Freedom

Amelia's first day at Mommy's Day Out.

This is how she looks.

Aaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnd.

This is how I feel.



Sure, it's only two days a week and yes, I will be spending most of those days sleeping off the previous night's shift, but the promise of a consistent schedule of child free hours is enough to make me giddy.

La La Love You

We kicked off the summer with a visit from our niece Harper. Her parents (Elijah's brother and sister-in-law) came too, but she's the main attraction so whatever.

We are now old fogies with kids so we stayed close to home and didn't partake much of Austin's nightlife. We did take turns (boys, then girls) having an evening without the babes. Rikki and I spent our free time - OMG CAN YOU BELIEVE WE GOT OUT WITHOUT THE SCREAMING TWO YEAR OLDS! - shopping, getting pedicures, and eating the most amazing meal at Second Bar + Kitchen. If you ever want a great meal, but aren't quite ready to commit to David Bull's Congress. Just head to the sister restaurant next door for some wonderfully understated and delicious food. (Plus, there's no kids menu!)

So since that's pretty much the highlight of the visit, I'll just leave you with some pictures of the little ones. It was adorable to see the cousins playing together. Asher treated Harper just like his own little sister chasing her around and letting her climb all over him. Harper is a little over two months older than Amelia and they also got on swimmingly - pun intended.

Gut Check

Well since we are in June, already halfway through the year, I thought now might be a good time to look at my New Year's post and see how I was coming along. I'd hate to get stuck in December wondering what I did with the year.

Looking at it now I already see some trouble areas where I need to refocus my energy if I want to count them as "resolved."

1. Running

Jeez. This is looking to be another crack year for this runner girl. I completely missed the Austin Half, and am still searching for race to do this year.

I don't know what it is, but I cannot seem to get myself into a comfortable training schedule. Elijah bought me a top-of-the-line jogging stroller last year but I hate using it. For me, running represents freedom, doing something just for me. Running is about taking time out of being a mom to be Marina. Taking Amelia along for the ride sort of kills the buzz. I've been trying to make it to the gym at least three days a week, but treadmill running was also making me crazy so I starting a few classes. I miss running but at least I'm able to keep active during this dry spell.

I'm hoping to have something better figured out once Amelia is gone two days a week. I think I may have a brilliant plan for my upcoming race training.

2. Reading

I kick ass at this! I've already finished nine NPR recommended/reviewed books. That leaves three left and then I'm free to read whatever trash I so desire. I may stick with the NPR list because there are a ton on it that I'm still hoping to read this year but either way it doesn't matter. It's comforting to know that I will have one of my resolutions completed by year's end.

3. Student Loans

Ugh. Can you say 'new car' or 'family vacation to Florida.' Or try 'girl's only weekend in Hilton Head.' Either way, all those things (plus the fact that I'm still not working much more than two nights a week) are making it a bit difficult to pay anything extra on my student loans. Thankfully, I didn't put a dollar amount on this resolution so I should be able to squeeze in a few extra payments around September and call this a score!

So there you have it. My resolutions revisited. Now, doesn't everyone feel better? I don't actually, but it's nice to know I have six more months to sort them out. Plus, isn't the whole resolution thing supposed to be about doing things to make your life more enjoyable? If I use that as my tool of measurement than I'm right on track for another Happy New Year.

Summer Madness

The kids and I arrived home safe and sound after a 900 mile round trip drive. That sentence right there is truly a miracle. This summer's drive was better than last summer and I'm anticipating that next summer's will totally rock.

I have to admit that I am not enjoying being back into the swing of things. Vacationing in Pryor totally rocks. I am NOT joking. I don't have to cook, there is a swimming pool outside my bedroom door, the kids sleep in because they are exhausted from the combination of sun and water, I actually have quiet time to read...I could go on and on. I take the kids out there twice a summer and I've already decided that August's trip is going to be longer.

Since being home I've done load after load of laundry (don't get me started on how I came home with ONLY clean clothes), made two dinners, run some overdue errands, and gone grocery shopping. I am about two chores away from loading the kids up and running back to Oklahoma.

It is nice to be back with Elijah though. I missed him and I know the kids are happy to have their playing parent back. We leave for another family trip (all together this time) in about two weeks so I'm just hoping I can endure the home mommy mode until then.

Going Up the Country

I'm leaving the house a total disaster. This is me...keeping it real.

We're heading out to Pryor, Oklahoma today. Well, the kids and I are heading out. Elijah and Chester have to stay behind to work and bark at the neighbors, respectively. Since moving to Texas, It's become a bi-summer tradition to take the kids to see Elijah's family and we all really look forward to it. I am always a little sad that we can't bring everyone, but it's so much easier for me to take off and Elijah really only gets a week of vacation.

Anyway, wish me luck. I'm spending a week-ish with two crazy kids and my in-laws.

It's going to be a blast!