Heather's Happiness

09 June 2010

Hello Wednesday. I love you.

Today is Wednesday. Summer Daycare Day. And, it might be my favorite day of the week. Don't get my wrong, I love summer because I get to be a full-time mommy for several months and run around with my kids - the park, playdates, the library and kiddo activities. But, as I settle into this new routine for summer, I have quickly realized that I am completely overwhelmed with being a stay at home mom to a 1 year old and an almost 4 year old. It can be exhausting and lonely and frustrating (after Olivia's 10th trip to time out). Plus, the selfish part of me misses my work buddies and my students and the regular routine of my life.

**I feel like I must take a quick moment to tell my SAHM friends - You are my heroes!**

This morning I was looking forward to a break and I anxiously anticipated the day and what I would do with no one to care for or feed or discipline. After I dropped off the kids at 7:00 am, I enjoyed... a run and a lift at the gym ~ pilates ~ reading/ sunbathing in the backyard ~ a shower (with NO interruptions!) ~ painting my toe nails ~ watching a movie. And, by about 1:00 pm, I missed Olivia and Andrew so much! What to do? What to do until 4:30 pm?

So, while I will thoroughly enjoy my Wednesdays and a little bit of "me" time, all the other days of the week are pretty darn fantastic because my days with Andrew and Olivia are also rewarding and fun and hilarious. Full of exploring and adventures and love. I adore you, Andrew and Olivia! And, I missed you today!

08 June 2010

In our backyard....

Purple clematis

Pink peonies

The need for dead-heading. Every. Single. Day. Seriously, I just dead-headed yesterday. I don't mind, but every day. It truly is the never ending chore. Ugh! On a positive note, it always brings beautiful new blooms.

And, a late spring snow storm? Actually, it's cotton from our neighbor's tree. It is everywhere!

07 June 2010

.pals.

.playful.

.picnicing.

.park.

.simply perfect.

06 June 2010

Page. Turner.

Suspenseful. Intriguing. Disturbing.

And, I absolutely could not put it down.

I finished it this morning and this afternoon I went to Target and bought the second book in the Millennium Trilogy series, The Girl Who Played with Fire. Hopefully, tonight I will begin my second read of the summer.

Thanks for the recommendation, Jen! And, I hope my Book Club girls are just as captivated. Can't wait to discuss it on the 18th! xoxox

05 June 2010

Kitty Cuddles

He doesn't like... What!?!

Ice Cream

Playing outside in the baby pool

Our little man is starting to form some opinions about things. Ice cream and the baby pool don't seem to be on his list of favorite things. He'll learn! And, to clarify, he did finally come around and decided the neither were really too bad once he gave them a chance. But, his initial reaction was very unhappy!

04 June 2010

Summer!

It's officially summer vacation! Time to play, relax and hang out with my two precious munchies!

And, of course, dance and sing!

(Olivia has Beiber Fever.
Here she is rocking out to Justin who was on the Today show this morning.)

02 June 2010

Running

I want to be a runner. To throw on my tennis shoes, jog out the front door and run like the wind. To enjoy every step and my beautiful surroundings and thank God that I am alive. But, alas, it is just not quite that easy. Each time I run, and I use that term loosely as jog would be the more appropriate term, I start with good intentions, but in no time at all, my breaths become shallow and labored. And, all that is running (no pun intended) through my mind is - At what point is it reasonable for me to begin to walk? It doesn't matter whether I'm outside or on the treadmill. It is hard. It hurts. And, I have to force myself to keep going.

I have a wonderful support system. My hubby agreed to let me get "real" running shoes from the Boulder Running Company, where I learned that I overpronate and I purchased a cute pair of pink Asics and a good running bra. My Sena took me to the BRC, helped me with a training program and finds to time to run with me after school and on the weekends. My friend, Sara, bought me the motivating and encouraging book Run Like a Mother and made me two running CDs - Run Fast I and Run Fast II. My friends, Karen and Tara, are also runners and we have shared stories and running mixes and encouraged each other.

So, because of their love and support and because I really want to be healthy and fit, I try again and again and again. I'm thinking that one day it will get easier. That my lungs won't fail me and I'll be able to sustain longer and longer runs. And, I hold on to the feeling that overtakes me when each run in completed - sheer bliss and relief, but also accomplished and strong! Another great motivator for my next run!

Thank you, my Sena, for logging another 3.5 miles with me around McIntosh Lake today. And, for letting me choose when we get to walk, but also pushing me by choosing when we start running again. I'm looking forward to more summer runs, but we'll have to make them early morning runs. You know how me and the heat don't agree, but that's another whole story!

01 June 2010

Breaking the Rules

This blog has become a source of stress for me and I think about updating it daily. But, as time continues to tick away and days turn into weeks and then into months, I feel so far behind that I don't know how to catch up. Other life priorities creep in and this blog, once again, moves to the back burner. Ironically, I check other blogs practically on a daily basis and I often find myself jealous of those who diligently update with stories, pictures, life's joys and challenges. And, then I am sad that I have not maintained my own blog. I want to blog. To share my life, my loves, my thoughts with those who love me and my family.

To complicate my stress, when I created this blog, I also created rules. Unspoken rules. Rules that I expected myself to follow. While it sounds silly, I sometimes found myself unable to post because I might be breaking a rule. I won't bore you with all of the details, but some of the rules include... All posts must include Olivia (now Andrew and Olivia). Posts must be in chronological order. Posts must always include a picture (I have broken this rule on occasion). Important life events and really any cute pictures on the camera must be posted, and never skipped. This list of rules, only written in my mind and enforceable by me, has paralyzed me. I know, I know. I'm being overly dramatic.

But, now, I'm choosing to break the rules. To make this blog about my life. My husband. My children. My friends. And, really, whatever I want to post about. So this blog is evolving, changing and growing. Thank you for allowing me to move forward on a new blog journey.

PS - The rule follower in me has updated backwards through December 2009!