Sick on the 1st

Yesterday Colt was sick as a dog. It was really quite sad. He just laid around with his blanket, bunny, and pacifier ALL day. Quite a change from his normally high-energy self. No jumping off the couch, climbing in the plant window, running around outside or chasing the dog. For me, the day proved to be very productive.

Not having to play, entertain or even feed Colt (he did have a bowl of applesauce at one point), left me with much time to get things done around the house. I got my external hard drive organized since our friend Shiva recently transferred all the data from my old computer to it. I created a recipe book from a binder and tabs to store all the recipes that I tear out of magazines, since they were staking up on me!

I also cleaned out our pantry and reorganized it. I'm doing the 28-day Real Food Challenge on the blog Nourished Kitchen, and day one called for cleaning out all of the processed foods from my pantry/fridge. So, I took the plunge. To our potential guests: Never fear, I did hang on to the few processed foods that we have, to use for when you visit or for when I make items for church potlucks, or just to do art projects with! Anyway, the day was a productive one, despite Colt being sick. And don't worry, I took a lot of time to just cuddle up with my little boy by the fire. Can't let those moments get away!

January fun

We've just been playing, playing, playing this month. We actually had several sunny, warm days which allowed us to play outside frequently.

Colt has enjoyed pushing Levi around the yard, but sometimes gets upset when Levi doesn't return the favor.

Also, our neighbors got a new dog, so both of my boys LOVE to stand at the gate and play with Scooby Doo.

Here's a sweet moment during a recent bath time.

And, here's a not-so-sweet moment. Actually, Levi doesn't seem to mind water in his face. He just laughs it off.

Lastly, I babysat Adelaide and her brother, Abe last week for a bit. Adelaide insisted on playing Sleeping Beauty. It cracked me up since Colt probably doesn't even know who Sleeping Beauty is, let alone any princesses! Adelaide was adamant that Colt join her in being a Sleeping Beauty, so he humored her for a while... before they changed games and started a pillow fight.

In other news... I've gone a full month without sugar!! Just 2 more weeks to go till my 6 week goal. I then plan to have one month where I can have sugar and sugar products (think cakes, cookies, brownies, ice cream, hot chocolate... all the good stuff I've been saying no to since my New Year's Resolution took effect). I'll be in hog heaven.

Also, I've been training for the Austin Marathon for the past 6 months. Good thing, since I enjoy eating all that sugar! Just 2 weeks to go until race day. I feel strong and prepared and am excited to complete my first marathon. Ty has been awesome and has watched our kids faithfully every Saturday for the past 6 months so I can go running with my training group. He bought a treadmill for me to train on while the kids are napping. And, he usually has a hot breakfast made for me when I come home from my long runs! Thanks so much, sweetheart!

Dinner tonight

After dinner, as I was putting Levi to bed, Colt decided to flush some plastic balls down the toilet. Ah, the fun of age 2 and a half!

New Year's Resolution

5 Days down! 5 weeks, 2 days to go. My new years resolution this year is to give up sugar until my marathon on Feb 14th. I am trying to be reasonable by not setting my time frame for an entire year. Gotta start small-ish. I've done great for 5 days now. Hopefully the hardest part is over, but I guess we'll see. I've been using stevia in my morning tea, but that's about it!

Anyway, I ran across this video that gives me a renewed desire to keep with my goal. Warning: don't watch with a full stomach.

Here's to you striving to reach your New Year's goal(s)!

They don't come any cuter than this...

Thanksgiving 09

This year my mom invited us to have Thanksgiving in Tulsa, which was an offer we couldn't refuse. So we loaded up our car and made the LONG trek! All I gotta say is thank God for DVD players and sisters who agree to go along for the ride. We had a great time. My grandparents used to live in Tulsa, and all I remember of it as a kid is that it was so ugly. This time, however, it was beautiful with all the leaves changing colors. Glad I had an opportunity to change my mind about this town :) And Thanks Mom for hosting us!

Levi had a blast pulling down ALL of the books off my mom's bookshelf in her living room. He did this about a million times. No joke :)

Andrew, Alethea, my mom and me

My mom moved to Tulsa mainly to assist her 94-year-old aunt (left). Aunt Madaline took us to Luby's, which ironically is Ty's favorite restaurant. Yes, we ate at 4:45.

My mom lives in this cool complex that has riding trails, a garden for residents to grow their own plants/food, and, of course, a tree with a face on it.

Andrew and Amy. Aren't they cute?!

Ty's great uncle, Bill, also lives in Tulsa, so we took an afternoon to visit with him. He loved Levi! What's not to love?

On the way to and from Tulsa, we stopped in Ft. Worth to stretch our legs at my grandparent's house. Here we are with my grandad. He's been in poor health recently, but I think it lifted his spirits to see Colt and Levi for a bit. He's also a UT Longhorn fan (can't you tell from his burnt orange sheets?).

Well, that about wraps up our Thanksgiving adventures. We had a great time with family and are very thankful for all of the blessings that have been showered over us this year.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17

Toddler Time

Took some fun pictures of Colt recently. Thought the blue hat was kinda fun.

Also, I walked into Colt's room during nap time the other day, and found him asleep reading a book in his rocker. Sometimes reading is hard work!