run, stacey, run

Well, a few weeks ago, on September 1st to be exact, I joined the gym. My original plan was to start attending their classes throughout the week. I long ago got to the point of being tired of what I see when I look in the mirror, but I just recently decided to seriously start doing something about it. Yes, I've done Weight Watchers (and saw great results), but I gradually went back to eating the way I always have. So, I decided to start trying to transform my body through exercise. I hate to say that I've only been to the actual gym three times. However, this app C25K has done wonders for me so far. I've been doing my walking/running outside because the weather has been so nice. Once the weather gets really cold, I'll start going to the gym for sure. But right now, it's too hard to resist the pull of walking/running through downtown Madison. The treadmill is so boring in comparison. As of right now, I'm on week 3 day 1 o the program. Today's workout is going to be tough because each week my time spent running increases. Next weekend I'm "competing" in my first 5K. There is no way I'll be able to run the whole thing because I'll only be on week 4 of my training. But I hope that I will be able to run half. Not only that, it's just a goal I've set for myself. If I can just FINISH the race, I'll be happy. Which I will. Finish, that is. Everyone keeps saying I'll probably surprise myself by the amount I'm able to run and the adrenaline that kicks in, and I hope they are right. Right now, this isn't about losing weight for me. It's just about feeling better about myself and feeling like I'm doing something good for my body. Joey is being super supportive and taking care of the kids for the 45 minutes or so that I need to be able to go run. Who knows? This may just become an addictive habit. I sure hope so.

Tonight at dinner, I asked Makinley where she is going on Thursday and Friday. She said, "I'm going on a trip."
Her brother's response? With a cute little smile on his face, "NO...don't go on ME!"

I cracked up. His sense of humor is contagious and I love that about him. As I'm sitting her typing this, he is reading a "Henry and Mudge" book to his daddy. This child is reading up a storm and blowing us away. Not only that, he loves it. He WANTS to read each night. I pray that never changes.

In other news, Mak has a urinary tract infection. There is a slight chance we'll be visiting a urologist in the near future because she's had a few too many to only be four years old. We gotta figure out what is going on.  Nothing makes this momma sadder than seeing her children not feel their best.

Well, it's bedtime for two little ones, so that's it for tonight.

not quite yet

Tripp got a bike without training wheels for his 5th birthday. However, my tender hearted boy is afraid of his own shadow and has been too scared to try to learn how to ride it. Today, the weather was so beautiful that I forced him to go outside and try.

 As long as daddy was close by, he was fine.

 But the thought of daddy letting go scared him to death.

 He proved on several different attempts that he is more than capable.

 However, when the bike would lean to the left a little, he would freak out. Once, he fell over. But, PLEASE, do not let the below picture fool you. He barely hit the ground. He laid himself in this position and began to cry like he had been run over.

 And, that was it for bike riding today. I find myself losing patience with him very easily when he starts crying like that. I really want him to toughen up, but I just don't think it's in his nature. He is so afraid of things, and I really hope he outgrows it. Because this one:

would have given ANYTHING to be able to ride HER bike without training wheels. It's amazing to me how different my children are. Their strengths and weaknesses are so opposite, but they really do balance each other (and our family) out well. I just have to remind myself that Tripp will do things on the timetable that is right for him. I know that one day, he will fully accomplish riding his bike. In the meantime, he can tear it up on his scooter!

two celebrations for four

With our upcoming Disney trip (only four more weeks and counting), we had to scale back on a big party for Makinley's fourth birthday. We decided to just do a small family celebration the Sunday before her birthday. Then, on her actual birthday, we tried to make a big deal out of it at her school. That night, we took her to eat at Chick Fil A and six of her friends met us there for dinner.

 Makinley's request for her cake was that it be a princess. So, Cinderella it was!

 So, we aren't real high class and let our kids sit on the table to blow out their candles!

 She was so excited when we showed up at her school!

 Look at all these sweet kids! They sat so patiently waiting to sing to the birthday girl!

 The birthday girl was NOT happy when she realized that mommy and daddy forgot a lighter for the candle!

 Luckily, she cheered up while her class was singing to her!

 These are her Tuesday/Thursday teachers....Mrs. Melissa and Mrs. Jennifer. Melissa is also her sitter this year and takes Mak home with her each day after school.

So hard to believe my baby is four! Don't know where the time has gone. I told Joey that we really should do birthdays like this every year. Makinley could have cared less about not having a big party. All she cared about was that lots of people sang "the birthday song" to her throughout the day on her actual birthday. We might be taking a hiatus from big birthday parties until the kids get older and start wanting to do specific things with their friends for their birthday. Well, with the exception of Makinley's 5th. We'll do something big for her next year!

go dogs!

On Friday night, Makinley got the chance to show off all she learned at cheer camp this summer. Boy, did she put on a show! I can't tell you how many people have come up to me this weekend and commented on her performance Friday night. She was dead center, front row on the field, and she let everyone see what she can do. She does not have a shy bone in her body!

Ignore how awful I look. I was SO tired. My make-up was gone and my hair was looking rough. We had the busiest week ever last week and it caught up with my by Friday night. And, of course, the game went in to over time and we didn't get home until after 10:30. Then yesterday, I helped work the cheerleading competition at the high school and had to be there at 7:30. Luckily, this week isn't quite as busy. But, now that the kids are getting older and they are both involved in sports and dance, life is starting to move at lightening speed!

four

Dear Makinley, Another year...another letter. Each time I bend over to pick you up, I'm reminded that my baby has been replaced by a little girl. A little girl who can light up a room in an instant, yet who can also turn the room upside down just as quickly. We are going through some "growing pains" with you as you seek more and more independence. Most days, it's a struggle to get you to do what we ask the first time. Or the second. Or the third. It seems as if you believe that you should do things on your own timetable and not on ours. We are working on that.

         At the same time, you are so incredibly loving. You love your brother to the moon and back and idolize everything he does. Yes, y'all fight like cats and dogs sometimes.
But, you are truly each other's best friend. I pray that never changes. You still insist on being carried way more often than you should be. I have no idea why I continue to give in. I realize that you are WAY past big enough and that I shouldn't hold you as often as I do. But, it's so hard to stop. This is it for me. Each year you get older is one year farther I get from ever having a baby in my household again, so I still find myself doing things that make me feel like you are still little. And the truth is, you ARE still little. I fully realize that 4 years from now I will be longing for the days when you were four just as I long for the days when you were a baby now.

    You have gotten so big over the last year. You lack your brother by only 1 pound and less than 2 inches. You wear all 5t clothing and you are wearing an 11 in shoes. You LOVE to dance and cheer. You don't seem to play dress up quite as often anymore, but at times, we can still find you dressed as a princess.

 You have started dance and you are loving it. I can't wait until your first recital. I have said many a time that you were born to be on a stage. You don't have a shy bone in your body. Any time I take you somewhere new (as far as dance or a "nursery" type situation), you will hide behind my leg for a split second, but it's all just for show. As soon as I disappear, you are right in the middle of whatever is going on. I don't think you have EVER shed a tear at being left. Even when you know no one. You make friends easily and you like to "mommy" kids that are smaller than you. The funny thing is that there are plenty of kids "smaller" than you that are actually OLDER than you! You are still a decent eater for the most part and you still love the same foods. You won't eat any meat unless it's chicken (and even that can be a fight). The games I've created at mealtime to get you and your brother to eat are numerous. Your daddy just shakes his head at me, but I'm just thankful that something works to get you to eat in a timely manner.

      The biggest milestone recently is that you are now CONSISTENTLY going to sleep and STAYING asleep in your own bed!!! It is a wonderful feeling to be able to read you a book, kiss you goodnight, and hear you say, "I wuv you mommy. I'll see you in da mornin'" And then truly see you in the morning. And, the funniest thing is that you want it pitch black in your room. Your brother sleeps with all kinds of lights on, but you like it dark. You always have though. You still sleep in a pull up at night, but that's okay. We've had a few times of waking up dry, but for the most part, you still wake up soaking wet. You want to sleep in panties so badly, but you don't feel the sensation that you have to go to the restroom when you are sleeping AT ALL. So, we're not quite there yet.

  You are still the most beautiful little girl in any room to me. I know I am biased because you are mine, but that's my right. There's just something about that blonde hair and blue eyes! :-)
 As with every year, I continue to pray for the girl, teenager, and young woman you will one day become. I want you to always know that beauty is only skin deep. What really matters is your character and your love for God. Outer beauty will fade, but inner beauty will last a lifetime. I know God has perfect plans for you, and I can't wait to see them unfold. For now, I treasure every single second I have of being your mommy.
   You are one of my three greatest blessings. I look forward to seeing what your fourth year holds in store. I love you my precious, precious girl!
Mommy

cousins

These kids love their cousin! It is getting more and more fun the older Bear gets and the more interactive he becomes. Hard to believe he is already nine months old!

 Look at that smile!

 He looks so different without his hearing aid on, but he's getting to where he will reach up and try to take it off!

 Tripp loves to hold him. Mak would LOVE to hold him as well, but we don't really trust her with him standing quite yet.

 We got to witness his first "crawl". We were there to see him move his hand and knee for the first time! He's getting a little faster now.

 Isn't it funny how when there is a baby in the room, especially one that is just starting to become mobile, he/she is the entertainment for the entire room!

 And this aunt sure does love her nephew!