The power of positive thinking prevails!

As somebody who grew up being very negative, I have really tried to embrace the power of positive thinking as an adult. My sister is really the driving force behind this because I can still easily fall back into my old "Grinchy" ways. She constantly reminds me that if you put it out there, it will happen. Whether this is how the universe really works or this is how we just get through life, the result is the same: less stress and more joy!

So I put the power into effect yesterday when I bought a lottery ticket. I made it known to myself and those around me that we would win some money. I didn't have a specific amount in mind, but I let no other thought enter my mind other than us winning. I know this seems silly, but I just put it out there. Well low and behold...we won $2!!! I know your thinking $2 really, but I won something. Now I don't ever play the lottery so I am not sure what I should have been expecting. The moral of the story is to be positive and hopeful always because it can't hurt, it can only improve your life and those around you. However, negativity kills! It kills your spirit and the spirit's of those around you.

Thanks again Tiff for being such a good big sis!

"Most folks are about as happy as they make up their mind to be" ~ Abraham Lincoln

By the way, I am rocking the new fall background to will fall here faster. Can't you just smell the cinnamon and pumpkin? Who wants to go to the pumpkin patch?

Fritz is Four!

Fritz William turned four on August 11! He had a great gymnastics party the weekend before and a little family celebration on the actual day. It will definitely be a party that he will remember for a while. He got some great gifts from all his friends and a big boy bike from Mark and I. My dad and I even attempted a Thomas cake on his actual birthday. Here are some pictures.

Olly is getting so smart and his personality is really adorable. He understands everything and really likes to help around the house. His favorite chore is feeding the dogs before dinner. He waddles the big dog bowl across the kitchen and sometimes gets it to the floor before spilling...and sometimes not. I am amazed by his vocabulary since Fritz took a long time to really start talking.

I completed triathlon number two this past weekend and really enjoyed it. It was so much more fun since I new what to expect. A group of great girls did it with me including my newly prego sister-in-law, Andrea. So kuddos to her for completing it. I think I am going to fit one more in at the end of October before the tri season wraps up. I love having a goal to work toward. It makes exercise a lot more fun!

I think the grown ups had just as much fun as the kids at the party! Here is Daddy John dusting off his old moves.

Way too long!

So it has been way too long since I posted anything. Brief update...boys are good, I am good, Mark is good. Just kidding!

Fritz is almost four years old. Yikes! He is still imaginative, fun and kind hearted. He still loves Thomas the Train and all his friends, but is really into his huge collection of Hot Wheels, but what boy isn't. He loves the pool, playing with his friends and helping me around the house.

Olly is almost 17 months. I still feel like he is a baby, but I know he is totally a toddler now. He is adventerous, feisty and so lovable! He talks and or babbles all the time and loves to play cars with his big brother.

I did my first sprint triathlon in the beginning of the month and loved it! I did better than I thought I would and am doing another one in August. Perhaps I should consider a little makeup next time...for picture purposes!

Mark is working and being a great dad for the boys! He helped out a lot with Fritz's t-ball practices and games. It was really fun to see them on the field together.

Playing Around

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Family Traditions

The Houston family hit Astros Opening day again this year. Mark and I vowed to take the boys every year and so it has become our family tradition. We were a little worried about how we would convince Olly boy to sit still through nine innings...and we were right. He screamed and ate and wiggled through the whole game, but we made it and the tradition lives on. Here are some cute pics that we take every year!

Fritz and Daddy 2006

Fritz and Daddy 2007

Fritz, Olly and Daddy 2008

Fritz, Olly and Daddy 2009

We also had a great Easter weekend with all the Houston clan! The boys got to have an egg hunt with their cousins on Saturday night at our traditional Easter breakfast. Then they had another hunt on Sunday afternoon after church and a yummy Easter lunch. We also packed into the weekend a shopping trip and a birthday party to boot. We were pooped by Sunday night!

The only thing missing from my Easter weekend was my family...my mom, dad, sister and brother. The only person that I have seen in the past two years is my mom. I have not seen my sister, brother or dad in two years!!! So those that have family near by, please enjoy them!

Finally, an update on my last post...I did it! I ran all ten miles. It was painful, but I did it. That was definitely a milestone for me. For me, running ten miles was all about convincing myself I could and blocking out the negativity. So I finally beat my head as I like to think of it. I did not want to lose the momentum I had with my training, or give myself a reason to skip a day, so I signed up for my first triathlon! This has been a goal of mine for at least ten years. When I finish this I will be able to check it off my bucket list. June 7 is the big day and again it is going to be all about beating my head. It is going to be awesome!!!

May God Give Me Wings

So I am participating in a fundraiser on Sunday for my friend Kara's family. Kara's little girl, Ashtyn, has Acardi syndrome and requires help meeting all her needs. After having back surgery in December from years of lifting Ashtyn, Kara can no longer pick up her daughter to care for her. So this fundraiser is to raise money for a lift system for Tommy and Kara's house. This will allow Ashtyn to continue to live at home with her parents and sister where she can have the best life possible.

We are aiming to raise $10,000 which will cover half the cost of the lift. I was blessed to have various friends and family sponsor me for this 10 mile walk/run. It is a 10 mile event because Ashtyn is turning 10 this summer. I am so happy that I met my personal goal of $1000 and hope that it will help Kara and Tommy meet their goal to buy the lift.

So I will be praying on Sunday for God to give me wings to complete the ten mile run. I have trained for it, but it will be a challenge nonetheless.

Here are some cute pics of the boys from the past month.

Olly passed out on the way home from the Zoo

Fritz passed out on the way home from the Zoo