i can do hard things

It's hard.
Really hard.
and yet, I still desire to get out and do it.
whenever I hear my "running songs" I yearn to be out running.
but, it's hard.
like really hard.

i have started Couchto5K over and am on week 4.
only this time i get to run while pushing 95 pounds of wonderful kids.
so, today we needed to return some movies to the library. why not kill two birds with one stone, as they say.

we set out.
i thought, I can do this.
but, it was hard.
really hard.
i didn't quite run all the time i should have, but i did almost all.
and between running and walking, we made it down 1.2 miles to the library, and back 1.2 miles home.

and now, i am exhausted.

here's to tomorrow, because i know i can do hard things!!!

6 quick things+1 funny

1. We went camping over the weekend with family and friends. Despite the cold/raining/snowing weather, we had a wonderful time! We had 3 trailers to use as our shelter, so we really didn't feel like we were stepping all over each other. I can't wait to go again.
2. The tire almost blew up while driving to our destination. We noticed the truck was vibrating really bad. So we went to get the spare off to use instead, and it was burned up from the muffler. Seriously, burned all the way down to the metal. It took us 5 1/2 hours to complete a 2 1/4 hour drive. However, the kids were amazing, and we are so grateful to our friends for being so accommodating to the change of plans since it took us so long to get there.
3. While camping, my BIL set up a "Top Shot" style shooting course for all who wanted to participate. {K} took my spot and had such fun! After, he shot a .22 and hit the target 9 out of 10 times. I couldn't believe it! He was completely unassisted. {A} shot 4 blackbirds with his BB gun. It was so fun to watch them succeed!
4. I shot a pistol this weekend as well. It scared the bejeessers out of me! But, I think I might like to try it again. :)
5. It's the last week of school, so while I was at the school volunteering today, the boys and I gave their teachers their end of year gift. Each of them got an IPOD. We found them used on craigslist and they were both so excited to have an easy way to have kid appropriate music available at the touch of their fingers. It was fun to see them light up at such a cool gift.  The boys were pretty excited about it.
6. I am so grateful to my friend {M} who watched my kids all year so I could volunteer. That is such an important thing to me and I so appreciate her!! (I am super sad she moved, and am praying that she gets to come back, soon!!)
1 Funny:  The other day {K} climbed into the van and noticed the 1st Aid Kit I have in there. He wanted to know if I keep band-aids in it. I told him yes. Then he asked me if there was such thing as a 2nd Aid Kit!! Ha Ha. That kid is hilarious!!

6 quick things (well, ok, only 4)

1. I went running this morning. It's hard. I run with a double stroller and about 55 pounds worth of kiddos strapped in. I decided to restart couchto5k at week 3 with the hopes that I can build up my endurance since I am running with the stroller. It's going ok.
2. We are making plans for a family vacation early June. We don't want to travel more than a few hours from home. We plan to camp. Where should we go?
3. Mother's Day was nice. Two adorable gifts and breakfast in bed. {K} made a mug decorated by him, and {A} painted a really pretty vase with flowers in it. They then had the painting laminated.
4. {a} has one chore. Empty the Dishwasher. She earns $.50 each time. It's a FIGHT nearly every day.
5. guess I only have 4 things to talk about this time...

6 quick things.

Saw the idea of 6 quick things today on another blog, and thought, that is something I could do. Get some thoughts out there, share what's up with us without the pressure of any pictures. We'll see how it goes...

1. DH is out of town for business, again. It feels like a very regular occurrence lately.
2. Next weekend is Scout Overnighter, again. It definitely is a very regular occurrence. (for the past 4 years)
3. {k} is crazy busy. He REALLY wanted to go outside today in the pouring rain, so I let him. I honestly thought he would stay on the covered patio and play on a bike or in a car or something like that. He didn't stay on the patio. He meandered all over the back yard, through the mud, to the rocks, all without socks, shoes, or a jacket. Silly boy was loving life. He told me it was "wet".
4. {a} can't hardly wait for preschool. She knows that it will start after {K}'s birthday. His bday is the middle of July, and preschool starts after Labor Day. It was the closest milestone I could think of.
5. I have been baking up a storm lately, and have really been enjoying it.
6. {A} got some great news recently. It meant some big conversations between DH and I. Not ready to share, but it means a fairly large change for him in the coming months.