Ahhhhh Fall

This is Imani supporting her team while she is on the sidelines. She is the one on the far right.

Jeremy and Nia

What is this? That's right, a snowman at my parents' house on Sept 30th!!

My sister Amy straightened Imani's hair with a flat iron. Isn't that amazing?! I can't believe how straight she got it, even at the roots. It was so beautiful, and LONG! She loved it. We finally had to wash it after a week. She loved to flip it all around.

Ecclesiastes 3:11--He makes all things beautiful in its time--

I just love fall this year more than ever. I am amazed by all the beautiful colors of the changing leaves. Our lease was up in September and we moved to a new house, so we are in a different area full of big trees. It is breathtaking to see reds and yellows and oranges of all shades as I run or we drive or walk somewhere.
Imani finished her first soccer season. In total, she made 4 goals, but one was for the other team. We just gotta make sure she is going in the right direction! Every time she made a goal, she would get Krispy Kremes. She got a nice little trophy and a party with her team. It was such a great experience for all of us. The coach was great. He was so good with the girls. He wasn't competitive at all and just made sure everyone worked together and had fun. No pressure. As it should be.
Nia is doing the army crawl all around the house. She just doesn't want to get up on the hands and knees, just like her sister at this age. She is 8 months old and probably hitting 18lbs by now. As soon as she started on solids she's been chunkin up. No teeth yet. Imani started walking and got teeth at 9 months....so next month may be more stressful for us!
I was feeling very sorry for myself after September's half marathon. I really wanted to do better than I did. So now I'm getting ready for another one in Nov. Tara and I are going to do it together again. I think my strategy this time will be--no walking, no walking, no walking. I'm tellin ya, as soon as I get the comfort of walking in a race, I don't want to run anymore. So I must resist.
I ran 11 miles this last weekend, and I'll do 12 this weekend. Since I'm in a new part of the city, I'm struggling to find new running routes. I'm near the older part, near more farms and old neighborhoods. That means--no nice, new, beautiful sidewalks that I was used to around all the new developments. I find myself on the side of a 40 mph road with no sidewalk. So running off to the side, on the down slope of dirt, turns out to not be so nice on my body. My right hip is killing me and the outside of my left knee is sore. So I'll have to plan better, or drive to my old spots that I'm used to.
I'm technically in a different city, and this one doesn't have the leash laws that the other city did....in part that means.....I now have dogs chasing me again. For those of you who may not know my dog history with Amy F., we were attacked by a rottweiler on one of our runs. I've never been the same since. So dogs chasing me is my worst running fear, and a valid one at that. He got a nice hold of my derriere and scratched Amy up pretty good too. Just know, stopping and yelling at the dog and acting all big and scary....yeah, that doesn't work. Pepper spray may be the best choice, or getting a handful of dirt and rocks is Amy's first move. I've even had drivers stop and yell for me too, from a big truck, and that worked pretty good.
All in all, be careful out there. I read a story in Runner's World about a runner hit in a crosswalk. She started running through it when the light was yellow. Now she can only walk 50feet. Be careful! Be aware of your surroundings....dogs...cars....crazy people. And if you're near the hills....mountain lions perhaps.

We Did It

Imani's first race--0.2 miles! Look at that determination.

It's in her blood...Kenyan blood! She's on her way to winning marathons.....

It was a tough race for us. Tara was having hip problems the whole time. I was just plain tired. I kept telling her to leave me, but she wouldn't. I think I handled the hills okay. Maybe the elevation got to me......or lack of good sleep the entire week before. We were so happy to see the end! The temperature was perfect--nice and overcast and in the 60's and 70's. We might try another 1/2 in November. I better get my training on.

Two times in one month--yes!

Imani with Hadley and Kaetlyn

Hadley's ride

Gymnastics

Better Late Than Never

Aunt Amy

Her cleats are pink and black--for Aunt Amy!

You'd never believe she ate the whole jar after this face : )

Despite all the fun around her, she only wants her two favorite fingers!

Uncle Rodrigo, Leah, Nia, Imani, and Kenda

Uncle Ted

Chillin' with Daddy

Visiting friends in Poky

First official haircut (in a salon)

I know, I know. It's been a while. I'll try to put pics up at least once a month, so I barely made it for August.
Imani started soccer. She had her first game yesterday. After her first practice, she said, "I don't think I like this, they try to take the ball away from me." At their first scrimmage, she just stood back and watched and kind of acted like she tried to kick it. But at her game, she was in there running and kicking and keeping up with everyone. Her and Katelyn are on the same team. Sometimes they forget they're in a game and stand chatting and giggling.
Nia is eating solids now. She is gaining consistently, but she is still small. She is 7 months old, but still is wearing 3 month jammies. I haven't even opened up the 3-6 month clothes. I guess she won't be like Imani in that area, at least, not yet. Imani was 20lbs by 6 months, but Nia is about 14lbs. Nia is also figuring out how to get around. She is a pro at rolling. She likes to roll straight to the wall and rub it. I guess she likes how it feels.
I've been running a lot more and have my half-marathon next Saturday. Tara and Bill have been training to do it too! Tara is nervous about her first half, and I'm nervous about elevation change and hills! Hopefully we can keep the other going to the end. Last week I was running my long run, 11 miles. I kept thinking how incredible the human body is and how--no matter where you start--it IS possible to push yourself farther than you think you can go. Remember when I was DYING to finish 3 miles? If you've ever thought about trying something you think you can never do--GO FOR IT!! You'll be surprised what you can accomplish. Accountability always helps too. Signing up for a race makes me not stop in the training when it gets hard.

Not Timely

Isn't this beautiful? I snapped it on the way up my parents' road after my run.

So I've decided that blogging is just like journaling for me. I get the journal I like, a good pen, and I start off really strong. Keeping up with it, logging all the important events in life......and then I lag a little. Before I know it, so many things have happened in life and I haven't written one thing down in 3 months! Same with my blog. There's just so much happening, so many great pictures to post, so many tales to tell of my running experiences.....and now, so much time has passed. I guess if you're always checking this blog, you'll learn a new kind of patience as you wait for me to get going.

Nia is 5 months old now. She weighs 12 lbs and 14 oz. She is doing great as she rolls from her back to her belly. But then her little arms get stuck under her and she can't move. She's also reaching for things now, including my coffee cup. Gotta be careful with that one! That's precious stuff....don't want to spill it.....

Imani is 4, but she wishes she was 9 or 10. That seems to be the "cool" age to her. She just finished her first Vacation Bible School where she learned all about faith. Coincidentally, that is what her name means in Swahili. Oh, the lifetime that it takes to learn about trusting God.
It was a lot of fun for her and her two best friends were with her all week--Hadley and Kaetlyn. Don't mistake the fighting and attitudes between them as anything but true love for one another...somewhere underneath the glares. If you have a 4-year-old daughter, you know what I'm talking about! For the last day they had a big slip and slide out on the grass. She had a blast!

I signed myself up for a 1/2 Marathon to keep myself going. Aubrei and I are still getting out there together every week. Her son was teething, so that kept her up many nights and I ran alone on those mornings....or I forgot to get outta bed....my day will be coming soon for that. Hopefully Nia will wait til she's 9 months, like Imani, before teeth start breaking through. I also signed Imani up for her first race on the same day. It is for 0.2 miles. She's excited.

I'm now up to 8 miles this week for my long run. It is soooo hot here, that I have to do it in the mornings--early. Nia is doing great at night and sleeping until 7:30 or 8, so I've been able to get out and run around 6am. You'd think with that kind of running, I'd drop some poundage. I guess I have to stop eating cookies too : ) Don't tell anyone, but I bought a bag of circus animal cookies today. After that, I decided I'm really starting to pray that I'll get more disciplined with my eating habits. Seriously, I need intervention. That's the only way I lost weight the last time. God wants me to be healthy and take care of my body, I might as well ask for His help. I remember last time I prayed for Him to help me to even WANT to lose weight. He always comes through. Always.

Cell Phone Pics

Since our digital camera battery is dead currently,
here are some recent cell phone pictures.I can't seem to find her little swimming pool, so we are enjoying the sprinkler for now. Did I tell you how great the mild winter was here?--compared to what I'm used to......well, that means it is HOT here! It's already been 90 many times, and we haven't even got to June yet!
Thank God for central air.

Imani and Hadley at an indoor play place that just opened. The parents can join the kids and I went down a huge slide with Imani.....and got "rug burn" on my elbow--ouch!

Keep Trying

I have tried to post more family pics about five times, but when I attach them, they don't show up. I don't know what the problem is....so here is one that I took with my cell phone. I'll keep trying different ways to get more on here. SORRY!
I had a rough week this past week. Forget what I said about 3 months being the magical number. I guess that only applies if you are feeding with formula. I realized this week that breastfeeding adds a whole new level of commitment as a mother. With formula, you know how much to give and how much they are eating, and other people can help you do it. It's pretty set. Breastfeeding, who the heck knows? You think you have it figured out.....but no, you don't. And forget having a day away, not possible, somebody has to eat and you're the only one that does it. Now don't get me wrong, I LOVE that I can this time and it is a special time for Nia and I, but it is still exhausting and frustrating. I don't want to stop or anything, I just want Isaac to know how hard it is and hug me extra. Even when I think about Isaac giving her a bottle just once a day, I don't want to give up that time with her.....such mixed emotions.
I remember with Imani, I couldn't wait for her to get to the next stage--eating solids, walking, talking, etc. With Nia, I wish I could freeze time sometimes and just hold her and kiss her and stare at her. I try to make time every day to do it. One day I even cried, knowing how fast it would go and that this may be my last little baby I have......
I'm getting back into the running groove, and I lost about 6 lbs.....on my way. Aubrei and I have been running together a couple times a week. We're also doing our own Biggest Loser plan with her sister. My good buddy, Tara, came to visit last weekend and we did two runs. We even got to 4 miles Sunday morning, so we both felt a bit accomplished. It was a beautiful sunny morning. It rained the night before and it smelled so great outside, but a little humid for our taste. When you're drenched with sweat, it feels like you actually did something. I love that feeling.
So whatever you're doing-- raising a family, trying to get in shape, posting pictures to a blog.....don't give up, you gotta just keep trying.

3 Months!

Our little Nia is now 3 months old. I love getting to this point because things get so much easier after the 3 month mark. It was the magic number for Imani also. My good friend, Megan, took our family pictures this week. This picture of the girls is just our sneak peak. More will be up soon. Sorry I haven't been keeping up with the blog very well lately. I'll try to do better : )

Starting All Over Again

Running in the morning is the best way to start the day. The sun is shining and the hustle and bustle of the day has started. It is so nice to get out and get it over with......if you can get your tired self up out of the bed and out the door. So the other day, I decided to go out first thing and do it. I'm realizing that even though I was in the best shape of my life when I got pregnant, I am certainly not there now. I feel like I did when I started this crazy journey called running in 2006. I'd run with Jacque and want to just walk, but she'd say, "Just make it to that fire hydrant," or "Don't walk, let's just run a bit slower." We'd go run as a group at the dome, around and around we'd go--Amy, Jacque, Carrie sometimes, and we'd get Dana out there a couple times too--training for our first 10k. Six miles, a distance I never thought I'd complete. But here I am, without all my girls. Running in a new city by myself. When I wanted to walk, I did. When I tried to push myself to keep up the pace, I gave up. Darn. Gonna have to dig deeper. The beginning is so hard. Gotta get the muscles used to the rhythm of running. Gotta get the lungs to breathe hard and deep again. Gotta push myself to get stronger. I ran on the side of a busy road, at least. Then I know people can see me and I don't want to look like too much of a loser. I finished the three miles, one way or another. Telling myself I need to give myself a little break. From where I was in June when I ran my best half-marathon (with hills even!) to now, it's like throwing Imani on your back and going for a run. It's a lot harder with 30 extra pounds on the bod. So just when I thought I would feel sorry for myself, I met a girl named Aubrey. She just had a baby too and wants a running partner to help her get out there and do it. We ran together this morning and those 3 miles flew by as we got to know each other and talked about where we've been and what we like to do. That's the thing about running. You can take it anywhere you go and get to know new people in the process.

Happy Birthday Imani

Butterfly cake

She's the big 4 now

Gifts from Hadley

Gifts from Katelyn ( butterfly face painting)

Birthday dinner with her friends
(Mac and Cheese, fruit salad, and carrot sticks)