Flexibility is Key to Survival

It is around 5:25AM and I am up, dressed and ready to head out the door to tackle a speed workout with my track group when my little one groggily shuffles into the bathroom. I wouldn't trade these "I just need you" snuggles for anything, honestly, but to be just as honest a "this is not what I had planned" sigh came too. I had written the following speed workout for our group: 16 x 200 - alternating mile and 5k paces | jog 100 | walk 100 | REPEAT. The idea being that even with varying speeds we would not have the opportunity to get too spread out and therefore nobody would be standing around in 20 degree temps. {brrrrr!} Got great feedback on the workout and knew I had to still get it in.

Motherhood has certainly taught me that you have to be able to roll with the punches if you have any chance of surviving. With that I pulled out my trusty paper day planner (yup I am old school like that!) and rearranged my week by pushing some tasks around. That is not always possible and I'd be painting a false picture if I didn't acknowledge the struggle it is to find any sort of balance, but I remain convinced that making my fitness a priority is important to EVERYONE'S happiness. This is why even when I’m dragging I still make time to get my workout in.

So after dropping the early morning snuggler at preschool I headed to the Dowd YMCA. Even though the sun was up, it was still really cold but their rooftop track has a great view of the city skyline. I jogged a warmup mile then headed back inside for leg swings, a motivation check and loaded the workout plan into my Garmin. Turns out this track would not be my first recommendation for a speed workout. The turns are tight making it difficult to maintain faster paces plus 13 laps = 1 mile which makes for uneven math. Bottom line, I got it done and that is also my advice to others. Just do it! There are a million reasons you can’t get to the gym or just don't want to. Yes there are more important things in life to worry about but I think we can also agree there is nothing better than feeling strong, fit & capable.

Camp Mom is officially closed for the season!

BACK TO SCHOOL! Big sister has been back in her routine a little while now, (first day was 8/20/19) but today was the first day of preschool! I can't even pretend to be sad because they are both so happy and we love both schools so much. Summer was hard but I'll miss these faces during that day. Don't get me wrong I am excited for myself too and the possibility to get a few things done during the week but today I'm going to yoga... because I can! Namaste!

Here we go 4th grade!! So pumped to be back, we didn't even walk her inside the building!
#knownandloved. #tescharlotte #firstdayofschool #thatcowlicktho

It's safe to say she is excited to be back at school! 5 day 3's - growing up so fast! 

#mooregirlclotingvault #curlycarinha #stayathomemom #imissmysidekickthough

A new school year means new adventures, new friendships and new challenges for ALL of us! Let's do this!

All is well from the latest well visit

The results are in and she is officially the happiest baby around! So much of parenting seems to be about the numbers. The doctor gives you height, weight etc percentiles and I find myself craving this information but it is a set up to immediately start comparing how your kid and therefore you as a parent stack up. Theodore Roosevelt said "comparison is the thief of joy". Comparing your life, job, fitness, closet (fill in any blank) only serves to create competition instead of community! My wish for you darling is to not let this be the case! You are perfect and we count our blessings everyday your infectious smile is in our lives!

Granted I am posting this late and hindsight is always 20/20 but love the message all the same and could not believe I had not clicked publish on these ridiculously cute pictures.

P.S. Oh the simple joys of tissue paper!

We will miss you Nonnie

Today we celebrated and wept as we laid to rest our beloved Nonnie. {Please read her obituary.} The services at the cemetery and at the church were both wonderful. From the table her urn was placed on in the mausoleum, the Hymn of Promise Taylor Rankin sang, to the gorgeous flower arrangements and happy pictures that filled the Asbury Room, everything was done so well. The only thing missing was her, and she forever will be missed.

Afterwards we all headed to Nonnie & Jerry's house and I didn't want to be anywhere else. Being the fabulous hostess Betty Ann was, she had one last party at her amazing home. It was filled with loved ones and lots of food, which is just how she preferred it. Her house is one of my favorite places on this earth. The property is something out of a garden magazine but it's best attribute is the love you feel the moment you walk inside. I found myself laughing and crying over so many wonderful memories that revolve around her and I made one more watching the little girls run around that yard playing hide-n-seek. The only reason we forced ourselves to leave was due to the winter weather. The huge snowflakes were beautiful and serene but Molly made an excellent point saying how Heaven needed all the sunshine it could get to welcome her. You'd be hard pressed to find anyone that makes you feel more beautiful and special then Nonnie. I am thankful for all the years I was able to have her but it truly warms my heart that she was able to meet both of my girls. I will never forget telling her I was pregnant the first time and making her a great-grandmother.

I believe this is the last picture I have of her, ooo-ing over baby Nina at Easter. Who else can still hear her sweet voice, "Hey there darling"?! Oh, how I love you!!!

Dog Mom

I always say Teva puts up with more then her fair share but now she is really earning her keep. While Teva and Addie are, in every sense of the word, littermates, the dog tries to hide away in her kennel when she has enough baby poking. Nina isn't insulted though because the water bowl, chew toys, kennel and dog beds are great sources of entertainment.

 

 

An Evening of Believing

The Sandbox, a local non-profit whose mission it is basically bring joy to children (and their families) facing life threatening illnesses, hosted a FABULOUS event that we got to be a part of. The unrest and riots in Charlotte couldn't derail the spirit of this event or any detail of the event itself other then the location. In no time the entire thing was moved from NASCAR Hall of Fame to an Embassy Suites in Concord. Team CC was on the red carpet in full force. (Only part of the group is pictured below.)

Metachromatic Leukodystrophy (MLD) has taken so much from this family and The Sandbox has helped them make some amazing happy memories with the time they have left with their little girl.

I am so proud of my girl for hanging tough for what was a long night. Addie did not complain once about being tired/hungry/bored nor did I have to fuss for the kids to behave. They really seemed to understand that we were not there for ourselves.

For more information:

The Sandbox | An Evening of Believing | Team CC | Metachromatic Leukodystrophy

Magic Sleepsuit

I am normally a bit of a skeptic but sleep deprived parents will try almost anything, even a $40 space suit. Nina is a fantastic sleeper compared to big sister but I think am more tired this time around! I had earned a $50 gift card to Amazon via Ibotta so two days later there was a package on the front step. Enter Baby Merlin's Magic Sleepsuit into our lives and SLEEP! It really did work!

Don't let her bug eyed look fool you! Yes she looks like Randy from A Christmas Story but she loved that cozy thing and this mama loved some uninterrupted hours of zzzzzs even more.

Welcome Home Nina

 

This adorable stork was made with love by a friend and has been passed around yards all over town. So fun to see it in ours when we pulled in the driveway.

 

The star comes off and stays with the recipient. He wasn't created before Addie was born so handyman Jim has already agreed to cut one out for me to paint and add her stats on it as well.

She's here!

Look who decided to join us exactly on her due date! No name yet but we are absolutely smitten with our littlest blessing. Welcome "Baby Girl Marques"!

Our first picture