What we're up to

I realized recently, that my blog has changed.  For so long, it was all about me and my family.  But lately, its become more superficial and shallow.  I wonder if any of my readers have been wondering about what is really going on in my life.  Well, if you have, today is your luck day!  I’m posting one big fat update about my family.

 

Starting with Bryn:

She’s growing up so fast.  There is nothing baby left about her.  She’s tall, strong, and coordinated.  In fact, she’s been moved up to the 3 year old class in gymnastics – this Friday is her first day in the big class.  And she’s not even 3 until February.  I was worried about this at first, but then I noticed at her last class that she’s the tallest, most fearless, and youngest child in her current class.  She’ll be just fine physically.  I do still have a bit of a worry about her emotionally.  Right now, her class is “mom and me” – and with the move she’ll be on her own (which means I’ll get to watch both girls from the bleachers.)  I hope she makes the transition smoothly.

 

She is also the most loving and empathetic child that I have ever met.  She just seems to know how people are feeling, and how to react to them.  She knows if someone needs a hug, a smile, a laugh, etc.  I love that about her.  And she gives the best hugs – she seriously wraps her entire body around you when she hugs.  Its my favorite thing about her.  She also seems to have a sense of humor, and loves to make people laugh.

 

She also loves music, and especially seems to have the talent of remembering song lyrics.  On Friday, we were on our way to the store and that song “I kissed a girl” came on the radio.  The girls were chatting in the back, and I didn’t think much of it – until half-way through our trip when Bryn busted out with “I kissed a girl and I liked it . . . her cherry chapstick” from the shopping cart. 

 

She’s also the best eater of any little kid.  She’ll try anything – this weekend she ate sushi!  She loves fruit and veggies, and would eat black beans, salsa, and guac for every meal.  Finally too, her hair is growing.  I can actually pull it back into pig-tails now.  Its coming in strawberry with nice soft curls.  She’s such a cutie.

 

Next up is G:

My smart, precocious girl.  She is so amazingly smart that it scares me.  She remembers everything – even things that I think she’d be too young to remember.  She’s also become very manipulative and moody.  I do love her so, but some days it feels like a challenge.  I have to constantly remind myself to hug and kiss her – she just doesn’t like the physical stuff.  But I know that she needs it.

 

She’s also such a diva.  She’s worried about her hair, her clothing, and won’t leave the house without lip gloss and painted nails.  Really, she’s such a girly-girl, and it cracks me up because I have never been one.  I just don’t know where she got it.  She’s growing up way too fast.  She no longer likes princesses – this weekend we had to go buy her panties without princesses, because she’s too big for that.  I just had to laugh at her.  But she knows who the Jonas brothers are, and who she thinks is the cutest one.  I think she’s going to be a difficult teenager.

 

She is also tall, strong and physical – she loves to run, jump, swim, and do gymnastics.  We swim several times a week, and last week she surprised me by doing a flip from the side of the pool.  I also think I need to get her into dance – she loves to dance, and is starting to mimic grown-up moves.  (my kids definitely got their athleticism from their daddy, because it surely wasn’t from me).  She’s also very pretty – with her blue eyes, blonde hair, and skin that is nicely tan – she’s gorgeous!  I am in big trouble with her!

 

Eating is still a struggle for her – she’s so picky.  I feel like every meal is a constant battle.  I don’t want her to hate food, but I want her to eat healthy things.  She still won’t eat any fruits or veggies, but she will drink milk and eat pretty much any meat that comes from the BBQ grill.  She’s healthy though, so I probably shouldn’t worry too much.  I bought her new shoes two weeks ago – that were a size 13!  Next size up is a 1 in adult shoes.  Holy crap!  She is only four!

 

All about me:

I’m still running and trying to lose weight.  The weight loss part is a serious challenge, mainly because I love to eat.  And I’m always hungry.  Its coming off slowly, but I’d still like to lose about 25 more pounds, and at the rate I’m going, its going to be about 4 more years until that goal is realized.  Oh well – at least I’m progressing slowly.

 

Running is going fairly well – right now I’m sort of in a slump, but that is my typical pattern.  I know that in a few more weeks I’ll be addicted again.  Right now, it just seems that there are so many other things to accomplish, that running is taking a bit of a back burner.  And it’s difficult, because I don’t always have the support at home that I need.  But, I do still have the marathon to keep me focused.  I’m working on building up the mileage – I have 16 miles scheduled for tomorrow.  I know I’ll be ok – before St George, the most I’d completed was one 15-miler and I survived.  This time I’m in much better condition, so I’ll survive.  I may not beat my time by a full hour as previously hoped, but I’m sure to be improved.

 

I’ve also recently become addicted to making jewelry.  It’s a fairly inexpensive hobby, and I love the distraction it gives me.  Plus, I always have new stuff to wear.  I’ve actually been toying with the idea of trying to sell some, although I can’t seem to convince myself that it is good enough to sell.  Maybe I’ll try and put a few pieces on an Etsy shop and just see what happens – assuming I can find a few pieces that I’d be willing to part with.

 

Now for Ben:

I think that life has been the most difficult for him around our house.  He’s still working two different jobs, and trying hard not to be burned out.  I know that he’d like to find just one job, but the economy right now is such that he’s pretty much given up on finding that one job.  He’s resigned himself to needing both jobs for awhile longer, and he’s just tired.  Right now he’s really sick too with a cold that the rest of us have all had.  We survived it, just feeling a bit yucky, but the virus has almost incapacitated him – I’m sure because he’s gotten so run-down.  He has been trying to work on cycling, and also plays on a softball team.  Right now he’s the 4^th ranked player in his league.

 

Overall, life is good for us.  Often the day-to-day stuff can feel overwhelming, but I know that I’m blessed and I’m happy with what I have.  My two little girls are the best thing ever, and I love being their mommy.