You...

The words come to me from my runner's steps; my runner's breath...they swirl and twirl and I wonder how I can think coherently with the music blaring.

My love affair; my magic place; my happy place; leave it all behind; don't look back, though; always moving forward; running farther...

Run fast, run far, run free; run from yourself only to find yourself.

Stripped down with every step; naked to your very soul. I've forgotten it can be beautiful...my soul, that is...I get lost sometimes...bogged down; but it is a beautiful soul. Forgive yourself in the finding; remind yourself you're still you...you're not lost; with every step you get closer to you; the real you; the forgotten you; the buried under ten loads of laundry you; the lover, the hoper, the dreamer you...the happy, smiling, fun you...that you is so much better...with each drop of sweat that drips the you feels more free; more beautiful...because beauty really does come from within...you feel graceful when you run...and after the run you're filled with grace...funny how that works...getting back to you so you can give back to others.

Run long; run solo; run hard; run happy; run free and fast and take an impromptu run because it feels crazy good...

Just run.

The Week in Photos...

Uneventful week.

Just what I needed.

The summer is slipping away...

and I'm not ready for that yet.

Katelyn loves her babies...

loves to kiss and hug and hold them...

and it makes my mama heart happy.

Our games of backyard baseball are different this summer...

kids pitch...

parents sit and watch and laugh and cheer as little boys slide into home with smiles instead of tears.

And when these three are left to their own devices, they will do this...

Hope you had a wonderful week as well.

Simple Thoughts for the Day...

Don't try to steer the river--Deepak Chopra

Go with the flow, baby.

Relinquish control....

because you are where you were meant to be.

Go with the flow, baby...

and enjoy the ride.

Perceptions..

are a tricky thing.

Perception: People think I'm a good mom.
Fact: I USED to be a good mom...when the kids were smaller. I rocked the mom thing. Now? I'm sucking air.

Perception: People think I don't have to worry about my weight because I'm a runner.
Fact: I struggle DAILY with my weight. I have fat days, and very fat days, and days I want to eat chocolate all day long but usually don't and I still wonder when and how my butt got so big.

Perception: People think I'm happy all the time.
Fact: I get crabby at 8:30 p.m. every darn day. Bedtimes after this time aren't pretty. Sometimes I even forget to give hugs and kisses after this time.
Fact: I feel very guilty about that.

Perception: I wish I could be the perfect, fun-loving, happy-go-lucky mom my kids deserve.
Fact: There is no such thing as perfect.

Today I'm Thankful...

1. For my husband, who gave me a much-needed 3 hour break by taking all (ALL) the kids on a field trip and telling me to take a nap; relax; read a book...

2. I tried...really hard...to take a nap, but my mind would not shut down. It swirled and whirled and kept my eyelids fluttering and finally I just gave up and got up and did what needed to be done.

3. And I was so productive.

4. Cleaning the house, doing the laundry, sweeping and Swiffering the floor can be done very quickly when not interrupted 54,134 times.

5. I actually sat down and finished the book I had been trying to finish for 2 weeks. Finished, people.

6. Also, I don't have a favorite child. But, I do have favorite moments; favorite ages and stages that each of them go through, and it may change by the minute.

7. Today, my favorite moment; my favorite child was this one.

8. The only thing she needs is love; and me; and for me to carry her, and read to her, and for her to sit on my lap...and she never talks back, or gives me attitude or sass...and she shares cookies with me...

9. and popsicles.

10. Remember, safety first....

even when there isn't a bike in sight...

Linking up with Stasha and her world famous Monday Listicles.

Memories of Right Now...

Jake: age 9. His loves right now include skateboarding, baseball, swimming and bullying his little brother.

Anna: age 7. Her loves right now include painting nails, riding bike, swimming, and helping with laundry.

Camden: age 6. His loves right now include swimming, playing outside, watering my flowers and screaming because his older brother is bullying him.

A rare picture of the two of them together NOT fighting

Katelyn: age 2. Her loves right now include playing outside, eating Freeze Pops, drawing with chalk, drinking Gatorade, eating Oreo's, jumping in the pool, and being carried by me.