running around

quite literally.

jake took this really cheesy picture of me before my run on saturday.  he said i looked "official" so i posed accordingly.

i've been missing the internet dearly the last few days but the absence is for the good of this family. 

for the last four days (and counting), i have become like my mom yet again.  i say like only because i could never match the standard of cleaning skills that she possesses.  i never appreciated the clean walls in our home or the dust free surfaces growing up but as i sat on the couch last night and realized nothing looked different after eight hours in that room, i appreciated her and hope that one day, someone will appreciate me too! 

that's right, all i want is a pat on the back for scrubbing walls, windows, and blinds with such vigor that the need to paint has become even more apparent.  i've scrubbed behind all of the appliances and every piece of furniture i can move by myself.  brooklyn helped me dust the leaves on the plants, vacuumed the baseboards and she polished the banister, kitchen table and all of the cabinets she could reach.  i sent this picture to my mom hoping to spark some memories of all those years she made me spend hours wiping one leaf at a time.  her response via text message was squirt it down with a hose, it's easier.  oh, really????  how long have you known this?  and then she called me a "slave driver."

you could eat lunch behind my washer and dryer if you wanted to ... it's that clean.  i have been through every closet and every dresser drawer filling our garage back up with bins of clothes that no longer fit.  man, it feels good!  i have one more day of spring cleaning left in me -my bedroom-, i'm exhausted and already feel like i need to start all over again.  it seems like the more i clean, the more i notice needs to be cleaned.  sucky. oh. did i mention we really need to paint.  i think it's been at least nine years. gross.  another day.

the blogs have been neglected but i've stuck to my running schedule like a champ.  i even ran seven miles in what i'm sure were record high winds on saturday (dramatic) with new running shoes that made my left foot go numb around mile four (they were later returned).  yesterday i had to log six miles on the treadmill which it torture and this weekend i'm ready for twelve miles.  keeping my fingers crossed for good weather and thanking my body for holding up through all of the pounding.  i can honestly say i have learned to love running though i won't be growing my armpit or leg hair out anytime soon.

i've survived almost three weeks of the kids being off track from school without complaining.  i'm ready for them to go back, i am not ashamed to admit it either.  they're driving me crazy with their constant arguing and comparing.  a bunch of know-it-alls who know nothing.  they feed off of each other, they're wild and crazy and often i dare say "out of control" ... oh the noise ... someone save me.  it's apparent that i'm a fan of children ages three and younger. they're so much easier!  the weather hasn't helped either.  being cooped up for this long will make anyone crazy.

we've spent a couple of nights a week watching cayden wrestle (or not).  he's not into it this year.  he really doesn't like it and is convinced that baseball or basketball will be easier.  i told him he couldn't quit until he's thirteen.  he's looking forward to that day.  i refuse to let him give up just because something feels unpleasant. we're convinced he's just lazy and doesn't realize that other sports require just as much effort.  poor jake.  he tries really hard to be patient but cayden is his own person, someone we both have a difficulty relating to at times.  i don't remember being so whiny and unwilling to try things.  he's perfectly content playing video games non stop.

last night we went up to brighton (our alma mater) for a meet that we later learned is actually happening next tuesday.  when we got there, jake's old wrestling coach was holding a practice for their little league and they invited cayden to join.  obviously jake loved being back in his old wrestling room.  a few of his high school teammates were there helping and they made it so fun for the kids.  at the end of practice they held an awards ceremony.  i was so confused.  awards for what?  jake said "because they practiced."  i guess that's how is old coach does things.  he gets these boys really excited about the sport and when they were all done, he set them on the stairs for a photo and then held a drawing for all of the junk food you see pictured.  i said so you work them out and then fill them full of sugar?  cayden was in heaven and then around nine last night he said "my stomach hurts."  of course it does.  you ate a twinkie.  then i proceeded to explain the thing about twinkies. mean mom. 

now jake is convinced that cayden should wrestle for brighton next year.  i'm not so sure.  it's a good 35 minute drive from our house but then again, i'm not the one taking him and if it gets him more excited about it then i'm all for it.

oh, and just for fun.  here's my other cute little guy getting ready to watch his brother wrestle (or not).

on to other news, our weekend is going to be exciting.  the irs has sent us a check that will allow for some much needed shopping.  fun things like baseball gear, floor rugs, toothbrushes and maybe even a new towel or two.  i love to shop, even if it is just for toilet paper,  it makes me feel good.

anyway, check back later for my nutritious dish posts.  i'll be sharing what i've proclaimed as a mastered recipe for healthy banana nut muffins and sarah c.'s asian beef with coconut rice which happens to be the #1 favorite meal in this house (besides pizza but i'm out numbered).