Quick Takes: Long Time No Blog

When you take two weeks off from writing on your blog, the best way to return is with Quick Takes, hosted by Jen at Conversion Diary. So enjoy a quick hits version of what has been going on in our house of crazy.
1. This time two weeks ago, I was here.

It was glorious. Travis and I were able to go to California for four nights. We traveled with my brother and stayed with my aunt. We spent time with family. We went to my cousin's wedding, where I got my dance on. I went to the beach every day. We ate good food, took naps, and just generally relaxed. It was pretty perfect. Travis and Justin (my brother) are really good friends, so just hanging out with them was entertaining. And they both spoil me rotten. I'm a lucky girl.

2. Immediately upon our return life resumed breakneck pace. We're running to baseball and soccer and on and on and it can get a little tiring, but we're having fun. It does mean that most afternoons are full and I have to get any errands done before school is out. And that means I'm not at home at the computer as much. This very inconsistent writing schedule is likely to continue.

3. So I am finding the time to train for the half marathon I'm running in December. And last weekend I ran 5 miles in 52 minutes! I was so happy when I saw my average pace. My goal was to get to a 10:30 minute mile by the time I started extending my runs to 5 miles and beyond and I did it! A large part of that is changing the way I eat. I have a friend that I bug pretty much daily about what I should and should not eat. And it is making a huge difference. And getting easier, most days, to stick with it. I do make allowances for things like tailgating, but have found that even then my definition of indulging has changed. It feels great to feel great.

4. This week I got to spend a lot of time with Taylor. Her school always sends the 5th grade class to Sky Ranch in East Texas for two nights. The kids get instruction from camp teachers on various science topics. They also do teamwork challenges. It was a lot of fun to see the groups interact and adjust to different circumstances. And the moms got to chat a whole lot and that was great too. Taylor and I did the zip line together and eventually I'll have a picture to share. I was so proud of her for doing it and not even being that scared. I was shaking when I was done and it wasn't even that high!

5. We are in the midst of birthday season here. I had a birthday a month ago. Timmy had one two weeks ago (we were actually in California on his birthday--talk about mom guilt!). The three big kids have theirs coming up in the next two weeks. I have had lots of thoughts about my own birthday, or aging in general, but I'll save those for another post. But I will say my kids are getting older and it is so weird to not have a baby in the house. Good, but weird.

6. Y'all know by now that I love clothes. You need to know that Old Navy is currently killing it with cute clothes. Sometimes I'll go there and walk away disappointed, but not lately. I can't walk in the store without seeing half a dozen things I want to try on. So, if you're looking for a cheap wardrobe update, check it out.

7. Speaking of checking things out, please go visit the Facebook page for our friend's band. Constant Seas is epic instrumental rock, to use their words. They'll be playing shows in the area soon. Go see them!
Maybe next week I'll have a more thoughtful post. Happy weekend!

The Circle of Awesome

 We had a really, really great weekend.

On Friday Travis and the four older kids went to a local high school football game. The kids ran around and played and Travis spent time with good friends from church. I stayed home with the little ones because it was way too hot for me to be patient with them outdoors. It was very relaxing.

Saturday dawned cool and sunny. Finally, a little hint of fall-like weather. I started my morning with a strong four mile run. I'm getting closer to my goal pace for long runs. It felt good. We had several kids sports activities in the morning/midday. It was a pleasure to go to them because the weather was so beautiful. The only low point of Saturday was missing a dear friend's wedding, but we just had too much going on.

Saturday afternoon and evening was spent tailgating. Mean Green won! We had so much fun with friends and family. The kids were home having so much fun with the babysitters. Travis and I really enjoy our tailgating time without the kids, as selfish as that sounds. And to top it off, our babysitters wouldn't let us pay them! That doesn't happen often, and we're happy to pay sitters because our kids love them, but it sure was a nice way to end a great day.

Sunday morning was slow and easy. We had our first week of religious education classes and then Mass. Then we came home and just spent the afternoon relaxing. Baseball naps happened. A little football was watched.

We decided to celebrate Timmy's birthday last night. His actual birthday is Friday, but Travis and I will be in California for a family wedding, so we let Timmy pick a restaurant for his dinner. He chose Texas Roadhouse.

You can tell he's really upset we're missing his actual birthday. As we enjoyed our dinner the small family sitting nearby got up to leave. The older gentleman stopped by to tell us how happy he was to see a large family with such well behaved children. And as parents, we can never hear that enough. It was a blessing. Travis saw friends from church on our way in and stopped to say hello. I guess he mentioned we were celebrating a birthday, because near the end of our meal we were surprised by the delivery of four desserts!

Ben clearly enjoyed it, as you can see by his shirt. I exercised some restraint and only had a few bites. The kids thought it was the best thing ever, and I'm pretty sure they're right. We told them our friends had sent them to us. And right then and there the kids said our friends were in the circle of awesome. Not everyone makes the circle, but these friends are at the center. As we cleared up and ate our last bites, our server came over to tell us our bill had been taken care of as well. And I almost cried right there in Texas Roadhouse.


It is not the buying of the desserts or the dinner that did it to me. It is the intention behind it. Knowing we have friends that have made us a part of their family. People that want to show kindness because they care about us. A reminder that we do indeed live in a special place, in a community that often feels too good to be true, but is real.

And as if all of that wasn't enough, we got this on our family walk/bike ride when we got home.

 Circle of Awesome indeed.

What I Wore Wednesday--Awkward Phone Pictures

 When it has been over a week since you last posted, it only makes sense to come back with a post featuring mediocre pictures from your phone, right? I'm sure that's what all the best writers do.

You can see much better photos of much more stylish people at The Pleated Poppy .

 This is what I wore to Mass on Sunday. Even though it is still absurdly hot here in Texas I felt like pretending it was fall-ish and wearing jeans. Skinny jeans by Levi's (demi-curve fit that I love) via Macy's, white peasantish top via Old Navy last spring, necklace and bracelet from Noonday Collection, and wedges from Famous Footwear a couple of years ago.

Black and khaki is one of my favorite combinations. I wore this outfit to our family gathering on Sunday. To be honest, I wore it for about an hour total, because the rest of the time I was in a bathing suit. Thank goodness for swimming pools. Khaki shorts are Old Navy, perfect fit 5" inseam (my favorite shorts, I have them in black and white too), shirt is from Macy's.

And finally, running errands on the first day I only had one kid with me. Lily started MDO yesterday, so that means it is just Ben and me for ten hours a week. So of course that is errand time. White shorts and navy tank and silver ring from Old Navy, silver necklace and bracelets from Charming Charlie's, shoes from Target. Navy, white and silver is classic, in my opinion.

In what is good news (I guess?) I bought a full length mirror yesterday. But I left my regular camera at our family's house, so you'll still get mediocre phone pictures, but hopefully all of me in the photo. No more standing on a stool in the kids bathroom!