Adventures in Running

With the fall weather out in full effect, my runs have consisted of being completely in the dark. I start at around 6am and am done by 7am without seeing sunlight. This has made my runs more interesting in very different ways.

 First, I have probably thought I saw or heard a serial killer around every turn in my neighborhood. Serial killers enjoy a good jog at 6am right? They also are 70 year old couples walking golden retrievers right? These days, they're so sneaky with their tricky identities. Because of my wild imagination, I have had to stop watching scary, suspenseful shows like Criminal Minds only adding to my weird thoughts and sleepless nights. I have always been a fan of suspense shows. When I was little I used to LOVE to watch Unsolved Mysteries, but I was too scared to watch it alone, so I would recruit my mom to watch it with me. The sound of that guys voice still sends chills down my spine. Anywho..my runs seem to go by fast because I always feel like I am on the chase.

What else is different about my runs? The amount of nudity I see. Honestly, people think that when it's dark outside they are invisible. Quite the opposite my friend. When it's dark outside, but light in your house it's VERY easy for people to see inside especially when you decide to forgo the blinds. I saw a woman emptying her dish washer the other morning completely naked. Why would a person feel like that is a good idea? I understand if you sleep in the nude, but please get a little robe action on before you do your morning chores.

Mr. T saw a man making breakfast the other morning completely naked. Not only does that sound unsanitary, but it also sounds dangerous! I have burned arm hair right off my arm before while cooking bacon. I don't even wanna imagine his danger zone....I'll stop there.

Cat's are such creeps. Dogs would never violate your privacy like that.

So next time you think you don't want to run in the morning because it's too boring, think again. You can get your heart racing before you even get started and you can learn the importance of a good, supporting bra all at the same time.

So What! Wednesday

Today I am linking up with Shannon for a little So What! Wednesday.  

So what if:

• I listen to rap as soon as Isabelle's not in the car. I don't listen quietly and I don't just listen, I rap along. Sure, I'm a 26 year old married female from Oklahoma with a baby, but when I'm rapping I feel like a G. 

• I change my music immediately back to Country or Christian when Isabelle is in the car. Momma can't be raisin no gangsta. 

• I used to be a die hard Biggest Loser fan. Now I'm over it. I feel like since I've watched EVERY episode they all are starting to have the same story. Plus, it pisses me off to no end to hear women say that became overweight because they are selfless and took care of their family. So am I selfish because I work out? It makes me a better mom and wife. Ask Mr. T what it's like when I don't work out. I'm like an ADHD 8 year old on crack.

• I had a mommy's day out yesterday and decided to get a pedicure, but then quickly changed my mind when I saw a cute Kansas Jayhawk shirt in the window. Bye bye Pedicure money HELLO cute shirt!

• If my feet are like sandpaper now. I have a cute Jayhawk shirt!

• My SWW post is going to be short. I got like 4 hours of sleep last night. On a brighter note....I got some good, quiet reading time in!

Punkin Patch

Last weekend we ventured to the pumpkin patch (I know you know someone who says "Punkin". If you don't, you do now) with my brother and his family. My sister in law is a great professional photographer so it's really nice to get some good family pictures wherever we go. My ol' handy dandy iphone is great and all, but her camera really seems to do just a tad bit better.

 My little lady with some minor scratches on her head. That's what happends when you figure out that you can get from place to place a lot faster if you run. Girl takes after her mama.

 Her nervous habit. When she's feels awkward or doesn't know what else to do she just says, "Hi". It's a real ice breaker.

I'm going to have to teach her about angles. And how to look like you don't have a double chin in pictures...All in due time my lady.

 Isabelle and her cousin Allie Grace picking out pumpkins. Why yes, I did dress my daughter as a lady bug! We have 3 hand me down costumes that you can bet I'm going to use. I mean honestly, what is cuter than a kid in costume?

 Don't be scared. Isabelle is not putting Allie Grace in a sleeper hold. That is just the way she gives hugs. Again, girl is just like her mama.

 Telling secrets

Picking out pumpkins together

And a good ol' smack to the face to end the cuteness

 She was dying to feed and play with the goats. The goats were dying to nibble on those chubby little fingers.

 Me and my sweet little niece Allie.

She was dying to have a pumpkin on her head after she saw her big cousins doing it.

Our little family

 Our little family and Isabelle blowing kisses...typical.

Crazy Joy-Wish

Today, I am linking up with Lesley for a crazy joy challenge. This weeks word is "Wish".

This picture is of Isabelle after we headed to The State Fair on Saturday.  We usually let her out to walk around, but with all the interesting people things on the grounds, we decided to just keep her in the stroller while we there. We live about a mile from the fairgrounds, so we just walked to and from the fair. By our walk home, Isabelle was DYING to get out and get her "wiggles" out so we let her. This is her running down the middle of the street without a care in the world. Nowadays, it is nearly impossible to get a non blurry picture of her because she is generally running, swinging her arms or doing some kind of new dance.

My wish is that she will continue to have this carefree attitude towards life. Life is amazing and the world is full of fun adventures that are waiting just outside our door, which she seems to understand. I wish that she continues to long for the new adventures, endless possibilities and love for life.

Who knew that a one year old could teach you so much about the simplicities of life?  

Medal of Honor

I'll be the first to say it. Single mothers deserve a medal, 10 weeks of paid vacation, and a college fund for their kids. Mr. T was gone 4 days and I about lost my mind. I'm a wimp. I am quick to take for granted how much easier it is to have a little help around the house. Even if they aren't constantly there to change diapers, it's just someone else (someone that doesn't wear diapers) that you can talk to. Parenting is hard. That's no secret. I don't believe it was made to be done alone. I understand MILLIONS of people do it alone daily because of different circumstances and I applaud them. I am weak.

I am blessed to have my parents living 20 minutes from us, but again...it's not the same. They raised me and my brother and sister like a million years ago. Times have changed and they have become more laid back. Plus Isabelle isn't their responsibility. They are done with the hard work of raising 3 wild kids and believe me, I put them through the ringer (sorry mom and dad. I regret it, especially now that people tell me that I will get what I gave as a kid. Stupid what goes around, comes around thing).

I have also realized that being a single parent would be tough not only because of the added responsibilities, but also because you don't have anyone there to share your joy with you. Everything Isabelle does, I want Mr. T to see. Thanks to smart phones, he can see her new skills immediately, but it's sad to think, "what if I didn't have anyone to send the pictures and videos to?"

Now don't get it twisted, we didn't sit around and mope over Mr. T being gone (Sorry Mr. T)...us girls know how to party.

A little ice cream date is always good for the soul. 

Living on the Edge

As I have posted about before, we are selling our house. Have you tried selling your house with a toddler? Not easy. To add to it, Mr. T is out of town for work so this mama is doing it all alone. Not easy. I am not wanting a pat on the back, but a back rub would be nice. Since I am sweet lady I would like my readers to know that if you are thinking about doing this....stock up on wine contact your prayer warriors now. It's tough! Isabelle and I are back out at my parents house (that sentence alone sends many people to the liquor store so that we can keep our house clean. STRESS CITY!

You know what they say (who is "they" by the way?)...Laughter is the best medicine. And this picture is JUST that for me.



Weekend In Pictures

Is it Monday already? This weekend FLEW by! We started it off with my sister and nephew, Carter, coming in town to visit and go to the OU game with us. Isabelle is Carters biggest fan, so she was laughing at him (or just staring at him waiting for him to do something hilarious) for most of the weekend. As cool as Izzy thinks Carter is, Carter gets pretty bored with a baby so he invited my other nephew, Isaac,  to come over and stay the night.  Isaac is 8 and Carter is 6, so they are pretty close in age which makes for a perfect dynamic. Before bedtime we caught Isaac reading Carter a bedtime story. Seriously? Boys are so sweet..

Who doesn't love to read "Darth Paper" before bedtime?

On Saturday we woke up early to run a 10K with my dad. Mr. T and Isabelle were our cheering section while my dad and I ran the race. It was perfect weather for 6 miles, and I ran my fastest time I have ever run! I finished 2nd Female overall (BY 3 STUPID SECONDS) and 1st in my age group with a time of 38 minutes flat. There was a little hill at the end and it finished inside of the Zoo so it wasn't so awesome smelling elephants when you are trying to not die going up a hill. Seriously elephants, light a candle when you're done.  

After the race. Please excuse the scary/exhausted lady holding my cute baby who's saying "CHEESE"



She seriously LOVED cheering for all the people. When she saw her Papa pass, she ran after him.



Immediately after the race, we got ready for the big OU game and headed to Norman. The game was pretty boring (62-6) but we had fun shopping before the game and watching the boys play football.

On Sunday we rested for most of the day and then headed out to the Pumpkin Patch in the afternoon. Can you believe fall is here? The weather here is amazing, the fair is in town and our mums are blooming. Fall is officially here...and welcome.

Our ladybug ready for some Pumpkin Patch time.

She was more interested in the ugly, warty pumpkins.

The Goats that she insisted were "birds". And the Turkey...See ya next month fella.



Happy Monday!