You Better Run

HELP!  I need motivation.  I am training for my first half marathon in November and I was doing really great with the training and now I have slacked off.  I'm headed out tonight to get back on the horse but I need encouragement.  I am trying to think about the sticker below that I am definitely putting on my car to announce to the world "I did it!"  I think I need more ideas.

What do you do to stay motivated?  Anyone?

This Magic Moment

There are times when things just seem so right.  Dustin was trying to choose a song for the Mother's Day photo montage he puts together for our church every year and he was on the computer playing portions of song after song.  I had just finished changing Matthew for bed and I carried him down the hall to find Claire sitting in her Daddy's lap listening to the music and just staring up at Dustin.  It really touched and warmed my heart.  There are moments that steal my breath and make my heart swell with a joy and love I never even knew existed before I had children.  This moment was the perfect gift, just in time for Mother's Day.

A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes

I wonder if ever in her wildest dreams, Catherine Middleton dared to think one day she would be a princess.  I know I did as a child.  When I was in elementary school we had to do a book report on someone we admired and dress up as that person, I chose Princess Diana.  I had this big book about her that was mostly pictures and I remember just staring at it over and over again thinking about her life and how wonderful it must have been.  It's only as an adult I learned it wasn't so wonderful for her.  And now the next generation is getting married and it's bringing all of my princess ideals back to the front and just makes me wonder if Kate ever felt the same way as a child.  It also makes me wonder if Claire will imagine herself a princess.  She has suddenly become very interested in them and they are everywhere.  I really did not realize how many Belles, Cinderellas, Tianas, and Auroras you would see just walking through the grocery store.  It seems like every few minutes she is excitedly shouting "princess, princess!"  I also didn't realize that at almost two Claire would be picking out the princess movies (Disney of course) we have and bringing them to us to watch - over and over again.  Lucky for her, I happen to love a good princess story.

Been a Long Time

I just realized that I have not blogged in a really long time. A lot has happened since then but the biggest change came in the smallest package, we had a son!  Matthew was born in March and is a handsome and healthy boy.  Don't take my word for it:

I absolutely love this picture but what makes it even closer to my heart is this picture of Claire when she was a week old:

For some reason I can't find the cleaned up version but you get the idea.  I was very excited we were able to get the same shot of Matthew.  I have a plan for the pictures, now I just have to find the follow through.

Going to the Chapel

Today has been a very exciting day! My sister in law and I went wedding dress shopping with her mother and another of the bridesmaids. She found THE dress! It's beautiful! We had been shopping one other time and saw some pretty dresses but the dress today suits her perfectly (it helps she has a great figure and can wear any style dress)! Not only was it a great day because she found her dress but I also got the chance to reminisce which was fun. She found her dress at the same wonderful store I found mine three years ago. The owner of the store even remembered which dress I had chosen that long ago! That is what I call service. If you are looking for a wedding dress, mother of the bride, or bridesmaid dress you should check them out: http://www.evelynsbridalonline.com/

Summer Time is Calling Me

It's been a big summer so far; Claire turned 1, I went back to school (for my 3rd college education!), we got a new car, and Claire got the classiest pool ever! No seriously, we bought a kiddie pool for our sweet Claire to be able to play in. I know what you are thinking - little, round, plastic kiddie pool but that wouldn't be any fun for the adults now would it? Instead we got her this pool:

I'll let you make your own judgements about the family in the picture. Anyway, Claire loves it! She wasn't so sure at first and has a little issue each time she gets in but that soon gives way to her having a great time! Did I mention that two adults fit in it with her? Good times!

Isn't her suit adorable? My oldest friend Jennifer's very talented mother gave this to her for her first birthday. She also gave her a terry cloth cover-up with a yellow "C" on it. Too cute!

We also had another baby come and visit us this summer:

Speaking of babies - I want to send a big congratulations to the best neighbor EVER on her big news! I'm so glad I could be there for the "P"ivotal moment ;)

It's been an exciting summer so far to be sure!