A Commitment...AndGiveaways to Get in On

Tonight I went out for a run again. I have had some crazy trouble with my legs lately - insane shin splints. Friday I only ran 3/4 of a mile before the pain forced me to hurl. I felt as though I would puke again for about 2 hours after I quit that day. (Yes, I know you are really glad I am sharing this part with you. Hang in there, the good stuff is coming.) A gal that was running the training program reminded me that I needed to run at least a couple of times in the next week so that I would not loose all that I had worked for. Determined not to let my legs get the best of me, I prepared to run tonight. (Preparing to run takes a lot of conscious effort, for me, for an entire day before hand.) I went down to one of my new favorite places to run (favorite because I can take a new route every time). I took a wrong turn somewhere, or missed a turn somewhere. After awhile I asked someone about to pass me where this trail headed. I knew the road they mentioned, so I kept on going, figuring I would turn back when I got there. My legs were opening up and I was feeling really good so I kept going. I was even able to sprint the last 1/3 + mile. I have now idea how long I ran and didn't know until I got home and hit Map My Run how far I had ran. 4.53 miles was the total distance - I walked just under a 1/4 mile to begin and also to finish. I ran just over 4 miles tonight!! As you can tell (by the long story) I am completely thrilled with myself. Have I told you lately that I love to run? I decided tonight that running is like a marriage...Sticking with it through the bad times is a must because when it is good, it's oh so good. :)

Drum roll please....

(Wait for it)

Today, Sunday night, May the 31st is the official day that I am committing to run the Houston 1/2 marathon along side 11,000 other people (11,000 more will run the full) this coming January. I am so pumped!

Now for some giveaways that I have come across and thought you might be interested in. (Again, these mostly appeal to my female readers, sorry guys.)


Bob Gear is giving away a Stroller Strides BOB Stroller to the winner of the best 'Workout Outfit Photo.' The contest runs through June 29th.
I could not live without my BOB!
Thanks Mom!



Athleta, the new GAP company has a Private Surf Safari Sweepstakes. (I have been entering daily, of course.) The giveaway includes round trip airfare to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, four night accommodations in an ocean front villa, daily meals, daily yoga, daily private surf lessons, and an Athleta wordrobe valued at $1500. (This trip is for 2 people. If you win, will you take me?) Enter to Win


Frigidaire wants to know what you would do with an extra hour of time each day. Visit Frigidaire and enter by telling them five things you would do with a much needed extra hour of time. All participants will be entered for a chance to win an entire suite of NEW Frigidaire appliances. You can also enter for your chance to win the new Frigidaire Affinity washer / dryer combo.

Katy Sunrise 5K

Last weekend was my first official 5K. I had some pretty tough leg trouble earlier in the week, and was afraid I wouldn't be able to run the entire race. Lots of ice, massaging, and 240 oz of water later...I finished the race! This is quite the accomplishment for me. I believe I was still in high school the last time I ran a mile, and never before had I ran 3 miles. I finished the 3.1 mile race in 37:43 - more than 2 minutes under my goal time. If I can work through these leg issues, I am going to commit to running the 1/2 marathon here in Houston, in January. Want to join me?

The Mother-load is OverloadingFriday Frump...In Need of a Funny

I was definitely in the frump/slump today - the reoccurring slump that usually takes over sometime after Joe has been working tons, my house has fallen apart, we are out of everything, and I am behind on my entire life. Oh look at that, I'm even behind on the blog post - Friday Funny on a Saturday? So much into Saturday, that it is nearly Sunday. The slump took over today, and I did nothing other than tend to my children and pig out - even drank whole milk, oh how I love the creamy goodness of all that is whole milk. I always end up here - How in the h*%# did this happen? Ever had one of those days? It's been on replay all week for me. (I do realize this is not starting off all that funny.)

Time to snap out of it. A 'Friday Funny' post ought to lighten things up a bit, right? Trouble is I couldn't think of a funny from this week. I am sure there were plenty; I just couldn't manage to think of one. So off I went in search of something to post. Immediately after opening a file I have on my computer (for just such occasions); I knew exactly what I would post.

Keep in mind this is completely inappropriate. I will not apologize however, because it makes me laugh every time.

Because My Family ♥s Videos

The next two are videos I made for the Mommy Madness Promotion. Mommy Madness Houston Site Joe votes the bottom one as the 'Best Video Yet.' :) Enjoy!

As Promised, the Runner Up

I was having a difficult time (again) deciding which photo to submit to the I ♥ Faces weekly photo contest. Here was my second choice.

Thanks for stopping by.

Wordful, That Leaves Me Speachless, Wednesday

Oh bity girl, you have graced us with your presence a mere 1012 days now (2 yrs, 9 months, and 8 days). I was sitting, rocking, in the chair with Boston today when you woke up from your nap. I became lost in your eyes as you asked questions and carried a conversation to bring yourself up to date on the household happenings. I quickly became speechless as I soaked up everything you are. It is unbelievable that you are not even three years old yet. You have wisdom and personality far beyond your years. You make precise requests, offer assistance, give predictions and detailed descriptions - all unprompted. You provide optimistic evaluations and solutions. You have a genuine concern for the well being of others; and are quick to lend a hand, encourage, and congratulate your friends. You respect our mother / daughter relationship yet demand equality in our friendship. I am SO proud to be your mama! You are one of the most beautiful souls I have ever had the pleasure of spending my life with. Keep up the good work kiddo. I love you!

I ♥ Faces - Wk. 20 "Silhouettes"

This week at I ♥ Faces was something I actually planned ahead for. (Funny how I am habitual about planning, yet always wait until the last minute to finish/arrive/post, etc. Always running to the finish line I am.) I have never taken a silhouette photo, nor even thought of taking one. Thanks to Susan Keller's Silhouette Tutorial, I quickly learned the technique and found some great inspiration. I immediately knew who my subjects would be, then it was just a matter of finding the right setting. (That's where the planning comes into play.)

Over the Moon About Her Daddy

You still have a few hours to enter the contest if you like. Or just stop by I ♥ Faces for some inspiration. Check back in a bit; I will be posting the runner up photo as well.

Mommy Madness Houston Soundbites

I'm on the radio, and not just for winning a prize! Thursday was such a cool afternoon. Joe was able to sneak away from work for a hour so that I could drive out to CBS radio to record soundbites for the new Mommy Madness radio commercials. I have to give all the staff at CBS radio credit, radio is much more intricate than I once believed. Generally not nervous at functions like this, I actually had to talk myself down, all the equipment was quite intimidating.

I could not figure out how to put audio on the blog (not easily anyways), so you will have to look at this lovely picture of Valerie (fellow Mommy Blogger), Natalie Mix 96.5 Radio Personality, and myself, for the entire minute commercial. Enjoy!



If you have not been to the Mommy Madness Houston Site in a while. Make sure to stop by. While you are there, please vote for your favorite Mommy Blogger. (Yes, you can pick me if you like.) Click the "Vote for the Madness" box on the right. Each time you vote, you will be entered to win a weekend getaway for four to Barton Creek Resort and Spa in Austin, TX. (You have to be a TX resident to vote, sorry to all my super supportive out of town family and friends.) Thank you! I really appreciate your vote.

Giveaways to Get in On

The Story of a Princess and Her Hair is giving away a $200 flat iron on her site this month. This site has been one of my main sources of inspiration when styling Cambry's hair. There are tons of ways to enter. Check it out!


I ♥ Faces is having an AMAZING giveaway this week! (Although their giveaway are always super cool and really generous, I especially love the art form this week.) Here are a couple of examples of the art pieces created from regular photographs by the artists at All Pop Art . Visit this I ♥ Faces page to find out how to enter to win a piece of art of your own. Oh, and make sure to add a couple of these to my wish list. :)

I'm Your Biggest Fan!

This is about 5 minutes long - just to give you a heads up.



This was an incredible experience for me, as well as for Joe's restaurant. The event was a live radio broadcast, of the largest food and restaurant radio show in the state of TX, during a 3 course lunch. So much fun!

Friday Funnies - Go Ahead, Smile Out Loud

So a couple of weeks ago we hired a babysitter to watch the kids while Joe and I went out for his birthday. As usual, Cambry was be prepped / educated about the evenings events. After I had finished explaining this for what I thought was the last time, she said to me, "You take Boston and the babysitter with you. I will stay home by myself. I got this. I can handle it." (Word for word. I wrote it down and have been saving it to share.) And so it begins...

As we were in the check out lane the other night at the grocery store, we saw a man wearing a patch over his eye. "Look Mommy, a pirate!" (Of course she said it loud enough for even the man stalking milk in the diary department to hear.) I then explained to her what exactly a pirate is and that sometimes when people hurt their eye they need a patch to protect it. This does not make them a pirate even though their patch might look like what a pirate would wear. We paid and loaded everything into the car. While driving home she asked, "If I go home and hurt my eye, can I have a patch like a pirate would wear?"

Still struggling with my weight loss journey, I like to torture myself my 'weighing in' daily. Cambry caught eye of the event yesterday and asked me to do her. "What's my number?" she inquired. 30. She wanted Boston to be next. His number was 20. "What is your number Mommy?" 200. "Is that the BIGGEST number EVER?" Yes, it is. I will be on TV next week. (Thanks Donni)

Because My Family Likes Videos

The first two are from about a month ago.








Stay tuned for more Boston videos and a video of Papa Joe!

Working Towards a Wordless Wednesday

(Taken while driving)

I ♥ Faces - Wk. 19 "Blurb Photo Book"Amateur Entry

This week is a bit different at I ♥ Faces. This week, the winner's photos will be published in the new I ♥ Faces Blurb Book. Thanks to all of you who voted on my previous post to help me choose my submission - best face photo ever. Wow was this a tough decision! Looking at technique and composition, this would not qualify as the best face photo I have ever taken. The best face however - you bet. This is my Cambry (sorry to burst the bubbles of those who thought it was Boston). She is one of my favorite faces to capture, and I think it all started the day I took this photo. It was a candid shot. We were down in the office working (as you can tell by the newspapers on the floor) and she was daydreaming. I can see the whole world in that little face. Thanks again for your help. Wish me luck!

"I am submitting this photo into the www.iheartfaces.com Blurb Book photo contest. I am granting I ♥ Faces permission to use my photo in a printed version of a book for commercial use and possibly advertising of a photo book on both the Blurb and I ♥ Faces web sites."

Friday Funnies - Go Ahead, Smile Out Loud

This week I am compelled to post something this is not actually funny, but rather something I need to laugh at constantly to make bearable.
As you can see by my once jeans turned faux capris, I am in denial. Shorts are almost my least favorite article of clothing, listed just below Muu Muus and leggings. I commented the other day how, living in Omaha, I wouldn't even go outdoors when it was 95 degrees with a nearly equal humidity percentage, yet here I run and play all day. Yep, that's true denial for you.

Which One Should I Submit?

I ♥ Faces has a new twist on their weekly contest this upcoming week. There will be two categories, one for amateurs and one for professional photographers. The winners will have their picture printed in the new I ♥ Faces Blurb book. The top three winners will also receive a copy of the book. The goal is to submit the best 'face' photo you have ever taken. The photo should have only one face, two tops. And the photo should have a face as the main focus.

I need your help. These are the best face photos I think I have taken. Can you please post a comment and let me know which one you think I should submit? Thanks for your help! (Or, if you remember a photo that you think is better, let me know.)

Our Princess & Her Hair IV

It has been quite some time since I posted about hair styles. We still fix her hair most days; I have just been in a rut, making the same styles over and over. Realizing I needed to get creative again, I have a few new pictures.

This is our first original hairstyle, the first style we made without copying someone else. (I am sure someone has done this, just now that we have seen.) We liked it so much, we did a repeat a few days later.

Pin Curls

The after math. Hehe.

Working Towards a Wordless WednesdayPictures Taken from the Chevy Traverse

I ♥ Faces - Kids Entry, Wk. 18 Laughter

I ♥ Faces Wk. 18 'Laughter' - Kids Entry

What a fun topic. I have so many pictures of Cambry laughing. For the sake of a contest, I decided to take new picture. More than half the time they are together, Cam and Papa Joe are laughing. Silly willies. :) Check out I ♥ Faces for all the other 'Laughter' entries. I am entering at the very end of this weeks contest. You should give it a shot next week though.

It's All Because of You

Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful Moms in my life, especially to my mom and Joe's mom!

Joe is out working his tail off again. He left for work at 6:15 this morning. Yikes! The mid day report was that there were slammed, and sold $16,500 worth of eggs. You Go Chef Joe! LOL.

Today I celebrate the two beauties who make me a mother this Mother's Day. I find so much joy in watching their little lives blossom. I am truly blessed.

All Girl:
- She is thoughtful and independent.
- She says things like, "Ewww! I'm all sweaty!" and "I can't ride the slide; a bug touched it."
- She's a chocoholic.
- She's always on the phone.
- She's a backseat driver.
- She screams if you don't pay attention to her.
- She won't leave the house with out lip gloss.













All Boy:
- He slobbers.
- He drools.
- His feet smell.
- He has boogers.
- He loves watching ESPN with Papa.
- He can't stand the fuss of lotion, hair combing, or nail clipping.
- He always has that 'huh?' look on his face.

To my children: My joy, my muse, my comedy. I love all that you are and all that you will become. Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! (Henry David Thoreau)

White Rules

Not- White Rules! But- The rules of wearing white. I am far from fashionista, and I don't follow trends. I did hear once, a while back, that you are not to wear white before Memorial Day or after Labor Day. Joke's on me. That is only for you Midwesterners who live in a place where there is most likely snow on the ground during the entire said mentioned 9 month spam. Wearing white, no one would see you after the north wind blew you into a snow drift. In Texas, you must wear white, all the time. Why you ask? Well that would be to spare yourself the embarrassment of wearing a green button up shirt to your friend's son's birthday party (held outside) and having glaringly obvious and grotesque sweat marks displayed in places you didn't even know a torso could sweat.

Great party, by the way, thanks Courtney!

Friday Funnies - Go Ahead, Smile Out Loud

This week I thought it would be fun if I provided the laugh through a photo and a couple of videos. Enjoy!




Excuse the spit-up to the left of his head.

Life is Good...So Good

Boston can hardly wait until the day he can run around with the older children. It may be because he doesn't really have any baby friends, but I think he would want to be a part of the action regardless. At our usual library craft time today, the children were finger painting. A baby could do this, right? So long as he didn't eat it. He had been watching Cambry for a bit, and when it was his turn, he knew just what to do. We began rubbing his hands in the cold, gooey paint. He then looked up at me beaming. This was his proudest moment in all six months of life. He kept at it, looking up every so often to remind me how awesome it was.

After art time, we headed over to a friends house for water play and crafts. My little buddy was again thrilled to play with the big kids. They were splashing him in the face, and he didn't mind a bit. He was just glad to be a part.


Our day ended with an awesome 2.5 mile run (no walking, our furthest distance so far) and some time at the park. Life is good, so good!