somthing important to me...

http://www.active.com/donate/tnttn/tnttnMJohnst

i don't have a picture of mikey running yet but will add one soon. i have wanted to post his fundraising site link for a while but was waiting on a picture. i finally decided to just get on with it!

mike and i are both training to run a half marathon in april. we are running with the team in training program, sponsored by the leukemia and lymphoma society. mike is fundraising, i am not this year (but i am serving as a mentor to runners new to the program). it's a cause that has become dear to my heart and now mike's as well. it's hard to put into words why i run with this organization except that i feel like i'm running for those who can't right now--whether it be bc they are undergoing treatment, recovering from treatment, or are supporting a loved one through treatment. the hardest stories for me to hear are the ones of the parents who have a child or children suffering from a blood cancer. sometimes the training is hard but doable. at least i can say that.

if you haven't already committed your finances to another worthy organization, please prayerfully consider donating to mike's fundraising efforts. if you have commited your resources elsewhere, please pray for his training and efforts. it really helps us on our runs!!

i'll post a picture of him soon! GO TEAM!

the short version

of what it looks like when we
try to
take a
christmas card picture.

do you hear it???

why a picture of a potty?

BECAUSE HUNTER RYAN IS NOW USING IT! SHE WEARS PANTIES!! WE DON'T WEAR DIAPERS ANYMORE (except pull ups at night and that DOES NOT COUNT)!!

shh...do you hear it? it's the halleluiah chorus.

the angels, they are a-singin'

please read the disclaimer

DISCLAMER:
brady does not have a pocket knife.

nor is he going to get a pocket knife.

other kids have imaginary friends or in the case of hunter ryan, an imaginary pet (a fish named kiki). my 5.5 year old has an imaginary pocket knife.

sigh. smile.

this year i am thankful for...

high school musical.

yep, we are hooked. out of the 12-13 hours a day that the kids are awake, 11 at least are spent listening to the soundtrack, dancing to the songs, singing the songs (with or without the music), pretending to be troy and gabriella (sp?), naming "things" after h.s. musical characters...it goes on.

and let me say, I LOVE IT. i love that my kids are hooked on high school musical. i love that it has consumed our lives. and let me tell you why.

it's fun. it's innocent. it's silly and crazy and cheesy. it's perfect for my 5.5 year old boy and 3.5 year old girl.

they have no idea that sooner than i want them to, they'll think it's "stupid" (although we're not allowed to say that word, they will still think it). brady has no idea that the older boys at school think it's "gay" (and you know mike and i are okay with that!) to like high school musical. they have no idea that much sooner than i want them to they will have moved on to something with more edge, whether i allow it or not. they have no idea that every day they are growing up and we, mommy and daddy, will miss this innocent time. they have no idea that every day is a gift and a blessing and that it can't we can't get it back.

so this year, at thanksgiving time, i am thankful for high school musical.

what a day playing with papa and nana looks like

brady

hunter ryan
scout

favorite things said

"am-min-al crackers" (sometimes she says "crappers")

"ja-nam-as" (pajamas)

" i'm sitting like a kook"

"you are my favorite mommy in my whole life"