being stinky is secondary to being awesome

I'm having trouble journaling about this year's Hood to Coast relay.  I'd like to write something inspirational that moves everyone to get just as excited as I am.  Like the day I switched to Ban deoderant.  Words wouldn't express the magnitude of awesomeness.  All I could say is- YOU GOTTA TRY IT.

So as you read this post, just pretend that little Connie Talbot is singing her little heart out and Oprah is in the background giving everyone a car.

That's how exciting this is.



I was nervous about this year's relay because I was given the hardest leg which included 3 long stretches and 2 wild climbs.  I kept apologizing ahead of time, about how I was going to make everyone wait forever and we'd never get to the beach at a reasonable hour...

And as I completed each run I stunned myself.  Hey that was a GREAT run!  I ran that how fast?  Are you sure??? 

Needless to say I was giddy all weekend.

It helps to have friends who bring out the goon in you.

They could make the DMV fun.

The energy at the start line is a party like non other.

The sights alone made you feel like you are part of something special.

My mom!  I got to run with my MOM!

The people, the sand, the pain...  ALL GOOD!

I've never experienced a drug-induced high and never plan to.  But hearing your team name over the loudspeaker as you all cross the finish line is a natural high that I doubt any drug can duplicate.

We laughed hard, played hard and RAN HARD. 

See my DAD?!?  YEAH!  He came too!!

GO TEAM!!!

Are you pumped?  You want to come next year?  Ready to try a new deoderant?

You just gotta.

my number, my medal, and my panda express fortune...

P.S.

P.P.S.  That fortune is now laminated and sitting in my wallet ready for the next time I have to drag all 3 kids through Walmart...

If you'll hold while I gather pictures...

Hood to Coast post is in the works...

it's perfectly logical.

Garret spends his Summer days crouched in bushes and spinning in the sunlight.  He'll take frequent indoor breaks to spread Nutella on my bed or throw laundry at the ceiling fans.  I'm sure his flailing in the yard looks odd to passer-bys but there is a method here.  In the bushes he finds a quiet place to tap the ground and maybe enjoy the feel of dirt on his face.  In the sun he's fascinated by the dancing lights and shadows, similar to how we enjoy looking into a kaleidoscope.  See?  He's having a good time.  And if he happens to want his pants off well, if only we could all get away with that, right?

And how about Brenda's odd out-door activities?  

(After an afternoon in the yard today Brenda stood in the dining room and announced that she's proud to be a crazy scientist.)

So, she's just crazy.

I mean, look at the crazy eye.

Kendall + Kristen

Well for one, Scrubs is on tv.  And two, I plan on sleeping in tomorrow.  What we have is a perfect situation to get another post in tonight. 

MY BROTHER GOT MARRIED!!!!!!!!!

It's just so exciting that, in the words of Nickelcreek, I could spit on a stranger.  

Well, not on purpose but you know what I mean.  I mean, it's a song.  And it came to mind.  And it's nearly 2 am.  And well, just look at the happy couple.

It was just a really great day.

 yup.

growth (the good kind)

I'm going to do this post like I've been staying caught up all along.  Like everybody knows everything about anything that's been a happenin' here the last while...  And if I refer to the awesome family reunion with a wink, you'll already know how awesome it was and wink back.  And if I sigh about Girls' Camp, you'll sigh with me.

So we're all up to speed then, right?

OK then.

Latest in the news is that Suzie is joining the ranks of the potty-trained.  Yes, she's been 3 for 8 months, but it was me who finally wised up and shoved Suzie into kid-hood.  The little attempts over the last year were half-heartedly given and half-heartedly received.  But there was nothing half-hearted about the way I danced and yelped and cheered around the house when hearing that delightful little tinkling.  Suzie is more enthusiastic about the sticker chart on the door than she is about the toilet.  That's not such a surprise really.  ...Stickers have animals and toilets smell.

"Mom?  Please hold my princess dress.  Mom?  Underwear goes on my bum?  That's silly.  Mommy?  I want 3 stickers.  Suzie get's 3 stickers now.  DOGGY STICKER!  LOOK MOM! DOGGY STICKER!!!!"

Now, I plan on flaunting this.  I have a kid that will be potty trained before starting school.  Before.  YEARS before.  And get this- I'm about down to just one child in a diaper.  ONE.  I haven't been down to one since the day before Brenda was born.  ...Brenda is almost nine.  NINE PEOPLE!  I'm seriously moving up in the world.  Perhaps a new hair-do is in order?  Is it time to start wearing saucy shoes or feathery hats?

Speaking of moving up in the world, I am proud to announce that I have successfully gardened a tomato plant.  ...Plant.  No tomatoes but the plant is still alive.  I did that.  Me.  Last year the poor plant didn't last 2 weeks.  And next year, with fingers crossed I will get the 2013 tomato plant to produce.  Yes I will and do you know why?

Because getting a few green leaves to cough up a tomato can't be harder than potty training.  It can't, right?

I might just be able to do anything.

my iphone can explain...