Halloween {2013}

I'd say that Halloween keeps getting better, but every year has had its own "best."

The day started with both girls' Halloween parties at school (actually, it started with me getting up at 5:00 to make a fruit salad, but...). I really, really enjoyed being the "mom helper" at Austen's party, and dropping into K's class afterwards. I wore my bat headband, took pictures to send to the teachers, and served Halloween snacks to adorable, costumed three years olds. I'm a lucky mama.

They draw, Daddy carves:

Breakfast with a "Princess Witch" and "Blue Fairy"

 Austen got to join Kaitlyn and her friends for a bit. Big stuff!

 We got to tag along on K's costume parade. The fairy is flying to catch up...

 After school we trick-or-treated at Grammie and Papa's and Grandma and Grandpa's: 

Baby Hayden was there and was talking up a storm:

The Hembrees came for dinner (well, they made and brought dinner!) and trick-or-treating. They brought these delicious sugar pumpkins filled with jasmine rice, apples, cranberries, ground turkey and probably some other goodness -- all I know is that they were GOOD! And even better since they were festive.

 The kids had pizza...

 I'm not sure if they had more fun answering the door and giving candy, or trick-or-treating themselves:

 The big girls called it a night before the little ones. Audrey (cutest bumble bee ever...her little stinger wagged back and forth all night as she walked house to house) and Austen kept at it.
We ended at our house:

YUM.

Another one in the books. I needed that. Good, good times.

Summer Collage Extravaganza

Found this in the "Oops, I never finished or posted it" file. I don't want to brag, but this may be the biggest photo dump in the history of all photo dumps. And there's more coming after this one because once something just gets ridiculous, you have to stop and gather yourself.

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It's time to stay up past my usual 8:30 bedtime and dump the rest of our summer photos. The calendar and recent incessant rain tell me that it's officially fall.

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Five, Going on 15

She looks about 15 here, no? Our first baby is growing up before our eyes.

I told Kaitlyn a while ago that she is our favorite surprise -- she was beaming.

Happy 5th birthday to our surprise: Our sweet, sassy, fun-loving, determined, beautiful first baby. We love you so, so much and are so proud of you (even though Mama's heart has been breaking all day at how fast you are growing up).

26.2!

Done and done! I'm so happy with my time -- 4:00:44 -- mostly because I knew that I could accomplish it, and I know that I gave it everything I had. That was what was so disappointing about the Rock 'n Roll marathon (beat that time by 21 minutes!)...I KNEW I could do better and it wasn't the fun/satisfying race I had envisioned.

This one was great, for the most part. I did have another anxiety attack (SO frustrating!!) at mile 11, but I kept going and willed myself back from it--I wasn't going to let that stop me this time. Just for the record, these make my legs go weak and turn to jelly...not cool in the midst of a marathon. Once I got through it, I got my legs back. 

Miles 23-26 sucked. No surprise there, but that was where it really turned mental. That was where I really had to push myself when my legs were telling me to knock off the running crap and call it a day. Sorry, legs...mama had a point to prove -- to herself.

There will always be those who are (a lot) faster, but I'm pretty dang proud of myself. I trained diligently - and enjoyed it - and accomplished my goal time (well, my goal was four hours, so I'm just going to have to be okay with those pesky 44 seconds). 

My parents, the girls and I had a fun, albeit quick, Portland trip. We missed Daddy, but what can ya do. I got the special treatment and rode in style in the back o the 'ole mini while Papa drove. 

Yesterday, we got to the hotel, unpacked, and headed back out to pick up my race packet at the expo. We walked around by the water a bit, then met a fellow SC alum, Colleen, for a pasta dinner. It was fun to see her after quite a few years, meet most of her family and some friends, and get some last minute tips from a now-Boston qualifier!

(Austen got that stuffed kitty ^^^ from a boy at Alfy's pizza last week. He was playing the grabber-thing game and gave it to her. I like that. And she liked it too...was ecstatic.)

We then went back to the hotel for sleep--ha! Austen slept in a bed with me and coughed/kicked me in her sleep for the first few hours. I think I finally slept solidly from about 1:30-4:50. Oh well, she's a cute cougher/kicker. 

Poor Grammie slept in a chair because her new shoulder is still pretty painful, and the bed just hasn't been cutting it. 

K has been into "making books" lately. She's recently decided to copy one of her Amelia Bedelia books. She had packed all of her supplies and was thrilled when she saw the big "grown up desk" in our room. She went right to work.

My dad and I got up bright and early to head to the start line. He dropped me off and I made my way to corral D. It was freezing, but I'd much prefer that over too warm. 

The crowd had a moment of silence for Boston (the security at this race was very tight), sang the National Anthem and Sweet Caroline, and then we were off. 

It's so amazing -- feeling this comradery with so many other people doing the same thing, and there's so much support for others. I feel the same when I'm out running and exchange that little wave with fellow runners. Makes my heart swell. 

My cheering section met me at the finish line, and K could hardly wait to give me the "fruit cup" she had made special for my race. It even came with a coaster to hold under it. She was so proud. And apparently, she made everyone one of these for breakfast, too. So proud. 

After the race, we headed back to the hotel so I could shower (believe me, it was in everyone's best interest) then packed up the car to get lunch at Red Robin. I may have consumed two pieces of cheesecake on the way there. It was served last night at dinner and I just couldn't bring myself to eat it the night before a long race. It was torture, I tell you. Cheesecake is my kryptonite (did I use that right? Sounded cool...)

I got my celebratory beer and the girls were excited to be at good 'ole Red Robin. 

We drove to Multnomah Falls to do a little sight seeing, grabbed coffee, and headed on our way. Stopped for some road trip junk food and mini pumpkins (for preschool tomorrow), and here I sit, loungin' in the mini, writing this stream of conscousness post. 

^^ This is called, "Mommy wanted a cute picture and kid wasn't having it." We basically dragged them around for two days, so, fair enough.

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Well, I did it how I knew I could. I'm happy, and now I'm going to give my legs a much deserved break. Gotta stay off the 20 milers for a bit.

Portland Marathon or Bust

Sunday is the big day. I'd say I've "officially" been training toward this next marathon for over 9 months. Very few weekends have seen less than 16 miles in the past long while. I've over-trained, which is not ideal, but I'm in this more for the training than for the end race, I've realized. I crave 20 mile runs on my weekends. I'm going to miss them. Just me, my headphones, and the trail.

I have a hard time getting out of bed on those mornings, but as soon as I'm about 3-4 miles in I remember why I do it. When I'm approaching mile 20 and I realize that I'm not mentally ready to stop, I remember why I do it. That Runner's High is like nothing else; I'm addicted.

I'm excited for Sunday's race. I'm ready -- physically and mentally. I've practiced mental strategies during my weekend runs to hopefully prevent what happened last time from creeping up on me again. I KNOW I can do this. I can run 22 miles and want to keep going...I can do this. I ran (jogged) while 8.5 months pregnant...I can do this. I've made it through unmedicated birth by choice...I can do this! (My mom was reminding me this morning how versatile natural labor strategies are, and that they'll be useful for marathon running. I think she's on to something.)

The girls and I are heading over tomorrow with my parents, and Jeff is traveling for work. He's been so incredibly supportive.

No matter how it all goes down on Sunday, I'll be happy for the experience.

Here we go!

My Front Porch Lookin' In

 I recently deleted Facebook and Instagram from my phone for a few different reasons - number one being that I was checking them far too often and actually annoying myself - and it has turned out to be a great decision for me, personally. I apparently do not posses the self control necessary to refrain from checking in with social media every 10 minutes (briefly, but still...). I "allow" myself to check Facebook from our computer, which by default means that I'm not on often at all since I don't sit in front of this thing much. Perfect.

Enjoying and appreciating what we have is such a roller coaster ride, at least for me. As with many things, I go through phases. I needed a boost, and this "break" was it.

Enjoying and appreciating what is right in front of me:

As Jeff and I were watching these girls through the window and half laughing/half cringing at Buffy's new "BakbakbakbakbakbakbakbaGOK!" he asked me, "So, do you love having chickens roaming around the yard like you thought you would?"

"Yes, yes I do. Very much. Excessive pooping and all." Really, it's just what I'd hoped for.

We have plans in the works (ie In our heads) to build a larger run so that I don't feel guilty leaving them in there all day. At this point, they free range around the yard for about half of the day. I personally don't mind the poop, but I do understand that outdoor play dates aren't as appealing to those who are grossed out by chicken poo. Me? Just check your feet before you go in and I'll be happy to hose them off if needed.

I got some update pictures of the girls. They are reaching the window of normal laying age, but are at the front end of it. I'm guessing we still have at least a month.

Penny at 15 weeks:

Our Black Australorp, Maisy 2 (remember, Maisy 1 got a new home after proving he was a boy), is looking more like a pullet (girl) now, so we are pretty confident that we'll end up with eggs instead of a 4a.m. wake-up call. Time will tell. Maisy at 15 weeks:

Wendy at 17 weeks. She is the one who got sick when she was a little chick. My mom spent three days while we were in Eastern Wa, nursing her back to health (dipping her beak in water so she'd drink when she couldn't move her legs -- is Crazy Chicken Lady hereditary?? Love you, Mom). We are still in disbelief that she is at this point now:

 Buffy. She's our flock leader (I'm clearly embracing my chicken nerd status):

Oh well...

Austen's sunflower. She picked out these seeds when we were (loosely and spontaneously) planning our garden -- it finally bloomed!

This all reminds me of an oldie but goody by Lonestar: My Front Porch Lookin' In. This song always made me look forward to having kids (and living in the country, but one thing at a time).

My blessings are in front of me
It's not about the land
I'll never beat the view
From my front porch looking in.





Loving what is right in front of me.