Ouch!

So I ran another 5K, and loved it. After I run, I never really want to eat, even though they recommend you do. Well, I needed to go pick up my kids, and was kind of in a hurry anyway, so I decided to skip the food/drink table, grab my shirt and "prize" and get out of there. Three hours later, I'm SOOOO paying for it. Dizzy, cramped muscles, weak, shaky limbs. I guess I should've listened to the experts. I finally did eat something, but it seems like it was too late. We'll see...

To the Friday Slackers (like me).

So it's Friday, probably my favorite day of the week. Although I love Thursdays, because I spend all day thinking about how the next day is Friday. It's "casual" day in the office, meaning I get to wear jeans. The boss is usually out. I usually get to go home early, and everything is just a little bit slower. I used to love Fridays because it meant I would be going out with friends, or going on a hot date. Now I love Fridays because I might be able to get some extra sleep. My hot date? Tom and I trying to stay awake long enough to have a conversation after the kids go to bed.
We were going to try to go to a movie tonight since my birthday is this weekend, but our childcare bailed. And to be honest, I think we were both a little relieved. Sweat pants and a red box suits us just fine! When did we get old? Oh, about the time the second baby came around. I love my kids, but they suck the energy right out of ya.
So here's to all the Friday slackers...I'm in your corner!

Family Pictures and Potty Parties

Hello, Cyberspace. Did you miss us? We've been crazy busy, but trying to remember to take some time for fun, as well. We took some family pictures Sunday morning. Getting a two-year-old and a baby to look at the camera and hold still long enough to take the picture, at the same time, is near impossible! But we got some cute ones.
We took Lucy to Jungle Jim's Playland (what a name) as a reward for not having any accidents. Potty training is a slow, difficult process for everyone. She'll get there. Some days she's great, other days I'm washing 16 pairs of clothes. What can you do?

Hope all is well with all of you! Mama and her girl!
Our favorite family picture. Probably going to use this one with the Christmas cards this year.

I think this one is cute, even though I'm talking. Tom doesn't like it.

Happy boy!

They look so much alike!

Silly faces

Mama and her little man

Daddy and the kiddos

Lucy driving a safari car at Jungle Jim's

The soda is as big as her

Best. Pizza. Ever.

Cut yourself some slack

So lately I've been running on little food, even less sleep, and no fun! Between a two year-old (and yes, I know no one believes that sweet Lucy could ever be a "terrible two", but she is) and a baby, working full-time, learning the ropes of my new promotion, keeping the house clean and stocked, cooking, and training for a race...I just don't have a second to spare.
I kind of reached a breaking point last night. During my run my legs and arms were shaking like crazy. I kept going, telling myself I could just push through it. But each lap only got harder, and I never reached the "second wind". I was so disappointed in myself I almost started crying.
Then it hit me like a ton of bricks how silly I was being. Of course my body was giving out; I'm making all these demands of it, and giving it nothing in return!
So to all you "super moms" out there, trying to create this perfect life for yourselves and your family: don't. It's not possible, and you're just making yourself miserable trying. Juggle what you can, be great at a few things...but don't try to outdo yourself at everything all at once. It's not worth it!
Just be happy. That's what will make your family's life the best, anyway. Be happy, and give yourself a break!

Hawaiian party, Blue Ribbon Breakfast, and sleepy babies

Things just never seem to slow down around here, but that's how we like it! We had our big Blue Ribbon Breakfast, which is our one big fundraiser for the year. We do a few smaller ones, but this is the "mother" fundraiser. It went well; I'll be in charge of planning it for next year, and there are a few things I would like to do differently. But overall, I would call it a success. We awarded Mayor Peter Caroon with the Champion of Child Abuse Prevention Award.
In other news, Tom's parents had a Hawaiian party with dancers and everything for their neighborhood! It was so fun, and reminded me of our honeymoon in Maui :0)
The sleepy babies part of the title refers to Lucy falling asleep in the car on the way home from running erronds all morning. She got a sucker at the bank, and was so tired she fell asleep with the sucker in her mouth. It was cute.

Executive Director Bonnie Peters and Mayor Caroon
Diane Spencer (former Development Director aka the woman I'm replacing) and me...she is an incredible woman!!

Papa and Lucy at the party

Taylor, Tom's youngest brother, and his girlfriend Yessenia

Aloha!

The boys chillin'

Lucy loves holding Ethan. She calls herself "good big sister"

Tuckered out

in the news

Probably not a big deal to everyone else, but I was on the news today for the Family Support Center! It was a big deal to me :) Anyway, the footage is on ksl.com under news, if you want to see it.

We're still here!

I know it's been awhile! We're doing well. Mom's gone home, I've gone back to work, and the kids are LOVING their new babysitter. After three TERRIBLE interviews, I was beginning to really panic about childcare. But I found a woman who lives only a few minutes from my office, and has kids Lucy's age. She is FANTASTIC and I feel so blessed to have found her. On my days off, Lucy actually asks if she can go to Erin's, ha ha!
I recently got a big promotion at work! I'm taking my boss's position when she leaves in September. So I'm the new Development Director, in charge of Public Relations, Grant Writing, Fundraising, and Event Planning. I also sit on several community and government councils for stragetic planning to reduce homelessness in SLC. I love it! I've started training with the current director before she goes. She's been here 14 years, so I've got some big shoes to fill, and I'm a little scared, but very excited as well.
Ethan is growing so fast! He's a sweet baby and I love him more every day. Lucy is a wonderful big sister, and she is getting to the age where she says the funniest things! She is clearly getting into the "terrible two's", but she's still just a little tender heart, so I don't stay mad at her for very long.
These photos are kind of snippets of recent things (some more recent than others) that we've done, including a trip to the Hogle Zoo last weekend; a first for the kids and me!

Mixing cookies!

Lucy and her cousin Wyatt

All of my parents' grandkids

We repainted our room and let Lucy help

These are the biggest animals I've ever seen! Could not have been more excited!

Ethan at the Zoo