday was a day of go...go...going, so this is great!

I'm back to work tonight for another 3 nights, and desperately hoping for nights calmer than what we experienced last week.  What WAS that?  Seriously, Wednesday night was ridiculous.  Going home in tears, 2 hours past your scheduled shift... never a good thing.   I did however get to be present when one of my co-workers gave birth to her beautiful baby girl!  Saying it did not go smooth, would be an understatment, but I hear that now both Mama and little Mila are doing wonderful!
Jessica, Congratulations again on your beautiful addition to your beautiful family!

I'm thinking we may go outside and throw the ball for the dogs, and we're making some Asian glazed turkey meatballs for dinner, so I should probably get those set-up.  Have a great Monday everyone~

Here's a little video of the girls dancing around the living room.  Please don't judge us, I know
the music isn't exactly "kid friendly".  

Something Specials

Ever have one of those days where God just taps your shoulder, and reminds you to take a moment to really appreciate?   Those kittle things you usually take for granted, but in the long run... would suffer without.  I've had one of those days today.

Exhausted.

I worked the weekend and still haven't been to bed.

The roads are crap and the ride home took far longer than it normally does.

It's nasty windy out, so even though, we now have a little snow... I'm not taking the girls outside.

But...

When I met Ryan at our designated spot (the Hilton Hotel parking lot),  I saw two beautiful faces in the back seat of his car.  Tap tap... 

Something special.

Actually, TWO something specials!

For whatever the reason, God felt I needed a little reminding of how blessed I am to have my children.

Regardless of how worn out I am, I've had some strange little burst of energy, reserved just for the girls.

The kitchen's still a mess (sorry Ry), I didn't bother to wash my hair in the shower, and I let my diet slip a bit because I was too lazy to cut up some veggies... but I've enjoyed my babies more in the last 6 hours than I have in awhile!  So many snuggles, and stories, and playtime.

We made PB&J sandwichs using a heart shaped pie press and shared cut up strawberries while sitting on the counter.  It's been a good day!

Parenting is tough

This morning I read an article (thank you FB) written by a mom of 3 young kids.

As most of the people who read this blog, are also on Facebook, I'm sure you too, have seen it.

"Don't Carpe Diem"

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/glennon-melton/dont-carpe-diem_b_1206346.html

Anyone?

Anyways, after the last few days... this was the exactly what I needed!

Well, that and the fact I have the whole day to myself, with minimal plans other than lunching with my BFF!

In a nutshell, this mother talks about the simple fact that parenting is tough.

That it's a grueling, daily battle, that makes you CRAVE for the moments you children go to sleep!

Now, I love my girls.

Anyone who knows me, understands that this is the Gods Honest truth.

But, I'm the first to admit that I am NOT stay-at-home-mom material.

I just spent the last 6 days in a row with them, and truth be told, last night...

I felt like my head might explode if I heard one more whiney cry for "MOOOOMMMMYY"!

Yesterday, it was supposed to be a daycare day, but daycare fell through, and they stayed with me another day.

Every 3 weeks I get 2 glorious days where I'm not at work, and they still go to daycare!

FREE!

Free to do whatever I choose.  And yes, this usually means laundry and cleaning of some sort, 

but doing it without the constant drone of childrens squeals and battles and whining...

yes, it's amazing! This might make me sound selfish, but 2 days every 3 weeks helps me function
as a better person, wife, and most importantly MOTHER. 
Because then, when my darlings come home... I'm refreshed and ready to snuggle their little hearts out!

So, I'm going to take these wise woman's words to heart, and remember that when I'm so frusterated

with my kids, and in turn, frusterated with myself... it's Ok.  Other mothers have felt my pain and survived.  And their children don't wind up on the therapy couch because I've shouted too many times, or haven't snuggled them enough each day, or gave them Mac and Cheese with cut up hotdogs for lunch instead of a healthier option.

It will be ok.

I love my kids, I just don't always have to love the task of raising them!

Happy Thursday.

Don't Carpe Diem!

Oh, and thank you Gina, for this as well....  I think this also applies!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/amber-dusick/parents-caffeine-wine_b_1192976.html?ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false&fb_source=message

Time off

I love my long stretches off of work!

Being home with my family.

Getting things done at home.

And going to bed at NIGHT!

This past weekend was very full, but it was a good one.

The house is clean, laundry is done, the dogs are exercised and have newly trimmed nails!

We had company both Saturday and Sunday with good food and some great brownies (thank you Julie!!)

Ryan and I crashed pretty early both nights, but that's ok, it was a good weekend!

Nom nom nom!

Relaxing with Daddy

The hounds getting a little attention at the end of the day!

Silly girls!

This morning I woke up with a super sweet and snuggly Lila in my bed.  Whispers, and hugs, and kisses!

Too bad it was 5:50am!

Oh well...  coffee in large quantities is good for you, right?!

Stuff

I've been trying to think of something meaningful and profound to post about.

Somthing that has a little "flow". 

Put together a piece that coordinates well, and wrap it all up with some great photos.

Yeah, that's not gonna happen.

I have some pics I want to share.

So I'm going to put em up, and let you look if you like.

I'm in the middle of a work stretch and looking forward to my weekend.

The girls are fun and crazy.

Lila has been getting better reports from daycare, Yeah Lila!

Elaina is still stuck on doing everything by herself, but is hilarious,

so even when you're frusterated, it's kind of funny!

Ryan and I are going to join the gym.

The weather has been freakishly warm and awesome!

We got stuff going on.

Elle loves her baby!

Lila is turning into a big girl, right before our eyes!

We like the zoo!

and we like Touching things at the zoo!

We've enjoyed the ridiculously warm weather

but we're excited to try out these sleds again!

Have a nice day!

Deep breath

I had every intention of posting yesterday, but time just slipped away.

This morning, I thought it would be nice to share a few updates and pictures that got lost in the shuffle of the holidays...

Well, it's been a heck of a morning.

E woke up with her cranky pants on, and it's been, well... a long morning already.

So, for now, I'm going to post a photo I snapped yesterday.

I was feeling warm, and happy, and calm.

I pulled over on the side of the road, on the way to visit my mom, just because I had

to try and capture that feeling.

This is the feeling I'm going to try to hang on to this morning.  Nap time will come, and all will be well...

Deep breath...  

2012 is going to be a great year!!!

I know this!

Ryan and I had an AWESOME New Years celebration, and although I paid dearly for it come Sunday morning,
I will say in all honesty... it was completely worth it!
Heather, Jason, Bjorn, KJ, and Krista...  I love you guys!

The first days of this new year I have felt crummy physically, but mentally and emotionally,

I feel healthier than I have felt in a long time!

I don't know what has changed, but I have this wonderful feeling of optimism!

Life is good!

I'm blessed!

I love my children beyond imagination, they are the most fabulous little people!

I love my husband more deeply now than ever before.  I believe in the past 2 months, I have fallen in love with him all over again. 
What an amazing thing, to love and be loved as we are!

I have a great job, nice home, supportive family...  who could ask for more?!

I'm so looking forward to see what this year has in store for us!

Starting my year full of excitement is in my mind, a pretty great way to start!

Happy 2012!

**I also wanted to add a little update about miss Kaiya!  Just prior to Christmas she rocked her way through another open heart surgery!  She was a true champion and got herself discharged home with her family yesterday!  It's going to be a great year for them as well!  Way to go Kaiya... what a kick-butt little girl you are proving to be!**