Saturday, December 15, 2007
21 Miles!!!!!!!!!!!
My dear husband put this note in my car (taped to my steering wheel) the night before. In my whole conglomeration of random thoughts, this note kept popping up in my head. My motivation to continue on (besides get out of the rain!) was due to my loving husband and kids who believed I could do it. And I did.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Breakfast with Santa & other Christmas Happenin's
No, your eyes are not deceiving you--Layton and Ashlyn are actually riding the train by themselves! No tears! I'm not sure who was more surprised that they got on it without being scared--me or the kids! Layton was actually waving at people as they were coming back around the 'track'. Just when I think I've got them all figured out...
Not only were they having train rides, they were actually having a 'Blizzard on the Bayou' section of the park with snow (okay, it wasn't actually a blizzard, more like a 9' x 9' patch of manufactured snow--but hey, what do you expect in Houston?)
The kids had fun slipping and sliding in the snow. Here's Ashlyn doing just that.
Oh yes, and you can't play in the snow without having a snowball fight. Here's Layton throwing snow at some wandering bystanders. What's funny is that he's never played in the snow, but he instinctively knows how to make snowballs (and throw them). Ah, boys will be boys...
It was definitely a fun event to take the kids too, and with the 'free' pricetag, we could even afford to get more Christmas candy (not like we needed it!)
Speaking of fun events, our kids' Mother's Day Out program hosted a Breakfast with Santa this morning. It was such a treat! The kids all lined up outside to watch Santa arrive in style on a horse and buggy (which perplexed Ashlyn who kept on asking "what happened to Santa's reindeer?") It was really funny--you would have thought a rock star was pulling up with all the screaming going on! Layton and Ashlyn were excited (not as excited as some kids!), but it was really neat to see the wonder in their faces. Once he pulled up, the kids all went back inside to hear Santa read a Christmas story, and then get their pictures with Santa.
Okay...if your kids are anything like my kids in past years, the thought of sitting on Santa's lap would literally send them screaming. So, I kept wondering to myself, "Is this the year they will actually sit on his lap?" Well, this year we ended up getting both of them on his lap for a quick picture before Ashlyn darted off. Layton pleasantly surprised me (again!) by telling Santa what he wanted for Christmas. "Cars...(not one, but) two cars".
After pictures, the kids were off to the craft tables. Here's Layton and Ashlyn making one of three crafts. There were beads, glue and glitter--lots of it. Very messy, but oh so fun for the kids.
Here's Layton proudly showing off the beaded Christmas tree/pipe cleaner that he made.
After Ashlyn's (20th) time on the moonwalk, we finally went home. We had a ball!
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Saturday, December 1, 2007
"I've got the power..."
I know what you're thinking--how old is this song?! I know this is a flash from the past, but if I could pick one song to sum up how I feel today, its this one! Can't you just see me dancing along?! You would be dancing too if you just ran 19 MILES! Okay, maybe I'm not dancing, just gingerly sidestepping across the floor without too much weight on my left knee. But after a good ice bath, (yes, my first ice bath! I am a true athlete now!) I am dancing around my living room! I reached a milestone--didn't think I could do it, but now I have!!! And all on the eve of my 33rd birthday...
26.2 miles in January--Bring it on!!
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Girl Time
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Monday, November 12, 2007
A "Weighty" Issue
Am I alone in this, or is anyone else tired of looking in the 'fun-house' mirror?
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
A Surprise Weekend
Once we got to Brock, we encountered a few obstacles--almost running into their house before we actually discovered they had not left for dinner yet (a long, but funny story!!), trying to get into her house without being seen--but we did it! Here's Lacie's surprised face.
Friday, November 2, 2007
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Halloween 2007
Here are the kids in a rare picture moment together. Layton was convinced he was dressed up as 'Superman', so we just went along with it. He sooo much wanted to be Superman since Ashlyn was Supergirl. He's such an adoring little brother!
Since they had a Halloween parade at Mother's Day Out, I couldn't resist posting a few of those pictures. Here's Ashlyn doing her runway walk...
Daddy and Layton.
Hope your Halloween was a fun one!!
Monday, October 29, 2007
My first 'half' -- Ooh, Rah!
Here's me with my race medal. My knees were aching, but I still got my race "bling".
Here's me with the 'fam'. You can definitely tell the kids had just gotten up. Jason had just got them out of bed to come see mommy finish her race. I'm not sure if the kids saw me or not, but Layton kept telling me, "Mommy, I proud of you". My family always make my heart smile.
I am so blessed to have such a wonderful husband who supports me in everything I do. Not only does he support and encourage me in all my running endeavors by coming to my races and watching the kids so I can do my training runs, he is my No. 1 fan at home. I am so thankful for his support, because without him I wouldn't be able to accomplish many of my life goals. I don't know what I have done in my life to end up with such a wonderful man, but I thank God every day for it! I am truly blessed.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
The Great Outdoors
Here's what we got to wake up each morning. Peaceful, isn't it?
It was so cold the first night and morning, that my dear husband had to 'wear' his blanket. Let's just say the guys got a good laugh out of this one!
Here's Ashlyn and her friend, Haleigh, enjoying the outdoors. Ashlyn is such a cut-up, I wonder where she gets it from? Hmmmm.....
Here's Layton and Jason taking a little afternoon nap in our shelter. They look so cozy, don't they?
Here's my dear friends in our 'Camping Diva' shirts. You didn't think that just because we were out in the wilderness, we couldn't look cute??!!!
Here's a picture of all our kids. If you look closely enough, you can see all the dirt on their little faces. Oh, to be a kid again...
Here I am roasting marshmallows with the kids for our s'mores. Poor Layton kept dragging his marshmallows in the dirt after he roasted them, so we had to do his twice. (Good thing, we had the chocolate from the previous s'mores to eat until we could get the marshmallows roasted!)
The Stansell family sitting down for a picture. I don't even think I noticed that the kids weren't sitting still for this picture until after I saw it. Oh well, one of these days we'll get a good family picture.
We are so blessed to have such wonderful friends to do things like this with. It was definitely a fun time had by all! Now, back to the daily grind...Until next time!
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Monday, October 15, 2007
"Do, Re, Mi..."
Speaking of movie musicals, I happened to come across another great movie musical, 'Grease' as I was flipping through the channels the other night. One of my all-time favorites! I knew all the songs of 'Grease' like the back of my hand! 'Grease' was one of my mother's favorite movies when I was a child and I grew up singing all of the songs like they were nursery rhymes. In fact, my sister, Jackie, and I made a tape recording when we were preschool age of 'You're the one that I want' from the movie (if only we knew what we were singing!) I think Jackie and I both wanted to be Sandy in the movie (of course, who wouldn't want to look as great as she did at the end of the movie and end up with John Travolta!) Anyhoo...(back to my train of thought--sorry about that) I forgot just how much I loved watching movies like those and singing along with all of the songs. Of course, my beloved husband, Jason, would have to disagree with me on some of my movie tastes (he cannot stand 'Grease' or 'Annie', two of my all time faves!) But I just love 'em!
'Grease', 'Annie', 'My Fair Lady', and 'The Sound of Music' are some of my all time faves! What are some of your favorite movie musicals?
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Harvey
If you want to catch a great play, 'Harvey' is running through until the last weekend in October. Check it out--you'll enjoy it!
Do you have some 'memorable' experiences at shows/theaters with your kids? I'd love to hear 'em!
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Sunday, October 7, 2007
"The rain, rain, rain came down, down, down..."
Monday, October 1, 2007
A Tribute to Lily (1946-2005)
On the contrary, she was also a very kind, hospitable woman, who never met a stranger. She was very social and could strike up a conversation with anybody from off the street and invite them to our home. She loved to have people over after church and would cram our house full just to enjoy their company. She was a terrific cook and she always cooked enough for an army, even though there were only four of us.
She was a very extravagant lady and she loved to shop. She loved ‘bling’, not the costume jewelry, but the real stuff. I think she could have hocked her jewelry collection and bought a small country, considering how extensive it was. She always joked that she would ‘come back and haunt my dad’s second wife’ if he remarried if he ever gave her any of my mom’s old jewelry. You would think it was funny, except for the serious look in her eyes! If anyone could come back as a ghost, my mom would because if she said it she meant it!
She loved to learn knew things. She cooked, she sewed, she played the guitar, and she even took piano lessons herself for awhile. She also took small engine repair classes to learn to fix our lawnmower, and upholstery. She even refinished our antique baby grand piano by hand. She loved music and she sang and played the guitar—she was even in the church singing group, ‘Sweet Adelines’ when I was a girl. She taught me about commitment. She made me stay with piano lessons for 12 years. By doing that she taught me that with commitment, things pay off. She taught me that I can’t live a life just doing things halfway.
She was a stay-at-home mom when I was little, selling Mary Kay on the side, but she decided that one day she would get a job. She didn’t want just any job, but a good-paying job for the Postal Service that she saw in an ad. So, with no experience, she studied for and took the Postal Exam and almost made a perfect score! She eventually became a Supervisor in the USPS in downtown St. Louis. She was always so proud of that story.
She worked nights for many years so that my sister and I could go to college. She was a tough, little lady and she took care of herself. She always stressed independence and practicality with us. She wanted us to be doctors, lawyers, because she thought we could be those things. Also, she always wanted us to be able to support ourselves, with or without a husband, because as she had been shown in her life that life did not always go the way you had planned.
I see her so differently now than I did when I was a kid. Now I see what great strength she had and determination to make it for herself and her family in another place, away from anything familiar. She was very determined and whatever she set her mind to, she did. She was so proud of me and my sister and my kids (Ashlyn & Layton—she loved you so much!!) and loved to brag about us all the time. I could spend pages writing about her, but I just wanted you to have a little glimpse into the person I called mom.
She taught me not to be afraid, stand up for what you think is right--no matter how big or scary someone or something is. That you can accomplish anything that you want to in life. That you are stronger than you think you are and to not take for granted the people in your life right now. To always do the right thing. When things are hard to suck it up, put on a brave face and get right back out there—that’s the way she always lived her life and I’m proud to say that I am her daughter! Mom, may God hold you in his loving arms until we meet again someday.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Ashlyn & Layton 'On the Run'
Here's me with the kids before the race started. Layton wasn't too much into the race thing, so Jason decided to hold him to see if he could run with him--he still looked cute in his number though, didn't he?
Here's all the kids lined up ready to race. I think Ashlyn is in the 2nd or 3rd row from the front. I thought I got her pic, but with all the kids moving around, it was a little difficult....
Jason stayed behind with Layton, since he was a little scared, so I wasn't sure if Ashlyn would be scared or not once the race got started. Once they yelled out, "Ready, set, go", she was off!!! Once the race started, a few of the kids went down (I feared a domino effect), but A. just ran right around them and kept on going. I was so proud!!
At the end of the race, each child was given a medal a bag full of goodies and a 'SuperKid' sticker. Here's Ashlyn with her 'goodies'. She's so happy!! Who knows...maybe one day my kids and I will run the marathon together:)
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
I've been tagged!
1.What I was doing 10 years ago- September 1997: I was just beginning my master's program in Marriage & Family Therapy and living in Searcy, Arkansas. Jason and I had just been dating a couple of months when I started. He was living in Searcy as well and working his first job as a controller for a Hardwood Flooring plant down there. We were both busy back then with work and school but still found time to be together. I'm sure I was enjoying the fall weather in Searcy back then. I sure miss the fall season....
2. Five years ago was September 2002: Jason and I had just moved to our house in January of 2002 after having lived in Deer Park for two years. I was so excited to be in Clear Lake--close to everything. Of course, I may still be a little to close to the mall (can you ever be too close to shopping?:)
One year ago September 2006: This was a time of both good and bad remembrances. It was the one-year anniversary of my mother's death, but also the month of my dear Layton's one-year birthday--it was a bittersweet time. I think we also had flown up to spend the end of September with my family at the annual family reunion in Missouri. I'm sure we were sitting under the walnut trees at my dad's farm listening to bluegrass music. Did I mention my extended family is into bluegrass? Shocker isn't it?!! Anyway, it feels like you are living back in the turn-of-the-century when you go back there--very peaceful.
4. Yesterday, September 18: I was at Mother's Day Out teaching yesterday. Nothing eventful there, but Ashlyn and I did get to spend some one-on-one time in the evening. We went to the library and got'special treats' at Walgreens after we were done. 'Special treats' by the way, is my code name for chocolate. And yes, I do love them!
5. Snacks I enjoy: Chocolate (really any kind but most recently the Take5 bars--they are so yummy!) Swiss cheese and crackers, Godiva chocolate cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory (ok--I guess its not really a snack, more like a meal!:)
6. Things I would do if I suddenly had $100 million dollars: Where do I start? I would probably pay off all of our student loans, house, etc., give money to the church, help my dad and sister pay off any debts they may have, give money to aid in Scleroderma research and then travel, travel, travel (see below).
7.Locations I would run to: Disneyworld (a big blow-out vacation for the kids!), the Philippines (to see where my mother grew up), and any country in Europe.
8. Bad habit I have: Complaining and worrying!! Need I say more?
9. Things I like doing: Blogging (of course!), running, playing as a family at the playground, the beach, or wherever! Going on family vacations (of course, we haven't been on one lately, but when we do get to go--I like them!:), spending time with my friends, going out on dates with Jason, and laughing (a lot!)
10. Biggest Joy of the Moment: Laying in bed with my kids before they go to bed and talking to them about their day. Its so great that they are both in a conversational stage where they can talk to me. Of course, they are still little so it is quite humorous at times! I want to treasure these moments forever!
Thanks for the tag, Lacie!
I tag my sister, Jackie, next. You're it!
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Ashlyn's new house
He picked out all the paint colors, painted it and even put cute flower knobs on her little side doors. If you look close enough, you can even see that he took the time to put real shingles on her roof (now that's a dad for you!) I appreciate you honey for all your hard work--and I know Ashlyn and Layton do too!!
Sunday, September 9, 2007
My first race
Here's me at the finish line. The super-excited look on my face comes from spotting my family at the finish line waiting for me. I think I look kinda scary in this picture. Please say I don't look like this every time I'm happy to see my family (just think what I'm putting my poor children through!:)
Come to think of it, my happy face could be a result of successfully picking up my water bottle after dropping it once, trying to pick it up, kicking it a small distance and then actually picking it up after my second try. Did I mention this all happened within 20 feet of the finish line? Funny how all my embarrassing moments happen in front of like a zillion people. Okay, maybe there weren't a 'zillion' people there, but there was a crowd. At least it wasn't as I was crossing the finish line--see there's a bright side to everything:)
Here's me with the kiddos after I crossed the finish line. As you can see, both were just dying to get their picture taken with sweaty old mama (they were so excited they just couldn't stand still for the picture!) Oh, and thank goodness for Pepperidge Farm. If it wasn't for their goldfish my kids wouldn't be standing here waiting patiently for mama to come in from her race (or sitting quietly in church, or sitting still at library time, etc...)
Here's my attempt at stretching post-race. As you can see, Layton saw me sitting down and immediately sat on my lap. He probably thought I was going to read him a book...sweet boy!
Just as I'm finishing up this blog 'entry', Layton is telling me 'You race--Im proud of you, mama'. Kinda makes me want to melt! How about the rest of you 'racers' out there? Any funny or special 'first-race' memories?
Saturday, September 1, 2007
Happy Birthday Layton!
Here's Layton as a newborn. He was as cute back then as he is now and look at his big eyes! Isn't he adorable! He's just the cutest baby! But not like I'm biased, or anything:)
Here's me with Layton in the hospital after he was born. Okay, I don't look that great in the picture, but I love this picture because of how happy I look in it--just don't look too close :).