Five for Friday

1.  A few comments were left on the blog about me running 8.5 miles with my children...are you crazy?!?  I can't run 8.5 miles with my kids!
#1: I'm not strong enough to push them that far.
#2: They wouldn't last that long in the stroller.
We have done a little over 4 before and by the end everyone was trying to jump out of the stroller.

2.  I love this necklace.  I don't love the price but I love the necklace.  I have been looking for a pendant necklace for a while and haven't found one that is just right.  Hoping I can find one a little (actually a lot) cheaper.

Source: maxandchloe.com via Brittany on Pinterest

3.  I love being a boy mommy.  I mean really love being a boy mommy.  I would love a little girl one day but I am content being a boy mommy.  If we only have boys than I am ok with that.  This quote made me smile thinking about being a boy mommy.

Source: Uploaded by user via Brittany on Pinterest

4. How do you explain motherhood. It is wonderful...it is hard...it is selfless...it is rewarding. I have to ask for forgiveness numerous times a day for hurting them with my words. One of my favorite things Austin says to me is "You are my special mommy, you are the most special mommy in the world". He also tells me "I don't like you. You are not in charge". Often those 2 sayings can come within 5 minutes of each other.  Motherhood is hard but so worth it.

Some favorite quotes about motherhood.

Source: Uploaded by user via Brittany on Pinterest

5.  Today is the 10th.  The 10th is hard for me.  Forrest was born on September 10th.  In the first year of your baby's life, you are always telling people how old they are in months.  That first year he was gone the 10th would hit me like a ton of bricks.  I wasn't counting how many months old he was, instead I was counting how long he had been gone.  I still get a little choked up when I glance at a calendar and see its the 10th.  Time has helped but I still miss him everyday and the 10th is just another reminder of how much I miss him.

Source: sawdustcityllc.com via Brittany on Pinterest

Katie update...

Thank you for praying for my sweet friend Katie.  This is the most recent update that Katie wrote:

After much prayer and research we have finally made a decision and have a plan. We have scheduled surgery on March 6th with Dr. Reid Thompson at Vanderbilt. We are expecting an 8 hour craniotomy and 5 to 7 days in the hospital post-op. We are expecting 4 to 6 weeks of rehabilitation following surgery. We hope and pray that the whole tumor will be removed. If not, radiation could follow my recovery. Of course there are numerous risks, so we come to you all... our prayer warriors... and ask that you storm the gates of heaven! We thank you for your prayers!!!

-Please pray for Katie-pray for peace and a calm heart

-Pray for her doctor (Dr. Reid Thompson) and all the staff doing the operation.  

-Pray for her husband Jeremy

-Pray for her children Charlie and Hattie Grace.  Both of them have been sick for the last 3 weeks with numerous things.  Please pray for them to get better and for the sicknesses to stay away. 

-Pray for her parents who are helping with the kids and house while they are going through this. 

Thank you dear friends for praying for my sweet friend.  I know how much prayer meant to David and I as we struggled with the loss of Forrest.  We felt the prayers of people all over the world and now its our turn to make sure Katie feels our prayers.  

a lot of this and that...

We had a busy but fun weekend.  On Friday I took the boys to the Children's Museum where we once again spent a lot of time in the tool area.  The boys love wearing the goggles and aprons while "cutting" things.

Saturday morning I ran 8 miles with my 3 friends who are also training for the 1/2 marathon with me. This is the second weekend to do a long run with someone else and it's the way to go. Running long runs by yourself is for the birds. I love running with friends. It makes it go by super fast.  This picture was taken after the 8 miles.  
After the run David and I took the boys to the Aquarium. I love going there but don't love going by myself. Its dark inside so you can see the fish well but I don't like it because I often can't see my 2 kids. I love going with David because its man on man instead of playing defense. We had a lot of fun watching the sea lions outside.  They were all sleeping and man did my boys try to wake them up.  I don't think the sea lions appreciated it.

Sunday David and I went on a date to the Celtics/Grizzlies basketball game.  It was so fun...fun to be alone with my husband in the middle of the day...fun to be at a basketball game...fun to see our home team (Memphis) play our other home team (Boston).  We had a great time and are so thankful to our friends JP and Tiffany for watching the boys for us.
 
JP is Miller's new favorite person (that is JP on the right...not a great picture of either guy...sorry)

That night we had some friends over for the Super Bowl.  We are sad the Patriots lost but it was still fun to watch the game with friends.  Austin loved that we were having his friends over.  He has become quite the social butterfly (I wonder where he gets that from).
Austin playing with his friend Sebastian and sweet Miller giving Remi some of his toys. He loves to help with the babies.

We changed the boys into their pj's in the den so we could keep watching the game and we were obviously watching the game closer than we were watching Miller when all of a sudden, he picked up David's beer and proceeded to take a sip and pour it all over himself.  He was laying down so it went in his eyes, mouth, ears, and all over his pj's.  I was so worried that he was going to be drunk but the friends that saw it reassured me that he didn't get much in his mouth.  He did wake up numerous times that night which is very unusual for him.  I think his eyes were burning from the beer in them.  Lesson learned, do not keep your beer anywhere near the little guy.  He's into everything.  


The next morning he entertained himself with daddy's boots.

And that night he entertained himself with a bucket on his head and played the drum with it.


Disregard the terrible singing on the video.  Just watch the cute little guy dancing with a bucket on his head.

 It was a fun, busy, and memorable weekend.

Five for Friday

Trying to bring Five for Friday back...

1.  I am still running.  I ran 8.5 miles last weekend and plan on running 8-9 tomorrow.  The unfortunate thing is I have gained weight running.  Are you kidding?!?  Aren't you supposed to lose weight?  I think its because I eat like a cow when I come home from these long runs so I am trying to eat better now as well. The quote below has helped me continue on this running journey even though I currently do not see a change.

Source: thinspirationinagoodway.tumblr.com via Ashley on Pinterest

The picture below is what I see at the end of my run.  One way I get the boys to cooperate during my runs is by letting them "run" at the end.  Yesterday Austin stopped to stretch before he ran.  I was literally laughing out loud.

2.  I love the relationship my 2 boys share.  There are definite fights, tears, and some hitting (mainly by Miller...we are working on this) but overall they adore each other.  Miller does everything his big brother does.  I mean everything.  He wants to be just like him.  I found them the other day just playing in the hall next to each other.  It made my heart smile.

3. I think I have lost some brain cells. I had a lunch date planned this past Tuesday that I literally just forgot. Like it didn't cross my mind. I was across the street at Starbucks working on some stuff when an email from my friend popped up asking if everything was ok. By this point she was already home from eating by herself across the street. I feel terrible. I think I need a new system to remember things.

4. On my quest to eat healthier I made this granola I ate at my friend Candace's house. It is delicious.
Top off your Fat Free Greek yogurt with some of this and you will thank me.  Here is Candace's recipe below (I think it came from Katie Harris).
Katie Harris' granola 
***Set the oven at 350 degrees

4 c. rolled old-fashioned oats 
2 c. sweetened, shredded coconut
2 c. Sliced almonds
1 1/2 c. dried cherries sliced 
1/2 c. vegetable oil
1/3 c. honey 
2 tsp. ground cinnamon 
(my additions)
A good splash of vanilla extract (about a tsp.) & even a little more almond extract (1 1/2 tsp), a dash of apple pie spice and a dash of nutmeg. 

I just mix it all up and pour it on 2 lightly oiled sheet pans...to make sure it doesn't stick and cooks evenly. I let it bake for 10 minutes, turn it and then watch it for about 5-8 minutes. It's a fine line between lightly browned and burnt because of the honey and cherries (both taste burnt, if it bakes too long), so I wouldn't cook it another full 10 minutes after flipping it. 
(FYI: I didn't have apple pie spice or almond extract so I didn't add those and mine was still good).


5.  We watched the Help last weekend.  I know...we are way behind but I did read the book so I knew what everyone was buzzing about.  I just loved it.  Even David thought it was good.  I love this quote!

Source: spoonfulpb.wordpress.com via Julie on Pinterest

I also thought this was hilarious. I totally believe it. I know Austin asks at least that many.

Source: Uploaded by user via Cozy on Pinterest

Happy Friday! Enjoy your day and weekend!

the rest of Memphis

Friday morning we headed to Austin's interview for preschool.  I know...if you aren't from Memphis than its hard to imagine that he has to interview for a preschool.  I'm laughing as I write it but its true.  3 year olds have to interview to get in to certain preschools.  I was nervous about it because he often freezes up in situations like that but he did great...or that's what he told me.  He went with the teacher just fine, played and talked for 30 minutes with 5 other kids, and then ran back to me and jumped in my arms telling me he loved it.  That little comment just cost us some money.  I want my boys to love school and the excitement in his voice solidified that if he gets in, we will enroll him.  It's a precious school and one that I think we would stay through 6th grade so I am hopeful that he will get in.  If he doesn't, than it wasn't the Lord's plan for him and we will be fine with that as well.

After the interview we had lunch with some friends and enjoyed playing with their precious 2 children.  Melody was one of Forrest's nurses his first few days at Le Bonheur and I instantly loved her.  We have stayed friends since and I love that we now have kids growing up together.  She too lost her first child so she understands the deep grief that goes with that.  I am very thankful for her.  I unfortunately took no pictures of our playdate.

That afternoon we waited on Gigi and Sadie to show up.  Talk about excitement.  It was my mom's birthday on that Sunday so we were super excited to celebrate with her.  We were also super thrilled to see Sadie again.  We debated back and forth on whether my mom should bring her to Memphis for fear of her acting out when she returned to my moms but finally decided it would be good for everyone.  Austin was having a really hard time missing David so I thought Sadie would be the perfect pick me up and she was for sure!  They had the best time together.  The pictures below will show the beautiful relationship these 2 share.
We spent lots of time that weekend relaxing,
having fun with Gigi,

getting into mischief,

and loving on Sadie.

We were so sad to see my mom and Sadie leave.  My in-laws had left on Saturday for a trip so that just left the boys and I for the next 3 days by ourselves.

That evening we were having some of my small group girls over so the boys and I went to the grocery store to get a few things.

The small group girls came over and it was so much fun.  Just like old times.  Austin was in his element...having the attention of so many girls.  He was doing somersaults on the floor and entertaining them with his stories.

Miller on the other hand was in constant amazement. He just watched the girls without making a noise. It was hilarious. He didn't do any of his normal funny things. I think he was overwhelmed...I understand..I'm often overwhelmed by them too. =)
We woke up Monday morning and drove 45 minutes to my best friends house. She just moved to Hernando, MS which is just on the other side of Memphis. It was so wonderful to see her. Such a treat that when we move back we will live only 45 minutes from each other. Bobbie has been my best friend since I was 14. We lived together for one summer during college (the craziest, scariest summer of my life...that is another blogpost in itself) and haven't lived close since. She moved to California right after her first baby was born for her husband. He was in the army and was stationed there for a few years. She then moved back to Hendersonville for the last few years. She is one of the strongest people I know. She raised her children practically alone as her husband did 3 oversee tours. Each tour was a year or more.  There are few people in the world that truly know you and love you the way she does me.  I am so blessed by her friendship.  The picture below is with her youngest, Charley.  Her oldest, Tucker, was at school that day.  Austin still talks about Mrs. Bobbie and Charley!

We drove home for naps and then after naps went to another friends house for a playdate.  It was so great to catch up with the Thompsons (no pictures again).  Grace was so sweet to offer us dinner and we gladly took her up on it.  It was pretty chaotic with 5 children 5 and under but a lot of fun.  The kids loved being together.  Austin doesn't remember a lot of friends from Memphis but he definitely remembers Bo (one of the Thompson kids) so he loved being there to play with him.  Miller loved seeing their black dog Cash who looks just like Sadie.  He just giggled at him the whole time.

Tuesday morning I planned on packing and resting but by this point we were pretty stir crazy and had cabin fever so we went on a long run where I let them "run" at the end.  It was a beautiful day so we soaked up the sun and warm weather one more time before we headed back North to the cold.
After naps we had one more playdate planned at the Brooks house.  The other 2 friends Austin talks about are Whit and Thompson.  They are the sons of 2 of my best friends from college.  All 3 of our boys are 3 months apart so they love being together.  It was so fun to see them together and made me excited about returning to Memphis this summer.  All 5 of the boys ran and played their little hearts out (little Thomas bounced and crawled more than ran).
Thompson looks like he is throwing gang signs in these 2 pictures.  Jennie and I were dying laughing at this.  Below is Thompson, Austin, and Whit.

Jennie's youngest, Thomas.  He is precious!

We definitely miss playing outside in your driveway and yard.  The boys were in Heaven with all the fun toys the Brooks had.

It was great to catch up with friends and family.  Like I said on the first post, it was hard but good.  Between all the playdates were lots of tears, fits, and even some things thrown at mommy.  If I ever doubted that our babysitter Nim is a good investment than I don't now.  It is crucial that I get a break from my children and my children get a break from me.  I am a better mommy when I can take time to step back and take a breathe.

Thank you to everyone who hosted us for playdates, dinners, and parties.  Thanks Spence's for letting us crash your house and loving all of us so well.  Thank you Mom for driving to see us and bringing Sadie.  What a treat it was to spend time with you.

Memphis...we hope to see you again in 3.5 months.  Hopefully we will be heading there to buy a home.