Life seems to by flying by quicker than I can catch my breath. Each day is different throwing a new curve ball or adventure our way. Our weekend adventures was fun-filled and jam packed… like most families nowadays. Daddy was home this weekend (from KC) and we tried to play and spend as much time as we could before he was headed back to the Midwest.
The boys are big into football lately. So… being the good sport Daddy is, he humored them with a little touch football game at the park. I enjoyed watching from the shade and cheered them on. I loved listening to their giggles as they would run and catch a pass or make a touch down. Honestly, I am still giggling that they decided they needed to wear their bike helmets to play football. Snicker.
You would think after the rough game of football the boys would be spent and ready to relax. Nope. Daddy was tired, the boys were ready for round two. They decided to play horse and chariot with our bike trailer. Up and down the street. More times than I could count. They would race. They would time each other. They would shout demands. It was quite the scene to see!
Sunday morning, early, Big Daddy caught his flight back to KC for another week of working at the office. Soon we will be there with him… and we won’t have the travel/solo-parenting thing. But for now, every week is different and this is our new normal until we officially make the move.
For some reasons, Sunday’s are always hard for everyone. No matter what. Heading out to church this morning was an adventure of epic proportions. Let me just say this to paint a picture: three boys. I kid… but until I cool down a bit, I am not ready to share their mischievous story that happened before 8AM.
That being said… Mama needed coffee…. and Jesus! I am thankful I go to a casual church that I could comfortably wear my jeans and flip flops while listening to the good Word at LifePoint Christian Church.
A few takeaways from the sermon this morning:
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Hurt people. Hurt people.
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When hurting: all you see is what you don’t have & you’ll miss the blessings you DO have.
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When you don’t have what you REALLY WANT, you will discover that God is what you REALLY NEED.
There is more… but I was stuck on those three quotes. Probably from the beginning of the sermon… my attention span can be quite short at times. It was a good Word.
After church, the boys and I ate lunch… and more chaos ensued. Seriously, these boys were bouncing off the walls! Mama was not handling their behavior well… and decided they needed to get their wiggles out. Mama needed to pound out her frustration and cranky attitude also.
I loaded up their bikes in the van and we headed to a near by trail. It was an out and back trail with many distractions along the way. These distractions added as incentives for them to keep going, as well as ride as close to mom as they could.
At the half way point they played at a park for 5 minutes. Yes. I was that mom who timed her children to play a super short amount of time. I knew that if I stopped running too long it would be too hard to get motivated to head back or someone would eventually get injured and we were too far from my car.
At the top of the pedestrian overpass, the boys waved and waited for trucks and people to honk at them. I let them enjoy 5 honks before moving on. Yes, we counted. It worked.
When we got back to the car, everyone was in a better mood. It is amazing what a few miles pounded out can do for my mood. It might not have been the fastest run (stop/go/stoplights/park/honking cars) but it was strong and steady. I love using my Polar RC3 GPS heart rate monitor to monitor my distance, pace, heart rate and oh so much more! Also my ASICS Gel-Pursue are still my favorite running shoe at the moment.
Running with after my boys is as close as I will get to a solo run for a while, unless I am running on the treadmill. The good thing about chasing my three boys while they ride their bike is that it forces me to continue running, even if I want to stop and walk. They are usually pretty good about staying close and making sure they are within viewing distance from me… but sometimes when they go around a turn it seems like forever until I can catch up (or see them!).
They did it. I did it. We all feel better. Again, it is amazing what a few miles on my feet (and miles on their bikes) … fresh air too… can do for everyone’s mood! Love outdoor fitness.
After our run/ride the boys were not tired. Do you see a pattern? Can we bottle up their energy, please!? We decided to head to the dirt bike ramp/park for some riding fun. Well… they rode and I watched. The big boys had a blast challenging themselves and attempting to get air.
The T-man must have been more tired than he would admit, he hung out at the baby hills and played it safe. He even wiped out chin first giving him a few good road (dirt?) burns on his elbows and chin. Poor booger. I really do hope he sleeps well tonight.
Our weekend adventures was a whirl wind of activity. For some reason, I believe that my boys (and I) do much better when we spend that time outdoors. I need to continue to remember that when we get a bit stir crazy with cabin fever this winter as the rains come and weather cools down. Always an adventure.
David V says
This is our life! Thanks for sharing a great post. The wife and i were lucky to get a sitter (Grandpa) to come and watch the boys this morning while we got to run together. On that same new pedestrian trail also. This is something we rarely get to do. Much like your “solo” run above.
jill conyers says
Fun photos! Life makes it so easy, if we’re not careful, to miss the blessings we do have.
Deborah Brooks @ Confessions of a Mother Runner says
So cute that they wear their bike helmets to play football.
Mommy Blogger says
wow, you guys were really active this weekend! nice
Debi@ Eat Sleep Travel Repeat says
It sounds like a great weekend. Isn’t it amazing how much energy these kids have. Oh what I would do for just a small bit of it.
Kelly Hutchinson says
I love a flip flop and blue jean wearing church! We try to cram fun into our weekends as much as we can,
Erin @ Her Heartland Soul says
Running can take me from a bad mood to a good mood. It’s crazy!
Julie says
You’re moving to KC??? That’s where I am!! I can hook you up with some local blogger groups, shoot me an email or a FB message (I’m Julie McKinley there). Very cool!
And, it looks like it was an awesome weekend!
Rachel says
Yay! Yes, please! 🙂
Scott says
I used to swear by Asics as a running shoe, but ended up trying Saucony and liked them so much better. They were 1/2 the weight!
Rachel says
Yes. I wore Saucony all last year (and ran my first full marathon in Saucony). Loved them… but found they have a narrower toe box for my feet.
Heather says
It sounds like a great weekend. I spent mine running a half on Saturday morning (the Women’s Running Half in Nashville) and volunteering at the Chattanooga Ironman yesterday. It was busy but fun
Rachel says
Way to go! What a great weekend to run and giveback! 🙂
Erica Brooks says
Looks like a fun weekend. Your boys are adorable. We went to the Baltimore Family Reunion Expo this weekend and had a great time.
MCM Mama says
Ha. Boy energy. It’s a crazy thing. My younger son thinks nothing of playing two soccer games in a day and practicing in between…
Running Hutch says
Ah yes, pounding out the bad attitude. OMG I had a terrible attitude this weekend. It was all good-busy but I just wanted to hit pause on life. Haha. Clearly the education on concussions has trickled down from the NFL to your kids! 😀
Carmy says
hey when in doubt, put on a helmet! haha your weekend seemed to be filled with fun (until mine as I was cooped up studying ): boo)
Diatta @ Femme Fitale Fit Club says
I love it when I show up to church sometimes, with an attitude b/c the kids done plucked the last nerve and the Lord sends a sermon He KNOWS I need to hear. I get so happy and feel so blessed in His company. You know I shared the 3rd quote on my personal FB page – it touched me that much!!!! Weekends are always fun but my youngest is a son – at 7 and he is active but my oldest, TWEEN 12 daughter – could care less about hanging out with us. LOL Don’t rush it you will miss it – trust me.
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf says
It amazes me how much energy boys have!! Mine seem to have endless amounts too. And you’re right – getting outside to move sure helps all of us!
Janice - Fitness cheerleader says
I LOVE LOVE LOVE how active your boys are!! They sound like they fell not too far away from the tree 🙂
Rachel says
Haha! Yes. That much I agree with 😉 Now… hopefully when we move we can find some land so when they need to get their energy out… I can send them outside to run the property (like my parents made me do when I was their age) 😉
Stephanie (@FitMomTraining) says
Hugs Mama! You’re doing great. I’m learning that my boys, like yours are so full of energy, I don’t know how to contain them most days. Some days we find outlets, but lately, Mama just gets crabby. It’s going to be a long winter indoors here.
Enjoy that coffee…and your Jesus time!
Taylor @ LiftingRevolution says
Sounds like a fun weekend outdoors! I think everyone does better when they are able to get out!
Ty says
Sounds like an fun and active weekend!
Marcie W. says
I love how active your days are! We spend every weekend together as a family and savor that quality time with one another.