Run Mama, Run !

One-third of the way through on my training....for my first Half Marathon !  (Last year, I posted enthusiastically about training for the same race but never had the chance to run the race.  I was a few weeks into my training when we found out that we were pregnant and stopped training competitively.  A few weeks after that we lost our precious baby and running was really far from my mind).  

So, here I am again...another year older and trying to accomplish this goal !  I waited until this week to post because this weeks long run was 8 miles.  That is the longest run I've ever done - even as a youngster.  I feel like I've gotten over a big hurdle with this weeks progress.  I love setting goals and having something to work towards...it really helps overcome "some" of the monotony and loneliness of running. 

Exercising and keeping fit is something I have always tried to keep as a constant in my life.  My father instilled a great value of HEALTH in me from a very young age - and I really hope to do the same for my own children.  I try to involve them in our meal prep, exercise time, and other good habits.  Healthy living really is a lifestyle choice for us - and so much easier instilled in us when we are young.  I try to emphasize how exercise keeps our heart healthy and the benefits of healthy eating.  I don't want my children growing up with an issues with their body image or obsessively looking at the scale. God gave us these amazing bodies and we should know how to care for them in a very respectable way.  We should be more amazed at the things our body can DO rather than how perfect it looks to others.  

I've made a few changes to the "official" training program that I am following, to accommodate for some traveling, family visits and a few other races that I am interested in doing in the next month.  Hopefully, it will still work out in a positive way !  I have added a training widget to the sidebar - to add some accountability to this post :) !  

Many years, little one !

September 11, 2006

I can still remember how afraid I was that day at the hospital hearing the nurse utter the words "You'll be having this baby today".  My sweet husband smiled ear to ear in joyful anticipation...but all I could think was it was too early.  We had been in and out of the hospital, bed rest, meds....all to try to keep this precious baby in my womb just a little while longer.  She was my first...and I had no idea what was really happening.   I was so afraid...all I could do was pray that this little blessing would be strong.  They made me even more fearful as the delivery became imminent with NICU team waiting for her...waiting to take my little baby away from me.  That's how I saw it, anyway.

Glory to God for all things...our little girl was bigger than they thought, strong, healthy....and looking quite full-term to all of us.  We spent every second with each other after her vitals, they never had to even take her out of the room.  Thanks be to God.

When momentous occasions occur, like this birthday....I always seem to say the same thing to my husband.  "I can still SMELL the day she was born".  Sounds so silly...but I really can. I am transported back to that moment of inexplicable joy...and choke back the tears.  Just like now.

So, here we are....and she turned FIVE this month.   She has had quite the celebration too.  We surprised my inlaws (and our children) with an unannounced visit to their home in the Berkshires.  It is not easy to travel as a family of four...but it is MOST difficult to plan a trip like that in secret.  We video chat with them quite often and it was hard for my hubby to talk to his parents without slipping (which is exactly why it had to be a surprise for the kids too)!



Her actual birthday landed during this visit, so not only did we show up unannounced but they gave their granddaughter a little birthday party as well.  She was thrilled and loved celebrating her birthday at her Noni and Granddad's house !

Upon our return home, we had a very special tea party and invited her two closest friends.  We celebrated her Name Day and her birthday with her friends.  We had such a great time...and turns out, I actually like throwing tea parties for little girls!

The next night we had Yiayia, Popou, Nouna, Nouna, Thea and her favorite Big Cousins over for gyros and (yes, again) birthday cake.  She got a brand new bike and we've been riding it at least twice a day since she first got on it. (Thanks to Popou for the very loud horn on the handlebars)!  

I finally popped all the balloons and yanked all the streamers down today !  

Mother's Daybook

Outside my window

It is cloudy, windy and warm.  While I am thankful that it appears we are being spared the wrath of Hurricane Irene, I am praying for those that are evacuating, preparing and planning for the storm. 

Currently reading

RE-reading The Spiritual Life - and How to be Attuned to It. (St. Theophan the Recluse).  Also, lots of children's books !  

I am thankful


I am so Blessed that the Lord has blessed our marriage and our family.  As we celebrated 7 years this past week, I was reflecting on our spiritual journey...and through it's ups, and especially downs, how God gives us such opportunities to seek His Grace.  

From the kitchen


Nothing out of the ordinary.  Having just finished the Fast, we stocked up on some chicken breasts and a steak this week - just in time to feast for our wedding anniversary !  

I am thinking

It has been 2 months today since my sweet uncle fell asleep in the Lord.  As with any loss, it was so painful for our family, my mother, his wife, his daughter.  But I continue to think about the effect he had on so many people.  The night we were at the funeral home for the viewing, it was extremely emotional for everyone.  As family, we were sitting up front and were being greeted by all who entered.  At one point, I turned to the back of the room and noticed there were a line of people waiting to approach the casket.  A little while later, I needed to go on the porch for some air..and I will never forget the overwhelming feeling I had as I exited the room.  I cried...but smiled so big inside.  There was a line of people extending outside of the funeral home into the parking lot.  People were parking blocks away to come to pay their respects to my dear Uncle and his family.  I had never seen anything like it and I I felt so much love right then.  I thought about how much love he had given to all of these people and that they had those same sentiments for him.   His memory would live on in all of them.  May his memory be eternal !  

A few plans for the rest of the week

Apparently, I need to start sitting down to write these Daybook entries earlier in the week if this is going to be a topic.  As I sit here tonight typing, I am thinking of NO PLANS !  One more day of this week and then NO PLANS !  But over the weekend and earlier in the week, I am PLANNING to "make a plan" !  HA !  No, really I am.  I need to re-visit our daily routines now that Sophia has started spending a few hours at school.  This week, I have really just kept most things out of the routine so that we can get adjusted to things and see how it all fits together.  We usually spend a little time in the morning doing our own homeschool stuff.  We do some reading lessons, writing, workbooks, crafts...and spiritual reading and lessons.  We say our morning prayers together, breakfast/cleanup, wash/dress, and we usually go to the YMCA a few mornings per week.  I've never actually set any kind of "schedule", so to speak, but I am feeling a little unorganized as of late and I think I need a little structure for the kids.  Lately, it seems that if given too much "free" time, things turn to chaos real quick !  Maybe just a little more routine will calm the waters.  Any experienced moms out there feel like chiming in ??? 

on my iPod


New behind-the-neck earphones for running !  Thanks Mom and Dad !  

Toward a living education

For my birthday, my sweet sister and her family took all of us camping !  We went to St. Augustine and it was our first time there.  We decided to go up a day early so that we could enjoy the town a bit before we started to rough it.  Our children are a little young to understand the history of the place, but did enjoy the trip immensely.  For us, there was so much history there and I am so glad that we got to spend a little time walking around and learning a bit too.  Of course, our favorite stop was the St. Photios Greek Orthodox Shrine.  What a blessing to be able to see it !  

Beauty in the home/Around the house


This is definitely NOT the week to write about this.  With the challenges of a new schedule, very tired and cranky kids, tired Mama....I have barely been able to keep up with the basic house chores.  Right now, folded laundry is beautiful - because it's not all clumped in a basket.  We need to lower our standards every once in a while !  

The Domestic Church


Focused this week on more examples of how we call upon God in prayer during our daily lives..particularly with Sophia starting school.  Little reminders to pray before starting school, during school when she feels anxious (i.e.. during afternoon storms), praying for a classmate who is misbehaving.  As mothers we are never sure how much they can grasp at each stage, especially our first time around, but it continues to be our duty to teach them each step they take.  

I am hoping/I am praying


I am praying for the people in the Northeast who are preparing for the Hurricane to hit this weekend.  

In the garden

Peppers !  I think they may have been the only productive thing we planted this summer.  It's ok by me, I LOVE peppers - and we have a lot of them.  I planted 3 different varieties and they are all doing well.  I think the garlic and carrots are something we need to try again in the Fall.  I think it was just too hot for them here.  The beans did somewhat ok, but didn't produce enough to actually incorporate into a meal.  My kids mainly enjoyed running out and picking them off of the vine and eating them raw.  The tomatoes never made a big comeback after the leaf miner episode. The plants themselves grew very tall and flowered but never really fruited much.  We are looking forward to cleaning out the boxes and trying some new things for Fall.  

One of my favorite things


A really great workout !  Love feeling physically exhausted when I hit that pillow at night !  

Sophia

Started her first year at Pre-K this week.  So far, it is going well.  I can't lie - it is very bittersweet for me.  It's only a few hours a day, but feels like forever.  We chose the afternoon session because we felt it fit better into our schedule.  We would be able to continue our normal morning routine, attend church services, go to the Y, etc.  It also seems to have worked out for the best because the afternoon class is much smaller, which is a little less overwhelming for our shy little girl.  She says she likes it. It is odd to see my very bubbly energetic little girl CRASHING at the end of the day !  She has also still been going to her gymnastics class 2 nights a week and that has really added to her exhaustion.  

Demetrios

The poor little man.  He is NOT happy about Sophia leaving for school.  He has cried every day on the way home after dropping her off.  He says things (between the sobs) like "I am sad", "my bear is sad", "I don't want to leave Sophia at school", "I miss Sophia".  It is heart-wrenching ..but cute in a way.  I am glad that they have such a bond.  Plus, it is adorable to see them run to each other and hug when we pick her up in the afternoon.  

Picture though to share

Our "perfect" house

I am not a perfect housekeeper.  Not even close.  Now, don't get me wrong...my house is not a cyclone.  Well, not ALL the time.  It's clean, it's tidy, it's "kinda" organized...but not perfect.  I am confident enough that if I had an unexpected knock at the door that my guest would not think my house was a complete mess.  You can usually find one or two baskets full of clean laundry sitting around waiting to be folded and put away.  I don't dry the dishes and put them away right after washing them, I let them sit in the strainer until there is not a drop of water on them (or until I need to wash more dishes).  I should mop the floors more often and dust the bookshelf.  I don't make my bed every single day (gasp)!  There are a lot of times that I don't make the children's put away their crayons and coloring books before starting to play with their train set.  There are nights we even go to sleep with the train set pieces still strewn all over my sons rug. (double-gasp)!  So....you sorta get the picture of our everyday world.  

But this weekend, we were having company.  Well, it's not really "company" per se.  My mother-in-law is coming.  We love when she visits !  When both of my inlaws come together, they stay in a hotel.  When she comes by herself, she stays with us and sleeps in my daughter's room.  This, of course, means that she needs to actually SEE my daughter's bed in order to sleep in it.  Of course, we had to clean.  Clean, as in "better than usual clean".   Honestly, she could care less what the house looks like - she just wants to see her grandchildren.  But you ALL know how it is.  Someone comes to stay at your house and you feel the need to clean behind the toilet !

We had a busy week but we tried to keep our normal schedule the first half of the days and then do some extra cleaning and chores during the afternoons if possible.   Everything got cleaned, pretty well.  But I started to get crazy.  I would get the kitchen looking perfect - and then my children would ask me to bake something with them.  I would have to clean it all over again from top to bottom.  I would vacuum every speck of dirt off the floor and we would go work in the garden (only to trek even more dirt back in).  Wash, Rinse, Repeat.  I kept looking at things from a different perspective.  "That looked PERFECT an hour ago and now it's atrocious" !  Then came Friday - "crunch day".  Last ditch effort to get it right.

My kids spent the morning with Popou (my dad) and their cousins because I had errands and a pitching lesson to give.  By the time we got home around midday, I had the afternoon to get it all done before it was time to get them to bed.  (No cleaning or other somewhat noisy activities in this small house after bedtimes with our light sleepers).  I thought about locking the kids in the bathroom so I could conquer one room at a time...but instead I just barked and yelled orders.  "Don't take out any toys".  "How many books are you going to take out".  "Can you just sit and rest a bit". "Don't take out any snacks, you'll make crumbs". "No crafts today".  "Watch me from the window while I garden because I don't need another single thing to clean and wash" "I cannot play that with you until this house is ALL clean"  "No, no, no"....

Jump to the end of the day -  My house was clean.  All of the laundry was done, sheets all changed, bathrooms scrubbed and disinfected, dishes clean and dried, toys all in proper places, every crayon and colored pencil in it's proper section, shelves were dusted, garden was watered and weeded, furniture dusted, floors vacuumed...etc.   Whew !

When I snuggled with my two little munchkins at the very end of the night to go to sleep...my little man leaned on my chest with a great big hug and said "I love you mama".  Now, he says he loves me a million times a day and gives lots of hugs.  But last night, it made me cry.  It was more like "I missed you all day Mama and I'm so glad you're back".  Of course, that could be my pitiful, guilty translation of his affection...but that's how I was feeling too.

Yesterday, we didn't sit on the couch together and read any books.  We didn't play house.  We didn't do any crafts together.  I didn't take them out WITH me to do the gardening.  We didn't go to the Y or for a run.  We didn't cook together. We didn't even eat together at the table.  We didn't draw or color together.  We didn't build anything or play cars and trains.  We didn't talk much about anything. We didn't learn anything together.  We didn't dance and sing like we do every afternoon.   We didn't do much of anything.  It was a yucky day....but at least my house was clean.  

My grandmother gave my mom a cute little plaque that hung in our dining room in the house where I grew up:

"This house is clean enough to be healthy...

But messy enough to be happy".  

I used to laugh at this really because my mother has had an immaculate house for as long as I can remember.  But today I remembered this little plaque for the first time in many years.  (Maybe our house was so clean for as long as I can REMEMBER..but maybe not so clean for my younger toddler years...hmmm?) I just can't imagine that I am the ONLY mother of young children that finds it hard to keep a perfect-looking house, while at the same time nurturing my children and being a part of their day.  Am I ?  (Please, DON'T leave a comment indicating that I am).

I might not be the most perfect housekeeper...but I know that I am doing my best to balance it all and more importantly to be the best mother and wife that I can be right NOW.  Maybe there will come a time in the not-so-distant future that I will be able to fold the laundry as soon as I take it out of the dryer without being interrupted by things like:   "Mama, can you read me this book first"?  or "Can you help me make this beaded bracelet" or "How do you spell Demetri's name so I can make him a surprise"?  

Maybe one day I won't hear those interruptions and I can get everything done in a very expeditious and efficient manner.  Maybe one day my house will look perfect....but God-willing, that won't be anytime soon.  I think our house is just perfect the way it is right now.

Grow Garden, Grow !

After getting a late start to the garden...some of the plants are finally starting to produce some fruits.  It has been a rough season, weather-wise.  Some days of scorching temps and insane humidity...and sometimes incessant heavy rain with no sun for days !  But we are still really enjoying it!

My two little gardeners helping me set up the gardening boxes!

 Our boxes are ready for planting!  The children said some prayers for our garden !

And the plants, seeds and bulbs are planted!

carrots, garlic, purple beans

kiwi, muscadine grapes, raspberries, blackberries

Our tomato plants suffered from leafminers early on and I thought they were doomed.  I did some research and ordered some Spinosad.  They have been sprayed a few times now and I think we have gotten rid of those little buggers.  The plants themselves are growing pretty tall, but only the grape tomatoes are producing.  I was REALLY excited about the Big Mama Paste tomatoes that we planted...but so far, no fruit.  The plants were young when they had the leafminers and I have read that it could affect the production or produce smaller fruits.  The plants all seem strong now and are flowering, so I am hoping they are catching up !

Leafminers !  

tomato plants and peppers

The purple green beans are Sophia's favorite right now...she loves to pick them right off the trellis and eat them.  She is patiently waiting for the carrots, garlic and sweet potatoes to be ready for picking.  This is our first time for the garlic and carrots.  The tops of the garlic seem to be burning a bit and I wondering if it is just too hot for them.  We chose a "heat resistant" variety but maybe it's just been too much.  I am going to try to plant them again in the Fall as well in order to see which crop does better.

The peppers are my personal favorite.  I have to plant more of those next year.  The Pinot Noir Bell peppers were the first to produce (forgot to take pics) and they were delicious.  Pretty, too!  I used them mostly in my salads because I really wanted to enjoy how fresh and flavorful they were ! Our Orange bells are getting to be a good size...just waiting for them to turn orange now !  The rest are green bells and haven't fruited yet.

Here is our first batch of Fairytale Eggplant !  This is our first time planting this variety.  Last year we did the regular eggplants, which did well.  Those are some prolific plants !  They grew pretty large and were beautiful.  They ended up shading the other plants around them, which I hadn't planned for.  This year we decided to try this one.  It is actually a very compact plant and could even be grown in containers. I had no idea what to expect, so we started with just one plant to see how it did in our garden.  So far, it is doing well and is very healthy.  They flower (and fruit) in clusters..and the eggplants are shaped more like small zucchinis.  I am planning to cook them tonight so we will see how they taste. They are supposed to be very mild.

Daybook Entry

Outside my window

Thunderstorms !  I love a good thunderstorm.  My little ones, however, have a different feeling about them. The minute Sophia sees the storm clouds she starts asking if we can "just stay inside the house for the rest of the day". 

Currently reading

Gosh, I'm not actually reading anything.....

I am thankful

 for my membership at the Y.  This week I was really thinking about how integral that is to our week.  It's part of our daily routine most days.  I love giving my kids a good example of health and fitness. They love playing with their friends in kidzone.  When I am able to exercise I am much more relaxed and I know I am a better mother and wife.  It's a great thing !  

From the kitchen

Being in the middle of the Apostles Fast, we are doing lots of veggie dishes and fruit smoothies.  A trip to a local organic farm this week provided us with LOTS of blackberries for our smoothies and snacking !  

I am thinking 

about my Uncle who is in the hospital tonight with several infections, pneumonia and a failing mitral valve.  Lord have mercy.  

I am wearing

Lately, it has been so humid that I search for the lightest things in my closet.  Thankfully, I have a few very light, airy summer skirts that are my favorite !

A few plans for the rest of the weekend

Barbeque get-together with some friends, Church, yardwork...and some good quality time with the family. 

on my iPod

I got a new iPod !  So sweet...I didn't actually NEED a new one, but my children (via my mother-in-law) got me an iPod Touch for Mother's day - engraved and all !  I love it.  Great for "all things iPod" of course, but I"ve also been keeping it with me in my purse on our regular everyday outings to serve as a camera/video camera to capture my kids doing their ordinary cute things !  It's my new personal traveling photo album too, since I've synced it to my computer and put on lots of fun pictures !  

Beauty in the home/Around the house

Last week my husband made a beautiful edging around our large flower bed in the front of the house.  We had been wanting to do that for a while, but after we priced out some ideas we decided it wasn't in our budget and we would wait. THEN he remembered that we had a large pile of brick pavers in the backyard.  He had piled them up in hope of using them to build a brick barbeque (which hasn't happened) so he used it for the front yard.  It looks great.  I should take a picture. 

The Domestic Church

We have taken a small break from our daily lessons in the morning )....but continue to pray with the children in the morning - where they are starting to take the lead role more often :)  They also say the mealtime prayers (Pater Imon/Our Father) for us.  Although we are formally not doing any daily reading lessons (mental note: need more books!), I still try to keep them in the rhythm of the cycle of the Church - talking to them briefly about the Saints celebrated on certain days, attending weekday Liturgies, etc.  

I am hoping/I am praying

My sister was recently rushed to the hospital from her doctor's office due to an abnormally high heart rate, blood pressure, etc.  She has been having some symptoms for the past few weeks and was trying to follow up.  She was stabilized and sent home the following day for follow up testing. She is having tons of testing, both cardiac and non-cardiac, so we hope that by next week we will know what is causing all of this.  I am hoping and praying that it is something that can be easily and quickly treated and does not affect her active lifestyle or quality of life.  

In the garden

The garden is finally showing some signs of growth !  I actually considered NOT doing it this season, there just seemed to be SO much going on...but Sophia really insisted and loves to watch it all grow !  How could I resist?  We planted tomatoes (plum, grape and big boy), Bell peppers (4 different varieties), fairytale eggplant, garlic, purple majesty "green" beans, carrots and cucumbers.  Not long after planting, the LEAFMINERS hit !  I had NO idea what was going on with my plants, so I took pictures and posted them on Facebook, of course !  By the end of the day, I had my answer.  We are trying to deal with the situation and it looks like health has been restored to most of the plants, with the exception of the cucumber.  Looks like we will be harvesting our first Sweet Pinot Noir peppers this week !  

One of my favorite things

is hearing Demetrios in his little voice saying "Sophia, I love you" !  I just want to bottle that up and save it !  

Sophia

Our little mermaid finished her swimming class at the Y a few weeks ago ! She did great.  She is not a GREAT swimmer yet, but I just love the confidence she has when she gets in the pool !  

Demetrios

He continues to "play altar" all the time.  He is mimicking services more and more.  He insists on using several of my head scarves as "vestments" and is very sensitive if I don't put them on "correctly".  He has a box in his room (well, usually it's all over the house) that is full of items that he uses in his "services". Gospel books, chalice, spoon, service book, censor, etc.  

He is also very much into cars, trucks and buses.  Actually, buses, trucks and cars - in THAT order.  He carries a little lunchbag full of his little car collection and when he sees a truck, etc...he holds up that particular one.  So, when he is in the jogger and we pass a school bus, he rips the school bus out of the bag and holds it up so proudly.  He thinks they see him.  He will stand on the lanai at 6:30 in the morning to hold up that garbage truck as they come by !  He's having fun !

Picture though to share

Christ is Risen !

A sleepy little girl, during Divine Liturgy

Christ is Risen !  What a glorious journey it has been for us !  Having my children with me really made it so special.   They were able to attend every single service through Holy Week (except the Hours on Holy Friday morning) and really enjoyed it.  We talked at length about the meaning of the week and of the Feast.  In their own simple understanding, they really were able to understand the meaning of Pascha (Easter) and were joyous and filled with anticipation as we arrived at the Resurrection service.

Of course, it was exhausting - but I think it takes every Orthodox family a few days to fully recover from Holy Week.  We are at Church services every single day and/or night, sometimes more than once a day.  Some of those services are very long and end very late - which can definitely be a challenge for families with children.  But to teach a child that our spiritual journey is NOT always easy, is a good lesson for them to start learning in their early years.

Of course, after a few hours of sleep...someone has to get up and start cooking for the dinner on Sunday. That "someone" is ME.   In our family, I have always taken this holiday in our home as it is so very special and I am honored to prepare the Feast !

My little man holding his own Paschal candle after receiving the Holy Light