hope.

I don't know about you all, but this weather has got me in a funk.   the wintertime blues are no joke, people!   i'm so over being cooped up inside, doing the same things, trying to keep a 19 month entertained with limited options... basically, i'm ready for spring, which equals nice weather (am I right!?)   as J and I were preparing to sit down and eat our lunch this afternoon,  a flash of red caught my eye.   I looked out the window to the neighbors tree  and saw the most beautiful bright red cardinal.   it brought tears to my eyes and reminded me of two things: first, it was a sign of hope,  and I have no doubt that God sent it especially for me. it was almost as if He was saying, "hold on. spring is just around the corner. be patient, my child."   it also reminded me of my grandpa,  who is no longer with us. both he and my grandma loved to look out the window in their home  to see all of the wildlife outside, especially the birds.  ...and it just so happens that his favorite baseball team was the cardinals.
it was just the sign I needed to keep trudging through this season... it will be over shortly,  and there will be new, exciting things on the horizon.

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little green pouch.

when J first started eating solids, Michael and I made his food.

did it take a lot of time? yes.  was it worth it? yes.
but then, for convenience sake, I started buying those wonderful puree pouches  that have popped up in baby food isles everywhere. not only was it super easy to use (unscrew the cap, hand to J), but it had a combination of fruits and vegetables... veggies he'd normally turn his head at.
the only problem? the cost (and the waste).
cue the Little Green Pouch. 

  these pouches have been a lifesaver around these parts.

here are a few reasons why I love them so:

+ they hold more than the regular puree pouch 

(6ish ounches, compared to 4ish ounces)

+ in the long run, they will save us money

+ we won't be dumping multiple empty pouches in the trash week after week

+ they were created by two moms

+ a little superficial, but I like the way they look

(green is my favorite color, after all)

+ they're super easy to fill and wash

(to wash, simply unscrew the cap, open up the zipper, rinse out the bag, and place it on the top shelf.)

+ they are dishwasher AND freezer safe

+ they aren't just for kids! adults can use these too!

+ they are easy to grab and go

I was curious to see J's reaction when I handed him the LGP for the first time.

 he gave it a once over and cautiously tested the pouch (he knew exactly how to use it).

it came as no surprise that he quickly guzzled the pouch 

until there was nothing left.
hooray for sneaking in some butternut squash masked with appleasauce!

so my point in all of this? go get yourself a pack (or three) of pouches. it's more than worth it! [thank you, Little Green Pouch, for sending us a complimentary box! please note, I'm not getting paid for this and all opinions are honest and my own.] 

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funny the way it is.

 this is a regular sight around our house:

(the ball in hand, not the fact that he's sans pants.)

the boy always has at least one ball in hand,

but sometimes two...or even three.

every day in our house consists of: 

throwing the ball,

playing catch,

 dribbling the ball,

shooting hoops,

rolling the ball...

the list goes on and on.

to be honest with you, I always envisioned myself with a girl.

styling her hair,

picking out a large bow to match her frilly outfit,

playing with dolls,

having her help around the house,

painting fingernails...

when James arrived 

and I heard those three life-changing words from my husband:

"IT'S A BOY!!!"

I was ecstatic...

and then terrified.

I quietly thought to myself, "What do I do with a boy!?"

I grew up with two sisters.

I didn't know how to make all of those boy sounds,

I didn't know how to throw a football (well),

I didn't know how to play cars or trains...

this was a whole new ballgame.

I can safely say, 18 and a half months into this gig as a mom,

that this little person has been 

the biggest blessing and gift of my life.

I thank God for James multiple times a day.

I thank God for knitting him so perfectly in my womb.

I thank God for his sweet demeanor.

I thank God for his good health.

I thank God for his exuberant personality.

I thank God for his passion and love of sports.

oh, and guess what?

a certain someone loves to help me out around the house.

doing the dishes,

sweeping the floor,

throwing things away,

and laundry.

God knew what He was doing when He gave us you.

oh sweet boy, how I love you.

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yes, please. pick me!

so if you didn't already know, Michael and I got married in Pawley's Island, South Carolina. a small beach wedding, and it was perfect for us.

our families rented one house on the beach for the week leading up to our wedding (that's right...we were all living in one house...together).    to this day, Michael and I are certain that's why our families are so close.  when we're all together, we have a blast. anyway, i'm getting off track. back to the point of this post...   the other day, my mom so graciously informed me  that the HGTV dream home for 2013 is in... SOUTH CAROLINA. on a small island about 20 miles from Charleston. be still my heart.   it's clearly meant to be that someone in this family wins the house, right?  I mean, we have such sentimental ties to South Carolina! it's only fitting...   so, michael and I have been entering the contest daily. as are a few of our family members.
i'm certain one of us will win this house.
I mean, I can envision it all too well...   reading a book on the front porch with the warm sun streaming down.
playing ping pong in the game room.
going for a run or walk on the beach.
grilling out on the back deck with a sweet tea in hand.
spending the day in Charleston...just because we can.
do yourself a favor and check out the pictures of this beauty... just don't go entering the contest. that will lessen the chances of me winning! ;)   I kid, I kid...sort of.
...be waiting for a post on the blog sometime after February 15th with the title "I WON!!!!!!"
it's going to happen.

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half-marathon.

I have a dear friend.

 

We have the same name (spelled differently) and we met our first year of teaching the little ones.

 

I'm fairly certain we could've been enemies (although we weren't!) and that first year still would've brought us together. 

It was a rough year, 

but that's a whole different post for another day.

SO, we became fast friends and did pretty much everything together.

We became known as the "Dynamic Duo".

It was in our second year of teaching when we decided to take up running as a hobby. 

We hated running by ourselves, but running together? 

Sounded fun!

Plus, it would help relieve some of the stresses of teaching.

We became hooked relatively quickly, ran several 5k races, and decided within that next year that 

"we should sign up for a half marathon!"

...so we did.

In Los Angeles.

With our other friend, Phil.

We flew out on a Friday afternoon, 

immediately after our school day ended.

These games kept K and I highly entertained on the flight 

(we despise flying)

 

while P kept himself entertained with DVDs.

After a short night's rest, we woke up early Saturday morning to get our gear at the running expo, then go exploring!

 We ventured throughout the Santa Monica Pier, walked the beach, rented bicycles to ride up and down the coastline (one of my favorite parts of the trip!), and grabbed a quick lunch.

The game plan was to get back to the hotel at a good time so we could prepare for the next day and get to bed early. 

I don't know if any of us got much sleep, though. 

We were too nervous and excited for what was to come!

 

I remember snippets from the 13.1 miles of running.

The Dynamic Duo readied their iPod's and started the race off together, 

enjoying the first 5-6 miles.

We eventually drifted apart...I was losing steam quickly and wanted to slow it down so I wouldn't have to be scraped off the road by the car that picks up all the stragglers that can't make it to the end. 

these are some thoughts that went through my head during 13.1 miles of running:

"This is so much fun! I'm glad we signed up to do this." 

"I love running in a new place...it makes the time go by much faster."

"Ouch...I have a pain in my side. I hope that goes away quickly."

"Oooh! Water station. Should I stop and risk losing my good pace? No. KEEP GOING."

"Oh my word, I'm only at mile 8? THAT MEANS I HAVE 5 MORE MILES TO RUN."

"Sing along to the music you're listening to...that'll get your mind off of running...right?"

"My legs feel like jello. Wonder what this will feel like tomorrow...?"

"Jesus, please get me to the finish line..."

"Is that Phil? He's running toward me! That must mean I'm near the finish line!"

"THE FINISH LINEEEE! I'VE NEVER BEEN SO HAPPY IN MY LIFE!"

As we stood there holding the sign to have our picture taken, I couldn't help but choke up.

WE DID IT!

After a year of training, we actually ran our first half marathon!

It's true what they say...once you do one, you become hooked.

It's definitely something I'll remember for a lifetime!

 

To make an already long post even longer, we decided to get cleaned up back at the hotel, grab some lunch, then go check out downtown L.A.

We figured the excessive walking would help keep our muscles from cramping...er...something like that?

 

 

 It's been a little over two years since running this half marathon.

I've got the itch to do another.

Just the other day, K and I were talking about signing up for Nashville...possibly?

We'll see.

*Fun side note...just 2 DAYS BEFORE we left for L.A., I found out I was pregnant with J man.
I was (obviously) ecstatic!

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life lately...{Christmas edition}

sorry for the blogging hiatus, i've been thoroughly enjoying time with my sweet family.   our Christmas weekend has been a flurry of activities, including (but not limited to):   wrapping presents. actually, the husband does all the wrapping around here, and then I do the embelishing and labeling.

  last minute Christmas shopping... and scaling the giant snow mound mountain in the mall parking lot. (can you spy Michael?)

  being welcomed to my parent's house with these delicious treats. how many have I had now? 5? 10? maybe even 20? yeah, i'll start that weight loss plan after the holidays are over...

  an early Christmas present for this boy... who doesn't ride their bike with the feet on the handlebars and a ball in hand?

  a not so much tacky, but rather AWESOME tacky Christmas sweater that my dad was proudly sporting (made by my MOM!)

  ...and a day spent preparing our Christmas eve meal with these two lovely ladies (my mom and sister)

  Merry Christmas to you and your family. I am so thankful for each and every one of you I have met on this blogging journey. I can't wait to see what's in store for 2013!   For a child has been born—for us!
the gift of a son—for us!
He’ll take over
the running of the world.
His names will be: Amazing Counselor,
Strong God,
Eternal Father,
Prince of Wholeness.

Isaiah 9:6

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if the world ends tomorrow...

...we'll have enjoyed our snowed in family day the day before.   *seriously, though, I need Friday to be over with  so this "end of the world" talk can be gone.  I mean, even advertisers are milking this for all it's worth.  NO, I will not be buying a car today  since I won't have to pay for it if the world ends tomorrow sheesh!*   aaaanyway, on to better things, like the fact that we woke up to this today...  (well, actually, we woke up to the husband's phone ringing obnoxiously at 5:20 am to inform him that school had been cancelled)  

    

 this morning has consisted of:

the smell and sound of hazelnut coffee brewing.   

  the three of us in our pajamas.  

  cinnamon rolls baking in the oven.  

  wind whipping the snow around outside.  

  it's going to be a great day!   to everyone else who is dealing with winter storm Draco,  be careful out there!

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