It's Funny Because It's True

Posted by Jared.

Merry Christmas To Me.

What's the difference between Christmas in Chicago...



and Christmas in Arizona?



I don't have to give myself a pep talk before going outside.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

Things I'll Miss - My Shadows

One, if not both of my kids follow me around the house where ever I go.

They always want to be with me, play with me, and help me.

The fact that I'm rarely alone and usually have another human within 6 inches of me is often a source of frustration.

It takes all of my patience to allow them to help. I cringe when I hear that chair being dragged into the kitchen. And I get stressed knowing that it's going to take me twice as long to make breakfast/lunch/dinner.

And even though fights breakout, ingredients spill, yelling occurs, and tantrums followed by time-outs happen...

I'm going to miss my little shadows getting all up in my business and making simple tasks super hard.

They want to be with me and I'll miss the day when they no longer want to help me stir.

The Rise and Fall of Coco.

Friday night it snowed and we woke up to a white wonderland.

It was magical.

We were all excited to get out and play.

Jared and Hannah worked hard to build a snowman. Coco.

(Named by Hannah).

I think Jared did most of the work, while Hannah supervised.

She ate his nose off before we went inside. And less than a day later, someone had kicked him over, thus ending our first snowman. We tend to blame the local teenagers when something destructive happens around here.

It was one of those really good days.

I want to remember days like that.

And we discovered that Asher really doesn't like to be cold.

Picture of The Month - December

I have a bucket list.

I've had it since I was a kid. It's grown a whole bunch over the years.

But the thing that started the bucket list was the desire to slam my face into a cake.

My sweet friend Julie made me a cake for my birthday so I could finally fulfill that part of my list.

It was fabulous. One of the best gifts I've received. Thanks Julie.

Bonus Video:

Items don't make it onto the list easily. The idea is first heard, sticks with me for years and then makes the cut.

There are currently 18 items on my list.

I keep it on the fridge.

What's on your list?

I Am Runner. Hear Me Whine.

It was one of the hardest things I've done.

Every morning I wanted to quit.

And sometimes I did.

Then the next day or week, I un-quit.

(Alexandra and I right before our first race ever in our lives.)

(After. Alexandra did so good! I didn't even see her. She was way ahead. )

Running alone during training is enjoyable and doable.

Running in a race where everyone is passing you up is very demoralizing and throws your sense of ability off.

I didn't think I was going to make it after a mile or two. But I didn't stop.

At one point I felt like throwing up. Glad I didn't.

When I ran down the home stretch to the finish line it was an amazing feeling.

It was the pure feeling of accomplishment.

Stats for Turkey Trot 2010 Chicago 8k-

Time: 48 min. 38 sec. (I beat my personal record by 8 minutes. Awesome.)

Place: #2269 (Out of 5679 people)

Place: #959 (out of 3272 women)

Place: #179 (out of 654 30-34 yr old women)

Thanks to Jared for encouragement.

Thanks to Alexandra for running with me. I would not have done it alone.

And thanks to all the bands who wrote the songs with just the right beat. I am incapable of running without music. Really. I tried it once. It was a horrible experience and I almost fell asleep due to boredom after 2 short blocks. I turned around and walked home.

10k anyone?

Things I'll Miss - Tiny PJ's

When my kids wear real pj's I almost can't stand it.

I have to hug them till they squeal.

They feel extra round and squishy.

I must squoosh.

(Yesterday. Above pic and below)

(2 weeks)

(20 months)

This is my favorite pj video.

(Around 18 mo)

I love when pj's make their legs look tiny, butts look big, and bellies pop out.

I'll miss those tiny pj body parts.

Thirty.

I was spoiled.

Lake Cruise.

Dinner with friends.

Lunch with Jess.

Harry Potter.

I love my birthday.

See ya 20's...

So far the 30's are treating me good.

Made With Love By Mom.

In an attempt to be more sentimental...

I made special home-made blankets for my kids that they can keep forever.

Something from me to them.

The plan was to give it to them when they were born.

But somehow growing and birthing a baby is distracting and takes priority over making blankets.

I finished Hannah's when she was 5 months old. She loves it.

I finished Asher's at 18 months old.

I was a bit more distracted.

(back)

Since Asher loves blankets, I assumed he would instantly fall in love with what I had put hours into. After all, it is a symbol of my love.

When I presented the precious gift, he screamed, pushed it away, and wanted his usual blanket.

He did not like it.

Punk.

As an act of defiance I would put it on him after he'd fall asleep, hoping that his unconsciousness would fall in love with it.

Also in defiance I referred to it as his "favorite" blanket.

This made Jared laugh...

because it wasn't.

It took about a month for him to warm up to my painstakingly made blanket.

He still prefers his elephant blanket that his Aunt Marie made, but will use my blanket when no others are in sight.

P.S. I can't sew worth beans. I can only sew squares. But hope someday to be awesome at it. I dream of making cool dresses and such for Hannah. Gotta start somewhere.

I've Made A Decision About Asher.

Asher, your ridiculous cuteness got you this far.

But starting today, timeouts and stern scoldings will be implemented.

Especially for hitting me in the face.

I'm not joking boy.

And from now on, your daily near-death experiences are officially against the family rules.

(The last picture is Asher after he climbed out of the children's exhibit and onto the air vents that were not made to support a 30+ pound kid. But I took a picture before he fell to his doom. Also at this exhibit there was an incident involving security guards trying to prevent Asher from falling from the 2nd floor to the 1st floor. There is not a picture to support this story due to the panic racing through my blood stream. A mother was not consulted when that exhibit was made. Asher found all the hazards in one shot. )

I've Made A Decision About Hannah.

Hannah, for the rest of your life you may wear whatever you want, where ever you want.

I will not argue or stop you.

But there are 2 rules to follow...

1. It's appropriate (meaning nothing obscene)

2. It's modest.

Love your style girl.

30.

Happy Birthday Jared.

We're all happy you made it another year.

Love you.

Picture of The Month - November

Hannah loved wearing blue eye shadow.

Asher took off in all directions. He didn't need us anymore, he had candy.

And we, the parents, raided the kid's buckets for the good stuff.

Bonus Pictures:

Bonus Video:

Things I'll Miss - Way Too Early Snuggle.

My kids get up too dang early.

Usually closer to 5 am than 6.

Even though swear words come to mind when I have to drag my sorry carcass out of bed...

Once we get snuggled in on the couch watching Buzz Lightyear, I'm in cuddle heaven.

I love it. I eat it up.

And I wish upon all stars my kids don't ever grow out of it.

P.S. I don't think I've had a full 8 hours of sleep in 3 1/2 years. Sigh.