This is how the cool kids are wearin' it...

The Fun Run

    I volunteered at the kids school for the fun run and marked off the kids as they passed the lap mark.  The fun run is a fundraiser where 100% of the money raised goes to the kids-- spefically their field trips.  This past year the Parent Teacher Club invested in an electronic reader board and spent all the money on that and other unexpected costs, so our kids have $0 in the budget for having fun.  I was excited to help out- and boy was this fun- the first group was the 4th graders- they had plenty of markers so I cheered on the kids.  I knew a few of them from our bus stop.  The second group was the 5th graders.  Again, I knew a couple of them.  We volunteers finally figured out how to mark the big packs of kids and I had several kids who kept coming over to me each lap so we developed a bit of a relationship.  These kids had a blast and really gave it their all.  I hated running in school- so I was super impressed to see the kids doing it.  I had a 5th grader I wanted to adopt.  He ran 22 laps- around 5.5 miles!  Wow!  There was another boy whose goal was 18 laps.  He didn't want to stop for water because it would waste time- but I told him he needed to, and like a good boy, he listened.  (Gosh, what a MOM I have turned into!)

The after those two groups out came the kindergartners.  Any thoughts we volunteers had to make things run smoothly went out the window.  The kids ran in packs and were not capable of getting marked off other than a single file line.  It was pretty funny actually.

Nathan reminded me of a rubber band-- he would go super fast then then slow down to almost a stop, and the get super excited and take off again and slow down.  I also noticed the kinderkids would often just sit down when they felt  they were too tired.  Nathan would go over to them and ask them if they needed help- he would spend a minute on them, and then off he would go.  A few times I saw him go backwards, but the teachers seemed to keep him on track.  Kathryn really wanted to get down with him(I wore her in the eurgo-baby).  I let her down and Nathan held her hand and walked with her.  So very very cute. She was thrilled and he was proud.  What better combo?  Nathan's tally sheet said he ran 6 laps.  That is a mile and a half!  I am so impressed with him.

Leila's group was after lunch so I couldn't stick around. She ran 10 laps, which is 2 1/2 miles!  Way to go long-legged Leila!  Both my kids amaze me.

Cool Video about Jeremy's Work

Jeremy puts up with my scrap booking, blogging, and other such interests in my life. He is quite supportive- and if you saw our office and the piles of crap I have on hand you would agree.  He even comes up with ideas for layouts, themes and blog topics(I had him actually scrapbook a page with me- he liked doing it, but will never do another one because of all the grief his buddies gave him- after I proudly told them of course).  

So, here is a video Jeremy suggested, very strongly, that I post about Climax Portable Machine and Tool.  Its actually pretty cool:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHrGuoKVEwg

Picaboo

I wanted to assemble a little book for Kathryn and her hospital stay with pictures of her family.  I was going to do a mini-scrapbook, but she likes to tear my existing mini-scrapbooks apart.  My sister suggested I try a photo book, which I have always wanted to try.  She sent me a code to get a free 20 page book for my first time try- all I would have to pay was shipping. 

So, I got to work and started picking out pictures.  I had about 100 photos.  So I seriously started cutting down.  I made a book of 24 pages. I got the discount of $39.99 and ended up paying around $16.  I am looking forward to seeing how the book looks in person.

I love to scrap-book.  I love paper.  I love lay-outs.  I love the process of assembling my creativity and getting things put together just right, and then enjoying it over and over again while reviewing the finished product.  I feel its like a puzzle- there are limitations set by the number of items I desire on a page, and I have to figure a way to make it pleasing to the eye.  There is also the constant need to have something new and exciting in my collection. 

Digital scrap booking hasn't proven challenging enough for me, however there are aspects that I do like- the fact I don't have to have all my pictures printed out.  I can also manipulate the photos, zoom in, make larger, change color and even correct all with a click of a mouse.  Some programs have cute little add-on embellishments(not this one however)This book I was able to choose a theme which meant I wouldn't run out of a paper theme.  Oh- and the fact I can sit down on a Sunday afternoon and start to pull together my ideas and have a book ordered by Monday evening, that is very nice.

To see the book online check out the link(You can even buy a copy if you want!):
http://app.picaboo.com/WebView/Project.aspx?clientID=0cac3d5abcc55699f9e6516fcc51cbca&version=50330

So anyway- go to picaboo.com and make yourself a book.  Use code:  1FBLGB-7W  and get yourself $39.99 off your first book and see if you are as satisfied with your product as I hope to be!

Third Time- Tri-athlete!

Third time is the CHARM!  And definitely FUN!

My Aunt Renetta, who sucked me into all this tri-non-sense, helped her stake put on a tri-athlon for the women in her area.  There was no way I was going to miss this one!  This was a fun race.  My sister Amy and I spent the night with my dear friend Melia and three new friends from the Hillsboro area and we enjoyed each others company and enjoyed the race experience.  We had fun singing primary songs and church hymns out on the bike route as we passed the other ladies on their way back in.  The group effort at this event was unique as my other two events were very personal and solitary.

All of us felt a little insecure with our training--or lack there-of-- but we knew we wanted to complete another sprint tri-athlon and I think we are pleased with the results.  I had an especially hard week suffering from a week-long migraine and other physical pain issues.  But, recovery after this third event is definitely a lot easier than at the first one(but don't tell my husband because I am definitely using this as an excuse to lay around and not change diapers and blog). 

I have found that even though I may be carrying around extra weight and don't look or feel how I want to, that I am still capable of setting physical goals and achieving them.  I have found that despite any physical pain I am in, I am able to focus and relax and enjoy the moment at hand.  I have found that although it might not be very pleasant, the reward for endurance is sweet and gratifying.  I simply found a strength inside of me that allows me to keep going.  The power of prayer is huge, and I am grateful to have it on my side.

I think I can becomes I know I can. 

My goal is now a reality. 

I feel good about myself and my abilities. 

Thanks to my friends and my dear sweet family for supporting me and believing in me too.

What will you do with all your time?

This happens to be the question of the year.... Nathan is in kindergarten, Leila in first grade... life has gotten a lot quieter around here during the day.  Here is one day in the life of Kathryn and Mommy:

Soyou can see... lots of fun... lots of play... lots of smiles.... and just a few tantrums:

Saturday Morning Video Games