Late 20's

I was fine with turning 27 this year. I really was. Apparently the world is not fine with it. I started to have a late 20's crisis when I heard things like this:

A half-dozen time while scheduling my wisdom teeth extraction: "This will be tough because you are not 16 anymore."

At my most recent doctor's exam: "At your age, you will begin loosing bone mass."

Random person: "Aren't you too young to have 2 children? How old are you?" Then when I stated my age, "Never mind. You are not too young."

To prove to myself that I still have a lot of fight in me, I wanted to do something this year that I have never done before. The stars aligned when my friend, Jessica, asked me to start running with her in the mornings. We decided that we might as well train for a half-marathon (13.1 mile race)! A few weeks ago we finished it and I must say that those smiles on our faces are real! It felt great to accomplish a goal. I finished in 2 hours flat (9:10 Min/Mile).


Would I do it again? ABSOLUTELY!
What did I do afterwards? Bottled 18 quarts of fresh peaches!

So late 20's and once-a-month Boniva here I come. And I am fine with that, because I know I couldn't have done this at age 20.

Tiki Hut Mishap

We stopped by our favorite Tiki Hut to get a shaved ice treat. I always get the same flavor, but Tyler and Addy like to explore different options each time we go. Tonight Addy left with a cotton candy/bubble gum combo. This is my conversation with Addy on the way home and the reason my sides will be sore in the morning:

Me: Addy, do you like your slushy?

Addy: Actually, no. The man mixed the flavors up and it tastes like garbage.

Poor little bug. Tiger's blood never disappoints me.

Routine Cleanings

The Pediatric Dentist in our town in awesome!! The whole office works together to create an environment that makes my kids not even realize we are at the doctor! Here is our experience:

X-ray time for Addy.

There are TV's in the ceiling and the patients get to wear these headphones. Addy chose to watch "Bolt".

See. I really think she doesn't realize someone is poking and prodding in her mouth.

Yes. Torence got checked out too. She loves her new Piglet toothbrush.

She also got to brush the dinosaur's teeth. I caught her brushing her own teeth with the giant toothbrush a few times too!

Torence learning how to brush correctly.

Tidbits!!!

I know that I have said it before, but I will say it again: I love watching these sisters grow up together. Sometimes they fight. Sometimes they play together. Either way makes me smile. This is Addy trying to get Torence to smile for a picture. Funny, right?

Miss Addy attended preschool this year and here she is introducing herself at the end-of-year program.
Addy got a new bike, so Torence adopted the tricycle. Alone, it is hard to take them both for a bike ride because neither of them can quite control their bike by themselves.Tyler, who always seems to think outside the box, came up with this idea. This way he can push one and pull the other!
To put it lightly, Addy has an obsession with puppies. She asked for one everyday without fail. Everyday. EVERYday. Sometimes when we tell her that we can't have a puppy at our house she acts like one instead. Here she is acting like Torence's puppy and Torence is petting her! Dinner and a show.

On My Mind

- Our basement is ALMOST done. Tyler has poured his heart out down there for the past 18 months and it looks beautiful! Yes, I trust him to make the "big decision". I didn't even bother to go to the countertop place with him. He is better at that kind of stuff than I am and has a good eye.

- My dad is visiting. He likes to watch basketball (it's March Madness time) and play Wii with Tyler, play games with Addy and cook dinner. He thinks Torence is cutest thing ever and is getting Addy to sleep right now.

- Torence is obsessed with Peter Rabbit Organics, waves and says "bye" and "hi" a million times each day and helps herself to the cereal cabinet every time the wind blows.

-I hope Kat wins Dancing With The Stars. I have a feeling the next reality show we will see John on will be Celebrity Rehab or Celebrity Fit Club.

- I have some strange illness that I have been calling the flu. I have a pounding headache all the time and am debilitatingly cold. I know it sounds silly that my husband had to stay home from work the other day because I couldn't stop shuddering or imagine getting out from under my pile of 5 heavy quilts. I turned the thermostat up to 75 and yes, I wore my ski coat around the house while I bathed the kids the other day. I feel nuts going to the doctor because I am cold all the time, but might break down and go.

- Addy had a horrifying health scare. She is 100% okay now, but there was one dark week that changed my entire perspective on parenting, marriage and life in general. Now I can't stop feeling guilty that my child had to go through something in order for me to learn some lessons only taught through trials. At three-years-old I am supposed to be Addy's hero, but she is mine.

- Some things I learned from Addy's health scare are:

- God knows me and hears me when I pray.

- At the tender age of 19, I picked my soul mate, the perfect guy for me, my best friend, my family, my eternal companion and I need him more than I ever imagined.

- Addy has the ability to do ANYTHING she wants. She will be amazing. She will change this world for the better. She will be valiant.

- I am grateful for mother's who work in the healthcare industry. The love and compassion of a mother cannot be taught in a classroom.

-Addy's new favorite food is shrimp because "it has a tail sticking out and chicken on it".

- I really like my Young Women's calling. I am in love with the girls. I worry about them. I cheer for them. I care about them. The other leaders are fun, talented and amazing women.

-To create car conversation the other day, Tyler asked me "If we had 10,000 extra dollars what single item would you spend it on." I couldn't think of one thing. I don't want a 4-wheeler or boat or anything like that. I would spend it on a fun vacation. Vacations are my favorite thing and I could spend $10,000 on one vacation. I am a vacation SNOB.

- I am excited to plant our garden this year. The peas get planted in a few weeks!!!!

-I'm not a huge fan of NBA basketball, but I really enjoy watching the NCAA Tournaments. Those athletes play because they love it. Not for money. Not for fame. Not to cheat on their spouse. Their passion and heart is inspiring to me. They leave everything on the court every game.

- I am contemplating reading a novel of some sort. That is a big deal for me. I feel like I need to do something to keep my brain active. I have an accounting degree boxed up in the basement if anyone would like to borrow it.

Big Days For My Big Girls

Our baby girl had her first birthday!!! Tyler's parents were able to come down to celebrate Torence's special day with us.

She opened presents.

Here is her cake. I am NO cake decorator, but I like to make my family's birthday cakes. I know there are a few cake decorators that view our blog and who might be laughing at this right now. Go easy on the novice.

Gosh, she is beautiful!

And there you have it.

Addy got her first haircut! She had so much fun getting pampered and got a popsicle when she was all done. What isn't to love about that? Nobody could believe that she was only 3-years-old and has as much hair as she does. I am not going to lie to you; she does have very beautiful hair. Lucky girl!!! Life will be tough for this tall, blonde.

Company?

While I was cooking breakfast this morning, Addy popped her head around the corner and asked, "Mom, are people coming over today?" I responded, "No, not today." To that she walked out in her underwear rubbing her naked belly with a look of pure zen on her precious face!

She is a lady!

Addy, I understand that with your busy schedule of preschool, toys and all the responsibilities that come with being a big sister that sometimes you just need a day to relax in your underwear.