Walk Me Home 2013

Yesterday I ran my second 5k. It was the Walk Me Home 2013 5k supporting foster care in the greater Birmingham area. It was great! This event is part of a national awareness and in 2012 was the largest event nationally. While that's exciting, it's also sad because there's just not enough recognition. Anyways, for me it was wonderful! I brought Baby Girl with me and Sabrina came to watch her while I ran. I ran the course at Veterans park and met my time goal! Then, Baby Girl and I put the blue ribbon symbolizing foster care on the tree together. She is my forever love, but I was thinking of Baby J too. Those two girls have forever changed our lives and I'm so thankful that we chose to walk this path. I thought of my husband too; without his openness, love, and support none of this would be. It was a beautiful morning, filled with a good cause, a good friend, and the Loves of my Life.
My time was 35minutes; down from 42minutes in February. I'm getting faster, stronger, and most definitely leaner.
Next week is the Homewood Spirit Scamper; I'm hoping to drop my time even a little more :)

A Beautiful Day in the Park

What a wonderful day we had today! Baby Girl and I visited friends at Silvertron and had some yummy french toast! We hung out with Melissa and her baby boy, Beck, at Avondale Park! She had a Long nap after that big fun! We spent our afternoon closer to home at Patriot Park where my boys joined us and some friends too!
It was just a beautiful day with my girl. Nothing more and nothing less. To others it might not even be worth writing about, but she's my world so what else would I write about?
My Girl is getting so big! She climbs to the top platform with me right behind and all by herself she gets seated and slides! She says 'weeeee' when we swing! She 'cheeses' for pictures! She's starting to wipe her own hands and she wants to put on her own shoes. I think my least favorite development, though it's completely precious and is completely selfish that it's something I don't like, is that she's putting herself to bed now. I say, 'Are you ready for night night? Do you want to get in your bed?' She toddles down the hall, paci in mouth and starts trying to pull on her crib to get in. When did she get so big?! Where is my baby I want to rock and hold close? I love her so much!!
I just can't believe how fast she's growing all the time! She changes what seems like every day! I love her snuggles; head on my shoulder and sigh of relief snuggles in mommy's arms. They are not as many as I'd like, but they are more precious than gold.
Today there was that threat looming on the edge of unrest, of drama, but I'm really proud of myself for keeping it at bay. I'm proud of myself for remembering that conversation and the ensuing promise I made to her and myself after; I am HER mommy and I will be the best one I can be. I will not let myself get distracted from that. I will continue to be me - the best me I can be - for all my children.
I love my family.

It's my birthday!

So it's my birthday today. I'm not usually overly excited about birthdays, but I have to say this has truly been the best celebratory birthday fun! My wonderful husband threw me a birthday party in the park for my friends and their children to come play. It's EXACTLY what I wanted. Not a huge fuss, not a huge mess to clean up, just hot dogs, chips, fruit and cake at the park. We slid down the slide and we took turns swinging. My Baby Girl loves the park! Big Sister and Princess P came too! My boys were there. My friends and their children were there. It was great!
So now the question begs what will the next year bring? Well, it'll bring the adoption of my daughter. It'll bring a vacation at the beach and hopefully another in the Quarter. My boys will both be in middle school. The Love of My Life will hold my hand. It'll bring another full and happy year.
A wise woman once told me their 30's were so much better than their 20's. It's so true. I love the skin I'm in. I love my 30's. I love my boys, my husband, and God knows I love that sleeping Baby Girl.

So here's to another fabulous year!

Happy birthday to me! I am so thankful for this life I'm privileged to live each day! Thankful for every breath.