Running

As some of you may know, Hubby has been doing a lot of running the past few months.  He's actually lost about 30 pounds so far because of it.  Well, not just because of running.  He's also been watching what he eats.  Yes, he has more will power than I.  So he's been doing all of this running and is finally starting to use it for something.  Two Sundays ago he ran in his first race - the Redbud Classic.  It was a 10k (6.2 miles).  He ran it in 55 minutes in 45 seconds which, in my opinion, is pretty great.  His next event is the OKC Memorial Full-Marathon coming up this Sunday.  It is 26.2 miles.  Whew!  I'm worn out just thinking about it!  I'm proud of him though for working so hard toward something and then doing it well. 

Here are a few pictures from the Redbud Classic.

JJ has also proven himself to be a runner.  It's probably just part of being a toddler but when I look at these pictures you know what I see?  I see his father.  And I see a love of running.  Oh, how my boy loves to run.

Now if I could just find the energy to join them...

Ah Fuff Foo

I have been telling JJ that I love him since before he was born.  Every day I make an effort to tell him that I love him.  Well, JJ said "I love you" for the first time this past Wednesday!  They  are the most precious words a parent can hear from their child.  Of course it isn't very clear but it makes it that much sweeter.  I could listen to him say "ah fuff foo" all day long. 

Ah fuff foo, too sweet boy!

Good-Bye Again

A real quick post to ask a favor.  My brother leaves early in the morning to begin his trip to Iraq.  He will be gone 6 months, home for 1 month, then gone for another 6 months.  Since he joined the military he's been gone a lot, it seems.  We're tired of saying good-bye but we're proud of him.  My family and I would greatly appreciate your prayers!

 

A Birthday Party

One of JJ's most favorite things is, and has always been, doggies.  It was also one of his very first words.  So, I thought it would be a perfect theme for his birthday party this year.  It was a beautiful day outside and was perfect for a party.

Since I'm involved in Stampin' Up this year I decided to make JJ's invitations instead of buy them  I'm so glad I did!  They turned out so cute and were much more fun than store-bought.  Thank you to my amazing friend, Amy, for helping me with these.  I couldn't have done it without you!

Since we went with a dog theme, I did everything "dog" that I possibly could.  We had hotdogs, chips, and puppy chow for lunch.

I hand-stamped the tablecloths with a paw print.  One had paws around the border and the other one looked like a dog walked across the table.  A fun and inexpensive decoration!

Bentley and Brandi (our 2 golden retrievers) joined us for the party as well.  Mom made homemade mini "puppy cookies" for the kids to give to the dogs.  The kids seemed to love playing with the dogs!

The cake turned out beautifully!  My fabulous friend, Rachael, made the cake for us.  She made JJ's birthday cake last year, too.   She also baked the cupcakes and I made the cookies.  We both decorated them.  I have to admit that I can bake just about anything but I'm pretty useless when it comes to decorating.  Thank you, Rachael for teaching me how to decorate! 

When it came time to sing Happy Birthday and blow out the candle, JJ was a bit hesitant.  I tried showing him how to blow it out but it didn't work.  In the end I blew it out for him.  You can see the edge where he was picking at the frosting.  He didn't care about the candle.  All he wanted was cake!

I never got a picture of the favor bags but they were doggie bags filled with dog-related stickers, a large bone-shaped cookie, a chocolate sucker in the shape of a  paw (I made them myself - yay!), and a dog coloring page.

We also had a face painting station.  I thought it would be great to paint the kids faces to look like a dog.  I have absolutely no talent in the painting/drawing department so Jorge asked his Dad to paint the kids faces for us.  He did a great job and I think the kids really liked it!  JJ didn't sit still long enough to finish getting his face painted but it was a start!

 JJ received many wonderful gifts and this year he actually helped open them!  Last year Jorge and I did all the work.  ha!  Our gift to JJ this year was a green and yellow four wheeler type thing.  He just sits on it, pushes a button, and off he goes!  He loves it!

It was a beautiful day filled with lots of fun, food, and friends.  I am so thankful to have such great family and friends to share our special moments with!

I Heart Faces: DESSERT

It's been forever since I've participated in an I Heart Faces photo contest but when I heard that the theme this week was desserts, I knew I had to join!  How could I not, right?  I have some decent pictures of desserts -  nothing fabulous - but I thought it'd still be fun to enter.  Check out I Heart Faces to see more great dessert pics!

These are the Peanut Butter Balls that have become a family tradition to make every Christmas.  They're heavenly!

 

Today

Today we celebrated our sweet JJ's 2nd birthday.  It was beautiful outside and had many friends and family come celebrate with us!  I will do a more detailed post later once I get the pictures downloaded.

Happy 2nd Birthday, Little Man!

I am now the mother of a 2 year old.  It is so hard to believe that JJ has been a part of our family for 2 years.  It feels like he's always been with us but at the same time I can't believe how quickly 2 years have gone.  They have been the best 2 years of my life.  I love and adore my sweet baby boy and have loved watching him grow up.  It is a privilege to be JJ's mommy and I thank God for this wonderful gift He has given me.

Sweet JJ,
You are a healthy, beautiful 2 year old little boy.  Running everywhere, you are into everything and have more energy than I've seen in years!  You keep us on our toes and make life a joy.  Talking is one of your favorite things.  You are saying 2 and 3 word sentences clearly and have quite a large vocabulary.  You talk to anyone and everyone!  More of your favorite things are balls, doggies, and books.  A new favorite is Elmo.  You don't watch much TV but you do watch Sesame Street almost every morning while you eat your breakfast.  I'm excited about your birthday party this Saturday.  We're doing a Dog theme party.  I'm sure you'll have so much fun!  You are such a blessing from God, my sweet boy, and I adore you!  Being your Mommy is my greatest joy!  Happy 2nd Birthday JJ Bug!  I love you! ~ Mommy

April 8, 2008!

6 months old.

1 year old!

18 months old.

2 years old!

I Fell Off

 Okay, so I fell off the band wagon...so to speak...and in more ways than one.  I haven't blogged in several weeks now (hangs head in shame) and I quit exercising (gasp!).  I know, I know.  I was only a couple days away from finishing my 30 Day Shred when life got busy and I got tired.  Tired of exercising.  I never have been one who liked exercising.  I really wish I were.  Hubby has been running the last few months and has lost 30 pounds!  Pretty amazing, right?  I totally wish I liked to run.  But, of course, I don't.  It's exercise afterall.  Now that Spring is here, I would like to be more active and spend more time outside.  It seems that life gets in the way of me doing the things I would like and I get stuck in the same old rut and I end up right back where I was...not exercising and not watching what I eat.  Sigh.  Will the cycle ever end?