Soaking and Sentimental...

and mostly wordless. Because I haven't felt so wordy lately. I've been sentimental and sappy and trying to soak up every last second of summer. So, instead of words, you get pictures.

Why, yes, that IS the largest coffee mug I've ever seen...courtesy of these boys who know the way to their mama's heart is through coffee.

Scavenger Hunt

1. School

2. Small

3. Motion

4. Side profile

5. Rule of Thirds

A Thought for Every Mile...

Sundays are for long runs; ten miles will do a soul wonders. Today I had one of those runs in which I didn't feel like I was even running. It was zen-like. It was cathartic; therapeutic; blissful.

My thoughts weaved together like long strands of a braid; waiting for them to be transferred to written word when I returned home.

I decided smiles are truly contagious; the face is a mirror; I'm going to smile as much as I can.

I decided to run as fast as I could up a hill; my lungs burned; they were screaming; it felt oh-so-good. I decided I'm going to do that more often.

I decided that my Color Run t-shirt is my favorite running shirt. When people pass me and they say to their buddy I want to do that run, and I holler over my shoulder, YES!!! You must!!! It was SO fun! and anyone that knows me, knows this is true.

I decided that The Color Run has been my very favorite race of all time...even though it wasn't a race.

I decided that I don't really LOVE my running shoes, and I want to really LOVE them. I want to have a pair that I buy over and over again.

I decided that I'm an artist at heart. I want to create beautiful things; take beautiful photos; write beautiful words.

I decided that simple things make me the happiest; a great run; a gorgeous sunrise or sunset; an unexpected hug; a genuine compliment.

I decided that when you wake up and say, Today is going to be a great day it usually is.

I decided that I'm a better person when I run; and my husband likes me better too.

I decided that I absolutely can NOT give up cream in my coffee. Skim milk is a horrible alternative; I need the rich, creamy, real thing...and why did I give it up anyway?

I decided everything really is better after that first cup of coffee; everything is doable; anything is possible. And as a bonus? Run a 10-miler after you drink that precious coffee, and you can move mountains.

An actual list for Stasha...

Scavenger Hunt

 

1. Morning Light

2. Coffee or Tea

3. Touch

4. Newspaper

5. Forest

Good, Better, Best...

We've had so many good days in a row, I've lost count. We've had the better kind of days that erase the memory of the bad ones; the fightingest ones; the tantruming ones; the yelling ones. I don't remember how many days since we've had one of those.

We've had the very best of days; the kind where I never want the days of summer to end. Sure you can stay up later; yes, we can stop for a treat; oh, you want a candy bar in the check-out lane? Well, of course you can my perfect, beautiful rays of sunshine.

I wish it were always like this; these best days of summer; these best days of parenting; never having to raise my voice or feel like the worst.mom.ever. It's been unicorns and rainbows and sugary-sweet days over here. It has been wonderful. These are the memories I hope my kids remember.

Birthday bowling parties for a sweet little niece.

The three of them together just melt my heart.

 I was sitting by my mom and had to hold back tears while capturing these sweet moments.

 Baby girl was gettin' her groove on on the shiny yellow floor.

And, sipping her soda so sweetly on her papa's lap.

School supply shopping; me swallowing the lump in my throat as my baby boy heads to kindergarten. Writing about it has my eyes watering and my heart skipping a beat. Three weeks and counting to sobfest 2012...always waiting until I get back in the truck (of course). While I don't like the "back-to-school" part of the shopping, I most definitely love the actual supplies themselves. So much promise in sharp new crayons;

 so many stories to be told with fresh new No. 2's and a big pink eraser;

 so much to create with bright colored pencils.

I may have bought some shiny new markers and crayons for myself, and a new notebook, oh and maybe some new pens...that, and mascara (the waterproof kind of course so it won't run when I cry).

The two of them are the best of buddies right now; imagining themselves in Alaska, building fires, and teepees,  and being stranded in the woods.

Yes, these days have been the good, better, best kind of days. And, I don't want them to end.

Feeling Inspired...

It rained today.

A slow, gentle, cleansing sort of rain.

The rain that usually has me running in it; jumping through puddles; letting the raindrops cleanse my soul, today had me burying myself in blankets; picking up my camera; and feeling...inspired.

The warmth of the sun is more my style; the bluest of blue storybook skies is my ultimate desire. But, today? Well, the gray skies had me thinking of crockpots, and sweaters, and the changing of seasons. And I felt...inspired.

Inspired to do something great; or be great at what I do.

Inspired to do better; be better; feel better.

I felt inspired to do every single piece of dirty laundry; washed; dried; folded; and neatly put away. I don't remember the last time I saw the bottom of my laundry baskets.

I felt inspired to give extra hugs; extra kisses; eat extra donuts (or four); be the tickle monster; make soup for dinner. It feels good to feel inspired.

And, apparently, my littlest one felt inspired to be creative today too. Marker...meet wall.

It's still raining, and my blankets are calling my name...

Linking up with Stasha...because this is sort of a listish.