I'm not Mary Poppins

This past week I have had a good time getting to know my niece and nephews better. It was an adventure going from 1 baby to 5 children. Here's a look at my typical day, after Brennan repeatedly told me he did not want Cap'n Crunch for breakfast I turned around and found this:

While I took this picture he was asking for milk.

I gave him milk and a much smaller bowl of cereal then I turned around again and found this:

My question is, why do mothers of 2 year old children even bother cleaning?


Haden has such personality. After he got out of the bath he was running around the house singing this:

How can you not fall in love with these boys?

Safe and Sound

Paisley survived her first airplane ride. She had a five minute break down - after that I was able to get her to fall asleep on my lap :) We are now at Emily's. Em and Ross left for their cruise this morning. So far the kids are getting along and entertaining themselves (I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it continues like this).

Pictures

Here's my proof- I actually ran!

Blair at the finish line

I loaded up on food because I knew a lot of people were waiting- I wanted to share.

It's embarrassing seeing yourself eat. I also have a new found love for orange slices.

My cheerleaders. Tarah, thanks for staying and jumping in and running with me after you already wore yourself out.

TJ's parents- always so supportive!

It's OVER!!!

They kept me going!

Thanks to Lisa who took all the pictures and managed to not be in a single picture herself.

26.2 Miles

A few months ago I started running again, trying to lose some baby weight. At that time my friends, Tarah and Brandis were training for the St. George Marathon. I was only running a couple miles a day and 5 miles was my long run on Saturday. I thought they were crazy. CRAZY. I said over and over again that I had NO desire to run for 4 hours. Then the day of their marathon came and.... they inspired me. So I started training and if you add 2 miles to every long run it's not that hard. Until you are on mile 20- fast forward to the day of my marathon. I was scared out of my mind before it started but once I started going it was fine. I got to mile 13 and was thrilled to be halfway then I started the count down: 13 more miles, 12 more miles.... I kept thinking in my head I just need to get mile 16 then I would only have 10 miles left then nine. I made it to mile 20 and I was so over it. I was done running, I tried to start up again but once I started walking that was the end. I tried to run but walked most of the last 6 miles. As I turned the corner on mile 26 I saw TJ, Paisley, and TJ's mom. It brought a smile to my face. But I tell you that .2 miles felt longer than a mile. As I got closer to the finish line I heard my name and looked over and saw Blair (WHAT?!?!?! Yep, she flew in just to be there to support me- I love my sister- thanks B!), right about at the same time I saw Blair, Tarah jumped on the course and started running with me. Not only did Tarah get up and extra hour early to go with me to the race that morning, she was so amazing and so supportive - honestly Tarah, I could not have done it without you. As I ran to cross the finish line Blair, who was standing with the spectators, ran too and she was there at the finish line- I was still in shock that she was there. She made me forget that I just ran 26.2 miles.

All in all, thanks to Blair, Tarah, TJ, Paisley, TJ's parents, and Lisa who were all there to support me! Thanks to Jo, for sending me tons of great music to run to- thanks for keeping me going. Thanks to my wonderful husband who never once complained about taking care of Paisley every Saturday morning when I go out on my long runs and who has always been so supportive of my running. A big thank you to Brynn my fabulous running partner who ran all my long runs with me and then decided to move to Hawaii right before the race :) I miss running with you Brynn- when are you coming back?

I am glad the race is over and I am glad I crossed the finish line and I am glad I can still walk!

I will post pictures once I have them.

The Best Surprise Ever

I have never felt so loved as so much support as I did this weekend! Thank you to all my friends and family for their support. But the biggest thank you goes to Blair who flew in just to be there at the finish line. I was SHOCKED and so overwhelmed. Blair, we had a great visit with you! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for coming! I love you!

Happy Birthday Tommy J.

We hope you know how much you mean to us. Thanks for being a great father and husband. You are our whole world. We love you and hope you have a very happy birthday. Your 28th year is going to be the best yet!
Love, L & P

Since you always seem to comment on how I don't write much when I post here's a list of things we love about you:
-That you work hard, get up go to work every day and school at night.
-That you take excellent care of the yard and always make sure it looks nice.
-Paisley loves that you will take her to the park and show her the ducks in the lake.
-That you change poopy diapers.
-That you are very involved in our lives.
-That you take care of Paisley on Saturday mornings when I go on my long runs.
-That I never worry about Paisley when you are watching her.
...The list goes on and on but Paisley needs to eat and we need to get out the door.

My Favorite Model

I love that Aunt Lisa loves to take pictures and that she likes to practice with Paisley. Here's a couple of the cute pictures she took.