A Day in the Life of Us

A few days ago, Jenny sent me an old post from the blog--it was July 29, 2008. It had some snapshots of the kids. They have grown so much! Go check it out here.

I thought it would be fun to do the same thing on the same day 2 years later!

I tried to document today with my iPhone and my decent camera.

The day started early for me. We had a 5:45 am bike ride at the lake. It is way early but look at that sunrise! I love riding with friends.

I came home from the ride to find Kyle and Hank awake but that's it. We finally had to wake the big boys at 8:00 for VBS. But once Bo got up--we got a visit from Underwear Head Man!

We got a surprise 'pop in' from our some of our favorite friends--the Bindras! We were watching a few minutes of some random cartoon. The only way I can get their attention is to hold the remote hostage until they smile at me. Now that is some good parenting.

I am also the Bindra's unofficial family photographer. Here is a cute one of all the girls!

All of this week, my parents have taken my 3 big kids to VBS at their church. My parents have stayed and volunteered in their classes. They have had a great time. And it has been fun to have some time with Hank this week. Mom couldn't go this morning so Poppy took all the kids by himself!

As they were leaving for VBS, the kids saw my camera and posed for some individual shots. Such hams.

I ran an errand while the kids were in VBS and then picked up a Sonic drink for me and Allison. Yes, I took a picture of myself with my iPhone. I am cool. I thought it might be the only picture of me today. Gotta love Sonic drinks!!!

No, this is not a daycare at my house. These are some of our cousins. Well, technically these are my 1st cousin's kids. What does that make our kids? I can never get that right. 2nd cousins? 1st cousins once removed?

But the fun thing is that my cousin Will married a friend of mine Allison! She is so great and so are their kiddos. Of course, they got dressed to put on a show. Now that I think about it, we never really got a show. But just like high school, getting ready for the dance is way more fun than the actual dance!

After rest time, our cousins Sam and Jack came over. They actually walked over! How great is it that we have cousins that close by. My kids adore them. They have spent time this week planning a sleep over with Sam and Jack. Should be fun! I don't know where Sam disappeared to for this pic. But the boys love to play race cars on the hardwoods.

Hank spent some time in his high chair while I got dinner ready. Yes, he is eating a bat and a football and some sort of spreader from the kitchen.

Dinner with the family. We had chicken pockets, rice and green beans. It was good and the kids ate it pretty well--that's always great! Hank ate more than anyone! Please note our beautiful everyday china. That would be disposable dinnerware!

Silly boys at dinner.

We like to always have serious family dinners.

Just love Hank's curls after his bath. And just for the record--all the kids got baths tonight. Unfortunately, that doesn't happen as much as it should! Just being honest.

Now the kids are all in bed. I am on the sofa with my laptop sitting next to Kyle watching So You Think You Can Dance and eating a delicious chocolate cupcake (thanks jenny). Couldn't end any better. I love my life.

Sorry Hank

When all of our older kids were 9 months old we took them to get professional pictures made. They were mainly black and white photos and I always got one shot with me in it.

I found a good photographer --she happened to live in Murphy (about 30-40 minutes). Not a big deal with one baby. A little more tricky with each child. And those pictures are expensive! Not a big deal with one baby. But it gets a little more difficult to spend that kind of money on pictures. I am buying school clothes, new tennis shoes, etc.

I suggested to our photographer that maybe we get some sort of 4-time discount this time. She didn't really go for it.

So I thought I might try to take some myself. It went ok. I need to do it again with some better lighting. (It would be totally ok with me if Uncle Rob wants to take a few pics with his super awesome camera!)

Sorry Hank. You aren't getting your own photo shoot. You wear pj's with holes in the feet. You are still in an infant carrier at almost 23 pounds. You don't have any sort of schedule. You don't have a baby book--unless you count this blog as your baby book.

But we all adore you. You make everyone smile in our family. We love to watch you clap--just moving your right hand. Every sound you make--we claim as our own name! You are starting to be a little shy with strangers but light up when your siblings walk in. Your hair is precious! Blonde and curly.

Here is our sweet Hank.

We love you so much. I can't hug and kiss you enough!

When Do You Know It's Time for a Haircut?

And who says I'm not "deep?"

Occasionally people ask me when (or how often) they should get a haircut.

Actually, I don't get asked that much but I came up with a helpful check list anyway. Let's be honest, sometimes you might need a new style, a new color or just a fresh cut and who is going to tell you that? Other than your mother.

File this away somewhere.

If you answer yes to any or all of the above, go get your hair done.

1. You can't remember the last time you got a haircut.

2. The ends of your hair resemble straw or hay.

3. People ask you if you are about to donate your hair to Locks of Love--and you hadn't even thought about it.

4. It's time for a whole new style if your hairstyle also has a name. (i.e. The Dorothy Hamil, the Farrah, the Meg Ryan, the Rachel).

5. You use the word "frosted" when referring to your hair and not a display window during the holidays.

6. You wear a pony tail everyday. Or almost everyday.

7. You actually try to fix your hair, and it still doesn't look good. (This is especially how I know I need a cut!)

8. You look at an old photo--like an engagement photo--and your hair is exactly the same.

9. Seriously, read #6--that probably applies to you.

10. Your mother told you so.

Have a great (hair) day!

Here we Bo again

Such a clever title, huh?

I seriously think I could devote an entire blog to my third child Bo. The things he says and does are quite interesting. Sometimes frustrating. Other times encouraging. But at the least--interesting.

I just want to record a few of his sayings lately.

Here is his issue: It's a power struggle. He wants the power. Bad. Really Bad.

I am guessing this power struggle will be evident throughout a lot of his life.

He is quite capable and independent. He is good a doing a lot of things. But he is 3 years old.

I cannot tell you how many times I have explained the chain of command in this house. Mommy and Daddy are in charge of Bo. (and his siblings--but he doesn't seem to care about that right then). But Mommy and Daddy must listen to and obey God.

It seems simple enough. But Bo does not think so.

In the last week alone he has said the following to me.

"Mommy! You are not the boss of me!

Me: "Actually, I am."

"And I tried to tell Daddy too--He is not the boss of me either."

Me: "Actually, he is."

Bo is just heart-broken at the news. He is sobbing and angry. I explain the chain of command and remind him that God loves him so much and that is why it is set up like this. . . blah blah blah.

He has started to threaten me.

He was angry the other day and said in a very stern voice, "I am not going to marry you now Mommy!"

And he threatened to not look at me again. And today he said that he would put on his angry face and then look at me all day long.

I guess he can't decide how to unleash on me.

My older kids just didn't think to do this.

He is unique for sure.

He is plays hard, fights hard and loves hard. He is the first to say he loves me and to tell me how pretty I am. (today he told me that the earrings I am wearing do not make me look pretty. the other ones do)

And I am pretty crazy about that kid.

Someone remind me of that when I am sitting in the Principal's office at Lake Highlands High School listening to the latest shenanigans that he has been a part of.

Did I just end a sentence in a preposition?

Just keep swimming

A lot of people are so sweet and think to ask me how training is going.

And I have this weird compulsion to answer in a very honest way. I just can't help myself to share probably more information than they were planning to hear. So sorry.

I am an over-sharer. Another phrase for the masses to use.

So triathlon stuff is going great. I love our team. I enjoy seeing everyone at practices. Fundraising is going so well. I have such generous and giving friends and family! Thank you. But the actual training is a little rough. I am way more out of shape than I thought I was.

But you know I am a glass is half-full kind of person. I think I look younger than I do. I think I am thinner than I am. I generally assume people like me -- unless otherwise notified. I think I am stronger, faster and tougher than I really am.

So, I am still having a great time but the physical part of it . . . well, I have a long way to go.

But I really want to share a few observations I have made about the sport of swimming.

If you plan to join the sport of swimming, you gotta let go of any pride you might have.

First, you will be in a swimsuit in all your glory. And these are not 'miracle suits.' They are functional not fashionable. There is no underwire or padding or ruching to camouflage some of our problem areas. Stretch marks and cellulite are revealed.

Also, you can't judge a swimmer by their appearance. This is where swimming is SOOOO different from most other sports. I have been schooled in the pool by people that are seriously obese. I have been passed by a man that was about 100 pounds overweight, passed by a woman who was probably 7 or 8 months pregnant, passed by a woman who was at least 20 years older than me. . . I have to stop now. I am starting to get depressed. You get my point.

I have come to this conclusion. Once a swimmer, always a swimmer. No matter how old you are. How big or small you are. Or how fit you are. That is good news for you swimmers.

I, however, have never been a swimmer and it shows.

But I am pretty sure I can swim the distance of the triathlon (1 mile). Slow and steady. Or just slow.

"Just keep swimming. . . swimming, swimming." --Dori, the fish

Happy Birthday Lainey!

Guess who is 7 years old?

Our baby girl is. That is too old! I remember things (well) from when I was seven. I remember my 2nd grade year and how I hated my teacher! And I cried everyday after school.

I guess I won't be sharing that story with Lainey for a while.

We love her so much. She is a sweet, kind and considerate little girl. She loves school and has a new interest in reading for fun. She still likes to play with dolls and draw pictures. She loves babies and flowers.

Lainey has a very cultured appetite. Her favorite foods are frito chili pie and mac n cheese. She chose Steak n Shake for her birthday dinner. And tonight she wants hamburger helper. Wow.

We love you so much!

Tri Update

So many people have been asking about how training is going. Well, at least 2 or 3 people have asked me.

I am feeling like I need to blog-vent or post-talk. Those are pretty catchy phrases. I am sure they will catch on any day.

Anyway, I have started the EARLY morning workouts this week. Ouch.

On Tuesday and Thursday I did 5:45 am bike rides. I actually love being at the lake that early. It is beautiful and calm and not crowded. But I have to get up extra early so I can feed Hank before I go (he goes back to sleep). However, today Hank got up at 4:30 am which meant I have been up since 4:30 am. And like I always say, "Unless my name is Matt, Meredith, Ann or Al I should NOT be up that early in the morning."

My body is not adjusting well to these early mornings. Today I sort of felt like I had been hit by a Mac truck. I also felt like I wasn't really in my body--does that make any sense?

I forget that sleep deprivation also makes me just a touch emotional. I have to watch my quick temper. I can cry easily. I saw a woman walking down the street holding hands with her adult daughter who appeared to have Down Syndrome. I teared up. It was sweet. And I thought about how I hold hands with my kids walking down the street.

Already I hold Lainey's hand less than I used to. She doesn't need me to. She is ok with it now but one day she won't want to hold mommy's hand. I bet the daughter I saw was at least in her 30s or 40s. Her mom was probably not planning on going on afternoon walks with her daughter 30 plus years after she was born.

But that's not what God planned for that family. The mom held her hand with such sweetness. I will stop now. But see what this lack of sleep is doing to me?

I think this post was supposed to be about my training.

I did get a good swim in on Sunday at the SMU pool. And I love getting to train with friends. That part has been great.

sorry, I just dozed off a little.