The Big 5k

This morning I woke up about 10 minutes before I was supposed to leave my house.  That means I was running about 20 minutes late.  Needless to say I was RUNNING around my house.  Can that count for my warm-up?
Austin- Are we going to day care?
Me-No, we are going to a race
Austin- Am I racing?
Me- No you are going to meet Mommy at the finish line like last time.
Austin- But Mom, That was taking FOREVER!
Me- I know buddy, I'll be faster soon.

Us before the race.  Isn't my bff pretty?  She wears make up to races.
Me? not so much. Apparently I don't pluck my eyebrows either.

Staying out late+lots of food+not a lot of sleep+HOT outside= sucky race.  It was not my worst time, but definitely not my best.  Normally at the beginning of the race, I scan the crowd for someone I KNOW I can beat.  Today there was no one with a baby carrier so I had to search harder.  I mean really, I let a dude pushing a wheel chair beat me at my second race.  I finally found an older lady with a gimp leg.  SUCCESS! I beat her... and a few others that I am sure were running their first race.
I'm pretty sure they called it The Big 5k, not because of Big Brother/Big sister, but because it was actually like 3.25 miles.  That's a big deal to this chick!

Us after the race
And no I didn't jump in the fountain to cool off after the race
I just sweat that much. Theresa- still gorgeous

After the race we went to the farmer's market.  I got some tomatoes, peaches, salsa and some other little things.  I also stopped by Earth Fare(expect anything else?) to get the rest of the stuff for the spaghetti sauce.  I will post about that later... after I try it.  If you don't hear back it sucked!

What do you do the day before/morning of that helps you have a good race?

Cinemagic Drive-In

After work yesterday I didn't feel like going straight home.  Hindsight tells me that I should have, but you live and learn right?  I called my sister and guilted her to meet me for dinner.  We met at Earth Fare. Have I been there everyday for the past 4 days? Yes. Have I given them more money than I care to admit? Yes.  Am I still happy I am eating better? Yes!!  I looked up movie times for the drive in and they were showing a double feature.  Winnie the Pooh and Cars 2!!!  I wanted to see Pooh and I knew the kids would enjoy seeing Cars 2 again.  We got snacks at Earth Fare before we left.  We went to Kreme Delite because apparently I am unable to go to Athens without making a stop there for ice cream. I wanted to capture the moment on camera, but I guess Austin wanted to be silly.

Dear Megan,

You must work on silly faces.

Love, 

Mom

Obviously I need to learn how to get my whole face in a picture. 

I ended up falling asleep at the end of Pooh and slept during most of Cars 2.  We got home waaaaay too late and I still needed to wash my clothes for the race.  Note to self, buy more running clothes.  I'm still glad we went, but tonight would have been better than last night for sure.  

Happy Tummy

I swear my mom can read my mind some times.  We were talking on Thursday(one of out million conversations) and she asked me if I wanted to go out to lunch the next day. Maybe that's not mind reading, just being observant, but good nonetheless. Uh Duh... I told her I wanted to try this place called Happy Tummy.  She exclaimed, "I have Groupons!"  Free Lunch Friday- that's my favorite.

When we got to the Lowe Mill we didn't know where to park or where to go when we went in.  That place is huge!!  I was so upset that I have never been there before, but happy that I found it and will be going back!  We finally found the place, on the other side of the building, and only 10 min after they opened there was a big line.

Me and My mom waiting in line.  She asked if it was for the blog... she's learning fast. :-)  No I'm not albino... I'm just not bff's with the sun and I am too lazy to wear make-up.

This place is awesome!  Fresh bread and a very interesting menu that changes every week.  Some of the choices this week were Bad Apple- turkey on Apple Bread, Don't Cry for Me Argen-tuna- tuna on a croissant, Stars Falafel on Alabama and What the Cluck?  The owner was hilarious.  Almost all our sandwiches were special orders and she said that we were "a bunch of pains in her ass"  She was older than my mom but she had rainbow colored hair.  I loved her!  This is definitely added to the list of approved restaurants!

Optimist

I guess you have to have a bad day every now and then to learn how to really appreciate the good ones.  I think my body had adjusted to the lack of caffeine.  Isn't it crazy how your whole entire mood can be impacted by one simple thing?  I read this post at hungryrunnergirl.  I loved this-   I don’t think that you have to be happy and cheery all of the time to be an OPTIMIST.  This is exactly how I feel about my life.  

Exercise- 3 easy miles.  After yesterday I wanted to take it easy and not push myself.  My food pod for my garmin was acting kinda wonky so it says I did more than I actually did.  I did run 3 miles though.  I'm up to 4.3 the whole time.  Tuesday I am going to push it up to 4.4 and see how long I can last.  Pretty soon I am going to be doing some speed work, but for now I will take little ups in my time.  Considering that I started running in.... check facebook for posts about running... April and I could barely run a minute- I think that's progress.

Food- breakfast was yogurt and pumpkin spice granola... love pumpkin spice!  Lunch was an awesome salad!  Someone let have apples, blueberries and cottage cheese- perfect to go along with my spinach, almonds, carrots, raisins, chicken and avocado.

We went to earth fare for dinner.  I love Thursdays cause the kids eat free.  I love love love their sushi!

While I was there I got stuff to make egg salad and ended up making deviled eggs too.
I talked with my dad some more today about buying half a cow this fall.  Theresa and I are also going to the farmers market after the race on Saturday.  I am really excited about being healthy and buying local produce and meat.

Is it rude when you are beside someone on the treadmill at the gym and you look at their display to see how they are doing?

On a different note

Today kinda sucked.

Exercise- When I got to the gym (our really small one at work that is free so I know it's stupid to complain) both treadmills were being used.  I did about 4 minutes on the elliptical, 10 shoulder presses and a lot of pouting.  It didn't take long before they were open, but my body wasn't feeling the running.  I still did 3 miles... some walking, some jogging and some sprinting.  I actually stretched afterward.
Food- At least food was good today.  I had an amazing breakfast with tempeh, egg, cheese and avocado.  Lunch was more leftovers of chicken curry.  I went shopping after the run and got some stuff to make salad.  I got a rotisserie chicken from Earth Fare and threw it on the salad with carrots, avocado(duh), strawberries,almonds and some raspberry vinaigrette.  The salad was baby spinach- really happy I liked it.

On the way to the store this lady cut me off and I called her stupid.  Austin preceded to tell me that stupid is a bad word... I know buddy, but some people need to learn how to drive.  I'm sure he will call someone at day care stupid and I will have to own that one too...

I got bad news on the relationship front too... better yet lack of relationship.  I thought I was on the verge of something good, but now he's moving...

This makes it all better.  Avocado goodness with bubbles.  I think I ate a whole avocado today... at least.

Also today... I gave up caffeine. Mostly on accident, but I think it's a good change.  I couldn't decide if I should use artificial sweetener or sugar and extra calories.  I couldn't decide so coffee never happened today. If I can make it one day, I can quit.  But yet another reason I am crabby, still in my workout clothes and about to just crash.  Tomorrow will be better, or at least next week.

I didn't even have to use my A.K.

I gotta say it was a good day. Yes I am a dork and I love 90's music.  

Exercise- I ran 3 miles in less than 40 min.  My heart rate was not through the roof either.  It felt so good!  

Food- For lunch I had left overs of the mostly organic chicken curry.  Snack was toast with my almond butter.  Dinner- I ventured out with a recipe for tempeh bacon from Matt at the Athlete's plate.  I made a sandwich with cheese and avocado.  It was really tasty.  My kids tried a bite and asked for more too!!  It feels good to be eating better and my kids are liking it too.

I talked a lot today with my friends at work about the eating change.  I am happy to have their support.  One of them already eats a lot like I want to.  The other, like me, is making small changes toward it.  I am loving finding new sources of inspiration and hopefully can become an inspiration to others.  

I am addicted to another blog- hungryrunnergirl  I am totally loving reading through her archives.  I love her realistic approach to eating.  She eats what she likes, luckily it's mostly healthy stuff.  If she wants candy or other sweets, she eats them too.  It's all in moderation and she works out HARD!  I also love her pictures because she's always cheesing for the camera.  

I feel really happy and at peace today.  I really love my life.  I think that everything is coming together.  It's about to get crazy, but I think that it will be a lot of fun.  If anything I will have a many stories that start out with "You remember that one time where I thought I could work full time, go to school full time, raise two kids on my own, take one of them to football and soccer and still try to have a life?"

You are what you eat

I've been thinking a lot about ways to improve my life.  I have been making a lot of changes... running, school, routines, and trying to change the way I eat.  At first I just wanted to watch what I ate, not any drastic changes, just eat a little better.  I have been looking for blogs about running, but whenever you read about running- you read about eating.  One of my favorites that I can stop reading is The Athletes Plate.  He's hilarious and has a really good way of looking at food.  The two things really go hand in hand.  It makes sense- you have to have energy to run.  I can really tell what I ate when I run.  I am not sure if I am going to go hard core organic, but I am definitely going to take steps toward it(even if they are baby steps).  I just made some almond butter.  It felt really good to make something myself and to know exactly what was in it. I got some bread at earth fare and made peanut butter toast.  It really is crazy to me what is in our food.  I watched Food Inc about a year ago.  It freaked me out.  I wanted to throw all the food in my house away.  That was the starting point, but in combination with other changes in my life, I now realize how important it is.  I want to be healthy.  I want to be fit.  I want to know exactly what I am eating.  I can spend less eating better at home than I have been eating CRAP.  Seriously... click on nutrition when you bring the link up. Chicken-ish nuggets? I'm not saying I'm never going to eat at McDonald's again.  I'm not saying I will never eat another "chicken" nugget again.  All I'm saying is that I want to do better.  I want to make better decisions more of the time.  Maybe, eventually, I will make a whole life change- I could see that happening, eventually.

On a less positive note, Austin threw up in my car.  My car that has less than 2000 miles on it has already been thrown up in.  My dream car, that I have kept clean since purchasing it, had puke running down the back seat.  My car is fine now.  Austin WAS feeling better, but threw up this morning at day care.  I had to leave work to go pick him up... at least he didn't throw up in my car again.  We are at home relaxing, he is relaxing and I am staring at the pile mountain of clothes that I need to fold.  I promise I will fold them when I post this.

Positively Lucky

I am a positive person.  That statement does not seem strange, and most people probably think the same thing about themselves.  It is strange to me.  I was never that person.  I was never a person to see a glass half full and if it just did happen to be half full, someone was bound to spill it.  I had a bad attitude and well, misery loves company.  I have tried to push everyone in my life away and have been quite successful at times.  Some of the most important people in my life, at some point, I swore I would never talk to again.  They stuck around or came back later... who knows why, but they did.  I say this a lot, but I am certain that I am one of the luckiest people alive.  However strange it may be though, it's not hard.  I chose to be a positive person.  I chose to live a happy life.  People suck and yes misery loves company, but guess what- misery ends up alone or surrounded by other miserable people(not fun).  I cannot control how people around me act.  I can, however, control how I let those people affect me.  I make a choice everyday to be happy(well ok, most days). I chose to fill my life with other positive people.  I become a better person by lifting others up.  I become better by inspiring people because they end up being an inspiration to me.  I just hope the people in my life feel half as lucky to be in my life, as I do theirs.

Because of her

Because of her...

I believe in love.  I see the love for us in her eyes.  I never understood how much she loved me until I had kids.  I feel lucky everyday that someone loves me as much as I love my children.  Her first two marriages didn't work out, but she believed enough to try again.  She found a man that makes her the happiest she has ever been.  I believe in love and third chances, because of her.

I know I can.  No one believes in me like my mother.  It is with her support that I have tackled some of my biggest challenges.  She has been one my biggest supporters in going back to school.  I will have a bachelors degree, because of her.

I know I'm beautiful.  It doesn't matter what I am wearing or what size I am.  I know that I am always beautiful in my mother's eyes.  I have self confidence, because of her.

I care for others.  My mother lives to take care of others.  In her day job she takes care of her boss.  At any other time, including work hours, she takes care of her family.  She does so much for her parents, her kids and her grandchildren.  We could not ask for a better daughter, mother or maw-maw. I put others before myself, because of her.

I see the brighter side of life.  My mom has been through a lot.  She went to three different schools in 8th grade, but she made it through(not without worrying, but still made it).  She has had ups and down in her family life, but she made it through.  I know there will be a better tomorrow, because of her.

I forgive.  I won't put any details about this, but if you know my mom- you know this is true.  I know there is no point in holding a grudge, because of her.

I know someone is always there.  I talk to my mom everyday, most days about 17 times.  I know she will listen whether it is something big, or if I have nothing at all to say.  I will never be alone, because of her.

slacker no more

I figure that writing this out and keeping myself accountable will help me in actually reaching my goals. 

• I am starting fly lady today.  I will do it everyday... at least the 15 minute goals.  The only days I will cut myself some slack are Mondays when I start school
• I will stick to my running training plan.  There is no excuse to not run at least 3 miles 5 days a week.  I am starting a 5k training plan to up my speed on August 22nd.  Monday will be one of my off days, so again, no excuses.
• I will make all A's in school.  The only class that I will be ok with getting a B is my science class. 
• I will not procrastinate when it comes to homework or class assignments. 
• We are going to have a strict bed time routine during the week.  Bed time will start at 7:15(already set an alarm) unless we are not home due to games or practices. 
• This includes trying to get Austin out of pullups at night
• Brush teeth
• Potty
• Pajamas
• Book 1 long or 2 short
• Bed
• I will have a bed time routine.  My routine will start at 8:30
• rinse/floss/brush teeth
• set clothes out including work out clothes for the next day... this means i have to start laundry as soon as I get home
• make lunch and snacks for the next day
• I will not eat out in August, unless Theresa wants to go out for her birthday.  Maybe I can convince her to just let me make her lasagna

This is what I am pushing for now.  I will call them my half year resolutions.  These are things I cannot let slack.  I will be better by the end of this year and can push for even more next year. 

Lazy Days

I love my lazy days just hanging out at my house.  I have a feeling I am really going to miss them come August 22nd. I am super excited about all that I am going to be up to this fall, but it's going to be crazy. Austin and I had a lot of fun putting together Legos.  I am glad he is liking them as much as I hoped he would.  I am glad we have that in common.  I see many Lego projects in our future.  Megan decided she was going to have a little(large actually) fashion show.  I really think she changed twelve times(not exaggerating).  I have NO idea where she got her girly-ness from.  She loves purses, hair bows, dresses, shoes... this chick has more shoes than I do!  I'm glad that she has my mom to do all that stuff with because I am at a loss when it comes to that.  I will support her no matter what she wants to do, but lets just hope she doesn't love dance as much as I think she's going to.  Hopefully, if she is, she will do hip hop or something that will be more fun to watch...   Austin will be doing football and soccer this fall.  I hope the practice and game schedules don't conflict.  He is really into soccer, but I think he's going to enjoy football too.  My dad is super excited about the football, so excited that he paid for it all!  That helped out a lot!!  I loved today, but looking forward to busier days.

I run

I'm not the fastest, but I love to run.  We ran the twilight 5k today... it was still sunny.  This was the first time I ran a race that had any hills.  Hills suck, just sayin.  I love the community I have become a part of just because I put on a pair of shoes and started seeing how far I could go.  On the first day I thought a minute was hard.  Today I know I can run 3 miles.  OK so maybe not today, but inside on the treadmill.  I want to keep pushing myself to see just how much I can do.  I will do many more races, many more miles, and eventually run a marathon.
I run away from the stress of a bad day.
I run towards a better tomorrow.
I run to lift the weight off my shoulders.
I run to be able to play with my children.
I run.

zoom-zoom

Things I love about my car.

• Sirius radio.  I love that I can switch between pop, country, 80's  etc. I never have to listen to a song that I don't particularly like,  just because it is the best song on.  The 90's station is the best... seriously obsessed with it.
• Cool factor... Let's be honest- I need all the help I can get.  When I tell people that I drive a stick they think it's pretty bad ass.  I am often called bad and an ass, but never a "bad ass."
• Shifting... I actually don't mind traffic because it just gives me another reason to shift.  I'm sure that will wear off eventually, but it definitely makes driving more tolerable.
•  Zoom-Zoom... The screen actually says zoom zoom when I get in the car.  Like I said, it's the little things

 

And just to let you know... It's still clean!  It may not seem like an impressive feat for most people, but for me it's a lot.  I actually removed a cup, after I drank it, as soon as I got out of the car!!

That's my son

One of the many things I will answer to is "Austin's Mom." I am the mother of the child that says GD at daycare.  He didn't get that one from me.... Fuck on the other hand, I had to claim that one.  I am the one rearing this little boy that chews on his shirt until almost the whole front is wet.  That is one of the most DISGUSTING things in the whole ENTIRE world.  I had to tell him no hugs from mommy with a wet shirt.  My boy got put in "the blue chair"(aka time out, but they can't call it that) at daycare for kicking another kid.  While in said "blue chair" he falls out and bumps his head.  He definitely gets that from his mama.  I might just be the clumsiest person alive.  This child loves to make this sound that I imagine could only come from him or a Pterodactyl(never would have spelled it that way).  I am almost positive that he's made my ears bleed... on multiple occasions.  THAT GETS ON MY EFFIN NERVES... and yes that bad.  On the other hand(a much better hand), I get to see that little boy smile every day.  He has one of the brightest smiles I have ever seen. I have to force myself not to cave when he tries to suck up. He gives me the best hugs and kisses me on the cheek then says, "I love you mommy."  He often tells me that I'm so cute.  I can see in his big brown eyes that he cares when he gets in trouble.  I know he wants to do the right thing... it's just hard for him sometimes.  He is getting better everyday.  I am so proud to be "Austin's Mom."

I didn't want kids

           Before you, I didn't see myself as a mother.  

       Before you, I didn't think of myself as incomplete. 

I thought that I could live my life without children and be complete. I probably would have been perfectly content, but I had no idea what I was missing. Truth is- there was no life before you.

 

Life began while you were growing inside me. I knew my life would change, from the first kicks and the times where I could see your hiccups.  Giving birth was the most pain I have ever been in, but every ounce of it was worth it.  I get to see you grow, hear you speak and see you become your own little people.  Nothing has made my heart swell more than hearing you tell me you love me.

You make me melt with just one look.  When you accomplish anything, I feel like something I am doing is working.  Now that I have you, I am a part of something bigger than myself.  Seeing how independent you are lets me know I am teaching you how to be real people.  Not holding your hand through everything lets me know that you will be able to take care of yourself.  I will be there for you no matter when or where, but I know you will be strong.

Not to say that someone else's life would be incomplete if they did not have a child, but i think that I was meant to be a mom.  Austin, at your first birthday party, while I was also pregant with Megan, I danced with you.  That was one of the best dances I have ever had(the other was with my dad at my wedding).  My mom told me that I had never looked happier.  It was not about who was at the party, where the party was, definitely not who I was married to, but about how much I loved that little boy I was dancing with.  You made me a better person. Then, Megan, you were born.  I instantly loved you as much as your brother.  You made me that much better.

Being a mother made me a better person.  Everything I do is for you.  I want to be a better me so I can be the best mother I can be for you.

SINGLE mother

I am a single morther.  While I love my mother title, I loathe the single part of it.  I pretty much hate everything about being single.  I'm just going to go ahead and make a bulleted list of why I hate being single, because I'm not already feeling crappy enough today.

 

I hate being single because-

• I hate sleeping by myself... I love to cuddle and well, it's hard to do that with yourself
• It's hard to cook.   My kids don't like my cooking (maybe because my kitchen doesn't have golden arches outside) so I always have way too much left over
• All my friends are married... 3rd wheel anyone?
• I get to hear my friends complain about how bad their husbands are
• I get to hear my friends gloat about how good their husbands are... either way it sucks
• The only people I talk to at night are 5 and under... conversations are intellectual at my house
• Austin needs more of a male influence.  He likes purple sequin pants, enough said
• I like hanging out with my friends and their husbands.  My friends picked some pretty good guys, but since I don't have a man we always just hang out with the girls.  I know it's nice for them to to have a girls night, but it would be nice to be around guys again.
• I HATE DATING... the only thing I hate more than not having a date, is going on a date.  I don't like the getting to know you stage... I wish I could just skip that part of it all or just do it with ONE more person.
• My house is cleaner when I live with someone. 
• Seriously the sleeping part... I didn't sleep last night.

 

Don't get me wrong, I love my life.  I am lucky in so many ways.  I know that it will happen when and if it's supposed to happen.  I also know that I have been married twice, and some people would argue that I have had my fair share of husbands.  I'm getting the used to the idea that I might be single for a while, and maybe, eventually, I might be ok with it.  In the mean time, I am focussing on my children. I have a blast with them and I know I don't need a boyfriend... it would just be nice. I am not going to settle.  I am etither going to be someone that fits into my life just as well as I fit into theirs.  I will be with someone that will be there for my children.  I don't expect what happened with my mom and dad to happen, although it would be nice. Sometimes I let that little voice in my head(ok big voice) take over and wonder what's wrong with me or what's wrong with the guys I'm meeting.  What it boils down to is that there is nothing wrong with me or them(most of them)... it just wasn't the right fit or the right time, or a little of both.  All I can do is be the best me I can be and let the rest just happen.

My Sister

Today I took of work to help my sister pack.  There was way more lounging, talking and laughing then actual packing, but what does that matter.  It was really nice to have more than 24 hours, without my kids, to spend with my sister.  We are both busy and we don't get to see each other a lot. We were not always close.  She reminds me (often) of how I would tickle her in order for the cat to attack her or how I taught her how to cuss in order to get her in trouble.  I'm sure I did that and way worse.  I remember making my mother a picture saying "I hope it's a gril" (spelling was never my one of my talents).  I also remember when she came home from the hospital nurses had to come to the house for the first part of her life.  She used to scream so loud you could hear it outside when she was getting an IV.  I was not allowed to watch a PG-13 movie on my 13th birthday, but my mom got her Titanic(PG-13) for her 12th birthday... not that I hold a grudge.  I know that it's different with your second child.  I know that will be an issue with mine, since they are so close together.

I love that, even though we were not that close when we were younger, we are now.  I know I get on her nerves when I try to give her advice(and probably many other times), but I hope she knows it's because I care.  I hope she knows how proud I am because she is following her dream.  She is beautiful, funny, talented, smart and crazy a lot of times.  She is strong in so many ways, and I know she can do anything she puts her mind to.  I hope she knows that, even though I give her flack for asking my mom for help all the time, I'm glad she has her to fall back on.  We have very different relationships with our mom, but she is there for both of us no matter what.  I am lucky that my mom met and later married the person I get to call dad.  They had a "gril" a few years later and almost 22 years later, that "gril" is one of my best friends.

Lucky

Today, like a lot of days lately, I realize that I have so much to be thankful for.  

I have two adorable kids.  I cannot believe my little boy is five already.  It does not seem like he could be five already.  He will start school soon and that's just crazy.  His little life is about to change so much.  I hope that he knows that I will always be there for him and he can talk to me about anything.  

I have the best family.  I think a lot of people try to claim this, but no really I have the best- just ask my sister.  My mom planned and bought everything for Austin's party.  Yet another reason I might be a bad mom, but I know I can always depend on her.  My parents have always been a great support to me.  I am lucky enough to call my sister one of my best friends.  Even though she's way cooler than me, we have become really close these past couple years.

My friends- New and old- I am lucky.  I am still so close with my best friends from high school.  We have had our ups and down, but they are still the best friends I could ask for.  I am also lucky enough to work with people that I call friends, people that push me everyday to be better.  

So many other things... I am financially stable with no debt other than house and car, new, beautiful, fun car(zoom zoom), dvr with nice TV to match, starting school that is paid for plus extra money(in love with the GI Bill), enough smarts that I know school will not be horrible- I know it will be hard, but not horrible.

Everyday there is something more to be thankful for... another smile, another joke, another realization that I am lucky to live the life I lead.  It's not my best life yet, but I'm working on it.  

Everything

Austin walks in to day care and announces to everyone, "Did you KNOW that today is MY BIRTHDAY?"

No one knows and no one is nearly as excited as he is.  When I drop him off at his class they say "Is it really his birthday?"  They are so surprised, I guess, because I didn't come with cookies or cupcakes for him to share with all his little friends.... we will celebrate later.  I want to be there to share in a birthday celebration I pay for.  I go to the reception desk to pay for parent's night out.  She asks me. "What are you doing this weekend for his birthday, other than bringing him to parent's night out?"  First of all, I hope she was joking.  Second of all, I'm celebrating with him on his birthday and having a party before I bring him.  Third of all, he would be there even if it was on his actual birthday, but then I probably would have brought cookies.

I asked Austin what his favorite part of his birthday... He said everything.  We didn't do anything really special, just what I knew he would like.  Chuck E. Cheese (I always think it should be Chucky Cheese) and McDonald's in one day?!?!?!  I think that we got enough tokens that he actually got bored with the games.  I could tell that he was ready to go because he didn't cry when I told him it was time to go.  When we cashed in our tickets for prizes, all they wanted was candy. 

Counter Lady: "Your mommy probably wants you to get something other than just candy."

Me: "Give them whatever they ask for."

CL: "Whoa!  You have a cool mom!"

Kids in unison "I know."

Me- smiles from ear to ear.

Things like this let me know, in my book, that I'm doing something right.  I want my kids to think I'm cool.  I am going to take full advantage of it while I can.  I know it will come to a point where they would much rather be with their friends than their mom on their birthday, but right now I am the coolest person they know.  Granted they don't know a lot of people, but I'll take it.  This being said, they still know who is boss and I still make them do things that are not cool, even if they are "not my friend anymore." 

I had fun on his birthday too.  We got pop rocks and put them on our ice cream.  Megan wanted to know when the popping in her mouth was going to stop.  I taught my my kids how to eat fun dip.  I got a kick out of the conversation where I had to keep telling her to "lick it and keep sticking it in"  That was just another one of the many times where she looks at me and asks, "Mommy what are you laughing at?"  And one day I will tell her... just because that's the type of mom I am because of the type of dad I have (a dad that loves to say "that's what she said")  

I still can't believe that he is five.  He will start kindergarten in less than two months.  He will forever be my little boy, but he's not that little anymore.  One day he won't ask for kisses anymore and he will roll his eyes when I try to give him one.  But for now, I will soak up every moment of being the coolest person he knows.

The Little Things

I've decided to give this whole blog thing another try.  After reading the first 2 years of She Likes Purple, I was inspired.  I really want to keep a record of this little crazy life I have.  It is filled with many little things that make me smile and make me cuss.  I am a dork, I drive too fast, I am way too messy, and often feel that I am not the best mother I could be.  I think the whole guilt thing, for most mothers, is something you take on as soon as you find out you're pregnant.  Some people might think I'm a bad mother because I don't bring cookies to daycare for my childeren's birthdays or because I take them to each and every parent's night out (I need all the help I can get- I'm a single mom) I belive that I am a good mom because they are still alive (if you know my kids you understand that is an accomplishment in itself) and I treat them like real people. Right now I a mother, daughter, sister, friend, and wanna-be runner among many other things I try to be (including healthy eater).  In a little over a month I will add student to the already too long list of what I am trying to fit into my life.  I am ok that homework will replace time I have been spending with my dvr, hopefully it won't be competely neglected.  I will not use it as an excuse not to exercise.  Even though I am currently losing the battle with my body of what it wants to consume vs. what, in my head, I know I should be eating... I will not stop running.  I have these grand visions of posting everyday and throngs of people following my blog, when in reality these are probably just grand delusions.  My only followers will probably just be my best friend and my mom, and maybe Jennie just because she might feel sorry for me and I took the time to link her twice in my first post.  The reality is that I don't care what this site turns into as long as I have something to look back on.