Let It Snow

Since I had to work Christmas & had the 8 days off before it we decided to visit BOTH of my families. What was supposed to be 3 days with each family turned into like 4 days with Dad's family & 1.5 days with Mom's family due to the snow. It was exhausting, but I am so thankful to have some time with each of them. Emma was the true star of the show. She made christmas cookies with Meme (my stepmom Lisa) & learned how to bread shrimp with Papa Mikee. He was quite thrilled to finally have a helper. She was a little messier than Papa was used to but they got the job done.

After our extended trip to GA, we finally made it to MD/VA to see my mom's family. After being up since 4am, Ryan had the privledge of shoveling snow at my grandmother's house so that she could safely get out & go to VA. We all ended up at my Aunt Norma's farm or what they call "the compound". Thank goodness for the 4W drive Range Rover, it was Quite an interesting experience on their driveway! In fact, the day we left 3 of their cars got stuck in the snow & my Uncle Dave had to get a tractor to pull them out!

Emma had a terrific time playing in the snow as the pictures and video will demonstrate. Our time in VA was way too short but I was so happy that my whole family got together for at least a little bit.

Emmaisms

Emma has been saying some very funny things lately. Some of them she "picked up" from Daddy. My favorites are:

"Carry me, I can't walk, my legs are broken" she got this from Daddy asking her if her legs were broken when she randomly wanted to be carried around the house.

"Mommy, I can't reach it, I too small"

"I sick & baby (doll) had a bad dream" her typical morning greeting to us. Once again from us asking her in the past are you sick or did you have a bad dream. She went through a period of waking up in the middle of the night.

Reciting "stop you must not hop on pop" as she is trying out her WWE moves on Daddy, giggling.

In the afternoons before dinner she says "come on snuggle time!" Well, snuggle time is NOT about snuggles at all. Its about mommy & daddy becoming human jungle gyms & trying not to have any permanent damage. Emma shows off her stunt woman & WWE skills on our bed. She piles the pillows on top of each other, against the wall & free dives onto the bed. She stands on our hip & does CANNONBALLS onto the bed with us praying she lands it!

Its a small fortune but we have discovered the new Jump & Climb near Ikea. Still going there & letting her climb, sliding, & jump her energy out might save us all on some hospital bills :)

Boxer Boy

Monday morning a sweet brown boxer made his way into our garage. Thinking he had escaped from one of our neighbors, ryan took him in & put signs up. Without any luck, he spent monday night with us. Tuesday I started posting on local websites & going around our neighborhood to see if someone was missing their dog.

He is a super sweet boxer that is great with Emma. We just cannot have 4 dogs in our house right now. We cannot decide if he is missing or if someone dumped him. Times are tough & people might not want to surrender their dogs if they can no longer care for them. What a complete waste. My heart is breaking thinking about taking him to the shelter. Ryans says I have to now or we will get too attached. Honestly, 2 nights with him and I already am. My best hope is that he has a chip & we will reunite him with his family. I guess the Williamson Co Shelter has better resources for getting him fostered or adopted than I do at this point. They open in 30 minutes & I am fighting back the desire to keep him a few more days. Only I know a few more days turns into a few more weeks. We are going to be gone for 8 days so its not fair to keep him much longer. He does love our 3 girl dogs & already is jumping up on the couch. 3 dogs who break out of our fence & a toddler are a lot to handle, 4 would be impossible! Good Luck to Boxer Boy, I hope you get a warm place to sleep & a family to care for you :)

3 1/2 months to a Half Marathon

Watching the biggest loser on Tuesday inspired me! When I got pregnant with Emma I was training to walk a 1/2 marathon. Early pregnancy issues prevented me from continuing. I have always wanted to try doing this & 2010 is the year. This is a gift that I am giving my husband & daughter, he does not read this blog so no one tell him!!! For those of you who know me, you will understand why this is the greatest gift I could give them!

Orginally I thought of the Austin 1/2 marathon because its on Valentines Day & getting healthy will save my heart (sweet I know!). After reading about the course I changed my mind. Here is the more realistic plan.

1/1/10--Resolution Run 5k here in Round Rock
2/27/10-Super Dolphin 10k in my hometown of St. Simons Island, GA--I can visit my dad & family at the same time.
3/27/09--Zooma 1/2 Marathon in Bastrop at the Hyatt Lost Pines Resort.

UNLESS, I can convince my hubby to let me race in DISNEY WORLD!!!! I truly believe my best chances of surviving one would be in the happiest place on earth! Maybe I can train for January 2011 Disney 1/2 or Full Marathon!