I Think I Can. . . I Think I Can

Well, it has happened. . . I think I'm changing. Here I was, going through life, thinking that I was too stubborn and set in my ways to change. But it has happened.

Some of the girls from my bunko group recently ran a relay marathon. I thought that they were absolutely crazy! Why would anyone in their right mind WANT to run that much, just for fun?! Yikes!! There was no way that I was willing to run with them, but stand at the finish line and cheer them on? Absolutely!!
I was very proud to be there to watch these amazing women cross the finish line. It was a wonderful moment. . . very inspiring!

After the marathon, one of these four crazy women (you know who you are!) told me that there was going to be another run in December - though a much shorter distance than the 26.2 miles that they had just done. I told her that running just reeked of exercise and that in no way was I willing to go so far for fun as to actually exercise! That was just crazy talk!!

Well, she planted a seed. I went to the website and got information about this upcoming run and thought that maybe it could be done by someone, such as myself, who really is not a big fan of exercise. Well. . .

As you can probably tell by the shoes, they are new. My old "exercise" shoes were just not really that comfortable, so I bought new shoes. Oh Darn!! And anyone who knows me, knows that I love orange, so it's really not a big surprise that I went with orange for running shoes (as I sit here in my orange t-shirt). : )

Well, I couldn't buy new shoes and not test them out, so. . . my friend and I went for a jog along the river. We wanted to see how far we could actually go before we collapsed. I am pleased to report that not only did we NOT collapse while attempting this "exercise" thing, but we actually made it 2 1/2 miles! Obviously I had to stop and walk a few times, but I still did it. I was very proud of myself. I would never have imagined that I was capable of making it that far without some part of my body breaking down on me. Hmmm. . . who knew?!

So now, the plan is to take part in the run next month. I'm planning to take on the 5k. I may require lots of additional praying between now and then so that I don't wimp out - that's where you come in. Wish me luck!

Trick or Treat

Halloween this year seemed to be a big success! We actually got Amanda to wear her costume on Halloween so that we could go trick or treating in the neighborhood. Last year. . . not so much.

The past two years now I've tried to coordinate the costumes for the girls - I thought it would be cute. I know the day will come when they won't want to do it, so I'm taking advantage of it now.

Last year, with Taylor being only about a month and a half old, we opted for something simple for her. The plan was for the girls to be The Princess and the Pea. The problem with that one was that on Halloween we couldn't get the Princess into her costume. . . it was too scratchy.

This year we went for a more comfortable costume for Amanda. This year the girls were a monkey and a banana. Amanda's costume seemed ultra-cozy. Taylor didn't seem to care either way, she was just having a good time. The only real problem with the monkey and banana idea was that no one knew if they were boys or girls. By the time we were done trick or treating, I vowed that next year's costumes would definitely be more girly than this year - there would be no mistaking that they were girls.

All in all, we had a great time. . . and if I do say so myself, I think I had the cutest little monkey and banana around! : )

I hope you had a wonderful Halloween!

A Year of Firsts

Very First Picture

First Halloween

First Matching Outfit with Amanda

First Independent Sit

First Time in Jail : ) hehe

First Swing

First Trip to the Fair

How old are you today?

Yummy cake, Mommy!!

My Big Girl

Amanda is now at the ripe ol' age of 3, so she has been insisting on me calling her a "big girl", instead of my "little girl". With that being said. . .

This week she started her second year of preschool. Last year we definitely had our ups and downs. To start with, on her first day of school last year, her baby sister was also born. Quite an eventful day for this little family! Definitely an up, I would say. On the downside, we would frequently run into a problem when it came to dropping her off. She would be VERY excited for preschool while in the car and approaching the school, but once at the door to the classroom, not so much with the excitement.

This year has started off quite different from last year. On her first day, we got ready and drove to school. As we approached school, I asked if she knew where we were going and if she was excited - she definitely was. I got a little nervous as we approached the classroom to drop her off, just waiting for the drama. I had my hands full that morning with carrying Taylor in with me for "the big day", and of course I had my camera handy. We found Amanda's hook on the wall for her backpack. I asked her to stand there for me so that I could take a picture - just then, one of the teachers opened the classroom door, and before I even knew what was happening, she was gone! Apparently she WAS excited to go to preschool! She did come back out and give me a quick love before darting back into the classroom for a couple hours of fun with the other "big kids".

I was very proud of her - she's definitely becoming a big girl these days.

What To Do, What To Do

I know that there are lots of people out there who love to fly by the seat of their pants, so to speak. . . but I am definitely not one of them. I make lists for everything! I have lists for the grocery store. . . my relatively short term "to do" list of miscellaneous household things that need to be done. . . my long term list of things I'd like to change in the house. . . a separate shopping list for Costco. There's more, but I won't make you read my entire list of lists. : )

The crazy thing is that I am continually working through the lists, but somehow I never seem to get everything done on all of the lists. I'm constantly adding new things to my lists - currently my "short term" list contains 34 items! Of course, some stuff takes just a moment to get done (when I get around to getting it done, that is), and others take a little more effort. Maybe I'd actually get more done if I spent more time doing things on the list instead of making the list. Ahhh, hindsight is a wonderful thing, isn't it?

Am I the only one who's this crazy about lists? I doubt it. I'm curious what other people make lists for. Not only will this make me feel more sane about the whole list-making madness, but maybe it'll give me more ideas for future list-making.

Happy Visit

Amanda has had her first official visit to the dentist. I was worried about her laying back in that big chair with that big light shining down on her and having her freak out. But she did wonderfully!! She listened and did what they asked of her and even walked out with a few new stickers (which we even use at home for bribes) - a big success!!

She is cavity free at this time and apparently her spacing looks good for when she gets her adult teeth later on. She even sit through letting them brush on the fluoride. YIPPEE!! I was such a proud Mommy as I watched her get checked out and she was so well behaved. I am slowly coming to terms with the fact that our baby Amanda has gotten to be quite the big girl.

Our Mini Me's

Well, my hubby and I are the proud parents of two beautiful girls (if I do say so myself). Since the day they were born we've been looking at them and deciding which parts of them look like each of us. We can see each of us in both girls, but each of the girls definitely resembles one of each of us - our Mini Me's. Amanda has my smile and eye color and Taylor has Daddy's eyes and cheeks. See for yourself.

Chris as a little guy, playing in the fireplace

Me, after a bad haircut I had performed on myself

(Mom was REALLY happy about this one!)

My Little Beauties

Me

Daddy and Amanda