Powerful

I am a lot of things.

Messy. Emotional. Scatterbrained. Loving. Bossy. Playful. Athletic.

Many words to describe who I have become in my 30 years on earth. But until Saturday, POWERFUL never came to mind.

That all changed when I crossed that finish line. I knew I was powerful. I felt it and for once, I believed it.

My body, trained. My legs, strong. My muscles, prepared. My lungs, able. My heart, in it.

We had a huge support team during our training process and at the race. I did the work, but they encouraged me and allowed me the opportunity to experience this. And much like they were supportive of the process, they were equally supportive of our recovery!
This experience is one I wish I could bottle and share with you. I want you to feel the energy. The anxiety. The exhaustion. Because then you would know just how accomplished I feel right now. And you would believe what I never did before.

I. Am. Powerful.

6 JOYFUL years

Dear Cora,

I know I stole your birthday this year, what with all that swimming, biking and running when we should have been celebrating your 6th year on earth. Thank you for sharing your day with me, and cheering so loudly. I heard you say, "You are the fastest one, Mommy." And it made me want to try harder.

But that is nothing new. Since you were born, you have always made Mommy want to try harder and be a better person. You have always been so thoughtful and aware of those around you. And people migrate to you because of that.

You are a leader at school, home and around our neighborhood and a great example to your sister. And your desire to learn and excel in school is more than Daddy and I could have hoped for. You are meticulous and thorough and creative. A pint-sized artist in the making.

Your kindergarten teacher said the word that best describes you, aside from smart, is JOYFUL. And she said you spread that joy unselfishly. We couldn't agree more.

You are and always have been breathtaking. From the first time I touched your skin, I could tell you would walk this earth in a perfect body. And when people come up to me as they always have and comment on your beauty, I smile and thank them, knowing what they do not. That you're just as beautiful on the inside (please always remember that is the most important kind of beauty, regardless of what the world may lead you to believe).

Thank you for making it so easy to be your mother. As our first, it was all trial and error with you. But you helped make our transition into parenthood smooth. And when we failed, you kept on loving us; assuring us we could do this parenting thing.

I am amazed at all you have taught us in your six short years, and I am grateful for every day I have had the pleasure of knowing you.

Happy Birthday Brynner! We couldn't be prouder!

Love,
Mom (and Daddy too!)

I need YOU!

Okay friends, I need to call in every favor ever owed me. And since there are none, I need you to help me out of the kindness of your heart. See this garage sale above matters to me. A LOT. And I'm hoping, once you read about why, it will matter to you as well.

It started last summer with the desire to help, to give back. And give back we did, but I feel like I was the one who reaped the biggest reward. It was amazing to see how the community came together. I felt ridiculously proud and honored to have been a part of it.

And now here I sit on the doorstep of round 2. This year every last penny we raise will be donated to 2 local families affected by ugly, mean cancer. One, a mother who is nearing the end of her valiant fight. And another who fought hard, with everything he had, but ultimately lost his courageous battle. He left behind a young wife, still carrying the twins that would have made him a first-time father.

I know money will not fix their heartache. I know it can not heal everything. But once they see how people pull together to help them, hopefully their faith will be restored. That's where you guys come in.

If you are local, please let me come pick up items from your Goodwill pile. If you have an hour or two to help us sort & tag, I would love you forever. And pretty please come out to the sale and find yourself some treasures.

If you are not local, you can still help. This year in addition to the sale, a raffle and a bake sale, we are also having a craft table. I know so many crafty women, many of whom are donating their hand-made items to be sold. And I know many of you reading this are incredibly talented as well. And I know that summers are crazy and schedules are packed and I'm asking a lot of you, but maybe. Just maybe. If you have a spare minute & can whip up something small and simple to donate to the craft table, well, that would make my day/week/year.

And, as if I have not already asked enough of you, I need your help spreading the word. To your friends. To your neighbors. To your sisters. To your best bloggy buds.

I want to give them thousands without every asking anything from you, but I can't. So I turn to you. If you can't help, please do not feel bad for a second. I know how crazy life is. But if you can, in any way, I would be forever grateful.

According to Facebook

I have so many pictures and so much to say about what's been happening around this joint lately (not the least of which is the discovery that all of you who have told me running gets easier the more you do it are BIG. FAT. LIARS. But that rant is for another day).

Anyway, I'm pausing the inevitable mass posting catch-up I have planned to bring you some gems I found while searching my facebook page for something today. I know many of you have already read these status updates (that's facebook lingo for the only FB virgin left on earth-aka, Heather), but for those of you who haven't, I feel your life will be more full once you have. Or you will at least realize why I laugh every single day as their mother. But mostly because this blog is my journal and I want a way to remember the crazy things they've said.

June 1st, 2010- "I cranked the stereo up when Soul Sister by Train came on, because the girls LOVE to dance around the house to that song. Claire (now in a hot pink tutu): Mom, I've got my rocker clothes on, so now I can dance. But I took my panties off cause people that rock don't wear panties. Um, what?"

March 9th, 2010- "Claire: Mama you've got to see this. There is this colored thing on my leg and it is way down in my bone. It is pretty bad and way down there in my bone. Mama come quick. Me: Are you going to survive? Claire: No it is very badly. Very badly. The worst in my bone ever. Me: Claire, that is called a bruise. Claire: A bruise? Do you even know how that feels to me? It's.. Me: Right, right. It's down in your bone."

December 17th, 2009- "Overheard my daughters fighting this morning. I guess there is a new "f" word in town. Claire: Cora you're a franklin. A franklin and a butt crack. But really really a franklin. Cora: Moooommm!! Claire called me a franklin."

October 29th, 2009- "Cora: Mom, I decided I want to be Jesus for Halloween. Me: Jesus, huh? I thought you were going to be a monkey. Cora: Jesus or a monkey. They are about the same."

April 15th, 2009- "Listening to my daughters sit at the windowsill and beg "Mr. Sun" to come out and play. 'Come out, come out wherever you are. Puuuleeze, Mr. Sun. We miss yoooouuu!'"

February 20th, 2009- "Watching Claire lick the bottom of her foot and wondering if I am flexible enough anymore to do the same?"

My life through facebook updates is a bit random. But that's how we roll.

ps. I can still lick my foot. I tried. If you un-friend me, I will completely understand.