ready to run

Today Shane and I signed up to run the Monument Avenue 10K in Richmond the first weekend of April. It will be the first time we do a race together and we're really excited. We ran outside together the first year of our marriage but since then our schedules have been off and Shane normally runs at the gym while I prefer to run in our neighborhood where possible.

We've definitely been feeling a bit sluggish as winter continues to drag out so we figured that signing up for a race would give us extra incentive to get out and train this month.

We hope to see some familiar faces down there at the start and finish lines. If you're interested you can sign up here. Monument Avenue is gorgeous and our cousins in Richmond said this is definitely a race worth running.

what was i thinking?

Thought I'd be a nice mom and hook Christian up with the mini-cupcake I got in Young Womens today. Too bad I didn't think to wait and give it to him after we got home from church. Crumbs everywhere. Though he didn't seem to mind too much.

presidents' day

Monday was chilly but we made the trek up to Lincoln's Memorial to pay our respects.

From the top we had a great view of the Washington Monument, so we were able to remember both great men and their contributions to our nation.

Currently the reflecting pool and paths around the Lincoln are being remodeled. The finished product should be ready for viewing this summer.

if i could really sew

I would be making something like this...

or this...

or this...

...but longer, of course, so I could actually wear it out.

frumpy

I've been a total frump lately.

And for that, I feel like I should take a moment to apologize publicly.

Phew. I just had to get that off my chest.

I realize those most affected by my frumpiness are my loving husband and son, but my coworkers, neighbors, and friends have had to suffer because of my sorry-ness as well.

Maybe it's just the winter blues but no part of me -- my hair, skin, nails, make-up, etc. -- seem to be cooperating lately. It's downright embarrassing. (I'm seriously ready to star on an Oprah-makeover show. Too bad she's just finished filming her last episode!)

I know, I know -- "it's the inside that counts" and I DO believe that. But you gotta admit, how you feel you look on the outside has a definite impact on your confidence level and relationships with those around you.

Hoping I can pull out of this rut soon...but in the meantime, know that if I've been a bit unsocial it really is me, not you.

{Note: This post is in NO WAY to garner some back-handed compliments. Just voicing what I've been feeling for the past few weeks.}

counting down

Recently, we made our last direct tuition payment to The George Washington Law School. While we'll likely have student loans to pay off for years to come, it still felt pretty good. After nearly four years of being a full time worker by day and a law school student by night, Shane's GW days are finally coming to an end. Good thing, too, because we both realize we are "burning out" on the crazy schedules we've been keeping.

So -- to help us stay focused on goal that lies within grasp -- Christian and I put together a paper chain for Family Home Evening to help us count down the days till Shane's graduation on May 15.
Simple, but hey, it makes us all pretty happy to see it shrinking bit by bit. And Christian loves being lifted up and asked to do the honors. (Although we've had to stop him from ripping more than one -- guess he's a little impatient to get this law school thing over with. Can't really blame him. Shane often jokes that Christian knows him as the guy who comes home late and then goes and hides in the back room surrounded by books and a computer.)

It's bittersweet for us to think this chapter is finally coming to a close. Our entire married life has been focused on getting Shane through law school. We were married at the end of June and he started school early that August. Still, while we've enjoyed most of our adventures along this particular path, we're excited to move on to something new -- even if we still don't know exactly what or where that path will be.

So, only 102 days till graduation day...

ranunculus

Ranunculus. Now that five times fast.
These just might be my new favorite flower. How have I never heard of them before?They are related to buttercups but kind of remind me of peonies, which I adore.Either way, they are probably the best flower purchase I've ever made. I picked them up for $5 at Trader Joe's and they've beautified our home for two weeks now. Score.