life

...it really just flies by. Before you know it, the seasons change and you're wearing flip flops instead of boots, the kids are an inch taller, your goals change, your wishes change, your wants change and you look around to find everything around you if different. Sometimes, I think back when it was just me, my apartment, no worries, college classes, finals, living on a college student budget and wondering what in the world I'd be doing in 1 year, much less 5 or 10 or 15. So simple, back then - so I thought. What seemed like the same 'ol routine day end and day out was so far from reality.

I look around at this beautiful house we made a home, the incredible journey my husband endured this past year, the funny things my kids say, our family travels, the wonderful experiences of being a mom and wife, the rushing around to basketball, golf, baseball, karate, gymnastics and lets not forget school. Just yesterday, it seems, I was taking Evan to PK3. Now, it's Sissy's turn in just 6 short months. With both kids, in school - oh what does mommy do now? Let's hope back to working again... With all that I observe, I am truly beyond blessed. A happiness that I never imagined having during those "simple" college years. Those are what made me, me! Those were what shaped this crazy life into what I am so thankful for.

I know my daytime hours with Eastyn will come to an end soon, as she moves into her pre-school years. I have been soaking her up each moment of every day. Growing up; that's what we all do. Living life one day at a time. Not worrying about the next 5 or 10 years. I'm so proud of my Party of Five. I'm proud of what we have endured individually and what we have endured as a family.

Life.....and all that it entales. What a special little thing.

26.2 again.

Extremely thankful to be able to run another marathon last month. I trained for a year and having a full time job this year restricted my typical training schedule. I realized throughout the year, that this was going to be my last one. Excessive training took too much time away from family, my knee had constant pain for half of the race and I'm tired. Half marathons and sprint triathlons are much easier! I look forward to PR-ing in both of those in 2013.

I had an amazing time in DC. The weather ended up being beautiful, despite the arrival of Hurricane Sandy, which destroyed portions of NY and NJ the day after I left. Once again, thankful for great timing and support from my husband, who allowed me to travel and fulfill my dream of completing the 6 marathons I wanted to complete in the United States.

My two favorite pumpkins

Although the fall weather hasn't arrived in Florida (it's still 100% humidity and in the 90s), the season sure has! Love visiting our favorite little pumpkin patch, especially when we were the only ones there. One of my recent 'work from home part time' advantages. We had the entire patch to ourselves which allowed me to snap some good ones of my littles! Bring on Halloween!

another year, another girls cruise in the books.

This was our 4th annual girls cruise and we prove once again that 'cougars' can have just as much fun as those 20-somethings. With ages ranging from 36 to 45, we strutted our stuff off to Cozumel for some laugh 'til we cry moments, well-deserve relaxation and a whole lot of craziness. I only get to see some of these girls once or twice a year, so catching up over a 4.5 day span is something I long for all year long. This cruise has been morphed into just 'me and my tampa girls' and next year, we celebrate #5 (uh oh). I can't imagine these memories with anyone else and I am so thankful. Fortunately, we all agree that this yearly trip can't be missed. A few snapshots from our Carnival Cruise to Cozumel 2013

alive. and well.

summertime at the Newell Casa is quite exciting. Lots of mini vacations and lots of fun! Working full time and enjoying it...even with the ups and downs of the Corporate World. My kids are well. Very well. From pneumonia to tubes in her little baby ears, Eastyn has had her fair share of sickness. Thankfully, she has been healthy for over a month. Her sweet smile and big hair continue to make me smile...and laugh. Evan turned 7 last week. He's becoming this sensitive little boy with strong emotions. I am learning to deal with it. Slowly, but surely. He starts school, 2nd grade, in 3 weeks. Whoah! Scott is doing amazingly well. I'm so proud of him and his accomplishments over the last 4 months. He is probably one of the strongest men I know. And, I am so happy to call him mine. We are all still growing up and I am truly blessed for the family we have become. Marathon training has begun for the Washington DC Marine Corp Marathon in Oct, so my life will be consumed with running over the next 3 month. A sub4 may never be reachable, but I'm going to try really hard. We have lots to be thankful for. I'm learning the true meaning of happiness. I see it in my family's faces every day.

Ahhhhh....

The beach. Ahhhhh.....My family. Ahhhhh....that is all!

my buddy & me

What a fun day with my little man. I took a much needed day off to go on a field trip with Evan and managed to squeeze in a trip to M.Marie (Evan likes going, because he loves Meghan's dog. Score! And, I finally found the perfect dress for fancy night on the cruise. Double score!), the ice cream shop (his usual, cotton candy-I declined it today), a quick manicure (major maintenance was needed), Evan's golf lesson (he's rockin' the clubs & on fire!-time for another tourney!), a 5 mile trail run (1/2 marathon in t-minus 2 weeks) and lots of time left for sweet E cuddles during American Idol (love them to pieces-my kids, that is). I even managed to have a 90 minute, uninterrupted conversation with my husband. Most of which involved my Mother's Day (turned weekend) plans. Even with all of the rushing around, it was a much needed mother-son day! One of these days once a week, please.