Running the River

Me being a fairly intense, serious person can sometimes be more for me, much less my family, to take.  When that happens, David graciously offers to watch DM or do whatever it is that I need done so I can run.  (IE:  Refocus!)  I am not a very good runner.  Running no longer keeps extra weight at bay for me.  My running doesn't use my long legs to my benefit. (My stride is laughable!)  I could really use to go to running school.  

But none of this matters.  I am able to take time for me, talk to God (when I know I should be listening) and watch the beautiful world go by! 

Running is made all the better when I can find a new path, and a few weeks ago, I did just that!

This is my latest running path:

In all the beauty and peace, I can't overlook this new construction coming up on the river.  I am in awe of it.  You don't "just" build on the river anymore.  There is a lot of red tape, etc.  The house looks just my size, too, as I am not one for anything too big.  The same contractors have been working on it the past few times I've run by.  Thinking about stopping in for a tour (and to see if it is for sale for a hearty bargain)!



Happy Birthday, Tahoe!

 

Because Tahoe is a leap year baby, he didn't technically have a birthday, but I couldn't pass up a chance to make yet another attempt to get him to look happy in a birthday hat!

 

 Once the Pawty was over and he got his ice cream and present (and hat off), he was much, much happier!

Happy #9 to our faithful bug!

Avoiding A Big Girl Room!

What do you do when you refuse to acknowledge how big your little angel is getting?  You buy her a thrifty little twin bed, thereby putting off a "big girl" room for another year! 

If you know me, you know that I think twin beds should be reserved solely for criminals, which little DM is of course, not!  However, I just couldn't stomach transitioning her nursery  to something more mature so here is our band aid for the situation until she turns 4!

 

Dentist!

Big girl went to the dentist today!  She had the full exam, including x-rays, and was AMAZING the entire time!  Let's just say the pediatric dentist's office has changed since I was young, or maybe we visited a really swanky one today?  She picked up so much swag - stuffed monkey, stickers, all kinds of teeth cleaning loot! 

The waiting room was full of entertainment - fish in an aquarium, toys and a mini-movie theater!  Her chair had its own tv monitor, and there was so much to watch during the exam!  Now this is our first experience with pediatric dentistry in modern times, but wow!  Not usually a fan of so many distractions but there are some times (like going to the dentist) when the distractions make the whole situation more tolerable! 

So proud!



Happy 3rd Birthday, Love!

Like every parent says about their children, we can't believe our sweet DM is 3! It seems like just yesterday she was born! She is in such a sweet season of life.

I never knew I could learn so much from such a little, but full spirit. There is no holding back when you are 3! Every moment is lived to the fullest! Some of the latest ways she embraces life  and makes us laugh include:

1. She'll embrace a sweet treat. As in devour it long after her friends have moved on!
2. Her favorite foods aren't just good! They're delicious!
3. She'll nearly always cheer for a runner or biker that we pass! (Okay, that one took some training, but I love hearing her being encouraging!)
4.  Given that I didn't care too much for books in my early years, I am thrilled that she gets excited about new books!
5.  DM and Tahoe have always had a bit of a rockier relationship than I envisioned.  Really, he is terrified of her, which has made for many fast scrambles on Tahoe's part in the past couple years.  However, this relationship seems to be improving as DM is ever so slowly becoming more gentle with him.
6.  She will belt out "Jesus Loves You" and many other songs without a fear of embarrassing herself or offending anyone!
7.  Sometimes she is all girl with carrying her "purse" and putting on her "lip gloss" (chap stick) before getting out of the car.  Other times, not so girly!  This kiddo refuses to wear hair bows as of late!

 

Of course we celebrated turning 3 all week long! 

We had a birthday playdate with our MP friends!

 

 

 DM was the special helper for the day at school!

We got to have our own cart at Trader Joes!
(Something I avoid like the plague on our typical weekend visits!)

 

 

And followed up Trader Joes with Chick-fil-A  and cupcakes for birthday dinner!
(Birthday girl's choice!)

 

 

We continued our week with a party at MP with our class!

 

We wrapped up the week with Mimi, PawPaw and the Birthday Bear!

 

Next up, Tahoe's birthday!



Valentines Love

I think February brings more opportunities for complete chaos to our house than Christmas!  We have multiple family birthdays, Valentines Day, Mardi Gras, Lent and the list goes on and one. 

 

Here are some of the highlights of the first couple of weeks of the month:

Making cookies with neighbors!

 

 

Valentines with school friends!

Family pizza night on Valentines Day!

And our February "event" that doesn't have any photos:

I say all the time, we are beyond blessed to have so many friends who love on DM like she is their own.  One is a friend I have known since I was 12.  She's seen my highlights and low lights (hair & life!).  Sweet friend is single, and for years D and I have said we really don't understand how she is single.  And we've meant it not out of sympathy, but as in "Wow!  Some guy is missing out!" 
  She is AMAZING!  Guess who brought a boy over for dinner?  She did!  We love him.  My heart is so full for those two!


Going to Gator Country!

I almost didn't post about our AMAZING outing last week to visit friends in Florida, mainly because she is a writer, and well, I'm not so much.   However, I wanted to remember the special weekend so here we go!  First of all, these friends were the hostesses with the mostest!  Every single detail was thought through, and it was all done with a new puppy at home and a house on the market.  Even the sweetest daughter was so welcoming and gracious to DM!

I haven't relaxed so much in someone else's home ever.  I even slept!  I immediately felt like we were back in college, fancy and carefree!  But we aren't back in college.  We have kiddos and dogs and spouses and careers and I can look in the mirror at my face and down at my hands and see that I have aged, which is okay.

We went on a great hike near their house!  DM saw her first "up close" cows and horsey.  

You can't go to Florida without a visit to UF! 

And a beautiful butterfly exhibit!

We had amazing food, complete with campfire and flowing wine.
And of course, stories of college and high school days!

 

We even made a return visit to UF!  They leave their football stadium open for anyone to walk in anytime during the day.  Do most schools do that?  Is UGA the only one that locks the gates?  It was neat.  You could go just about anywhere in the stadium.  Well, with the exception of a clean restroom.  Newly potty trained DM had to go poopies in a gross men's restroom.  Such a trooper!

We danced!  (Or tried as hard as we could!)  Pattersons aren't known for their dancing!  We laughed until I literally spit my wine out!  (Classy, I know!)

Nothing is better than a friend who has seen you at your best and worst over the years and loves you and welcomes your family into her home anyway!