Without you there would be no mother's day.

We celebrated with acts of service, chocolate cake, happy tears and captured memories set to song.

There is no greater gift than your smiles, tears, frowns, and honesty.

 No matter what state you're in we're in in together,

And you're always a blessing.

Tri-ing

The countdown starts at 9
Nine weeks
Until triathlon number one
My fist tri-training class was not easy
But I pushed through, and
I did it
Two hours broken down into
30 min swim - 30 min spin - 40 min sprints and drills - 15 min core - cool down
Sleep came more easily than usual
1:00 am brought extreme thirst and need for Ibuprofen
7:00 am brought achy calf and lat muscles
But also the promise that I'm getting stronger, and going to be ready

For the love of swimming, biking, running, motivation and tri-ing,
Me

Psalm 139:5

Imagine God taking all the little moments of your life 

Meticulously and purposefully 

He stitches the threads of everyday

Sewing you together 

Each word, 

Every action  

Know before it's spoken, and done.

For the Love of living a life that's been hemmed in by my Creator and Savior,

Me 

A real life kind of friend

Coffee shared amidst laundry piles and breakfast dishes
Make-up optional
And honesty without risk
Carts carrying groceries or Target steals
A second mom to my kids, always on-call
Rummaging through clearance, shopping and saving
Ethnic food Groupons, dinners shared at home too
Talking and texting
Washing dishes and wiping noses
Accessories and heels or gym clothes and Nike's
My sister's in Christ  - Life's better living it with you

For the love of MOPS who brought us together so many years ago, being friends in the mess of life, a belated birthday post, and You MG,
Me

Abs

The joys of days woven together in time
Memories like snapshots of smiles and of tears
Grafted into life
Making me thankful
Even though you're there and I'm here.
Simple meals and Price Chopper runs
A slower time with less to be done
Candy corn and peanuts
Now a fall favorite treat of mine
Not a breakfast kind of girl
But a chocolate crossiant is irresistable
A boccee ball partner, sloping waterfront boundary
I'm the weakest link, but no matter, you put up with me
Shopping bags, sandals
Converstation shared through dressing room walls
Pepsi and pedicures
Football games enjoyed in a condo cheaply warmed
Babies and bellies
Life is full, and will never be the same
Memory of an empty road as I watched you drive away
A mommy's prayer to heaven raised
Cars full of cousins- trips to the farm and lake made
There are so many more, the words a blanket I weave
That you may be wrapped in my love and memories

For the love of belated-birthday posts, Sisters, admiration and many more memories to make,
Me

Happy Belated Birthday Day Abbey

Unsolicited Information: Marathon edition



Marathon 1 of 2 in 2012 was tackled,

and while his finisher t-shirt reads "Had a wicked good time"

His face at mile 24 did not reflect that phrase in the slightest

J's PR remained unbroken and for that there was some disappointment.

But with Boston as the goal

And marathon #2 still to be run I'm amazed at his resolve

He's my runner man, and I'm so proud to call him mine.

Unsolicited Information: Exercise edition

Miles logged for 2012 total a meager 63
But 41 have come from April-my best month yet!
To reach my goal of 750 miles this year I need to run 85miles every month for the next 8 months - Yikes!
Maybe my goal should be ammended to 500, that's a do-able 54 miles per month
Due to the spandex season that's quickly approaching
I decided to literally kick my butt into shape by adding a kick-boxing class into my exercise routine.
Class #1 was awesomly hard, and left me sore for 3 days
Pretty sure I haven't done that many jumping jacks ever,
And the gloves were such a hit at home they had to be removed to a storage place out of the kids reach.

Unsolicited information: Bible edition

I'm reading in the Old Testament again: 1 Samuel
The revelation of God's character coupled with the detailed lives of the flawed-participants in His plan
Leaves me challenged to be different, as I realize how good God is and how flawed I continue to be.
And I want my kids to choose God...why did so many godly people end up with un-godly kids?
That's a rhetorical question.

For the love of learning, trying to live as called-out and praying my kids choose His way,
Me

For your birthday

Orange carpet and a fold out couch
A ringing bell when illness fell
A heavy oak table and
Lists of tasks to do
Bustling kitchen with a window overlooking
All our outside play
Stands filled with your support and cheer
A coach in life
Teacher, in scripture and in prayer
An interior decorator who encouraged creativity
Pillows and blankets, wall-paper and pics
And self-expression, even if manifested in purple hair
Dark brown and ivory the keys ringing with your skill
Singing together makes me smile still
Allowing mistakes, always
Forgiving and patient
Open to conversation, encouraging and kind
A home open to all friends
Rice krispie-treats and brownies at the ready
--------------------------------------------------------
I still call you momma, but I call you friend too
I've learned to make lists all on my own
My kitchen window now looks over outside play
When sick, I wish I still had a bell
Now I'm the cheerleader and the life coach too
I hope music fills my home just like it did when I lived in yours
Allowing mistakes is awful hard
I pray and read, which helps me to be patient, forgiving and kind


For the love of a birthday's, and recalling memories of how you made me into who I am,
Me


Happy 51st birthday Mom.