Hurst Family News

Well today was definitely different than any other Halloween we've ever had.  I'm crossing my fingers (and will plan a little better hopefully) that next year wil go a little better. Started out the day with a 5k.  My first.  Ever.  (Thanks by the way to Dani and Fielding who graciously watched our boys while we ran. Very much appreciated.)  Couldn't find the camera in time so no pictures.  Sorry.  We have some before photos on our phones but those don't upload.  (We're old school and don't have internet on our phones.)  It was a small fun run- about 30 participants.  Which I didn't mind.  Not so overwhelming.  A 5k is 3.1 miles.  Somehow I got it in my mind that a 5k was only 2 1/2 miles.  I never bothered to look it up.  So that's what I "trained" for.  In my mind at least.  I didn't find out it was 3 until Sean told me when we were running.  I'm sure he mentioned it before--perhaps that one go...

Five things I am grateful for today. 1--I am grateful that I was able to hold Ian right after he was born.  The nurse put him on my chest and I got to hold him and love him.  Now that he's 2 he doesn't let me hold him and love him so much any more but I am grateful for the moments we do get. I am especially grateful for that first moment. 2--I am grateful that Landon wants me to hold him now.  I didn't get to hold him until the day after he was born and that was hard.  I only got to touch his little arm before they flew him off to St. Mary's Hospital in Grand Junction.  I tried to sleep that night he was gone but it was so hard.  I must have woken up a thousand times and felt the awkward silence.  Luckily I was tired enough to get some sleep.  Yesterday I felt really frustrated that he wouldn't let me put him down even to go to the bathroom without crying.  I'm glad today I can be grateful. 3--I am grateful for a loving extended family....

Picture with me a tree full of bright yellow leaves.  That was this tree this morning (also covered with a hefty layer of snow) Now it has no leaves (or very few) So where did they all go?? On the ground of course! What you can't see is our driveway running through the middle of the pile of leaves.  The trees have surrendered; Winter is here.

Aren't they the cutest?  He sure does love his little brother.  Ian insisted that Lando sit next to him and watch "Bobots"- Landon was just excited to have his brother's full attention for a few minutes.  I love my boys (including the one not pictured;their daddy) Update:  I have been sick forever it seems.  It comes and goes then comes again.  Pink eye, cough, flu, migraines all rotated in at some point.  So getting my running in hasn't happened as much as I'd like.  And let's face it- there were a few days where I physically felt well enough- just not motivated to find a babysitter.  It's too cold to take the boys running now so if Sean isn't home that means finding someone to watch the boys.  I had no idea what a hassle getting a babysitter is.  You have to find a willing soul- the right time- get the boys ready- make sure they have extra diapers and clothes (because Murphy's law says if you don't bad things will happen)- ge...

Sometimes you just have to sleep.  That's all there is to it.  He came out of the room from his nap and fell asleep again on the floor.  On my shoe no less.  The poor kid was just plum tired.  (And he tried to tell me he didn't even need a nap)  This was about a week or so ago but I just got around to posting it now. It reminds me of a song by Barenaked Ladies.  Who needs sleep?  The chorus: Who needs sleep? (well you're never gonna get it) Who needs sleep? (tell me what's that for) Who needs sleep? (be happy with what you're getting There's a guy who's been awake since the Second World War) I vaguely remember being little and sleeping in all sorts of strange positions.  Good thing we didn't have digital camera back in the day :)

Picking Raspberries at Grandma and Grandpa's House The Dynamic Duo caught red handed... Ian decided Raspberries are good only if they come from Grandma's and if you can pick them yourself.  (He wouldn't eat them before when we tried to get him to...he spit it out and shaking his head said "Like" meaning doesn't like)

Jealousy? Rebellion? Fun? Adventure?  Thrill?  See how far to the edge you can push mom?  Naptime.  We have been having issues with this fun topic.  I don't know WHAT happened but Ian will not go down for a nap like he used to (though he sure as heck still needs one).  He's all about pushing the limits lately and time out does not work.   Today we talked about naptime and he understood that after lunch it was time to nap... he even said so himself.  So he got a book, we read it, but he wouldn't lay down.  So he knows the rule is I take the book and shut the door if he gets off his bed.  He KNOWS this.  He gets off the bed.  Of course.  So I take the book and shut the door.  Crying. "Read!" he laments over and over--because he wanted to read the book he couldn't find until Mom uncovered it and took it away.  Hooper Humperdink has never been so popular.  Then silence.  Ahh.  Sighed too soon....

I ran half a mile today up hill pushing at least 40 pounds.  That's got to be worth something right?  We had to get some paperwork turned in for insurance stuff and it's only 8 blocks so I decided why not just take the boys in the stroller and get my jogging in too?  I would have run home too but Ian wouldn't get back in the stroller with Landon.  He's too big for that.  "Eee.  Walk."  Or really just dawdle and duck walk and turtle walk home.  He's pretty funny.  I tried to explain to him that we don't walk on other peoples' lawns because it doesn't belong to us.  So what does the little stinker do?  He waits until their walkway and THEN walks with one foot in their walkway and one on the regular sidewalk.  Oh he was so proud of himself for finding the loophole.  I pre-apologize for the lack of pictures with this post-- didn't have a camera with me.  We took an interesting detour on the way home.  We walk past ...

I'm pretty sure I am certifiably insane.  I'm not a runner.  I'm short and have very short legs.  I haven't run a straight mile in over two years (probably closer to three).  So what did I decide to do?? Run a 5k for Halloween.  No big deal.  It'll be fun.  AND I already paid the registration fee so I can't back out even if I wanted to.  But it is kind of exciting.  AND Sean is going to do it with me.  Nothing like having a good running buddy.  I'm so glad he's supportive.  He'll be the first to admit that he always ran for the girls...things don't change much :)  Yesterday was Day One.  We only have one jogging stroller so Ian was very good to hold Landon.  He thought it was so we didn't "lose" Landon.  Big Brother was very proud of his responsibility.  I just hope it doesn't get any colder or we'll have to start splitting our run time so one of us can stay home with the boys.  By next week I'll ...