Weekending

What a fun filled weekend!

Early Saturday morning we set off to achieve a personal Mama goal.

See, I had these two New Years Resolutions.

One was the Flash Mob. Checked that one off here and again here.

The 2nd was to run.

It's not my 1st go at that one. I don't love to run. But whenever I come across anyone who got in good shape, what did they do? They ran.

Pooh.

So, from a place of good self-esteem and appreciation of my body, I decided to go for it. See, this body's been working hard the last 4 years growing, and housing, and feeding my 3 favorite people, so it's time I showed it a little love.

Thankfully, someone turned me on the the Couch to 5K plan, which takes you from non-runner to 5K runner in baby steps over 9 weeks (which is good because my plan was to get up every morning at 6:00 a.m. and just run - wonder how long that woulda lasted?).  And since I am nothing if not a rule follower and box checker-offer, I printed out that plan and got 'er done. Step by step, run by run, week by week.

And a few weeks ago, I was done. So it was time for my 5K.

So Saturday I ran a St. Patty's Day 5K and dare I say...it was kind of awesome.

I totally kicked my expectations in their hineys:

• First off - I liked it - didn't see that coming. 
• And I ran THE WHOLE TIME. Didn't need to walk at all. Even up that CRAZY HILL. I think everyone around me walked at some point or another. Not me. In fact at one point toward the end I was the only person near me still running. Not fast, mind you, but definitely running.
• I came in solidly not last. SOLIDLY.  Like cool down for 10 minutes and runners are still coming in. Not to mention the walkers. Totally shocked. 
• I came in minutes before North Carolina girl I met at packet pick-up and "I'm not lucky, I'm good." shirt wearing girl I saw in the parking lot. Now, you don't know these women. Neither do I really, but they're young fit looking ladies I noticed and assumed I'd never see again. But you know when I saw them? When I was running past them mid-race. Who saw that coming?
• I felt like a runner. 
• I actually want to do it again.

So take that, Couch! Me and my 571st finished kicked your behind. But don't be mad because I'm gonna want to sit on you later. I'm mean, I'm a bad ass now, but I still wanna be friends.

Hazel and I had our post-race priorities in order, boobies and free beer. In that order.

So, got that done and had the whole day ahead of us. We took the boys to see the Lorax. Eli was a fan:

 He came home wanting a costume pronto. The 'stash will have to do for now.

And I may have accidentally put tiny pigtails in Hazel's hair. Squeeee!

And then Eli sang in church yesterday, which I CAN. NOT. RESIST.
Enjoy:

I hope your weekend was full of fun, rest, and all manner of other good stuff.

It's Twins!

That's right.
Remember my baby, the Flash Mob?

Well, as of this morning, my baby, is twins.

You see, when I told our church's choir director, Frank, about the Valentine's Day Flash Mob, and played him the song, he made an astute observation. He noticed how nicely the words of the song "I've got everything that I need, right in front of me," coincided with our Lenten theme, Simple Living, Abundant Life -  a study on simplicity, community, and cutting down on waste and over consumption.

Genius.

So a few weeks back, Frank spoke cryptically to George, our minister who would be preaching this morning, the first Sunday in Lent. He wondered if George would be open to an interruption during his sermon, one that would highlight the theme of having everything we need. George, was totally game. He didn't want to know any more details. He wanted to be surprised. Bless him.

This morning, going only on that cryptic chat from a few weeks ago, for his sermon George told the story of young Yosef, child of a poor family, who wondered why he and his family couldn't have the fancy clothes and houses and stuff, that other people had. Repeatedly Yosef's parents reminded him that they had their home, plenty of food, plenty of clothing, and each other. They had everything that they needed.

Enter...the flash mobbers.




Pretty. Darn. Cool.

We rocked the house. Of God. 

First Plymouth folk, you are awesome. Frank, well done. George, nice work.
I was so happy to be part of this. Just brilliant.

Of, and Eli, you're the coolest 4 year old I know.  

Dizzy the Magi

We took the boys to the kids' Christmas Eve service at church. Of course, our un-napped, sugar-crazed, kids - The. Preacher's. Kids. (the fella is a minister) - had to leave early because they were too loud and disruptive. ugh.

But, prior to our ungraceful exit, Eli participated in the interactive telling of the Christmas story. At a certain point, each set of characters (angels, shepherds, and magi) was invited to come up and play their part.

Eli was a magi. They saved the big hat for him, bless his heart. This magi came a bit late to the party (and offered his gift to the Children' Minister instead of Jesus).

Look at that sweet big-headed magi. Mama's so proud.

Came late to the party and stayed late. Figures. He had to be asked to leave. Man, I've been there.

He played the part with gusto. And it was oh so sweet.

And come on...he's three. I call that a Christmas miracle.