StrattonFour

Picture update

2012-02-09T06:24:00.000-05:00

Matthew and Greg running last Saturday.

And this.

It made me smile. :)

Hopefully I'll be seeing this movie this weekend.

Me

running cat echo

2012-02-05T17:24:00.001-05:00

Thursday Matthew had run/walk.

We told him to take it easy, so he only did 4 miles.

Friday was the Annunciation Catholic School Jog-A-Thon.

Matthew did 28 laps in one hour.

That's 7 miles!!!!

Good job buddy!

Annunciation had a half day, so after the jog-a-thon we picked up our friends Eli and Maddy, then swung by and picked up Becca from preschool and we headed to the zoo.

Once we finally made it home and the twins were picked up we headed to Matthew's basketball game. They were missing some players and he ended up playing almost the whole game. Sigh. The kid didn't even act tired!

Matthew had a special friend with him this weekend. Cool Cat.

Matthew has to take him places and write about it in a journal.

Saturday morning we headed out to a free 5K and fun run. It was sooo hot, and sooo crowded, and sooo unorganized. Sigh. I'm so spoiled. It sucked.

Matthew had his best 5K time ever (23:37) while I had my worst (37:49).

But I have a good excuse.

I was pushing 45 lbs of Becca plus 15lbs of stroller among 2500 people that don't know how to run 5ks.

Sigh.

It was soo frustrating.

But on the plus side, I only ran over one person :)

The kids wanted to go play outside but I put my exhausted foot down. When we got home (at 2pm) we took showers and just watched movies all afternoon.

Sunday morning we went to chuch.

And we've been cleaning and bumming around since.

New song I love.

Hello, hello
anybody out there?
'cause I don't hear a sound
alone, alone
I don't really know where the world is but I miss it now

Refrain:

I'm out on the edge and I'm screaming my name
like a fool at the top of my lungs
sometimes when I close my eyes I pretend I'm alright
but it's never enough
cause my echo, echo
is the only voice coming back
my shadow, shadow
is the only friend that I have

listen, listen
I would take a whisper if
that's all you have to give
but it isn't, isn't
you could come and save me
try to chase it crazy right out of my head

Refrain:

I'm out on the edge and I'm screaming my name
like a fool at the top of my lungs
sometimes when I close my eyes I pretend I'm alright
but it's never enough
cause my echo, echo
is the only voice coming back
my shadow, shadow
is the only friend that I have

Bridge:

I don't wanna be down and
I just wanna feel alive and
get to see your face again
I don't wanna be down and
I just wanna feel alive and
get to see your face again
but 'til then

Just my echo, my shadow
youre my only friend

Refrain:

I'm out on the edge and I'm screaming my name
like a fool at the top of my lungs
sometimes when I close my eyes I pretend I'm alright
but it's never enough
cause my echo, echo
oh my shadow, shadow

Hello, hello
anybody out there?

all that's dead and gone...

2012-01-24T06:02:00.001-05:00

I wanted to post this song a couple days ago, but I've been letting it stir around in my soul and falling more and more in love with it. There's not one line that doesn't spark an emotion, a memory, a yearning.

"when all those shadows almost killed your light"

That one killed me. So many images come forth to mind with it.

"hold on to this lullaby, even when the music's gone"

I have never had a way with words. I cannot string a sentence together to stir any kind of passion in anyone. But my passion is easily stirred and I fall in love with lyrics, words, passages in books, a few notes in a song...

The Hunger Games. Anyone read it? I have been desperately trying to find someone in my real life that has read it so I can gush and discuss it. This song is going to be on the soundtrack and when I first heard it so much from the book came forward. Tender moments with Rue, in the cave with Peeta.

It's a teen fiction trilogy. I read them one after the other in about four days. It's dark and depressing and I cried for days afterwards. DAYS.

I cannot wait for the first movie to come out.

I remember tears streaming down your face
When I said, I'll never let you go
When all those shadows almost killed your light
I remember you said, Don't leave me here alone
But all that's dead and gone and passed tonight

Just close your eyes
The sun is going down
You'll be alright
No one can hurt you now
Come morning light
You and I'll be safe and sound

Don't you dare look out your window darling
Everything's on fire
The war outside our door keeps raging on
Hold onto this lullaby
Even when the music's gone
Gone

Just close your eyes
The sun is going down
You'll be alright
No one can hurt you now
Come morning light
You and I'll be safe and sound

Just close your eyes
You'll be alright
Come morning light,
You and I'll be safe and sound...

Resolution Run

2012-01-21T08:04:00.000-05:00

Last weekend 3 Strattons ran a race (and the little Stratton watched movies in the van with Jordan because it was FREEZING out).

Greg and I ran the 10K.

Mr. Fast.

Mrs. Slow Poke

Matthew ran the 5K. He placed 3rd in his age group, 10 and under. The two boys that beat his time were both 10. He was so excited, until we found out they were only giving our prizes to the top two! DOH! So close. Next time Buddy!

And then we got Becca and Jordan out of the car and we all did the fun run and were able to raise almost $200 towards our Run/Walk club.

200

2012-01-18T06:00:00.000-05:00

Miles.

This kid.

My personal McAwesome.

The End.

2012-01-15T07:59:00.000-05:00

We spent a morning in Arcos.

Stopped to have lunch at a yummy chicken place. Across the street was an old train station with hundreds of storks.

We collected shells on the beach.

Saw an awesome Three Kings parade.

And got a ton of candy.

Sunrise in Castilleja.

Sevilla airport.

Lunch in the Barcelona airport (a new airport added to our list).

And then the kids expelled some energy before we got on the longest flight we've even be on (almost 11 hours)

The end.

Tio Pepe

2012-01-10T05:59:00.001-05:00

Greg and I did a tour of a winery/bodega in Jerez, while the kids went to the zoo with Babus.

It was over two hours long and we learned all kinds of neat things.

The best part was the wine tasting, obviously.

These were not filled over half way when we started. Really.

:)

Me

Trip part 2

2012-01-09T06:34:00.000-05:00

We ate a lot of choco fritos (our favorite!) and drank some cruzcampo.

Took some pictures of this hunk.

The little down time the kids had was spent relaxing and playing on their new Ipods from Santa. Santa rocks.

We played at our favorite new park in Rota. They have a duck pond, so we fed ducks.

With trails to walk and ride bikes.

And swings

And a zip line.

I told Greg he has to have one built in our back yard by Spring.

So much fun!

Nothing but laughs. We played on it for almost 2 hours!

More tomorrow.

Me

requests

2012-01-06T07:06:00.001-05:00

We are packing up our last little bit. We head home tomorrow.

please pray for traveling mercies.

luchy

update of our trip

2012-01-02T08:24:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone....

I´m trying to update pictures from the laptop and it´s going slow as molasses... I have about a thousand pics so far.... I know I can´t post them all, but I wanted to post some of my favorites....

Rebecca with Santa, whom after working all night delivering presents, was headed to Miami for an extended vacation.

The boys in the Madrid airport. Our layover was 8 hours, the longest layover we have ever done. The kids were freaking amazing the whole time.

At the parque de Maria Louisa, in Sevilla. It´s a beautiful city park which has hundreds of trails and little alcoves hidden throughout. It has fountains and gardens and playgrounds and huge trees. It has the Plaza de Espana, where they filmed scenes from the newer star wars movies. This is the park we ran our 5K in on New Years Eve.

Favorite cousins.

We saw Betis (our soccer team) practice and took a private tour through their stadium (inside and on the field).

In Rota we took long bike rides/walks/runs on the board walk.

We played on the beach (which also has a little play structure).

Sunset on the beach.

Sunrise on the road. Love the windmills!

We drove to Sierra Nevada to play in the snow.

Back in Sevilla we walked around...

and enjoyed some nativity scenes (at one bank´s there was a 3 Kings messenger)...

and playing at mommy´s old preschool tree.

My laptop is about to die (and after my 7 miler this morning I need to jump in the shower), so I´m going to end this for now, but I promise to update again soon.

Love,

Me

Spain

2011-12-27T16:00:00.000-05:00

We are here... we made it... the kids were freaking awesome the whole time... I am so proud of them. I read 2 whole books and played a ton of games with the kids.

We flew into Sevilla Monday afternoon and spent the whole day there today at the Parque de Maria Luisa, (http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parque_de_Maria_Luisa) the most beautiful park in the whole world.

Now we are in Rota... the first thing we did after unpacking is go for a 4 mile run. It felt sooo good to stretch out.

Now we are crashing and going to watch The Help.

I promise to post a real update soon.

Love,

Me

Sweet Surprises

2011-12-21T15:17:00.000-05:00

The mail man showed up today with two packages.

The first one from my high school friend Christina.

She made the kids and I sweet little boxes. Within minutes the kids had their soccer ribbons and some other little treasures hidden away in theirs.

Mine is a running one... I think I will use it to hide my Ipod from the kids. LOL

The other one was from my friend Liz. I told the kids we had to wait until Daddy got home. The moment he walked in the door they were tearing the cars out of the box and within minutes Greg had batteries put in them and they were off!

Thank you guys so much!

Luchy

Monday Recap

2011-12-20T06:48:00.000-05:00

Friday night we let the kids sleep in the den with the Christmas tree on and a movie (Tangled... again!) playing.

They didn't sleep much. At around midnight we finally sent them to bed.

Saturday the Town of Orange Park (not to be confused with the greater Orange Park area) had their mini parade. And not that it's the most amazing thing ever, but we love it and look forward to it every year.

Santa road around on a fire truck, escorted by 4 more emergency vehicles.

The kids love it and get themselves in such a tizzy because you can hear the sirens for almost an hour before they drive by us.

Santa threw two handfuls of candy and bellowed "Merry Christmas"

Sunday, as you remember, was spent torturing ourselves, and then trying to recover.

Monday!

Monday morning the kids woke up and the first thing they asked was "where's daddy?"

"Daddy's at work"

"Why?"

".... because it's a work day?"

Becca burst into tears and wailed "but it's vacation and if it's not a school day then daddy has to be home from work!"

Sigh. Such a hard concept to grasp. I tried to explain that even though we aren't at school that some people still have to go to work and that daddy has a very nice two week vacation coming up where they can spend 24/7 time with him.

Then I dragged them to work with me :) It wasn't bad, since the kidzone was packed with kids. Then we came home, had lunch and spent two hours outside.

They wanted to watch a movie but I stood my ground and told them we had to stay outside until right before daddy came home, when we would sprint inside, clean like crazy and then spend time with daddy when he got home.

So I backed up my car to block the drive way, grabbed my nook and sat on the outside chair, and gave them free reign.

Sassy soccer butt.

We had made bird feeders last week and they wanted to make more, so I agreed to get up and drive them to the soccer field near our house to find more...

Two minutes later we were back home and they were pulling out the left over stuff to make more.

Good job my lovies!

#3

2011-12-19T06:33:00.001-05:00

Yesterday Greg and I (and a whole bunch of people) ran the Jacksonville Bank Half Marathon. Other people ran the full (way to go Jillian!) and some people ran the 5K.

It was really cold and I am glad I changed into longer shorts right before I left the house. And Greg insisted I grab a long sleeve tee. Thank goodness I did. BRRRRR. It was cold and windy and nomatter which direction I was running in the damn wind was hitting me in my face. My lungs still hurt.

So does the rest of me.

Because I killed it yesterday.

And by killed it, I mean I beat my other two times. I'm not awesome or fast or anything.

But my time was 2:17:38 (chip time).

Which is 9 minutes faster than the race 3 WEEKS AGO.

Greg also beat his best time. He did his in 1:45 something. He is just better at EVERYTHING.

Yea, I'm proud.

And sore.

Here are some crappy pics.

The race started and ended at Bolles. As soon as we got there we had to find the late registration table because my chip number was wrong on my bib. After fighting crowds, getting my number fixed in the computer (those guys are all tech savy and on the ball) and fighting more crowds, we made it to the start as the were finishing the national anthem. We grasped hands, said a quick prayer, and split up. Greg moved to the front because he is awesomely fast, and I moved to the back.

Took this pic right before they fired the gun, and there is Greg right in the middle of that mess.

I only took one pic during the race. The beloved mile ten.

And then after eight million hours, I was done.

We both received two medals. One for the race and one because we participated in the 'try to be tough' challenge. Three half marathons (the marine corps half, the subaru classic, and the jax bank) in three months.

I felt pretty sick the rest of the day. After showers I let Greg crash and I took the kids to the Jump Zone so they could run around and burn some energy and I could just sit on my ass and not do anything. Once I got home I was suppose to go run some errand, but I took a nap instead. And then I went to a work Christmas party, and instead of getting up and doing my hair and picking out some cute clothes, I napped some more. I showed up in jeans and a plain ragedy tee shirt and my hair all crazy from the shower. But whatever, they love me.

After the party I came back home, crawled back into bed and crashed again.

I know. I'm so good at this aren't I?

giggles

2011-12-16T18:22:00.002-05:00

These made me laugh.

You're lookin' so damn hot

2011-12-15T12:11:00.000-05:00

That's what I could hear Matthew singing the other day.

I was like "WHAT?????"

"It's a song Mommy. I know I am not suppose to say bad words"

"umm.... could you sing the rest of it for me?"

So he did.

He knew every. damn. word.

LOL.

The very next day it popped on the radio, so we turned it up and sang together. :)

"you've got your hands UP!"

Catchy little bugger....

Preschool Program

2011-12-14T20:15:00.000-05:00

Rebecca had her preschool Christmas Program on Tuesday.

Angel

Oh my...

Waving... silly goose.

CHEESE

Blowing me kisses...

Weekend Recap

2011-12-12T19:45:00.001-05:00

Saturday night we went to go see the Live Nativity with friends.

Baby goats!

Sunday Rebecca and I ran a whole bunch of errands and then watched Tangled.

Twice.

Greg and Matthew were given tickets to the Jaguar Game (thanks Denver and Camille).

Then everyone came home, we scarfed down all the leftovers, and went to bed.

The End.

Santa and Rugby and Pizza, Oh My!

2011-12-10T15:30:00.000-05:00

After the race we stopped at Steak and Shake for second breakfast and then we headed out to see Santa.

The Y was having a free Rugby clinic for kids, with pizza after.

Now we are at home... crashing... needing to take showers to continue out our night....

Me

Saturday Race

2011-12-10T12:06:00.000-05:00

The St. Augustine Catholic Schools had a track meet this morning. They had runners from 1st to 8th grade.

Matthew ran against 50-ish boys from 1st and 2nd grade. This age group only did 400 meters (a quarter of a mile). Matthew is more of a long distance runner. We are always telling him slow and steady. The farthest he has run is 8 miles. So we kept reminding him this was a sprint race. To keep steady til the end and then spring HARD.

This is what happened.... (please excuse the shakey camera and the loud obnoxious mother screaming)
Matthew is wearing a gold shirt and black shorts...

I love how you can see his run/walk coach yelling for him as he goes around the last bend.
Second Place!

Little Grumpy

They gave ribbons to the first 10.

Matthew and Mr. Frost (our run walk coach)

The cold, hungry, grumpy Stratton Clan.

Our day is just beginning. More updates to come!

Pictures and Videos....

2011-12-07T05:29:00.001-05:00

We've made cards...

And we went out to eat. We tried a new to us pizza place. The kids loved it.

And tonight we went to Matthew's Christmas Concert.

My very very handsome boy.

My stylish, strong willed, little girl...

Becca took this picture of us. That look on my face? That's me freaking out as she's swinging around my camera...

Matthew and his lovely teacher...

My little rock star...

Air drumming... lol!

Weekend

2011-12-04T17:05:00.002-05:00

Friday night the kids watched movies and ate popcorn with our awesome sitter, while Greg and I went out on a date :)

Saturday we went to the Jingle Bell Fun Run in Green Cove. We ran right before the parade started and then we stayed to watch the parade.

It was.... interesting?

What can I say... there was a whole lot of Middleburg......

I forgot my camera so I took this crappy pic with my phone...

It's hard to get excited when I know what the parades in Spain will be like this Christmas...

Sigh. SOON!

Then last night the kids and I headed out last minute to see a live nativity with some friends... it was super crowded and rushed, but we had a good time.

The kids favorite part was the little petting zoo at the end...

Having our daily list of Christmasy things to do is going really well. The kids are busy making Christmas cards for strangers.... I better go and supervise!

Me

Trees

2011-12-02T05:47:00.000-05:00

We put up three trees this year.

The big one, and then one in each of the kid's rooms.

Pink star for Rebecca

Blue for Matthew (and a huge load of whites for mommy)

They were so excited to get to fall asleep with their tree lights on.

The trick is remembering to get up before I fall asleep to turn them off...

25 Days of Christmas

2011-12-01T14:14:00.000-05:00

In our advent calendar this year I am putting in slips of paper with an activity or something special for that day.

Here is our 25 days of Christmas

1. Put up trees
2. Christmas movie with popcorn
3. Christmas race and activities
4. Make Christmas cards
5. Bake cookies
6. Matthew's Christmas Concert!
7. Bake special Christmas desserts
8. Deliver special desserts to friends and neighbors
9. Wrap Christmas presents while listening to Christmas music
10. Live Nativity
11. Put up Manger
12. Make cards for Moosehaven residents
13. Take cards to Moosehaven
14. Bake and decorate and eat ginger bread men
15. Make pine cone bird feeders
16. Last day of school, go out for dinner!
17. Read Christmas stories, sleep next to the tree.
18. Drive around and see lights while drinking hot chocolate
19. Game night (invite friends over for games and appitizers)
20. Go to the beach and out for ice cream
21. Make wreaths
22. First day of winter- Make snowflakes
23. String popcorn and set them outside
24. Children's Mass and family stockings!
25. Happy Birthday Jesus!

And don't worry... I'll be taking lots and lots of pictures!

Yup

2011-11-30T18:45:00.000-05:00

I mustache you a question....

As you can see, working in the Kidzone after they have resurfaced the basketball courts makes us all silly and loopy.

It's serious business around here!

LOL

Anyways... not much else is going on.

We've started "family runs" to go along with our much loved "family prayer time".

We put Becca in the stroller and the 3 older Strattons run. We usually do about 4.5 miles twice a week, plus run/walk on Thursdays.

And family prayer time is pretty much self explanitory. We don't do it every night, but as often as we can. We put on our pj's and snuggle on the couch. We usually will pray a decade of the rosary, and ask each other what we can pray about, and then we read a little story about a Saint.

It's really fun to be a part of the Stratton Four family.

:)

ps- good bye Sad November. See ya next year.

Race stuff

2011-11-26T09:23:00.000-05:00

At around mile 3 there was a huge sign that said

Worst Parade Ever.

That made me laugh.

Then I saw a guy (I actually saw him at the last half too) wearing a green shirt that said

Bananas and Bagels and Beer, oh my!

That really made me laugh, because that's what you get at the end of every race.

I took three pictures this morning. I've titled them "the good, the bad and the ugly"

Our medals were pretty.

Our shirts are ok, I guess. They are REALLY bright and really comfortable.

And then this morning I saw this....

Oh sweet baby Jesus. Please don't let me lose my toenail! That looks bad. So, so bad.

Sigh.

How fast will it grow back?

Gulp.

Me

Thankful

2011-11-25T14:19:00.025-05:00

On Wednesday the kids and I went to the beach.

Because it's Florida and the weather decided to be a nice 75 degrees with sunshine and some clouds....

Our Oehmann friends came to play too

There were tons of jelly fish dead on the shore so they spent about 2 hours burying them.

Thursday we got up waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay early and headed to our race.

The coarse was soooo boring, but thankfully I had Greg there running with me.

Then we went to the Stratton's Compound and we ate and played and had a great time.

the end

A problem

2011-11-22T19:51:00.001-05:00

So I might have a little problem.

Yesterday we all went for a little 9 mile run. Matthew rode his bike and Rebecca cruised in her jogging stroller while Greg pushed her. My job was to keep yelling at Matthew to wait for us, and then trying to get us all to cross streets without being killed by crazy drivers.

So, yeah. 9 miles yesterday. We finished strong and I felt good. Got my post race headache and my left toes were numb. The usual.

I woke up this morning expecting to be sore as crap and tired as hell.

Nope.

Instead, as I drove Matthew to school this morning, I wanted to run.

So badly.

I saw some guy running and I was immediately consumed with jealous rage.

Asshole. Who does he think he is?

I kept reminding myself that I had to take it easy the next two days since our half marathon is Thursday morning. I picked up our race packets and was insanely disappointed. Highlighter orange shirts and coupons. Crappy coupons, too. Anyone buying a Subaru? I have a $500 off coupon on a new or used vehicle.

Assholes. I mean, would it have killed them to throw in a water bottle or something?

Sigh.

I've created a monster inside me.

Also, an update.

Saw the movie on Saturday. I thought I might have to ride it solo, but ended up with 4 in tow. Awesome. And here's a recap of the movie...

http://www.jennsylvania.com/jennsylvania/2011/11/breaking-dawn-otherwise-known-as-a-ride-in-edwards-volvo.html

Love and Peace to all during this time of Thanksgiving, and a big fat F.U. thrown in too.

Damn.

I'm a mess. I might have to quit posting til this stupid funky depression makes its way elsewhere.

Ok.

2011-11-19T06:18:00.000-05:00

So this morning I'm headed out to do a long ass run because I am signed up to do a half marathon on Thanksgiving day.

This running thing might just end up being my thing. ;)

Greg and I were discussing goals a couple days ago... nothing deep or life altering, but just little personal goals.

And on my list, right behind winning the lottery and losing weight, was challenging myself with this whole running thing. Getting myself out of my little box. So I decided that I will do 12 in 12. 12 half marathons in 2012. But really it's 15 in 15 months, because I did a half in October. I'm scheduled to do this one on Thanksgiving day, and Greg found one we can do in December before we leave for Spain.

I'm trying to get myself out of this whole bad mood I've been in lately, so this long run today will help. Especially with music like this....

This song cracks me up. It reminds me of 80's music.

Oh, and right after my run (well, after my quick shower) I'm headed out to see the new Twilight movie. With other adults. Who are also Twilight fans. Oh my.

So maybe this funky mood will turn itself around.

Wish me luck,

Me

sigh

2011-11-18T16:27:00.003-05:00

How to make November less bearable?

For a while
I sat there staring at the photograph
For a while
I cried and tried not to make a scene
There was a time,
When we were young
I used to make her laugh
But life is long,
My love has gone away from me

Chorus:
Gone away from me
Gone away from me
Life is long
My love has gone away from me
Gone away from me
Gone away from me
Life is long
My love has gone away from me

Lately I
Can’t seem to find myself no sleep at all
Lately I
Just lie awake here and dream
Of the time when she was mine
Felt like I had it all
But life is long,
My love has gone away from me

Chorus

Yesterday’s gone
Yesterday’s dead
Get it through your head
And walk away
Yesterday is gone
Ain’t no use hanging on
To a memory that only causes you pain

For a while
I sat there staring at the photograph
For a while
I cried and tried not to make a scene
There was a time,
When we were young
I used to make her laugh
But life is long,
My love has gone away from me

Chorus

November

2011-11-17T14:23:00.000-05:00

The most stupidest month of the year.

I hate it.

Every year I get all mopey and sad and depressed and every year I'm left wondering why and swearing next year will be different.

Anyways... so far this month we've.....

Celebrated Halloween at Moosehaven.

Ran a 5K. Greg and Matthew both payed and both placed. Matthew ran it in 24:04. Fast little bugger. I ran rogue.

Met up with friends at the soccer field near our house.

Sat around the firepit.

Crashed on couches.

Tried to drown my sorrows.

Played at the zoo.

Played flag football.

I love how he is laughing in this one.

I've run a couple 8 milers on the new bike trail near our house.

Had some donuts.

We were adopted by a dog. We found him on Tuesday. Matthew insisted God sent it to him. Sigh. He is beautiful and well trained. I took him to the vet to check if it had a chip (it didn't), called animal control and the humane society to see if anyone had called them, put a couple half hearted signs up, kids named him Shadow, we bought food and some toys and a collar and leash, and we all completely fell in love.

His owner called a little while ago and will pick him up tonight.

Matthew had his first Confession. Sorry the pics are bad but the church was dark.

And then today Rebecca's class had their Thanksgiving Feast.

So there you go.

Me

STRONGER

2011-11-09T09:40:00.001-05:00

We have been talking a lot about what our family is.  
Our mantra.  
Our family philosophy. 
 How we will treat each other. 
 How we will build each other up and help each other achieve all our goals, big or small.  
What we will repeat to ourselves daily and know to be true.

Our family theme song.

THIS.  

The first time I heard this song, I knew.  
This was our family.  
Our Stratton Four theme song.  
This is what I want my children to repeat to themselves and know about themselves.  
That they are strong, and thoughtful, and whimsical, and smart, and brave.  (And it's ok to be grouchy).  
That as long as they keep their heads up high, no one can bring them down.
I hope you enjoy it too.



If what I am is what's in meThen I'll stay strong - that's who I'll beAnd I will always be the best"me" that I can be.
There's only one me, I am itHave a dream I'll follow itIt's up to me to try.
Oh! I'm a keep my head up high (high!)Keep on reaching high (high!)Never gonna quitI'll be getting stronger.
And nothing's gonna bring me down (no!)Never gonna stop, gotta go. (go!)Because I knowI'll keep getting stronger.
And what I am is thoughtfulWhat I am is musicalWhat I am is smartAnd what I am is braveWhat I am is helpfulWhat I am is specialThere's nothing I can't achieve.Because in myself I believe in oh...
Gonna keep our heads up high (high!)Keep on reaching high (high!)Never gonna quitJust keep getting stronger.
And nothing's gonna bring us down (no!)Never give it up, gotta go. (go!)Because I knowI'll keep getting stronger.
What I am is superWhat I am is proudWhat I am is friendlyWhat I am is grouchyWhat you are is magicalWhat you are is special
There's nothing I can't achieve because in myself I believe in oh...
Gonna hold my head up high (high!)Keep on reaching high (high!)Never gonna stopI'll be getting stronger.
Nothing's gonna bring me downNever give it up gotta go, oh oh yeah...I'll keep getting strong-er!

six

2011-11-03T06:37:00.001-04:00

There's a sea of lonely
swimming sad
looking just for
an arm to grab
I don't need to
understand
I'm just lending you
the two that I have

You might be drifting
and can't find the shore
so hopeless
and all alone
the waves are crashing
all around you
just when you've lost the will to live
you see the sun

Can we make a searchlight
from all the bridges that we burn?
do you see a rescue
or a deeper kind of hurt?
who could love you?
who could hold you?
I'd swim across the sea
you don't have to be alone
where the shallow gets to deep

You might be drifting
and can't find the shore
so hopeless
and all alone
the waves are crashing
all around you
just when you've lost the will to live
you see the sun

I am hurt and nearly drown
open up your eyes
i cry for help you turn around
open up your eyes
farther from the shore
or you'll be farther from the shore
I am hurt and nearly drown
you're not alone
I cry for help you turn around
I'm not letting go
Farther from the shore
so you're not farther from the shore

You might be drifting

and can't find the shore

so hopeless

and all alone

the waves are crashing

all around you

just when you've lost the will to live

you see the sun

Past week

2011-10-30T20:07:00.001-04:00

Last Sunday we had Family Picnic Night.

We made homemade calzones and mini pizzas. We ate broccoli and mushrooms and washed it down with Sprite, a treat for the kids. Our treat was the wine we added :)

"Bless us, O Lord..."

We also had our first fall fire pit and made s'mores.

Tuesday, Matthew had a flag football game.

Friday, Greg went to Georgia and we made sugar cookies and rode bikes.

And today Greg and the kids raked leaves...

And we went to St. Catherine's Trunk or Treat.

Remind Me

2011-10-30T12:50:00.000-04:00

I REALLY needed this song this week.

Remind Me Who I Am

by Jason Gray

When I lose My way,
And I forget my name,
Remind me who I am.
In the mirror all I see,
Is who I don't wanna be,
Remind me who I am.
In the lonliest places,
When I can't remember what grace is.

Tell me once again who I am to you.
Who I am to you.
Tell me must I forget who I am to you.
That I belong to you.
To you.

When my heart is like a stone,
And I'm running far from home,
Remind me who I am.
When I can't recieve your love,
Afraid I'll never be enough,
Remind me who I am.
If I'm your beloved,
Can you help me believe it.

Tell me once again who I am to you.
Who I am to you, Woh.
Tell me must I forget who I am to you.
That I belong to you.
To you.

I'm the one you love,
I'm the one you love,
That will be enough,
I'm the one you love.

Tell me once again who I am to you.
Who I am to you.
Tell me must I forget who I am to you.
That I belong to you, Woh.
To you.

2

2011-10-23T10:54:00.001-04:00

This one is funny

This one is inappropriately hilarious

Red Top Mountain Pictures

2011-10-22T19:57:00.001-04:00

Rebecca refused to come back so I had to get her...

I love this one... LOL, yup I live in the south. I spanked her butt.

One more family picture before we left and headed home..

What an amazing weekend.

Resting in Canton

2011-10-22T14:30:00.000-04:00

After apple picking we went back to the hotel to rest.

LOL. My kids? Resting? Hahahahahaha

The hotel had an indoor pool....

And then we went out to eat...

And then we went back to the hotel and crashed. It had been a really long day.

Baby

2011-10-20T17:22:00.000-04:00

While Rebecca and I were running ragged back and forth dr appointments, Greg went to Run/Walk with Matthew.

And Matthew came home with this shirt on....

150 miles (which equals 600 laps around the soccer field).

My little baby.

I am so proud of him.

Reece Apple House

2011-10-20T06:09:00.000-04:00

After a late lunch and a pretty drive we headed to Reece Apple House.

The kids just ran and ran and ran all over the orchard.

They also had a little petting farm with goats, chickens, turkeys and some cows...

After picking a ton of apples we headed back to the hotel. We completely skipped the mad house gift store at the farm since we bought tons of stuff at Burt's.

Me

Amicalola Falls

2011-10-19T06:33:00.000-04:00

After Burt's Farm we went to Amicalola Falls for some hiking....

You hike up part of the mountain and then it leads you to a couple hundred stairs to reach the falls.

My cute boys.

RED LEAVES!

We crossed over to the other side of the falls for the 2 mile hike down. The first part was paved.

But once you crossed a small parking lot it got A LOT rougher.

Slow down Matthew!

Careful Becca!

Once we made it back down we had lunch (I had packed a ton of snacks and lunch food for this trip)

And on our way to the next adventure Rebecca sang "God Bless America"
(Sorry it's sideways... I can't seem to get it to turn)

Burt's Farm

2011-10-18T06:14:00.000-04:00

The first part of the day was spent in Burt's Farm.... a pumpkin farm!

We walked around to check out the big pumpkins...

Then we bought tickets for the hayride.

It was a huge covered wagon which we enjoyed so much.

Farmer Gregson says those are lima beans.

Then we walked around some more picking out pumpkins

Pumpkin Butter.

Cute boy.

more pictures soon...

Weekend part one

2011-10-17T13:50:00.000-04:00

Friday afternoon we loaded up the kids and headed to Northern Georgia. We stayed in Canton, which is north of Atlanta.

I had everything packed by the time Greg got home from work. Suitcase. Cooler. Play bag. DVD. Kids...

We drove 6 hours straight and crashed when we got there.

The next morning we got up early for free hotel breakfast

And then headed out.

"Look guys, red leaves!" (Ninos, irse despidiendo...)

Over look....

Cuties....

Us!

Friday

2011-10-14T13:45:00.000-04:00

A video from last weeks game.... I love watching him play. In this video you see him be awesome and pass the ball to someone who wasn't there anymore.. oh well....he's still a rockstar.

We also started run walk last week.

Matthew getting his card hole punched...

Rebecca finally got a big toe token (Big token for the first ten miles and little tokens for each additional mile)

:)

THIS

2011-10-13T12:50:00.002-04:00

Awesome.

5

2011-10-12T06:27:00.002-04:00

On Monday after dropping the kids off at school (Greg and I had the day off, thank you Govt. Job) Greg and I did an easy five miler on River Road.

It was such a great little run.

Greg ran with me the whole time, and that was such a nice treat because he has never done that before.

Because I'm a slow poke.

But it was nice. We chatted and talked. I forced him to stop and take pictures. He kept trying to get me to run faster. I kept telling him to shut the f up. :) CLEARLY it was an awesome bonding experience.

I've been complimented on my authoritativeness with older kids a couple times this past week. ? I guess Luchy has the "mean and scary" teacher voice thing down.

Of course I also follow this philosophy...

Ok, one more. Ready?

Sometimes spending 2.5 hours a day stuck in the car with Rebecca makes me feel like this....

But I bite my tongue and curse the day I took the DVD players out of the car. My resolve to only use the on long trips (1.5 hours plus) takes a beating on those days. But we keep our car well stocked with music and cd's on tape and books and crayons and notebooks....

I remind myself that I will feel completely alone in the car next year when I am dropping her off with Matthew and that I will completely lose my mind from loneliness.

Anyone have a little soon to be toddler that I can kidnap next year?

Me

Last Games

2011-10-08T17:07:00.000-04:00

Matthew played a double today.

The 9 AM game went really well... everyone was having fun. The kids were passing really well, Matthew and a couple other teammates scored some goals and then they put him in goalie...

The end of the game tunnel....

Then they played again at noon. We were a couple teammates down since they didn't return for the second game. We played a tough team...

Everyone was getting frustrated...

And then this guy... the one in black? The one that is not a coach but was on the coaches side? This jackass?

Yeah... he started talking smack about Matthew. I could hear him from the other side of the field. He and Greg exchanged some words and then Greg walked away. The man was a jack ass. And because he's bigger than me and I knew I couldn't beat the fucking crap out of him I did something that I could do. I walked into the Y and talked to two managers. :)

Then I went back to the field and continued to cheer my kid on. (I continued to be that loud and passionate mom. I continued to yell at the stupid man to keep his trap shut.)

My rock star that was playing the whole field.

My rockstar that was being harrassed by a parent. At one point he looked at Greg and Greg said "Remember who you are Matthew. Just listen to me and ignore the rest of them."

My rockstar that played on even when the other team continued to push him and try to take him down.

He scored twice on them.

I love this kid.

Me

GA and Rebecca

2011-10-07T20:02:00.000-04:00

After our race last weekend we went up to GA....

And tonight was Rebecca's last soccer game...

Goalie Girl!

No Fear! (she's down there on the floor on top of the ball)

Coach's Girl!

Trophy

Tomorrow Matthew plays his last two games. I hope they don't get rained out.

Me

sad update

2011-10-03T13:43:00.000-04:00

The man that collapsed during the half marathon died yesterday.

He had an artery in his heart that burst (?). He had a triple bypass but passed away.

His wife and daughter were waiting at the finish line for him.

I still haven't found anything on google, but his parents went my my preschool's church.

Please say a prayer for this 35 yr old man and his family that now has to go on without him.

I hate stories like this. They make me so sad.

Greg saw them performing cpr and says he keeps picturing him laying on the ground.

Me

We survived!

2011-10-02T14:04:00.006-04:00

What an amazing experience!

Let me try to get as much as possible out....

We got up at 4:45.

The first thing I always do is check my cell (bad habits die hard) and saw this text from Liz...

" If you get nervous just remember that Luchy=Rockstar. It's simple math. numbers never lie "

I burst into tears which woke Greg up. We scarfed down some breakfast, got dressed, packed our stuff and had the kids in their carseats at 5:15.

We dropped them off at Javi and Teresa's house, switched car keys and headed down town.

We got to the stadium at 6 AM and it was sooo cold!

Pre-race

We saw some people we knew and we just walked around trying to stay warm. When we started to line up we said a little prayer, gave each other big hugs, and split up into our time groups.

There were two different runs that morning, the half marathon and the 5K. They both started at the same time but split at the bottom of the main street bridge.

Top of main street bridge as the sun was rising..

At the bottom of the bridge was a man with a big sign that said "Chuck Norris never ran this!" Then we turned and ran over the acosta bridge. A friend once said it takes just as much energy to run down hills slowly as it does fast, so fast I went. It was eerie how quiet the roads were with no traffic.

I really enjoyed the race. I had my music down low and just enjoyed the scenery and the people. I high fived police officers that were blocking traffic. I sang out loud. I laughed at signs people had. I talked with people around me.

I paced myself. I took water from every other water station (they had water almost every mile). I ate my gu at mile 4 and 9.

At around mile 5.5 I saw Greg running back (the course looped) and cheered and woohoo'd him.

I slapped every mile marker. Except 6. I never saw the bugger.

I took a pic of mile marker 10 since that had been my last longest run.

It was scarey how good I felt. I didn't have any cramping. I was tired but still had energy. My lungs felt great. My left foot went numb at around mile 4, but that's totally normal.

I made it to finish line strong and steady. I wanted to make it under 3 hours...

1885 Maryluz Stratton, 34, Orange Park, FL  chip 2:24:18 pace 11:01

Greg rocked it.

1886 Gregory Stratton, 38, Orange Park, FL chip 1:50:10 pace 8:25

They called your name as you crossed the finish line and then a cutie marine gave you a

medal.

They had all kinds of stuff at Metro Park.  Food, drinks, music, rock walls... we grabbed some stuff and headed out because Matthew's game started at 10 and we wanted to catch the end...

On the way to the game Greg told me about how at around mile 11 he saw a runner laying on the ground with a group of

people performing CPR.  Google only says that a runner was

transported to Baptist after colapsing from cardiac arrest.  We said a prayer for him and hisfamily.

It was such an amazing experience.  I was so nervous before hand and after it I felt

amazing.  Today my thighs are a little sore and my left middle toe still hurts.

But considering we ran 13.1 miles... I feel amazingly blessed.

Me

Oh dear....

2011-09-29T15:43:00.003-04:00

Saturday morning we run our half marathon.

I'm scared and nervous.

Mostly because I have a nasty sinus infection. I haven't gotten a full nights sleep in last couple nights and my head is pounding and I feel like I can't breath.

But I'm also excited.

I picked up our race packets today after work.

Shirt, towel, flashlight, flashing red clip for night time running, a lanyard, my number and my timing chip.

My ipod is charged and my running playlist is updated.

My official half marathon outfit....

Champion tank and shorts, Saucony shoes, cheap walmart running socks, Bass Pro Shop hat, hair in braided pony tail, Nike sportsbra and tons of Aveno baby lotion to prevent chaffing.

I know. I'm awesome.

LOL.

Here is our race route on Saturday...
There are two bridges....

Have I mentioned that I'm super nervous?

So please say a prayer for us on Saturday. The race starts at 7 AM. We will be getting up no later than 5 so we can drop the kids off with Javi and Esa and head down there....

Pray we make it down there safely, that I don't pass out during the race and that I finish before the time limit.

Me

closer

2011-09-26T14:08:00.002-04:00

I'm currently in love with this song.

I just want to be even closer to you....

Looking for a color in a shade of gray
Looking for a love in a drop of rain
Trying to find change in the old mundane
Everything I do just feels the same
Spending my life out in the desert
Been gone so long feels like forever

(Chorus)
I just want to be even closer to you
I just want to be even closer, I am yours
You can have all of me, anything, everything
I just want to be even closer

A day without you is a thousand years
A day without you is a million tears
Tell me why do I run when I am in fear
Why do I run when you are so near
Spending my life out in the weather
Been gone so long and I need some shelter

Chorus

Where ever you go
Where ever you are
I just want to be there with you
I just want to be closer to you
I just want to be closer, I am yours
You can have all of me, anything, everything
I just want to be even closer

Chorus

silly

2011-09-23T14:06:00.000-04:00

things that made me giggle today.

:)

2011-09-22T06:11:00.000-04:00

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose" Romans 8:28

:)

We're safe at last

2011-09-19T18:46:00.002-04:00

Double digits.

I got on the treadmill at the Y right at 4 and I started running.

I was trying not to have a set number that I wanted to do, but with the half marathon in less than 2 weeks I knew I wanted to hit at least 8.

So I started running.

The treadmills at the Y only let you go for 60 minutes at one time before the shut down.

I hit 5 miles at minute 55 so I decided to stop and reboot since it was a nice even number.

I walked about 2 minutes, drank some gatorade, and started running again.

Every mile I made sure to take a big swig because I was sweating BAD.

Those poor people next to me. In between my singing and the bad B.O....

I stopped again at mile 3, 35 minutes, to go to the bathroom.

I was happy I had done the 8, but I was feeling good and wanted to just see if I could hit 9.

I hit 9 and then thought about the Gate River Run being 9.4.... so I went to 9.4

I was in the middle of a peppy song so I pushed through.

And then this song came on my ipod.

Can I just say how much I love klove.com ? They stream their station and about once a week offer free music on itunes... this was one of the freebies a while ago....

I started to cry. The moment the music started I knew I was a goner. I tried to keep it together, but the last .20 of the mile I had big fat ugly tears streaming down my face and I felt like I couldn't breath....

And then I hit 10.

10 freaking miles.

I quickly hit the stop button.

Sat down.

And cried.

"We're safe at last in our Father's arms"

I love this song.

How we are to persevere in the hard times.

Keeping our eyes on Him.

Through hardships, and battles, and disease and even death. If we keep our eyes on Him and sing his praises then one day we will stand together, safe at last.

When hardship comes to prey on hopes
And troubles seem to linger on
When death rolls on taking ones we love
You are the hope that keeps us on

Alleluia, Thine the glory
Alleluia, Amen
Alleluia, Thine the glory
Revive us again

When all this seems the battles lost
And such disease is spreading on
When life grows dark and our lips are parched
You are the hope that we sing of

Alleluia, Thine the glory
Alleluia, Amen
Alleluia, Thine the glory
Revive us again

When death is past and sins are gone
Alas forgiveness here is won
All daughters and sons we will stand as one
We're safe at last in the Father's love
We're safe at last in the Father's love

Alleluia
Alleluia
Alleluia
Alleluia

Alleluia, Thine the glory
Alleluia, Amen
Alleluia, Thine the glory
Revive us again
Again!

Sunday

2011-09-13T13:55:00.000-04:00

We went to the zoo to celebrate 9/11 because I wanted to feel safe and normal and the zoo is one of our most favorite places to go.

Rebecca skipping with her dolly.

My lovie

Flower garden

Silly

"LOOK MOMMY!"

Giant Otters

Playground bridge

Obligatory Zebra Pictures

When we finally made it home Daddy took the kids to go fishing and I took a well earned nap.

;)

Me

lovies

2011-09-10T20:10:00.000-04:00

Friday afternoon

See that man in the blue shirt and tie? He's one of the higher ups at my Y. Burt Cannon coaches the red the team. After the game he came up to me and said "Every time I watch Matthew play I want to kidnap him and change his name to Cannon. Man, that kid is just so good and competitive!" I laughed and said I'd take it as a compliment.

Mr Awesome

Cuties!

Throw in

Goalie girl!

ROCKSTAR

Saturday.

Today we went to the Barco Y so I could get a long run on the treadmill and then hit the pool.

We watched a Bald Eagle fly by

Arby's for a late lunch. YUM!

Showers, a movie

And cereal for dinner :)

And now we are off to bed.

Good night!

Falling in Love

2011-09-07T13:43:00.000-04:00

Give me rules
I will break them
Show me lines
I will cross them
I need more than a truth to believe
I need a truth that lives, moves, and breathes
To sweep me off my feet

Chorus:
It"s gotta be
More like falling in love
Than something to believe in
More like losing my heart
Than giving my allegiance
Caught up, called out
Come take a look at me now
It's like I'm falling, oh
It's like I'm falling in love

Give me words
I'll misuse them
Obligations
I'll misplace them
Cause all 'religion' ever made of me
Was just a sinner with a stone tied to my feet
It never set me free
CHORUS

It's like Im falling in love, love, love
Deeper and deeper
It was love that made
Me a believer
In more than a name, a faith, a creed
Falling in love with Jesus brought the change in me

CHORUS

Today's Three

2011-09-03T14:05:00.003-04:00

ONE

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

REJOICE ALWAYS.

This verse totally sucker punched me today. I was on the treadmill today and the guy in front of me was wearing a shirt that said this.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES.

All circumstances.

While doing laundry.

While working.

While picking up for the eighth million time.

While fighting with Greg.

While listening to my little sweeties whine or fight.

Rejoice always.

I am here.

Thank you.

TWO

So last night Becca and I watched the movie Soul Surfer.

Cute movie.

Bawled my eyes out. When she is dying and she's dreaming that she's surfing and she's staring at the light and at the last moment veers right and away from the light... holy shmoley. And then at the end when she really is surfing threw the wave and she remembers her dream and she smiles... and the stupid end credits that say "the end. Which is really just the beginning".

Holy crap.

I had goose bumps the size of Vermont on my arms and legs.

There are parts of my death dream that I haven't shared with anyone, and those images in this movie totally took me back.

Rejoice ALWAYS.

Pray CONTINUALLY.

Give thanks in ALL circumstances; for THIS is God’s will for YOU in Christ Jesus.

THREE

3

2011-09-02T18:41:00.000-04:00

Three things that made me smile today...

Beer LOL's...

Freckles...

Soulful eyes....

and so now I'm going to go enjoy all three ;)

Me

Halfie

2011-08-31T17:55:00.000-04:00

So I did half of a half marathon this afternoon.

I did 6.55 miles in 1h 09min

I don't think I could keep up that pace for another 6.55, but if I did I would do a half in 2h 18min (10:30 minute mile pace)

My goal is to do it in less that 2:30 (11:30 minute mile pace)

But as long as I do it in less than 3:00 (14 minute mile pace) I will be extremely proud of myself.

What the heck... as long as I do it without dying I will be proud of myself :)

Me

Mine

2011-08-29T19:16:00.001-04:00

God I love this kid.

He is all mine.

Meal Planning

2011-08-29T19:11:00.002-04:00

I was talking with my friend Jamie last week ("Hi Jamie!") about meal planning... how busy our families are with soccer, work and working out and just every day business. I am always on the look out for quick easy meals and different menu ideas...

So here is what our dinner week sort of looks like....

Monday- pork fillets cooked with onions and mushrooms. Mixed veggies and butter bread.

Tues- Lasagna with side salad and broccoli

Wed- Greg is cooking venison in the crock pot. Mashed potatoes and peas.

Thurs- Pizza night. We are making our own this week with dough from the bakery.

Fri- Chicken legs with southwestern marinade in the crock pot. Cauliflower and rice.

Sat-Greg will be in Georgia so the kids and I will clean out the leftovers and have grilled cheese.

Sun- Breakfast for dinner. Pumpkin pancakes and sausage? French toast?

Breakfast during the week is alternating pancakes and oatmeal. Cereal on the weekend.

Lunch during the week is sandwiches, leftovers, nuggets or hot dogs, with fruit, a granola bar and something crunchy like pretzels, teddy grahams or goldfish.

Dessert (if you all your veggies) is go-gurts, oatmeal cookies, and every once in a while ice cream

:)

Me

Biking

2011-08-29T06:31:00.000-04:00

Went on a long bike ride with the kids yesterday to celebrate Becca's new bike.

Mine Mine Mine!

They are redoing the trail on Dr's Lake so we rode on the sidewalk until we reached the completed part.

Water break.

Sweet.

mini update

2011-08-27T11:31:00.002-04:00

5 weeks until we do the half. I did 6 miles this morning. It was hot and I about died.

Matthew and Becca both played games last night and they both did great.

my loves

Matthew played another game this morning and rocked it. They tied 3 to 3. Matthew scored 3 goals and rocked hard while he played. We are so proud of him.

New song on my play list...

It's really kicking my ass.

Every time it pops up I take a moment ...

I take a deep breath...

I say a prayer...

For courage

and honor...

In all the things I do. Whether big or small, I give thanks and praise and lift it up.

And we are definitely going to the movies September 30th.

I hope everyone is having a good weekend, and that all off you on the East coast are hunkering down and are safe.

Me

GET IN THE CAR

2011-08-26T08:28:00.001-04:00

Saw this yesterday and it totally cracked me up. They remind me of a bunch of frat boys ready to do something stupid and fun.

So I made it my desktop and as soon as Greg got on the computer last night I could hear him laughing from the other side of the house.

Two points for Luchy.

I rock.

Spelling

2011-08-24T18:20:00.002-04:00

As we were making dinner tonight we practice math facts and spelling words.

And to keep things interesting Matthew did math facts and a spelling practice test on the window with our dry erase markers....

He got them all correct.

;)

Me

Pinterest?

2011-08-24T06:04:00.001-04:00

People are raving about it, but I haven't been sucked into it's endless awesomeness.

I have seen some of the stuff people are 'pinning' and some of it is amazing.

And this? Pallets as shelves? Awesome!

I've been coveting a tattoo.. this one is made with white ink. How awesome is this?

And some of it makes me LAUGH (but it might be offensive... sorry in advance!)

Ninjas...

heeheehee

I would need to bake everyday I think...

Me every time I drive on the Buckman Bridge

Liz and I

I love my Nook.

Hope you laughed and have a great Wednesday!

Me

6 weeks....

2011-08-22T05:14:00.001-04:00

Six weeks until my first half marathon.

Holy bejezuse kill me now.

Two Pictures

2011-08-17T06:17:00.000-04:00

First the sad one.....

from this...

http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/springfield-news/5-year-old-springfield-girl-dies-following-crash-1231441.html

Completely heartbreaking. That poor dad. That poor family.

Life can change in an instant.

Ok... done crying? I haven't yet.

But....

Here is something to make you laugh.

And laugh.

And LAUGH.

Me

Stadium 5K

2011-08-14T10:19:00.000-04:00

I only had my phone to take pictures, so they are kinda craptastic. Sorry.

Headed downtown. Hot.

It was pouring downtown. Lots of rain. Lots of humidity. Pretty rainbow.

They had different start times so you didn't have two thousand people running at the same time. My start time was suppose to be 8:40, but I snuck in the 7:40 group instead. Greg's start time was 8:20.

The race started on the east side of the stadium. We ran around the parking lot and around the outside of the practice field.

Then into the western side of the stadium and up 7 levels of ramps. The ramps were really hard, but the views were great...

Practice field... go jags!

We ran around the top... then down 4 levels... then around... then up four levels...and there was the Hart Bridge. The green monster we run on during the gate river run. I must say, running up and down all those levels makes the Hart Bridge seem easy.

Down 7 levels and onto the Jaguar's field.

That was pretty awesome.

Then I was done. I got my medal.

Saw Greg briefly as his group was starting at 8:20. I drank 3 bottles of water and couldn't stop sweating.

Greg finished a lot faster than I did.

After he finished we drank more water and headed back to the car.

But first we stopped to be dorks...

Overall it was an amazing experience. I hated paying to run a 5K but it went to a good cause (Duval county school sports) and the coarse was awesome. Totally different from anything we've ever run. I like that there were different start times, but I hated that mine was so late. They had food and band and some free stuff down there. Blue Cross was down there giving free health screenings and massages.

It's a race I would definitely pay to run again.

Me

Second Grade

2011-08-10T11:35:00.000-04:00

Wait a minute.... how did this happen?

How did my baby turn into a second grader over night?????

Sigh.

We went yesterday to meet his teacher Mrs. Kiffmeyer.

And check out the classroom.

Then when Daddy got home we went out to celebrate "last day of summer vacation". Matthew picked going to the movies, and since we didn't go at all this summer, we went.

We saw Cars 2.

It was cute.

Then this morning we got up early and went to school. The first day the parents walk the kids into school. I got a big hug and a big kiss and off he went.

I can't wait to hear all about his first day when we pick up this afternoon.

Me

Last few days

2011-08-10T11:31:00.001-04:00

This past weekend was a little warm....

And besides hanging out at the pool, we found some free stuff to do INDOORS.

Home Depot had their free kids workshop.

The kids made pencil boxes.

O2Bkids was having a free morning so we took the kids for a little while.

Then on Monday we had free tickets to go see the Jacksonville Suns. The Y got free tickets so a bunch of us got to use them and go together. The Jacksonville Sharks were also playing that night (arena football) and they had bounce houses between the two events.

Becca and Ms Stephanie. We had some great seats!

It was hot.

We left during the 5th inning and crashed when we got home. Those night games are exhausting. ;)

Long Run

2011-08-06T08:42:00.001-04:00

I got up early and did 5.4 miles outside.

I know it doesn't seem long compared to long runs I've done in the past, but it's still a long run.

I left the house a little before 7.

The sun was rising on Kingsley.

I headed south when I hit Park and saw the sun through the trees.

I was going to stop at the bottom on the bridge that goes over Drs Lake...

But decided to go to the top to get one more shot.

It was hot and my clothes were completely drenched when I got home at 8. But it was so nice to run outside. Plus it's nice to get some training in.

I'm scheduled to do a 5K next weekend. I know I said I wouldn't pay to do 5K's anymore, but this one is to raise money for the Duval County Sports Program... plus it's at the Stadium and I thought it would be a cool run. This is the course description from their site...

COURSE

The race starts and finishes in the Pepsi Tailgate Zone outside the stadium. The course runs as follows:

• Around the practice field and stadium
• Up all seven ramps of the stadium to the top
• Down four ramps to the Mezzanine Level and around
• Back up four ramps to the top
• Down all seven ramps to the field
• Loop around the field
• Exit to the Pepsi Tailgate Zone to finish

This is a pic I found online to show the levels...

Sound fun, huh?

And Greg seems to think we are going to do a half marathon (13.1) in November. Sigh. I have got a lot of work ahead of me...

GREEN

2011-08-05T18:59:00.000-04:00

The coveted green necklace!

Matthew passed his final swim test with flying colors!

I am so proud of you honey.

Tuesday Afternoon...

2011-08-02T19:09:00.000-04:00

As soon as Greg came home from work we loaded up the kids and headed to the Jacksonville Cummer Museum.

http://www.cummer.org/

They have a free Tuesday afternoon session.

We went straight to the Children's Museum.

Digital painting....

Reading art books...

Crayon rubbings...

Cutting paper....

If I ever have a basement it will look like this....

Dry erase markers...

Then we went to the gardens.

They have art boxes full of crayons, colored pencils and papers. You can borrow them and walk around the gardens and draw...

After 2 hours of art exploration we headed out to dinner. To a place I've never eaten and always wanted to try.

Five guys.

Yummmmmsss

Hot Sunday

2011-08-01T12:03:00.000-04:00

We went to St Augustine yesterday.

To see a free art exhibit.

And for ice cream.

And for play time.

And even though it was insanely hot,

it was a lot of fun.

Challenger Sports

2011-07-29T05:26:00.002-04:00

We have been in Soccer mode all summer. Matthew played 7 weeks of 3v3 soccer, is doing a week long soccer camp with two college aged kids (one from England and one from Ireland), and is about to start fall soccer.

It's exhausting and I'm just the Mommy. But Matthew... well, mr. energy himself loves it.

LOVES IT.

Tonight is his last night of Soccer Camp through an organization named Challenger Sports (aka British Soccer Camp). It's from 5:30 to 8:30 at night and it's completely thrown our day to day life into a tailspin, but it's been worth it. Matthew has learned so much (and coach Greg and coach Brady too, since they have been busy watching from the sidelines taking notes).

Anyways, we've been really happy with this camp and will definitely be signing him back up next summer.

Handling drills...

Lots of water breaks...

Passing and scoring drills...

Teams...

Water...

Coach Brenden and Coach Eckow

crappy pictures

2011-07-28T20:31:00.000-04:00

I really like my new hand me down phone except the pictures don't come out that great.

So here are some really craptastic pics....

Drinking hot chocolate at Starbucks.

Or "starburks" as Becca calls it.

Matthew's soccer camp

The end.

So what?

2011-07-23T12:17:00.001-04:00

“Unless you’ve killed someone, guilt is a useless emotion.”

That's what I keep reminding myself.

I'm a mommy, not a freaking supermom.

I can't do everything and I am not perfect.

So what if I let my kids watch t.v. It's summer time.

So what if the kids were at the Y for 2 hours every single day this past week because I had to work and I took them again today even though I don't work today. I need to get a run in. Two hours on a Saturday won't kill them. They will play and do crafts. I need to get a long run in and do some weightlifting. Look, they made aquariums.

So what if I force my kids to go play in the backyard so I can have an hour of peace and quiet. They are using their immagination and burning off some energy. And you know you don't get this dirty without having fun.

So what if the house isn't spotless and the only times the windows get wiped with window cleaner is when the kids have gotten in trouble and that's their punishment. They are learning how to run a household and how hard it freaking is. Plus my house is a home. It's lived in and comfortable.

So what if my body is holding onto the 10 lbs I gained at Christmas. With Greg's new work schedule starting this week I commit to run on the treadmill every morning while watching my bootleg copies of "Game of Thrones". What else am I suppose to do at 4:20 am???? (Besides drink lots and lots of coffee?)

I didn't kill anybody, so I will not feel quilty.

I will just continue to do the best I can.

Thanks Kyra Sedgwick. You gave me my new mantra.

Midday

2011-07-19T14:08:00.003-04:00

After lunch I usually try to kick the kids to the backyard for an hour to soak in some vitamin D and, honestly, so I can have 5 minutes of peace and quiet. I know midday is hot but our backyard is cool and shaddy.

I open the window in the kitchen so I can hear them and I swear I regularly look out the window to get a visual.

Today I was trying to cook dinner since I had to work tonight.

So I gave them a new pack of chalk and I turned on the sprinkler...

Jacksonville United

2011-07-18T14:38:00.002-04:00

We went to watch the Jacksonville United Soccer game Saturday night with our friends the McCormacks. And we kidnapped Dante so he could come and his parents could go have date night.

We all had a blast.

The jacksonville.com photographer was there and I snagged most of these from online...

Halftime...

couple crappy shots from my phone...

Two tired dorks.

After the game we had a late dinner/snack at Arby's.

A great night.

me

Your hand in mine

2011-07-16T13:12:00.004-04:00

Your Hand In Mine by Explosions in the Sky.

Here is the original.

And here is a piano version...

I've had in on repeat for almost an hour.

Lots of tears...

Me.

ps- Clear eyes, full hearts. Can't lose.

3 funnies

2011-07-15T22:14:00.002-04:00

3 things that made me laugh, but are kind of offensive....

so...

you've been warned.

This one cracks me up so much. It's from the movie "remember me" which is the best movie ever and also has that quote over there --------->

This is kind of awesome.

And this? Yeah. Awesome too.

:)

Now...

2011-07-14T13:57:00.002-04:00

This is the song Greg and I danced to last night.

After a long day... the kids were finally in bed... we were tired... doing the dishes... trying to get ready for the next day...

...and this song came on...

and you know me... I burst into tears...

"beautiful the mess we are, the honest cries of breaking hearts"

We get so caught up in the day to day. In the raising of our children and working.

Sometimes I feel like I only turn to him when I'm breaking... but to Him the fact that I cry out and reach for him, are better than a Hallelujah.

So as soon as this song came on, and I burst into tears, Greg wrapped me up in his arms... and we danced.

Better than a Hallelujah.

27 minutes

2011-07-13T07:44:00.002-04:00

It was raining yesterday so instead of kicking the kids outside to play while I cooked I pulled out paint chips.

Every time I go to Walmart I grab a couple so I had a nice stash going.

I had the kids cut them up and make things with them.

At first I made suggestions... a house, an elephant, a tree...

And before I knew it they were in their own little world...

A cameleon

A rainbow school

Perry the Platypus...

An owl...

27 minutes of total focus... and another 10 to clean up :)

Awesome.

3 on 3

2011-07-11T20:03:00.002-04:00

Soccer.

Is there any other sport that comes close to it?

We've been watching the women's world cup and Matthew just really gets into it.

We are also in the midst of 3 on 3 soccer. I love watching Matthew play. He is so pationate. So dedicated. He gives 110%.

I really think 3 on 3 is good for any player.

It's fast paced and you get a lot of ball time.

There are a lot of chances of trying to score.

Soccer players are just so handsome.

And it's just so much fun.

Monday

2011-07-11T12:43:00.002-04:00

Matthew had basketball camp this morning at the Y. Becca and I went to work and I peeked into the gym a couple times. They seemed to be having a great time.

After work Becca and I went home for 2 minutes to pick up some stuff and she quickly found the new dress up clothes and changed.

Another favorite song right now. I love when I find a song that churns my soul and gives me so much encouragement.

Itunes is loving me at the moment.

My monkeys.

So cute.

I went all the way to the start of my photobucket album and this was on the first page.

sigh.

My babies.

Me

Two

2011-07-07T19:44:00.003-04:00

Two songs we've been jamming to in the Stratton household.

Especially Matthew.

He really loves this one.

And this one is one of my favorites.

We've been listening to a new radio station that streamlines through the computer...

It's a new favorite!

http://www.klove.com/

Me

The past few days...

2011-07-05T20:33:00.003-04:00

The past few days have been a fun blur.

We did some of this....

and surfed these waves...

and some of this...

and hung out with friends and ate yummy food...

we painted these...

and ate some of this (ok, we ate A LOT of this)...

and saw some of these...

with some of our favorite family....

and played some of these....

and some of these too.

It's been amazing.

:)

video

2011-07-04T08:07:00.003-04:00

Random video I came across this morning.

This is a video of the night before Rebecca was born at the end of February. Matthew is two and half years old.

Uncle Javi, Daddy and Aunt Teresa all have birthdays in February. So there's a lot of birthday celebrating in February.

I love Matthew's "where's the cake?!"

My sweet sweet boy.

Just Stuff

2011-07-01T12:04:00.003-04:00

We went to the Jacksonville United soccer game last weekend. The newspaper took our picture. (The kids wore their old soccer uniforms so they could get in for free.)

I've been trying to be more motivated about running and then I saw this and it kicked my hiney.

So after work this morning the kids and I headed to a park with a bike trail. I did the first loop 3 times while the kids rode their bikes with me.

Then we went to the playground part and while the kids played I did 6 laps.

It was really hot and we were all sweating buckets.

We are now home.

The kids ate a huge lunch and are now watching Space Jam.

Again.

For the third day in a row.

Yea.

That movie about Michael Jordan.

The one where he becomes a swinger (how Matthew described it yesterday to Greg. I had tears... TEARS rolling down my face I was laughing so hard. "Daddy, that movie... where he becomes a swinger? And everyone wants him to be a good swinger and he tries and tries and tries and at the end he is as good a swinger as his dad? Daddy? Why are you laughing?")

Swinger= Baseball player.

The kid kills me. KILLS ME.

We haven't had a VCR in about a year since our old one died. Someone donated 4 to the kidzone last week so I was able to bring one home and we've been watching old VCR movies and cartoons that we haven't seen in a while.

Well, Greg just called to say he got off work early and wanted to know if we all wanted to go to the beach.

:)

Dark and Stormy

2011-06-30T14:23:00.002-04:00

A story.

We hit the beach again this week after work.

It was a dark and stormy afternoon.

The waves were big and the ocean was dark.

It sprinkled off and on, but there was never any thunder or lightning.

Cloudy days cause deep thinking.

See that man surfing?

I rode those waves too.

On this.

Because I'm spoiled.

The End.

Surf's Up

2011-06-25T22:03:00.002-04:00

What a great day.

We spent all day at the beach with the Sowers and the McCormacks.

First the kids did some boogie boarding.

Even Becca, thanks to Tara, caught some waves.

Then the big boys surfed for a while

While the kids played

Then after lunch we got down to business.

Rebecca did some awesome boogie boarding

Brady and Pat both gave me some surfing pointers and I was popping up on almost every single ride

And then we got Mr. Rockstar out there

Seriously Awesome!

We got home late, scarfed down some pasta and went to a Jacksonville Soccer game.

The kids, exhausted from the long day, have just crashed.

I went in to give them kisses and found Becca like this...

I think it was a great day!

Rebecca quote

2011-06-25T08:41:00.000-04:00

As the kids are eating breakfast Becca all the sudden says...

"I wish I was a super ninja. Matthew... do you wish you were a super ninja? I wish I was a super ninja so I could jump up really really high and then really really low without scraping my knees."

My little girl.

She is going to make an awesome ninja.

Me

4 years

2011-06-23T15:30:00.002-04:00

4 years ago I was taking pictures of this...

Matthew and Mary (way back where we met!)

And now 4 years later...

My sweet sweet babies.

Best Post Ever

2011-06-23T13:11:00.000-04:00

Seriously.

You all need to read this.

It's freaking awesome.

http://thebloggess.com/2011/06/and-thats-why-you-should-learn-to-pick-your-battles/

Me