1/2 Day Fridays

For the first time in a while, the girls rode with me on my way to work this morning. We sang, we laughed, and just remembered some of my favorite moments during their first 6 and 8 years. Then Chad got in the car and we tried to get him involved! He pretty much just laughed at us! A few minutes later I got out of the car and walked into work with tears in my eyes! I love them so much! I am so proud to be their Mom. It's been hard for me to come to work the past 2 weeks, because they are home enjoying summer. I feel like I am missing out on so much with them, while I am at work. I love my job, and love what I do, but I sometimes wish I could just be home a little more with them! Chad has been working more and more from home, so they have spent a lot of time with him, and I know they are in good hands with Dani, but I just miss them so much! One of our conversations today centered around the fact that our neighbor has 1/2 day Fridays during the summer. It went like this:

Me: "I wish I could have 1/2 day Fridays!"
Haley: "You should tell your boss that you want 1/2 day Fridays just for the summer, Mom."
Me: "I don't think my boss would go for that, because he wants me to work more hours so I can make more money." [Yes, I was trying to explain the billable hour to my 6 and 8 year old]
Olivia: "Well, Mom, someday, you'll be the boss, and then you can have 1/2 day Fridays whenever you want."
Me: "I like the way you think, Liv!"

While I am missing my kids from work today, I am dreaming about the days when I can have 1/2 day Fridays!

Running and Life

Running, one might say, is basically an absurd pastime upon which to be exhausting ourselves. But if you can find meaning in the type of running you need to do ... chances are you'll be able to find meaning in that other absurd past time .... LIFE.

- Bill Bowerman

The End. . . It's Just Another Beginning

Today is the last day of school in Harvard. Or, using Olivia's lingo, "the last 2 hours of school." The girls are ready for summer! They are looking forward to the pool, softball, and spending time with their friends. I long for the days when I could spend the entire day outside without a care in the world. While today is the end of my time as a mom of a 1st and 2nd grader, it is the beginning of fun in the sun for them. For the past two years on the last day of school, I was a mess. I cried so hard two years ago, as I simply could not believe that my first born beautiful little girl had finished kindergarten. Once again I cried so hard last year, as I realized that I would never have a kindergartner again. Today was different. I didn't cry, but I smiled as I looked at how much my babies have grown and changed during this school year. My normally quiet, studious Olivia has blossomed into quite the little jokester. The entire time we took pictures on the porch this morning, she kept asking to just do a funny one! Of course, as you can see I did let her do a funny one. Haley did not know what to do for her funny one, so we call this her "Sponge Bob Face". My little Haley, who could not stand school last year and just wanted it to be over, can't stop talking about Mr. Beesley and Ms. LaSota. She has learned to love school and all that it entails. They both are good readers, good friends, and make me so proud!

I love you girls! In just 15 minutes, I will officially have a daughter in 2nd grade and a daughter in 3rd grade. On September 1st, when they go back to school, for the first time since they went to day care, they will be entering school in the same building. I cannot wait to see how they interact when they go to school together! Cheers to the beginning of summer, my little princess and pumpkin!

Proud Mamma!

I know many parents hate this time of year because their kids are involved in so many activities it seems like we are always running from here to there. I on the otherhand, love it! I love to watch my kids in all their activities! I am so proud of all they have accomplished! Here is a short recap:

Last week, Haley was "Little Miss Muffet" in the Jefferson School first grade musical. It was the perfect part for her. She loved it! I wish I had a photo to share, but Olivia was in charge of the still photos. She instead used her camera to shoot a video every time Haley spoke. Chad videotaped the entire performance, which was very cute. However, I am SURE (unless you are grandma or grandpa) you do not want to watch 35 minutes, so I will not post it. I often wonder what Haley's nitch will be, and acting just may be it!

Haley has also started softball again, and is really liking it. I am helping coach her team this year, but haven't made it to a practice yet. I am going to try to make it Thursday, and will hopefully have some pictures to post after that!

On Sunday, Olivia had her final regular gymnastics meet for the season. She still has the State meet on June 5th. She was so proud because her Mimi and Papa were there along with her cousins and uncle Jason (and of course Mom, Dad, Haley and my friend Sara but we are the regular attendees:) She did really well scoring a 9.5 on her floor exercise. She placed first in her division. Here are a couple photos from the meet.

Also on the proud mamma note, Olivia scored the highest in her standardized reading test for her entire grade! She loves to read even more than I do I think!

I know its not nice to brag, but I had to just this once:)

I conquered 26.2

My legs are a little stiff today, but there is a smile on my face! Just over 24 hours ago I conquered one of the biggest feats I have ever attempted - a full marathon, 26.2 miles.

The morning of the race, I was up early, and ready to roll. Traffic getting to the race was a little delayed, and we were detoured around a crime scene. I was getting nervous that we weren't going to make it. Due to my parking in an illegal parking spot in the police department lot, we made it to gear check, the port-o-pottie, and the start line just in time.

Beth and I had talked about trying to stay at a 10 minute mile pace for the first 10 miles. And that is just what we did. I felt really good going along. At mile 6 I grabbed some of my power jelly beans and kept moving. Between mile 10 and 11, I saw my awesome family! Check out the girls' shirts! I was so happy to see them, and kept moving.

My best friend, Rebecca and her family came too. Apparently, they saw me at mile 11, because she took this great picture, but I missed them.

At mile 11.5 we broke off from the half-marathoners. Beth and I were walking through the water station, when another marathoner said to us, "this is where is gets lonely girls." Great, buddy thanks for the encouragement. He then told us this was his 9th marathon, and he knew we could do it. That's more like it.

I was feeling pretty good, until between 14-15 when I got the worst IT band pain down my entire right leg. I stopped and used a tree, and laid down in someone's first yard to stretch. Beth and I had a nice laugh about that point, because I said, "We didn't come here to walk," to which she replied, "well I came to walk a little bit." So we did walk a little bit after that. We ran through gravel for a while, and I got a small pebble in my shoe, which eventually led to a large blister right on the bottom of my foot. That irriatated me a little bit!

Just after mile 23, when we had only a 5K left, our family and friends were there again. My girls ran a little bit with me, and enocuraged me.

Beth and I stayed together until about mile 24. I then felt so sore that I just wanted to kick it up and finish. I was only a little ahead of her, but I knew she would finish, and I would see her at the finish line.

Right before the last corner and the finish line, all my family and friends were there again! I was so thrilled to be done. I was a little disappointed with my finish time of 5:11:46, but only because my Garmin said 4:59:35. I forgot that it stops everytime I stop. (So I guess we stopped for about 10 minutes along the course.)

Here is one last picture....
I could not have done this marathon without him. He was there for me for the past 16weeks of training, whether it was watching the girls while I was out on long runs, or rubbing my back and legs after the runs. As soon as I saw him I got so teary-eyed. He is awesome.

One last shout-out - thanks to Rebecca for the awesome pictures. Chad is not a great photographer, so I am glad you were there!

The Best Day!

The girls did not have school today for Teacher Institute! Chad and I always scramble to figure out what to do with them when there is no school, and today was no different. They stayed home with Dad for the morning, and he brought them to me at work when I got out of court. We then spent the afternoon just us "girls." I've been telling Olivia that she could have my Taylor Swift Fearless CD, but I keep forgetting it at work. She reminded me today to bring it. We brought it in the car, and listened to it between each stop. After a quick lunch at Panera, we went to Great Clips where they got their new summer haircuts! They look so cute, if I do say so myself. The picture is a little grainy, because it is from a cell phone, sorry! After shopping most of the afternoon, we heard The Best Day play on the Taylor Swift CD. I was reminded how great it is to be a mom to these beautiful, funny, smart, precious little girls! I am so proud of them, and truly had the BEST DAY with them! It also reminded me how great my mom is too! Here is the video of The Best Day with the lyrics. Such a great song!

What will I do at 32?

On Saturday I turned 32. I am not one who worries about getting another year older (at least not yet anyway)! Tonight on my run I started to think about what I want out of my 32nd year. What do I want for myself? My family? What plans do I have and what are my dreams? Here's to 32:

1) At 32 I will run my first marathon! I can't wait for this challenge and adventure. I am looking forward to sharing the day with several of my running buddies, but especially looking forward to crossing the finish line with Beth by my side, and as Beth always says hopefully with our arms raised high! If all goes well, I may also run my 2nd marathon in the fall!

2) At 32 I will pray over my children each and every night. I will pray for their todays, tomorrows and forevers.

3) At 32 I will celebrate 10 years of marriage to my best friend and love of my life.

4) At 32 I will walk 60 miles in 3 days so that one day we may all live in a world without breast cancer. I did this at 31 too, and it is still one of the best experiences of my life.

5) At 32 I will welcome a new niece or nephew into the world! I can't wait to meet Trent and Carrie's new little one in September. I will also welcome the births of the children of 2 close friends.

6) At 32 I hope to do better in keeping up with birthdays and anniversaries.

7) At 32 I will continue to represent the wrongfully accused and some "rightly" accused and vow to do my best to make sure that everyone gets the justice they deserve, whatever that may be.

8) At 32 I hope to keep a secretary for the entire year! 31 was a rough year for me with secretaries. I believe we went through 4, or was it 5? Shelley is definitely a keeper though!

9) At 32 I hope my children to teach my children to love life, love Jesus and love each other.

10) At 32 I hope to have a girls getaway weekend with my sisters! We haven't had one in several years, and I miss my sisters!

I am looking forward to 32!