Lila's job

We are a Southern through and through around here..and my children don't go a day without sweet tea. Lila has found that she can open the tea bags for me and so that has become her little job...she is so cute with her little fingers as they work so hard to open the four tea bags that go in the pot. I love how helpful she wants to be and I love that we can make tea together everyday!

The best....

Today the boys...including Colin who is pretty much a Hardy....told me I make the best Mac and Cheese and the best Orange cupcakes in the whole world...it makes my heart happy to hear such compliments from these little boys...I think they are the best!

Happy Birthday 4th Maggie

Today Mag Pie celebrated her birthday with a gymnastics party! The girls had a ball jumping and playing!

 And Lila Ray was in heaven...the theme......

 Hello Titty...(as she says)!

 Happy Birthday Maggie!

Anthem 5K

Riggs, Jeremy and I got up early this, cold, February morning and headed downtown for the first leg of the triple crown of running..the Anthem 5K. We parked a mile away from he start line so we ran there as our warm up. It was so cold...and being cold is far from my favorite thing. I ran but was a little..I don't want to do this inside...and when Riggs started in saying he was cold and tired..I thought for a second about sitting this one out. Riggs had been to a sleepover and he really was tired..and it really was cold..and  I could have fed my self 100 reasons in that moment why we should get a hot chocolate and wait in the warm car for Jeremy...but that thought was fleeting and I turned on a smile for Riggs..gave him a pep talk and off we continued running to the start line...and in no time we were there among the masses....Ten thousand people to be exact. When we got there we saw a little boy who does cross country for Hite...a kid Riggs had raced against before and he was immediately focused on his race and was excited to be there.

 We stretched ....Riggs said a little prayer....and got we in line....

 We all took off together...and it was only minutes before Jeremy and Riggs pulled ahead of me I watched as they weaved in and out of people...and then I was running solo. I have to say that with out Riggs to run with and see me running that is was hard....that hot chocolate was calling my name again. 

But I kept going and even ran as fast as I could ...and I kept picturing Riggs waiting for me at the finish line...and when I got there it was worth it! Riggs was right there waiting for me...a smile of pride on his face..that said...that's my Momma!  He ran right over to me and told me I improved my time from last year by four minutes and that was really good...keep in mind he had improved his by 8 minutes.  He is so sweet.... and as we walked away from the loud finish line to get our complimentary Panera Cinnamon Crunch Bagel and water...he put his hand in mine and we walked hand in hand to the food line. Today I can't walk...I hurt all over and I feel lousy...Jeremy says it's from the run...I think I may have the flu....either way I am glad I was at the Anthem 5K yesterday with Riggs.

We were all glad to get home...after our big morning...I am already worried about having to run 6 miles in two weeks...it's amazing the things we are fueled to do...with the love our children feed us.

Basketball boys

No one knows how it is that with one glance a boy can break through into a girl's heart.

-Napoleon Bonaparte

It was early release day today....and it has become a tradition for the boys to have a crew over...I bring some home...some walk over...others get dropped off...but somehow they all end up here and the more the merrier!

 What they do seems to change with the seasons...the first early release day of the school year they were baseball boys...then football boys...and today they were basketball boys.

 yes...the sports change with the season...but I will tell you they are always happy and today the backyard was full of laughter...they were just happy to all be together in one spot.  It seems so simple and yet it makes them so happy...and I was all smiles too just watching them...such amazing boys.

Beautiful boys who will one day break hearts but for now they are just happy to play basketball.

The highlight of the day was when the game of knock out came down to 2...the brothers....Riggs and Rollins.

 Little brother was so happy to win...and big brother was happy for him...a true sign that these brothers are growing up. It was another fun early release day for sure!

Nastics

Lila had her first nastics class today! She waited with anticipation as the class before her finished and took it all in.

She actually seemed a bit nervous..until one little gril who was waiting too ran by her..that's all it took...one run by and she  joined in on the fun! SO Lila!

The amazing thing about Louisville Gymnastics is that the people that work there stay there...Miss Jo is the same nastics teacher that flipped..Riggs, Rollins and Sarah Kate for the first time...and I just love that about this place....and here she goes getting ready for her very first flip.....

and after the first flip she was hooked.... she climbed....

 She did the obstacle course....

She waited her turn to crawl through the tunnels and jump in the blocks...all the little piggies in a row...so precious!

She was all smiles...and just loved it...she was so into it, but still wanted me to carry her between stations...and I did...loving every minute of her still wanting to be in my arms. Everything is more bittersweet with the baby..all her first are my lasts. This was the last time I would bring a baby to gymnastics for the first time and enjoy the raw joy it brings that first time.

She loved the balance beam...and let Miss Jo help her the first time...after that...she insisted on flying solo...she tried so hard and was so focused...and as she got very focused...she stuck her tounge out of the side of her mouth...it was priceless.

But then came the the best part...the rings!!! Pure joy for Lila Ray!!!

 She can't wait to go back next week...and I can't wait to take her!

75-30-1

75 is the speed I was going when I got my first ticket

30 is the number of days in April

1 is the number of times I have walked through a concentration camp

75 is the ideal temperature...a perfect day in my book

30 is the number of days in November

1 is the number of times I have watched a

hurricane from my window

75 was the year my mother got pregnant with me and carried me in her belly

30 is the number of days in September

1 is the number of times I have watched the sunrise over the Sistine Chapel

75 is the number of cancer lesions in the lungs

of my dear friend Pam

30 is the number of cancer lesions in her liver

1 is the number of lives we have to live so live them well....live them full...and live with no regret.

Pam teaching the kids to love and respect the Earth...one of her many passions. Sending love your way,....