Halling Go To Alaska

Sunday This is my mom's baby, Spike.  For some reason this picture made me laugh.  Monday Sweet Pea's first day of pre-K.  And she will correct you if you say "preschool" because that's *totally* different.  I love the Chuck Taylor flames.  I'm gonna miss those in size "cute little feet". Tuesday The best I could do of the beautiful nearly-full moon.  Wednesday Post dinner T laid down on the cough.  Sweet Pea jumped under the blanket with him.  I had to document it, to which T's response is obvious.  Thursday Central California view of the Sierra Nevada mountains.  Friday My parents, brother, and I at the reception after my aunt's funeral.  Everyone but me was on some multiple number of drinks.  (hence the smiles) I was driving home, so no drink for me.  Saturday My gear ready for the morning 14-mile run!

Sunday C'est moi.  I think this is about mile 5. I was starting to slow down at this point,  but I wasn't going to *not* smile for my close-up! (photo courtesy of Coach Joe English) Monday Look at me all official and shit on a stage in a skirt.  (picture taken courtesy of T) Tuesday Sweet Pea swinging at the park. I love this look on her face.   It's 100% her personality shining through. Wednesday (no excuses. The day got away from me.) Thursday Mexican food with margaritas.  Friday T and Sweet Pea on top of a fake climbing rock at the park.  Love, so much, when they are goofy together. Saturday And you're wondering what the hell this is, right? The summer reading program kicked off at the library with a pancake breakfast.  It was cold. The syrup was essentially frozen. It was like taffy. Unspreadable. Almost unmovable. 

How pathetic is that? I am. I love my family and I'm surrounded by them every day.  But after a weekend like last weekend in San Diego, surrounded by some awesome women, it's hard not to feel a little bit of a loss. It's blueberry vodka drinks post race.  Serious rawking out at a post-race par-tay.  I miss these ladies soo much.  We have bonded like I never thought possible through literally thousands of emails and twitter and blogs.  They are true blue friends who I know I can count on.  And you know what? I will be seeing them again, I'm positive.  And I can't wait.  But I'm thankful. Because one of my non-TNT teammates was there for my weekend.  And he'll continue to be there for more race weekends to come. 

Sunday Race bib, shirt, and medal.  Aside from the ankle, it was a great run.  Monday Love the clouds and mountains in this one.  Tuesday Mother's Day card and pictures of the girls that went in the mail for my Granny -  mother of 7, grandmother of 9, great-grandmother of 3 - who turns 89 this year! Wednesday  Look at the pretty weeds in our front yard! Thursday  This caught my eye - something about the red and the green together.  I was dropping Sass off at T's office so he could take her to swim practice after work.  Friday  Sass at the park. I love when I catch them mid step and in the air. Saturday  This was the day I didn't take any pictures.  We had friends over for dinner.   They took this one of T and I.  Aww. Aren't we cute? 

Twelve years ago this is what we looked like.   Ten days after this? I put T on a bus for MEPS which would take him to San Antonio for basic training.   I wouldn't see him again for almost 7 weeks.  In the last 12 years we have:  moved 5 times lived in 7 houses gained 1 dog lost 1 dog lost 2 cats added 3 cats had 3 kids bought 3 cars bought 3 houses And had too many memories to count both good and bad.  The good outweighing the bad by a lot. This morning I woke up to this and  I couldn't ask for a better partner to go through this crazy life.  I am blessed. 

March 14 My sweetie before our 10K in 28-degree weather. March 15 This picture?  Warms my heart with its sweetness. March 16 My girls, my mom, and my mom's "special" kitty. (The "special" kitty story is for another day!) March 17 This is Sophie.  She is one of the gymnastic coach's dog.  I love her face here, mid blink.  March 18 Cute flip-flopped Sweet Pea foot at the pool. March 19 Playing at the park after our trip to the Animal Grossology exhibit at a local museum. March 20 The view of my computer after I was done working at midnight after scrapbooking all day.  ( The background is a download from The Pioneer Woman.)

Beth? Are you out there?  Because I loved this challenge.so.much.   I think I captured a lot of love here too.  Oh, how I love her sweet face! And check out the eyelashes!! I thought only boys had eyelashes like that! (Do you like the bedhead too?) He is one of my most favorite people!  This is my honey, my rock, my money-maker, the love of my life! (Yes, sappy. But after more than 15 years together I still like him!) This is the other "man" in my life.  This is Bear.   He is sweet and stubborn and very jealous when it comes to sharing me with T.   This is "my" girl (the middle child).  She is the only one who looks enough like me for it to be obvious that she's my kid. She is so sweet and full of generosity and love.  Did you see the letter she wrote me the other day? No?  Go here and see.   And last, but certainly not least.  Me.  A sweaty mess after running 5+ miles wearing my awesome Team In Training training T-shirt...