Florida Trip

Jaydan and I just recently took a quick trip to sunny Florida to visit Nicole and her fam! The main reason I went out was because we ran in the Disney Princess half marathon.  We've  been training for this race for a few months now and boy am I glad it's over! My good friend Peggy talked me into doing this with her so I set the goal and started training.  I could barely run 3 miles when I started.  I know there are so many natural runners out there who love to run run run.  Ummmmm, let's just say, I'm NOT that person!  Don't love running, never got the runners high, and my toenail fell off.  This took a lot of dedication and hard work on my part!  It feels so good to set a challenging goal and accomplish it though!  I didn't get the BEST time, or come in first place, but I crossed that finish line and I experienced a rush of emotion I have never felt before! I'm so glad I got to share in this experience with my twin sis and my dear friend peggy who is like a sis to me!  I can't forget my little man, Jaydan who was the first person to come up and hug me after my race.  He said, "mom I am so proud of you! You made it!"  Those words coming from my sweet 11 yr old son mean more to me, and have such a deeper meaning than he could ever know.  What would I do without that little guy!

 "Achievement...It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves." – Edmund Hillary

Michele and Peggy

Mom and Jaydan

Taking a quick detour during the race to take a pic with these hottie race car drivers!

Finished!!

Trae, Jaydan and Brody! Supporting their mommas!

This is what you do after a half marathon...lay on the couch and watch sports center with aunt Shelly.  I love my sweet little Ryah!!

These boys fished all day everyday right in Nicole's backyard!

I love this little girl so much!!

Let's not forget our friend, Mr. snake, who decided to show up IN Nicole's house! And the screams coming from two grown women no one should ever have to witness!

The small little moments...

Lately for me it seems like I have over looked the small little things in my life.  I have been pre-occupied with so much that I haven't taken any time to stop and smell the roses.  Some things that I may think are a big deal or that affect me, really are very trivial when I stop and think about it.  Life is too short and my children are growing too fast for me to not pay attention 100%.  Life's not the breath we take, but the moments that take our breath away...

The fight...

Today was an interesting day for me. I encountered something I have never had to deal with before...

  I heard the garage door open like I do everyday when Jaydan gets home from school.  Usually he calls out "hey mom, I'm home!"  Today I didn't hear him say anything.  I heard wheezing and a very faint..."Mom I'm having an asthma attack."  I ran downstairs to get Jaydan's inhaler out of my car and I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw his face.  His face and shirt were covered in blood.  I grabbed his inhaler and refrained from freaking out!!  I didn't even have to ask what happened.  Jaydan said "Mom, don't worry, I beat the crap out of the other guy!"  Ok what!!!???  You what!!???  

Well, turns out a group of 6th graders have been harassing him on his way home from school everyday.  We've always taught him to never start a fight, but if he had to defend himself that's ok.  He was defending himself.  

Nothing can prepare a mom to see her little boy with a bloody face and him all shooken up.  I think I handled it well.  I was very calm and told him I wasn't mad that he defended himself.  He is so sweet...he kept telling me he was fine and to not worry.  He went to take a bath and clean up then I went to my room and cried for a minute :)

I just realized that I wish I could protect my kids from the world! 

 That's impossible, but I wish I could...

 I wish I could keep them this little forever...

 

Silly Newman's

I posted this on FB a while back, but some of my family and friends who don't have a FB requested I post it on my blog...OK here you go!!

My kids and I on a very boring weeknight deciding we needed to have some fun!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OWNjdKpQgw&feature=player_embedded

Early Christmas!!!

Well, since the kids are going to be in Cancun, Mexico for Christmas with their dad this year, we had our own little Christmas early!! My kids are so hilarious and it is so cute how grateful they are for such little things sometimes! I am a very blessed mommy!
These videos are SURE to put you in the Xmas spirit!

 

 

Santa Message

This is the cutest thing ever!!
 
http://www.portablenorthpole.tv/watch/guest/1cpn6eLb99EWZDkg45PTOg

http://www.portablenorthpole.tv/watch/55CQLvBktsFLUoakprb-ww

Don't mess with momma bear...

So, have you ever had anybody say something to one of your kids and you just lose it!?  For the most part, I don't mind if another adult corrects my child or maybe even reprimands them.  I think it's good for them sometimes.  On the other hand, sometimes a stranger will say something and I lose it! This happened at the bowling alley the other day.  Some stranger, said something really rude to one of my kids and I lost it sista!! The purse came off the shoulder, the hands started waving around and my mouth went south. I'm only human. 

Someone please tell me I'm not the only one who turns into a bear protecting her cubs when they are crossed!!!

Other than momma bear going on a rampage, life is good!  It's funny because I have my very lonely days where being a mom and working is overwhelming and I want to throw my hands up and say "No More!" "I Surrender!" "I Give Up!" I'm Not Strong Enough to do This!"
Then I have my days where I say "I'm a Super Hero!" "I Can Do Anything!" "Bring it On World!"

Ups and downs, ups and downs, I guess that is what life is all about isn't it.  I can honestly say that the struggles I have been through over the past couple years have made me a stronger, better person.  Over the past year, I have found happiness through my accomplishments and independence as a person and a mother.  I have done things I didn't think I was capable of.  It's such a great feeling!
NOW...if only I could find someone to share this happiness with...life would be complete.  I know, I know, Patience is a Virtue...blah blah blah :)

Cassidy's Christmas performance