10 years. One Decade.

You know how the story goes. Boy meets girl. Boy woos girl. Boy and girl get married. They build a house. They have 6 kids (with TWINS!) Oh wait; that's us!

Today marks 10 years since the mister and I said "I do". We still like to chuckle about how it all began. We affectionately call it the "sympathy date of 2000". I don't think either of us thought it would lead to a life full of kids, laughter, a few arguments and an all around good time. We really are the perfect pair. He is the calm to my storm. I am the loud mouth to his quiet. We are certainly the perfect pair. 

Happy Anniversary to my main man. Here's to 50+ more! We got this!

Why do YOU Run?

I run almost every day. It makes me feel good. Keeps me healthy. Running lets me eat those treats that I just can't seem to resist.  ;)

But today is an even better running day. It's National Running Day!

It sort of made it perfect to reflect on why I run. So why do I run?

There's the obvious...

But there is also the not so obvious. In January a mom of 3 in Virginia was killed on her morning training run by a suspected drunk driver. Right before my first 10K race I came across the story and learned of Meg Menzies and #megsmiles and I ran those miles that day for her. Then there was Jaime Rowley - a mom with 2 daughters that was killed on her run. Then there are the runners with injuries. The runners that for whatever reason they can't run today, tomorrow or maybe ever. There's the causes that need a voice.

There are days that I set out to run and I might not feel like it. It might be too hot. It might be too cold. I might be too sore. I might be too tired. I might be too busy. But instead of putting my shoes away I lace them up and go. I run for #megsmiles and her family, #runforjaime and her girls and run for each and every person that can't. Some days my miles might not amount to much, other days they are beyond what I set out to do. But there isn't a day that I set out that I have an excuse that is good enough to not do it. I mean really - I have SIX kids and there's a set of baby twins in the mix! If anyone can make excuses it's me, but I don't. I lead by example. I practice what I preach.

Runners are a unique breed of people. We may not know each other or ever meet in real life - but we are all friends. Friends connected by the pounding of our feet on the pavement. And the drip of sweat from our brow. We know the pains and gains that come with running. It's not always easy, and it's not always fun. But it's always something we need to get done. Our days aren't complete until those miles are put in.

So take today and think about WHY you run. It might be as simple as I want to look good in a swim suit. It might be more profound or have a deeper meaning to you. It doesn't matter - find out why running makes you tick. Take the reason and use it. Use it to be a better runner. A better person. A better YOU.

See these people? This is why I run....

Happy 15 years!

Fifteen years. How has it been 15 years since I welcomed my first born daughter into this world?

You graced this world with your presence after just four hours of labor and were a perfect 6lb 2oz bundle of love. Many thought that I was too young to be a mother, and perhaps they were right. But we became a team, you and I.

We forged a bond that got us through the hardships of our early days together. We laughed and cried. You slept by me while I was up late studying. You came along with me to class and made the teachers smile.

You welcomed Matt into your life with an open heart and made him a dad. But you still made your Dad feel special and not replaced. That's a big accomplishment for a 2 year old. Over the years you made us all work as a team and we are better people because of it.

You've always been a girl that marches to the beat of your own drum. It both makes me proud and crazy! But that drive has already brought you far in your 15 years. Cantering horses and jumping them around an arena at just 8 years old; no fear. Nothing can stop you.

You are a lover of all things. Your friends and family are so very lucky to have your honesty, loyalty, love and laughter in their life. I'm not sure we'd laugh half as much in our house if you weren't the one making us.

Your world was turned upside down with the birth of your first sister. And you couldn't have been more excited! And then it was was thrown topsy-turvy when a total of 5 sisters filled our house.

As more sisters were added to your life, you became an even better biggest sister.  You are the one they look to for approval. The one that Haylie likes to bunk with on summer nights. The one that Delanie loves to go diving with. The one Aubrie likes to tormet with Spanish. The one that the twins go to for more and more snacks. You take it all in stride (usually) and they couldn't be more lucky to have you lead them.

You are brilliant. You are funny. You are beautiful. You are crazy. You are a leader. You are fun. You are ours and we wouldn't have it any other way.

Happy Birthday, McKenzie. May all of your dreams continue to come true.

Love - Mom

Happy Easter! Three times the fun!

We love the Holidays and every chance we can to make memories with our girls. With lots of family that means that 3 Easters for our team! Can't beat that.

Here are a few photos from our weekend of fun.

Hunting eggs at Papa & BooBoo's House

Averie was excited about that bag of candy!

Delanie is always the funny girl!

 

One more egg hunt to finish off the night. And yes, when you have 6 kids you color code eggs. :)

Emilie figured out to get the candy out of the eggs!

 Happy Easter, friends!

Did we catch a leprechaun?!?

Green. Gold. Lucky Charms. Traps. Sneaky Leprechauns.

All things St. Patrick's Day that the girls love. This year was no different and Aubrie really got into creating a lephrecaun trap to take to school with her. Both her and Delanie drew plans of how they wanted their traps to look. They gathered supplies and got started.

I have to say, they turned out pretty amazing. Check out Aubrie's creation!

Creating gold...we all know how much leprechauns love gold!

Making ladders so the leprechauns can climb to the top of the trap.

The finished project!

And a little "don't climb" sign. We all know that the leprechauns will do the opposite!

Even with this awesome trap, those leprechauns were still too sneaky for us. They got away again. Maybe we'll catch one next year!

Happy 7th Birthday, Aubrie!

Today is your birthday. Another year has gone by and you have aged by 365 days. You are a whole 7 years old. When did that happen? When did you become so big? When did 7 become such a big number when it comes to age? 7 is teetering on the edge of thinking mom is the most awesome person ever, to thinking that mom is the most embarrassing person ever. Right now you think I am pretty awesome, and for that I am grateful.

Seven years ago I was 42 weeks pregnant (you will hear when you are older that this 2 weeks longer than "normal", but don't pay mind to that). I knew all along that you would come in your time, when you were ready. I had a feeling you would be the daughter that danced to the beat of her own drum, and boy have I been right.

When you were born I had dreams of what it would be like to raise you and I can say that my dreams are coming true. I dreamed of a daughter that was smart and silly. Fun and crazy. I dreamed of a daughter that would try new things and accept challenges with open arms. And you have done that; look how amazing you are in your Dual Immersion school. I dreamed that you would be a leader and a teacher. And you are, your strong-willed personality has taught me to be patient in my parenting (at least I try to be). I dreamed of a daughter who would amaze me in ways I didn't think possible. And you do. You amaze me every day.

Over the past year you have grown and challenged me. You have embraced a second language with open arms. You have learned to make bracelets on the rainbow loom. You have learned to honor the Hispanic culture we call our own. You have learned to take one for the team and let Haylie be the rotten dinosaur egg. You are learning to fight fair and when to pick your battles. You are learning to love even when you don't like. These are all important things in life and it makes me proud to watch you embrace them.

Every day that I get to spend with you is a perfect day. You make me smile, laugh and make my days of being a mom great.  I hope that in 7 more years we will still be having just as much fun then as we are now. I hope you'll always think I'm awesome, because I know that I will always think you are awesome.

Happy Birthday to my awesome girl. You are the perfect numero tres in our family. Thank you for picking me to be your mom.

xo,
Mom

I Run For Me - My Running Story... So Far...

This post isn't about my kids, crafts or any of that jazz. It's actually all about me. Yea, self-absorbed much. ;) But stay with me. This is my running story. My story of how far I've come in a very short period of time. How even me..a mom with SIX kids...5 of them 8 & under...can find the time to be fit. 

It's my story to tell you that even if you don't think you can, don't think you have time. You can do it. Do it for you. Do it because it's for you. Do it because it makes you better. And a better you means a better person. And not only that, but you'll be setting a fantastic example for your kids. Being healthy isn't a fad, it's a lifestyle. Be the lifestyle.

I've always run. Not fast. Not often. But over the years I have run as part of my exercise routine. I can honestly say that I never really loved it. Didn't even really like it. But I tolerated it as a necessary evil.

Then I met a friend. She runs. She runs a lot. She runs fast. She seems to love it.

Then I had twins and ended up with 3 kids 2 & under. Then I ended up having 10 lbs of "I was pregnant with twins, and I'm am still nursing them" weight hanging on. So when the twins were just about 9 months old I made a decision to drop those extra pounds and get fit again. After two back to back pregnancies and twins that were still nursing I knew I would have to be smart about it and do it right. And I also had to find something to do that I could drag 3 little kiddies with me.

Enter...Running...

So I asked for a new double jogger and because my husband is pretty great, I had one by the end of the week. I started loading up the 3 littlest kids and hitting the pavement.

And this is what my training group typically looks like. That's a lot of kids! And a lot of weight to push on a stroller!

 (This time is recent - I was not running 9:43's at the beginning of my running journey.)

I wasn't very fast. I didn't go terribly far. But as time went on I went faster and went farther. I started to realize that I really did not only like running, but I loved it.  For the first time in my life I loved running. Who knew?!?

So back to my friend...She runs...a lot...and she races... She inspired me.

So I signed up for my first 5K for October in 2013, actually I signed up for 2. I had a goal of finishing them in 30 minutes or less. And guess what, I did!

Then I signed up for another 5K in December with a goal to do better than the before. And guess what, I did!

Then I did the Tink 10K in Disneyland this January. That would my true test. My goal was to complete the 6.2 miles in an hour or better - guess what?!? I did it and beat my goal with a time of 58:02!

 I started to realize that I'm pretty good at this running thing. I started training to be faster. To challenge myself I decided to sign up for a 5K or 10K for every month. And with those races I knew I needed a goal to challenge myself.

February challenge: Run the 5K with sub 9:00's. That would be first race to run that fast. And guess what, I did it!

The next challenge was to run my 8K in 45 minutes or better. But to make it even more intimidating...Remember my friend? The one that runs..a lot...and fast? She was running "with" me. I already made sure to tell her to NOT wait for me if I fell behind. But I have to say I hung in there pretty good for about 3 miles, then had to slow up a little. And I met my goal. In fact, I beat it!

Here are my stats - 408K style.

Age Place 53 out of 613 :

Time of 43:10.72 : Average Pace:

8:41/M

And my kid are even getting into it. They are participating the Kid Fun Runs at the races that have them. We're doing it as a family and that makes me happy.

My next race is in a week - another 10K. I have a goal to beat my Tink 10K time of 58:02. I'm still debating about what is logical, but I'm thinking of trying for sub 9:00's again. I did it for 5, I think I can add another mile. :) And I also signed up for 2 half marathons (summer and fall), always have to have a challenge, right?

People that ask about my running journey say "I'll never run that fast". Honestly I didnt' think I'd ever run 8:30's ever. Ever. Ever. Ever. But guess what, I can! I stuck with it, set goals and worked for it. It's an amazing feeling accomplishing goals. So set them and achieve them. You'll feel amazing too.

But it doesn't matter how fast you are. If you're out there, you're still faster and going farther than the person sitting on the couch.

So get out there and run or walk or ride a bike. Do what you want. Just do it. Take your kids. 

Do it for you. Do it because it's for you. Do it because it makes you better. And a better you means a better person. Just Run.