The word of the week is...

Cora learned a new word this week. Wanna know what it is?  Uterus.  And, she has been using it ever since.  In a conversation I was having with another adult (Craig), I used this word.  Cora's little ears picked up on a word she doesn't often hear.  Inquisitive minds wanted to know what is a uterus.  So, I explained that a uterus is where a baby stays when it is in its' mommy's tummy.  Fairly innocent, straight forward answer.  Cora paused a moment, jumped off the chair she had been lounging on and declared, " When I grow up one day, maybe I will have a baby in my uterus."

And, so  her fascination with her new word began.  Soon after this little declaration, she began singing a song fashioned after one she has heard from the new Muppets Movie.  The song has a line in it that goes something like this:

I've got everything that I need right in front of me....

Cora's version goes something like this:

I've got everything that I need right here in my uterus...


She has sung her version of this song for 3 days now.  I am just waiting for her to tell her preschool teacher about her uterus, or her Sunday School teacher, or any random stranger at Wal-Mart. 


The girl cracks us up.

Thoughts on Running

I thought I'd share a little about my recent experiences with running.  First of all, let me say that I am using the term "running" very loosely here.  For future reference, if I say "running", you should picture a slow jog. 

At the beginning of this year, I had this great idea to take up running. It's free, everyone can do it, you don't need a gym membership, etc. The only problem is that I have always loathed running. I've never really been able to do it.  Or, I should say, never made myself do it.  Until now.  As I began to think about my plan to start running, I decided trail running sounded like fun.  Except I really don't like dirt and I'm kind of scared of wild animals (and crazy people, too, if we are going to be completely honest) that I might encounter on a trail.  Regardless of these uncomfortable truths, I bought a pair of running shoes that are supposedly suitable for both trail and road (and I really love them). I also bought a few pair of running capris, running shorts, and dri-fit type shirts.  Remember how I said running is free?  Not so much for me because I needed to look the part.   I may not run fast, I may not run very far, but I could at least look the part.

About 6 weeks ago, I began following the Couch to 5K running program on the Cool Running website.  It basically breaks down each week into 3 "workouts" of  walking/jogging intervals. The idea is that you gradually build up your jogging time while reducing your walking time until you are able to run a 5K. The program is designed to have you running 3+ miles in approximately 9 weeks.

I'm on week 6. And, I still don't love to run.  I don't even really like it. However, I am doing it anyway.
I'm surprising myself because I can actually run for more than 3 minutes at a time.  In fact, last week, I ran for 23 minutes without stopping.  This is nothing compared to what some folks can do, but it's huge for me. 

Though I still don't like running, I do like the way I feel afterwards. I'm happy that I am sticking with it.

 I'm starting to think that maybe a lot of "runners" feel the same.  Maybe they just seem to love it but on the inside they may be thinking the same thing as I am..."when is this ever going to be over?"

Resolutions update

Since I haven't really posted lately (like over 2 months), I thought I'd revisit and share my progress or lack thereof on the resolutions for 2012.

So, here are the resolutions and any progress I may or may not have made thus far.

1.Take up running. Run a 5K. I am actually doing this one. Yay, me!! I didn't start when I intended to back in January. Kids were sick. I was sick. Hubby was sick. Excuse after excuse, right? However, I did start. I am on week 6 of the Couch 2 5K program outlined on Cool Running. So far, I have stuck to the plan each week. I even added a few minutes to last week's plan. I actually ran 23 minutes without stopping. 23 minutes. without.stopping. Not a huge deal to most, but to this lazy bone - it is huge!! I haven't signed up for a 5k yet, though. I am really slow and want to take my time so as not to get discouraged. I am also not completely confident enough to think I can actually run that far so for now, I'm going to keep on keeping on and plan to run a 5k sometime this year.

2. Save more. Spend less. We've really been working on this. Beginning in January, I started taking care of all of the bills. We are trying to transition to paperless and automatic payments either through our credit card or bank. So far, it is working well. This way keeps both Craig and I in check. Since I am paying bills, I want to make sure I don't spend too much. And, since I am paying bills, Craig doesn't spend too much b/c he knows it goes through me first. Win-win. It's only taken us 12 years to figure this out.

3. Drink less coke. Drink more water. I've tried. Really. I've tried. I stopped buying cokes for a few weeks. I drank more tea instead. I drank some water. I broke down and bought cokes. I do think I drink less of them but I still drink them. I have been drinking more water especially since finding Crystal Light Pure to pour into the water to flavor it. I know drinking cokes are really bad for you but I am a happier person when I have them in my house.

4. Be more patient. Still working on this one. Good days and bad days with patience.

5. Become healthier in all ways. Still working on this as well.

What can I say, I'm a work in progress. Just like the children's song says:

"He's still working on me

To make me what I need to be

It took Him just a week to make the moon and stars

The sun and the earth and Jupiter and Mars

How loving and patient He must be

Cause He's still workin' on me.

There really ought to be a sign upon my heart

Don't judge him yet, there's an unfinished part

But I'll be better just according to His plan

Fashioned by the Master's loving hands

In the mirror of His word

Reflections that I see

Makes me wonder why He never gave up on me

But He loves me as I am and helps me when I pray

Remember He's the potter, I'm the clay. "

Obnoxious

Recently, Ada has discovered the movie "Finding Nemo". She loves it! As in we watch it numerous times per day. (I know, I know. TV is bad for kids. Blah.Blah.Blah. Sometimes you do what you gotta do.) If you are as familiar with it as we now are, you might recall a scene where Nemo is starting school and is meeting new friends. They notice his "lucky fin" and each of his new friends share something about themselves. One has a tentacle shorter than the other, one is H2O intolerent, and one says he is obnoxiuos.

The other day, the kids were watching it in the car. This scene had just been on, and Tate asks what "obnoxious" means. I tell him that it means annoying. He replies, "oh, kind of like the way Ben and Cora act sometimes".

To which I replied, "Well, I'm sure they think the same about you sometimes as well".

Happy New Year!

Welcome to 2012! Wow, another new year.

Last year, I posted a few resolutions, most of which I don't think I ever achieved. That is why I typically don't make resolutions.

I do have a few things I'd like to try to do this year though.

1. Take up running. Run a 5K.
2. Become more financially responsible. You know, save more - spend less.
3. Drink less coke. Drink more water.
4. Be more patient. With my kids, with myself, with everyone. Patience is a virtue, you know.
5. Become healthier - physically, financially, emotionally, spiritually.

Number 5 is a pretty tall order, but it sums it all up.

Here's to hoping for the best in 2012!

Happy 7th Birthday Ben!

Happy Birthday Ben! We love you to infinity and beyond!!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Cora's first day of school

Yesterday was Cora's first day of preschool. Here she is ready to go!! More on how the week went coming up in another post!



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone