Eating Tips for the Holidays!

I got this e-mail today with tips on eating through the holidays.

I personally like #9. We need to be VERY careful about setting standards for ourselves through the holidays! :)

Happy Eating!

***HOLIDAY EATING TIPS***

1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Holiday spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. It's rare... You cannot find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-alcoholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Holiday party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple, Pumpkin, Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one> dessert? Labor Day?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.

10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Re-read tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner.

Remember this motto to live by:
"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand and wine in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"

Have a great holiday season!!

Here we go again!

So basketball season is upon us once again!

Last year's season marked a huge turn around in my attitude towards Todd's coaching job.
I went from a miserable stay at home wife who whined and complained about her husband's long hours and how "I had to do it all" with the kids all by myself from the time they woke till the time they went to bed to a happy and content wife who took it all in stride. I went from a wife who couldn't care less about basketball and never went to a game to an avid fan who couldn't get to enough games and truly didn't want the season to end.

I had decided before last season even started that I was going to give myself an attitude adjustment. I had decided that in the 2009/10 season the kids and I were going to make the half hour trip to where Daddy coached as many times as possible to support him.

So that is what we did.

An amazing thing happened last year. The girls NEVER lost.

I'm not saying that this is due to my support or my attitude adjustment. I am saying that I believe that God kicked in an extra blessing just because He could. That the girls were going to have a winning season is an undisputed fact. They were great. They had a great coach. But to go undefeated? And win the state title? Not only do I believe that this is the stuff great sports movies are made of but I also believe that we had a bit of Help on our side.
My belief is that when we get on board with God's plan for our life (without whining and complaining) the blessings are beyond compare.

Thank you God for a great season! AND for the blessing of getting to experience an undefeated one!

Sooooooooooooo, like I said... here we go again.

Our record as I write this is 4-2. Todd says this is a rebuilding year and he is excited about the challenge.

I am excited to be a part of it once again. Winning season or not!

Go Seneca Valley Screaming Eagles!!

Gingerbread Houses

********UPDATE********

So in reading back over this post I must ask you: Aren't we amazing??? Look how CALM and enjoyable we make this all look!! Please keep in mind that together we had 6(!!!) boys ages 7 and under, one girl, and one dog, all doing an edible art project at the same small table that seats 6. Of course I suppose I should fess up and admit that Mindy is a kindergarten teacher and I homeschool my older three so there is a slight possibility that we have control issues... but still.
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Today my sister, Mindy, came over with her crew of 3 boys to make gingerbread houses with us.
The kids had a great time decorating their masterpieces.
Here are Mindy, Luke and Elliot working on their house:

Kyle, Julainna, and Drew:

Jake and Ryan don't seem to mind that noone wants them "helping" out! Luke is being so careful to place his candy in just the right spot.
Hmmm, look who needs to be in the spotlight. Silly Elliot!

Oh kids! The candy is for your houses... not your noses!
Of course a little icing on the finger never hurts either!

Penny volunteered to be the clean up crew! This is one of the reasons why I love having a dog.

Running update

Thanksgiving morning I ran in the Frederick Way Station 5K Turkey Trot. I ran with my sister Meredith and our running buddy Ann.

We woke up to down pouring rain and I thought, "Hmmm, 35 degrees and pouring down rain... NO WAY!" I got up anyway because I had this thing about not being the one to opt out. Maybe one of them would and then I would just agree with them that it was a better idea to stay in and be warm and sip coffee.

I got a text at about 7:30 that said, "We are still running, U???" I looked outside... still pouring.

So I put on my brave face and said that I was still in if they were.

We got to the starting line and it was just misting. I felt great and a little frisky as we started to run. Then out of nowhere the song Rhythm of Love by the Great White T's started playing in my head. So now I'm a human iPod? Whatever works.

After a bit I asked Meredith if we had gone a mile yet. She looked at me strangely and told me that we passed it a while ago and were at 1.4.

Hey! That's like almost halfway! I start to speed up a little.
At mile 2 she looks at me and tells me that I'm fast for me today. I smile and go a bit faster.

We take the last right turn and the finish line is just up ahead. Still frisky. I glance at her and say, "What you got left?" She responds by turning on her afterburners. I hang with her as best as I can. I'm laughing and running so hard that I think I just might throw up as I cross the finish. 29:52 she finished 4 seconds ahead of me 29:48

That's a new PR for me!!
Hmmm, what will it take for me to feel that good doing 26.2?

Now I've got a few weeks to relax before the training for Big Sur begins!

Race report!!

Want to see how I did running my first marathon? Head on over to One Mom in Maine!!
Thanks Emilie for letting me guest post!
Enjoy!

FAMILY

It was great to be with my Family on my 40th birthday.

Mom and Al: You rock. Thanks for dinner and the memories and the gift. It was great to see you and hope to see you again soon.

Buff and Robin: We have such a great time with you and love you all so much. You are amazing and we are continuing to pray and hope for the very best. Thanks for everything which is too numerous to list here but know that you have a special place in our hearts. Thanks for the I-Pad.

Andy,
Thanks for hosting the party and it was great to see you more this week thank in the last 6 months combined. Come and lift with me. I miss hanging out with you.

Paige and Tiercy,
Thanks for the memories. Friday at Go Ape was a blast and I am glad it worked it well. Tiercy, thanks for coming out and Paige thanks for winning free tickets. You are great sisters and I hope you all had as much fun as I did and can't wait to see what we look like at 80. Thanks for the jacket and Panera card.

Blair,
Come on over so I can beat you in backgammon and poker or at least try.

My Dearest Michelle: You are simply an amazing woman and I love you very much. Good luck at your first marathon and I will be cheering you from afar. You are simply the glue that keeps or family all together and I don't know what I would do without you.

Torin, Thane, Grayson, Tobin, Noah, Brenna, Laney, Tyler, and Ethan: You guys and gals are cool nieces and nephews. Love you!!

Julianna, Drew, Kyle and Jake: I am proud to be your Daddy and don't grow up so fast. You are too big already.


Todd

WHAT I LEARNED

What I learned on my weight loss journey. I doubt it will be anything you haven't heard before but sometimes if you are like me, you need to hear it 20 times before it sinks in...The following are my experiences, you may disagree with them. And that is okay.

1) Food has one purpose and one purpose only....to fuel the body. It helps if the food tastes good but its main purpose is to fuel the body. That means we must watch what we eat if we want to lose weight or to maintain weight. If we don't care if we gain weight, then eat whatever you want. In other words, be purposeful about what you eat. You may feel that I completely changed my diet 180 degrees, but I didn't. I just ate healthier and cut out the desserts. The adage is true: You are what you eat.

2) If you are planning to go on a diet or are on one, then what you are doing is making a change of some kind right? Less calories or less carbs, less sugar, etc... Make the right changes and you will lose or maintain weight either quickly or slowly but what does it matter if the weight comes off? I saw results quickly and no doubt that spurred be on. Plus, I set a deadline, by Nov. 5th because I would be turning 40. Treat yourself every once in awhile to something. I knew I would have some dessert on my birthday and surely I could give it up for 2 months.

3) Sugar is not the enemy. Our choices are. Most people know what to do about losing weight, they just need to do it. Exercise regularly, eat healthy, be absolutely committed and get the sleep you need. Plus have support. It didn't help when everyone would offer me some cookies or something and I had to say no. When I would say no, they would be like,"Oh yeah that's right, I am sorry." But It was easy to say no because of my results and willpower. Huh, which came first, will power or results.... don't know. Sounds like something for another time.

4) Don't drink your calories. Your body doesn't need them. Drink water or tea. Limit juice. Like everything else, you can have juice in moderation.

5) Chocolate milk is a great recovery drink. Much to my kids dismay, they knew the chocolate milk in the refrigerator was Daddy's and if they wanted some c. milk, they were to get the mix out of the pantry and it to cold milk. This is a great way to replenish after a workout. This may seem to be a contradiction about not drinking your calories, but my sole purpose was to replenish after a heavy workout of lifting weights. (BTW, I lifted a total of 35,000 pounds during each of my workouts. I hope you are impressed because I was!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

6) It became easier to make these changes as time went along. It was a lot harder at first b/c it was new but it gradually became easier. I knew the end was in sight and I was having great results. I looked forward to weighing myself every morning and seeing what I weighed. it amazes me how much your weight can vary in a day. This is why I say my weight range is to be between 220 an 225 pounds.

7) There are numerous benefits to having undertaken this challenge. I am definitely more healthy and have more energy. I look good and feel good. I can't wait to get my 40 year old physical and see what my cholesterol numbers are, blood pressure is and resting heart rate.

8) My kids and wife will see a healthier me and know that it is important to take care of yourself physically. We don't know how much time we have while here on earth but the benefits of being in shape are great.

9)Good food tastes good and bad food just tastes bad. Your taste buds come alive and I can honestly say that I really looked forward to eating my salad, salmon, broccoli, peppers, etc... because it tastes good and is good for you. The though of eating McDonalds or a Little Debbie snack made me think there is no way I am going to eat that.

10) Do you know how hard you have to work out to offset a donut? Really hard. Eating that donut takes like two minutes and to work those calories off it easily takes at least like 25 minutes. That coorelation alone is enough to make me give up donuts. It isn't worth it.

I hope you enjoyed my journey. Take care and if you are planning to undertake a weight loss endeavor, you can do it!!!!!!! Good luck and be healthy.

Todd

THE RESULTS

225 POUNDS THIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AND MAN DOES IT FEEL GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I will write over the weekend what I learned and gained from this endeavor. But I wanted to post the results for you who anxiously were awaiting my results.....LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday to Paige and Tiercy. Love you!!!!!!!!

Todd

Fit and 40 Plan

Once upon a Time....

There was a young lad whose weight was like a yo-yo. He would lose ten pounds and then gain it back rather quickly. This process went on for about the last fifteen years or so. His weight hovered around 240 pounds for the last 5 years or so. I know, none of you can relate...He had many reasons why this happened and always justified that it was because he had kids, worked horribly long hours and had a bad commute to and from and work. These are all reasons that he came up with to make him feel better and besides, he always felt he could lose 15 pounds whenever he wanted. He had done it before and he could do it again......or could he?

Well, with his 4oth birthday fast approaching (about 2 months away) He decided it was time to see if he really could get down to 225 from a high of 242. He said, let's see if you really can do it. Game on!!!He made serious changes to his diet, workout regimen and went for it. It was not an easy task. The first change was to make the decision to give up all sweets (cake, cookies, doughnuts, candy, ice cream, milk shakes, etc...) from his diet. If you know this guy, you know he loves warm chocolate chip cookies out of the oven and ice cream. He knew this was a tall task for him because he had tried to do this before but had always failed and failed miserably. He decided to eat more vegetables, drink water and tea instead of sodas, and generally eat more healthy. A typical food day went like this for our lad:

Breakfast:
Multi grain Cheerios with banana or a bowl of Raisin Bran
Snack: Fiber Plus Bar ( they are actually pretty decent)

Lunch : Salad, Lean Cuisine, Healthy Choice or sandwich

Snack: peanuts

Dinner: normal dinner with the family

Portion Control as well was important.

Didn't eat after 8 o'clock

Exercise Regimen:
He also decided he would get up at 5:10 or so and get in early to workout. This lad happens to be a PE teacher and his school has a weight room that he would use 2 to 3 times a week. He also decided to run as well. So he would also run 2 to 3 times a week as well.

THE RESULTS:

Well, you will have to wait until Friday until his actual birthday to find out the results. Did he make it??? Was it worth it???? What did he learn during this process?? Can he keep the weight off?

STAY TUNED.

TODD

I love this man...

I just got this e-mail:


"Hey,
I am going to set up a date night. I was thinking about this Saturday. I say I will arrange a sitter, you and I could go to Dutch’s Daughter (after this past weekend, u deserve it.) And then we could walk hand in hand around a Baker Park while we digest dinner and then maybe we can go get a coffee for you and just enjoy each other’s company. If you could do me the honor of being my date, I would really like that.

Your Hubby who loves you more than you know,

Todd"


and it made my day!!!

of course I said yes!

Kyle's Birthday

Happy Birthday to my sweet 6 year old boy!
More fun and pictures to come as the day plays out :)

Happy Birthday to Noah Pagley! What are you? Like 11 now??? Tell Uncle Todd and the rest of the teachers to treat you special today!

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!! What is it? Your 44th now!!

What a special special day... I am also remembering with great fondness Todd's Uncle Klaus who died 7 years ago today. AND remembering the Brand family and wishing you a peaceful easy day to remember and savor the memories.

the best news EVER!!!

It's like music to my ears...

Like Todd asking me out for the first time...

Like diamonds and pearls on my birthday...

Like reaching a fitness or weight loss goal... on ACCIDENT (like that ever happens)...

Like finding out your birth certificate is wrong and you are actually 5 years younger...

Like having your first kiss on a romantic moonlit beach...

What?

What is this that could have me skipping and dancing as if I'm one of the Von Trapps???

JAKEY WENT PEE PEE ON THE POTTY!!! ON PURPOSE!!!

Yes people, I'm riding this train all the way to Nomorediaperville!!!

Woo hoo!! All Abooooooooard!!

this just in...

OK I know I JUST posted a video clip of Jake dancing last fall, but TONIGHT we were sitting around watching the end of High School Musical 3 AS A FAMILY and all of a sudden I realized that I was missing a GREAT (OK maybe I'm the only one who thinks it's great) video opp. Sooooo, I grabbed my camera and... well... just FEAST your eyes on this little visual TREAT...

What do you think? Juliard should be calling any day, right?

fall flashback

This video clip makes me laugh. Jake was watching a video and dancing when I snuck up and caught almost the whole thing. It gets a bit long because the others tried to capitalize on the camera opp but whatever! This was from back in the fall of 2009 sometime.

what we've been up to this summer

Julianna swimming butterfly.

Drew in lane 3 swimming the first leg of his 50 freestyle.

Drew preparing to dive.

Drew using his sister's legs for backstroke (but not really using them).

Julianna showing us her dive. I just love watching kids dive. Why does it make me laugh so?


Julianna is not going to let a little cold rainy weather get the best of her!

Look at those muscles! Yes, we do feed him!!

This summer we decided to let (make) the kids join swim team. Since we don't have a team for our neighborhood we joined a nearby team. We are the Dearbought Devil Rays!!

I am proud to say that this has ended up being one of the best parenting decisions we have ever made. Our oldest 3 have been going to swim practice daily since the beginning of June. Even back in mid June with just a week or 2 of lessons under their belts the improvement was incredible. The week before the first meet the coach spent some one-on-one time with Drew and Kyle teaching them how to float on their backs and swim back stroke. Drew did so well with picking this up that she had him swim it in the meet on Saturday. I was so proud to see him make it the whole way across the pool without stopping.

It hasn't stopped there. Julianna has picked up all 4 strokes and can now swim them in the meets. I was finally able to watch her swim butterfly today for the first time and was just amazed. She did so well for her first time!

Drew has gotten good enough to swim freestyle, backstroke, and breaststroke in the meets. Today he swam the 8 and under 50 meter freestyle event as well as the 25 meter. He was so cute! He got them mixed up so when he swam the 25 meter event he touched the wall and pushed off again to swim one more length of the pool and the timers had to stop him. He got a little embarrassed because he was the only one who made that mistake. I was so nervous for him when he went to swim the 50. I thought for sure he would get too tired halfway through and need to stop and hang on to the lane rope or something like that. Nope! Not my Drew. He did just fine and came in 4th in his heat.

Kyle is doing really well for his big 5 year old self. He is swimming freestyle and backstroke and is almost able to add breaststroke to his repertoire. As a matter of fact the coach came to me the other day and told me how amazed she was at how well all three kids picked up swimming breaststroke. I think my head swelled a little because that was always MY stroke when I swam. I told her that they had it in their blood. And in my head I thought, "And their Daddy is freakishly good at all things athletic!"

All this swim practice makes our days a little hectic. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays I get Julianna to practice by 8am and go home for a little while where the boys and I eat breakfast and I shower and get ready for the day. Then we hop back in the car to get the boys there for their practice time at 10am. Julianna and Jake go and play at the nearby playground while I watch Drew and Kyle practice then we all head home around 10:45ish. On Tuesdays and Thursdays their practice is in the evenings. We eat dinner around 5ish and get the boys to practice at 6:30. Julianna's practice is from 7 to 8pm. Usually Todd plays with the boys in the pool while she practices. These evenings I usually get some much needed "me" time. I usually stay home and chill or go shopping or whatever I want. The point is that for two glorious evenings I am "off duty"!! Thanks hon!!!

Today was our first experience taking the kids to a meet in a downpour. Unfortunately Kyle woke up sick this morning (fever and cough) and wasn't going to be able to participate in the meet. Being the self sacrificing partner that I am I told Todd that I would be happy to take one for the team and stay back with the sickie and Jake. Todd got Julianna and Drew to the pool for check-in and warmups and I came later with the extra dry towels and snacks and drinks. We took turns cheering on the swimmers and sitting in the van with Jake and Kyle till the rain stopped then we all came into the pool together to watch the end of the meet.

Out of the mouths of babes

My sister Meredith and I got together the other evening with our kids. Her oldest son, Danny, is not quite 2 and my youngest son, Jake, is a little over 2. So you know that is a recipe for a calm relaxing visit, right?

Here's how the boys summed it up after we parted ways:

Meredith: Danny, did you have fun playing with Jake?
Danny: Jakey fall down. Jakey fall down. Jakey fall down. (long pause) Jakey fall down.

Me: Jake did you like playing with your cousin Danny?
Jake: Da-ny poosh me. Da-ny poosh me. (long pause) Da-ny poooooooosh me!

PR!!

This is going to be quick.

I have the whole house to myself except for Jake who is napping so this report will be fast so I can join him in snoozing for a bit.

The Frederick Half for this year is over. Last year my time was 2:24:18 and this year... drum roll please... 2:18:06!! Yeah!! A personal record. Not what I was shooting for (2:12:00)but hey, as long as I beat my last year's time I'm happy.

It was seriously humid this morning and if I can lay blame for a second here I just want to say that I think I could have done a bit better if not for that. I've not had the opportunity to train in the heat yet this year because the weather has been pretty mild up till now. I mean just the other day I was contemplating wearing a headband to keep my ears warm during one of my tapering runs because it was so cold and windy. Anyway, the whole run was hard for me. I felt like I was pushing the whole time. I got really hot the first mile and never really lost that "too hot" feeling. Even when there was a nice breeze.

More in a bit:) I'm resting now!

xo

Running update!

First a quick story:

A few weeks ago I was doing my long run on the weekend. I think at that point I was up to running 6 miles and I was thinking about the next weekend when I would be running 7. That was the point in my training last summer when my knee started falling apart. So as I was completing my 6 miler for the day and thinking about all of this I ran past a home where about 7 or 8 kids were chasing each other and screaming is sheer delight. There was a woman standing out front watching all this hulabaloo. She turned to me and said, "I'm having an auction. You want any of these?" I laughed and replied, "No thanks! I've got several of these at home. This is what I do in my spare time!" Then in my head, "Yeah! This is what I GET to do. What I CHOOSE to do! Ha ha! I WILL make it past 7 miles this time around."

I am a runner.

So the next weekend I set out to run my 7 miles. I felt great. I mean seriously great. Like I had this goofy grin on my face the whole time. I mean I seriously must have looked like an idiot. At the end of 5 miles and 2 to go I actually got all choked up and tears of happiness welled up in my eyes because at that point I still felt great and there wasn't so much as a twinge in either of my knees. I knew then that my knee problem was a thing of the past.

Seems that going to those fancy shoe places really paid off in my situation. They watched me walk and fit me with shoes that support my nonexistent arches the way they need to be supported and that seems to have done the trick.

Anyway, this past week I ran my longest run (10 miles) before the half marathon that I'm registered for this Sunday. Right now I'm tapering down. 4 yesterday. 3 today. 2 tomorrow. Rest on Saturday.

You know how dogs are in the morning? How they are all morning creatures? You know how no matter what mood they went to bed in they are all prancing and playing and jumping and ready to go when they first wake up? Well that's how I feel waiting for this half marathon to come. I CAN'T WAIT!!!

So anyway I started thinking about what next week was going to be like. I started to consider how I would feel waking up on Monday morning and not have anything to train for.

Well that just won't do.

So I got online and here's my game plan for the next year. Yes, I said for the next. full. year.

September 18th ~ Revenge of the Penguins 10 & 20 miler up and back on the C&O towpath along the Potomac River. Sounds cool huh? Um, I registered for the 20.

November 13th ~ Richmond Marathon, Richmond VA. That's my first marathon people!

May 1, 2011 Big Sur Marathon in California!! My sister, Meredith, has always wanted to do this so we are going to train for this together. FINALLY, a training partner!!

I feel like I did when I first fell in love with Todd and he was all I could think about. Running is all I can think about these days. I can't wait till later today when I can run my 3!!

Anyway, that's the story of my love affair with running. I love what I have been able to accomplish. I love what it has done for me. I love how strong and healthy I feel. Most of all I love that I will be running this year's half marathon a full 13 1/2 pounds lighter than last year!!! And that's not bragging people. I worked hard to lose every single ounce. Those pounds didn't just melt off. I literally ran my hiney off!!

When Goodbye Means Hello (Pulling Random Thoughts Together)

So this is what I was thinking. There are so many times in our lives when we are forced to say goodbye to things that we are not ready to let go of.

I for one am not ready to say goodbye to baby. I love babies. I love MY babies. With Jake being the fourth and last baby, around the time I took these pictures:

I was constantly thinking: Will this be the last time I hold him as he drinks his bottle and drifts off to sleep? Please let this moment last. Let me not have to get up from this chair anytime soon. Let me not forget how he looks and how he smells. How the warmth of him sleeping in my arms just melts into all the nooks and crannies of my body. Please, please, I'm not ready to say goodbye to all this.

This poem has always touched my heart on this subject and I can never read it through without a catch in my voice and my eyes misting over.

Song for a Fifth Child.

Mother, O Mother, come shake out your cloth,

Empty the dustpan, poison the moth,

Hang out the washing, make up the bed,

Sew on a button and butter the bread.

Where is the mother whose house is so shocking?

She's up in the nursery, blissfully rocking.

Oh, I've grown as shiftless as Little Boy Blue,

Lullabye, rockabye, lullabye loo.

Dishes are waiting and bills are past due

Pat-a-cake, darling, and peek, peekaboo

The shopping's not done and there's nothing for stew

And out in the yard there's a hullabaloo

But I'm playing Kanga and this is my Roo

Look! Aren't his eyes the most wonderful hue?

Lullabye, rockaby lullabye loo.

The cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow

But children grow up as I've learned to my sorrow.

So quiet down cobwebs;

Dust go to sleep!

I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep.

Then around the same time Drew or Kyle (or probably both) brought me this beautiful bouquet of bright sunny dandelions. A weed to some but to 6 & 4 year old boys they are beautiful, priceless tokens of endless love and sincere thoughtfulness.

And I realized that saying goodbye to baby means saying hello to priceless gifts of endless wonder that the world has to offer. It means that he will grow and change, yes.

The sweet moments will change... but they will not end.

Look! They are all around!

Random Thoughts

Let's play a little game!

Look at the pictures below and try to guess what I was thinking I was going to post about when I took them a year ago.

Good Luck!

PS - Anyone notice that I am on a roll with posting things on the blog?

Snow Much Fun!

Did we get snow this winter or what? Here are some pictures of our "Snowpocalypse". I loved every snowy minute of it. Can we have some more please? Next winter... not now, of course!

Here is Drew back on the morning of Saturday, February 6th standing in front of our slider giving us a bit of perspective. We are due to get 2 more feet of this stuff a few days later. And we did!! Right on Drew's birthday the 9th and on into the 10th.

Jakey isn't so good at giving us perspective as he is licking the window :)

OK this is our neighborhood mailbox that is taller than me. I had shoveled out a path to it from one side. From the other side we all shoveled out our parking spaces and added to the mountain behind the mailbox. The kids took great joy in climbing and sliding on this man made mountain.

Heavens, boys! Be careful!!!

You know of course that this is Drew... aka the "ER Magnet".

The view out our front door to the left.

The view out our front door to the right. This is after some melting had taken place. Tiercy and Emilie, see that spot in the distance between the houses? That's a mountain. It is closer than it looks! So Em if you go ahead with your other blog there is my hiking place :)

I don't know if you can see very well but to the left is the roof of a car. They are sitting level with the roofs of cars. Wild huh?

Thank you winter for "bringin' it" this year!! Now go ahead and make way for spring!

He Stole My Heart

So a lot has happened these past few months. One of my very favorite memories happened on the 28th of February.

It started with a phone call at 5:30 in the morning. Meredith was crying and laughing at the same time. Crying because she was in so much pain and laughing because this may just mean that she would not have to go in for her scheduled c-section two days from then.

I never got ready and out the door so fast. I actually beat her and Dan to the hospital and sat and waited in my car for a bit so as to not look too anxious. Appearances are everything you know.

Meredith was having interesting contractions. They would be regular then they would slow down. Over and over it was like this. She continued to progress throughout the day but it was a very slow process. At the end when she was ready to push they gave her a touch of pitocin to help keep her contractions regular.

I have never been so proud of her in her whole life. She was amazing! Watching a life come into this world is like a runner's high that I never came down from for a few days. Little Zachary Joseph stole our hearts from the first moment and he continues to do so. He weighed in at 7 pounds 12? ounces. His older brother was 9 pounds and had to be born by c-section due to complications and the cord being wrapped around his neck. More than anything Meredith wanted to be able to have a successful v-bac and she did!!

This little guy rounds it out to an even dozen grandchildren for my parents! Look at his little swollen face. He is just a few minutes old in this picture. I can't believe that Meredith even has the strength to smile.

Here Mom and I pose with Meredith and Dan and their new little one. Notice Dan is wearing his Florida Gator wear. He firmly believes that it is never too early to start influencing your kids!

On running

I think I solved my problem!!! I finally went to one fo those specialty shoe stores. You know? The kind where they watch you walk, check out your feet, and tell you what shoes are best geared for you.

Well, after spending like a gazillion dollars I walked out of the store with my new shoes and inserts AND a hopeful heart.

I wore them around the house for a few days to get used to them like the guy told me to do. Then yesterday I went for a 5 mile run... outside... not on my treadmill. Well, ok. I did 3 outside and 2 on the treadmill. I'm trying to ease into the outdoor runs.

Today? NO PAIN!!!!

6 weeks to go till the Frederick 1/2 Marathon!!!

I think I can! I think I can!! I think I can!!!

The best!!

I have learned the best lesson over the past year. Want to hear it? It's kind of a long story but if you got the time I've got the words.

Here it is... I learned to get over myself. I learned that I do not have to be "top dog" around here in order for things to work. I learned that being part of a great team is often times far better than being the best player. I learned to let go and enjoy myself even when I thought it was going to be a big old pain to do... (insert whatever fits for you here).

Let me tell you a story.

Once upon a time there was a young lady. Now this young lady wasn't all that young. She was out of college and trying to make it in the world. She had found many things in her life so far. Like she had found that she needed a Savior so she devoted her life to Him and became an active member of her church. She was blessed to be granted a job teaching first graders in an elementary school. Things were looking good everywhere except for one area in her life. She was lonely. She needed a companion. Someone to travel life's path with her. She prayed hard that God would bring along just the right person. She longed to be in love.

One day she went to church a little early to prepare the Sunday School lesson she was supposed to teach for the kids that morning. As she entered the church there was a young man standing in the foyer.

He was the kind of handsome that made her not want to look directly into his eyes because perhaps he would be able to see that she was thinking that he was good looking and after all this was church and she wasn't supposed to be thinking these things, right? So she mumbled, "Hello", and kept on walking.

Much to her dismay he followed her. Shoot! Now she would really have to speak to him. She found out that they had attended the same high school. Small world, huh? And she had known his sisters. They were triplets but she had never known that. The girls had never spoken of him. So she had believed that the girls were twins not triplets.

Our lonely young lady and this new young man started to get to know each other slowly. After several months they started dating and after a year they were engaged. A year after that they were married.

Now here's the thing... and by now you know that I'm talking of Todd and myself, right? (Please tell me that you saw that coming.) When we were married I always saw myself as the superior one or at least the leader in our relationship. I had been in our church for years before Todd happened along. I had a job teaching and supported him as he finished school and worked to get his teaching certificate. I was older. (OK only 1 1/2 years but still!) All these things gave me a bit of a superiority complex. I totally would have denied it but it's true. That's how I was.

Till this year.

Let me back up a little.

Last February there was a day that I broke down. I was at my end. Todd and I were just getting to the end of yet another season of him coaching basketball and I HATED it.

Yes I did.

I hated how tired he was all the time. I hated how late he got home every single day. And most of all I hated how he seemed to give his best to the team and work and all I got was his stinkin' left-overs.

So like I said this was February, the end of the season, and I finally started praying about it. I realized that the Lord was telling me that I was despising a blessing. It was a blessing that Todd had this 2nd job as a coach. This was not something that Todd was "doing to us" but rather it was something that Todd was "doing FOR us". This job was not a nuisance but a blessing. It gave us a wonderful extra income that some people would do anything for AND Todd loved to do it. How many people get to do what they truly love to do? Todd did!! And instead of being supportive I was being his biggest heckler.

I realized that if this was something that was important to Daddy then it needed to be important to his family. I vowed then that the next year the kids and I would be Todd's biggest supporters. We would go to as many games as we possibly could. I wanted to teach the kids what it was that their Daddy actually did and give them a first hand experience of what his games were like.

Then spring came. The principal called Todd in for a meeting and told him that his job was on the line. After the first winning season that this girl's team had in several years Todd had to fight for his job.

I remember praying and crying out to God. "Please, please let him keep it! Give me a chance to get it right. Give me a chance to be the supportive wife I have always wanted to be. Please don't let it end before I get the chance to show the kids the right way for a family to support their Daddy!"

God heard my prayer. Todd got to keep his job as the head coach of the Seneca Valley Girls Varsity Basketball team.

Flash forward to this past fall.

The kids and I went to the first game. Parents came up to us and introduced themselves to us. I prayed that the kids would behave. I fed them lots of treats. We cheered! I tried to figure out what the girl's names were. The girls won!! That was fun. Can't wait for the next game!

Keep flashing forward to a game this past January. I think it was the game against Damascus. All of a sudden I noticed that the crowd was huge. People were starting to notice that the girls team was undefeated. I remember things in flashes. The crowd cheering (there really has never been a crowd before). The kids pestering me for candy. Having to get up to find a private place to change Jake's poopie diaper (thanks Jake!). AND... look at my husband... he's in his element... he takes my breath away. This is a part of his life that I have never seen before. That's my fault, I know it. He really knows what he is doing. Not only that. He is good at what he is doing. Wow! All of a sudden it was like I was watching him being elevated right before my eyes. My perspective changed and I really started looking up to him in a way that I never had before.

The team won. Again.

Still undefeated.

They finished their season as the only undefeated team in the state of Maryland and went on to win the state title. In the state final they were down by 19 points in the 3rd quarter and Todd coached his very talented girls to one of the greatest comebacks ever witnessed. They won 62-60! No one there will ever forget what they saw that night.

I will never forget.

I will never forget that I almost missed it. If I hadn't prayed to God. If I hadn't heard His instructions to me... I could have wasted this year like all the past years. I could have sat at home and hated it.

But instead I got over myself. I learned that it is OK for things to not be all about me. I learned that it is OK to be a part of the team. I learned how enjoyable it is to witness something so great happen to someone you love. To be so proud of them that your heart aches and wants to burst. To stand back and be nobody so that you can bask in the glory of the somebodies and truly be happy for their accomplishments.

I have a lot of "Thank yous" to pass out here:

First of all I want to thank my God. Thank you for waking me up to what you were doing and allowing me to be a part of it. Thank you for having a hand in all of this and not just granting us a winning season but an UNDEFEATED winning season. Thank you for granting Todd and the girls the talent to get them as far as they did. Let them never think for a second that they did this independent of You! Rather let them always know that You graciously had Your hand in this and blessed them huge... just because You are great and because You could!!

Thank you Seneca Valley Girls Basketball team for having the best UNDEFEATED season. Thank you for playing your hearts out at each and every game. Thank you for not giving up and staying in the fight when you were down by 19(!!!) points in the 3rd quarter of the state final game.

Thank you Julianna, Drew, Kyle, and Jake for letting me take you to so many games. You were so good and (most of the time) made it so easy for Mommy to enjoy herself. You stayed up well past your bedtimes many nights and enjoyed cheering, " UN-DE-FEATED, clap, clap... clap, clap, clap!!!" more times than I can count.

Thank you Nintendo for making the DS game boy thus rendering my children "video game zombies". Any chance you will be making an edition for 2 yr. olds in time for next year's season?

Thank you fans and parents of players who had the chance to sit near me and my children during the games. Thank you for telling me how well behaved they were. At times I did not believe you but it sure was nice to hear. Thank you ladies who Jakey flirted with. Thank you for smiling at him and being sweet when I know you really wanted him to stop bothering you so that you could watch the game too!

Thank you makers of lollipops and Skittles for making small bits of candy that could be portioned out slowly and if I was smart and paying attention could last a whole basketball game!

Thank you Ann and Al for coming to as many games as you did. Ann you are such an amazing example of a Mom who never tires of cheering her kids on. May I be as supportive of my boys (and my Julianna) as you are of Todd when they are adults. Al, thank you for letting Jake maul your hat during one of the games. May I buy you a new one?

Mom and Dad thanks for both watching the kids so I could go to a few games alone and also coming to some of the games. Your support means so much to Todd and I. I'm so glad we actually got Mom to enjoy a sports game!!

Mindy, you are a babysitting goddess! 6 boys under the age of 7 all by yourself??? Girl you are my hero!!! Thank you for supporting us with your help. I love you!

Family and friends who came to games, kept your fingers crossed, hearts open, or just plain prayed for the team... THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! Your loud cheering gave the girls the boost they needed on more than one occasion. Thank you for letting them know that they were not alone out there on the court.

Jim, thank you for assisting Todd this season. You helped to make a great season "priceless" just by being there for him. When can your family come to dinner?

Charlie, thank you for not yelling at the refs. too badly during the state final. Getting ejected from across the court from me is one thing but sitting next to me you gotta behave. As the coach's wife I have an image to uphold.

Jen and Jeff thank you for letting me call you after each game to rejoice about yet another win. You never once acted like I was bothering you.

Dear Todd,

Thank you for keeping your head during the game and bringing the girls back from a 19 point deficit. No one who was at the game will ever forget that comeback!! Thank you for showing us all that we must never give up. No matter how against us things look, if we persevere, turnarounds can (and WILL) happen! After all if God is for us who can be against us?

Thank you for being a man worthy of respect and a husband that I still want to be married to for the rest of my life. You have given me 11 wonderfully sweet years and you still take my breath away after all this time. I love you more now than I ever thought possible 11 years ago.

Happy Anniversary!

All my love,

Michelle

Julianna Turned 9!

So my daughter turned 9 last month. January 10th to be exact. I can't believe that this is the last year that her age can be measured with a single digit. Not only that but she's half way to leaving me (gulp, sniff, sniff). Half way to 18 when she will be an adult and ready to take on the world. How did this sweet babe grow up so fast?

When asked what kind of party she wanted she immediately answered that she wanted a sleepover party. I kinda figured that was where we were heading. After all, all the birthday parties that she has attended in the last year have been sleepovers.

Todd and I talked it over and decided to throw her party over Christmas break before he had to return to school and his amazing basketball team (more about that later, Ann :) wink, wink!)

She had a great time with two cousins and one BFF. It was small but I liked it that way. They spent their time making jewelry, decorating cupcakes, watching a movie, and of course hamming it up for the camera!

In case you were wondering...

Hi there! How are you? In case you were wondering... I'm still here!!

In case you were wondering... 2009 was a great year! Not that you would know it by my numerous posts (ha ha) but still, it was a great year.

In case you were wondering... I had a great birthday!! I turned 40 in June with a surprise party thrown by my husband and my very bestest friends!

In case you were wondering... our family trip to Maine in September was one of the best family get-aways that we have ever been on. Todd and I realized that in 10 1/2 years of marriage all of our family vacations have been with extended family or friends. Not once till September did we all get away and stay by ourselves somewhere. Granted we had family to visit but they didn't stay with us or us with them. Get it? Now don't get me wrong, I love staying with friends and family. It's just that something special happens when it is just your own family. We bonded in a way that we never had before. It was so cozy and special.

Hurray for "Team Cousins"

The dock from which Drew tried to push Reed and gave us all a heart attack!The crew with Aunt Sue.
All of us in Bar Harbor.

Lunch after the 1/2 Marathon. I love Ann all the way in the back holding up her lobster.
Look... they can sit nicely together!
Our spot on the coast of Maine. Thanks Aunt Sue!! We loved it here!!!

In case you were wondering... we had a great Thanksgiving at Mom-Mom's and Al's house. We got to hang out with the Pagleys and Todd's cousins, Luke and Brianna.
The boys doing magic tricks in the kitchen.Happy Thanksgiving!

Julianna and Brenna.

In case you were wondering... Christmas was soooo nice! The kids got the Wii they have been dreaming of for years now and we were able to travel to Deep Creek Lake with Robin and Buff and their kids to go tubing at Wisp. We woke up the last morning to blizzard like conditions (the likes of which are rarely seen in my part of Maryland) which thrilled me to no end!! I love snow!!
Julianna and Britney.

Sisters.

Me and my Todd.

Me and my February boys.

Creepy is in this year... glad Todd didn't get that memo!

All the cousins including "Nakey Jakey" who is nose pickin'.

More sisters!
Jake enjoying the tube like a big boy!
Me and my daredevils!

In case you were wondering... New Year's Eve was quiet (New Year's Morning... not so much). We stayed home and enjoyed an evening in. Julianna got to enjoy a sleep over with her cousin Britney. I on the other hand got to enjoy waking up with Britney at 4:30 am to hold her hair as she puked several times till I finally called my dear brother at 6:30am and told him he unfortunately needed to come and get his sick little girl. Good times.

(sorry no pictures here)

In case you were wondering... I posted about a similar night last January. Must be my lot in life to get up in the wee hours with kids (some mine and some not) and care for them as they get sick.

(again... no pictures here)

In case you were wondering... one of my New Year's resolutions is to blog more!!!

You know. Just in case you were wondering!