I picked her up early from school so that she and a couple of friends could have their hair done up for the big night.  I wish I could do her hair like this!  (And that she’d sit as patiently for me – without screaming – as she did for the stylist.)

Back of hair

Top of hair

Ready to go!

We arrived at the venue in time to help with the set up.  Maria did a great job with her assigned tasks, and I think she enjoyed being around just women and girls for a while.  (Never once did she ask what the boys at home were doing without her there!)

While I sold raffle tickets, Maria was called to the stage for practice.  She and the other kids worked on their catwalk moves until it was time to eat.

Practicing and playing

Once the kids finished their meals, they headed downstairs to change into the clothes that they’d be modeling.  Then they just had to wait their turn while the rest of us enjoyed the show.

Here she comes!

Doing great!

So pretty!

After the show, we stuck around for the raffling of prizes (didn’t win that iPad, darn it!) and then headed home to the boys.

Becky gave me a training plan and I trained alone, on a treadmill, in a climate-controlled environment, with TV and music and a flat surface to keep me going.  I made it to race day and finished my first 8K in 50:58.  The race was so much fun, I committed to doing something else I never thought I’d do: wake up EARLY to run at o’dark 30 three or four days a week.  It was Crazy Anne that got me to do it.  “Just give us one week,” she told me.  “If you don’t like it, then you can quit.”

It’s been a year, and I’m still at it.  My running buddies are rocks when it comes to reliability.  I never have to worry that they won’t show, which is the only reason I haven’t quit.  They also taught me just about everything I know – which fuel product is best for long runs, how much water to drink, what to wear, how to “roll” my legs and what to read.  They also introduced me to Dina – runner extraordinaire.  (You never know when she’s going to show up on the Path and make you work harder than you’d planned.)

Almost a year later, we ran the Shamrock Shuffle again this morning.  Since the Shuffle had been my first race, I considered today to be my Runniversary.  And, I was determined to beat my time from last year – by as much as I could.

So, last night, after getting my gear ready, I spent some time making a special “Shuffle” playlist with my favorite fast songs.  I put them in just the right order to motivate me when I thought I’d need it most.

And this morning, it all came together.  My Path Partners and I, along with another friend (new to running since having her babies), piled in the car at 7 a.m. and headed downtown.  It was cool and cloudy when we lined up, but soon the sun came out and burned the clouds away.  Crazy for this time of year in Chicago.

Throughout the race, my music kept me pumped, as did the fear of disappointing Dina.  (She had given me a goal, and I did NOT want to tell her I hadn’t reached it.)  So, with all the determination I had, I finished the race in 43:27.  I was thrilled.  Half dead, but thrilled.  All four of us beat our times from last year!  (Okay, so Marion didn’t run it last year, but still…)

And then there was the post-party – nothing like a beer (or two) on a gorgeous day after a run with good friends!

After leaving the city, we headed to a place closer to home for burgers and drinks on the patio.  Had it not been for kids and husbands waiting at home, I think we could have spent the day there.

Oh, brother!  I mean, sister!  We can’t help spoiling her already.  While the kids were in school this morning, some moms came over to my house for a Pink Party.  (None of those hand-me-downs have enough fluff or sparkle to them!)

The “cake”:

The spread:

The Honoree:

The guests:

The quilt:

The decor:

I left Dan with the kiddos and flew to Dallas to join my very best girl friends.  Where we all participated in a half-marathon.

Several ran her first half.  One her last half.  One her second half.  And, two spectated (which, in the weather we had, was harder than running!)

We also managed to fit in some Tex-Mex, good beer, pasta, margaritas, more Tex-Mex and some wine.

Despite the very crappy, cold, wet weather, I could not have had a better time!

Thanks, girls!

Today was Maria’s first official day as a Brownie.  She has been looking forward to it ALL YEAR.  The boys start at the beginning of first grade, but the girls have to wait until the new year, which makes it all the more torturous.

She looked adorable in her new uniform! She earned her first patch today (heaven help me), played games and made a Valentine craft.

This isn’t the best picture of her, unfortunately.  It’s hard to snap one of her without her eyes closed, or enroute.  But, you can get the idea of how cute she was!  (Much cuter than the girl in the other picture 30+ years ago.)

It was odd, going from winter to summer in just a few hours.  The climate was wonderful – warm and balmy and breezy.  And the view from the house was incredible – the water came right up to the back of the house.  The view inside the house, though, topped everything, as this was where Savannah Grace spent most of her time.

Maria had a blast with her good friends Riley and Max and loved doting on Savannah.  I mentioned to her that she’ll love having a baby brother, too, and she agreed, but also informed me that “girls are better than boys.”

I was so happy to have some time with one of my favorite people (Kristina!) and her family.  Everyone was very entertaining and the food was heavenly for a pregnant woman!

Baptised!

Godsisters

Not only did we have a great time, but I came home to uninjured boys, an exhausted but happy husband, a clean house and virtually no laundry!

Now I’m older.  And, after four babies, things aren’t exactly as they used to be. Or where they used to be.  With no recent babies, or any on the way as an excuse, I guess I’ve felt the need to get myself back together.  It’s definitely not as easy as it used to be.  I’ve been dieting.  I’ve been doing yoga.  I’ve been Jillianized daily.  I work out at the gym.  I walk with 10 extra pounds of weight.

And, I think I’ve made some progress.  However… None of the things I’ve done has managed to put my boobs back where they used to be or un-stretch my belly.  Previously, I never worried about my boobs.  They’ve always been “average” and I’ve been fine with that.  (Except during pregnancy, and nursing they were “nicer than average”).  I think, though, that my four kids did some damage.  I swear now they’re smaller and saggier than they’ve ever been.

As a result, my biggest issue is when I view myself from the side.  My belly sticks out and my boobs sag and it’s just depressing.

But no longer!

I have discovered the secret!!!  Bigger, perkier boobs make you look thinner!

Now, despite having a good friend with connections in the nip ‘n tuck industry, I hear discounts aren’t typically given.

So what’s a poor(er) girl to do?  Head to the mall and make a beeline for Victoria’s Secret!!!  (Seriously.  These women aren’t all thin! That’s why the only show the top halves of their bodies!  Right?)

Once you get over the horror of having super-young, stick-thin (but with boobs), model-like employees help you with your old, pudgy, saggy body, you’ll leave the store a new woman.  Or, at least you’ll look like a new woman.  As long as you keep your clothes on, anyway.  Once it all comes off, it’s still the same ‘ol you.  But there are blackout shades and beer goggles for that kind of thing, right?

My mom generously offered to fly us, but we opted to drive.  (She’s not that great of a pilot.  Ha.)  I know, we’re crazy.  It really would have been a hassle to fly, though – what, with six people, four under the age of 8, too many suitcases, renting a van, car seats, etc.

We headed out on Wednesday night and spent a quick night in St. Louis.  It should have been a little longer, but for some reason, we couldn’t pull ourselves together enough to get out of town before 7 p.m.

On Thursday, bright and early, we headed south and west, arriving in the Greatest State in the U.S. around 6 p.m.  We stopped at the border to celebrate our arrival and the hot weather.  (Which didn’t stay hot.  As a matter of fact, by the time we left on Monday, we were freezing.  Very weird.)

We had a blast seeing friends and family that we hadn’t seen in FOREVER.  The bride was gorgeous.  The groom was handsome.  The rain stopped just for the ceremony.  And we partied like rockstars afterward.

Oh, and the flower girls?  Perfect.

Anyway, she assured me that the baby isn’t here yet and that Kyle had made it safely home.  We talked about Kyle’s homecoming, her plans for the baby’s arrival, and which grandparents would be arriving when.

Then she sprung it on me -  the absolute best Christmas gift a friend could give:  an invitation for Dan and me to be her new baby girl’s Godparents.  I was stunned.  And excited!

Of course, the kids are excited too.  When I told Maria this morning that Miss Troy had called and asked Dan and me to be baby Zoë’s Godparents, she was thrilled.  “That means we get to be the Godkids!” she announced.  I guess it does.

Of course Troy and her baby have been in our nightly prayers since we found out she was expecting.  When we first started praying for them we didn’t have any idea if the baby was a boy or girl.  So, we had lots of fun each night guessing which it would be.  Some of the boys wavered, but not Maria.  She steadfastly wanted Miss Troy to have a girl so that she wouldn’t have to be the only girl in her family.

We started saying some extra prayers once Kyle deployed, leaving his three boys and pregnant wife behind.  I know Troy has had lots of help from family and friends, but I was sorely disappointed when she announced her pregnancy to me right around the time we found out about our move.  I really wanted to be there for her and the kids, especially while Kyle was away.  Maybe our prayers have helped, though, ’cause she sounds just wonderful, and has already made it through 6 months without her husband.

So, back to my Goddaughter, Zoë.  I’ve thought about her every time I see the color pink (which is quite often, having Maria around).  I also think about Troy and her new daughter when I see curly, girly things.  Or, when Maria and I have a few minutes to ourselves.  Boys are wonderful – don’t get me wrong.  And, I’m sure Troy would have been just as happy having another boy, as I would have five years ago.  But, having a girl adds a new dynamic and is a different experience.  It’s wonderful – for a mom, a dad and the brothers.

We were all sad to leave Troy and her family behind in Tennessee.  Everyone of us mentions them at least every other day.  They are wonderful people and have been great friends.  Friends, though, that I have feared we’d eventually lose touch with, as our travels usually only take us to one or two places each year, neither of which is near Tennessee.

Well, no matter.  We may go for periods without talking on the phone.  It might be years between visits, but we will never lose touch.  If we weren’t before, we are family now.  I just wish I could be there to help welcome my Goddaughter into the world.  I can’t wait for the day that I can hold her close and snuggle her and smell her sweet head.  I don’t know when that’s going to be, but I sure hope it’s soon.

Thanks, Troy and Kyle, for your wonderful Christmas gift this year.  Dan and I will certainly cherish it.

For the past year she’s been growing out her long, thick, beautiful black (or nearly black) hair for Locks of Love. It has apparently been somewhat of a struggle, as it takes quite some time to dry and can be difficult to style (although I never noticed).

Locks of Love requires 10 inches of hair to participate in their program. Kristina reached that goal weeks ago, but had some social engagements she wanted to get behind her before the big chopper-ooo.

The big event was set for today and Maria and I were honored to have our presence requested. We were thrilled, actually. However, that left us with five uninvited little monsters boys to deal with.

Poor Alex. She was fool desperate dumb gracious enough to agree to watch our boys while we did our thing. Thankfully, her husband was home today and she was able to keep Lucas safe by leaving him behind. (It’s much harder to do serious combat with a baby on your hip.)

After taking a few “before” pictures, Maria, Kristina and I snuck out (amid lots of hollering, jumping and crashing) and headed to the beauty salon.

Where the stylist cut 10 inches off her hair.

To be honest, I was a little disappointed. I mean, it was dramatic and everything, but evil friend that I am, I was kind of hoping to see something a little more Sinead O’Connor-ish.

But, it was fun. Maria had a blast running back and forth between Kristina in the chair and me in the waiting area. Kristina got highlights, too, so the foil was pretty entertaining. (Mom! Now she has silver star paper in her hair!)

When it was all over, Maria was thrilled – Kristina looked just like her!