Summing it Up

I've been reflecting today on the past year of my life...a lot has changed
to sum it up:

• Became an AUNT ( love ya Dominic)
  
• Moved out of my family home into the PENTHOUSE apartment! ( or castle take your pick)
• Became independent
• Started waking up at the crack of dawn to workout ( my one year 5:00 am wake-up call was 8-13-08)
  
• changed my eating habits
• lost 50lbs ( the ever shrinking Emily)
  
• became a runner ( in the middle of a MI winter)
  
• which along with the above includes : a posse of new friends, 3-5k's, 1-25k, long runs, speed workouts and hundreds of other miles logged in rain, snow, sleet and sun! just like the postman :-)
  
• traveled to FL, CA, MA ( see below)
  
• added another child to my "kiddo's" the grand total= 3 boys under the age of 4!
• walked in a Relay for Life
• 
  

What I've learned over the course of this past year, in no particular order.

• Nephews are fun to spoil and send home
• Ben Franklin was right on with his saying "Early to bed, Early to Rise"
• Shopping is a lot more fun when things fit
• Winter running is better then Summer running and so far I like spring the best.
• How to speak up for myself
• How to venture outside of my normal social circle
  
• I love having a sister-in-law, especially since she goes home and I don't have to share clothes or a bathroom with her
• I love to decorate
• experience how the other half lives
• not to walk in between houses during thunderstorms, just a little too romantic ;-)
  
• TEXT messaging can be evil ;-)
• I can take the city bus w/ three children under the age of 4
• Not only is it possible for me to live one female roommate but now I've discovered I can handle two ( hey if you grew up with all brothers you'd understand)
• Never trust a teenager, who's just hit you, when she says she called the cops
• I don't want to be a nanny for the rest of my life :-) even though I love my kiddo's to pieces!
• How to potty train a 4 year old in a week! ( can't wait until it's the 2 year old's turn, can I hire someone when I'm a mom?)
• T.V. is overrated
• How to say "NO"
  
• I love to SPEND time relaxing with my family, at least once a week!
• I want to live in a big city, a small mountainside town and travel a lot more!
• How to enjoy being single, even when things don't go my way :-(
  

Ok, I'll stop there maybe someday I'll go into more detail about my personal growth. So there you have it...those of you who know me very well I'm sure have seen some of the changes that have taken place in my life, thank you for being there for me. Through all the talks about food, a certain young man, freaking out about a running injury or just when I needed to be a grump I truly am grateful to have you in my life!

The wheels on the bus

Have you ever ridden the bus? Walked instead of driven?

Yesterday my three little indians and I decided to try a new method of transportation. So, after loading up the diaper backpack, strapping on the front carrier we headed out to RIDE THE RAPID. It was quite the caravan parading down the street. With a backpack on my back, a 13lb infant in the front pack and pushing a stroller with two little boys, whose legs were hanging over the sides. The best part of the whole trip was seeing the experience through a 4 and 2 year olds eyes. Matthew's eyes roaming all around taking in the sights, while Ryan just sat there with lips slightly open and eyes wide as saucers. We made it to downtown and back, the only excitement being that of taking our first bus ride together!

What a day, my new goal is to try something new at least once a week! What better way to add spice to your life then to try something new :-)

cloudy with a chance of tears

Words have a way of haunting our brain. Whether spoken aloud, written by hand or typed. After the sound of a spoken word has faded, the letter has been thrown away or the delete key been pressed, they still linger, haunting us.

Recently, words have been spoken to me that even after the delete key has been punched, I cannot seem to erase.

These are not words of hate or sadly love.

I am not flattered over the thoughts that are behind these words or am I ? No, after the shock fades and reality sets in, I am in disbelief, am hurt and oddly enough feel guilty.

my forecast: cloudy with a chance of tears