Hoping for a little more of this tomorrow.

Quick weekly update: 100% spelling test scores for both kids, lot of reading, daily basketball practice for Nojah (dad's coaching), Both Tob and I have been working all week and seeing each other briefly at dinner. Snowboarding every Sunday for the past 5 weeks and loving it, a husband in Seattle for the weekend to visit his dad in the hospital as well as spend some time with one of his best friends he hasn't seen in a few years, and he left behind one puking child, one healthy child, and a large fluffy naughty under exercised beast (the dog) for me to care for. Life is good and as long as Nojah or I don't start throwing up life will be even better tomorrow as we are enjoying all the new powder up at Anthony Lakes. Keep your fingers crossed for good health and happy mommy's and children!!

Born to Run

First of all I want to say that I do not believe everything I read, but I just read a book that I have to say changed how I look at running. I started running regularly again on January 20th and just finished this book last week. I have to say I feel great and I actually truly LOVE to run now. It's not just something I have to do to train for triathlons, or other races, or to lose weight, stay toned, or just keep in shape, but because I want to. I literally run errands in town and for more peace and serenity over local hillsides with much less effort and discomfort then before and all just because of a few changes. I have changed my posture when I run, the reason I run, the speed I run, and pretty much my whole outlook on running. This book is beyond amazing and quite frankly just makes sense.

If the Tarahumara people in the canyons of Mexico are running hundreds of miles in these without injuries, why are we buying the most expensive, the most cushioned, with the best arch support, yadee yada yada running shoes and continuing to get injured? Well, I have a good idea and you will too if you read the book. It's fascinating, whether you are a runner, family member of a runner, wanna be runner, or just a reader. I think you're going to like it.

I haven't ran much in the past year and a half to two years due to excuse, after excuse, after injury, etc, etc. Yes you may all think of me as a runner, but it's never been my strong point and I have never been consistent. After changing how I look at running, reducing my speed, changing my posture, and adjusting my attitude I love love love it and what's even sicker is I love to run hills. Today Tob and I ran up a back road uphill through some pastures and over 3 or 4 fences to one of our favorite trails, we came down the trail down to the highway on the other side of town and ran it in, stopping to visit with one guy who thought our dog was beautiful, who ended up knowing Tob's grandparents and family, then seeing another friend, chit chatting along the way as well as quick hugs to our kids who were out for recess on our way past the school. The best part is I haven't felt a twinge of pain (I adjust my posture or slow down if I do) and I am running in my old beat up trail runners I thought were shot. Running is cheap, and a great time to catch up with friends and family, stay in shape or to get somewhere. So go to your local library pick up a copy and let me know what you think about it. Thank you Kiley for the recommendation. This book is definitely on my top 10 list!

"You don't stop running because you get old, you get old because you stop running"
Chris McDougall

Daddy's Girl

Today I want to wish one of the most important men in my life a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Today my Dad turns 61 and I want to share just a few of the reasons he is so special to me.....

When I was a baby I fell asleep easily to the sound of his heartbeat, so I am told. Now I love lying my head on my husbands chest and listening to his heart beat. I am sure that is where it stemmed from. My dad has never liked it when I am not happy and always trys to make it better, with jokes, hugs and smiles making it impossible to stay angry. Even though he is a pushover he commands respect in a gentle way. He has always spent one on one time with both Shaun and I and always showed us how important we are to him. I don't want to forget to mention all the times he has bailed me out of "situations" time and time again. Flat tires, locked cars, coming and picking me up an hour out of town when i was stranded. He has always been there when I need him, and still is to this day :-)

He walked me down the isle on my wedding day with tears in his eyes. Maybe those tears were out of excitement that Toby was taking me off his hands or maybe it was because his little girl was growing up and getting married or maybe a little bit of both :-)

He loves his grand kids and enjoys the time he spends with them.

He is impossible to get a picture of 92.8% of the time, stuffing hats, remotes, hands or other random objects in front of his face.

He loves, respects, and appreciates my mom and shows her in many ways. He is an amazing example of what a father and husband should be.

I love this man with all my heart and I am and always will be a daddy's girl!
Happy Birthday young man!


Another special February 6th birthday.......
When I met my biological mom, Karen, I found out that she shares a birthday with my dad. So I would like to wish her a very happy 50th birthday today! Without her generous gift to my parents and myself I wouldn't have my dad :-) We love you Karen and hope you have had a memorable birthday at the coast.

Staying close to home

Since Nojah and I got back from Bangladesh we have been trying to stay as close to home as possible. I mean if this is what you saw everyday wouldn't you stay home too? Besides work and school there are a few other things we have been up too, and sorry but blogging clearly hasn't been one of them.

Exploring our local library. The kids have borrowed books in the past and use their school library all the time of course, but I have a bad habit of buying books instead of utilizing one of our greatest resources, THE LIBRARY. I have already borrowed 3 this past week and read 2 of them. So besides loitering there, you will find me wrapped up in my PJ's under a fuzzy warm blanket and a hot cup of coffee enjoying a good book.

Running! I can't get enough of it right now. It makes me happy. The snow has finally melted off and I am able to get in a few trail runs behind the house. In fact it made me so happy that I ran twice yesterday. The views were so beautiful that after I got home I waited for Tob to get home and an hour later joined him on a run up the hill behind our house again just for the views and to get some pictures and logging 9.66 miles for the day.

Beautiful country bike rides with the family. However after a minor frostbite issue with my toes, there will not be any "family" rides under 45 degree's anymore, regardless if the sun is shining or not :-)

Snowboarding and Skiing! It's a long drive for us, but worth it with the free 5th and 6th grade program offered by Anthony Lakes. The kids have gotten to spend time with friends and family and are really finally getting it after starting when they were toddlers. Our goal is to get them up there 6 weeks in a row. If they keep the program alive, then for the next 4 years we will have one free kid and $15 adult tickets every Sunday for 8 weeks of the year. SWEET deal! Otherwise we are too cheap to go at $35 per adult and $21 per child, gas, and lessons if needed.

Anyway, there you have it, the Chamberlain's winter life in a nutshell. Oh ya, there's been a lot of cooking around this joint as well with homemade hummus, flat bread, just good old fashion bread, guacamole, granola, and granola bars, muffins, soups, etc. Today I will be cooking my first London Broil, some more granola bars, and whipping up some big soft pretzels for an after school snack :-) Now that I have blogged I have a date with the couch and a book!