My resolution......

Heehee!!

Seriously though, gonna think about some realistic goals for the next year & will post those tomorrow.

Until next time,
Lori

Trying not to be a Scrooge.....

We have been busy in our home getting ready for Christmas. Samantha has worked on her letter to Santa and hung it on the tree for him to find:

Again this year, she has asked Santa to put her brother's present in front. We always get something for Cameron - a movie, a game, something we know that he would have loved. Last year's playstation game remains unopened in his room. The intent was to donate these gifts, but we just can't seem to give them away. So they sit. Much like me today. Bah Humbug.

Gotta work on that attitude if I am going to pull off a happy holiday this year.

Until next time,
Lori

So that is it?

So I started my birthday weekend with the Jingle Bell Run. My thoughts are, if you look ridiculous running, you might as well own it! I do my best at this race! :) Though this year there were way more people dressed up. My last race of my 30s was not great. Stll fighting through this lingering chest cold which leaves me a bit short of breath, but it was a beautiful morning and I am glad I went!



My friend is way more creative and talented than I am. She made this great plaque for the half marathon medals were are earning! I have 3 down so far! Can't wait to get this on the wall!



After a quick rest, it was time for barbeque with the family. Some important people were missing which always makes a celebration a bittersweet event.




LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my girl!





My girl picked out some great new running shoes for me! They have memory foam inserts and feel like clouds on my feet. Can't wait to give these shoes a work-out!



So far, 40 is not so bad! Not sure what all the fuss is about!

Until next time,
Lori

Love this!

I sometimes need to be reminded of this.......

As a friend posted today, "We don’t get to choose most of what happens TO us. But we DO GET TO CHOOSE WHAT HAPPENS NEXT!" Until next time, Lori

Thanksgiving.....

Thanksgiving morning started with our 3rd annual Parkersburg Turkey Trot. It was a nice brisk morning for a semi-run...... I've been fighting a cold for almost 2 weeks so this was not my best effort!




The after-the-trot tradition of shopping at K-Mart went well too! Knocked a couple items of the shopping list!

Finally! It was time to eat!! My plan was to do some serious carb-loading for the real event - Black Friday shopping! Or rather, Thanksgiving eve & all night long shopping!

My fave part of the carb load was this deliciousness - cheesecake with brownie for a crust!

The girls were thankful for their technology. They had no interest in the football game or the sale ads that had taken over the living room!



I had my game plan mapped out, a wad of cash in my pocket, ads in my bag & coffee in hand! I heade out a little before 10:00 pm. Scored EVERYTHING that I was looking for (& lots else too!). Finally rolled back home at 5:00 am for a few hours of sleep before hitting the mall again. This year, even I think I bought too much! How is that possible when I still have $$ left???? Must be my awesome shopping skills... :)Well taught by the master: my mom, who never paid full price for anything! Seriously though, I am going to take inventory & in all liklihood, make some returns!

Silly girl!

Silly girl begged to have a cupcake smashed in her face! What a mess!

I saw a rainbow fruit plate in pinterest & thought I would give it a shot. Wasn't quite as prety but still tasted good!

Sami loves Ian!

Until next time, Lori

Sami is 9!

I cannot believe my little girl is 9 years old! What a ride it has been.....

Moments after being born -

Turning 1 in 2004:

Celebrating #2 with Cameron & Ian at McDonalds in 2005:

Birthday #3 was in Cameron's room at Children's hospital.....

#4 in 2007 was a little happier!

2008 was a surprise party & she really was surprised!

2009

2010

2011

2012 pictures will come soon!

Tonight, she has asked that we go out to dinner someplace where they will sing "Happy Birthday" to her! Looks like we will be eating good in the neighborhood @ Applebees!

Until next time,
Lori

Seems about right.....

Recently, I went to a Suicide Prevention training. It was a really good training..... at least I'm pretty sure it was. I was awfully distracted though. I'll get to that.

There were about 30 people at the training. A diverse group - social workers, counselors, law enforcement, university personnel and........

my former Weight Watcher's group leader.

Yep. There he was across the room from me. I immediately felt guilty. I quit going to meetings over a year ago. I have gained back a few (ok 8) pounds. Of all of the people in the group, he has probably seen the most real emotion, or maybe it was just me?

But, seriously?!? What kind of message was that?

I'm taking it as it is way past time to get back on the wagon with diet & exercise!

Parent Teacher Conference......

 

Tonight was Parent- Teacher Conference for Samantha.

 

Nothing like sitting in a chair made for 3rd graders to make you feel huge! I realize that I have been off the wagon since the half marathon, but seriously when did my a$$ get THAT BIG?!?!? 

 

I had a hard time concentrating on what the teacher was saying for fear that I was either going to fall out of the miniature chair or break it into a thousand pieces! But, once I found the delicate balance, I was able to participate.....

 

Turns out Sami is a funny kid at home & at school. I read a couple of her papers. She writes much like she talks. Many sentences started with "Well,....." The funniest response was to a reading question that was something like "How do you know happened?" Sami's response was "I know it happened because I read it and I have a good memory." The teacher gave her credit for creativity.

 

My little smarty-pants got straight A's for the first grading period. I proudly drove home, feeling a bit smug, walked into the house & found this:



 

 

Maybe she is not quite ready for the Ivy League.... :)


Until next time,
Lori

What happened???!?!?

Where did the summer go??

I posted in June about Sami's TKD classes and before I know it, it is November!

Since a picture says a thousand words, I will let some pictures tell you how we've spent the last 4 months....

Fourth of July:

Sami's 2nd year of baseball through the rec center -

Intense "Just Dance" competition!

2nd Annual Cam and Sue's Cancer Sucks 5K drew a respectable crowd despite the rainy morning!

 

 Sami ran her 1st 5K of the year for the Cancer Sucks fund raiser - she gave it her all!

 

 

 Summer vacation at the beach in August -

1st day of school for my 3rd grader! WOW!

Another year of cheerleading!

Sami wore gold on September 13th - National Childhood Cancer Awareness Day.

3rd Annual Sunshine Run - I'd say Sami got a PR, but she did cheat just a little bit!

She passed her TKD belt test and moved up to yellow/white. She can kick really high!

The President camae to town in October!

I managed to finish my 3rd half marathon!

Took my little gypsy out trick or treating!

 

 

Now that we are all caught up, I PROMISE to do a better job with updates!

 

Until next time,

Lori

In the blink of an eye.....

four years absolutely flew by.

 

 

 



Tae Kwon Do

Samantha has been interested in Tae Kwon Do since she was tiny! She used to go to all of her brother's classes. My mom even made her a teeny little uniform to wear.

She has been asking for at least a year (probably closer to 2) to take classes. I deflected for a while. Told her she was too involved in other sports to take on something else. The reality was, TKD was one of Cameron's passions. We spent hours in the studio. I didn't know if I was strong enough to go back into that room, with the same instructors, watching the same moves. Turns out, it is ok. And best of all, she loves, loves, loves it.

We dug out Cameron's first uniform and it fits her pretty well. We also got out the pads and kicking boards for practice at home.

More pics - past & present:

There go my Saturday afternoons for the foreseeable future.....Anything for my girl!

Until next time,

Lori