thankING

On Sunday I ran the ING half-marathon. To celebrate I gave my tinfoil blanket and all my layers away in the name of clothing the homeless. (If I could I would run in my underwear - I get so hot, even in 40 degree rain).

On behalf of accepting the above medal, I would like to thank:

1. Pam: The 51 year-old stranger who befriended me, led me to a corral,* and ran the first three miles with me. I am thanking her because she could tell I was a newbie and, since there was no organization whatsoever by the race officials, she told me where to go. Also, I tend to run the first three miles super slow, and this former marathon runner didn't exactly let me dawdle. On mile three, as if on cue, she stopped to take off a layer and told me she would catch up. I never saw her again but she will live on in this blog. (Afterward, I wondered if she was looking for a way to ditch me).

2. My husband Dan: Where do I begin? For putting up with my runs, my expensive Asics I had to have, and my 5:30 am wake-up call. Especially for getting the baby and walking downtown to Centennial. (This will later turn into running the full marathon with a baby bjorn). Very thoughtfully booking a hotel at the Marriott Renaissance and making a weekend out of it, complete with power pasta dinner and breakfast brunch.** Heck, the suite even had its own private pool.

3. The high school soccer/cross country star who greeted me at the finish line: For reminding me how dorky I was. He probably finished an hour ago.

4. The homeless individuals who chased me down Spring Street at 6:00 am. I guess I got my warm-up in. That's what I get for forgoing MARTA and making my own way to the race.

5. God: Most importantly, for giving me the strength and health to run at all.

A Runner's Prayer:

God, Give me courage to run the race. Help me to persevere as you taught us. Grant me the strength to finish strong. Honor me with your presence on my journey. Allow me to be a GraceRunner this day.

*It was the wrong corral, but I learned no one cares. And no one follows any of the rules - like "no ipod" - anyways. (Apparently there is a schism among serious runners about the use of an ipod.)

**Breakfast disgusts me but obviously everything was looking good this morning.

Seven Interesting/Weird/Random Facts

In this post, I promise to respect my husband's wishes and not to mention Dan and chicken fingers. Instead I will just make fun of myself. I have many habits (too numerous to mention) that would qualify on such a list, including sitting down to write them down in a blog on the internet.

Seven Interesting/Weird/Random Facts About Me

1. I like to do laundry. No, seriously I like it. Especially sheets, pillowcases or anything that touches my face. I like things that are warm, soft, and most importantly - clean. Call it OCD or a cute quirk but this is how I indulge myself as a SAHM. Unfortunately, it does not translate well into doing Dan's underwear and socks.

2. When I floss, I use half the dispenser. I don't have an explanation for this. It is sort of like the impulse to take too much toilet paper, which I also do.

3. I can speed read, which came in handy in grad school but is an annoying habit when simply reading for pleasure. I love to read spy novels.

4. I worked for the CIA before becoming a SAHM. It was an interesting transition to say the least.

5. Karina and I are famous for being in DHC catalogs. (You can find us here). Dan and I scored two trips to San Fran this way. Apparently, I will do anything for a vacation, including writing in to companies telling them how much I love their products.

6. I am a born again Christian. Yeah!

7. I have aspirations of writing a novel. So far I have a blog.

Resolution Update

Costa Rica -- Does it look dangerous Dan??












So far, I am batting a .250. Can I cheat and add some more?? Studying for the PT exam and wedding dancing would put me ahead this year.


2008 Resolutions

1. Do a blog.

Check. (Obviously). And I did find a reason - According to Shape magazine, journaling decreases your stress levels.

Though as you can see, I have almost no other friends doing one. Maybe I should make new "virtual" friends?? Oh, well I still find it fun, in a dorky way.


2. Run a marathon or a tri-atholon (which requires a bike - hint, hint Dan!!!).
Check. March 30th is the Atlanta ING. Problem is I don't actually log my time except on a treadmill, and I am really just counting the seconds until I can stop. (I really hate the treadmill except when I can watch America's Top Model or something equally mind numbing. True to her profession, Tyra is pretty expressive without volume). That would be a little under 9.5 min/mile. I haven't actually run 13 miles but I run 9 so I will just cross my fingers.


3. Break all harmful addictions.
Hmmm. Nope, still go out to lunch all the time -- will work on this one Dan. However, I am improving on the old adage forgiving/forgetting thing.

4. Go on a short-term mission trip.
Very disappointing, but both mission trips through our Church fall this summer on wedding dates. Well, we do have six this year, so it wasn't altogether improbable. I really would like to go through Southside though. Dan is doing jumping jacks I am not making him travel to Kenya. Too bad Dan, they make some crazy chicken fingers out there.


5. Make it overseas. With or without the baby? TBD.
Looks like it will be with the baby unless one or both sets of parents miraculously come through. (We bit the bullet and got her passport made last weekend). I would love, love, love to go to Europe -anywhere really I am not picky on that one. But as the dollar goes down, down, down I am seeing the benefits of other choices. Costa Rica Karina here we come...


6. Stop collecting cookbooks and do some actual cooking.
I am proud to say I actually enjoy cooking with "DD" - I predict it will become part of the American culture. So far I have made the turkey meatball soup (carrots and sweet potatoes), chicken nuggets (spinach), brownies (carrots and spinach) and chocolate pudding (avocado). Yummmm. Check plus.

[KIND]red

I have developed a God-given passion for Africa. Meaning that it did not exist even a little while ago, so God must have put it there. I have to say some people are naturally charity and giving oriented people. I am not one of those kind. I am normally interested in charity work that involves myself or my family. So, I think God in his infinite wisdom wanted to change that about me, and He put it in my heart to care about Africa. Specifically, the mission that is affiliated with our [Southside] church, Brackenhurst Ministries. Every time I went to my favorite tea house, Tea Fusions (thus teahousejunkie is no accident) there they were. These little orphans begging for my extra dollars. Not literally of course. The management at Tea Fusions works closely with Brackenhurst in supporting their orphanage and even travelling there firsthand. As I am guzzling my favorite rooibos* chai with cream and sugar, I start to realize what a great cause this is. Then I pick up an issue of Fayette Woman, and there Brackenhurst is again. One of my childhood friends, Kim Pace, is the director of the mission program in Limuru, Kenya. Imagine that. (I couldn't, but I tried anyways. God did not put it in my heart to be a full-time missionary).


But what could I do? I am a leader of a married group at Southside. So far, our group is offering prayer for the missionaries in Kenya. And prayer is a lot. One specific prayer I have is that God would allow our group to organize a 5K run here in Peachtree City to benefit Brackenhurst. This is a perfect way to get the community involved and increase awareness of the ministry. At the same time we would be using the paths here and getting the runners (PTC is home to the most registered triathletes) involved. I even have the T-shirt already in mind! It would say:

[KIND]red on the front, and Brackenhurst/Southside on the back.

Even the former me would have bought one.

I am praying this idea is realized!!

*With 30 times more antioxidants than green tea, this herb from South Africa is high in vitamins and minerals and helps to boost the immune system. One cup of Rooibos tea is equivalent to 8 cups of orange juice in vitamin C. Soothing to the central nervous system, this tea is also great for digestion. Rooibos tea is naturally caffeine free and can be iced or hot.

How to Get Your Husband to Ask You Out

10. Use your husband as a guinea pig for all your new cooking adventures. Try out every meal from "Deceptively Delicious" in the name of feeding your family nutritious vegetables.
9. Reveal to your husband what he has actually eaten all week.
8. Go to grocery store nine times in order to get all the new and trendy ingredients you need for your cooking adventures. The restaurant bill will pale by comparison.
7. In your restaurant search, look for one that he can later recommend or trash talk (even better) the next morning at the water cooler.
6. Practice eating with the correct silverware so your husband isn't totally embarrassed to be seen with you. Unless of course you went to MBA school where they actually teach this to you.
5. Promise not to ask for a doggie bag for most of your remaining food, or better, the extra cornbread just sitting neglected on your table.
4. Check the restaurant menu ahead of time, and email him the choices. Make sure there is at least one chicken dish. If not chicken fingers, at least chicken not served on the bone.
3. Do not let the gift certificate given by your in-laws and earmarked "dinner out" turn into diapers.
2. Walk around the house in your best "mom"* outfit. Maybe even put on some lip gloss. If he wonders why, be mysterious about it. He may think if he doesn't take you out, someone else will.
1. Make the reservation somewhere that requires 24 hour advance cancellation with your credit card. And accidentally forget to cancel them. Works every time.

In case you're wondering we went to the Farmhouse at Serenbe in Palmetto, GA. I had the scallops and Dan had the chicken (you only have two options from which to choose. Yes, I did call in advance to make sure chicken was one of them).

*My fall-back "mom" outfit consists of my target white sweater dress (which is the most complimented of anything I own), black leggings, and red shoes. I am lately obsessed with red shoes and even bought some for Karina.

...and BABY NO. 2?!

No, I am not pregnant!! (Sorry, Dan). Do I want to be? Hmmm, that is such a deceptively simple question. The better question is "When is the perfect time to have baby no. 2?" Since that has been mulled over and analyzed by women since Eve herself, I won't do that here. (Although a friend of mine and I recently agreed three years apart was the perfect time frame - assuming success in the potty training department of course. Otherwise what kind of mother would you be?) My chief complaint is that I would like to feel more ready. Which is a complete cop-out and I know it. Part of the problem is I know what kind of upheaval surrounds the first 1-3, okay 4-6, months as well. Let's see, Karina started sleeping through the night at 4 months. If my memory serves me correctly (or if it existed at all back then) she was pretty much, dare I say it, colicky*. And a general - but very lovable- pain in the rear. (If you ever read this Karina, I want extra handmade artifacts for months 0-4!) So, back to the question itself. Which can only be answered with another question -- "If you don't sleep during the night, and you obviously don't sleep during the day, where does that leave you?" Since I was just at the OB/GYN, I suppose I could have posed my question then. It was obvious to me that Dr. Cook had joined forces with my husband in twisting my arm on behalf of unborn baby No. 2. (Baby No. 2, if you ever should read this, rest assured you are wanted and loved, as much as Baby No. 1. Even as I write this, I have picked out names** for you already. So please don't ever guilt me like I guilted my parents. Thank you in advance.) I had no idea that I was in for a subtle, yet probing inquest into my baby-making persuasions. To give him credit, I don't think he was trying to keep himself in the business. I'm sure he has comforted more than his share of women who are unable to conceive, lest they wait - dare I say it - past 30. So if Dr. Cook and Dan are eager to do their jobs, how could I possibly disappoint them?? I know in my heart I won't (I was always a sucker for peer pressure) but here are the reasons I offer up anyways.

1. Dan leaves before 7:00 am and returns home approximately 7:00 pm. While I am happy to accommodate this schedule - as it allows me to be gainfully employed as a SAHM - it nevertheless stinks like one of Karina's rotavirus dirty diapers. (Sorry for the visual, and THANK YOU for working so hard Dan! I mean that).
2. I am currently studying for my personal trainer exam, to work at a gym or else a pilates studio. So I would like to have established myself in that line of work, and send Karina to daycare/preschool. Baby No. 2, you are obviously on your own!
3. My parents have bought a house in Florida and are moseying their way down, permanently. Just typing this sentence makes me break out in hives.
4. Although I can (and do) change dirty diapers all day, the thought of breast-feeding again is another thing all together. Enough said.
5. Adoption is a real and viable option. Since Dan does not share my opinion, I always tell him I am aiming to adopt a little French boy. Since Dan despises the French (what a typical chicken finger loving male thing) I figure we can compromise in the middle and just adopt a boy.

*No one, least of all pediatricians, likes to use the c-word anymore. Mostly because it sounds scary and hopeless. Nevertheless, it exists, and all you can do is love them through it. (I did however read somewhere that colicky babies usually turn out to be very smart. But that could be just a made-up thing to get parents psyched up).
**I like Savannah and Lila for girls' names since I am pretty convinced you are destined to be another girl. I have brainstormed for boys' names and it is much, much harder. I do like Christian, Jake, and Jaxon though.

Karina's Parents' First Birthday Party

Thanks to Minne for making a special appearance from Athens!!! (If you look closely, you can see the "chunnel" in the background.)

Since everyone knows first birthday parties are for babies, I just want to say thank you, on behalf of Karina, for sharing in her special day. In her case youth is not wasted on the young -- she enjoyed every single second. Chasing bubbles* one second, then crawling through the "chunnel"** the next, and generally fighting through her no-nap afternoon consumed all of her energy. Though she did get her second wind from her own personal cake (don't we all deserve our own?). After the peels of laughter erupted (my Italian family is loud) I actually had to cut her off from her french vanilla high. Apparently she looked tipsy, dancing around with the obligatory "I'm one!" hat cocked to the side and icing through her hair. Then she attempted to take her two year old boyfriend, Nikhil's Mickey Mouse shirt*** off. That is where I drew the line.

So yes, I did have the one year old party of my dreams. I have sort of the same feeling now as I did after my wedding. Literally, after all the kids left, we just sat and stared at one another, too tired to move. Too bad we can't relax with a honeymoon in Europe.

*Bubble machines are awesome. "I wish I could enjoy anything the way my kid enjoys bubbles."

**The second must have for a toddler party.

***I don't think she really wanted to see Nikhil strip. The theme of the party was Minnie. So when Karina sees anything Minnie/Mickey she simply must have it.