Random February Pics

"I am the man of this house."  Austin went upstairs one morning, got fully dressed into Jared's church suit, even put on church socks and told me exactly who he was. It was cute. He has always been into taking over different identities.  I thought it was cute how he was playing "spy" and then handcuffed himself to breakfast.  My dad and I went to our 2nd Annual Daddy Daughter Dance at CCV church. I always feel a little silly b/c I am the oldest daughter there, but once I am there, I relax and enjoy myself. My dad loves "Proud Mary" and "Old time Rock and Roll." We boogied, did the pretzel, cuban shuffle, YMCA and some slow songs. I recognized some men from last year!  I am grateful that he prizes me as his daughter and he always makes me feel special and loved. I am lucky.
    Pinewood derby. This year Jared and Wesley worked on it the night before, sanding and cutting away. It was going to look amazing with some gold flames on the sides, but Wesley couldn't quite figure out how to do it (and didn't want to listen to me for any advice of course). So, he had a melt down and ended up painting his car blue, over yellow... making it a green glob mess. Oh well. He still placed 11 out of 30. Not bad for having done it all by himself (vs a lot of the other boys whose cars looked professionally made or ordered).
    Isaac is getting more creative with crayons and markers. I love to see him make suns and rainbows. One day at preschool he was running around crazy, so we made an apology picture for Ms Carrie. It was really cute. He also took a picture of our popcorn afternoons which we all love to eat.  Jared did haircuts once again. They all loved the spikey look, except Levi has a longer cut on top. Funny how Isaac and Austin both did crazy faces, and they look so similar!

Jr Suns Basketball

More candid pics of my boys playing basketball as Jr Suns for the city of Surprise community sports. Wesley had his best friend Pike Tancil on his team this year, and was able to go practices with him weekly and have dinner at his house. He loved those special Wednesdays! He has gotten more aggressive on the court and is learning the basics of looking up and down the court and finding the ball. I have a hard time sitting through the games b/c I want Wesley to be given the ball and not just the "ball hogs." But, I can only hope with more time that those skills will be attained. Austin is still learning the game as well. He made a basket the one game that I missed (I was at Wesley's game). Of course Wesley made 2 baskets the one games I missed (at Ragnar). I did my best to get some videos and pictures of their season. Isaac and Levi were always anxious and fidgeting during games, asking for my Ipod or gum. But, we survived.

Del Sol Rangar

11pm the night before, I got a phone call asking if I was interested in running the AZ Del Sol Ragnar relay! Of course I would be! It would take some juggling on my part to re-arrange my schedule, but I was physically (and emotionally) ready for a fun challenge and break from motherhood. Especially with my friends Leslie Boley and April Ashton!  I met up with them Friday night as runner #12 and did 3 out of 4 legs in the dark. One of the legs I ran alongside April at 2am just for fun, an easy 3 miler. I was fresh and energetic, so we skipped and danced in the path.
    My first leg was 3 miles and I did it in 20 min. I was on fire! I had downloaded some fun tunes on my Ipod and I was so happy to be free and alive that I just rocked the run. My next hard leg was 5 miles at 3am, 30 degrees in the dark. It was soooo cold. With my head light, I could only see my breath fogging up my path. I was next to no other runners and scared to be all alone on this isolated highway (couldn't tell where I was!). I just kept on running so I could be safe and get done already. The music kept me going and I really felt healthy and energetic to keep pushing through it. I did think to myself, "Why am I doing this again?" We had gotten 2 hours of interrupted sleep at the Boley's new home, and then to cram back into the Armada to drive around in the dark? Crazy! Fun!
     My last leg I was able to cross the finish line at Tempe Town lake. The sun was setting and it was a gorgeous leg. I got lost at one time where I didn't see the signs or know who to follow (a skinny ultra runner or another guy up ahead. I followed the skinny guy and got lost!). Not sure if I cut my 6 miles shorter or longer...but I ran around 17 total. I was pretty beat by the end of the leg, especially after having watched everyone already race and finish. But, I finished strong and loved those last strides across that bridge+sunset.  We ran for a little gal with Rhett syndrome, Oaklynn. She even met us at the finish line, which was very tender.  It's always awesome. I would do it again!

Cerreta Candy Factory

Day one of my 14 day sugar fast and where do we go? Cerreta's Candy Factory! How ironic. Levi didn't understand that I was not going to buy the chocolates or yogurt covered items...and he was an unhappy camper about it!  Isaac had fun tasting the samples and being with his preschool buddies. It was an overcrowded fieldtrip, but we did our best to maneuver within the sweat shop.  We drove Ms Carrie Chowdury (preschool teacher ) to and from, so it was nice to get to know her better. Levi and Isaac had a great time afterwards at the park where we had a picnic and they shared valentines. I did my best to stay away from the rice crispy treats and chocolates!

Valentine's Week

Did my best to make it a fun Valentine Week. We even surprised Jared at work with a Valentine Day Heart Attack! It was a school day, so the boys were kinda anxious about being late for school. I crawled in (literally) and had his boss pull him aside into his office. Then we all snuck inside his cubical, but not after Isaac accidently honked the horn on his way out. That was right outside of his boss' window! Jared saw us do everything! He felt loved and his co-workers thought it was super sweet to see his 4 boys running around with cut out hearts and taping them up. The week also included heart shaped pizza, heart jigglers, heart pancakes, love notes/coupons (like no dishes for a week or sleeping in mom's bed), and then a candlelight dinner with heart shaped meatballs, garlic bread, roasted asparagus and sparkling cider. I think the boys felt loved, especially with the fun candles and table cloth. We went around the table and asked what things we liked about each other.  It was a late night, especially b/c we had just gone to the gym!

I made cinnamon rolls with Liz Bennett and Emily Leavitt, boy were they amazing. I actually ate three large ones in one day, which sparked a 14 day sugar fast for me b/c I was so disgusted with myself! A special holiday for anyone to feel loved by their family. I am so grateful for my special partner for life and the love that he gives to me and my boys.