Sharing

 I may or may not be guilty of bribing my children.  It is really simple...they sleep and in return I give them candy.  This boy just woke up from a 3-hour nap.

 He thought really hard about sharing with his older brother.

 I'm pretty sure Rustin decided sharing is over-rated...especially when it comes to Sweet-Tart  (Ryder-ism:  Sweet-Tooth) Valentine Candy.

It reminds me of that episode of "Olivia" (a show about a young pig and her two brothers that airs on Nick Jr.)...when Olivia is sent to her room for not sharing, she daydreams of telling her Mom she'll have to share her car with the Teacher....or share her house with another family. A really good reminder of how differently things can seem from the eyes of a child!

What we've been up to...

...serious Wii Playing...

 ...Sad Doggy-eyed looking...

 ...Outside gazing....

 ...Super Silly acting...

...Valentine Cookie eating...

...Did I mention how good these cookies are?  They're Target, of course!

 And as of today...outside playing!  These boys were so excited to spend some time out of the house with the warmer temperatures and the gorgeous sunshine.

Thank you Lord for letting those rays shine down the past few days!  It has been beautiful!

16.3 to 26.2...a Goal that makes my feet hurt

I'm walking this morning because it makes my legs feel so much better.  When I sit, the ache settles in nice and deep.  I've taken on a journey I haven't talked much about.  I'm running.  Physically running and going distances further than I ever imagined possible.

In so many ways it is therapeutic.  I fall into a zone and am totally on my own and with my own thoughts.  I have no stress except for getting to the next mile.  I don't think about who needs help in the bathroom, or getting a cup of strawberry milk.  I don't worry about emails or remembering to schedule an appointment or pay a bill.  I'm alone and a lot of the time alone with Him.  Uninterrupted conversation with God.  It feels so good.

Being totally honest...then it hurts.  Once I get beyond my comfort zone...beyond a distance I've completed before.  Its a mental game in my head.  I've done this before, I can do it again.  It's only 2 more miles than my last run...I can do 2 miles...I own 2 miles.  Yesterday, my body didn't let my mind win.  I felt it start to tighten and succumb to pain.

17.

That was the number of miles I was supposed to run yesterday.  I fell slightly short of that goal stopping at 16.3, but I won't give up.  I am constantly reminding myself of what we remind the boys....that Smith's don't give up.

I have two very good friends and mentors that run with me.   I honestly stand in awe of them.  I'm not sure how they do it...not sure where they pull the strength from.  Just when I feel sure I'm about to die right there on the sidewalk and this is not what I should be doing...they look their strongest.   I couldn't continue without them...I never imagined this new-found sport would place great friends in my life...but it has...and then I realize maybe that is God's purpose for sending me on these crazy, long runs that send me into hobbling recoveries and leave me wondering if I'll make it through to the next training run.  He led me to amazing friends...the ones who run with me and the ones who continue to push me on the sidelines always boosting my confidence.  And...He's shown me a side of my husband I've never seen.

Matt truly loves me and is so proud of me.  He selflessly takes care of the boys, completes loads of laundry, organizes cabinets, picks up scattered toys and dog messes from the backyard all so I can run and not worry about these things when I get back.  Yesterday...he asked me if I was o.k.  I was having trouble getting my energy level back to normal.  Lets be honest...I was a hobbling mess.  I told him not to be worried...I had done it to myself.  Quite frankly...I'd be more than irritated if he ran himself to the point that he couldn't help me on the weekend.  He knows this.  His response was...I care about you and I have a big heart (with a nod of his head & slightly sarcastic tone in his big heart comment...Anyone who knows him knows what I'm talking about.)..then he followed it up seriously...saying, I'm so proud of what you have accomplished so far.

Wow.  Am I worthy of him?  Gosh...I hope so. 

So its out there.  My goal is 26.2.  Its a personal goal...it'll make me stronger physically and mentally.  26.2 is so much bigger than 17 and my life is so much bigger because of this goal and the people who surround me while I work to accomplish it.

Feeling crazy, blessed...

Gig'em Aggies

It's Game Day and we're supporting our team!  Gig'em Ags!

Smith's Don't Give Up

We have some cabin fever running through this house.  It's been cold since Christmas.  Really cold for us.  Not only is it cold, the sun hasn't been shining. 

It's no lie...I couldn't live up North.  Actually, I probably could if that was the alternative to being homeless...but I would make it known how unhappy I was.  I need sunshine.  I need temperatures warm enough to permit me sitting outside while my littles ride bikes and draw on the driveway with chalk. 

In the midst of the cold, I've been making use of my electric blanket and taking useless car trips so that I can warm my legs on the heated seats.  My boys have been learning to like the indoors and we've been playing lots of games.

Challenging games for a little man with not a lot of attention span or patience.  It's tough work pulling bones out of a dinosaur without making him roar. 

It tires you out and sometimes Daddy has to come save the day.

But in the end, the feeling of success is...oh so sweet.  That feeling never goes away little man.  You're going to have to bust through life, being frustrated at times...trying so hard that you are exhausted.  Just when you hit the top of that climb and want to give up...don't.  Mind over matter, Mister.... and you'll find the sweet rewards of success and the relief that comes with climbing down the other side of that mountain every time. 

I love that you don't give up...because Smith's don't give up.  Always remember that my little bread loving, pizza eating, sprite drinking, how it's made watching, cash register/marble mania/hot-wheels playing love monkey!

Happy New Year!

We pray that you all had a 2012 filled with hope, blessings, happiness and love.  On this first day of 2013 I look forward to the renewal that comes with every passing New Year.  I look forward to sharing some of our little moments with you throughout the year...however happy, sad, crazy, small, big, serious or minute they may be.   Wishing you all a Very Happy New Year!

"Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. (NLT)"