To be or not to be?

So... I think  I can call myself a runner now.  I've been putting it off.  I see a lot of "real" runners out there doing their daily run.  I run, but I don't know if I'd call myself a runner.  I started running on January 2nd when a friend asked me to join her team for the Ragnar Race for June 15th.  I ran and  s.l..o...w....l.....y built up some miles and improved my pace.   Do I run at my goal pace?  Nope.   Have I reached my goal weight? Nope.  (In fact I haven't lost a pound- not 1- since I started running 5 months ago.) Do I run?  Yup.  Do I like it?  Yup.  Well then, I guess I might be a runner. 
In the last month and a half, I've run a 10 miler, a 1/2 marathon (13.1 miles), two 5K's (3.2 miles) and now a 7 mile trail run.  Although running doesn't define who I am. I am a lot of things before I am a runner. (My running schedule proves that.) BUT, when I saw this post-race picture today, I made it official:

Anyone who can run 'til their face is that red... in the cold and rain (okay, just a drizzle.. but it was windy and cold!) and think of it as a "super fun" morning must be a runner.  And I was just a little jealous when I saw my cute friend Casey's bloody elbow after she ate it.  (I don't know if that makes me more of a runner... It might just make me weird.)  

Plus I got like 5th place.  That kinda rocked too. ;)  



Must Do...

Saw this on Facebook. Stole it and had soooooo much fun making it our own.  We keep thinking of fun things to add to it, so this may not be our final draft, but for now....let the summer begin!!

Today we crossed the Aquarium off of the list, but with those cute river otters there, I'm sure we'll be back before school's back in session.  Took 2 phone pics.  Both were fuzzy.   It's kinda dark in there, but, if you live in the area, you should go see the otters.  I could watch them all day long. 

I made my own personal bucket list, but it's mostly work/organization related.  I'm thinking the family list will need to take precedence. :)

Even "blah" is better!

Blah day today.  Started out with a "fun" lock your keys in the car kind of adventure that threw off the morning.  Things worked out okay, but my sister-in-law and hubby both got a late start at work because of it (although both were super kind & helpful).    I was thinking about taking the 3 chickens (as they wish to be called?) to the aquarium.  Yesterday was a fun BUSY day. (My girls both ended it way past bed time with a 2 1/2 mile run to top of the fun adventures from earlier.)  The kids  & mommy were all a little tired... and maybe even a little cranky... just a little.
During the school year, if you have a blah morning, you suck it up and forge ahead. BUT... It's not "during the school year"  and... now, this is the awesome part about a blah day over summer break... we didn't.  We stayed home, colored, played, picked up a pizza and rented a movie.   Very little housework was done.  Very little work of any kind, in fact. 
To top it off when Jared paused at home, he brought me a Dove chocolate bar (my very, very favorite).  When I unwrapped it (before dinner), it told me "Do what feels right."    Good thing, cause that's just what we did today.
Have I told you yet how much I love summer break.  Cause I do.  LOVE IT!!!

I'm kinda spoiled now.

This year, at the end of the school year, I got a little (massively) spoiled by my class parents.   First I got an amazing set of gift cards that are PERFECT for what I need/want to do this summer.  One was for new running shoes at SL Running Company.  Love that place!  (And I'm really in need of shoes too!!)   The other was for a super wonderful spa called the KuraDoor.  (I'm thinking post-Ragnar massage.) I also had another parent get me a gift card for a pedicure. (Another great post race treat for me!)  Yet another great parent got me a gift card to the Cheesecake Factory. (That could go one of two ways... pre-race carbo loading or post-race cheesecake.) Then today, we had a few parents get together to throw us a teacher-appreciation lunch.  One parent that's a personal trainer taught an awesome Pilate's class for all of us and then we had a yummy lunch after class.  Another perk was that I could bring the girls (and cousin, Tayte) to play out back with all the other kids during the class.  They had fun, and I had a momma moment! 

After a fabulous morning, the 3 amigos and I went to the zoo.  It was a nice warm day.  Perfect for lots of animal watching fun... and a little ice cream.

I am extra grateful to have a camera on my phone cause I can't seem to remember to grab the camera.  It was nice to get to snap a few pics of the girls having fun.  They were happy and well behaved the WHOLE time.  Really!!  I love outings like that.  

Now we've eaten dinner- not really home cooked, but a healthy salad with french bread & lots of fruit.  (Too hot to cook today.)   Finally, I heading out to go meet a good friend at the track.  The best part of running at the track is that my cute girls bring toys and play.  I get to run, and they get to have fun.   Win-Win. That's kind of the theme for today. :)  

I'm feeling kinda spoiled. I don't know that every summer day will be as great as the first two, but for now, I'll take it! 

A Mom Could Get Used to This!

It's the first official day of summer break.  I do still have some work to finish at the school, but there's plenty of time for that.  This morning I woke up at a reasonable hour (6:30) went for a run, went to the grocery store and made breakfast. (REAL breakfast- french toast- not cereal!)... all before my family woke up.  Then I started a load of laundry and made Jared's lunch before I normally even get to work (8:00).  The girls and I cleaned up (dishes, bedrooms, bathroom...) and went to pick up our cousin, Tayte,  for the day. Since then, we've washed the car, colored, played hide-and-seek, played barbies, had a super duper healthy lunch (tons of fruits and veggies) dressed up, played with the guinea pigs (who have been sadly starved for attention), went to the park with Tayte's brother, Jace (my nephew- if you were paying close attention), and now are home.  The house is clean... clean-ish... okay, cleaner that it was last week. (I did have 3 kids playing here today.) ;) Dinner is in the oven.  Dinner.... that I made... from scratch.  On top of that, bills are paid, I completed about 1/2 the computer work that I have left for the end of the year reports, and I did more loads of laundry than I care to admit I had waiting for me, and....... wait for it...... I FOLDED THE CLEAN LAUNDRY AND PUT IT AWAY!!! (a.k.a. It is not in "clean laundry" baskets strategically placed around my home.)   I couldn't be happier.  This is living!!   I can't wait till tomorrow!

And for those who have complained that I haven't posted enough pictures lately.....

Our little Ladybug, Eva:

 Our little Smurfette, Naiya:

I'm waiting just around the corner...

I know that the students are supposed to be the ones that are excited for the beginning of summer break, but I have to confess that I can't imagine that they could possibly be more excited than I am.  I don't hate teaching.  I enjoy it.  BUT  I enjoy mothering/wifing more. 
Each year that school starts I feel like Mrs. Chamberlain comes out and Mom/Lucie gets put on the back burner.  You know that feeling that there is ALWAYS something to be done.  As a mother/wife/adult  that feeling never goes away.  There is always a nagging something that you could/should be doing instead of _____.  Well, teaching is like that feeling... on crack.  It's non-stop.  Any "free" time/"extra" money I have goes back into my classroom.  I don't feel quite like myself all year. With our accreditation this year, it was worse than ever.  Some times Lucie makes a brief appearance during the winter or spring break, but those are busy times in themselves. (Especially if you decide to move 3 days before Christmas.)  
Each summer I feel like I get my life back.  I cook dinner. I bake bread.  I go to the park with my kids.  I clip coupons. I read. I visit friends.  I have time to help friends in need.  Don't get me wrong.  I do squeeze some of that in during the school year, but that's just it.  It's always squeezed in.   I don't have time to enjoy making a meal.  I don't read anything for enjoyment, it's always work-related.  I haven't baked bread since August. 
In the summer I feel like myself again. There are 4 days left in this school year.  4.  There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Mom/Lucie is waiting just around the corner.  She is wearing comfy clothes and sunglasses.  She's wearing a smile and a tan.  She's just waiting for me to ditch Mrs. Chamberlain and jump on the summer wagon.    I have to tell you...  I. can't. wait. 

Why I haven't been blogging

Saturday 5/5  Schedule

7:00  Get girls up, fed, and  dressed.
         *switch laundry loads
8:15 Out the door with:
    -  My running stuff (track)
    - Ponies/books/coloring stuff
    - Jackets
    - A blanket

8:30 Running  on track @ Brighton w/ Angela & the girls (4 miles)
        *switch laundry loads
10:00 Home/Shower/Gear Up

10:15 Out the Door with:
    - soccer gear
        (uniforms/ shoes/ shin guards/ water)
    - Snacks
    - Change of clothes for girls
    - Running gear (trail) for momma

10:45 Real Deals w/ Meagan (wedding gift for Ms. Burke)

12:30  Team Warm-up  for Naiya’s Soccer Game (@ 12:45- Field  4)

12:50 Team Warm-up for Eva’s Soccer Game (@ 1:00 Field 7)

2:15 Drop girls off at Holly’s

2:30 Meet Casey & run @ Corner Canyon  (4 miles- trail)

4:15 Pick girls up a Holly’s

4:30 Drop of cards for Babi at Neema’s
            *switch laundry loads
5:00 Meet AJ to hook up swamp cooler (?)
        Make Dinner
            *switch laundry loads
6:30 Drop off dinner/flowers to Gennie



PS... I am NOT complaining, just explaining.   I like it.  I feel full.