Six things

1. 4K for the Kids! Last Sunday we went to Iowa State to participate in a 4K run/walk to raise money for ISU's Dance Marathon.  We had planned on walking, but then I got antsy and told Aaron we should run a little.  The next thing you know we had a system of the boys running and resting in the stroller while I swapped kids.  The boys did AMAZING.  Seriously, I couldn't believe how much they were able to run!  Sidenote:  Jenna was in Minnesota with Grandpa Larry and that's why she isn't pictured.

2. Beginning reader: I love listening to my kids read.  Jenna loves to read and is very good at it.  Brody is becoming a much better reader and it's really neat this year that his teacher sent home an app that has level appropriate stories for him.  The stories are read to him, then he reads them and then he has to answer questions about what he read.  We downloaded the app on our Kindle and Brody loves it.

3. Future Firefighters:  The perks of mom's job is that I get to take pictures of State Center's Firefighters.  When doing this, the firefighters are super nice to my kids and let them try on their fire gear and sit up in the fire truck. 

4. BUSY:  This past week has been crazy busy. Preschool pictures, volleyball pictures, cheerleading pictures, more preschool pictures, a football game, a reffing husband, the start of Jenna's volleyball practices with me helping coach, a home football game, Aaron's master's class...you get the idea.  Anyway, last weekend I mistakenly didn't get groceries and we were out of like, everything.  So, Thursday morning I set my alarm for 5 AM and headed to Wal-Mart.  It was kind of creepily quiet, but nice and not crowded at the same time.

5. Best shirt ever:  Nothing special, just this super cute, super appropriate shirt Blake wore to school.  Isn't it awesome?!

 

6. Sugar Detox:  So, on Monday I'm starting a sugar detox.  I found out about these groups via Instagram and after reading how great everybody felt after the 14 days, I knew I wanted to try it.  People are asking me why in the world I would do this.  Well, I am admittedly a sugar addict (I heart desserts!), I have felt so bloated and icky lately and my face is broken out like I'm a 14 year old again.  I really want to see how this makes me feel.  I'm hoping it indeed does make me feel better!

It is pretty strict in what you can eat and what you can't  - no dairy, no bread, only berries for fruit, no alcohol, only good fats, lots of veggies and protein.  You get the idea.  So...it could be a rough start getting into the swing of things, but I think with good planning of meals and snacks I can do this.  It's always good to push your body and see what it can do!  I will let you know how it goes, so wish me luck. :)

Have a good weekend and GO HAWKS! :)

34.

My birthday was August 20th.  I felt like it was a big deal.  I turned 34 and if you're wondering why that number is significant, I guess it's not really, but all the "other stuff" made it so. 

When I got to thinking about my 33rd year, that's where the significance came in.  Year 33 was without a doubt the hardest year of my life, in so many different aspects.  The obvious answer is everything we went through with Blake.  I spent almost five months living at the hospital. Living away from my husband and three other kids.  I experienced the scary day.  A kidney transplant.  Infection after infection.  Christmas at the hospital.  The emotional roller coaster that is having a child living with kidney disease.  Things had never been as hard with Blake as they were in my 33rd year.

But, at the same time, things had never been as joyful either.  Blake, my little fighter, triumphing again and again.  I have concluded that sometimes things are so hard you don't know how you can possibly make it another day, another hour.  Especially when you're in the midst of things and feel like you are emotionally spent and just want to cry and throw in the towel.  Now, at 34, after a few good months, I can say I truly appreciate each and every day I get at home with our family all together at home.  I have a grateful heart.

It's ok that I have to argue with Brody about getting out of bed for school.  Or that I had one twin poop in the sandbox yesterday and another in his pants.  It's ok that Jenna and I butt heads almost daily because we are too much alike.  Or that I have nights where I have to catch-up on 13 loads of laundry because I just haven't had time to fold it.  You know what?  Because of everything, I'm just lucky to be home to deal with the chaos that is my life.

Also in my 33rd year, was that I ran my very first half marathon.  13.1 miles.  Then, I did it again a few months later.  Two half marathons.  I never ever ever would have thought I would say that I did that.  It was hard.  It took an incredible amount of dedication to training and time and having a supportive husband to get it done.  I just felt so determined to prove to myself that I could do it.  And I'm nothing if not competitive with myself!

I learned that I am so much stronger than I ever could have imagined.  I learned that I am more determined than I could have ever imagined. I learned that I'm tougher than I could have ever imagined.  I learned that I am braver that I could have ever imagined.

So, I say bring it on 34.  I'm ready for you.  I think you're off to a great start and can't wait to see what you have in store!