HippieMommy

posted by amanda on Aug 31

Tonight Matt and I made up some brownies after Julia went to bed. He loves when we bake up special treats, and its a really great bonding thing for us to do. It warms my heart to think that maybe one day he’ll look back fondly on these late night baking sessions. Whenever we bake, he gets to stay up late to try some of his creation, so I know that must make it stand out in his mind. Tonight was the first time that he cracked an egg all on his own. I had to fish out a little bit of shell, but even if I have to eat some shell, it’ll be worth it. The expression of satisfaction that he had on his face after he did it by himself was just so precious. I pray that throughout his life I’ll be able to witness thousands of moments like that. I can’t even describe it in words.

After we finished baking, I let him have some of the melted “butter”/ melted chocolate chip / sugar mixture that you make up before you sift the flour and add the eggs and vanilla. He was so psyched. I also let him steal a couple of chocolate chips as we made up the batter. Very exciting stuff

Then, after we cleaned up, I sat down to check my email and he walked past me and gave me a little eyebrow gesture with a girn that just melted my heart. I can’t even explain it, but it made me want to cry happy tears. It was just one of those little secret glances that said that he knew what I was thinking and I knew what he was thinking. He had one of Juli’s binkies in his hand, and he knew that I wasn’t going to take it away (Joe very well might’ve) and that glance spoke volumes about how I wasn’t going to rat him out on his little secret and about how we had just had an awesome time.

I’m so glad that God has allowed us to share in the creation process. I feel so blessed to be able to nurture my children into being all that they can be. Its just breathtaking. I can’t even imagine how God must feel as He watches us…

posted by amanda on Aug 31

It looks like one of my old buds from West Palm spent over 20 minutes looking at my site yesterday after finding me through Josh’s blog. Gotta love stat tracking software, huh? Its funny to see who reads my blog. Funny and creepy all at once, lol.

I changed my profile pic. I’m sure I’ll change it again soon.

Mae just came up as my current song. I bought this CD for Joe when it first came out and he listened to about 15 seconds of the first song and thought that the lead singer was a girl, lol. That cracks me up. Now he likes it though.

J is napping. M is having a snack. My tummy is growling, but I’m going to a meeting with our childrens’ pastor at church to discuss how they will handle food allergy issues in the future, and we’re going to Panera, so I’m holding off for a cinnamon crunch bagel. (Gotta love run-on sentences…) Ooh, or maybe I’ll get one of their portabello / mozzarella paninis. They are yummy too. Mmm, so many good options!

Well, I’ll blog later when I have something interesting to say besides the fact that I’m watching you guys as you watch me

posted by amanda on Aug 30

Ahh, I love listening to music. Over the Rhine is playing right now, but its a live bootleg thingie, so I can’t add it to my amazon listing. I’ll have to add my “Now Listening” thing once I get to the end of my post

Warning: I think this will be a very superficial post. Scroll down to older posts to read deeper, better stuff.

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OK, you’ve been warned.

I got a check in the mail for commissions from my travel site today, so I took the money and went to Toni and Guy for a cut and color. I love their styles so much! They come out with a new line from Europe every year and they trademark it. They gave me one of their cuts from the new line and its super cute! Its a razor cut (still long - like to my mid back) with chunky layers in the front. I told them that I wanted something that I could wear curly or straight, so that’s what I got! The stylist used a diffuser and made it super curly before I left. I love it. So cute.

My highlights are really chunky and 1/2 are platinum and the other 1/2 are a bright purplish-red. I’ll try to upload some pics. Last time I had my hair done they did really natural looking auburn and caramel colored highlights. I wanted something a little more bold.

What else…?
I’m taking dinner tonight to another lady at church who just gave birth. We’re having a serious baby boom. I made baked ziti and garlic bread. Yum!

Our group last night was awesome. I had a great time with everyone. I’m really excited about it. We were able to have some really nice conversations, and that really blessed me The only problem was that my (3 1/2 year old) son was hanging out with this little girl who really likes to be naked just like he does, so they kept egging each other on. One time they went down the stairs and we saw his undies come flying around the corner of the top of the staircase and then he was sitting down there naked. (sigh) Everyone says that’s just part of this age, but I wish that he wasn’t getting naked so often in front of strangers. He’ll outgrow this, right? Please, someone give me some hope! He stripped to his undies and so did she and they kept hugging each other, and I just kept thinking that I thought I had at least a few more years before I had to give the “hugging girls in your underwear” speech…

Alrighty, sorry that this was such a superficial post. It happens sometimes though, right?

PS I really like the song this song - I’m glad that I got to put it on my Now Playing

posted by amanda on Aug 28

This song makes me smile. It makes me think of when Joe and I were first dating and I talked him into going to the Hangnail/Dogwood show in Orlando at the last minute. We drove there and back the same night and made it home around 4am. We managed to get lost in Orlando while we were on a highway, and Joe decided that we should keep following it because “Highways don’t just end.” Well, this one did! It just turned into a dirt road. It was like a 4 or 6 lane highway and then POOF, it was a dirt road in the middle of nowhere. We still joke about that when we’re lost if we’re on a highway

Ooh, and Lou’s band opened (Lou from Dear Ephesus - what was his band - MAN, I can’t remember the name - someone post a comment and remind me!). That was fun times. The Hangnail boys were great and thanked me for knowing the words to their songs, LOL.

(Yawn) I am really sleepy today. I can’t figure out why because I ran and drank caffeine. It doesn’t really make sense. I don’t think I’m pregnant, so maybe its just some random tiredness.

This morning was my first morning leading the ladies’ running group at church. I can’t believe that 3 years ago when Jake inspired me to try running, I was so out of shape. I was a size 14 (EEK!) and thought I was going to pass out after 60 seconds of jogging. Now I’m running 6 days a week and leading other women through the same journey. Its really cool. I feel so blessed to be able to help other people to meet some of their health goals. Its so nice.

Church tonight was nice. Of course Juli wanted to chill in the foyer rather than stay in the service, but at the end she tried to go back into the nursery. That totally shocked me. She usually tries to run away as soon as she sees the nursery. Maybe next week she’ll go in and Joe and I can both listen to the service and hold hands and Juli can be all happy. That’s a dreamy thought!

Joe is watching the Denver game downstairs. I love him so much Its amazing how just thinking about someone downstairs, doing nothing, can warm your heart, isn’t it? I truly thank God that he brought Joe and I together so early in our lives. The other day Joe was talking as we drove home and I was just staring at him, thinking of how he is just the perfect man for me. Seriously, I feel like God custom made us for each other. I mean, there’s been other guys in the past that I felt a connection to, but its different with Joe. I know that he’s the one for me. Even though we both screw up and say and do stupid things, I know there’s still no better match.

OK, I’m done with my mushfest. Man, all this sappiness… maybe I am pregnant, LOL.

posted by amanda on Aug 27

Itunes is going old-school with my music, huh? Joe and I talked about this CD on the first day that we met. All the cool kids were listening to it 1997, baby.

Earlier today I was experiencing a weird case of college envy. Even though I’m taking classes this fall at UCCS, I was reading on some of the PBA webrings and looking at their cute little pictures of Baxter Hall and the intracoastal, and for a split-second I really missed those carefree days. I kind of missed when my biggest concern was who I was going to walk down to the beach with, or who’d be at the rave or the next show at Respectables. Now I get to worry about whether or not my son will eat something that will send him into shock and about how I can teach my kids by example to be Christ-filled, upright, happy, fulfilled, intelligent, LOVING members of society. I just sat there earlier, thinking about how simple my life used to be and how I thought it was just oh-so-complex. I guess that’s how a 17-year-old mind works though… Kissing and classes seem like all-encompassing issues. I was so naive. Sheesh. How did I survive?

Anyways… M is sleeping. J is watching Dora. She’s obsessed. Seriously. When she wakes up in the middle of the night, she asks to watch “doraboots”. Even at 3am, the routine is the same. Its like baby crack.

I had to go to the doctor today. This week has been so freaking expensive. Joe is the only one who hasn’t gone to the doctor. I had to call about a week ago for him though. He jumped out of bed to grab J from her crib and then he passed out. He was laid up right there at the foot of our bed. It was freaky. I thought that he had ran into the wall. He woke up and didn’t even remember where he was. Once he crawled back into bed and I got J, he said “Man, how did that kid in the spelling bee keep spelling after he passed out?!” LOL. That’s my husband.

Its raining now. I adore Colorado rain. The rain is so cold, and it comes with a nice chilly breeze. It can make a hot day into a sweater day. Its fabulous.

I think I’ll go read and chill for a while. I hope everyone is having a great day!

posted by amanda on Aug 26

Wow, I’m just a blogging machine, huh?

This song makes me smile, because I really like Aaron Sprinkle, even though I used to tease dh for liking him so much. My son sings the songs on this CD and its one of the cutest things ever. The only thing funnier is when he sings the Caedmon’s Call song, “The Emptiest Day”, because there are some crazy high notes in that song and my son sounds like he’s yodeling. Its great.

Anyways, I talked Joe into going running with me this evening (with the kids in the jogging stroller). I went back to the same trail that I did yesterday and I kicked butt. I was in the upper 8s (8+ minute mile) for the last 1/3 of the run, which I’m very pleased about since this was just a little recovery run. It felt fabulous. I felt like my form really clicked. That’s such a great feeling. Joe didn’t run the whole way, and he said that the kids were heckling him, saying “Mommy goes too fast! You can’t catch her!” LOL. Ahh, that’s my kids!

We went to Dairy Queen for dinner, which ironically had a lot of dairy-free options for ds. He’s severely allergic to casein (the protein in cow’s milk) and I never would’ve guessed that DQ would be even remotely safe, but they were great! They were very pleasant, unlike a certain other fast food restaurant (cough) Wendy’s (cough) which acts like we’re asking them to perform brain surgery when we try to get them to trade the fried nuggets (they have dairy in the batter) with a grilled chicken breast in the Kids Pack. Yeesh.

Well, I already brushed my teeth, but I have a candy jar with Andes mints sitting on my desk, and its taunting me. Stupid candy. I think I’ll go read my Luther book and try to forget about them!

posted by amanda on Aug 26

I’m so bummed.

One of my very closest friends here in Colorado Springs has just found out that they’re moving for her husband’s job. We knew it was a possibility, but I’m really sad now that I know its true. My kids are going to be really upset when they figure out that their friends are leaving, since they have kids about the same age as mine. Its such a bummer.

Last night I had trouble sleeping and kept waking up gasping for air. At first I thought it was panic attacks, but I couldn’t figure out why. Then I thought that maybe it was an asthma attack. Then I realized that I’m stupid and only breathe through my nose, and my nose was stuffy, so I wasn’t breathing very well. I’d concentrate on mouth breathing until I fell asleep, then I’d start nose breathing and gasp for air. I took some Robutussin and propped myself upright with pillows on our big fluffy couch in the front room and I was finally able to fall asleep. It was no fun at all though. I think that I may have been having asthma or anxiety issues that were compounding it. Whatever it was, it sucked.

So now I’m trying to decide if I should go work out. Running usually helps to clear out my sinuses, so maybe I’ll give it a whirl. I just cleaned the house, so I can go do fun stuff now I’ll probably go to the park with my friend later and lament over the fact that she’s leaving me. Oh, and I have to go by the library because I reserved Run the Rockies : classic trail runs in Colorado’s Front Range and its ready. I’m looking forward to finding some new trails!

My mind seems hazy this morning. I guess that’s what happens when you don’t sleep well, huh?

posted by amanda on Aug 25

I’m moving back to Xanga - for now at least…

I just can’t decide where I want to be. I moved my entries back, but since Xanga is all ghetto, I can’t put the correct dates next to them, so they all show up as being from today. Seriously, Mr. Xanga, you should let us be able to change the dates. Its really simple code. I could even write it up for you Oh, and I’m also bummed that I can’t bring my comments over. That stinks.

Let’s see, today is pretty quiet so far. I woke up early and went for a trail run with the kids in the stroller. Pushing 60lbs worth of kids on a hilly, gravel trail is not exactly a simple workout. I expected to go for a nice, easy 3 miles and push myself just to the top of my aerobic heart rate limit, but I think I ended up over the limit quite a bit. I left my HRM at home, so I’m not exactly sure, but I counted my pulse a few times, and it felt like it was closer to 160 and I wanted it at 150. I will have to wear the HRM next time I run… Anyways, it was way harder than I expected. My legs felt like they were made of lead. I normally bask in the experience of running, but today I couldn’t wait for it to be time to turn around!

The trail was really pretty though. It went along a river bank and there was nice tree coverage. Of course, as a woman running with just 2 kids, I feel like I have to be super cautious of freaks and weirdos. I prayed that God would protect me, but I try to use my God-given brain to not put myself in bad situations, y’know? I made sure that I was a little more covered up for today’s run, since I was going somewhere new. I kept my mid-section covered. At least there were a lot of bikers on the trail, so I wasn’t all alone. There were also a lot of construction workers around, because they’re working on the trail, but I’m not sure if that made me feel better or worse I should buy some pepper spray or something, but I just picture myself spraying some dude with pepper spray and then him shooting me with a gun. I mean, it just seems silly. It’d scare off dogs though, and mountain lions

Now I’m going to go do some fun, housewife things. Dd is napping and ds is running in circles around me (literally) so I think I’m going to let him run in the backyard. Maybe he’ll get some of that energy out. Man, I wish I had that much energy! I could’ve used it this morning.

I also wanted to add that my computer is randomly picking songs for me, so please don’t judge me because I’m listening to Squad.

posted by amanda on Aug 23

I think I just realized that I am often fear-motivated. That’s really crazy.

I was cooking dinner and my dh has been upstairs talking on the phone to his best friend. He doesn’t talk to him very often, but he’s always really happy when he does. Dinner is ready, but I really didn’t want to make him stop talking, especially since I encouraged him to call. As I contemplated this, I realized how happy he’d be if I always respected him and kept a good attitude if he was going to be late (which is something that his personality is prone to be). Then I immediately thought that if I did that, then he’d run all over me - which is really ridiculous and completely unfounded. I realized that I try to be “strict” for fear that he won’t treat me well, and I’m really just taking away the opportunity to be gracious and for him to possibly return the grace. Hmmm, I need to think about this some more…

posted by amanda on Aug 23

I am so psyched! My little running group is filling up! There’s already 8 ladies from my church joining me. I was worried that I’d be out there running alone (which I actually do already, but I still had some kind of lame fear of rejection). So now I need to go get my packets ready for them and give them all of the info that they need to get started.

I’ve been working on one of Hal Higdon’s base building programs, and it has felt really great. Nothing beats crisp Colorado air when it comes to running The hills used to kick my butt, but now I’m finally able to chug through them.

This past weekend was the Pikes Peak ascent, and one day I’d love to do that, although I get lightheaded just thinking about it… It’d be cool though. Before that I hope to do the ADT marathon… that’s why I’m building my base.

Oh, plus I love being a size 0 =P LOL. That doesn’t hurt when it comes to keeping me motivated.