My Team in Training Update

I have completed my second week of training for the Mayor's Marathon in June and I'm still thinking that I'm a little crazy for taking this on! I am completely proud of my motivation because I have people that have already sponsored this endeavor! Words can not express how grateful I am for that motivation!

Last week we had our Kick-off party and got to meet all my team mates from the area as well as our special honored team mate! Seana is an amazing 16 year old with Leukemia and just another inspiration for raising money to fight for a cure against this horrible disease. She has made it her personal goal to encourage and cheer up the nurses and doctors that she meets on each hospital visit. If only we could all have such a positive outlook while going through such a tough time.

We also had our first Team Run on Saturday and I was so nervous. Nothing like working yourself for no reason! It was a wonderful experience and I'm so looking forward to the amazing support from the coaches, team mates, and friends who signed up with me! This was my first run outside in the snow and it was much less intimidating than I had made it in my head, just a little cold! : )

Most of you know that my step-dad lost his fight with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma last year and I would love for my children to grown up to see a cure for all cancers, God willing! We all have something on our hearts that motivate us and we find worth fighting for and this is one of mine! Any support either in the form of a positive word, a prayer, or financial support I will be grateful! Help me fight this, one mile at a time! Thanks for checking in with me and I'll continue to keep you all updated with my progress. JUST KEEP RUNNING!

Skiing Kincaid and Russian Jack

So, I found these on our other camera this morning. This was our second attempt at taking the boys our skiing. Keep in mind that it was maybe 7 degrees outside without the wind chill and we should have just found something inside to do. But we so wanted to take advantage of Ryan's day off!

It was beautifully clear, check out Sleeping Lady! So gorgeous!

Declan was his normal self, pushing through the cold and skiing with daddy!

Ian on the other hand was not that easy going! Thank God only one of them have a meltdown at a time! But this is how Ian spent most of this outing and then continued to have a fit in the van. Talk about trying my patience!

Yesterday was very, very different and quite a success if I do say so myself. First off, the temperature was about 27, which is significantly warmer than the past two ski outings with the boys. Secondly, we did snacks before we went out rather than after. Last but not least, the promise of sledding after we were done skiing was rather a good one! Thank goodness!

Declan was a trooper as usual. I think he skies better than I do with no poles! But when he's done, he really enjoys falling on purpose and trying to teach them to get up on their own is trying, to say the least!

Ian's still trying to get the hang of getting up on his own, but at least he's happy doing it this time!

Even if we stop for a minute, Declan will just keep going. This time he was waiting for us. Such a sweet boy.

Since I got a good video of Declan the first time I figured I'd try to get one of Ian this time. He was in such a good mood and enjoying himself! Of course, Declan has to ask his usual question of every place we go! Enjoy!

My Crazy Boys!

Just another day with my crazy boys! I love being a mom to these boys. They are definitely not lacking in the personality department!

Mr. Muscle Man showing off his "tattoos" just like Uncle Zach. He told me he's a man now that he has tattoos. So what does that mean for your dad, he doesn't have any? hahaha!

The next think I know they bust into a yoga routine. Downward facing dog for Declan.

Cobra pose for Ian. Actually they were just playing around but it still reminded me of yoga they have seen me do a couple of times.

And when I need a little peace, this is what I go to! I love that this is my backyard! PEACE!

Fresh Snow!

Friday we got some fresh snow and the boys were thrilled that it was above 0 degrees and that I was willing to let them play outside! My boys are definitely outside boys! They played around while I shoveled the driveway and then Declan wanted to go for a walk.

Ian on the other didn't like that idea. I had planned on taking them to the playground down the street anyways to it worked for me and Ian fought me the whole way!

When I say fought, I'm talkin full on temper tantrum in the snow bank fighting! But I love him!

Declan was so not caring that Ian didn't want to go. I think he would have gone without either of us if he could get away with it!

The swings started to change his attitude and a large amount of prayer on my part!

We ended up having a lot of fun and staying until someone had to go potty! It was so much fun to hang out with the boys and be outside! Thank God for fresh air above 0!

Trip down memory lane...

It's hard to believe that Ian's about to be 5 years old and I'm really missing those fun times with him. I have no idea what the next year holds for him but I know that no matter what, he will always be my baby! I just thought I would share some "little Ian" videos. Hope you like them.

My Dad's Bday Present!

So today was the first step. I had my first meeting with the Team In Training group and I'm excited! I'm going to be running the Mayor's Marathon in Anchorage, AK this June 18th! It's a big step of faith on my part! I am running in memory of my step-dad (Glenn LaMarca) and I feel very strong about doing what I can to honor him! I just hope I can make him as proud as I was to have him as my dad!

I'm going to be training with a amazing group of women from my church. Strength in numbers is what I'm thinking! I have my very own website for fund raising, so if you feel like supporting me or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society please do so here. I will be keeping you all posted on my training process and progress.

More Knitting

So, I've been taking full advantage of my new Harmony Wood Knitting Needles I received for Christmas from my in-laws (which I love love love! Thank you guys!). I completed my first dishcloth of the new year and am working on two other projects. One is the crimson friendship shawl that I had been wanting to do forever, but because it takes concentration without interruptions I've been putting it off. I know that's hard to believe. The other night I decided to take a crack at it and only work on it after the boys go to bed. So far so good!

Lastly, I'm working on my first felted project. I'm actually winging it here! I'm just doing a straight knitted, mindless thing here and I'm just hoping it turns into something that I can use. I'm hoping for some sort of bag, we'll see. I'm actually excited to see how it turns out and this is something I can work on and not worry about having to set it down to break up a fight or anything else that my crazy boys come up.

I'm truely enjoying knitting more and more everyday! I have such a desire to be creative and this is working for me now! Love it! Have a great day!

Bee Hunters and Other Fun Stuff

Declan is definitely more into pretending than I remember Ian being into and his favorite accessories are straight from the kitchen. This day he was a "bee hunter"! To see how his brain works would be amazing and probably frightening at the same time! Nothing like trying to clean and be productive when you have such a creative child to distract you.

After he was done he decided to help me clean! If only I could get this much cooperation with the picking up of their toys!

Ian saw us having "so much fun" cleaning that he needed to be a part of it too! I'm telling you, this is such a freak act of cleanliness that I am so glad that I took pictures to prove it actually happened and it wasn't just a dream I had!

And this is the scene when it's time to put jammies on! Any given day it varies who is doing what but this particular night it was Ian the muscle man and Declan as Mr. Whiney Pants.

Hangin Out with my Boys

The boys and I needed to do something so I decided to make rice crispy treats with a twist. The boys were so into it! I just wish I would have taken more pictures.

Declan wasn't terribly thrilled with patting it down in the pan but Ian was all about it! Just an excuse to get stuff on his hands he could eat off!

Declan kept trying to pick out the berries. Fun stuff!

This was our creation and the twist was making it with this cereal rather than the old fashioned rice crispy cereal. The berries made it very yummy, but a little sweet for me. I think I'll try a peanut butter version next time we use this cereal. Still yummy!

I just had to add this picture of our nightly double piggy back ride up the stairs to bed. I'm not sure how much longer I'll be able to do this. They are getting a little heavy for this! I totally can't believe how big they are getting!

not missing much!

So since the new year we haven't done a whole lot of exciting things but I felt some pressure to put up some pictures of the beloved grandchildren! It amazes me how well they are starting to play together. And I just noticed that at least Ryan was on the treadmill doing something productive! Good for him! Love you sweetie!

As we were putting the Christmas decorations away we found the "Krabby Patties" the Santa was suppose to put in the stockings. Dang Santa and his memory! Apparently they still taste just as good not from the stocking. I find it funny that Ian isn't actually eating them in this picture but just hugging the box. Such a cute kid!

I came downstairs one morning and Declan had gotten up earlier than everyone else and this is what he was doing. Just hangin out playing with his fire station, fire truck, and fire fighter hat. He is such a independent little guy and really growing up so quick! Where is my baby?!!!

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