A Little Easter Happiness!

I have a friend at church who writes a blog called, “Hands Free Mama”. Rachel writes about living a hands free lifestyle. What is that? Well, it is very simple...let go of the things you hold most dear!! Let go of your electronic gadgets ( phones, blackberries, computers, games) and any other distractions that keep you away from your life. I think, no I know that we all get caught up in our busy, busy lives. There is so much we have to do. Whether it is work, kids, school, volunteering or just everyday tasks. We have a million things to get done before the day is out. However, if you slowed down for just one minute, think about what you might see? We miss out on so much by multi-tasking our lives away. I for one, do not want to miss out on anything big or small. I decided to make a few changes. In in the car, I turn off the radio/movies and talk to my children, I look them in the eyes when they are telling me a story( instead of shaking my head and saying, uh huh while I do something else), letting them stay up later because they want to snuggle (when I am tired), reading one more story, letting them help me cook dinner (regardless of the mess they make), listening to them say prayers at night ( my favorite). If I would not have done this I would of missed the sweet conversations I have with my kids, valuable snuggle time in the afternoon, lots of laughter at night, but most of all I would of let my kids impressionable years pass me by! I have learned so much and taught invaluable lessons...just by making the time! It is that EASY! Try it...you might surprise yourself! It is definitely something that takes work and I am getting better each day. I have my good days and I have my bad...but it is worth it when I get something special that I might have otherwise missed.

Now, the other day she sent out a post about doing something nice for other people. Rachel is trying to get everyone to acknowledge individuals in our neighborhood who for the most part go unrecognized...our mail carriers and garbage men. Rachel has suggested putting together a little goody bag or Easter basket for these men and women. A way for us to say, “ Thank you” and that we do notice them and appreciate their hard work!

Pretty Flowers Kids!

She will like this candy!

Baby Chick!

Hope the rain does not ruin our sign!

I thought this was a nice idea and we have in the past given our mail lady surprise gifts at Christmas and Valentines. However, we have never given to our trash collector’s! I bought some plastic Easter eggs for the kids to fill up that look like little baby chicks. We wrote a nice note and the kids colored some flowers on them. We placed one in the mailbox and then we placed two on the trash can with their messages this morning. This was such a wonderful way to teach my children kindness to others and that small gestures can go a very long way! I wish we would of been able to witness the reactions of these men and women, but we were not home! :( It would of been nice for the kids to see that a little bit of sunshine can go a VERY long way!

By the way, if you want to check out Rachel’s Blog the site is handsfreemama.com

Sometimes the sweetest words are unexpected...

A dear friend gave me this painting! She had it made just for Gabriel and me!
It is so special!

I am sure by now everyone we love and know is aware of the huge loss we suffered this past November. It has been about six months since Gabriel became out littlest angel and I think of him daily. Death is a tricky topic to cover with children. If you have been in the unfortunate situation that you have to explain it well, it might sound something like this...

Christian and I talk about Gabriel quite often. He comes up when we see pregnant women or newborn babies. Christian will tell you that he has a little brother named, Gabriel. He lives in Heaven with Jesus and he is an angel. I am not quite sure he understands heaven or angels, but it is always very sweet. We have gotten into some deep conversations about how Jesus took Gabriel and why. We have talked about what a soul is (tried to explain and that was kind of hard) and I am always left wondering what he must think? I never try to push him and if he brings it up...we talk about him. I love these conversations with Christian. I love the fact that Gabriel is and always will be a part of our family even though we never got to know him. He will never be forgotten!

Going back to not knowing the interpretation of a child’s mind and how they process things came to head the other day...twice actually in a week!

First, I have been teaching Sunday School for the pre-school kids at out church on Sunday’s. I have Christian in my class and I am enjoying really teaching him the stories of the bible. We are doing a 24 Hour series at our church right now for lent. Everything we are doing is following that series, including sunday school. This particular day we were talking about the Garden of Gethsemane and how Jesus went there to pray before he was betrayed by Judas. We talked about the importance of prayer. We talked about how Jesus loves to hear about your day and what you pray for. We discussed that you can pray for anything and anyone and Jesus always hears you. I asked all the children, “ What are some of the things you pray for?”  I got typical answers, the soldiers in Iraq, my dog, my grandma and my fish that just passed. Then there was Christian waving his hand in the air so anxiously, waiting for me to call on him. I never in a million years expected what would come out of his mouth next. He said, “I pray for my little brother Gabriel in heaven”! It took my breath away! I had to go hug him and say, thank you buddy, that is an awesome thing to pray for! It made my day!

Second, the next week I went to pick the kids up from school. Courtney, Christian’s teacher told me that today Christian has been talking to all his friends about his baby brother. I was taken back and could not believe what she just told me. I immediately asked what he had been saying to everyone. I was not sure what it could of been...there is no telling with a 4 year old and what they might say. She told me that he was telling all his friends that he had a little brother and his name was Gabriel. He continued by telling them all that he was an angel. Then the part I like the most, he said, he gets to run around in heaven and play with Jesus all day. It just can not get much simpler than that!

I now know what he gets out of our conversations. I am happy that it is positive and I am happy that he knows he has an angel watching over him for the rest of his life! I am glad it holds a special place in his heart! So sweet! Thanks for making me smile from the inside out Christian...you are my angel!

Take me out to the ball game...

So Cool!

 It has been four weeks since Brian and Christian started their journey in the t-ball world. It has been crazy busy in my household. The weekends have gotten unbelievably busy and I just do not know where my time goes...obviously not on the computer! :)

So Cute!

I am ready for the ball!

We have had a lot of visitors out to watch the kids play. We have had Nene, Poppy, Julie, Preston, Heather, Gradma and Boppa and Reed all come out to watch! The kids are getting better and better with every game! Initially, I was super impressed with them. They were much better than the first team we played and I thought wow, we are good! Than the next weekend we played a team that was great and quickly I realized we needed some work. However, these kids are 4 years old and only playing for fun, so it really does not matter! It is funny how the competitiveness comes out when it is your own child playing. These sweet children are just learning the game and it is absolutely priceless to watch them out on the field.

Let er Rip!

Here I come Home!

Quick Break at 3rd Base.

Way to go Christian! Home run!

You can only imagine the attention span starts to wade after about thirty minutes, so their games last only about 45. It is funny to watch the boys, when they get bored, the playing in the dirt that takes place. The one kid who does it the most often...you guessed it, Christian.

The kids are cute and sport these green and white uniforms. Their team is called the A’s and I do not know why? There is one girl on the team, Laney. She is really good...she has an older brother who plays. Laney has a pink glove and a pink helmet...you can probably see where this is going. We have another little girl who is itching to play like her big brother too!

Good Job Guys!

Brian has done a wonderful job at coaching his team and I have been pleasantly surprised at how well he has adapted to his new position. He definitely makes it fun for the kids and does some special things to point out their successes. After each game he gives out three game ball’s to the kids who have made great plays. It is so special and they get so excited after the game to see who will receive one.

Good Job Teams!

We have a few games left until the end of our season, but I am pretty sure we will spend a lot of time at the ball field’s in the future! Way to go guys and gals!

Pictures

I re-posted the Puppy Love post with pictures! Now everyone can see how cute C’s girlfriend is!!!

Puppy Love

We Love each other!

When Christian started school this past year it was obvious that he was fond of the girls in his class. He seems to be attracted to brunettes...hmm...like his mommy. Anyway, he started out being big buddies with a little girl whose grandparents own the school. I am not sure why that friendship ended, but he quickly moved on. There is a precious girl in his class whose name is Delaney. She has brown hair, blue eyes and adorable freckles on her nose. Her personality is a lot like Henley's, so maybe that is what connected them as friends. I had only heard her name a few times when I met her mom, Shannon at Wednesday night church dinner. We laughed at how fond they had become of each other and how cute it was. They would run around and play, hug and chase one another. We never would of thought it would turn into what it has!

Shannon just had her fourth daughter in late December. I thought it would be fun to have Delaney over to play one afternoon...give her mom a break. They had so much fun. Delaney loves to play rough, like Christian...another reason they get along. She towers over him in size, which makes it even more cute. They have had many more playmates and have become close friends. I have even heard the terms marry in conversation? Huh? You guys are four! It is so cute!

Riding Bikes with the girls!

There was a concert at our church one night for the kids and so we went. Delaney and her sisters came too. They were all running around playing and having a great time. Then some of the boys started playing together and ignoring the girls. Delaney stood there and hovered over Christian waiting for him to return to playing with her. Well, he did not. The funniest thing happened next. Delaney, picked him up and drug him off to play with her! Brian and I laughed so hard we Almost wet our pants. Delaney's father was so polite and apologized for her, but we thought it was cute. They were rolling around on the floor and playing. Had they been older than they are...it would of been uncomfortable!

At school, they play together, sit together and I think pretty much do everything side by side. The teachers tell us that Delaney keeps him in check. If he starts talking or not paying attention than she gets on to him! How funny is that...and he listens to her! When I drop him off at school, she is already there. Her face lights up when he comes in the room and he runs right to her side! Ahh, young love!

He made her a special Valentine on Valentin's Day. I wish I would of taken a picture of it. It was a big heart that he colored. He wrote her name on the bottom of the heart and his on the top. He topped it off with girly stickers that he thought she would like!

Nice Knot on my head!

Skylar

Delaney in return does sweet things too. On Friday's they can wear whatever they want (they usually wear uniforms). One Friday, Shannon texted me. She told me Delaney had been so excited to wear this batman shirt on Friday. Delaney told her mom that Christian loves superheros and he would really like her shirt! How adorable can they get?








This past weekend we went over to their home for dinner and to let the kids play! The great thing is that they have a 2 year old daughter, named Skylar. She is in Henley's class, so they are friends. The kids had a blast together. There were some squabbles, but they worked it out. The kids ended the night watching a movie. Delaney and Christian sat side by side on the couch, with their arms around each other. Delaney had her head laying on his...I am telling you, it is the sweetest thing I have ever seen!

You are so silly!

Yummy Cupcakes!

Madison, Skylar and Delaney

It is usually all boys that we play with, but this time it was all girls! I think a little someone liked all the attention! :0

My First 10K

If there is anyone who reads this blog and has known me for a very long time, than this will not come as a surprise. Back in the days when I was under 30, I was an avid exerciser. In fact, so much so that my college degree encompasses a healthy lifestyle. I was a personal trainer, I taught aerobics and might have been a little OCD when it came to being active. Weight issues have always been a struggle for me because I am short! There is not much room for weight gain when your 5 feet tall! My answer was to always exercise and TRY to eat healthy.

Once I had children, exercise took a back burner, as many things do when you have kids. There was always something that was more important or that needed to get done. With the lack of eating due to having children and running around crazy...my weight dwindled down to nothing. I thought wow...this is great. I was the smallest I have ever been after having children. Well, I was not so lucky with this last pregnancy. I did not gain much, but for some reason it is sticking around and holding a very tight grip!

I exercise, but really have not made it a priority until this past January! I decided that I was going to train for a half marathon! If everyone in my family (mom, dad, sister) could run full and half marathons...than I needed to step it up! I also knew that once I committed, that there was no backing out! I have to tell you, it was just what I needed to ignite my passion for exercise again! It has now become the one thing I do for myself 6 days a week! I need it, live for it and can not wait for that time each day...to be alone with my thoughts.

A good friend of mine is a runner and we signed up to do this 10K together in February. It would be the first time that I had run 6.2 miles. When I use to run, I never did more than 5 miles, so this would be a milestone for me. I ran the race in 61 minutes, which was a little over a 10 minute mile. I was struggling that morning because I had gone out the night before and had a cocktail or two!!! I know, it was not the smartest thing I have ever done. Need less to say,  I finished in a good time. I also, won a medal for placing 3rd in my age group! How about that? I was shocked when they told me the news! My first 10K and I won a medal!

It was a lot of fun and Brian brought the kids to the finish line. The kids smiling faces were all I saw when I rounded the corner to the finish line...cheering for me! It just does not get any better than that!


An update on my training for the Half Marathon:

It is in Cincinnati on May 1st.
It is called the "Flying Pig"

I have been running every week and I am up to 9 miles. This weekend I will run 9 miles and then next week I will run 11 miles. Than I have a rest week were I do not put to much mileage on my legs. Than the big race week...13.1 miles her I come!

I am so excited that I have made it this far and can not wait for the big day! I have really enjoyed running and hope to continue doing half marathons on a regular basis. In fact, their is a Rock n Roll half marathon in October I am planning on...if anyone wants to join me???