I did It!

{my sweet friend Dana, called me up and asked me to run this race with her.  She just ran a half marathon this past October and is in great shape.  She told me that we could go at my pace and she would not leave my side.  And she didn't!  She was such a great motivator and has always been so encouraging!  I am blessed to have her as a friend.}

I ran my first 5K!  I guess I should say, I ran and walked up part of the FIVE, did you hear me, FIVE hills.  I need some training on running hills.  Anyway, it was awesome and a great accomplishment.  I am 7 months post baby and if you had asked me a few months ago if I was ready to run a 5K, I would have said, "no way!"  Anyone who knows me well, knows that the adjustment from 3 to 4 children was not easy for me.  I will not even try to sugar coat it.  I was worn out all the time and had no energy or motivation to do anything.  I know Seth was praying everyday that I could find joy in motherhood and have enough energy to do the things I needed to do.

One day, I was talking to my friend Wendy.  Wendy has a sister, Lisa, who I am also good friends with. 
You following me?
Lisa loves to exercise, was once an instructor at the Y.
I said, "Wendy, why don't we start working out with Lisa?"  You see Wendy needed some motivation also.  We were both in a slump.
Wendy texted Lisa right then on that Friday afternoon.
We were working out Monday morning at Lisa's house!  Landon played with her little girl Taylor while we did what Lisa told us to do!
Seriously, I think this was an answer to a prayer.  Every morning Lisa would text me, telling me to get ready because she was going to make us hurt!
Now, I love to workout!  Lisa has taught me that you don't have to put in an exercise video or go to a gym class to burn calories.  We are outside most days, in the driveway, while the children are playing.  She is so creative with bands and balls, even a walker!  She comes up with the most interesting exercises.   I know that working out with Lisa, who has basically been a personal trainer, will not happen everyday. But I have learned that taking time to exercise is so important and I will never go back.
Why do I say all of this?
I want my children to know that good physical health is directly related to good mental health!
I feel so much better, mentally, when I exercise.
Now, I make it a priority.  I make time for me.  Because a happy Lori, equals a happy mommy!


So back to the race....

{Sawyer was asleep in the car with Seth's mom}

Of course, Seth was so proud I was going to do this race.  He loaded the kids up and popped up at different spots during the race.  Thank goodness they never caught me walking! :)
They would roll the windows down and say, "go mommy, go!"  So cute.
They were waiting for me at the finish line, which Dana and I sprinted to!
I can't wait to do another one!

{Seth and the kids with his mom}

Memorial Day

First, I am so thankful to live in this country!  I am so thankful for the men and women who sacrifice and serve to protect our freedoms. 
Seth was home from work on Memorial Day.  We asked the children what they would like to do.  They said, play water games and be together all day long.  So, that is what we did.  The slip and slide came out.

Landon ran around naked all day.  Oh yeah, we already had that discussion in a previous post.

Laurel and Savannah entertained us with their gymnastic skills.

We played tag and dodge the sponges!

We cooled off with popsicles!!

We came inside, took showers, took a nap, woke up and played

TWISTER!

And Landon finally put on some clothes!  Hee, hee!  What are we going to do with him?!

Around 5 O'clock, I started trying to figure out dinner. 

Seth said, "let's just go to Sonic!"

So we did.

We ate at the picnic tables outside and the children played on the playground.

On the way home, Laurel said, "this has been the best day ever!"

Potty talk

Wow, it is so different potty training boys!  Landon really doesn't like his underwear...

He would perfer to walk around in the nude.  You can only imagine the conversations we have had around our house.  We spent all day outside last week and he would go over to the edge of the woods everytime he needed to hmmm... relieve himself.  The next day I said, "Landon, let's put your underwear on and sit on the potty today!"  He said, "No!  I go potty in the grass!"

 Oh boy!  I think it's time I purchase that book on how to raise boys!

Brothers

Landon can make Sawyer laugh so hard!

He really doesn't even have to do much.

And Landon loves that he can make him laugh!

They already have such a bond.

We made It!

I took this right before we walked out the door for the last day of school!  I was in a hurry, as usual.  Must be why Sawyer's face is completely fuzzy! 
Wow, what a year. 
I started the year off extremely pregnant!
We went from three to four!

These sweet girls had great years.  We loved both of their teachers.
It was a great Kindergarten and second grade.
Look out, here we come 1st and 3rd!

Savannah's Kindergarten Program

Savannah and all of her classmates filed in.  They each held a letter.  Savannah had to say, "R is for reading stories, even those that bring a tear."

Then they sang and did a little dance. 

Their teacher, Mrs. Conn held a book up while all the children read the words.  Savannah is a great reader.  It's so amazing how much she has learned this year.

Then Mrs. Conn handed out a certificate to each child.  She didn't just call out their names.  She said something about each child before they came up.  Before she called out Savannah's name, she said, "this child is the sweetest, kindest little girl.  She always shares and helps her friends."
Then Mrs. Conn showed a slide show.  And I got a little teared up!

Then they had ice cream sundaes!

Samantha and Anna were two of her friends.  I was so impressed with Savannah's class.  All the girls and boys got along so well.  Mrs. conn got so emotional talking about how this had been one of her best years. 

I'm so proud of this little girl!  And I'm so thankful for good teachers!  They are seriously the hardest working people and in my opinion so underpaid.

This Morning...

Landon woke me up saying, "Sawya poopy!"  Landon has started getting a chair and climbing into Sawyer's crib.  I know, scary!

Savannah found a dollar under her pillow from the tooth fairy.  She just lost her second front tooth.  She says she talks funny now!

Laurel watched Sawyer while I got dressed.  I honestly don't know how I would do it without her!