I've overcome the wanting to stop when I'm almost there, and don't find anything turning into cramps or pains either. The other night while I was out, I didn't want to stop running. I wanted to just keep going! I'm pretty sure this is a good sign.
The weather has been terrible! Well terrible for July. It's summer, which means no jackets, no socks/tennis shoes needed, and the sun's out for you to play in. Instead summer is currently sweatshirts with hoods up and throwing the flip flops into the back of the closet which also means no flip flop tan line, one of my favorite things about summer. How long will this last!!??
Ok I here a little one stirring so I better call it quits for the night, and off to the land of dreams filled with sunshine and waves rushing over my feet while I dig them into the sand....

Last week was week one. I ran 5 out of the 6 days (started on Monday). I'm not exactly doing it like it's mapped out on the site, only because I don't have anything to gauge 90 seconds or whatever the time is. So I have a one mile loop that I alternate running/walking.

Last night I ran .5 mile without stopping and without feeling like I was going to die. I thought that was a great accomplishment! I walked about 2.5 blocks and then ran the rest of the way home (and I made it up the Culver's hill without death too!).

The rest of the week I close, which means two things I'd have to run at like 1 a.m. after work, or get up at 6 to run before Abe leaves for work. Oh I guess there is a 3rd option, run during the hottest time of the day. Not sure which one is the best or which one will really happen....

Yesterday I bought a new pair of running shoes.
The lady at the shoe store was so helpful! I actually got shoes that will help my flat feet instead of just picking a pair that I liked the colors of and was in my price range. Unfortunately, the choices available to me didn't fall in either of these categories! These were the best of the 3, and the cheapest although they were still in the $100 range. The runner-up was a Saucony pair that was royal blue and white. So these will be just for running and not every day wear.

Leigha hanging out with her teacher at the end of the year picnic....

Good-bye 4k, hello kindergarten!

When it comes down to picking what I'm going to do with my "free time" now that the weather is warming up, kids are almost done with school, and hubby has potential of another lay-off so I'm back to work, blogging isn't high on the list. Unfortunately for my family, neither are laundry or dishes.
Things are bad when cereal is being eaten out of your Tupperware with plastic disposable spoons, and when your eldest needs socks you give her a pair of yours. Yeah that's kinda what it's like around here.
Last weekend we did get to go out by ourselves, his parents took the girls. Abe took me to some fabric shops in search of cream/polka dot material. We went out to eat and then to golf shops for him. Of course it was a pretty leisure filled day until reality hit and I needed to stop playing with putters and looking at hybrids and come home and get ready for work. Ahh the beauty of restaurant work...it's never 9-5 five days a week!
And now I need to accomplish some inside work, got all my weeding done and lawn mowed this morning, before I head to work tonight.

Seeing these on the table just makes me smile!!!

Sara really liked this one

The line continues through the house, and there are tons of things to find on each page

The toy box was one of her favorite pages

The only down side to having these books....I had to "order" them from other libraries so when they came in, they all came at the same time, and I haven't been able to spend quality time with any of them. And then when I would crack one open, I felt like I was cheating on the other ones and they weren't getting their fair share of my attention. The plus side is that all of these are now on my wish list along with the Denyse Schmidt book (hint hint..and you know who you are)

First let me preface this to say I AM NOT a morning person.
For the last week, including yesterday and today, I have got 8 kids to school with the 2 year old in tow. My FIL had them dressed and fed so I only had to do every one's hair, and of course get my 3 completely ready, and off to school by 8. And looking back, we weren't late once!!!
And when I felt relief that last Friday was the last day of babysitting and early morning dash offs to the in-laws were done, I had to continue this week. And again, had to push back my plan for actually getting Eve's room together- this really has changed my routine of things. Also I'm trying to get ready for Leigha's birthday party on Saturday, yes this is the year of on time parties! Of course my house is still near disaster level with hockey gear tripping you when you come through the front door, hopefully I can address this tomorrow.
The potty training is going well. She has no problem telling us, and everyone else within 2 aisles at the store, "I HAVE TO GO POTTY!!" And she doesn't stop saying it until you take her so there's no getting around it. Of course there are the many, many, many false alarms, but what can I do? I know I will keep taking her.
All right now I'm going to try to sneak in a shower, yes really nice to start my day now, and a quick craft project before the afternoon chaos starts.

I had her completely dressed, and the outfit matched it was great. While I was doing dishes she took off her pants and diaper went potty on the toilet, went upstairs to her room, got undies (and even had them on the right way!), took off the long sleeve shirt, got a new shirt, and came back down stairs. She stood in the doorway and looked me right in the eyes and said "Underwear." She did excellent yesterday with only one accident that somehow only dribbled down her leg a bit. Goodbye baby, hello big girl! (Insert all tears here because she is my last little one, and this is just one more step towards being a big girl. And now tears aside, have you noticed how potty training is kind of like breastfeeding? It seems like you are doing one thing all day long!)

"Mom, me play with tah-toe?"

And after days of asking, I finally let them play with play dough. I seriously think it was created by the devil, because no mom would inflict the amount of clean-up this requires on another mom. Aside from the clean-up, there is always the chunks that get stuck on their clothes and socks. I unfortunately limit play dough playing. And I feel very guilty for this, because I can remember playing with this stuff for hours and making all sorts of things. Of course when I was little all of mine was inevitable that redish-brown color that mixing all the colors together creates, another pet peeve of mine that also limits the number of colors they can play with. When will I through this all into the wind and just let play be play with all the colors and all the do-dads that our play dough factory has (shhh...they didn't get to play with this today..the clean-up is crazy!)?

I had to include this one of Sara too. She has Eve's underwear around her waist with Leigha's pajama pants. I tried to take them off and she insisted,"Underwear on." ...whatever.

And I leave the room for 5 seconds and half a box of toothpicks gets used! She was on a roll today. She drew all over herself, Sara, and her bedspread. It's been quite the day!

Leigha on her way back to cross the finish line

7-9 yr old class lining up

Eve on her way back for the win

Leigha competing in the 2 oval

Eve in her 2 oval race

So I think I will be taking a brief absence. It has become apparent to me, that I am way to sidetracked/angry/confused/feeling lost that I have nothing I feel like sharing, which is probably when you should share. I'm not even sure what exactly provoked this wonderful time in my life, but it's here and now I have to work through it.

The top box has things to fix (ugg..)

Eventually I'd like my sewing machine on my desk

There's one stack of pictures that needs attention
Jannie- don't look to close because I see your present I forgot!

Dear Self,
I promise that when Monday rolls around, and we know it will, I am going to clean this closet. Yeah that's what is in these pics...recognize it? Didn't think so. So Monday...it's a date.
-Jess

The following is not for clean freaks with bad hearts or anal organizers with high blood pressure- unless you are willing to come take care of this for me......