Red White and Blue!

This has been a month full of Red White and Blue!

 

My husband is really into soccer.  He played soccer his entire youth and is hoping Michael will follow in his footsteps (I am hoping Juliana wants to dance and cheer!).

 

Here is Michael's first soccer pic.  OF COURSE picture day was the day after he took a little spill in front of our house... of course, lol.

The World Cup comes around every 4 years.  I'll be the first to admit I never watched it before I met my husband.  We've been together a little over 8 years so I've only seen two in my lifetime.  The first one I was pregnant with the little guy above and the most recent tournament is almost over.  I have really enjoyed it this year.  All the games were really exciting and surprisngly, USA made it out of the first round! 

 

We've been trying to get the kids excited for the games, but a 2 and 3 1/2 year old could really care less at this point.  They mostly look foward to seeing daddy run around the house yelling "Gooooooooooooooooooooooooooaaaaallllllllll!"

 

 

We also celebrated 4th of July this month! 
Every year since Michael was born we've been to the Dale City 4th of July Parade.

 

Michael's first parade (Juliana was there too... in my tummy)

 

Juliana's first parade

And this year... love these two

One more of my boy

And fireworks that evening and a friend's house (Michael and I were inside, lol)



 

 

Laura Mercier Shimmer Bloc

I have always wanted to share some of my favorite things on Facebook, but I dont want to a) look like I'm working for a cosmetic company, b) annoy people who could care less and c) post too much.  I already post way too many pictures of my kids, but I can't help it!!  This is another reason I wanted to blog.  I can post whatever I'd like here and you can either read it or not... hopefully someone will enjoy my finds though.  I will only post about items that I have tried over and over again and have worked for me (or someone close to me).

 

Here goes nothing!

 

Product #1!

 

My girlfriends who were unable to attend my birthday in Vegas all got together and sent me a gift card to Aria (the hotel).  The totally spoiled me!  First stop?  Make-up counter! 

 

That's when I discovered Laura Mercier... le sigh... and this beauty:

 

 

 

The Laura Mercier Shimmer Bloc is beautiful.  At first I was intimidated, but now I'm in love. 

 

I start with my regular powder and blush (Nars Orgasm) and then swirl my brush around the bloc and use it as a highlight on my cheekbones.  If I'm going out, I'll highlight other areas as well.

 

The Shimmer Bloc makes me feel like I have a summer glow... even when I've only had 4 hours of sleep and I just ran 4 miles.  You can play around with the colors and location of highlight.  I have olive skin tone and the Peach Mosaic works best for me.

 

It retails for $40.00 at Sephora

 

Shimmer Bloc at Sephora

 

One complaint - It's soft and delicate.  If you throw your purse around, do not keep it there.  It WILL shatter and you WILL cry.

Running Mama

I love to run.  It's challenging, keeps me healthy and is beyond addicting.

 

I started running in 2001.  A couple friends wanted to do an 8k in Richmond and I jumped on the bandwagon.  I can't even say that I trained.  We drove to the race, I laced up and we started.  I immediately felt that competitive edge come over me, but it wasn't to the other runners - it was to myself.  I wanted to do well.  And I did.  Crossing the finish line was a feeling I will never forget.  People cheering for you... running across the finish mat... knowing that you're DONE.  I was completely hooked.

 

Since then, I have done...

 

2 Marathons

Pf Changs Rock 'n' Roll Arizona, 2007 - 5:40

Marine Corps Marathon, 2008 - 4:51

 

7 Half Marathons

Marine Corps Historic Half, 2009 - 1:54

Marine Corps Historic Half, 2011 - 1:58

Nike Womens Half, 2013 - 1:59

Woodrow Wilson Bridge Half, 2013 - 1:52

Rock 'n' Roll USA Half, 2014 - 1:49

Nike Womens Half, 2014 - 1:44

Marine Corps Historic Half, 2014 - 1:45

 

8 Ten Milers

Cherry Blossom, 2008 - 1:38

GW Parkway Classic, 2008 - 1:26

Cherry Blossom, 2009 - 1:28

GW Parkway Classic, 2009 - 1:25

Cherry Blossom, 2011 - 1:32

Army Ten Miler, 2011 - 1:33

Cherry Blossom, 2013 - 1:32

Cherry Blossom, 2014 - 1:21

 

2 10ks

Marine Corps 10k, 2006 - 57:53

Ridgerunners Turkey Trot, 2013 - 47:04

 

 1 8k

Suntrust Richmond Marathon 8k, 2001 - 44:05 

 

2 5ks

Komen Globla Race for the Cure, 2009 - 23:39

Quincy Conner 5Q, 2013 - 23:19

 

 

I am currently training for the CHICAGO MARATHON... October 12, 2014

 

I never thought I would do another one... but here goes nothing!

 

 

I owe a LOT of this to my running group...

MRTT - Moms Run This Town (Woodbridge/Manassas) 

We have a Facebook page where we talk about running (and other stuff) and set up weekly group runs.  Saturdays are our long runs.  Having a support team is so motivating b/c lets face it... setting your alarm for 0500 on a Saturday to run by yourself is less than desirable. 

One of the girls is traveling to Chicago with me (yay!) and many of them are doing the Marine Corps Marathon 2 weeks later.  I will definitely be there to cheer them on!

 

I will document my training in this blog because running is important to me. 

It makes me feel alive! 

 

 

 

Spring 2014 Family Photo Shoot

There are no words necessary for this entry <3

www.vnessphotography.com

 

Let's Try This Again...

Ok... I'm back.

I'm going to give blogging another shot.  I think I can, I think I can...

I am not consistent with journals.  I am not good at keeping baby books.  Honestly, Facebook is my only way of documenting special moments and occasions.  I want more.  My kids deserve more.  We try to give them the happiest life possible.  I want them to be able to hear my voice when they're older.  And if, God forbid, something happen to me, it would be nice for them to have a documentary of our fun times as a Family of Four.

So, here goes nothing.

Oh, and these wont be long entries.  I think that was ruining it for me before.  I tried too hard.  I want to keep it simple.  Meaningful and simple.

4 Generations of Ladies

I have been waiting to take this picture my whole life... four generations of ladies:

 

My Grandma, Vernell, me, my daughter, Juliana and my mom, Joyce.

 

 

Hard to Keep Up!

It's been a while since I've been able to post, but not much has happened...

Juliana is doing GREAT!  We met with a NICU Specialist for a follow-up appointment last week and he was amazed at how well Juliana is doing.  He said there's a LESS THAN 1% chance she will have ANY long term issues from coming early.  I don't care how many times we hear this, it always feels good!  She was also about 13 pounds!  That's a big jump from her last visit a month ago.  She gets her 3rd synagis shot this Friday so we will get a more accurate weight at that time, but I am really really proud of her!  I'm also proud of us.  I think we are doing a really good job of taking care of our little preemie.  From spending 6+ hours with her every day in the NICU to making sure she gets her daily vitamins and keeping up with her developments... it's just nice to have a good team around you.  This includes our family too... she is destined for greatness!  Here are some cute shots of her from this past month:

 

 

 

 

 

Michael is doing great too!  It's hard to believe he is OVER 2 years old.  The last 2 years have just flown by.  We are absolutely smitten with him every single day.  From the way he cuts his eyes at us to the constant gibberish that he talks ALL DAY LONG.  He is; however, saying more and more actual words these days.  He's even putting little sentences together.  He is the best sleeper too - 10 hours at night and a solid 2-3 hour nap every afternoon.  He is so loving to his sister too.  He kisses her 'good night' every night and is starting to interact with her more too.  Art and I love our kids so much.  It's almost surreal at times.  Here are a few pictures of our handsome little man: