daily accomplishment (singular)

You know how some days you just wake up and feel like you can tackle your to do list and the entire world for that matter? You just wake up in the right frame of mind. Whereas somedays you wake up and are lucky to get one thing accomplished and really just wish you could spend the entire day in bed or at Starbucks.

Is there truth to the waking up on the wrong side of bed philosophy? I've actually used that philosophy with Luke lately--asking him if he woke up on the wrong side of the bed. I get a quizzical look from him as I'm sure he's thinking. . ."Umm, Mommy, I always get out of bed on this side!" since his bed is pushed up to a wall.

Anyway, my women's Bible study is reading the book, And Then I Had Kids, by Susan Yates. I've only read 2 chapters so far, but love it already. If you have young kids---stop reading this blog and go get this book! This week we discussed ways to help us feel less frustrated with our days of taking care of the kiddos by setting a goal to accomplish one thing a day. It could be folding that one pile of laundry, making that one phone call to the cable company, organizing the junk drawer, doing a craft with your child, etc. Now, I initially thought, "Can I really be content with accomplishing only one thing?" However, as I think back over the past 5 months, I realize that some days I wake up in the wrong frame of mind, or on the wrong side of the bed and I'm lucky to get one thing accomplished. So yes, I can be content with finding one thing to get done! I know there will be some days when I get can 10 things done, but I'm up for taking some pressure off of myself on the other days. What about you?

I guess I'm trying to spread a little encouragement out there. I have so many friends who have just had their first babies or are now experiencing life with 2 little ones. We are all in the same boat---with so MANY things to do, place to go, people to see. Let's give ourselves a break and just be content with making the bed some days!!

And for the wrong side of the bed days. . ."This is the day, the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24 ---we've even taught this to Luke!

It's official!

Chad and I are now officially registered to run in the Memphis St. Jude half-marathon in December. Our application and money is in, so there is no turning back now! We initially signed up to run for personal goals, however we have more of a reason to run now. Some of our friends from our Sunday School class recently found out their little boy, Sam, has retinoblastoma, a form of eye cancer. Sam is the same age as Charlie--5 months old--and is having to go through chemotherapy to get rid of the cancer and save his eye. You can read more about his story here.

Chad and I have signed up along with some other friends to be a St. Jude hero and run in honor of baby Sam. We have been really moved by his situation and feel a bond with Sam--especially since Charlie is his age. I cannot imagine what our life would be like right now if we were taking Charlie down to St. Jude for chemo treatments. I am so incredibly thankful for the Grants faith and for what they are sharing with others during this trial they are enduring. Our team page for the half-marathon (or marathon for you other crazy people) is here.

As many of you know I've been training for the half-marathon since the summer. It seems like I've been running forever. I was trying to build to a 3-mile base before my official training plan started. It definitely took me longer than it has before---I'll blame that on just having a baby--rather than being wimpy! However, I've been running about 12 miles a week for a while now, so I'm ready to finally add miles this weekend and beyond. Pray for my knees--they aren't holding up too well and I certainly don't want to have to quit because of them. Aleve is my dearest friend at this point!!

A couple of weeks ago, Chad, the boys and I ran in a 5K. Chad pushed the boys in our double-jogger and we had a blast. It was the first time Charlie and Luke had ever participated in a run and Luke had a blast! He wore his Go Mommy Go shirt and cheered us on as we ran!

The boys all ready for the run!

Our running family!

back to B-town for an IU visit!

This past weekend we made the trip back to Bloomington, IN where Chad and I both went to grad. school. It was Chad's 5 year reunion for his MBA class and several of the couples we keep in touch with were also going to be there. AND--my roommate from Baylor and her family lives there too--so we made plans to see them too! The road trip was awesome---no problems, whatsoever. We even made the entire 8 hours there without a DVD for Luke! Hooray!

We had such a fun weekend! It was a whirlwind, considering we arrived Friday afternoon and left Sunday morning. However, it was totally worth it! We were able to drive around campus showing the boys--well Lukey, anyway, how beautiful Indiana University is. We ate at some of our favorite restaurants and most importantly we spent time catching up with our friends. All of us have had 2 or more kiddos since we left IU and we haven't been together since. So, this weekend all of the kids got to meet and play too! One night, the guys headed out to a dinner and the girls stayed in one of the hotel rooms with the kids. It was a blast. The kids colored, played with stickers, jumped on the beds, watched a movie, ate pizza, etc. The other night, the guys were on kid duty and the girls caught up over cocktails and cookies! I wish we all lived closer so we could get together more often, but I'm really thankful for this IU weekend! Jill, Heather and Sarah--we missed you!

Chad and the boys in front of the IU Business School. Future graduates??

Bloomington girlfriends!

All the kiddos--except Charlie--who was sound asleep!

Morgan and Charlie--they make a cute pair, don't you think?

Lauryn and Luke---adorable!! My dear friend and roomie from Baylor has girls the same age as Luke and Charlie. This weekend was the first time we were able to meet them---it was too short, but so sweet!!

Chit-chatting

Luke has really taken to Charlie lately. Chad has given Charlie the nickname of "Chuckles" and Luke really likes it. I think its made Luke love his brother even more! Charlie is pretty mesmerized by Luke too. He watches his every move and laughs at Luke when he's being silly! So, yesterday, when Luke wanted to sit by Charlie and talk, I had to get it on video. Too cute!