I'm now classified as Hard Core.

So I don't recommend letting two weeks go by in between days running. Between the bad weather and going on vacation... I was starting to accumulate some cob webs on my running shoes. So this past weekend I finally got out for a run.  I did complete my 4.5 mile loop after about 50 minutes, but the next day.. I had some pain issues in the upper thigh area while putting my shoes on. On the upside though, I got to test out my new Under Armor Cold Gear top and compression tights. Love the top!! It's keeps you nice and toasty in temps of 50 degrees or less. It was just around 50 degrees and a little windy when I left the house. After about 1.5 miles I was starting to wonder if I had over done it. I love the the thumb holes because my hands seem to be the only things that really get cold when I first start out. That goes away after a little bit.  I'm hoping that it's still warm enough when the weather drops down to 20-30 degrees.
  Now my compression tights may take some getting used to. They don't leave a whole lot of room for the imagination. Thankfully my top is long enough to cover the real important areas.They start to slip down a little after a bit while I'm running too.  My husband seems to like them though and the oldest prince says that I look hard core in my new outfit.  I'm not sure if that's good or bad but I'll take it as a compliment. He has also promised me that if I buy him a top like mine he'll go running with me. I have a feeling that after one or two times out he'll probably go back on that promise though. I think it was the head band that really completed the outfit. Never the less I want you all to be thinking about me next Saturday morning while your snuggling down into your nice warm blankets. Just kidding, but really.. pray for me to make it through this winter so that I can do my half marathon this May. Oh and if any of you care to join me...give me a call and we can sport ice cycles hanging from our noses together.

A Thankful Heart

As Thanksgiving draws near it's only natural to be reminded of all the things that we're thankful for. So I just wanted to take a minute to list some of the things that I'm thankful for.

Need I say more.

Exercise for the soul.

My five year old princess loves to go for runs with me. Of course it's not much of a run for me, but she gives it her all. She doesn't slow down till she's done her first mile. The second mile is a bit slower. It's more like a brisk walk. I love how at five everything is new and great. A simple thing like a bright red leaf becomes a treasure to bring home for daddy. She entrusted me with this treasure until we got home. After all she didn't want to crinkle it while she was running.

   Taking her with me completely kills my workout. I have to cut my distance in half or a third depending on how far I was planning on going and I can throw any record braking time out the window. But the time we spend together is completely worth it. As a busy homeschooling mom I treasure each of the opportunities that I get to spend with each one of my kids alone. This year I have scheduled dates with each one of my kids. Just me, daddy, and one of them. No other siblings. I find that when my children are separated from their brother's and sister they're totally different kids. These are the kids that I want to get to know in the brief amount of time that God has trusted me with their care.

Picture taken by Ezer Photography 

Check out her blog at http://journeytoezer.com/

Score!!!!

 Look at the treasure that I just picked up at a yard sale today. 

This is a working 1951 Singer 201-2  Electric Sewing Machine with a cabinet full of goodies. Isn't it beautiful. Some consider this machine to be one of the best machines ever made. Even better then modern machines. These machines are still going strong after 60-80 years of service and probably will be for another 80 years. They are super powerful. These machine are selling from $150-$300 online. Can you guess how much I paid for it? $8.00. I'm just a little excited about this. I can't wait to clean her up and try her out.

I can flip pancakes without getting burned!!!

When I was growing up I was never taught how to cook anything except Lasagna. I'm not really sure why that is but that's it. I had to learn everything on my own in the kitchen. I think that it turned out OK though because I'm not afraid to put things together without a recipe in front of me.
   When my children were born I decided that their kitchen skills would be much different then mine. I started as soon as they were old enough to turn a spoon. They love to add the ingredients one by one and then pour the batter slowly into the pan and then watch our creation take shape as it bakes in the oven. Clean up is the most fun. I get out the spoons and they go to town on the bowl. Yes... I let my children eat raw batter. I know that some of you are cringing. As my children have gotten older I've increased the number of things that I let them help with. I just started letting them crack the eggs open into the bowl and flip pancakes. My daughter has decided to let everyone she meets know that she is five now and she can flip pancakes without getting burned. It somehow has become a right of passage for her. Like this magically happened the moment she turned five.
   I cook with my kids for lots of different reasons. It teaches them life skills and math lessons. It teaches them to share and provide a service for others. I also just like the time we get to spend together. So go and bake something yummy with your babies. To make it even more enriching you can bring your baked goods to a neighbor. The rewards will last them a life time and more.

Bring it on!!

OK another school year has began. I'm ready. I'm up at 6AM before the sun is up. I stumble through the kitchen to make my coffee. This is going to be a great year. I'm so ready for this. I walk quietly back out the living room. I sit down with my computer to check my emails and my daily morning devotion that comes straight to my email everyday. Awesome ha! A half hour later I hear thumping on the living room ceiling. "Mommy".... "Mommy I peed the bed" comes blaring through the house. OK no problem. Up the stairs I go. Chang the bed, clean the child, down the stairs I go with my extra load of laundry and three children following close behind. Breakfast comes next with only 1 spill it's on the table not the couch phew... Alright, let's focus... get chores done, get dressed, start school. OK chores are done without issue and after 3 outfits later the princess has found something to wear. At least till lunch time anyway. Just as as we sit down for morning prayer the phone rings.. ignore it. Math done, Language done,  can I have some bunny milk.. done, can you wipe me...done. Three year old climbing on the entertainment center, five year old helping herself to some cookie's and milk, six year old crying because he can't make a cursive f, and the 15 year old is still laying in bed. It's OK.. I got this. I pull the 3 year down, get the snack for the 5 year old, give the six year a break and the 15 year gets a nice tall glass of cold water... to drink of course. Lunch time comes and goes, switch over the laundry, vacuum the floor, clean up the kitchen, start school up again. ABC's and 123's wont you sing with me...It's my turn... she started it.... I'm tired.... can you wipe me.... and the beat goes on. Barney babysits while I exercise and shower. Load the kids in the car so the 15 year old can go play with the pigskin. Back home finish up my chores make dinner and prepare my smile for my Prince charming to walk through the door. Clean up, pick up the teen, and wash up the marker and spaghetti stained children. Off to bed they go. Night, night, mommy loves you, no more drinks tonight you'll pee the bed. Look over curriculum lessons, make some popcorn, cuddle with the Prince and let's do this again tomorrow. Bring it on!!

My husband's student

I have always been a very observant person. I love to watch people and how they interact with others. Most of my friends already know this. So it will be no surprise to you that I like to study my husband. I love to learn everything about the man and exactly what makes him tick. Not just because I enjoy observing him... which I do, but because I want him to be happy. I want to know exactly what it is that he likes to eat, wear, watch on TV, what he thinks is funny or sad or gross. I also like to know what he likes when it comes to me. How he likes my hair or what he likes me to wear. What to say and what not to say and at what time I should say it. He's really a very easy man to live with. So I haven't taken on this study because he's difficult. My husband is one of the most even tempered men you'll ever meet. Which is just one of the hundred reasons I married him. I guess the biggest reason is LOVE. I think when you really love someone... you will go to any length to make them happy. We've been married for going on 9 years this December and I still love when he walks through my kitchen door. I hope to continue this study for the next 70 years or so.  I may never acquire a degree from it but I sure do love the lessons.