Golden birthday! Turning 30 on the 30th

If there's anything new I've learned about birthdays in the last 10 years, it's that you don't go around waiting for your birthday to be awesome... You plan ahead and make it awesome. So I asked drew to take work off, spent the morning at the gym (after the kids let me sleep in till 9...hooray!), had a visit from Amy and Benson, had my mom over to help watch the kids with Veronica (who gave me a beautiful bouquet of flowers!) so I could get a quick Panera lunch with Drew and some Home Depot shopping in. Went for a walk to pick up d at school then a wagon ride with the big kids, picked up Sushi for dinner with Lo while Drew made   French toast with the other kids, and my dad came by with DK right before we had coldstone to cap off the evening. (PC: little a)

Not to mention the last week of being spoiled by my sisters being around from out of town and seeing hunger games and the OHIO STATE game, getting leggings from little d and a Fitbit from Drew, drawings from the kids "I do dat foh yoh buffday!", and just being loved on by friends and family for the last week.

Mommy Lo sushi pickup!!

While I didn't manage to get a pic with my mom, I am SO great full for all she has done for me in the last 30 years and 9 months (plus a week for being late!) in helping me be the woman I am today. I can't wait for a good long lunch date  and new (non maternity!!!!) clothes shopping venture in a few weeks. She is truly incredible. (PC:little d)

And I love that as busy as my dad is that he and DK managed to come by this evening even if for just a few minutes---I am such a blessed woman!

My handiwork for the evening....

Everything's a disaster in my house except this little corner of clean heaven!! A good day.

And none of it would have been so sweet without the nonstop efforts of this guy who is always spoiling me more than I ever deserve!

Running 3 year plan

Has it really been 6 years since I first ran a half marathon? And 3 years since I ran the Boston marathon?

"I'm not really a runner. I ran that race but it was like another lifetime since that was before I got pregnant (again). Does a PR expire? Can I still be considered a marathoner or half marathoner when I can barely squeak out a 3 miler in less than 40 minutes? I need to run another race before I can feel like a real runner." .... All of these were thoughts I've had over the last decade.

And then this weekend something crazy happened. After months (6 to be exact) of telling myself I didn't deserve new running shoes even though I had been gifted a gift card to a local running store, I finally made the plunge and went shopping (on my own!!) for new shoes.

And while it has been a long 18ish months since I last ran a half marathon, and an even longer couple of years since my only marathon, I know both will happen for me again. And I am proud of those accomplishments. A marathon may not be for another five years but a (6th!) half marathon is definitely something I am ready to start training for again.

A little glance at the last 7 years of big racing (and babies) And the official three year plan....

Wish me luck!! My 20's were certainly busy and it will only get crazier. Just trying to embrace the chaos by adding my own....30's, here I come!

Auntie mommies

After just over a week of birthday celebrations courtesy of mostly my sisters, they went home today. I cannot thank them enough for their selflessness, auntie mommyness, cleaning, cooking and baking, listening ears, and overall awesomeness. I hope they know how much I admire their sacrifice of time and money and work/school scheduling and I really hope to pay it forward to them in the same way they have done with me in the last 5 years. I love you girls!!!

And a few more for good measure from last weekend

Fitbit HR lesson #1

Pc: little a.

Now that I've been working out consistently for a few months post babies, I figured it was time to step up my game and jump on the Fitbit bandwagon... Thanks to drew and my early birthday present yesterday, it's officially a reality! I love numbers and challenging myself in new ways and this seems to be a fun, game like way to do it!

Although I will admit...my first night of recorded sleep is a little bit embarrassing (because this has totally been my norm for a few months)--5 hours?! Getting more than 6 hours of sleep is now my first fitness goal. No wonder I'm so tired! At least I don't have to worry about remembering how often I get up to feed the boys anymore...

Thanksgiving weekend 2015

Stability and faith

While I have plenty to be grateful for, that I hope is apparent from reading my blog--the restored gospel, my family, my health, my (warm!) home, our health, our neighborhood, little d's school and teacher, our friends, drews job, food, clothes, my body (and the fact that it's not growing babies anymore!!), modern appliances that make my life easier, my new car, the gym, my siblings and parents, extended family on both sides-- today I am most grateful for stability and faith. For seven years of our marriage we spent nearly every day wondering what the next day week or month much less year would hold and it felt like we were in a constant waiting period... Two years ago this weekend we moved to ohio and bought our new home weeks later and for the last few years I enjoyed this incredible thing called stability and it has been AWESOME. We love everything about where we live and we could live here forever, because it truly feels like we have been guided and belong here. That being said, I have gained a testimony over the last two years of faith.... That no matter where we go or what happens in our lives that the Lord has a plan for us and even things that seem insurmountable (like having twins!!) will eventually be for our benefit and growth.

And I mean come on look at those turkeys!! Love them. Happy thanksgiving!

500 threats + 2 bribes + 2 midday baths + 1 blowout on the carpet =NAPS FOR EVERYONE!