a life beyond running shoes.

we had a great christmas. we got to see both of our mothers and all of our siblings except for one of my husband's brothers. it was a treat, really. of course we did do the 20 hour drive twice to accomplish all this fun, but it was worth it. g'ma had her own sewing project. dresses for all her granddaughters. sweet pea does not like the bows. mimi and her grandbabies: my siblings: the first time we have been together in over two years. we are all goofs! these are the bags i made for my gifts: (9 in total - year 4 of the hand-made gift). this was the favorite gift: the electronic drum kit (that has head-phones!) running update: i did two 5.5 mile runs while in florida and one lap-work out with my brother (one of the highlights from my christmas... the time with brother not the run) this past saturday, i started my training group for a half-marathon in april benefiting world vision's work in africa. pretty exciting. there was snow on the ground and it was 28 degrees. i ...

day 17: ornament craft someone had to make the girl for sweet pea. day 18: paper mache! fun with drippy glue and tissue paper! in my attempt at hand-made gifts.....mommy's sewing time. sneak peak..... won't reveal until after christmas.

..... is sew church vestments. but alas, i did. these are temporary until we can get someone to make "real" ones.... but until then, these work for advent (thus the purple). we also made advent wreaths today. it was a great community building time for our congregation and for our host congregation. we made about 30 wreaths between the two churches. great fun! almighty god, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your son jesus christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in glorious majesty to judge the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the holy spirit, one god, now and forever. amen . (book of common prayer)

could i have gotten more accomplished today? i'm not sure. first, i cleaned the bathroom...i mean i scrubbed the tub, the sink, & the toilet. that hasn't happened in about three months. second, i vacuumed the boys room (as it should be called now) & the tv room (the only place where we have rugs) third, i swept & mopped the kitchen floor - man that was gross! then, we ventured to target and did that monthly shopping spree... plus got the boys their easter outfits. and finally during nap time, i finished my mom's christmas present (it is an apron - pictured above) which is now declared her birthday present to be shipped out next week. phew. is it my nap time? thanks to our middle school friend robin who came and kept micah company.... that is how i was able to get most of the target run down with two boys in tow.... the bathroom, well that was thanks to the teletubbies.... which i am theoretically totally opposed to, but since it totally captivated micah this mo...