Happy Birthday Gracie!!!

It's hard to believe that my baby girl, Gracie, is 8 years old today.  It seems like only yesterday we were speeding to the hospital to be present at her birth.  I was in the delivery room with Grace's birth mother, and I'll always be thankful that I was able to watch my baby come into this world.  Don't get me wrong, I NEVER want to witness anyone giving birth ever again--- but it was an incredible experience watching my own baby being born.  ;-)

 Here are some early pics of my little muffin.....

Gracie loves here "puppy", Rowan.

Heart of Gold gymnastics meet

Sophie competed in her first gymnastics meet today in Wichita.  She had a fantastic time!! 

Sophie and Coach Susan.  Sophie loves her...

Sophie got 1st in her age bracket in vault.

Sophie & some of her teammates after the meet.

Sophie's first gymnastics meet

----is this Sunday.  She has had several practice meets, but this one is the real deal.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that she'll have lots of fun and do well.

On another note, I just noticed that I haven't updated my blog since December.  Gasp.  You know how long my New Years Resolution lasted?  One stinkin' week.  I suck.

My New Years Resolution is

to begin (again) the Couch to 5K program.

I started it this past summer and made it to week 5 before giving up.  I know, I'm a loser.  This time I WILL finish it and lead a healthier lifestyle.  I have also vowed to eat very little red meat and shoot for a relatively fat-free diet.

The recent heart stent should be motivation enough, but I know myself.  I tend to be all gung ho for a few weeks and then completely quit.

I WILL DO THIS, though!!!!  I don't intend to win any races, but it would be awesome to just be in one and actually finish.

Oh yeah, this C25K graduate shirt will someday be mine and, yes, it will be in one of these cute little fitted styles.  Why?  Because I'm going to be so freakin' skinny from all of this running.....  

Yep, it'll happen!

Wish me luck!!!!!

the best Christmases ever...

---have been since my girls were born.  Here is a look back:

Our first Christmas together 2004
This picture was taken not long after Sophie came home from Thailand.  Gracie was 10 months old and Sophie was 16 months old.

2005 - modeling their dress-up outfits.   Gracie wore a tutu as a shirt.  Her fashion sense hasn't changed much since then.  ;-)

 2006 - Sophie was becoming quite the drama queen (see the tears?).

 2007 - striking a pose!
(subliminal message---- ignore the doggie footprints on the floor.  They are NOT there)

2008 - my babies are looking grown-up.

 2009 - they're both missing a few teeth.  ;-)

2010 - Visiting with Santa and Mrs. Claus

 

2011-  They grow up too fast!

Christmas program...

The girls recently had their Christmas program at school.  It was short and sweet--- just like I like them.  ;-) 

Maybe someday the girls will actually stand by one another in a program---- I can dream...

Grades K-2 performed together.

I {heart} this picture.  ;-)

Grace, Sophie, and their bestie Blayn.

Candy Cane Invitational

Sophie's Candy Cane Invitational gymnastic meet was held today at the YMCA. It's a practice meet, so she only did her floor routine.

Of course I have pics.... and a video....   ;-)