Run, Forest, Run!

The Vermont City Marathon is vastly approaching! T-minus 1 month and 14 days until I do my first Half Marathon. I get to do this event with my father, splitting the marathon. I am excited! This became a goal of mine last year. I had wanted to run in the relay last year but our team didn't get picked. I was pretty bummed about that since even pregnant I kept to running. It was then I decided that I wanted to train for a half after I had Wesley.

I love this event! It is one of the most inspiring events I have ever been a part of. It brings me to tears each time. There is such a unity of people. A rush of adrenaline just watching some of these folks. Everyone has the same goal. Each person wants to finish, to complete their leg, their own personal journey.

Last year I was at the finish line waiting for my father to come through (that crazy man was running the entire marathon!) and I remember this girl coming over the finish line. I am not sure if she was running the half or the whole but none the less she was crying. I was so touched by her emotion and happiness that it made me cry. She had completed her own goal and you could see how intense that was.

Then there are those people in their 60's, 70's, even 80's that run, even if it is a leg of the marathon! Let's not forget about the wheel chair racers who start of the race every year. Their strength and determination is remarkable. These are the people I look at with admiration.

Athletic, skinny, overweight, old, young... it does not matter! Everyone gathers together to RUN!

It means something different to each person. A dream, a goal, or maybe just for the hell of it. The reason doesn't matter. What matters is the unity of the run.

Running for me means solace at the end of a day. It means strength, determination, and a goal which I have become passionate about. I run for ME! It is something I can call my own. Running brings me comfort. Running gives me strength.

In just 4 days we come up on the 1 year anniversary of an heartbreaking tragedy. It will be the one year anniversary of the Boston Marathon Bombing.

This post is for each one of them who ran that day. For each life that was affected by this evil act. One thing is certain, just as all these people came together to run, a community of people came together to help heal and overcome.

On the 15th, that is Tuesday, get out there! Run, walk, skip! Which ever you choose. Just do it and do it in memory of those affected by the events of April 15th, 2013. Be thankful that you can! We are all blessed to be able to run or walk. It is a gift! Each day is a gift. Stop, reflect, and be thankful.

Happy running!

10 ways that a toddler is like a puppy

I love my children. That goes without saying right? I don't need to sit here and go through all the things that make my heart swell with joy each day. As any parent, my love in unconditional. Even in those moments that are not so beautiful. The ones where we are beside ourselves with the answers. The times when we just simply shake our heads, walk away, and even sometimes yell more loudly than we intended to.

With that being said I bring to you the top 10 reasons why a toddler is like a new puppy!

1-You have to take time to train them. A toddler, like a puppy, does not know how to act, we have to show them what to do.

2-Positive reinforcement works wonders: You take a dog out to pee you typically give it a cookie when it comes back in. The same goes for a toddler when training to use the potty. Treats and prizes of any sort make all the difference.

3-You need to exercise a puppy to tire it out. I worked with one veterinarian that use to tell clients that: A tired puppy is a happy puppy. Yes! Exactly! Same with my toddler. If I get him outside and he is able to play and becomes tired not only is he happy, but I am happy! So with spring upon us get those toddlers out an "run them" as you would your puppy!

4-A puppy often needs to be told repeatedly a command before it understands it or follows it. Toddler like puppy will need to be told several times what to do before he/she does it.

5-Some puppy's are louder than others and like to bark. This resulting in waking the newborn baby in the house at the most inconvenient times. A toddler too will yell or "screech" at the top of his/her lungs and wake the baby you worked for so long to get down to sleep. This resulting in frustration, anger and exhaustion for the parent.

A toddler and his dog

6-Puppy's can be fussy. Sometimes it takes a few tries at different brands of foods before you find one that will actually satisfy your new puppy. Then there is the toddler who will often turn food away, throw food, or spit out whatever is in front of them.

7-Toys will not last very long. Both a puppy and a toddler have a way of taking a toy, even if it is their favorite, and breaking it. Mom's and dad's, don't get too attached to the toys and never spend too much. It's like watching them eat your money then spitting it back out.

8-The attention span of a puppy and toddler are identical. You will find yourself repeating the same phrases over and over. And if you are outside be sure to either have your puppy on a leash and your child within view or hold their hand! It can take a blink of an eye and they are off running.

9-Both a puppy and a toddler are incredibly adorable when they sleep. This making your heart gush with happiness and forgiveness, once again forgetting all about 1 through 8.

10-Lastly I leave you with a positive similarity of a puppy and a toddler. Both will give you unconditional love. They will still wake up each day and lick your face (or kiss you, it's all the same right?!) They will forgive your mistakes. They will shake with happiness as long as you play and spend time with them.

Maternal Itch

I just love the baby phase. My baby is 6 1/2 months now and I keep watching everything go by. I am fortunate to be able to spend this time with him. I know that this stage is short and soon I will be yelling asking him to get off the table and stop jumping on the couch. I love babies. Always have. If it were up to me I would have 10 or 20. Okay so really, not that big of an army but 3 or 4 would be nice. Instead I have two children whom I love dearly and wouldn't trade for anything (okay so maybe on some days you could convince me to trade my toddler for some shoes, a nice bag, maybe even chocolate, ! JK! Really, I will keep him!)

We are done having children. I still get people asking if we are going to have "one more" or try for the girl. Listen up people, no more babies! We have made sure of that. Well, not me personally but a Dr in Colchester made sure Jay would not be able to get me prego again. I had the babies, he got "fixed".

There is a part of me that felt a bit sad though to be honest. I am beyond lucky to have my boys. I love them to pieces. I knew Wesley would be our second and last. Yet just knowing that I am not going to have any more babies does sadden me some. I know I need to count my blessings since there are some people who never get to experience having children. I realize this and will never take that for granted. The maternal part of me can't help but think...if only I could have one more. But what about if there was "one more"...Would I still have this feeling? Would there always be a longing. Maybe it is just how I am wired. How many women are wired. It is that silly "maternal itch" within us. I get it, some of you may be reading this and saying, not every woman! Maybe you are are even saying HELL NO and cursing at the very thought of having another baby. I get that too. For me, I just freekin love babies!

It's not like pregnancy was kind to me both times. The first time around was pretty awful and I was sick and had weird medical complications. This second time was wonderful. I loved it. I really and truly did.

As I am writing this I look across the room at Wes who is in his swing and is just waking from a nap. He has this big smile on his face as soon as I say his name. It lights his whole face up, my heart, and the entire room.

I am trying to be sure I relish in all these moments. Soon they will just be memories. I know they say every stage is wonderful. I will probably feel this way when they are 10, wishing they were 4 or 5. It's about slowing time down. Something we cannot do.

I know I already said it, but I am fortunate. I don't want to take for granted the true miracle of being able to have children. I am blessed each day I wake up to those faces.

Making Memories

Every family has their own traditions that they do. Some are handed down from when they were younger as with others are created and made in hopes to carry on.

This past weekend was Vermont Maple Open House Weekend. Last year was the first year we took part in this. I picked three sugar houses that we would try. I vowed last year that we would continue this as a new tradition for our family. This year we actually hit 5! Chase wasn't into it as much as I would have liked but he is still young. It wasn't until the third Sugar House that he gave in to having some syrup and then was hooked!


I want my children to grow up and look back on some of our memories and not only love that we did these things, yet also do them with their own family some day. 

We took the late morning and afternoon and drove from Colchester, to Williston and finished in Shelburne.  These people are so proud of what they do. And they should be! There is a lot of  work that goes into making maple syrup. I also want my children to know this. I want them to respect how hard people work to do what they love.

Poor Farm Sugar Works, Colchester, VT

Let's not forget the yummy factor! The best part is tasting samples. We had samples of syrup, maple cake, whoopie pies, donuts and cotton candy! Sugar does help to make life a little sweeter. We didn't get enough, I had to make breakfast for dinner last night, blueberry pancakes with Vermont Maple Syrup of coarse!

Two Words

Ten years ago I lived in Massachusetts. As Vermont is my home, Massachusetts will always be home as well. I moved there right before I was 21. I finished college and wanted to move somewhere else to start my "new life". It was far enough away to spread my wings, yet close enough that if I needed to get home I could. I loved it there. My friends became my new family. Many of those people are still in my life today. I am beyond fortunate to have these amazing friends. It doesn't feel like that long ago I was there. I had left here at 20 saying I would never come back. Here I am, almost 15 years later back in Vermont.

I saw something the other day and it got me thinking. I will share it with you and ask you to answer the question for yourself as well.

My answer came quickly, easily. My Two words: Be Patient.

I think of many instances throughout the years that if I would have listened to these words maybe my heart wouldn't have been broken. There may have been less tears, more laughter. I would have made better choices. I would have counted my blessings instead of wishing for more.

Don't get me wrong, I am a true believer in that everything happens for a reason. That even our mistakes help to shape and mold us. Each moment becomes of us what we choose it to be. I wouldn't  change one thing I did. Not even the ugliest of mistakes. I am not perfect. I never will be. What is perfection anyhow?! I believe in being the very best you can be. Live life with honesty, kindness and love and it will all fall into place. Those little things we feel guilty about can be forgiven.

Be Patient.

The definition of Patience : the state of endurance under difficult circumstances, which can mean persevering in the face of delay or provocation without acting on annoyance/anger in a negative way; or exhibiting forbearance when under strain, especially when faced with longer-term difficulties. Patience is the level of endurance one can take before negativity.

Patience is something I work on everyday. Some days it being much harder than others. Many days praying I had more and hoping the next day it will come easier to me. I envy those people that make patience look so easy. I consider myself to be optimistic. I do my best to try to find the good in every situation and person.

Patience has taught me to be thankful. I am blessed. I have everything I need within my home and heart. I may not have known 10 years ago that life would turn out as it has, there wasn't that little voice whispering to be patient. I am not sure what the next 10 years will offer me. What I do know is I will do my best, I will try to be patient and always be thankful.

The Y Chromosome

I was blessed with two boys. No girls in this house besides me. Oh, and the dogs! They count right?

I always wanted three boys. Why three boys? Not sure but I think some of it may have had to do with the fact I use to babysit these three boys when I was a teenager.  Having boys seemed fitting to me. I enjoy sports and was always playing with the boys growing up (Get your head out of the gutter! I meant GI Joes and Matchbox cars!) I was good at burning beetles with a magnifying glass in the driveway and my barbies didn't mind a little dirt on them.

Now I sit here and look at my two boys. (One is actually on my lap as I try to type with one hand). Did it turn out the way I thought? I did get 2 out of 3! Maybe not as I thought, but truly how it was suppose to be.

Photo taken by Wild Clover Photography

When I was pregnant with Chase I had in my head he was a girl. At his ultrasound it was revealed that indeed he was not! I was thrilled that my first born was going to be a boy. Then we got pregnant with Wesley. This time around I had decided not  to find out what I was having. It didn't matter. It was my baby and I would be given what God intended on me having.  I had this strong feeling throughout my entire pregnancy that I was having a boy. I just knew I was carrying another boy. I joked that Jay didn't know how to make a girl. I was right!

Do I wish I had a girl?  No! There were moments when I was pregnant that a piece of me would have been thrilled with a girl. Gosh, I drool over all those cute outfits and ruffles. The pinks and purples! Yet when I look at my boys I feel that this is exactly how it was always suppose to be. I wouldn't trade any of it. I am happy to have a beautiful niece and be an honorary "auntie" to my girlfriends children. I can live vicariously through them. 

I am the mommy to two incredible little BOYS! I get to take them to their first Red Sox game. I can sit on the couch with them and we can fill our faces as we watch super bowl games together. I get to watch them grow into young men and hopefully help teach them how to be gentle and kind. Teach them how a man should always treat a woman.

There is something special between a mama and her boys. I am grateful for that Y chromosome that has given me these amazing little creatures. Maybe someday they will give me little girls when they have children of their own...40 years from now of coarse!

This is how we do it!

My sister in law Kara, has a blog and wanted to put together a few different ways mommy's find time to get their workout in. She asked myself and our friend Liz of Because Mama Needs a Hobby to collaborate with her!  Go on over and check it out at The Daily Whisk!

Happy Monday!!!