My family: November 2012

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Thankfull

This past month we have focused on the topic of being thankful for the things that bring joy to our lives. Being mindful of our gifts makes us grateful for our lot in life. I am thankful for my family, friends, my health, my home, groceries, craft time, good books & energizing runs. Isabella is thankful for school, her home, family, friends, books and toys! Sophia is thankful for her blankie, toys, teachers, mommy, daddy & Isabella. We are blessed and thankful for our many gifts.

We spent Thanksgiving at home this year since the kids were sick. Our plan to visit family in Maryland was halted due to germs so at the final hour we had to figure out a feast. Isabella, whose bag was packed to go, was heartbroken we did not head up to Maryland. Thankfully, grocery stores were open and our last minute feast turned out great. However, to Isabella's dismay it did not include turkey, but instead ham. She said "But Mom, its turkey day!". No matter what meal is on our table I am thankful to have my family by my side.

Here are a few photos from the Holiday weekend...

Sweet Sophia

Sophia ,the leaf magician

Cleaning out the leaves

Isabella relaxing in the leaf pile

The girls taking a break

Isabella, who was feeling better, rode circle around Sophia

Happy Thanksgiving!

Friday, November 23, 2012

Sewing 101

As you all know, I love arts and crafts time. I am excited to share my knowledge with my daughters and took a chance that Isabella was ready to learn how to sew (with my assistance).

For Isabella's first project we made a Christmas Cloth Book. Isabella learned how to pin the project, feed the fabric through the machine and also to use the foot pedal. The hardest part to teach was the machine speed which is based on the pressure from the foot pedal. Overall, it was a good project that made for a fun mommy-daughter afternoon!

Welcome to the world of sewing Isabella!

Carefully using the pins

Learning about the machine

Sisters sitting at the Singer

20 questions and stats

Here are 20 questions from Sophia's birthday interview:

1. What is your favorite color? Pink

2. What is your favorite toy? My baby

3. What is your favorite fruit? Grapes (though I think its bananas)

4. What is your favorite thing to watch on TV? Rapunzel (Tangled movie)

5. What is your favorite lunch? Chicken nuggets

6. What is your favorite outfit? Cinderella dressed in yellow (actually a blue Cinderella dress up outfit)

7. What is your favorite game? Playing dress up

8. What is your favorite snack? Pretzels

9. What is your favorite animal? Bunny Rabbit

10. What is your favorite song? Glory to God (from Church)

11. What is your favorite book? The Very Hungry Caterpillar

12. Who is your best friend? Isabella

13. What do you like to do at quiet time? Sleep

14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Swing

15. What is your favorite drink? juice (apple, of coarse!)

16. What is your favorite holiday? Mothers day

17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Water and blankie

18. What is your favorite birthday gift? All of the presents

19. What do you want for birthday dinner? A cupcake, chicken nuggets and juice

20. What do you want to be when you grow up? A princess!

Our baby is THREE!!! She is growing up before our eyes and it is such a joy to experience. She is a sweet natured child who is beautiful both inside and out. She warms my heart and brings joy to everyone in her life. These days Miss Sophia is into dress up and being a princess. There is not a day that goes by without a dress up outfit on Sophia. Not only does she love to play dress up but her imagination is growing. She loves to give her dolls and princess's their own voices. It one of my favorite things to listen too!

Sophia loves to play Mommy

Sophia loves all her baby dolls

Sophia loves to swing at pre-school

Our baby girl really is growing fast. In one year she has grown 4.75" inches with a 2 lb weight gain. No wonder her pants are already too short!

Official 3 year stats:

Height 38.75" (60%)

Weight 38.5" (75%)

My sweet child Sophia, I am looking forward to watching you grow. xoxox

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Dandelion wish

Isabella picked a dandelion in the grass at her pre-school. I told her to blow on it and make a wish. Isabella thought hard about her wish and took a big breath then exclaimed "I wish to be a fairy"!

Friday, November 16, 2012

Marathon Momma!!!

On November 10, 2012 I ran the Anthem Richmond Marathon with 6,000 people. The days leading up to the race I was eager with anticipation! From Carb loading and hydrating to nervous energy and positive thoughts, the days passed slowly. The morning of the race I woke up around 5am and rode to the city with friends. After meeting up with the Marathon Training Team I headed to the start. The plan for my race was to have fun, finish injury free and a time goal of less than 5 hours. I ran the first 5 miles with one of my MTT coaches, Brigetta. She was great at keeping me on a slow pace thus conserving energy for later in the run. Mile 5, I was greeted by my sparkly friend Jenn A.to run a mile with me. It was the perfect day for a run with friends at my side and the sun at my back.

Miles 6-18 were great! I enjoyed listening to music and all the spectators on the course. The Lee Bridge was no problem to cross. Around mile 18ish my quads started to cramp and I had another salt packet (my 3^rd of the run) and trotted off to meet my cheering squad (aka my family) at mile 19. It was wonderful to see my family and felt like I had a bit of home along the side of the route. After a few quick hugs I headed off to rock the rest of the race! At mile 20 (termed the midpoint) I met up with another of my MTT coaches, Francis who ran with me for about 2 miles. At this point I was having pretty severe cramps in my quads and tried to run in between each water stop which were only one mile apart. This was a struggle thus I took a 4^th salt packet. Per my coach Brigetta's advice I said to myself "Pain, you are coming with me". Miles 22-24 I was alone again, jamming out to some good tunes and focused on the finish. The race was going by fast and I could hardly believe I was close to the end. At Mile 24 my sweet friend Jenn S. thankfully appeared to run a glorious mile with me. Then at mile 25 sparkly Jenn A. cheerfully joined me again for a mile. The last bit of the race was tough but I still had a smile on my face.

The finish was down hill and as I turned the corner not only were my quads cramped but my left calf decided to join in on the fun. I told myself again “pain you are coming with me” and I raced to the finish line. I felt the pain until about 30 feet before crossing the finish line. At that point a calm came over my body realizing that I not only ran a marathon but I had accomplished all of my goals along the way. It was a great experience that not only challenged me but also rewarded me on many levels. My heart surged with pride as the finishers medal was placed around my neck.

Ready to start the race!

Found my family at mile 19

Me and my littlest cheerleader

Loving the support from my family!

Mile 24 with Jenn S.

Mile 25 with Jenn A.

Mile 26

Made top 200 for my age group

My friend Jenn S. refers to marathon training as a six month pregnancy. It's a very good comparison, not only for the runner but also for their support system of family and friends. The six month marathon training required dedication, perseverance, focus, strength, making healthy decisions, and willpower. There was pain to struggle though and a growing excitement from pushing myself to a new limit. Leading up to the race my excitement grew with anticipation of the unknown during the last stretch of the race. I crossed the finish line a changed person. I received a gift that I nurtured and that no one can take from me...I am a marathoner! My mind said yes and thankfully my body agreed. I feel very thankful to have my health to be able to run a marathon.

I am grateful and humbled by my journey to the marathon. I remember those who can’t run and what they would give to have this simple gift that I take for granted. I ran this race for my grandmother who is unable to move on her own. I ran this race for myself to grow as a person, to be the athlete that I want to be and to overcome the unknown. I ran this race for my children to see that anything is possible if you work hard to achieve it. I ran and ran and ran till I hit 26.2 miles!!!

I completed the race in the top 200 for my age group. I was #176 in my age group with a finish time of 4:38! Not too shabby for my first marathon

10k split 1:05
Half spilt 2:15
20 mile split 3:29
Net time 4:38
Place 3036
Division Place 176
Best Mile #14; pace 9:22
Worst Mile #22; pace 12:06
Average Pace 10:30 per mile

"The journey is the reward. The marathon is the victory lap"

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Tangled up in Birthday Fun!

Sophia's magical birthday celebration began on Saturday November 3rd which was her actual birthday. Per tradition, we took Sophia to Toys R Us to pick out a toy. She ended up selecting a Dora phone and was excited just to walk around the store checking out all the different toys. That evening for dinner we had Chick FilA nuggets which the birthday girl requested...she also wanted them for lunch but we thought that would be nugget overload! We enjoyed presents, cake and lots of smiles on Sophia's 3rd birthday. The celebration continued on Sunday when we had a Rapunzel themed birthday party. The crafts and games went with the Rapunzel theme. The kids painted lanterns like in the movie Tangled. Next they got tangled in Rapunzel's hair, enjoyed a Rapunzel Pinata and were jazzed up with Tangled tattoos. Finally, the kids enjoyed a balloon toss before heading home. It was a fun birthday party and Sophia loved having her friends and family there to celebrate.