A sweet visit to Universal Studios

Here are a few pictures from our visit to Universal Studios.  This is the second year we've gone for Christopher's Birthday.  It was a perfect day at the park... On another note I got up this morning and went for a short run.  I ran 3.5 miles and I was slow :-(. I just have to keep at it and before you know it I will get myself back to where I want to be... I am looking up training schedules for the race I am doing in Sept.  I will share it with you as soon I find one I like.

Starting Over

I had to take a little time off from running... Sad I know but my doctor just gave me the OK to start up again.  Getting up really early is not easy for me, add to that getting dressed and going outside to run... Well let’s just say I’d rather stay in bed…  This morning was different even though I know that the first run is the hardest.  It’s crazy how people love to procrastinate…
 

Here is my running story…  
I started running 8 years ago when I lived in Boulder, Colorado.  I was married at the time with two wonderful babies under 3 and an 8 year old.  I was having a hard time losing that spare tire around my waist.  There I was watching Oprah and she was talking about how she had trained for her first marathon. I am sure you heard her story of how it gave her a huge self-esteem boost… The one thing that resonated with me was when she said… “if you do anything for 21 days it becomes a habit.” I remember running upstairs and pulling out my calendar…

I circled 21 days and decided to walk every day for 21 days.  I got out my double stroller and drove to the local reservoir.  It was a big loop and there were always moms walking, jogging and running there.  Once I started and I never looked back.  I really feel that first step helped me get strong and changed my life.  I built self-esteem and I started standing up for myself.  My first marathon helped me come to the realization that I could do anything I put my mind to... My will win gave me the strength to get out of a miserable abusive relationship.  Running literally saved my life.  I was able to understand that “Anything in life worth having is worth working for.” Running has taught me so many life lessons and more importantly it has given me inner strength and awareness.

This year my goal is to run my first 50k. My new 21 day habit starts today.  My run this morning was slow but who cares ?  What matters is that I got out of bed and went for a run... It's ok to start over.  Just to remember "never give up."

Their First Race

Here we are about 20 minutes before the start of my kids first 1 mile race. We chose the Strawberry run because my girlfriend was doing it with her kids.  My girlfriend and I also thought it was a good distance to introduce our kids to running a race.  Yes I am secretly hoping they love this sport but, I am trying not to push them to much..

My little man is in the orange shirt and I am totally "that mom." I cried with excitement. No one saw me cry, I acted very cool.. OK well I tried to act cool.

This is Bella she was wearing her Strawberry theme outfit, Kinda.
She was super excited the whole time.  I ran along side her so she could see me and I was cheering her on the whole time... That was neat.

Here we are ladies and gents....My kids with their first official bibs and medals....

And of course moments like these are always better when shared with good friends... Ally is a great friend and I have known her for years... Happy Running and I hope you had a nice memorial day..

A Celebration

My heart felt very full yesterday when my mom invited us all over to celebrate my sons 11th birthday.  I am very grateful to have such a wonderful and very real family.  The best thing about family is that for the most part, especially in mine, we all know each other really well and we love each other just the same. There is nothing that could stop me from loving my brothers or sisters.  I feel such  a loyalty to them.  I love having a group of people that I am a part of for life.  Yes, we annoy each other and it's not perfect but the love is always there.  So when my mom invited us over to celebrates my sons birthday I was  excited to have my son experience of having everyone show up for him.  My son has grown up so much in the last 5 months.  He is able to understand how cool it is to have a lots of cousins, aunts and uncles.  While at my moms house we were able to put my sister in her wheel chair and she hung out by the pool.  She was very excited pointing to the kids in the pool and looking at the dog and feeling the warm sun on her face.  Having her out of her room and hanging out with us made the day extra special.  We are really lucky she is happy, healthy and still with us. The celebration of my son's birthday was a success.  As my moms boyfriend said to my son, "Christopher we are very lucky you had a birthday so we could all get together and celebrate you," that sums it up.

Snail Mail Rocks

My birthday has now passed and today was the day to send  out my Thank You cards. I decided that it was also time to send out all my I love you cards too.. I feel so much better and writing snail mail just feels so good. I feel like I just had a really great therapy session..Have you ever done that just written every one you love mail... I am doing it more often. Why not..

Me + 3

My son had a birthday and he is 11 now. Its amazing to me how much my children have taught me about being in total and utter adoration of another human being. How having them has opened my heart . In being a mother I am opened to loving them with an undefended heart. Good or bad I love them. Through them I am learning that everything we go through together is workable. I hope to one day be able to feel this in other aspects of my life. I am the very lucky mom of three kids who laugh with me in the car and dance with me at home. Its not always easy I promise and we have had our challenges but I don't allow myself to yell at them and I take lots of deep breaths before I speak. I try not to run out of patience and when I feel I do ..I apologize.. I am just so happy to be there mom..I feel really lucky...You know when you just want to burst with OMG I love who you are.... Today at this moment thats what I am feeling for my kids....

Monday Pretties

These are my favorite pictures from this weekend..

Sweet Pea

My Grateful List

I woke up this morning thinking I might feel different.
The thought turning  40 would kinda freak me out..I just thought 40 was going to be a big deal. Instead I woke up and I feel peaceful and 40 sounds pretty exciting..It doesn't feel at all like I thought it would.. So here we go my 40th Birthday.. 40 things I am super duper grateful for.
1. I am grateful for my children above all.
2. I am grateful for the moments when they smile at me.
3. I am grateful that they love to paint as much as me.
4. I am grateful for the nights when Christopher reads to me.
5. I am grateful for all the times my Paola does my hair.
6. I am grateful for the friends I have made.
7. I am grateful for my scarf sisters.
8. I am grateful that God gave me 2 moms.
9. I am grateful that my dad and I could be such good friends.
10. I am grateful for early morning phone calls or text that say I love you.
11. I am grateful for my brothers and sisters..
12.I am grateful for all the time I have spent with my little sister.
13. I am grateful that I have learned to stop and bring myself to a calm place when I am upset.
14. I am grateful for my record player and music.
15. I am grateful that my heart feels so passionate about crafting.
16. I am grateful for my mini adventures with my camera.
17. I am grateful for butterflies in my tummy.
18. I am grateful for coffee drinks in the morning.
19. I am grateful for lemon cake.
20. I am grateful for crunchy french toast.
21. I am grateful for cold watermelon on hot days.
22. I am grateful for late lunches outside.
23. I am grateful for short runs with my kids.
24. I am grateful for my car.
25. I am grateful for candles that smell like vanilla.
26. I am super duper grateful for my sisters tiny chubby hands.
27. I am grateful for my new lawyer.
28. I am grateful for all those amazing woman who share there stories though there blog.
29. I am grateful that my children are healthy.
30. I am grateful that I hope never leaves my side.
31. I am grateful for tomatoes.
32. I am so grateful for Ciopino.
33. I am grateful for LoVe.
34. I am grateful for all the dreams that float in my head.
35. I am grateful for all the things that make me stretch.
36. I am grateful for all the magic that happens in my life.
37. I am grateful for the traditions my family has.
38. I am so grateful that I make time to do what I love.
39. I am grateful for this day and this time.
40. I am grateful for the good energy that I am able to feel in my life.

Sawtooth Hangers

I finally got around to figuring out how I was going to hang my beautiful paintings I have bought over time. Here they are in the above picture..So what I did is I went to Michael's and bought sawtooth hangers. 

Sawtooth hangers...What are those ?? 

A saw tooth hanger is nailed to the back of frame at top center, or in this case just measure the picture and place the sawtooth hanger right in the middle..Then get your glue gun and glue the saw tooth hanger right in the middle. 

This is what it will look like?

Ta da...Now you are ready to hang your pictures..

so instead of having those beautiful pictures put away somewhere there on the wall...
picture on the right right is by Mindy.

I love looking at my beautiful art work that was made by my friends...
This one is by Karen.http://www.tessandore.com/my_weblog/
It took me forever to do this and I am really glad I did..I hope this helps you..

Monday Pretties

This weekend was quite and fun and special.. I was missing my sweet teenager but I picked her up yesterday and she gave me the sweetest card and a snickers..my favorite candy bar. Sunday morning was perfect with my 10 year old bringing me coffee in bed and the perfect card from both my kiddos. Mothers Day was just what I wanted..I saw my mom and my kids were with me..

Happy Mothers day

Movie Review Time

My movie date.
Yesterday after work my dad and I went to the Landmark Theater in Hillcrest. Its a relatively small theater that plays artsy movies.
Our movie choice was Salmon Fishing in the Yemen. I really enjoyed it. I do recommend it. The cinematography is beautiful. The story line was simple but with a sweet message. It was about falling in love, hope and the willingness to let go .I also loved all the accents. It is not a violent movie. Its the kind of movie that when you leave the theater you feel good inside. I recommend this movie it makes you want to travel, or pick up a good book. I hope you have a great Weekend thank you for stopping by. 

Stop

I have not gone to work for the last two days and its been nice
to not have to drive 100 miles a day. So what I did today is I had
a slow day. I stopped and looked around and was more aware
of what was going on around me and what I was feeling. I felt
a little slow but it was so nice. I find that on those days when I can
stop. Just Stop and let myself just be a small part of everything it
brings me much needed inner peace.

.

The pink daisies felt warm and lovely. I could smell the flowers.
I could hear the doors playing in this car driving by. It was cool to
feel so connected with  myself and the outside world.

Its in all these precious moments that I feel truly alive.

Monday Pretties

Taking the time to look for that little thing that makes you smile when you click your camera is sometimes enough to hold your smile through out the day. Holding my camera helps me look at life a little more creatively..
Creativity by any means is good.
This is going to my week of simple creativity..
I will be sharing lots pictures, hoping they make you smile.
Happy Monday wherever you maybe.

Saturday doings

Happy saturday..
I have been diligently working on my little blanket. The last couple of days have just slipped away from me. My sister and I did some painting this week and I was lucky enough that I got to baby sit my nephew too..Today is my grandmothers birthday . She would have been 92..My family is all going to go visit her today.. I know she is in a better place. Her and my dad are together and thats nice. I leave you with this song and hopes that you have a lovely day.

Its May

MAY IN BLOOMMay is so beautiful:
Orchards are fair;
Branches of fruit trees
Make gardens of air.
Flowers of fragrance
Bloom in the light;
Fall like the snowflakes
Showering white.
Orchards of heaven
Grow with a grace,
And like a blessing
Perfume the place.
Each tree in blossom,
Each lovely spray,
In this month of Our Lady,
Bring glory to May.

Helen Maring

Happy First Day of May..

I love the beginning of every month.

Specially when the month before feels like its ending on a sour note. So what I like to do is I get excited about what my plans are..This month is special because its my Birthday month.. I have always wanted to color my hair and that's what I am going to do this month..Its a big deal to me because I have always had black hair and changing it kinda scares me but I am going to do it. I am also recommitting myself to my training schedule..( I think one of the reasons my spirit has been in the dumps is because I have not been running consistently)

My kids and I have a set Monday night date night for the month of May planned. I have dinner with my girlfriends coming up too. I am hoping that my sister will be able to get in her wheelchair this month because it would really make our days happier. I am also going to finish my granny square blanket by may 10th..I picked the colors in the above picture to make my blanket. Its kinda goofy but practice makes perfect right ?? I wish the best month for you this month. Thank You for stopping by.