official

It's official. John and I are now registered for the 1/2 Marathon!

permission to break the rules

I've got nothin' from today. No pictures, no activites. Our days are just lazy summer days, and with all of the rain I think we've been in a bit of a rut. It feels like we are busy, but just nothing special to tell. Why do I feel like I have to post every day? I think I'm gonna let myself have an out on that one - post a bit each week, but only if I have something really to share. Oh, wait. I do have some funny conversations that Lio and Paloma had today. Normal sibling stuff - and I know that I shouldn't laugh when it's going on, but it's just so funny to me. I think it's the words that come out of Paloma's mouth, and the tone of voice she uses. She sounds like someone's mom. Someone's mad and bossy mom. And I don't know where she comes up with the stuff. It doesn't sound like me. I hope.

So... we were driving in the car, and Lio was being his annoying big brother self and bugging her, touching things she had. This is what I heard from the front:

P: "Don't even think about it. Don't touch it. Don't look at it. Don't even think about it!"

L: "Hmmmmm. I'm thinking about it. I'm thinking about it. Hmmmmmmm. I'm thinking about it."

P: "LI-O! LI-O! I said to not even think about it. LI-O!" (getting louder and louder, and she really enunciates the 2 syllables in his name when she's in this mode)

L: "Hmmmmm. Hmmmmmmm. Hmmmmm. Thinking about it."

P: "LI-O. LI-O. LI-O!"

It was funny, but maybe you had to be there?

So maybe not posting every day from now on. Giving myself permission to let this turn into what it turns in to. No strict schedule/rules to follow. I follow rules and schedules too much - I'm gonna work on that.

Lio was really mad in this picture. He just has the best time teasing Paloma, but can't take it when the shoe's on the other foot:

Health Footprint

Hey, hey! Its me John..the guest blogger. I recently saw a commercial for Anthem Blue Cross about everyone having a health footprint. What is a health footprint you ask? Their website explains it this way.....

Our health connects us. Studies prove it. When you do something healthy, those around you will too. Your positive influence on others is called your Health Footprint.

I do believe that our kiddos are hopefully seeing that their Mom and Dad have been trying to stay healthy...by exercising and eating good stuff. (except for my occasional potato chips and gummy bears) ! Anyways...we try to spend a little bit of time everyday just playing around outside. Whether its at the pool, driveway or backyard...we get to use some muscles and energy. Hopefully more and more of our friends and family will join us in being healthy and help make our Health Footprint even bigger!

Our future WNBA player ! She shoots! She scores!

We watched some of the Tour de France...to hopefully inspire our next cycling champion.

week 1 (again)

This week I am starting up my 1/2 marathon training again, after 3 weeks of nothing. I decided to stop going to that crazy physical therapy and do the work on my own, trusting myself to listen to my body and know when to move forward or when to quit. I'm still doing the stretches, everyday. I decided to start the training from the very beginning, from week 1, and build up slowly. After 2 days of "easy" runs, I know I did the right thing by starting over. It is hard! I don't know if I will make it for this marathon, but I am going to try my best. I struggle with every step, but am glad to be back at it and running towards my goal. 12 weeks to go.

new visitors

I never got around to filling the planters on our back patio with flowers this spring. Yes, add that to the list of vegetable and cutting gardens that never got done. So when I found some butterfly bushes for a good price, I decided to pop them in my planters, and the plan is to re-plant them in my yard in the fall since they are perennials.

This week the blooms on the butterfly bushes opened, and we've had lots of visitors - different types of butterflies, bees, and even hummingbirds! Now, if I can only keep them alive long enough to re-plant in the fall!

citrus

Did you know that citrus aids in iron absorption? This is for you, Jamie. Take care of yourself, and let the people who love you take care of you.

Holly Hobby and endless possibilities

My sister Michelle e-mailed me about this great site where you can design your own fabric and have it printed - no minimum orders, and really not that expensive when you consider how much you would pay for fabrics you love (Anna Maria Horner, Amy Butler, Joel Dewberry, everything in stock at Sew To Speak in Columbus)!  I haven't had a chance to look at the site too closely yet, but am thinking there are some really great possibilities.  I hope that John doesn't read this post, though.  I mentioned that I wanted to make Paloma a tote that she will need for pre-school (yes, possibly more freezer paper stencils), and he insinuated that I was going to make her look like one of those kids where the mom makes everything, and everything is without taste - think Holly Hobby style.  I'm afraid of what he would say if I wanted to design the tote fabric as well!

Thanks for the great tip, Michelle!  Check it out at:

http://www.spoonflower.com/welcome