happy valentine's day.

valentine poker run.

this morning i woke up to do a five mile poker run. the roads and trails have snow but they are passable. they're worth running outside versus the treadmill. hands down. when my alarm went off, it was dark in my room, cold outside and i dreaded getting out of bed. as always, i'm so glad i did.

i crawled out of bed and got ready. after the hard part, i was excited to put on my socks and shoes and get to the trail. 

these are my new favorite running socks. fun huh? at first they felt weird but in a good way. i also thought the gray made me look like a senior citizen. although i'm over it, i still think they look funny and they feel great.

 i took this iphone sceen shot on my way out the door.

brrrrr.

if you're reading and wonder what the heck a poker run is, wait no more, i'm going to tell you. before the run start you get your bib and one card. mine was an eight of clubs. then when the run starts, you run the course and pick up cards along the way. today we got cards about miles 1.5, 2.5, and 3.5. these cards are given out random and you just grab them as you stroll by. you pick up your last card at the finish line and there is your fifth card to complete your poker hand.

this was mine: 

they give out prizes to the best hands first and it trickles down. obviously the better the hand, the better pick of prize. unfortunately, two eights isn't a good hand. i didn't wait around to get my prize. i was towards the bottom last year and got a small tube of chafe cream. sweet. but first prize is a 50 dollar gift card to runners world and then they have some awesome shirts, hats, gloves, gu and other random running gear. i should have waited but starbucks was calling my name.

it was nice to have a short run today. i got to come home and play with my baby.  

who has found every book and half of his toys and brought them into the living room. move over chucky cheese, we've got our own game room on boston.

i had a good, strong run today. it felt so nice to get out. massive amounts of snow make it hard to enjoy running outside. i'm glad it's melting. i'm glad the weather is going to be nice this week. thank you mr. groundhog. i appreciate the early spring and cannot wait.

sour face.

my new favorite drink is lemon water. not fake lemon water but a water topped off with a splash of real lemon juice. apparently james likes it too. he makes the same funny face after every drink but he keeps coming back for more. honestly, i don't mind until i get some random floaties or something i don't have a word for in my drink. until then, i'm nice and i share. cheers!

please excuse my loud voice in the background. it's embarrassing. jeez.

two to you.

happy anniversary, mr. h. i love you.

all images by andrea murphy, as if you didn't know.

nun-ya.

this actually happened.





james, what are you doing?

james, are you licking the bath tub?

seriously? james. why are you licking the tub?

james:


nun-ya! nun-ya! nun-ya!

nun-ya!

i swear that is what i heard him say. like he was telling me it's none of my business that he is licking the bath tub. i don't think so, sonny.  everything you do is my biz. that's my job. i'm your mom. 

or do you think cabin fever was in full effect?

okay james. i'm going crazy. let's get on your jammies.

well, i'm sure you can image the thud you would hear if i let him slip over the side.

i put down the camera and got back to my mommy duties.

doesn't he look big?!?

officially {un}blue.

i'm just going to be honest - the first few snow days were fun.  my work closed and i got extra snuggle time with james.  but then it just kept snowing and, well, i think it made me a wee bit depressed.  cabin fever had set in and the snow kept coming.  i wanted to run.  i wanted to get out some energy.  i feel productive when i run.  so, in absence of running, i feel unproductive. i feel lazy. last week james was sick and i had to slack on running (no complaints. james is first and most important to me) and then again with the snow. i was officially blue.  and not from the cold but from being stuck indoors while my tennis shoes collected dust.

until today. my running group was meeting at 7:45 at the park. i couldn't decide if i wanted to face the snow or go to the gym. after two run buddies encouraged me to run the trail, i gave in but couldn't help but think how stupid i was going to look.  and you know what? i know we looked silly but that is because we were laughing and having an awesome time.

i was nervous at first. i won't lie. you would be too if this were your first obstacle.

yep. that big snow mess was above my waist. the only way to get to the trail was to try to walk across it without sinking and getting stuck or too much snow in your shoes. i did it but i will admit, this is not what i wanted to see before i even started running.

i sent this picture to my husband. we were one mile in and he was inside and snuggled up. i wanted to show him how tough i am. and how pretty i am without makeup. and the frozen river behind me. he liked it.

and we're off.  most of the trail looked about like this. except this is a high traffic area so this is a nice picture absent of any big snow mounds, puddles and ruts. we did however try to hike some of the deeper stuff but had to retreat. 

i wore my running spikes. this was the second time i've gotten to use them in the last year. i think i got my money's worth today. they were awesome. after many laughs, stumbles and good times, we called it a day and ran about 10 miles. this was a much needed run for me. it turned my mood around and sent the blues packing. i'm so grateful for people who enjoy my company and encourage me to do something challenging. running in the snow was hard. my legs got a good workout and my lungs appreciated the fresh air. 

my saturday started so good. i ran and went to startbucks where, get this, i got to pay it forward! do you remember this story? well, it felt awesome. it gave me an indescribable buzz. i just thought, man i am lucky. i was behind a nice lady in line and she ordered two cups of coffee and handed over some cash. i wasn't really paying attention until i heard the sb employee say i'm sorry we don't accept those. do you have any other cash? so, i looked. she was trying to pay with a hundred dollar bill. she replied no and i think everyone expected him to take her money but he refused. i was inches away and just said "no worries. i got it." it just came out. i didn't even have to think about it. thought i think both the employee and woman were in shock. i knew it was meant to be. her and her husband were so thankful but honestly, it just made me feel good. i got to pay it forward! i've been waiting and had the perfect opportunity. it was there just so perfect - it had my name written all over it. and had a pretty bow attached. life is good. 

today was good.

family snow day.

once we all had cabin fever, you know, tuesday morning, we had to bundle up james to go out and see all the snow. mr. h bought james a columbia snow suit last year and just couldn't wait to test it out. on the other hand, i'm not sure james was too excited.

keep in mind it was windy and cold and we mr. h had not had the chance to shovel yet.  i stayed in the garage and could only snap a few pics from my nice, covered position.  i had on my snow boots but other than that, i didn't have on appropriate pants to tackle on knee height snow.  mr. h was prepared and had a little sled just waiting for james' squeals of joy.

obviously i can't see if james is having fun but mr. h says he was so i believe him.  maybe next time i won't be such a weenie and enjoy the snow too.  i mean, lets face it - james was out only a matter of minutes before we deemed it too cold. i could have endured three minutes of snow.  i know i could have.  oops. next time.

james is feeling much better.  he is still coughing and on breathing treatments but he is on the road to recovery.  i think we've all enjoyed these days at home together.  i don't know when the snow will melt and i'll feel safe traveling with james in the backseat but he seems happy to be at home with our company.  i want to enjoy it.  i know one day he'll be wanting to play outside with his friends building snowmen and forts.  until then, we'll play whatever he wants and enjoy the extra time together.

snow-klahoma.

if you don't live in the heartland, you may not know that we are getting record snow today.  a little before 11 last night, i heard the sleet, or winter mix per the weather channel, started.  when i woke up at 6 this morning there was a blanket of white covering my yard and a delay opening message on my work weather line.  i then of course turned off the alarm and hoped james would sleep in.

the snow is still falling down in a whirl of white with the wind gusts declaring tulsa's storm a blizzard.  i'm snug as a bug with my boys but had to take a few picture to show the snow thus far.

the boys had held their morning business long enough and dared to venture out.  

can you see utah?  he loves the snow.

waylon?  well not so much.  it is already taller than he is and i imagine it is pretty chilly on this little, pig belly.

i'm obviously not going anywhere.

the snow is noticeably taller now.  my mom gave us window covers for christmas and we put them on our front windows last night.  i'm hoping it will help but with all this snow, who knows how hard it will be to take off at this point.  honey - you busy??

james is tired buy refusing to nap.  he is playing with my sorel box.  yep, i'm armed with snow boots and got them out today.  i'm going to pretend to go outside but really i'm going to snuggle my little boy and enjoy the snow from inside.  and pray that we don't lose power.  happy snow blizzard day my friends.