Ever felt this way?

SO BUSY

You already know I have been so busy this semester. I just told my neighbor that taking five classes was a huge mistake; I know I have mentioned it before, here, as well. She responded by saying, "you only do that once!" That's for sure. I know I will not do this again.

I think of so many different things everyday to blog about. Things that would make you laugh and cry. One  day, ( I know it's not a day of the week) I do plan to blog consistently! 

Here are a few things that have been happening lately. On another note, if you have never been to Europe and plan to one day, check out my cyber friend Jen's blog. She is making me quite jealous these days!

A great 12 miler in Nashville this morning. Lots of hills, but great preparation for the half in three weeks.

Marcus participating in the softball throw at the Special Olympics!

We spent several days with my brother and SIL in Mississippi. We had a great time, but this is the only picture I got with my good camera!

Girls...

Today, Grace made me chuckle.

I heard one of those commercials on the radio to come audition for some of the Director's that "might" have something to do with the Disney shows she watches. Such as Wizards of Waverly Place, Sweet Life of Zack and Cody, you get my point. I just knew she would want to do something like that and I have heard (and ignored) the commercial a million times over the last few years. After thinking some about what kind of parent I want to be and what I want to teach her, I told her if she wanted to go I would take her. It is only 20 minutes away anyhow.

I have thought a lot this year about parenting, as kids are at so many different levels of maturity and what they wear, how they act and what they do, even though they are all twelve! HA  The ones I am talking about are her friends. Grace wears makeup. I don't care, I even help her if it doesn't look right (whatever that is). For a while I contemplated not letting her wear any at all. Then I saw the other kids at her school. WOW. For some time I went back and forth but always go back to the battle thing. Is makeup a battle worth fighting over? For me? No. How you wear your makeup is a different story. Is it harming her? No. Does it affect the way others look at her? Maybe. Does it affect the way people look at me? Of course it does. Because that's the way I work and think. It all goes back to the parents. So, do I not let her wear it (and argue constantly and see, daily, most of the other girls her age wearing it) or do I give up worrying about what others think about ME? That is a hard issue, I know. Needless to say, Grace does wear makeup and I feel a little better about not saying no, again. I feel like I say no a lot, and I don't want to be that parent. There are certain issues I won't budge on, like lying about her age so she can have facebook, or getting her a cell phone when she does not need one. But...

And honestly I lost the whole point I was trying to make above, about the auditions. It's easy to say Grace will never be a famous singer or actor (more than likely). But I didn't want her one day to say it's because I wouldn't let her audition!

I asked her when she got home from school today if she wanted me to call and set up a time. She raised her eyebrows and said "no, not really. Just Beiber even says he wishes he wasn't famous because he'll never have a normal life again."

I was flabbergasted, but held my cool. When she walked away I raised my eyes and told God "thank you so much."

I did think it was funny though!

…the thoughts above about makeup are solely mine. MY OPINION…and again, we all know what they're  like, assholes, because we all have one!

And I totally respect if you agree or disagree!

I have definitely overcommitted with school. I am taking five classes and my family and home are getting the back burner. I have two more months left and won't be taking that many classes again, ever. I know it will all be worth it, but I won't get this time back with my family, and classes will always be there to take. I am going to limit to 3 at a time from now on. That will get me where I want to be…eventually.

We were able to get some time away from school and work last weekend. We took the kids to the Tennessee Aquarium. Grace says she wants to be a marine biologist, so she loves everything about the aquarium. Marcus, on the other hand, is pretty much only excited about the elevator at the hotel, and the escalator at the aquarium. It's quite comical. If I can ever get the video off of our camera from Disney, I have the funniest videos of Marcus wanting to leave the park to go back to the condo. He did not like Disney World and is probably the only kid I have ever known to be like that!

This one was taken through the glass but turned out pretty good.

I thought these were pretty. 

She has a feddish with sharks. She LOVES them. 

My first time eating here. Feta, artichokes, onions, and white sauce…yum!

Why yes, of course he's playing Angry Birds on my phone. 

Oh My….

I don't know what I was thinking taking five classes this semester. I have been so busy, it's insane. I have three papers due next week and so I decided to get out of town for a couple days this weekend! I tend to work better under pressure anyways, so what the heck.

I definitely think I am going to take a break this summer with only two classes. We shall see.

On another note. I am obsessed with this website. I have been begging for tools and to clear the garage out so I can begin my new business. Not really. But I do have dreams that I am going at it with a hammer and nails and building stuff like this for my house!

That shows you how much I know about building things. I suppose it would be more like a drill and screws.

My late Grandmother's crock. Marcus broke the lid the day after I took this picture. 

I cannot tell you how many times I have passed this by in the grocery store. I can honestly say it is not because of the Weight Watchers, but because of the three temporary crowns I have in my  mouth. One I just take out when I eat because it keeps falling out and my appt. isn't until Thursday. I am so done with all my teeth problems. 

Made a yummy side with my soup for lunch. No green because only the red, orange, and yellow peppers were on sale! HA!

What are you doing?

This morning was so cold. It was 36 degrees. I know some of you are laughing at me right now. "HA HA, only 36 degrees? You are lucky." I know some of you are thinking that, Jen on the Edge!

While I am not sure what the wind chill was, it was very windy and of course, that made it feel a lot colder.

We had an eight mile run with our Team in Training group. I can honestly say I would not have run eight miles, outside, this morning without this group. They keep me accountable and keep the encouragement coming.

I had a great time. I know while I am running, I am thinking how bad it sucks, and I just want it to be over. But, I love the feeling of what I've accomplished after I am done and get back to my car! I am starting to feel it is almost sinful to not take care of my body when I am totally capable of doing so. I am not saying everybody has to run. I am saying I hope you are all doing something to exercise your body.

I was reminded a couple of months ago, after several months of treatments for my voice, that if you don't use  something God gives you, He may take it away.

I certainly don't want to take for granted the things my body is capable of accomplishing.

In my future I see a mini-triathalon. What do you see in your future to stretch your mind and body?

PS> Kellie (sis) and Aunna (SIL), having a baby counts too. I guess.

HA