Running for a cause

So...it's hot. I'm a crazy runner and I am constantly fighting with my innerself on justifying laying in bed instead of getting out of bed and sweating my butt off in the heat. I hate chaffing. Sweating like a lineman in August in Alabama does not look great on me and isn't my ideal day.

 I'm so tall that my feet look tiny in this picture. They aren't that tiny. Promise.

A won a local 5k here on Saturday. The prize? Corn.

It's a tough sport and a lot of times I get close to breaking my arm from patting myself on the back for just being out there! I tell myself, I'm strong, I'm tough and I can do anything. I actually believe it until I read a story like Jared's and I am brought back down to reality and my battle won seems so small.

Jared has a rare blood cancer  (t-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma, to be exact) that has required countless treatments and fighting a tough fight. He is currently in remission, but that doesn't mean he still doesn't need support (and money for medical bills).
A sweet Okie blogger (thanks Jen!) brought his story to my attention and asked if I could log miles in his name and others can donate to his fund based on the miles. I have started running and thinking about the MILLIONS of people that are affected by Cancer and how I want to help!

I am so blessed to wake up everyday and lace up my running shoes and go for a run.
I am fortunate to exhaust myself on a run and not be exausted from treatments.
I am lucky to kiss my husband each morning in our own bed and not in a hospital bed.

So I will run for Jared, and I will pray for all those that are hurting.
Compared to the pain they are going through, mine is nothing.
They are the true hero's and deserve to be supported.

Summer Livin'

It's 104 degrees here and I don't have to take a picture of my car thermometer to let you know that it's hot. It's called summer time in Oklahoma and it happends every year.
Welcome Folks.
We learn to embrace the heat with a good pool and some good sunscreen...because even though I love the sun, I hate cancer (and wrinkles).
So here is to embracing the Summer of 2012!

The closest picture we could get of Isabelle looking at the camera. Have you tried to distract a toddler when they're enjoying the pool? Impossible. 

Jackson Hole

We are back home safe and sound after a great family vacation to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Now we are unpacking, getting used to the crazy heat here, and doing loads of laundry.

Back to reality.

Walking down Memory Lane

Staying at your parents house really makes you realize how quickly life goes by. Old pictures from growing up remind me of memories that I feel like were so recent, even though they are years and years ago. This past two years has flown by and sometimes it's overwhelming for me to sit and realize that things are not going to slow down and I just need to buckle up and hold on. I want to remember every memory and embrace every day, but sometimes my days are one giant blur.

How do you embrace something that you can't slow down?
My chubby, bald, toothless baby is now a full grown toddler with a full blown vocabulary complete with tantrums and testing of boundaries.

It only takes a year for all of those things to change?

She didn't poop at my mothers day dinner this year, but it did make me laugh when she did it last year.

 The cutest thing I've ever seen in a bikini.

This years bikini is even better.

Still learning to walk after one of our family runs.

Teething time.

I am still figuring out how to slow it all down a bit. Mr. T and I have decided that we are going to slllooow down this fall. We will stay home more, eat at home more and make our life decisions based on our immediate family and not worry about pleasing every other family member. We hope to have a new child soon, which will also force us to be home more.
The bigger the family, the more time you have to split time. We are so fortunate to have such an awesome, loving family that wants to see us but at some point we have to take a break and just worry about our little family.

Because time is just going by too fast.

We're HERE!!!!

That's what Isabelle yells every time we walk into my parents house, which was really cute when we would visit once or twice a week but now that we are LIVING here, the saying is getting a little redundant.
My parents house is a kids dream and I don't think Isabelle is ever going to want to leave, but hopefully we don't outstay our welcome. This past month has been crazy, but we have completed many "checks" on our checklist of life.

1.House is sold and we are completely moved out. Storage units are packed, but we survived.
2. I think we found another house! Now for everything to just workout would be fantastico..
3. Our LAST adoption class is tonight...that means we are going to be free to foster/adopt anytime! -Sidebar: We won't take in a child until we are in our new house.

This little checklist has been tough to complete, especially in less than a month, but we have done it. It was exhausting and stressful but guess what we get as a reward?! A trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming!
That's right...our family trip couldn't have come at a better time. This time next week we will be relaxing in the great outdoors with beautiful scenery and perfect weather.
Thank God.

 Her new best buddy Sammy in her playhouse with her.

 Big Splash WaterPark!

My girl watching the bike races...or as she calls them "motorcycles"

As you can tell, we have been keeping busy. That's what summers are all about though.... right? 

So what!

So what! If:

I have fallen in love with a new show...Duck Dynasty. Seriously. Have you seen it? It's hilarious and I find myself quoting it quite often. Don't judge.

I went to the local water park for and I got an impromptu ego boost. Now, I am no Giselle, but I also know what my body can and cannot wear. I will leave it at that.

I officially felt old while watching MTV's Movie awards. The jokes were crude and not funny, the outfits were tacky and loud and the winners were nerdy or acted like they were too cool for the show...Kristen Stewart, let's be honest girl.

Izzy can count to 10 in Spanish, but we didn't teach her that. Dora did. It makes me a tad embarrassed that a cartoon character is teaching her, but whatever works. Momma needs that time to finish her coffee.  

The Oklahoma City Thunder is playing to go to the NBA championships and I kind of hate watching. I hate rooting for a team and getting all worked up if they are going to lose. I am crazy competitive and it honestly pains me to lose. Mature, I know.

Your turn!

The Time has Come.

We are saying goodbye to the first house we have ever owned. The house we came home to after our honeymoon. The house we brought Izzy home to when she was tiny and covered in pink. The house Izzy learned to walk, talk, eat and spilled gallons and gallons of milk and water on the wood floors.
The pictures are down, most of the furniture is moved out and our home has once again become...a house. I am good at moving on, and I am excited to move into a neighborhood with more families and less hipsters, but it's weird to close a chapter that was so big in our life.
Tonight we will spend our last night in our little cottage and then we will move in with my parents and enjoy their acreage, giant trees, and neighborhood horses while we look for our new home.
But today, we are embracing our neighborhood. We are going to walk to our favorite local food joint for lunch and then venture to our favorite little vintage store to find a new gem of a toy for Izzy. We are going to finish the day at the water park and bask in the sun and enjoy this final paragraph in the first chapter of our little families life.

 Static hair is the best hair.

 Our last thrift store find was this .75 cent puppy and she never parts with it. That's always how it works right?

Poor puppy.

My tiny long jumper...mommy's proud.