Race Report...In Pictures

So my sister Amy is officially a runner!!! She finished her first race!!! Here are the pictures to prove it! It was a great race...definitely one I would like to do next year...plus you got to run by Plymouth Rock and the Mayflower...What's more American Thanksgiving than that?! Jill and Brian ran with us and my parents and nieces were our pit crew!! Added bonus...The 3 miles of the race were the last 3 of my 1000!!!

A Season For Everything!

Well it is safe to say that I have been a slacking blogger lately! I will say, if it is any comfort, that this has leaked into other parts of my life too! Like today when I headed out for a long run and turned around at the 3 mile mark because I just didn't feel like it! I am thinking of signing up for another race so that way I have something to train for.

I would be not only a bad blogger but an overall bad lady if I didn't stop to reflect on the things I am thankful for. I will post pics from Thanksgiving once I find my cord for my camera...one of the downfalls of moving! But this year we were at my parent's house and our usual tradition is to go around the table to say what we are thankful for. It is always an amazing time to reflect on the year and all the blessings God had showered us with. This year, if you have followed my blog, has been a tough one for me but on Thursday as I looked around the "adult" and "kiddie" tables I knew what I was most thankful for...God's faithfulness...

• I was thankful to be standing there next to my husband who I love more and more each day! It has been a roller coaster year for our family, but we have landed on our feet and for that I am forever grateful!
• I was thankful for our little girl...healthy and happy terrorizing her cousins. There is not a day that goes by that I am not reminded just how blessed we are that she is healthy!
• I was thankful to have my Dad sitting across from me at the table. This year was the first time that I contemplated my life without him. I knew that God would bring him through but I wasn't quite sure how. But there he was crying (it is always a tearfest!) and actually eating Thanksgiving meal! I'm thankful Emma has more time to get to know her Papa Lennie!
• I was thankful for my Mom and sister Amy. They are my cheerleaders, my giggle friends, my solution finders! I am so blessed to have them!!!
• I was thankful for our two nieces and the amazing little girls they are turning into! I can't wait to see how they change the world!
  
• I was also thankful for the wonderful friends in my life...they weren't around the table but I still miss and love them!!!
  

Today we began putting up our Christmas decorations and started talking about Emma's upcoming birthday and about how fast time goes. We all have seasons in our lives. Some are lush summers where a carefree air is all around. Some are stark winters where there seems no end in sight. I am just thankful that no matter the season, I am surrounded by those that love me and support me!

I'm leaving you with our Christmas cards...one was free so I just couldn't resist...

Check out this entry I found on Shutterfly Holiday Photo Contest.

Check out this entry I found on Shutterfly Holiday Photo Contest.

If you could can you vote for Emma in the shutterfly contest?!!! She is on there twice!

One Word Wednesday

Accomplished!!!

Inactivity+Free Coffee=Restless Runner

Today I was at a conference for the whole day 2 hours away. I am the only person in my district qualified to do several things so off I went this morning to go through a training that I had already attended several years ago. Well 8-3 with 2 hours driving each way left my fat booty plastered to a chair way too long! Plus they gave us free coffee all day! I couldn't resist! I had brought with me my Run Like a Mother book so I was itching to get a few miles in but no go! Tomorrow I plan to go early to the gym and run. I'll feel much better after that!

Day 15: I am thankful today that I hit no traffic jams to and from the conference. The Boston area is known for ridiculous traffic and was actually expecting to spend at least 3 hours in the car. No traffic issues coupled with the fact that we got let out early, allowed for me to be home to see Em before bed! Yay!!

A whole lot of thankfulness...

Ok so I haven't stopped being thankful...just can't stop falling asleep on the coach long enough to post it! The hubs and I were trying to figure out why we were so tired here and arrived at a few explanations including how dark it is here (no street lights), no neighbors to hear, no loud cars driving by...etc. Either way we have been getting our sleep on lately and so is Em. Apparently we need it! Yesterday morning was beautiful...bright sun and mild temps! I bundled up for my run but quickly shed the layers! So much has happened since my last post that it is going to be a bullet post...Today I am off to a conference...Yuck!

The week in review:

• Top of the list...The hubs and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary! Although the journey hasn't been perfect I wouldn't have wanted anyone with me than him! I love him!!! We went out for a great dinner during a date he planned start to finish!
• Love getting in long runs in the middle of the week...a day off Thursday to celebrate our veterans meant a nice long run in the am! Thank you veterans for sacrificing to keep us free!
• Em is continuing to crack us up every day! She seriously is getting quite the personality and it is so fun to see. Along those lines, the other day I went in to her room after she was supposed to be sleeping. Well walking in the smell hit me...oh no! Little Miss had done her business and proceeded to stick both hands in her diaper spreading it all over! I whisked her to the bath and the WHOLE bed got a bath too. Yuck! I guess its payback since I did the same to my Mom when I was young!
• I got to see my best friend Cindy the other day...Yay! We have been friends since 3rd grade and no matter how much time goes by between visits we still laugh our heads off!
  
• Running has been going great! I am excited to see the miles ticking off the 1000 mile challenge. I have a little over 25 miles left! Yahoo!!! I need to start getting in some miles in the am before work even though it is painfully early (5am). It will just help me to run and spend time with the fam.

Ok so I think I have rambled enough...hope Monday finds you thankful!!

Wordless Wednesday....almost

Because you never know when you'll need an accessory...why not use all of them!

Day 3: I am thankful for time. This time last year I was completing my CAGS degree and was taking 3 classes, teaching a college course, and working full time. This year I have time to just play with Emma...no homework, no projects, nothing tearing me in another direction. I can make things for dinner and not stress (too much). My what a difference a year can make...gone are the panic attacks and feelings of being an awful Mom. I now have time and I am forever thankful!!!

Speaking of time...needing something to get you moving this holiday season so you don't gain the traditional 5lbs.....join the Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge!!!

One for Sisterhood!

Well today, while I was playing hooky from work (Em's daycare was closed), we got a great surprise when my sister called and suggested that we meet up for lunch! Em is officially obsessed with her two cousins and so it was a no-brainer to go!

Day 2: I am thankful to now live close enough to my family that we can meet in the middle for lunch!!

It was great to see her and of course Emma talked about Maya and "OP" all the way there! The funniest was when I drove up to the restaurant, both girls were hanging out the window...looks like they are equally obsessed! I love how much they love each other! It is just so cute!

Plus my sister is going to run a RACE!!! That's right Amy I put you on front street so now you are stuck doing it! I am so excited and I know she will do great!

A Thankful Season

Although I should be thankful all year round, I am going to take this month to highlight things I am thankful for each day. Take the challenge if you want...it may change the way you see your day to day happenings!

Day 1 (yesterday): So often in my life things seem to be a whirl wind of activity and change. Yesterday while on my run I realized that no matter how crazy life gets, God always places me back on my feet again. I am thankful for the way that life has landed me back on my feet in a safe place with my family!

On a side note, I heard on the news today that one of the Chilean miners are going to run the NYC marathon.....I now have no excuses not to run...the man trained while BEING TRAPPED IN AN UNDERGROUND MINE!!!!