The Race is On!

So in a casual conversation with my sister yesterday, we discovered that we're only within a few pounds of weighing the same, and we both have the same goal weight.

I jokingly said "I'll race you!" and then we realized how much motivation that would be for both of us!

In talking to our our mom about it, we found out that she is also about the same weight with the same goal.

So my sister, mom, and I are racing to our goal weight. At the risk of losing our dignity, I'll just say that I have 16 pounds to go. You won't be getting an actual number out of me. ;) And don't worry, we have been this weight before, so we know it's attainable and a healthy weight for us.

Apparently, this was just the motivation I needed! I've had the approval to workout from my doctor since last Wednesday, but all I did was take the kids for a walk. But last night, with this new motivation, I laced up my running shoes for the first time in 11 months and hit the pavement. I can't tell you how good it felt! I was pleasantly surprised that I still have some stamina. I honestly expected to be starting from square one again since it's been so long, but that wasn't the case. Also, as soon as I started running, I naturally went back into my rhythmic breathing that took me so long to make a habit. I had to stop a few times to stretch some muscles so my time wasn't that great. My groin was pretty much bothering me the whole time too, so I kept the run short. I didn't want to push too hard and injure myself and have to rest for a while before being able to run again. I've been there before!

So, while I can't get out and run a half marathon like I was once able to do, I'm definitely farther than when I first started running back in '09, which is a comfort.

Greg and I are already signed up for the Virginia Beach Rock 'n Roll Half in September. So, I have 6 months to train for that, and have the motivation to beat my sister and mom to our goal weight along the way!

I am super competitive, so they're in trouble!

Hot Hillybilly

I've mentioned Pioneer Woman quite a few times on here. I frequent her website daily and love trying her recipes.

My latest thing having to do with PW is her new book Black Heels to Tractor Wheels. It's the story of how she and her now-husband met and fell in love.

Oh boy, the things is does to my heart.

And it's not just this book. I'm a sap and I love a good romance novel. I typically read Christian romance novels, and whenever I do, I get sucked into the love story and the emotions the characters are going through when they're falling for each other and it is like I fall in love with Gregory all over again.

The books just bring up all the feelings I felt when Greg and I fell in love. And I grow deeper in love with him because of it.

I really am so in love with him.

Sure, he's a man, and leaves dirty clothes in random places and forgets Valentine's day.

But I know he'd give me the world if he could. And amidst the stuff he doesn't do, he really does do so much - simply because he loves me.
He doesn't even question keeping the kids when I need to run an errand or go grocery shopping.
He changes diapers.
He puts up with me (unintentionally) leaving cupboards and drawers open all the time.
He's very supportive with my being in the choir at church and singing whenever I can. This doesn't seem like a big deal, but since we have one car, it is. He is frequently inconvenienced because of it. But never once has he complained. Instead, he fully supports me.
He frequently let's me sleep in on Saturday mornings.
He puts up with (and responds to) every single one of my 8000 "I love you's" (give or take 7900) throughout the day.
He does his best to give me what I want, even if it's not what he wants.
He cleans the shower for me when I'm big and pregnant and physically incapable of doing so myself.
He makes Hunter thank me for cooking a good dinner.
He randomly sends me "Just wanted you to know I love you" text messages.
He does everything in his power for me and our family to make sure we're taken care of.
And he loves me.

And I love him. More than I could ever articulate into words for a silly blog.

So PW has her rugged cowboy in his Wranglers and cowboy boots. And I have my hot hillbilly in his baseball cap and belt buckle.

And he's all mine.

Bowling

So I'm a bargain shopper. I love using coupons and finding any deals that I can. One way I get deals on things is signing up for any company that sends emails with freebies. My husband constantly rolls his eyes at me when a company will come up in conversation and I say, "Oh yeah, I get their emails." Anywhere from Kelloggs to Red Lobster to OfficeMax, I get their emails.

Another place that emails me is AMF Bowling. Last week, they sent me a coupon for a free game for up to 10 people, so we thought it would be fun to take Hunter!

It's so funny to introduce him to new things. I asked him last night if he wanted to go bowling and he just looked at me because he had no idea what "bowling" was. We looked up a YouTube video of kids bowling and he was sold! The bowling alley is literally right next to our neighborhood. If it weren't for privacy fences we could walk there in 5 minutes.

Here he is while we waited for a lane.
I didn't get a picture but I thought his little size 9 bowling shoes were so sweet!

Here's a video of his very first go at it!

One time while I walked up to bowl, I saw that it was "mom's" turn. It was an odd moment for me because, for a split second, I thought of MY mom! Greg said it was a little weird to put "mom and dad" instead of "Greg and Emma." It's taken two kids, but I think we finally realize we're parents! ;)

Two frames into the first game, daddy losing to the three year old. :)
Here's more bowling pictures.

They had a ramp for kids to use too. Hunter tried it a few times but preferred bowling without it. Here he is after I said, "Ok put the ball up there but don't push it yet. I want to get a picture!"

He's great at following directions.

Kylee had fun too. This is what she did the whole time.

It was a really fun night. We even got a free game because the guy at the counter was nice and decided to not charge us!

While watching Greg help Hunter bowl, I thought about how Greg and I met at a bowling alley. It wasn't until a year later that we started dating, but it was still the first time we met. Bowling has always been special to me because it's where we met. It was fun to go now with our ever growing family.

More Babies

He came up with this idea all on his own!

First Solo Grocery Trip

Good news...we all made it out alive!

For the Love of Cars

This is what a mechanic's toddler is interested in...

Smiles!

Smiling at Daddy :) I think we may have a daddy's girl.