Spinx 5K

Really excited about this...I am going to run a 5K in October (aaaghhh!).  Since one of my goals when I left my job was to be more active, I have been going to classes at the Y and have met a lot of really great women.  One of them inspired me to actually participate in a 5K, which for all you runners is small potatoes (do I say small potatoes?) but for me is a BIG deal!  When I started running a couple months back I could not even make it half a mile without dying and having to stop.  I can now run 3 miles fairly easily, so I have changed my goal to running the 3 miles faster and harder.  As long as I can stay motivated (some days that is really really hard!!!) then the 5K is definitely doable.  

I have another motivating factor, my sister-in-law.  Sara is an avid runner who has done several races, including full marathons (why anyone would want to run 26 miles is beyond me) so this is just a little walk in the park for her.  SO I have to be in tip top shape so I can hopefully keep up with her (that = beat her, not that it's a competition)  It should be fun.  Oh, and you get to run into the Drive stadium which was another reason I wanted to sign up, who wouldn't want to feel like a champ being cheered on into a stadium?? 

Here's the link...

http://www.spinxrunfest.com/spinx/SRF_Welcome_2.html

Pasta Salad....Yum!

MY PASTA SALAD

Over the years I have tried many pasta salads and have come up with my version of a very interchangeable, easy, delicious salad that is always a crowd pleaser.  The best thing about any pasta salad is that you can really make it your own, taking out ingredients you don't like and adding ones you do.  Here's what I do:

*A box or so of tri-colored rotini
*Some Wishbone Italian Balsamic dressing
*Fresh mozzarella (the good kind) - a lot of cheese is always better
*Hormel turkey pepperoni in the bag (they now come in little mini sizes - perfect for salads!!!)  A lot of this is good too.
*Chopped up
    broccoli
    cherry tomatoes
    carrots
    cucumbers
    onions
*a little can of sliced olives
*Salt & Pepper to taste

Enjoy...it is good!

Just a little somethin' funny

So...this is where we are sending Aidan to elementary school.  He's going to be a great speller...we are so excited ;) !!

My 15 and 13 year olds...oh wait...they are only 5 and 3

So this morning was very exciting.  I had my very first Room Mother Meeting at Woodland Elementary.  (The whole reason I quit my job was to be Room Mom, ha!)

This meant parking and walking in rather than the usual dropping Aidan off in the morning car line.  Well apparently Aidan has become aware that hanging around his mom is not cool, and made that very clear.  He asked me over and over why I had to go in at the same time as him and could I please not walk near him.  Really ?!?!  I thought I still had some time before my 5 yr old used his lunch box to hide his face so that the other kids wouldn't see him with his mom.  I guess I was wrong.

And then there's McKenzie, my 3 yr old going on 13.  She changes her outfit at least five times a day and loves her nails painted.  Her clothes must match, she must buckle herself in, and some of the things she says - WOW.  I need to write them down (I always think I will remember and then immediately forget) because they blow me away. 

So they grow up fast is all I am trying to say.  I am trying really hard to enjoy every moment (although McKenzie screaming at the top of her lungs for M&Ms in the grocery store doesn't always make it easy). 

No matter what, I am extremely blessed.

I QUIT! Let the Summer Begin!

So this is how my summer started...I FINALLY quit my job to stay at home with my kids.  And gain back a little sanity...which was more than necessary.  After 5 years of trying to do it all I gave up.  And I don't regret it one bit (see how happy I am?)

 

So for three months I have gotten to take Aidan and McKenzie to the pool, the YMCA, the library, clean my house (yes I somewhat quit cleaning when I was working) and it has been incredible.  I am really blessed and feel like focusing on my family is more important than anything else.  Including money.

Aidan has started Kindergarten at Woodland Elementary - he describes it as "awesome" - and I get to take him and pick him up every day.  Which is SO important to me.


Not sure where this blog will go (maybe nowhere...I don't have a great history with these things) but I hope to keep it up. We will see.