Tonight my heart is full

So I stink at blogging, but I've realized instead of blogging I have been doing and being part of my kids' lives. I have tons to update but I just had to write this memory down. 

Tonight Aidan was watching the Countdown to the Special Olympics. He is so compassionate and accepting of everyone and while he's curious, he is sure to ask questions in a way that is not hurtful, but thoughtful. He gets it that deep down we are all people. We are all different but even people that may have had a label can do awesome things and have the same interests as him--especially sports. 

Aidan had the opportunity to come with me to work on Take Your Child to Work Day this year. Tonight he asked if he could come to my school again  and said he wanted to help out my students just like last year. That melted my heart. 

I hope he never loses his compassion, wonder, and understanding and always has a desire to help others.  

Bedtime prayers

Proud mom brag...

Aidan can independently say:

Now I lay me...

Our Father

Hail Mary

Glory Be

And even more impressive, Abby can say these independently:

Now I lay me...

Our Father

And with minimal substituted words that sound correct, the Hail Mary. She's working on learning the Glory Be. 

I love our nightly routine of saying prayers at bedtime. Abby doesn't always want to say them on her own, but is almost always there and listening when Aidan says them. 

Now we need to work on having more family dinners and saying grace before meals. 

I love my kids. 

Happy Halloween

Halloween costume #1 for Abbygirl was Snow White. Aidan was Shredder from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. They were so excited. Just as we were ready to go out, Abby wanted a wardrobe change into Cinderella. 

Aidan loves his little sister so much. 

Halloween was fun this year. It was chilly but not as bad as I expected. I brought along the wagon but certainly didn't need it for abby. She was RUNNING to each house and was so excited about the whole process. Her shy personality took the night off for sure. Aidan also had a great time. It's crazy to think that soon he will be doing this with a big group of his friends and not just Abby and I, and Lauren, Madison, and Aubrey. 

It was also bittersweet thinking about how this is the last Halloween in this house. Today our house officially went on the market. It's absolutely crazy to think that next Halloween we will be walking around a different neighborhood. Oh, the emotions! 

This will always be our first home. The place we brought our babies home from the hospital to. The place we made a countless number of memories in. Memories we will bring with us to the next home. Because home isn't really a house, it's the people in it.

Abby is 3!

Three. I can't even believe it. It's hard to believe she'll be riding a bus to pre-k at the public school next year, so I am holding on to her three year old year as long as I can! Abby is lovable, caring, funny, silly, and very strong-willed. She loves to sing and dance, play with her dolls and Barbies (yay for Barbies! I can't wait to share mine with her), and play outside. She refuses to accept that Aidan is bigger and can do things she can't, so she tries her hardest to keep up with him. She's a go-getter and independent when she really wants something, but she still loves to snuggle up and be held. She's something wonderful. 

Aidan's 1st Lost Tooth!

Aidan lost his first tooth today. It's been wiggly for a while but it finally came out. After further inspection, the ones to the right and left of the space are also wiggly now. Soon he will lose two more! I can't believe my little guy lost a tooth!

Pretty girl

My Motivation

Abby & Aidan. 

My motivation. 

My reason to be healthy. 

Just recently I joined the Mullica Hill Women's Tri Club. Never in a million years would I have thought I would join a tri club let alone sign up for two OPEN WATER swims!!! Nor did I ever think I would run a 5k race, but I proved myself wrong two years ago this month. 

This spring and summer is going to be filled with many firsts for me. First time swimming laps in a pool. First time swimming in a lake. First time swimming in the ocean (I don't even do this on vacation!). First time swimming in a race. First time riding a road bike. First time going on group bike rides. First time racing on a bike. First time running after I have done a swim and a bike ride right before. And those are just the beginning!!! 

I want to do this for my kids. I want to be healthy for them. I want more energy, more confidence, and to show them that if you put your mind to it and your heart into it, you can do it. 

I want to be brave for my kids. I want to show them that even though they may be scared to do something they should at least try. And I'm hoping with the support of my family, friends, and new friends in the club, I'll be able to face some fears and complete a triathalon or two this year.