Oh girls just wanna have funnnn....

On Lucy's birthday Jimmy gave her a card. He really like the cards that sing, and usually I think it is a little silly, but I am glad he got one that made music for Lucy. When she opened her card she immediately started smiling and dancing to the song "oh girls just wanna have fun." And ever time after that for that matter. The card puts her in a good mood no matter what.

Here are some pictures from her birthday day:

Yes I like the pony tail. And it solves the problems I have with figuring out what to do with her hair on top. It doesn't curl like the back, and it kind of goes everywhere. Introducing the pony tail!

 I don't know if she likes it. 

 It's like she doesn't want to listen to me or something. Side note: This is what she does when we say "Where's Lucy?" Maybe she getting sick of us saying it and so she covers her ears. 

I got her this outfit for her birthday. Cute no?!

I don't think she knew what to make of this cupcake with a bright thing sticking out. She didn't end of blowing it out, she hit it out. Thank heavens she didn't light herself on fire. That would have been memorable.  And yes, if you haven't already heard, I made a chocolate banana cupcake with avocado frosting. There was actually avocado in the frosting. No dyes, just bright green avocado. She. Loved. It. 

So yeah friends and family, that was Lucy's birthday. Pretty low key and relaxing. 

So what do you think? Any thoughts? I have been noticing my comments have been low these last few posts.... Just saying. You have to agree, this lady is pretty cute and kind of deserves a comment or two. 

But maybe it is just me, and I feel needy... Any who, happy Saturday!

Happy Birthday Lucy Pearl

You know what is really awesome? Lucy being born 1 year ago. We are so glad she came to us. She is the cutest, silliest, funniest, smiliest, and nicest little lady.

And this is how she came to us.

We had a mini celebration today and have some family celebrations penciled in for the next few weeks. We are so blessed to have this little girl in our lives. Tomorrow I will make sure to post a few birthday day pictures, but for now let's just remember that day she was born, and just how peaceful and calm she was in those moments. We haven't had many of those moments since!

Ummm yeah Lucy....

Mommy's day

I am so grateful for my mother, and my husband's mother. And my mother's mother, and my father's mother, and well, you get the picture. There are several mother's and "mothers" that I am honored and grateful to know.

I am also so grateful to be a mother. Lucy is a great child to mother. She makes me want to be a better mother. This week I even went to my grandmother's mother grave to show Lucy where her middle name comes from. I felt like it was a good parenting moment, considering I am not a great genealogist and it felt like I was helping Lucy (though she will not remember it) know something about her family history. I have been to that grave several times. It is on the way back from a run I used to do when I was in high school or home from college. I wanted to share a ritual I had, visiting it every once in a while to feel connected my heritage. I think that is an important part of mothering -- connecting our children to our past family members. I can see why people love family history so much. There is hope for me yet.

So happy mother's day to my mommy. And to all the other mother's to whom I am connected spiritually, emotionally and physically in the past, present and future. What would we do without you?!

Oh, and happy mother's day -- a day to celebrate talking to your missionary children. We got to talk to the above missionary Peder, and Gretchen and even Jimmy's brother Joe. We are a blessed bunch!

We made it

In case you didn't know, we made it to NH. It was a week ago actually, that we made the 10+ hour drive to these northern parts. Lucy did really well, until the last 30 minutes of the trip when she decided enough is enough. I don't blame her. Over 5 hours in a car is too much for me.

We have been spending time with both families, enjoying the New England weather, which by the way has been kind of crummy. Rain and misty humidity. Guess I should get used to it. Still, it has been mild and nice. I shouldn't complain.

Lucy loves it here. She has become a fully functional walking baby. She realized that all the floors that she walks on here are much better padded than our apartment in VA. She can stand from the middle of the room without any help and make her way from couch to couch like a pro. She was even walking around on the grass at my brother's track meet today.

She has also found her best friend Bailey to be high entertaining.  Poor dog. Lucy assumes he is a jungle gym. This dog deserves to go to heaven for the abuse he has already endured. He is so docile that Lucy can stick her hands right up to his mouth and he doesn't snap or bite or anything. It only makes me nervous because I think Lucy will assume she can do that with all dogs. A lesson she will someday learn...

Besides that, Jimmy is really liking his job and I am trying to make a list of projects for the summer so I don't go crazy. Let's just say we may be spending A LOT of time hiking and playing outside. Assuming Lucy learns that she can't eat everything.

I am sure I will have a lot more to say in the next couple weeks. Until then, I hope this holds you over...

she is too much...

Man, that felt good.

Today I ran a half marathon. It was exhilarating. I had forgotten how much I really like to race.

It started at 7:00 am, the day was a little chilly, but perfect with respect to running. Lucy and Jimmy had determined to cheer me on at two spots along the course and at the end. I wasn't really nervous when it started, just antsy. I knew I wasn't shooting too high and I felt like my legs were ready.

The race went off, I started running, but forced myself to slow down for the first mile. If you know anything about my running style, I normally go out a little too fast and have recover for most of the race. Today I wanted to run evenly. And so I chose a few runners to follow and kept them in sight most of the race. Besides the last mile feeling like the longest mile of the race, everything else went by really quickly. The race course was beautiful, and it had rolling hills that almost did pass for elevation change. It was perfect.

My time was 1 hour 39 minutes with respect to the gun, and 1 hour 38 minutes and 55 seconds with respect to when I finally got across the starting line. I was pretty close to the front of the start, and there were only around 500 runners. The surprise of the day was that I came in 1st for my age division (20-29) 5th for women, 47th overall. I have my suspicions that the overall winning woman was in my age division, but because she won, they gave it to me. Regardless I was happy.

And then there was my cheering section. Jimmy and Lucy were fantastic. They saw me at mile 4, 10 and the finish. Lucy gave big smiles to all the runners and seemed to enjoy the event. Now for your viewing pleasure...

And I just took a nap, and Lucy is taking a nice long nap,  and I think we are going to have some really hardy vegetable soup tonight. Doesn't get any better!