"We still got it!"

Project 365 * 2 -- Day 173

     Usually, Sunday is our day off from running. But, since we missed yesterday, Patty and I ran today while all the kids took a nap at my house. And while we were running, two very cool and awesome things happened. Usually we just run a bunch of laps in the neighborhood. But, today, we ventured outside the hood. And I'm so glad we did.

1. A man in a truck waved, gave us a thumbs up, smiled, and said, "good job," to us.
2. A work van drove by, and the men inside whistled at us.

     When I was in my 20's, behavior like that would disgust me. Piss me off. Make me do things like get the number on the back of the work van, call the company, and complain that the workers were harassing me. (True story, by the way.) Now that I'm trying to run off all this baby weight, and I feel like my body is forever changed from carrying two very large babies, and being pregnant three times, for three summers in a row...Now? It made me so happy. I turned to Patty after each instance, and exclaimed, "we still got it!"

     It was a lovely Sunday. A misty walk this morning. Running, with compliments and whistles, too. Dinner with my family. Hide and seek. Lots of talking. Lots of laughing. Sidewalk chalk. Spinning. Red light, green light. Pulling weeds from the yard. More talking. More laughing.

     Thankful for time with family. Thankful for misty morning walks. And fun games. Thankful for laughter. Thankful for a good run. Thankful for relaxing family Sundays. They're the best.

Us, on our walk this morning. 

Playing red light, green light. 

My Dad telling me to stop taking his picture. 

My artwork.  :)

   

Hey now, hey now, my boyfriend's back!

Project 365 * 2 -- Day 172

     This is going to be short, because we have a lot of making out to do. After a very long week, Matt is back home from Alabama. He got to go do some cool hazmat stuff. And we have been patiently, or maybe, impatiently, awaiting his return. Adelyn told me everyday, several times a day, "I miss my dada!" "I meed (translation:need) him!" So today, we were all very happy to cuddle with him, and hug him, and be with him.

     Thankful for my sweet husband's safe return home. He was greatly missed around here. Thankful for his hugs and kisses and cuddles. They make me feel whole.

Went to the car show in our little town of Haymarket, today, after Matt got home.

Matt and I really liked this one. 

Anytown, USA. 

These things...

Project 365 * 2 -- Day 171

     These things made me happy today. These things made me smile to think about when I was feeling alone tonight.

1. My mom spent the night last night, and my kids didn't know. So, when they woke up this morning, they were happily surprised to find their Oma. Their smiles were so big and happy.

2. We went to visit my grandparents today. When my grandmother and I talked on the phone earlier in the week about us visiting them today, she asked to talk to Addy. She told Adelyn that she was going to be making homemade ice cream for us. To which Addy replied, "ice cream and cake!!!" So, my grandmother had to make a cake as well. As I was getting Addy dressed to go this morning, she reminded me that we were going to have cake and ice cream at Gamie and Poppy's house. She never forgets about cake and ice cream. Oh, I've taught her so well.

3. My cousin, Lauren, and her son, Ethan, visited my grandparents today as well. It was so good to see her. As it always is. No matter how much time passes between our visits, and even our heart to heart conversations, it's never weird. It's never awkward. It's always, just, good. It's just so good to see her. And we can't be bothered with petty things like who called who last, or who didn't call who...I love that about our relationship. We just love each other, and when we see each other, we're so happy.

4. Talking with my mom. No explanation needed, right. Isn't pretty much all time spent with a best friend/mother, a good ole' time?

5. Watching my parent's dog, Duke, try to get Tobin's attention today. Duke loves children. And Tobin loves being able to touch, and pet, and crawl on a dog without having it move away, like Roxy does.

6. Cuddling with Roxy after I put Adelyn and Tobin to bed. We cuddled for a long time on the couch. There is something very, almost spiritual, about cuddling with an animal that loves you.

7. My coneflowers are coming in. I love them.

Oh, heaven is a place on earth!

Project 365 * 2 -- Day 170

     And it's called, the pedicure chair. My eyebrows were looking like fuzzy caterpillars, and my feet were looking rough from running, and no polish. So, my mom and Shane watched my babies, and I went and got pampered a bit. While I was getting my pedicure, I was thinking these things:

1. "Oh, heaven is a place on earth..." (I was literally singing that song to myself)
2. If I ever won the lottery, like big time, or I was a famous person or something...my one crazy, insane, off the wall indulgence would be, daily pedicures. Every morning. Before I started my day, I would get a pedicure. It's one of my favorite things ever.

     It's a been a rough week. I was so tired tonight, that after I put the kids to bed, I napped from 7 to 9, and then got up, and cleaned the kitchen, picked up the toys, and came down to write this blog post. I'm thankful that it's bedtime. I'm thankful for pedicures. I'm thankful for clean eyebrows. Because they make me feel clean, and fresh, and pretty, and put together, even if I don't have any make-up on. I'm thankful that I got an hour to myself today. I was in desperate need of it.

"F is for friends who do stuff together..."

Project 365 * 2 -- Day 169

     "U is u and me, N is for n-e-time, and n-e-where at all...down here in the deep blue sea." Yep. That's pretty much been my night. Laughing hysterically at stuff from our childhood. Like Spongebob, and Rugrats. And watching the worst show in the world, 7th Heaven. Shane now understands how I can hate something so much that I love it. Because he also hates it so much that he loves it now too. And we have been having 7th Heaven marathons, and it's great fun. Also, Shane makes the best croutons in the world. He made them yesterday for the first time, and they were amazing. So amazing that I made him make them again tonight. And he made them again for us to eat as a snack during our 7th Heaven marathon.

     Thankful for Shane. I've been having a blast with him. And he is the best uncle. Adelyn and Tobin love him so much. Thankful for our laughter, and the fun we're having together, and croutons, and 7th Heaven marathons. He's awesome. I was so thankful when I found out I was having a baby brother. Way back then when I was eleven. And I'm even more thankful for him now.

My favorite parts of the day.

Project 365 * 2 -- Day 168

1. Going shopping with Shane, Adelyn, and Tobin. The best part of this shopping trip? I didn't have to get the double stroller out, and take the kids in with me. They were perfectly happy to stay in the car with Uncle Shane.

2. Watching, The Emperor's New Groove, with Adelyn and Shane, in the basement, with a bowl of popcorn, while Tobin took a looong nap, while it rained outside, cuddled on the couch, under a blanket.

3. Talking with Shane after dinner. One of the best conversations I've ever had with him. One of the best conversations I've ever had, period.

4. My run with Patty, tonight. It was nice and cool, out. It was a strong run, and that always makes me feel good.

5. Talking with Shane after my run up until this moment. And actually, we're chatting back and forth now. And, it is just so good to have multiple hour conversations with my bro. He's wicked smart. Like, Jeopardy smart. He knows something about everything.

     Thankful for my day with my family. It was sweet, and cozy, and awesome. And I'm so happy Shane came to stay for a couple of days. So are Adelyn, and Tobin.

Fun with Roxy. 

Adelyn, twirling. 

He's trying...won't be long now. 

A day for girlfriends and explorers.

Project 365 * 2 -- Day 167

     It was a really cool day. Ryleigh came over to visit with Adelyn. And miss Adelyn couldn't have been happier. I love watching them play together. They are just so sweet. I love how you don't have to teach girls how to be girlfriends. It just comes naturally.

   
     And, tonight, an explorer came to our house for dinner. Like, a for real, National Geographic explorer. She lives in Mozambique. And she studies manta rays. It was seriously amazing to hear all about her adventures. Listening to her describe what it's like to stare into the eyes of a magnificent sea creature gave me goose bumps. It was just such a magical night, hearing all her stories. My dad met her, and is making something she needs for her dives. And my dad, being the kind of guy he is, asked her if she had any family in the area. Which she didn't. So, his offer of a home-cooked meal with our family was hard for her to pass up.

     Tonight, I'm thankful for girlfriends. I'm thankful that Adelyn and Ryleigh have each other, and I think, they'll be very good friends for years and years to come. I'm also thankful for explorers. I'm thankful that there are sweet people out there in the world, who set out to make a difference, and do just that. I'm thankful that we could provide someone with a home-cooked meal, especially when they were so far from home. It was really an awesome night.

     Below is a little video of, The Manta Queen, whom we had the pleasure of meeting tonight.