Sweet Sixteen

I can't believe that it has been 16 years.  I could go on and on about how fast the time goes.  About how I would like for it to slow down.  How I am not ready for you to really grow up.  But actually, I am loving life as your Mom.  Granted, you are a teenager, and you drive me absolutely crazy at times.  You don't do what you are asked all the time, you try to defy your parents somewhat, and you tend to test the waters.  But, besides the few bumps in the road, you really are a fantastic kid.  

I love how you do like to spend time with your moms.  And how you are not embarrassed by us.  Even on my super bummy days, with my yoga pants and my bandanna, you are still completely ok with being seen with me.  You always tell me goodbye, kiss my cheek and tell me you love me when I drop you off.  No matter where we are or who is around.  Same with the phone.  You always tell me you love me before we hang up.  So even though teenage years are tough, you really are a great kid.  And I have no doubt that you love me a lot more than you don't like me.... and as a parent, I am thinking that is pretty awesome!! ;)

I look forward to the next few years, and all that they will bring.  I am not saying that I won't shed a few tears (knowing me, probably more like thousands... millions... billions).  Cause I have over you turning 16.  My baby is growing up.  He is growing up into an amazing young man.  And I can't help that that tugs on my heart a bit.  But I really could not be a more proud mom!

Happy Sweet 16th Birthday Jarrod!

I love you!

Love, Mom

Things my kids say

That I want to always remember!!

Last week, Gryfi was talking. Just rambling on as he is known to do. And then he busted out with his philosophy on life.

Gryfi : Do you know what's great about life?

Me : No, bud, what's so great about life?

Gryfi : That whenever there is a child, there is always a mom.

Now, I know this isn't always the case. There are lots of dads... single dads, 2 dad families, etc., but not so much in our every day lives. But I just love that he thinks that moms make life great!! 

Caelyn informed her grandma, my mom, that Santa has a new rule. That grandmas can't buy clothes for Christmas anymore. They have to buy toys! This makes me really laugh. Well played, sis, well played!! No one can go against Santa's rules!!

Getting back to it

I have really slacked on my running. And I am missing it. I miss how it made me feel ~ during, after and in general. 

The weather here is beautiful! Cold at night and chilly during the day. The leaves are all changing. Absolutely perfect weather and scenery for running outside! 

Since it has been so long, I have kinda lost my stamina. Well, not kinda, I have lost it. I was doing great before I hurt my leg. I could run 2 miles without needing to walk. But, not anymore. And since I don't want to over do it. I don't want to hurt myself again. I have to build my breathing back up. I have to take it slow. So I have reverted back to the c25k. We picked week 5. It was a run 5 walk 3 plan. And I think it was a good choice. My legs feel a little sore tonight. But nothing more than expected. I huffed and puffed during the run. But I know I will get my breathing back under control. I will build myself back up to running 2 miles and then some. I know I can do this. I want to do this. I will do this.

Me and my running buddy!! Our time is nothing to brag about. We got stopped by the same dear twice. And also got stopped by traffic twice. But besides the time, it was a great run!!

Happy Monday

I roped him into running first thing in the morning! He wants to run with me (am I lucky or what?!?!:) but with our busy schedules, it's either first thing in the morning or last thing at night. And I've learned, that if I run at night, it takes me forever to cool down, unwind and be able to fall asleep. 

So, hopefully, today started a new trend for us! 

I have not been running. Actually, last Friday was my first run since sept 19. I had ran a few times that week, but my leg was still achey, and I was in a slump. And it has taken me way too long to get out of the slump. 

Both Fridays run and this mornings run went good. Friday was on the treadmill, this morning was around the neighborhood. And I'm starting out slow. I was up to running 2 miles. But, I injured myself. So, for this week, I am running a mile. And then will add another .25 each week, as long as it feels ok. 

It's funny how it takes a good while to build up, and get your body accustomed to running, but how little down time it takes to lose it. Hopefully it won't take as long to build back up. 

Anyways, Happy Monday!! 

"If you want to become the best runner you can be, start now. Don't spend the rest of your life wondering if you can do it." ~ Priscilla Welch, Master Marathon Great

You are speaking to my heart Priscilla. Right now, I am the best runner I have ever been. And with each run, I get better and better. 

Friday Night Movie Night!!

Just us and the littles! Can't wait to watch this with them!!

Monday, Monday

Just another manic Monday. 

The weather has been dreary. I stayed up too late last night and slept like crap. 

I started my period. I have cramps. And a headache. 

But this donut right here, thanks to my wonderful wife, was a nice way to end this day. Thanks babe, I love you!! 

Dunkin and Krispy have nothing, and I do mean NOTHING, on a Schuler's donut. This one, my favorite, is cream filled, and just absolutely, sinfully delicious! 

Time heals, but you still miss them

I am sitting here. Listening to Kelly read to Caelyn, Gryfinn watching videos on you tube and Jarrod and Jayk upstairs talking.  And I wish I would have been able to share my family with you. They really are amazing and I know that you would adore them all so much. You would love watching them all play baseball. And they would all have you wrapped around their little fingers. You would be so proud to watch Jarrod with the band. Jaykie's humor would crack you up. Gryfinn's math skills would amaze you. And Caelyn would just absolutely melt your heart. 

I can't believe that it has been 16 years. I remember that day like it was yesterday. And when I think about it, I get that feeling in my stomach, that lump in my throat and that overwhelming sadness in my heart. 

I miss you, Dad. 

Theatrical Thursday

This little girl never ceases to amaze me! She cracks me up! And I'm wishing now that I had recorded her instead of just snapping a picture. She was SO into it. 

She has taken fan singing to a whole new level! 😜

Day(s) of rest

Kelly and Jayk were selling raffle tickets for Jayks baseball team today. They set up at a local Krogers and use Jayks cuteness to reel people in. For $5 (or you can get 3 tickets for $10) you get in on a raffle to win Kroger gift cards and you are supporting a local little league travel team. Anyways.... They got to Krogers, unload all the stuff and got busy. When they were done, they packed up everything and headed to the car and THIS was stuck in the door.

Needless to say, Kel was a bit freaked out. She scoped out the other cars, and there weren't any others. Just on our car. And you see in the pic, where they hand wrote READ ME ?? Yeah, a bit freaky, right?!! And then, the material on the inside. All about how Sunday should be a day of rest, and how homosexuals, drug addicts and prostitutes are vile and pass along AIDS to innocent people. (as Jayk said, 'cause what, AIDS is airborne?' <eye roll>) So, yeah super creepy.  We aren't sure if someone placed this because they saw her and Jayk getting the stuff out to sell the raffle tickets ON A SUNDAY (gasp) or if they saw Kel and their religious anti-gaydar was going off. Either way, it's creepy. What do you think? Creepy stalker, or just a coincidence?

Update on my running. I have had to take a break. I haven't ran in 12 days and its driving me crazy. I got shin splints in my left leg. Now, I have had them before, but they were nothing like what I had this time. I actually ended up going to the dr. I could barely walk. Putting pressure on my left leg hurt. And I think I take pain pretty well, so I was worried that it was a stress fracture. But, thankfully, it was not.  They gave me an anti inflammatory and told me to ice it and to rest. I have done what I was told, or at least a little. And it has gotten better. I wanted to start running last week, but really did not want to push it. But Kel and I walked a mile on our lunch each day. And I plan to run tomorrow. But I'm gonna take it easy. Not push myself too hard. But I'm ready to get back to it.

This was after my last run. And I did push myself. I was working on increasing my pace. My leg was hurting, but I thought it was ok. Guess not :(

Things I need to do:

1. Listen to my body

2. Get new shoes with better arch support

3. Be proud that I have actually missed running :)

When your baby grows up...

Our sleeping beauty, about to wake up to get ready for her first day of kindergarten!

Once she woke up, she was ready to get the day going and requested an omelet for breakfast!

She got dressed and brushed her teeth. And then she told me that she wanted two pigtails up high! 

She got her back pack on!

And headed out the door!

Kitty and doggy photo bomb!! ;)

Moms' got in on this one!

Then we headed to the school and took the ritual photos outside the building!

The big kindergartener!!

Then we headed down to her class!

She found her cubby

And then headed to the puzzle table!

Puzzles are her favorite thing to do!

love the face of the little boy in the background! ;)

And then cousin Eli arrived! 

And then we left. I KNOW that she is doing great! I have no doubt about it. She is so independent. And that makes leaving her easier. That and the fact that she has the absolute greatest teacher. Someone that I know she is safe with. Someone that I know will be there to give her a hug if she needs one. Someone that Caelyn adores and feels comfortable with. Yes, that makes it easier.

Kel and I are getting ready to go get her. I can't wait. I can't wait for her to tell us all about her first day. To see how excited she is. For her eyes to light up as she tells us about the fun and exciting things they did. And I can't wait for her to put her little arms around my neck and hug me. Cause I have missed her! A lot!

Her first broken heart

She walked into the house, and we could just tell that something was wrong.

The look on her face. It said it all.

We asked her, "Sis, what's the matter?"

And that's when the tears started.

"The kitties are going to the pound" and then she just fell into my arms and sobbed.

Her heart is broken. And I mean literally cracked right in half.

You see, there has been a little family of cats living in the neighborhood. They have mainly been at the house across the street but have just recently moved to the bushes of the house right next door.

We have watched the kittens grow. Saw the little family go from a mommy cat and 5 babies to a mommy and 3 babies, to only 3 babies now. We watched the mommy cat move them from the field to the neighbors across the street. And she actually carried one of the babies on her back. 

When two of the little kittens moved right next door, Caelyn was beyond excited. She named them Piggy and Scaredy-Cat, and has fed and watered them every day. She takes her blankets outside so they have something soft to lay on while she plays with them. 

They have become her babies. 

Well, another neighbor has decided to take them to the pound. We can not bring them inside. We already have 2 cats and a horse of a dog, and not to mention 4 wild animals... Kids.

I explained this to her.  I told her that they will get what they need. Their shots to keep them healthy. They will be safe. We won't have to worry about them getting hit by a car. And they will find a forever home. Families to love them and care for them.

But she is 5. And her love for these kitties is real. And the sadness she feels right now runs deep. 

Her eyes are still puffy, and her cheeks are still splotchy. She cried her little heart out. But playing on the computer helped get her mind off of them.

And I'm gonna tell ya, my heart broke right with hers. Her sobbing was heart wrenching. The look on her face, it just crushed me. Her big 'ol tears that just kept falling, were devastating. And all I could think was 'I will kill a mother fucker if they ever hurt my baby girl like this'. Some little son of a bitch breaks my babies heart and makes her cry like this when she is older, they won't make it to another day. I can't take it. And I ain't even playin'.

Run Forrest Run

Today's run went pretty good! I'm not complaining, so that's always good.

Jaykie gets out of school at 3:45 and band finishes for Jarrod at 4:30 (more like 4:45). So I figured that since we have that wait in between (we live on the other end of town, so instead of driving home to turn right back around, we just hang out) that I would make this my run time. The bike path is right by the school, so it works out great. Although, I do think I will invest in some pepper spray. I didn't get too spooked today, but it would probably be best to, ya know, just be safe. 

Anyways, my run went good. I didn't use the C25K app. I used a pedometer app. To track my speed and my distance. And I didn't do too bad. Definitely have lots of room for improvement, but I am definitely ok with how today's run went. 

I forgot my headphones at home, so I just listened to the music out loud (this could be why I didn't get so spooked :). And I forgot my carmex in the car. That threw me off. I have an addiction to the shit, and since I didn't have any to reapply I had to be careful to not remove what I had already put on when I wiped away my sweat. 

The temp was 83 out, so a bit on the warm side. But it helps that the bike path is shaded (also adds to the creepiness). 

I ran 2.22 miles in 30.29 minutes. I stopped and walked 3 times. Once to open my water and take a drink, another when I kinda accidentally threw my phone and the third time when I just needed to walk for a minute. 

So while it wasn't my best with running continuous, it was my best time/distance.  And I know that I will continue to do better! 

So, some things that I need to invest in to make running outside easier... 

   ~ arm band for my phone

   ~ squeeze water bottle - it is not fun or easy to remove the cap of a bottle of water while running and holding your phone in one hand. I squeezed water all over me while trying to remove the cap. I guess if I purchase the above item, the water bottle won't be as much of an issue.

   ~ and as I said before, some pepper spray - hopefully it won't ever be needed, but ya just never know. 

I have also started working out my arms and abs again. Before vacation, I was doing really good with my arms. I took a pic when I started and then again a month and a half later, and there really was a difference. If only I had stuck with it, I could be showing off my guns now lol just kidding!! But I am sure there would be a huge difference being 3 months into it. And maybe I'm not kidding... If my arms get really toned, I will probably show them off. Haha 

Schools back in session..

And I totally sang the title like 'schools out for summer!' ;)

The boys all went back to school today. And surprisingly, I think they may have all been excited to go back!! 

Jarrod started 10th grade, and I believe he may have been excited to see his friends and not so much going back to school. But, he has promised to work harder this year and not fuck off (my words, not his) like he did his freshman year. He has not been able to get his permit yet, due to his grades. And he was without his phone almost the entire summer. And we have had numerous talks about it. And he admitted that he was just being lazy. And he promises to do better. I hope so. If not, there will be a teenager for sale... Or donation. Lol

Jayk started the 8th grade, but he is taking 2 classes at the high school. His first period is Advanced Algebra and the second is Spanish. He was nervous, but did great (like we knew he would!). Probably helped some to have his big brother there to help him and show him where to go. When he starts high school next year, he will have enough credits to actually be a sophomore, just will not have taken all of the required freshman classes yet. So for now, we will keep him off the for sale list. And continue to hope and pray that he doesn't become an asshole teenager. (And I say that with so much love ;)

Gryfinn started 2nd grade, and he was beyond excited! He loves school and everything about it. I hope that love is always there, cause it will take him so very far!!

Like I said, he was beyond excited to get to school!!

And little miss princess had her kindergarten screening today! And she did fantastic!! She is definitely ready! She scored 90% on the Speed DIAL-4 (screening to determine child's developmental skills compared to other kids her same age across the US) and she scored 28 out of 29 on the KRA-L (Ohio Kindergarten Readiness Assessment-Literacy). She did amazing! We could not be more proud!!

Actually, we could not be more proud of all 4 of our kids. Jarrod was giving us a run for our money at the end of the school year last year. And I feel like we have worked some things out. But, in actuality, he really is a good kid. All 4 of them are. They each have their moments when I feel like I could give them away, but only for a night, and only to grandma,  but they are kids, and I am only a mom, and sometimes the kids and mom(s) just need a break, a breather. And then we come back together and all is right in the world, for about 24 hours.... If we are lucky! ;)

Now for my run update. This is more for myself. I like keeping track. :)

I didn't run until late today. I usually run around 11am. But today, with Caelyn's screening, I had to take my lunch for that. I thought about skipping, but, I just couldn't. I enjoy it. I mean, really, people, I actually enjoy running!!! Anyways!! I also got up earlier, but of course didn't go to bed earlier, and didn't run until after 5. So I wasn't sure how well my run would go. I told myself it didn't matter. Some running is better than no running. I ran for 25 minutes and then walked for 2, and then ran the last 5 minutes. And I am happy with that. My total mileage with warm up and cool down was 2.65. I'm slow, but I'm improving. And I feel great!! 

And some major big news!! I have completed my C25K program!! It only goes to week 9.1. And at this point it seems to think I should be running a 5k in 30 minutes. I am not there, but that's ok. I will get there. I actually have faith in myself. And that right there, is pretty amazing.

C25K ---COMPLETED!! 

I was super de duper hot and sweaty after this run. I felt great, but boy was I dripping with sweat. Not that I am pimping out my boobs or anything, but you can totally see the different colors in my shirt... Ya know, the nice sweat ring I have going on!

8.3

I have completed 8 weeks!! I am rather proud of myself!! I had hoped I would stick with it, and I have done it!! YAY me!!

I ran for 30 minutes today. 30 freakin' minutes!! I'm still slow, but for me, slow and steady finishes the race. And that's what's important to me - finishing the race! I will continue to work on increasing my speed. And my distance. I completed 2.419 miles. Which is amazing to me. I did it! I ran. I run. I am a runner. And ya know, I do actually enjoy it. I love how it feels when I get in the zone. When my breathing levels out and my legs get over their stiffness and into the flow. It feels amazing!

C25K ~ week 8.3   

If you're not sweating your ass off, then what's the point?!! And let me tell ya, I am a sweater... And not the fuzzy, soft, keep you warm in the winter kind.  I'm the dripping, have to wipe it out of my eyes, it's running between my boobs kind, I just worked my ass off kind. ;)

8.2

Today's run was not great. I stopped in the middle and walked. But I didn't want to push myself. My feet and ankles are swollen. They were better today, but for some reason I have been holding water. It's been like that the past few days. They seem a little better today. Hoping it gets completely better. 

I ran on Tuesday, but just did my own thing. After the parents meeting for band, I had some time to kill before Jarrod's practice was over, so I ran the bike trail. The view was nice, but I kept creeping myself out. Lol 

Tuesdays run

C25K - week 8.2 

8.1

Today's run was hard. My legs were achey before I started. I'm not real sure why, but they were. So I wasn't sure how well I would do. I ran at a slower pace, and I just wanted to get to 25 minutes. That's what I was running last week. I pushed through and made it the full 28. But my legs are killing me now.

C25K ~ week 8.1

Back to School Fun!

Every year, a local church does a back pack drive and our school is one of two schools that benefits from this. And this year, they had a big 'ol to do with bouncy houses, and a DJ, and motorcycle rides, and sack races... And so much more.

The kids had a blast! The event lasted 3 hours, but we were only able to stay for 2, but SO could have stayed the last hour.

Gryfinn seeing a school friend for the first time in months! It was too cute!

This was the bounce house that was an obstacle course. Gryfinn was super excited and called it wipe out! He LOVES that show!!

Caelyn ready to take on the wipe out course!

The hula hoop finals!! Our little guy was the youngest kid and the only boy!!

He did fantastic!! He ended up getting 6th place out of about 30-35 kids!!

Sack races!!

Archery!! He is training to be the next Daryl Dixon!! 

Ready and excited for her ride!!

She loved it!!

I don't know if I have ever talked about this, but these kids LOVE to dance!! Here, they are getting low - how low can you go? All the way to the flo' 

And here they are 'hands on your knees.... get funky with it'

It really was a great two hours. The kids had a blast! Oh, and did I mention that it was free!! All of it, including the food. Really can't beat that. Two hours of fun filled kids activities, 2 free book bags, some school supplies, and we did not spend a single penny!! 

Moving on to 8!!!

C25K ~ week 7.3

My new running buddies!

I took the littles out on a run today. Caelyn has been bugging me, and was super excited that I was going to take her! Gryfinn decided to go too.  We did day 1 of the c25k. And I let the littles lead the pace. By the end, Caelyn was more than done. Lol She told me that she doesn't like to jog, she just likes to run. haha Gryfinn said he had fun and wants to do it again. And of course, after he said that, Caelyn said she wants to do it again also. But Gryfinn seemed to really enjoy himself. He even asked me several hours later "hey mom, when we will run again?" And maybe next time Caelyn will feel more into it. She woke up at 6am today. And that is so not like her. She is a sleep in til at least 10 kinda gal!!

My littles taking off on the run!

Our audience!

Me and my littlest runners!!

I enjoyed this and can't wait til our next run!!

Wordless Wednesday