Goal Setting

Last January I decided that I would write down a goal for each category in my life. That would be physical, mental, and spiritual. I seem to do this every year and work really hard for a couple weeks and then kind of phase it out. However, I just accomplished not only my physical goal for this year, but a life goal as well. On Saturday September 27th, 2008, I completed the Akron city marathon. I (along with 1000 men and 500 women) ran 26.2 miles. It was an incredible experience. It was hard mentally and physically. There were a lot of hills that I walked up and I had to over come some major thigh cramps (by the way, did you know that if you cramp up you can run it out? I would always just stop before, but a good 2 min. jog and they leave!), as well as some blisters. I had been sick and throwing up the week before and so that made me more nervous, but I took it really slow and came in right at 6 hours. It is bitter sweet to have it over with. I was REALLY sore the day after and now (3 days after) barely have any signs that I ran a marathon other then my bruised toenails. In fact I was online yesterday looking for another one to do this winter. I think I am hooked and have that desire to better my time and become a true MARATHONER. There is nothing like it in the world. In fact I read that less then 1% of 1/10th of the population have ever run a marathon-pretty special. I would love anyone to do one with me-you pick, we'll train, and run together!

Here's to goal setting!

By the way-my pic of the race aren't back yet but I will post them when they come in.

PARTY

Nine nine year old boys...Need I say more? Yes, I need. Last night I descovered again how strange boys are. Because Cole is pretty mild mannered, I had forgotten. Let's just say LOUD farting noises, burping, air guitar competitons, wresling, and genuine anger. First of all, when all the boys came I had to crack a window (or all of them) because the stench was awful. Sweaty feet, pits and hair actually wet with sweat. I had everything planned down to the minuite as to how the party was going to go and what we were going to do. All I have to say is we did not follow the plan. After eating pizza the boys wanted to go outside and "eviscerate" eachother (yes, that was the actual word used). After about ten minites out there, two boys came in very angry and said they were leaving. Apaently, Cole told them to stop wrestling and they were so mad they decided they would take their card (which they loudly informed everyone that it contained $25 in cash) and leave. Cole started to well up and told them they couldn't take the card because they had already given it to him. Travis was able to smooth everything over by letting them know we were starting games and that there were prizes. So, they stayed and Cole got the money. We played a pop the balloon game, pin the tail on the donkey (which despite their age, they LOVED), and the layered wrapping paper game. After all those games, we still had a hour to go. So, Travis took them outside and lit the three remaining fireworks from the 4th of July and let them do sparklers. They thought that was "way awsome" . Then we opened gifts and had cake and ice cream. With still a 1/2 hour to go, the boys spread out all over the house and proceeded to "play". As boys were leaving, I heard form 2 that it was the "best birthday party they ever went to" and Cole got several hugs and thanks for inviting people.

Writing about it has now given me a headache. Boys. I think next time we will find parents for hire just for those few hours and go get a couples masssage.

9 years old

Cole's birthday was yesterday. As I told him to go get dressed for church, he looked shocked. With tears in his eyes he said, "but it is my birthday, I thought I would get to stay home from church!". He was VERY upset that he had to go to church and the whole three hours kept muttering that it was not fair. Despite the church thing, I think he had a good birthday. He picked lasagna, homemade breadsticks, and strawberries for dinner. For desert, he chose to have brownies and ice cream. He got some good gifts amoung which was a gameboy game. He was excited to play it, but at first could not find his DS. Anna eventually "found" it under her pillow. The screen had been cracked by "Taylor" (so says Anna). It only took me 2 minutes to get Anna to confess. She got frustrated while playing a game and hit the screen really hard. Needless to say, Cole could not play his new game. Anna will be donating her $7 to have it fixed.

Cole is such an important part of our family. His personality is so much like mine. He has a tender heart and does not like conflict (unless it is with Anna, then he loves it). He will still hug and kiss me as long as nobody is around and "I love you mom" is still often heard coming from him. He is really good at math and reading. when doing a job, he almost always does it right the first time. Taylor adores Cole and loves to mimic his actions. Cole is having a birthday party on Friday with 10 of his "closest" friends (half of whom I have never met). He keeps adding people to his list because he does not want to make anyone feel bad about not being invited. We love Cole so much and are so greatful he is part of our family!

Blissfully Ouiet

Yep, it's that time of year...SCHOOL!!! In the words of a friend, "I've just realized again that two are much easier then four." Only for me, I am down to just ONE. I will be honest, I felt a moment of panic when I realized that my babies would be out of my care for 6 hours a day, five days a week, but that only lasted for 20 seconds as I celebrated the quietness and cleanliness of the house. I do have a couple pictures to document the first day, but again, I have not spent the time it takes to figure out my new computer. So, descriptions are going to have to do.

Anna wore her new butterfly shirt which is brown and blue and ties in the back with capries that are denim and brown sketchers. I curled her hair "like Miley" and she picked out HUGE dangley earrings out of MY jewlry box. As she looked herself over in the full length mirror she posed and said, "I look soooo good!" She loaded her JoBro backpack onto her sholders, asked me if she could pick out my outfit so that I would not embarrass her on the first day of school, got pictures, and we were off.

Cole wore cool zippered shorts with a silky athletic shirt and "really awesome" sketcher shoes. His 3rd grade friend told him that he could tell Cole was in 4th grade because he was dressed so cool. I felt a moment of pride and confidence that I was still with it enough to pick out cool clothes for Cole. As we proceeded to walk up to school Cole walked ten feet in front of Anna and I and went to his class by himself. I was really tempted to go into that class and give him a big kiss and hug and say,"I love you my boy!". But, I knew if he was to EVER trust me and think I was the bomb, i could not do any such thing. I settled for going to the door of his class room and waving good bye with a quick thumbs up.

So, in the first two days of school I have met girlfriends at Panera for bagels one day, and the next we met friends at the zoo. This school year is starting out swimmingly.

Memory Lane

Memory Lane...the tag that gets everyone involved


I usually NEVER do the "Tag" games but since I saw this one on 3 separate blogs this morning, I figured I should give it a try....


I hope you will play along. Here are the directions:
1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

Picture less

Well, I have yet to figure out how to attach my pictures...It downloads them alright, but the internet that we are using cacn't find the blogging site to sync the pictures to. I know posts are way better with pictures, but you really don't have to read this if you are not interested, right? I will try to figure things out soon though. I just wanted to give an update on several things.

First, I am up to 15 miles! Yeah! I ran 15 2 weeks ago. It was hellish. It is so humid here that before I even start to run, I am sweating. I run very slow. About 12 min miles when I am on a long run. My motto is "Slow and steady finish the race". During that run I went through 3 complete bottles of water and did not even have to go pee once-that should tell you how humild it was. Also, it was the first run when I tried any kind of energy booster. I want to train just like I will be running the marathon, so I tracked down what kind of energy stuff they will have at the water stops. They will be passing out a product called gu (pronouned goo). I found a running store that sells it and that is what I have tried. It is like thick hair gel in consistancey. They have all different flavors. My favorite so far is the vanilla bean and second is tri-berry. They do actually give you a boost for about 20 min. I could not have finished the 15 miles without it. This weekend I am going to run 17...wish me luck.

The next thing is, guess what I get to do again?!? I get to take ANOTHER driving test! I am beyond excited... Anna and Cole cleaned out the van a couple weeks ago and threw my paper work away. The really smart dmv does not keep records of testing on the computer. That's right. I get yet another chance at the wonderful menuverability. I count myself so lucky!

The last bit of info is that Taylor has officially reached the twos-a little early. He has to do absolutley everything by himself, or he throws a fit. For example, getting his bath ready. He has to be the one to turn on the water, put his toys in the tub, flush the toilet, ect. He has not figured out how to undress himself and throws a small fit when I have to help him do that. He is so stinkin cute. He talks up a storm. He uses sentences and always says "thank you momma" whenever I do something for him. He gets jelous when I pay attention to anyone but him and demands my attention. He is still enough of a baby that I don't mind lavishing my attention and kisses on him! It is a good thing that another baby is not in the near future.

We will be going to Utah in 2 weeks. We are all very excited to be "home" and have time with all of our family. I am a little nervous about flying with the kids and not Travis. Taylor will still be a lap rider and that is always pleasent! But the other kids are so good at traveling and are such big helpers. I know everything will go alright, but the thought of those 5 hours...stressful.

Alright, that is all I can think of for now. I will really try to get the pics up and going so it is not so boring!

Delay

Sorry for the delay in blogging. We got a fancy new apple lap top. I LOVE it. I will never, never go back to not having wireless. It is just one of those things. Like tivo-if you have it, you can't live without it. I mean, what would I do if I could not record American Gladiators to watch later at my convenience? Anywho, as with all new things, this computer is taking getting used to. I have actually written 2 other posts, but have not worked out how to get my pics onto the blog. The Apple just says it can't find the server when I try to attach pics. So, I just wanted to tell you all that I will be back to the full blogging as soon as Travis can figure it out. Until then, here is a completely pathetic joke that Travis heard in the ER the other night...

Q:) Where did Michael Jackson go to school?
A:) "Bringum Young"