Six days...and definitely counting

Running. It's a new word in my daily vocabulary. For some crazy reason, last Novemberish, I decided I needed to run a 1/2 marathon in order to get back into a routine of working out. Why a 5K wasn't good enough I'll never know. :) So, the first week of January I began my new running training schedule. 4 runs a week. That first run was hilarious. Not at the time, of course. I went for a 1 mile run and came home huffing and puffing. I laid down in our hallway - cheeks bright red - and felt like I was going to pass out or throw up. Happily, I did neither.

But, I DID keep going. I kept up with my schedule - with many thanks to Ryan. He has been the quiet supporter - always encouraging - always saying just the right things to make me feel strong. With 3 young kids who depend on me for most of their every need, the only time to run was usually 6am. Try that in Jan/Feb when it's FRIGID outside. That equals no fun.

My Saturday "long" runs kept me going. I loved meeting up with 3-5 other women to run the roads of Wilmore before most of the town began to stir. And each week, I ran farther and stronger.

I remember thinking that there is no way that I'll be able to run this entire race. I remember doubting what I was trying to accomplish. But, there was no way I'd ever give up. My main reasons?:

-I turned 30 this year. Ouch.

-I've accomplished a lot in the past 10 years of my adult life. Most has been connected to others. Mainly, my kids. I take HUGE pride in this fact. I am beyond blessed to have the 3 kids I have. I can't stress that enough. But, I needed a personal goal to reach. I supported Ryan through Seminary, had 3 babies...it was time for me to do something because I needed it.

-Did I mention I have 3 kids? When I began training, Addelyn was 13 mos old. I needed a fresh way to lose baby weight. Mission accomplished. :)

-To set a positive example for my kids. I want them to see what living a healthy, happy life looks like. I try to eat well. I try to exercise well. I'm sure I'll mess up at times, but I'm doing my best!

-I've never been hugely athletic. (unless you count H.S. and College Marching Band. HOLLA!!) I've always wanted to be though. It's fun to feel like maybe, just maybe, I can belong in this group of runners. Really? Me? Can I really call myself a runner? :)

So there you have it. I've trained. I've cried from shin splints, blisters, strep throat, the stomach bug, and sleeplessness. I didn't give up. And now, only 6 days stands between me and this huge accomplishment in my life. I'm so so so excited.

Saturday. April 24th. 7:30am. 13.1 miles.

Kids and All

Mackenzie.............

Mackenzie makes me laugh. So much so, that I can't keep up with keeping track of all the things I want to.
Yesterday she came home from school and told me that her teacher's (Mrs. M) grandmother had passed away and the funeral was over the weekend. She told me that Mrs. M said that the first day of spring was a faaabulous day to have a funeral. I said, "well, I bet her Granny would have liked that." Mackenzie: "Well, Mooom....(eyes looking sideways at me) it was Granny's funeral so she couldn't know." The whole thing made me laugh because she was so matter-of-fact about it.
Last night, Ryan asked her if she'd like to go the soccer clinic for her soccer league. They do it once a week during March and it's just an extra practice for them. Her response???!! "Dad, I don't know...cause I'm already really good at soccer." She is not lacking in self confidence!

Nate.....................

Nate received several smiles in the grocery store this morning. Including a man telling me that I don't need to take him to the playground - the grocery store is good enough! That is because Nate was running laps around me and the basket. All while singing the theme song to "Go, Diego, Go!" very loudly. He insists (daily) that we call him "Diego" and is irritated with us when we forget and call him "Nate".
While eating lunch today he told me that he was going to be a Dad when he grows up. For the record, he said he was going to have 4 kids. (just a little side note for his future wife) In my opinion, that day can stay far away. I rather fancy seeing my 3 yr old eat a sandwich at our table. He is constantly telling me, with a smile, "I like you, Momma". Somehow, that might be even better than the "I love you" comments.

Addelyn..................

Addelyn is a firey little thing. She stands up for herself. She is not afraid of Nate or anything he can do to her. It makes me laugh, mostly. She is also cuddly and cute. She is talking more and pointing. She's very curious. She's been sleeping better lately. However, this week she's decided the pattern had become too predictable. She's been up at night some and makes her presence known! She almost acts offended that we would dare leave her in a room all alone at night!! She loves to be outside - trying to keep up with the others. She'll hold M's hand and walk around...that is the sweetest thing.

Life is good.

and so here we are...

March 4th is here. I guess today I am 30. Whenever I say it (or heck, even think it) I cringe a little inside. Entering into a new decade of life requires a new thought process too. Even the sound of saying I'm 30 is so different from 29.

So, I meet this day with a bit of hesitation..not quite sure what to expect, but here goes...















I'm sure that surprises will come my way. So, maybe I'll be ready for them. Or maybe I won't...















Mostly, I plan to live. To relish in the days that I call my own. To do things that surprise even myself and be the person I need to be. To love my husband and kids to the best of my ability. To savor every moment of our days. I have no clue what 30 holds for me. I'm a bit scared of it. But, ready to face it head on.

So, here's to being THIRTY!!

As the saying goes

There are things I say, in my head, on a regular basis that I heard from the wise people in my life.

-"One for each person, and one for the pot"....in reference to potatoes. Most of the women in my life use this saying as they cook. But it was my mother-in-law who said it at a time when I must have been learning how to cook. Every time I make potato soup, I think of her and that saying. I'm now putting 6 potatoes in the pot for soup in the Forbes house.

-"Swap a Smile. Trade Some Cheer. Let's Be Happy While We're Here!"....this saying is on these wall plaques that my Mom has. 2 very seventies looking flowers that say this. We grew up reciting this ALL the time...as we moved from state to state with the Air Force. I find myself repeating it in my head on a very regular basis here in Kentucky. ;)

-"Bloom where you are planted." Sort of goes along with the above.

What are the sayings you have in your memory. Phrases you repeat all the time, without even knowing it. I know that I have more....but during this limited space of naptime - this will have to do. Tell me your's!!

it's wednesday night

I sit in a quiet house. The TV on mute. Kids snuggled asleep in their beds. And Ryan beating his drums at church. My eyes are burning from exhaustion...and it's only 8:30pm. My life is a continuation from the previous day, it seems. Some days my only goal is to hear my kiddos laugh. I get excited when I can cook a good meal for less than $4 that everyone enjoys. Vacuuming once a week is an overachievment. If Ryan forgets to set the coffee pot it can throw off my whole morning. And if I'm not at the grocery store by 8:30am then there is no use going that day due to kid's schedules.

All this adds up to one thing. Aging. And I don't even know how that happened! I'm turning 30 in about a month. ouch. ouch. ouch.
I recently was talking with my Mimi about milestone birthdays. This happened to be on her 80th bday and I decided to probe her mind a bit about aging. Mimi is very blunt and honest, which I admire and love about her. I asked her if turning 80 was hard..."No, I don't feel any different than yesterday". What was your hardest bday, Mimi?...."Thirty, most definitely."

That's right folks!! THIRTY! And here I am. She said that turning 30 felt like leaving your childhood behind and entering into adulthood. You might be laughing at that statement...thinking, "well, Angela...you have 3 children and have been married nearly 10 years! Doesn't that qualify as being an adult?!" Sure it does. But, in my mind, I'm in my 20's!! Young and free! (Well, okay, maybe not free...but young!)
Then there is the whole thought that my days are just simply flying by! I want to freeze my children at these ages....when they are young and in my care. Minimally influenced by the outside and majorly influenced by us. But, it's impossible! Time keeps ticking by!

So, since it appears that tomorrow will be here whether I'm ready or not, maybe I should just go ahead to bed. Even at 8:45pm. Because I'm 29.

for the love of a little sis!

I can remember the day my sister was born. 23 years ago today! Am I really that old to remember something so long ago?! Yes, apparently so. I remember sitting in my 1st grade class of Social Studies. I didn't particularly care for my teacher, so I was ecstatic when I heard the secretary's voice come over the loud speaker in the room to say that I was being checked out early. I quickly scooped up my belongings and ran out of the room with a smile on my face. I dilly-dallied down the hallway...unaware of what was going on in my mother's world. Halfway to the office it clicked. I suddenly remembered that my mother was going to have a baby at any moment. This must be that moment! I ran the rest of the way to the office - forgetting that we werent' allowed to run the halls of the Elementary School! (I've always been a rule breaker.) My older sister arrived at the office at the same time as I. I don't remember a conversation, but I do remember a huge smile shared. We were ready to meet our baby.
We made it home to see mom before being sent to the living room. (The baby was born at home!) I remember waiting with my older sister and 18 mos old brother.
Finally, we were allowed back into the room. I was concerned for my mother - wanting to make sure she was okay. Then we each got to hold this sweet baby of our's. Our little sister. Our real-life baby doll.
Today I say thank you to my parents for giving me such joy. Thank you to my sweet Lord for giving me the love of a sister. I love this sweet sister so immensely. We've shared fights, love, laughs, chocolate, and tears. I'm beyond grateful that I can remember the day she was born. And I'm thankful that Kathryn is who she is - what a treat to watch her grow.

Melanie and I have always referred to Craig and Kathryn as "the kids"...I wonder if that will change now that they are both so grown up? Probably not. :)

the infomercial queen

I think I've mentioned before that Mackenzie is very into Infomercials. Last year, she asked for the bulbs that water your plants for you....I can't for the life of me remember the name. But, she would. She loves infomercials and gets stuck on them and tells us all about them later.

Recently, she's been captured by the "Teach your baby to read" infomercial. She's convinced that it works and that she could do it for Addelyn. (I suppose Nate is a lost cause) So, she made cards with words on them and sat down one day to teach Addelyn how to read. Sadly, it has not worked yet, but I imagine that if anyone can do it - Mackenzie and Addelyn can.