My Cub Scout

Last night, Max attended his first pack meeting. He has been talking about joining scouts for the last couple of years and was thrilled to finally be there!

A Young 35

On Monday I turned 35.

For the last several weeks I have been whining and complaining about how old I am getting. I have been such a baby about it that I'm starting to get on my own nerves.

My grandfather turned 90 two days before my birthday and while I sat back and watched this rugged, active, energetic man blow out his candles and schedule another big bash 10 years from now, I began rethinking this whole aging thing.

I am healthy, strong, and blessed beyond measure. How dare I complain about the years I've earned rather than feel grateful for each and every one?

My mother died at 57. She was far too young and full of life to leave us, but I am grateful for every single second I had with her. Never in my life did I hear her say one negative thing about aging. She welcomed every new stage that came along.

Yes, I'm 35...or "checking the next box" now, as I like to say. And, rather than focusing on what gravity has begun to take hold of or point out the arrival of crow's feet and stress wrinkles, I will do my best to welcome this year with hopeful optimism and sensibilities. I will appreciate those moments of joy that have given me laugh lines and recognize the gifts that come with age. I feel that I am smarter, more self-assured, and far more comfortable in my own skin than at any other time in my life.

The world no longer looks like it did 15 years ago. It looks better.

And... I can't wait to find out what it will look like in another 15.

*See what you get for your birthday when you're dating a really sweet bicycle man!

(...not to mention super cute!!) Thank you, Lance.

Happy Birthday, Paca

Over the weekend, we celebrated my grandpa's (Paca) 90th birthday.

Happy Birthday, Paca. You sure know how to keep all of us young at heart!! We'll do it again in 10!

Damn Yoga!

Ok, I wish.

Even yoga would be a better excuse for this shiner!

Can you believe it? 34 and my first black eye.

How did it happen?

A bad case of the stomach flu, dizziness, passing out...

and awakening to find this beauty!

I'm considering adding a column to the right to log all of my injuries...they are accumulating at a disturbingly fast rate! I'll keep you posted.

Finally...

I am embarrassed to admit this.

Max will be eight years old this month.

Yesterday, I taught him to tie his shoes.

I know...it's a little late coming. Ok...very late coming!

I just figured somewhere along the way, someone else would teach him.

A teacher, dad, grandparent...someone would take the initiative, right?

Didn't happen!

Yesterday morning, just before Max's basketball game, I bit the bullet.

I sat him down, showed him one time, and ta-da...he had it!

Now, he is obsessed. He spent every moment that he was not in the game, tying and retying!

Those laces and his little fingers are exhausted!

Flashback Friday

I'm not a usual Flashback Friday participant,

but I am working on a family project. And, going through some old photos, I found this one.

I love it because:

It displays my sweet fashion sense~ You have to admit that patchwork coat is to die for...wish I had it for Elle.

It is a testament to my "throw caution to the wind" attitude~ I broke my arm doing a "death drop" off of the bars on my kindergarten playground.

It is a peek into my hairstyle of choice~ I rocked the two pony tails for years! You know I'm still a fan of the pony!

It is evidence~ of the beginning of a long and intense relationship with sugar. Need I say more?


*What's up Ashley? Why so sad in this photo?

Yoga...not for the faint of heart

So, remember my New Year's resolution~ "Give yoga a try"

Well, I have. And, I love it!

That is, until last night when somehow, instead of peace and enlightenment, I left the studio with a sprained toe.

Yes, I have a yoga injury. Can you believe that?

So, now that I have gotten back on track with my running, I have to take a few days off because of my yoga toe.

Oh, well. You know what they say in Yoga...

Go Big or Go Home!

ok, they don't.
but, they should.

Day Off...

We took advantage of yesterday's holiday and packed in almost too much fun! We spent the first half of the day enjoying the amazing AZ January weather at the zoo. Then, Max talked me into taking the big kids to the Phoenix Rock Gym to climb all afternoon. Needless to say, we were all exhausted by the end of the day.