Our Sunday Morning

Matt: "Okay Lucy. Put your bowl in the dishwasher and go get ready for church."

Lucy: "I'm sick."

Matt: "No you're not. Put your bowl in the dishwasher."

Lucy: "I'm sick."

Matt: "No you're not. Put your bowl in the dishwasher."

Lucy: "I'm sick of church!"

My Personal Trainers

Thanks to my marathoning friends, over the past month I've developed a love...well, an enjoyment for running. I really look forward to the next time I run! I never thought I'd say that. Even when I was in track in 9th grade I hated it. I could never figure out why anyone would choose to run.

A month ago I couldn't run more than a block without stopping. Seriously. I'm embarrassed to say that but it's true. Yesterday I ran 2 1/2 miles. That's the longest stretch I've run without stopping in probably 15 years. Don't get me wrong. I love to speed walk. I'm not totally sedentary...all of the time.

My favorite thing yesterday was that Emily and Lucy wanted to go with me. We lapped our house a few times until they were done. My stride was about three inches but that's not that different than what it is without my girls.

Luckily I have Lucy to help me become my best.

Lucy: "Mom, do you know what you have to do to run fast? You put your thumbs inside your fingers and kick your legs really high."

Thanks Lucy.

The Yard Sale

Yesterday was our community's annual yard sale. This is the one day when yard sales are allowed here and we always try to take advantage of it. Matt and I have different ideas when it comes to selling our stuff. I tend to over price things and he...well, would like to give them away. As the years have progressed, we are meeting in the middle which is what marriage is all about, right?

One topic of discussion this year was whether or not to sell clothes. Okay, it wasn't really a "discussion" per say. I just started selling clothes. My silly husband thinks a yard sale with clothes is trashy. Okay, first of all it's a yard sale. Do I really need to say more than that?

At one point I looked out the window to see Matt talking with a lady holding a big stack of 3T girl clothes. She was counting out her money while she said to him, "I don't understand why anyone would pay full price for children's clothes." What was that Matt? What were you saying? I couldn't hear you?

Our children find the yard sale a fun experience as well. Here is a picture of something Lucy made and tried to sell at last year's yard sale. I can't remember exactly what she said it was. Something specific. Anyone need some clothes pins?

It always fascinates me to see what our kids bring back from their little neighborhood excursions with their friends. This year Miles decided his money needed to go toward lamps for his "room of light". I totally did a double take after walking past his room. He was about to go out again to buy more when much to his chagrin, I nixed that. He could keep the lamps that he had but NO MORE! It was a drawn out discussion that I will spare you.

Not ten minutes later, what do we see but Emily and her little posse of friends heading home with their treasures. We hear Emily exclaim, "Miles, look what I bought for you!" You guessed it. Another lamp. Miles was ecstatic and Matt and I couldn't stop laughing.

Did I mention we sold a lot of clothes?

Welcome Back Miles

Miles got back from 6th grade camp last Friday with the biggest bags under his eyes I've ever seen. He had a great time. I'm so glad we decided to send him.

Lucy and her friend Katie helped me decorate his room before we picked him up. They did a great job. Lucy was so excited to see Miles again. He's such a fun big brother. When we were taking all of his luggage back to the car, Lucy insisted on helping with the suitcase. Why is it that small children think diagonal walking is the best way to get around in a crowd?

One thing that I love about Miles is that he likes to tell us about everything. What can I say? I'm a mom--I need details. So...this fish that you see was the biggest fish caught all week. Miles calls it the biggest fish he didn't catch. Yes, it was caught by one of the counselors but...with Miles' pole. Guess who the lucky owner is?

We missed you Miles. We're glad you're back.

My Boy is Growing Up

Today Miles left for 6th grade camp. This has been surprisingly hard for me. I know he'll be fine but it's been hard for me to let go. He asked me yesterday if I went to 6th grade camp. Um, no. The first school related overnighter was when I was 17 and went to Washington, D.C. (That was also my first time on an airplane.) Now my boy is off for 5 days in the hands of his teachers.

As I was driving him to school this morning he said, "Mom, you have to promise that you won't cry and that you won't embarrass me." Well, I'm smart enough to make no such promises but I thought I'd be fine. As soon as we got his luggage loaded up in the truck he hugged me and took off at full speed to head into the school. I just stood there paralyzed. I watched him until I couldn't see him anymore.

After dropping Lucy off at preschool I drove past the school at the very same time the four buses were leaving. I wished I knew which one Miles was on. I almost came to a complete stop just watching them drive away. I couldn't believe how much I had to fight away the tears. I talked out loud to him even though he couldn't hear me, wishing him luck and hoping he was placed with good friends in his cabin group.

What's all this? This is not like me....okay, maybe it is. How in the world will I ever be able to send him on a mission? I'm going to be a basket case.

Miles--I love you. I miss you already.