Hot girls pick blueberries

<----2011

Someone has a bun in the oven.
Someone lost 60 pounds.
Someone just wants to pick berries.

<---- 2010

Fish Prints

When we were in Salem, hubby and his cousin Darcy found this really cool place where the kids could make fish prints on t-shirts for $10. They chose their fish (P chose a bass because she just caught two bass the week before on our camping trip) and their t-shirt, painted the fish with fabric paint, and then pressed the shirt on the fish. The guy that owned the place heat dried the shirts and we picked them up a few hours later. V. cool.

I love my kids.

Kidly Weekend #2

Last year I didn't get to go to the first annual Kidly Weekend because bubbies was into EVERYTHING, and I feared him and fire. P had a wonderful time and was extremely excited for this year's trip. Kidly Weekend is an off-shoot of Manly Weekend, which the guys have been doing since they graduated from college. Every September a decent sized group of them goes camping for a weekend and, really, I don't want to know what else they do. I just know it involves alcohol, their own made-up games, knives, and lots of swearing. Kidly will be the same sans the swearing, and take place in May or June.

We had a blast at Kidly this year, in spite of Kelly's raging UTI, Bridgette getting no sleep, an accidental death of a fish, and P burning her hand with her fire drawing stick. We wrapped up Sunday with trip to our friends Alpaca farm where the kids got to feed the male Alpacas treats - good times, good times. In my buddy Steve's words: "Here's hoping we can keep Kidly Weekend an annual tradition - all I could think of on the way home was how I want next year to come around and for Kidly anticipation to be the "talk of the town" amongst all our spawn. Cheers everyone - had great time with y'all!" Yes, we have terrific friends....

Pain

I am keeping this blog mainly for my kids. I want them to see little glimpses into our family's life through my posts. Today, I am feeling pain. I am certain this pain I am feeling will pass by the time they even know this blog exists, but until then, I need to write my thoughts down for myself; and, this one is about pain. It is painful for a mom to watch her kids make their way through the world.

My heart jumps watching my son tumble. My heart pangs watching my girl "working things out" with her friends. I am hopeful for them because of my age, and also saddened to know all the heart aches and awkwardness they have to go through to get where I am now. There is a saying "youth is wasted on the young." I don't believe that, but I do wish I could give them some of the "if you only knew what I know now" pills. It'd make life so much easier for them.

Of course, I would never want to choose a path for them. And, I believe all experiences - good and bad - make us who we are today. It's just that I feel more with my heart than I ever have before because of my children, and I want to protect them from all that is painful. Unrealistic, I know...but it is a desire.

Strawberry Pickin'

We love to handpick berries and other fruit.

Such a great activity to do with my kids because it incorporates fun and eating.

But, I don't think I picked enough berries this year.

Yeah, 10 jars of jam and two days of inhaling fresh berries all day long is just not enough. I feel like such a berry hoarder.

Warrior Dash

My friends and I had so much fun doing the Warrior Dash on Saturday. The guys all dressed up as "business men" and looked hysterical when they were finished all covered in mud. I was going to dress up, but I need to be cool when I do a run or I am miserable. John carried his briefcase the whole time and pretended he was sending faxes over his phone.
We ran in the 2p wave, and waves started on the half hour. We lined up in the corral and the race was started with crazy music and fire spewing from torches - very exciting stuff here....plus, we had to get amped up b/c the first leg of the race was straight uphill. The Hocking Hills area is quite hilly - the course was pretty much all hills on the running parts - more up than down. I can imagine people doing it during the rain would be miserable because of slipping and sliding in mud.
We started with small walls to climb and barbed wire to go under. Then we went through swinging tires and onto a huge pit of water with rolling logs. We swam across the smelliest water and ran around to go over junkyard cars and trucks. The first car had the backdoor open and I slid right through, the second round I had to climb over a huge utility truck...mind you, water is tiring, so it was a double whammy to put something climbing next on the course. Then we ran through tires like linebackers. At this point my friend Bridgette and I saw the guys jump into the water. They were passing the briefcase around yelling "don't get my documents wet!"
Then...more hills. Bridgette and I were an awesome team, by the way. We had to go through an old school "spider web," two huge walls (one netted and the other just a huge slab of wood with rope), crawl through a tunnel-type thing on our hands and knees, waded down-river for a while, a netted crab walk that didn't seem to end, walked planks, jumped over two sets of fire obstacles (yes, I felt the heat! it was crazy), and then ended with a mud pit with barbed wire where you *could* walk over (but, then you'd get hazed by the crowd) so you had to get down on your hands and knees and go under. We were covered in mud when we were done.It was exhausting at points, but seriously one of the most fun things I have ever done. Seriously, none of us can wait to do it again. Everyone was on a high. Of course, then we had to get sprayed down with the coldest water EVER. Then we got beers. Our timing chip was also a token for a free beer for after the race. We hung for a while and then headed home. Minor knee scraped injuries and mud laden clothing for the win.My awesome friend Daryl watched the kids for us while we ran. P nor bubbies would get near me because they didn't like that I was covered in mud. Of course, I took that time to chase them around pretending to be swamp thing. Before we left, I donated my running shoes. There was an enormous pile of shoes for donation to Green Sneakers.

Bean

This picture cracks me up. She was happy as a clam about her little bean plant from preschool - and yes, those knots in her hair took me half an hour to brush out. When I was little, my hair did the same thing and my grandma used to call it a "rat's nest."

Last Day of Preschool

Well, my girl had her last day of preschool yesterday. She's been attending a preschool for two years that has made her feel safe, loved, enlightened, educated, involved, and successful. For me, I wish she could go there for the rest of her grade school years, but alas, it is time to move on.

She is excited. I am sad. Of course I am sad, I have a difficult time with change and moving on - and I don't want to pass those feelings on to my girl. So, I tried to keep them to myself.

I asked if she was excited because next year she starts kindergarten, and she promptly and enthusiastically said "yes!" I think part of that is because she had such a great experience with kindergarten assessment at her to-be elementary school. When we left assessment, she looked up at me with her beautiful blue eyes sparkling and said "Mommy, I *love* it here." I guess I will too...really, do I have a choice?! :)

She made some great friends during her preschool years, and some of her friends were from our playgroup we play with on Fridays. All us mommies picked the kids up after class and the teachers would give a synopsis about what they did in class. Then the kids would race down the hall and out the door. Unfortunately, they don't have an accessible playground for after school hours, so the kids played in the trash area or the landscaping (oops! haha!). Jo, Patti, and I would talk for a while and then be on our way. I am going to miss that! I am also going to miss those few hours I got to spend with just bubbies - he's an awesome little dude.

Here's my post from the first day of preschool in 2009: She loves preschool

Here's the preschool buddies...

Ohio Health' birthofamom.com BLOG!

I love guest posting, and recently have been featured on Ohio Health's birthofamom.com BLOG discussing what I learned from my grocery trip with a dietician.

Excerpt:

...My most prized possession is my children. Every day I think about how to keep them healthy, and a major part of keeping them healthy is choosing foods that offer lots of nutrition. I had the opportunity to hand my weekly grocery list over to McConnell Heart Health Center Dietician Jennifer Burton to find out the down and dirty about the best foods to feed my kids, what should be organic, and what to look for in labels. The information she shared was informative and helpful....

The rest is here:
http://blog.birthofamom.com/2011/05/what-i-learned-from-a-mcconnell-heart-health-center-dietician-kristin-marks-story/

First sprinkler run of the season.

On the local news!

I was on the news today with my kids! We were getting a lesson on nutrition and choosing the best foods. My cousin works for Ohio Health and was looking for a family available on a specific day and time. We were available, and totally up for learning how to read labels and learn what were the best foods to choose. The dietician said my grocery list looked good, which made me feel as if I am making the right choices!

If you watch the video, take a look at cereal part. The dietician told the kids to pick up anything they wanted. Well, what did they go for? The most terrible stuff! Of course, the full on sugar cereal is right at their eye-level. They were also choosing stuff b/c of the cartoon character on front. For instance, when we left bubbies cried because he didn't get his "squid cereal" or the cereal with Cars on it. Seriously, if I brought that stuff home that is all they'd choose. Now, I understand it is about moderation, and they can be sometimes foods. I certainly want my kids to know they can eat that stuff sometimes, but I don't want them to think that is an appropriate choice all the time. Sugared cereals should be a treat. She also said to choose unsweetened cereal and add your own sugar if you need a bit of sweetness.

I am going to do a more extended write-up on Cbusmom.com, but I have a number of questions for her that I need answered.

Check it out: NBC4 Nutrition and Labels

My first half marathon!

I am in the white baseball cap.

I did it! Yesterday, I ran the Cap City Half Marathon!! I did 13.1 miles in 2 hours 44 minutes at a pace of 12:32/mile. My bib was 5626.

I am amazed that my body was able to run that type of distance, especially with asthma. I have asthma due to allergies, and I also have exercise-induced asthma, so this really was a milestone in my life. At 40, I was able to run, and not just run, but run over 13 miles.

My training started back in January with the folks at Frontrunner. We met up Sunday mornings for three months to do our long runs together. I don't know what I'd have done without that group. There is noway I would have run passed 7 by myself. Plus, all my friends and family were so supportive. It was a great experience.

Race day I thought I was going to be more nervous than I was. I guess since I had done a few other races I wasn't as nervous, but I was scared. The longest distance I ran at the time was 12 and that was really tough for me. Race day I asked my friend Bridgette to meet up at 10 and run me in. I seriously don't know how I would have gotten through the last 3 miles without her. She was telling me stories about crazy ladies and their kids and kept me positive about finishing.

I can't believe the race is over. Seriously, after all that training and time, it is hard to be up on a Sunday and not be running with the group. If there is another one in my future I am doing these things:

1. Keeping up with running long runs of 5 - 7 miles before training starts.
2. Eating properly and drinking more water daily.
3. Strength training and cross training - I would have run a better race if I had done these consistently and more often.
4. Hopefully not get sick. I had a nasty lung infection for over a month in March/April. I think that really slowed me down - not only physically, but mentally. I was tired and sick and not in a good state of mind. Runners have bad days, yes, but more than a few days makes it hard to remain positive. I almost was going to back out at one point, but after training for so long that was not a realistic option.

My girl turned FIVE!

My baby girl is 5. She was so excited to be 5 that I didn't get a chance to get all vaclempt over her turning 5. The day after her birthday I was instructed to call her "five year old girl."

She was so funny. I asked "P" to get dressed and she just stood there. She said, "P won't get dressed, but this 5 year old girl will!" haha!

Anyhow, here she is next to her body portrait (we were going to use this as a game, but the kids wanted to just play outside instead). Thanks to my friend Susan for the idea - pin the crown on the birthday princess played similar to Pin the Tail on the Donkey. Outline your child's body and then let them color it. I cut out crowns from construction paper to be placed on her head.

My interview with darling daughter (sounding awfully similar to my hubby: loves unicorns, movies, and playing games...hmm....):

Fave toy: Critters or all of her toys
Fave book: Goldilicious
Fave food: ice cream
Fave drink: apple juice
Fave show: Bubble Guppies
Fave movie: Tinkerbell and the Fairy Rescue
Fave thing to do: play games

Running and losing weight

I have found that I am heavier than I was before I started training for the half marathon. Not only have my legs and butt grown because of the added muscle, but my appetite has grown. Burning 1,000 calories in one run leaves me feeling hungry all day. I really need to find a way to manage my hunger because I can't keep eating like I have been and gaining weight. For crying out loud, bathing suit season is around the corner!

I was thinking - Oh, I run over 2o-some miles a week, certainly I can eat whatever I choose. Not so, I need to eat for endurance and health, but what I have been doing is overeating. Overeating has been a problem my whole life, now with added exercise, I am only giving myself more excuses to have second portions.

The thing is, I know what I should be doing...and I haven't been doing it. I've done whatever I want and now it is leaving me feeling heavy and having tight clothes. I am going to work on losing some poundage in the next couple of months. Really, 10 pounds off would make me happy and that is not unreasonable. It just means I need to cut down and stop eating sweets and humongo portions.

I've been thinking about this for the passed couple of weeks. Now it is written down, which means I am finally serious about it.

Columbus Parent Mom of the Year Finalist. Who? Me?

My mom and me. The woman who gave me an amazing example on how to be mommy.

I received an email this week that stated I was selected as a finalist for the Columbus Parent Mom of the Year! I had to reread it because I thought it was a joke...meaning, even originally, I thought it was a joke.

My friend Susan sent me a text that said something along the lines of "guess who has been nominated for mom of the year?" I was curious, having no inkling she meant me. Then we talked later and she told me that she nominated me and that all she had was a fuzzy picture from strawberry picking one year. Then I really thought it was a joke and said "oh, thanks." Well, it wasn't a joke, she was serious.

So, here I am, up for "Mom of the Year," which is truly an honor and something I strive to be to my kids and my friends/family every day because they deserve it. I am humbled that my friend thought so much of me to nominate me, especially when I learn so much from her, my other mommy friends and family members, my sisters-in-law, my mom, and my late mother-in-law on how to parent and just how to be.

I try hard to be child-focused and centered, as you can tell from my blog. I am also studying to become a middle school teacher. I start field experience this fall and hope to do some substitute teaching and then finish up the following fall. My heart wants to make a difference in the lives of children - help them be successful, be good citizens, and make good choices. They are our future.

Enough about that stuff. I am super excited to have been selected as a finalist for Columbus Parent Magazine. That is pretty cool!

The catch is - now I have to get people to vote for me. Ugh. I am really bad with shameless personal promotion, but I guess I need to get over it if I want some votes!

Throw a vote my way? Many thanks! Voting ends March 31, 2011.

Click here ----> Vote for Kristin Marks

Writing, learning to read...we are here already?

I can't believe we are already here. P is doing really well with reading and is an enthusiastic learner, she is writing her letters with little help from me, and remembers how to spell a few words on her own. I am amazed and pleased at her retention and love of learning. She is going to do great in kindy....*sigh*. so proud of my girl. :) I gently push her to learn new things and I find she is a sponge - so is bubbies at 3! He surprises me many times with what he remembers and what he can figure out. Such a bright little guy.

"A child is a candle to be lit. Not a cup to be filled." is/was always my mom's philosophy, and I try to hold true to that as I guide my children through life and learning. They are so much fun!

Pollock and farting?

We were reading an Olivia book before bed. This picture was highlighted in the story:

Image from: www.metmuseum.org

This is a Jackson Pollock, and the name of the painting is Autumn Rhythm #30. He was an extremely talented pour and drip painter - as you can see by the picture above.

Well, when bubbies saw the pic he said:

"That looks like a fart"

I giggled, and then said to hubby, "didn't Pollock have issues?"

Hubby responded, "yes, haven't you seen the movie? ... IBS."

We roared. I had a coughing fit and from now on bubbies will think of Pollock as the fart painter. I am sure he'd appreciate that...not so much.

What they say.

I am loving what my kids say. I need to keep a notebook with me to write what they say down so I never forget. Then I shall bind it up and give it to them when they graduate from high school...at least that is my plan.

P's latest:

"What do cats and dogs do if they have no feet? ....bounce around or something?"

Vaccuum Cleaner or Oxygen Tank?

I am still cracking up at something my daughter said the other day. She had to go to the doctor's to get her ears checked (a whole lotta nother post) and when we were leaving we decided to take the elevator. I saw a woman walking towards us with her oxygen tank on wheels and could tell by the way my P cocked her head that she was going to say something.

We all got in the elevator and P says to the woman "how does *that* vaccuum work?" The woman nicely told her it was her oxygen tank and I continued with an explanation out to the car.

P's First Slumber Party

Well, P had her first slumber party over the weekend and she had a terrific time. It was a slumber party for her cousin's 6th birthday with a Valentine's Day theme. When Candyce called and told me it was a slumber party I was hesitant. I trust Candyce, and I know how great she is with kids - she's a great mom and was an early childhood educator and administrator before she had her two girls, but I still thought P was too young at her tender age of 4 to be going to a slumber party.

Hubby and I discussed it and he said she'd have a blast. He wasn't worried, primarily because it was Candyce and primarily because he thought P would have fun. Me, I don't like for my kids to have fun...no seriously, I was just worried. I know how she is going to bed at night; how sometimes she wakes with leg pain; how sometimes she has nightmares; and how sometimes she just needs met to come and lay down with her to help her drift back to dreamland. I guess that was my problem...what if she needed me and I wasn't there to comfort her?

I decided to pack up all of her things and make the decision at the party. If P wanted to stay I would let her, and hubby and I prepared ourselves to go get her in the middle of the night if need be.

Well, we got to the party and Candyce had hearts and balloons everywhere, she had crafts for the kids, pizza, cake, and the kids brought Valentine's to exchange. It was adorable - as I mentioned, Candyce was an early childhood educator - she gets kids. The girls that were there were P's three cousins (Candyce's 2 and Brett's 1), Candyce's soon to be step-daughters, and then two of Mindy's little friends. All the girls were in kindy or first/second grade - and P loved being "taken care of" by the older girls. It was so cute. Well, when I was starting to get things together to go I pulled P aside and asked her if she wanted to stay. It was an immediate YES! Then I said "you know, mommy, daddy and E are leaving, so we won't be here." She, in her mature manner, said "mommy, it is okay. I won't be alone. All the girls are here!" I felt confident letting her stay...for her, not me.

When I spoke with Candyce the next day she mentioned that one of the older girls took P under her wing and helped her set up her sleeping bag and open her little gifts that Candyce had for each of the girls. I just smiled - I could tell P had a really good time and did really well away from me for the night. P was clearly tired, but clearly wanted to stay and play a bit longer - she loved being with the girls without mommy around.

A couple of things I want to remember....Candyce had make-up for the little girls and I don't let P wear make-up (well, chapstick and nail polish), and she is always bugging me to put on my eyeshadow and blush. I don't know why I am so weird about it (maybe b/c I wasn't allowed to wear make-up until I was 15...and NO play make-up when I was little). I tell P that she can wear it when she is older and that I will teach her how to put it on, so when I saw there was make-up I kind of rolled my eyes.

Anyhow, when Candyce was doing the make-up thing P said "Candyce, mommy doesn't let me put on make-up. I can't wait to tell her!" And, one other thing. Candyce said that P had a hard time going to sleep and asked if Candyce could hold her for a little bit. Candyce said of course and told me that it was really special because she loves P so much and doesn't get to see her often enough. She said she loved having that special time with P - I almost cried. It was so sweet.

First 6-miler

The weather has been dreadful - snow, cold, ice, you know, all the lovely stuff that makes up winter in Ohio? I am running in it. Four times a week I am getting my fanny out there and training for a half marathon. I don't know if I am a tad bit depressed because of the lack of vitamin D, but running helps. Especially, if I can run when the sun is out (or at least the gray is out emitting a touch of vital Vitamin D rays - a chewy tablet just isn't the same).

Yesterday, I ran 6 miles. The first 6 miles I have ever run. I was nervous about completing, nervous about not being able to breath for a such a distance, nervous about the snow on the trails, and nervous because 6 miles was going to determine whether I would fork over the $70 for the race. Well, I did it. I had to walk for 30 seconds at the end, but I did it. Today my quads are a little sore and last night I was feeling sore, but that is about it. Otherwise, my feet, ankles, toes, hips and shoulders feel fine. phew!

This week is a 3, 4, 2, and 5. I think I can handle it. I also need to get into the gym for some strength training or do some Jillian at home - hoping to help in regards to endurance.

Red Crayon Extraction Mission

A 3 year old boy wouldn't truly be 3 until he shoved something up his nose. I've heard horror stories from my friends about when they were little or of their own children shoving things in their noses or ears. These stories always ended up with infection or a trip to the emergency room. So, I was a little panicked when I say across the room "who wants a cookie" and his response is "I do, but I need this cwayon out of my nose fiwst."

I stopped and just stood there. Surely he was joking? Nope, a piece of red crayon was stuck in his right nostril just far enough in that I couldn't get it with my pinky finger. Just big enough that I couldn't tell him to breath in hoping it'd come out his mouth or that he'd swallow it. Just far enough in that I'd have to get tweezers and hope to God that I didn't pierce his brain. Just far enough in that I would probably have had to take him to the pediatrician's office (who I've visited probably 4 times already in January. The kids' doc and I are becoming BFFs) and ask them to remove it.

I called my husband at work and he just said "are you kidding?" Then he laughed. He knows how freaked out I get over situations like this - I could *never* be a nurse. He told me to wait until he got home if I felt as if I couldn't get it out.

So, I laid bubbies down, asked P to get her princess flashlight and shine it up his nose (now, she would make a good surgical nurse - steady and on the ready with that light she was), and I inserted the tweezers. That baby boy just laid there and let me do it. It was really quite cute. But, I didn't have time for coos, I was on a red crayon extraction mission. It failed.

I called hubby back and one of his coworkers suggested to make the boy sneeze. Well, low and behold, as I was on the phone bubbies let out not one, but two sneezes. I immediately got off the phone, told P to grab her princess flashlight again, and I scrubbed up (no, not really, no time for that!). My hopes of the sneeze dislodging that crayon were met, and I calmly put the tweezers up his nose and pulled out what was a much smaller piece of crayon than I imagined. bubbies said, "thanks mom" and gave me a big hug.

P.S. He shoved a popcorn kernal up his nose three days later. Immediately came up pointing to his nose and saying "sorry." That one was much harder to get out b/c of the way it is shaped. I had to do the old snake bite wound method to help me out. yuck.

Happy Birthday E!

bubbies turned 3 years old at 3:37 this morning!! Happy Birthday, my love.

I interviewed him to find out some of his favorite things.

Fave toy: Thomas and friends
Fave books: Thomas and friends
Fave food: cheese pizza
Fave drink: milk
Fave thing to do besides play trains: draw

"New" bed and first night

bubbies did awesome last night without his crib side. He DID get up at 3am as I anticipated, but it wasn't my scenario. He basically called me from his room and the covers had fallen off. He turned to his side and whispered "mommy, make me all comfy cozy again." So I covered him up and he went right back to sleep.

The cutest part was when he woke up. He just stood there similar to what he had done his whole life, waiting for me to come up and get him. We all piled in his room and coaxed him to get out. P even modeled how to do it. He just smirked, pretty pleased that he had the option of hopping in and out at will. He finally "slid" down his blankets to the floor and we all clapped and cheered. I love those moments with my kids.

Toddler Bed

bubbies got his crib side down today and we turned his crib into a toddler bed. Really, all we did was add the, what bubbies calls a "door," to one side of his crib. We are slowly transitioning him into a big boy bed. I am okay with this, remarkably, I think mainly because he is almost 3 and he is plenty big enough to not sleep in a crib any longer. That is also why I am not okay with it - my baby boy is plenty big enough not to sleep in a crib any longer.

We shall see how tonight goes with his new found freedom. I imagine this at 3am: two little boy eyes peering at me in the darkness and a sweet little boy voice saying, "lookie mama, I can get out of bed all by myself."

Week 2, which is really week three

I guess my first 4 mile run was wrapping up week one of training. It makes sense now why they asked if I was running 12 miles a week before signing up. Anyhoo...this week was hard because I've been sick, and taking care of sick children and have a sick husband. Needless to say, I am tired, really tired; but, I did my runs - not in their entirety, but I did them.

Day 1: 3 miler. Tuesday was a three mile run and I only did two, and much of it was walking. I had to hit the gym and use the dreadmill b/c of snow, and I was out of my mind after one mile. I think I brought on a side cramp just so I didn't have to finish. I am not sure if I can't get pacing or if it is a feeling of claustrophobia that hits, but I have a very difficult time on the treadmill. So: 2.5 miles down, mostly walking.

Day 2: 4-miler. I decided to get in the "racer run" this week. Racer runs are basically an additional run that you add to your training schedule that is a longer run and half of it is done at race pace. Race pace is a bit faster than what you normally run, because race days you are full of adrenaline and also wanting to keep up with faster runners, so you end up running a bit faster than your regular pace. My training group suggests running a minute behind your normal pace during training, or at a conversational pace. So, on our long Sunday runs we all talk the whole time. The pacer wants to be sure you aren't running too fast. Plus, my AWESOME pacer said that running slower to train will save your legs from injury, hopefully.

Anyhow, the race run. I got in 3.5 out of 4 miles this day. I got up at 6a to do this run, and when people started leaving for work I bailed. The roads were icy b/c we got snow the day before (hence the gym run) and I was afraid of getting hit by a sliding car. It is still really dark at 6a.

Day 3: 2-miler. Quick run, roads were clear in my neighborhood, and it was after hubby got home from work. It was hard, though, having breathing problems from congestion.

Day 4: 2-miler. Hard run - cold and lungs feeling congested. I felt a ton better after the run - it really helped clear out my lungs.

Day 5: 4-miler training group day. This was another hard day b/c I have chest congestion. It has gotten a ton better, but it is still there. I am also tired from not getting decent sleep b/c everyone in my house has been ill. But, I knew I could do it and it wasn't that bad.

Today is a rest day and I feel SO much better. I've been taking a ton of vitamin C and added a teaspoon of "the Mother" apple cider vinegar to my daily diet (yes, I am a hillbilly voodoo type of girl). Apple cider vinegar with the Mother is great for your overall health and your joints.

I will add that running outside in these cold temperature is totally doable with asthma. When it first started getting cold, I slowed my pace and my distance. Once my lungs got used to running in the cold I was fine - actually it is refreshing and I feel more accomplished running in the winter.

She is writing...

I love this. She's writing a story and including artwork. Can't wait to hear what it is about....

Week one: 1/2 Marathon Training

Okay, so I got through the first week of training for the 1/2 Marathon in May. I joined a training group with Frontrunner because they offered a long training session: 16 weeks. Everything I looked up online gave a 12 week training schedule (Disclaimer for those looking to use a program like that - I think you need to be able to run 3 - 4 miles before starting that type of training), so I think I'll be ready. My hopes are to get strong slowly. I am okay to run 5 straight miles right now, but I need to build endurance for 6 - 10 without risking injury. Last year I got a stress fracture because I think I did too much too soon, well, and also running a hard non-banked track that only went in one direction (I had no clue, though. People run it all the time). I also have exercise-induced asthma and am very cautious with my lungs. Right now I am doing fine. Actually, running has helped my breathing.

Onto my first week...

Sundays are my long run days and the days I run with the group. Last Sunday was a 4 mile run, which I had to miss because my kids were both sick. I made it up later that day, though. My left arch had been bugging me in my new shoes, and after the 4 miles it was on fire. Monday I took the shoes in and exchanged them for new ones. Frontrunner will exchange or reimburse shoes in decent condition - I had been running in mine for a month. I learned that running shoes should NOT need to be broken in - they should fit comfortably the first day you put them on. Seems my feet like Saucony Omni 10. I overpronate and need shoes that compensate for no arch.

Tuesday I ran 2 miles when hubby got home from work. My new shoes were awesome.

Thursday I missed my 3 mile run because the kids were both sick and it was also Three Kings Day. We made special enchiladas and Rosca De Reyes (which took ALL day). So, I ran on Friday. I only got in 2 miles because I had to run the treadmill. I call it the "dreadmill" because I really really do not like running on it. I can't get pacing, I feel claustrophobic, and I get really bored. I will have to do it though, and I am hoping the only times are when I have short runs to do. I also did the Jillian Michaels Shred workout. I am still sore from the chest flies!

Saturday I ran two miles in the afternoon. It was ridiculously cold, but after about a mile the body adjusts, the breathing calms down, and you actually get hot.

Sunday I ran 5 miles with the training group. This was by far the coolest run I have done. The group was divided by time and a pacer led each pack. I started with the 11 minute pack - I was scared to go any faster b/c I wanted the distance without my lungs killing me. The run was along the bike path from Antrim to Whetstone and back. The trail was covered in snow and it was only 10 degrees. When I was finished the water cooler was frozen solid, everyone had icicles in their hair and on their face. I think Lady Gaga would have died for my eyelashes - covered in fluffy snowy ice. It wasn't snowing, but the perspiration from my face immediately was freezing to the tiny hairs on my face and around my eyes. My breathing was fine and I felt great the whole time. My mood has been remarkably calm and good all day.

I am training for a half marathon

I have been hesitant to write that I was training for a half marathon because I wasn't sure I'd actually go through with it. But, I am. My first training run was 4 miles on Sunday, and last night I did 2 miles. Frontrunner has a training group that meets on Sunday mornings to do long runs together as well as get some coaching, and I decided to sign up. I made it official...the training that is, not the actual race because I have yet to register. I guess I still can't believe I am going through with it.

Making a 16 week commitment to run 13 miles seems extreme to me, but I like goals, and goals that keep me in shape and healthy are pretty good ones. I feel fortunate that my asthma allows me to run. I just shoot my wheeze before every run and I am totally fine - even in this cold weather! I have run outside when the temperature has gone down to 13 degrees and didn't have any problems.

Kind of tossing around the idea of starting a running blog so I can write about my training, and about running with exercise-induced (allergy, laughing too hard, cold air) asthma and why running has become so important to me. We'll see - perhaps I'll just keep it here.

Happy 2011!

Resolutions:

1. Changing perspective: I tend to make things harder than they are, and I am over it.

2. Enjoying the moment and not rushing on to the next thing. I was caught up in babyhood - changing diapers, worrying, nursing, worrying, not taking the time to enjoy what I was doing in the moment. I started changing that in November and I am continuing to work on it.

3. Sticking with my plans and not letting fear get in the way.

4. Stop being depressed over things I can't control: my kids growing up and me getting older.

5. Being a better more supportive wife.

6. Finishing household projects.

7. Getting organized.

8. Running a half marathon.

9. Working on mastering a hobby. Whether it be learning more about my camera and photography, knitting, learning to sew, cooking, gardening - whatever - I want to do one of those things well.

10. Enjoy my Cbus Mom blog as intended, and not look at it as a job I don't get paid for.

My other mommy

bubbies has been talking about his "other mommy" lately. I am not quite sure who she is, and I keep trying to get him to tell me about her.

Yesterday he said she was bossy. Well, I was quite bossy yesterday and am wondering if it is his way of telling ME that I am bossy without hurting my feelings. But, when I think it is me, I think back to his earlier mention of her where she was a monster with monster eyes. Of course, this is when I remember how much he hates when I look at him with my eyes wide open not blinking. It scares him and we laugh about it.

I am starting to get a complex about this "other mommy" because she's sounding rotten...and like me.

Merry Christmas!!

This year we had a special visitor:

Dad AKA Papa's Birthday

My dad turned 61 on Dec. 11 and we did our annual Dad birthday celebration of going out for sushi, frou-frou martinis, and then cake (white with chocolate buttercream icing). I give my annual gift of something golf or something he requested for his cars (he has an antique Chevy and two corvettes that he loves to tinker with)...and, of course, something chocolate. And, of course, he always asks if he should open the chocolate and share. And, of course, I want to say "yes," but I give respect to the birthday chocolate and decline his offer. It is nice to have birthday traditions.

The kids were exceptional this year at dinner. Not only did they behave, but they ate Miso soup, edamame, and California rolls like champs. I am thankful they enjoy sushi and chop sticks because our family loves it! Happy Birthday Dad!

Boogers - a never ending supply of food

I think my boy thinks boogers are a snack food. I know, gross, but he is at that age where picking his nose is as important to him as playing with trains.

He has had a cold lately which makes it even more challenging to get him to stop. I find myself rushing with a tissue as soon as I see a glimmer of snot leaking from his nostril. It is a race to see who'll get there first: my tissue or his finger. Chances are, if it is his finger the next step is putting that booger laden finger in his mouth.

The other day Shane saw him digging for gold and did the old spell out the words so the child has no idea you are talking about them trick. In a mix of English words and letters hubby said, "did you see h-i-m (b/c bubbies recognizes his name) pick h-i-s-n-o-s-e?" Then hubby's voice amplified in that can you believe it effect and he said, "then eeee -a-t-e them!"

I just said, "yes, I know. He does it all the time."

Once bubbies got the boogers out Shane told him to "get mommy." bubbies came over to me and held his booger out on his index finger, and I said, "what do you want me to do with that booger?"

bubbies replied, "eat it!"

I laughed so hard I think I peed a little.