Double Duty: Celebrating Mother's Day & My Anniversary

Yes, I'm literally managing marriage and motherhood today, ahem; not only is it Mother's Day but it's my 12th wedding anniversary, too.

Me, my mother, and my sister

Happy Mother's Day and much love to my WONDERFUL mother and all of you lovely Moms! May you be celebrated and appreciated for all of the crap you put up with great things you do!

A clip from our wedding on TLC's "A Wedding Story"

Happy Anniversary to my FAVORITE (and only) Husband! I love you even more than the day you put a ring on my finger. Hmm, how many years do you have to be married to get another one? Just kidding. Sort of.

Winks & Smiles,



Soirees, Surprises & Cupcakes

Let me be honest right now, there was no running this weekend. Gasp! But, after TWO birthday soirees, a little wine, pasta, a few beers, and the most DELICIOUS little cupcakes ever made a run is definitely in order.

It all started when Husband told me we had to go out at 5 p.m. on Saturday night when my birthday celebration wasn’t scheduled to start until 9 p.m. Hmm. Yup he was up to something. We drove downtown and end up here.

Love the swanky W hotel – my new home for the night. (Thanks Mom, for keeping the kids *winks*)

After checking in he whisked me away again and didn’t tell me where we were going. We pulled into Atlantic Station where I assumed we were going for dinner – until he broke out a blindfold. Yikes! Cautiously playing along, I let him lead me into a building … onto an elevator … and outside onto a patio where I heard 20 of my family and friends shout, “SURPRISE!”

My dear friend Shameeka, The Broke Socialite, hosted this lovely surprise soiree at The Atlantic Residences. I’ve never had a surprise party so I couldn’t stop smiling.

Husband and Me

Me and my sister, Nicole

My Mama and my Auntie Kristi

My Dad and his Daughters

The Gals: Christie, Yvette and Shameeka

The Guys: Eric, Napoleon and my cousin, Rick

Around 9:30 p.m. We left party number one to head over to Shout for party number two. Husband and I made a quick change and were ready to get our dance on. We had a private cabana on the top level of the club and partied under the stars. Too. Damn. Cool. Big hugs to my favorite (and only) sister, Nicole, to Husband and to my Dad for hooking up such a wonderful celebration.

We ate ... (OMG!)

We partied ... (Yes, we got our groove on!)

We posed ... (Nicole, Wanda and I spent two weeks together overseas filming the Travel Channel's "Great Cruises: Why Not the Mediterranean?" The Atlanta Girls reunite!)

And we played ... (The camera got us doing our best Tiger faces!)

So I didn’t run and I didn’t really eat right, ahem, but I had the most FABULOUS 40th birthday. For real. Don’t worry, my running shoes are back on and clean eating restored because that bikini cost too damn much to only wear once.

Winks & Smiles,

Friday's Confession: I need more TIME

Friday's Confession: I need more TIME.

There are not enough hours in the day. I KNOW you folks can relate. Here's a snapshot of what my day looked like yesterday.

Me, after I dropped the kids off getting ready for my morning run. I've got my serious game face on!

After my run, my Nina (pronounced Nine-uh, like San Fran 49ners - yes, Husband went there), wanted to go out, too.

Then I kicked out a blog post, visited a few and got some freelance work done. I'm constantly on my computer so imagine this picture popping up after ever other one.

Had to do a little shopping trip to Super Target. For some strange reason my family seems to love it when I grocery shop. Go figure, they like to eat. 

After picking up the kids and knocking out homework I managed to squeeze in 30 minutes of Plyometrics. Got to love those swing kicks!

Next it was off to coach my little sunshine and 11 other 7-year-olds through a highly competetive softball game. We lost 13-12 but the girls gave a valiant effort.

Let's see, I left out about a million other things like cooking (yes, we did eat yesterday), washing clothes, and all that little fun stuff that adds up. I also didn't get to several things on my to do list which left me frustrated and wanting more TIME. I'm a big believer in scheduling, but I think I need to be a little more realistic about how much one person can do in one day.

Am I the only one who turns around and the day is over? I need more time ... or a wife.

Winks & Smiles,

I Won the Lottery ... to Run the Peachtree Road Race

I WON the lottery! Me and 60,000 other folks. I woke this morning to find this in my email inbox ...

I'm excited that I and 60,000 of my closets friends will be running down Peachtree Street on July 4, in one of the largest 10K's in the world. I'm even more excited that my sister, Nicole, and my father will be running it, too. 

Me and My Dad at last year's Peachtree Road Race

Although its crazy over packed a tad crowded this is one of my favorite races and will be the sixth time I've braved ran it. I'm a sucker for tradition. Anyone else have a race that they find themselves running year after year after year?

Oh, and on a side note, today is March 28 - ONE MONTH away from my birthday goal. I'm excited, determined, positive, motivated, a little freaked out scared and still want to know whose bright idea was this anyway?

Winks & Smiles,

Morning Glory

Seriously.

I took this photo from my bed this morning when I woke up in Daytona Beach. Yes, I'm on the move once again, this time I'm in sunny Florida headed to Disney's Social Media Moms Conference. And, yes, this time I had to bring my family with me because they were staging a coup happily brought my family with me. I also brought my running shoes but left my tiara and tutu at home. Maybe I can borrow Cinderella's.

Winks & Smiles,

Making Memories: Globetrotting with GP

As I was sitting on an airplane headed back from New York this past Saturday, my father and my son were sitting in Philips Arena watching the Harlem Globetrotters. While I so wanted to be there, I remember when my Dad took ME to go watch Curly and the crew make another team look silly, I was tickled that they had this moment together.

My Dad, "GP," with my cousin, Max, and Miles.

You know Miles talked my Dad into buying him a basketball. He hasn't put it down since.

It always warms my heart when I see my kids enjoy experiences that I did as a child - especially when it involves my parents. How about you? What do you do with your kids (or nieces and nephews) that you used to do, too? Don't tell me I'm the only sap out there ...

Winks & Smiles,

Disclaimer: I was provided four tickets for my family to attend the show. As always, my thoughts and opinions are all my own.

My Life is a Circus

My life is a circus. OK, not really, but it feels like that sometimes. Too many clowns in one car, wild animals running around, side-show activities fighting for my attention all while I’m trying to balance on a high-wire with no net. The only time when all of that is fun and exciting is at the REAL circus – Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents Barnum 200, The Greatest Birthday Bash in Circus History.

I had the opportunity to take my family on Thursday night to Phillips Arena in Atlanta to see opening night. We had a blast. It was a fun family outing where both the adults and the kids were entertained. Truth be told I use my kids as a front for these things. I’m not sure who has more fun – me or them. Ahem.

It was constant entertainment filled with jaw-dropping stunts and how-did-they-do-that-moments. A few of my favorites are the clowns, the trapeze artists (I’m always on the edge of my seat for them), the amazing Motorcycle globe, and of course the elephants. It was kind of dark for my phone, but I managed to snap a few pics:

The kids trying to get me to buy them some goodies.

Getting excited for the motorcycles.

Yay! The elephants. And, I can't even get my DOG to roll over.  

Me and the kids.

This was the perfect distraction as I struggled to rest from training for the past two days. Oh, and yes, rest time is over – 8 days until Disney’s Princess Half Marathon.

Winks & Smiles,

Disclaimer: I was given to tickets to attend this event, however, as always my thoughts and opinions are all my own.

Friday’s Confession: My Kids Like BLING, too!

Friday's confession ... my kids like bling, too.

Not race bling, but big ol’ trophies.

Congratulations to Miles and The Spurs for winning the 10 & Under SCYBA Championship!

Seeing that proud grin makes all the hours of driving back and forth to practice, sitting on the hard-ass bleachers, playing in the yard, countless dollars in fees, making sure the uniform is clean, and weeks of being snack mom all worth it.

Winks & Smiles,



Giveaway: RUNNING away to join the Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus

OK, so I’m not really running away to JOIN the Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus even though I’d LOVE to hang with the clowns, but I am going. And, I want you to go, too.

I’ve got a FOUR pack of tickets to give to one lucky winner for the show on Thursday, February 17, at 7:30 p.m. at Phillips Arena in Atlanta. There’s also an All Access Pre-Show where all ticket holders can meet the performers and animals, learn circus skills and enjoy a taste of the performance before the show starts. Maybe I will get to hook up with those clowns after all. Ahem.

So, if you live in the Atlanta area or if you will be in town on Feb 17th here’s the details on how to enter. Don’t worry, I’m easy. All you have to do is like me. That’s not so hard, is it? If the answer is yes, um … please don’t answer.

Subscribe/Follow my blog; and/or Like my Run Wifey Run Facebook page. You need to do at least one and leave me a comment letting me know so I can count you in. If you do both you’ve got two entries.

Want another shot? Like Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey on Facebook and tell me in a comment.

More?

If you tweet, Facebook or blog about it and let me know in the comments they’ll each earn you one more entry.

Easy, right? The contest starts now and will end next Tuesday, February 1, 2011, at 11:59 p.m. EST. US residents only, please.

Good luck! I’m off to find some clown shoes.

Winks & Smiles,

Disclaimer: I was given 4 tickets to attend the show and 4 tickets to giveaway. As always my thoughts and opinions are all my own.

Snow Day 4: Staying Sane When You Can’t Get Your Run On

Its snow day number FOUR, y’all. FOUR. In Atlanta. Really?

I’m good with scheduled vacations ‘cause you can mentally prepare plan for those but who would’ve thought the kids would be home for a two-week winter break, go back to school for four days, then be home. Again. For days.

It’s enough to make you … go ... sit in the bathtub.

Huh?

Press play. I’ll explain.



What do you do when you can’t get your run on?

Winks & Smiles,

Party Over Here!

It’s been awhile since my party hoppin’ days, ahem, but yesterday I managed to channel my inner party girl and made the rounds to TWO parties. GASP!

I kicked it off with my niece, Haven's, 1st birthday soiree. Yes, ya’ll I’m a serious party animal; and this joint was poppin’! It started off like your typical kids party.

Isn’t she just a cutie-pie?

Then my kids wanted to breakout Just Dance 2. Why they keep wanting Mommy to school them I don’t know but after they BEGGED me to play I gave in.

My sister and me doing our best “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go.” Wham would be proud.

After that we were treated to a very special visit from the most popular dude on TV. Well actually our good friend was a good sport and transformed from this …

Layla and her daddy, “Uncle Ron.”

To this …

“DJ Lance Rock” in the Hizouse!

I’m not sure who had more fun – the kids, DJ Lance Rock or the rest of us.

Kickin’ it Yo Gabba, Gabba! style

After we picked ourselves up off of the floor stopped laughing we enjoyed a little cake.

Some of us more than others ... Haven has a sweet tooth like her Auntie.

Once Haven’s bash wrapped up I headed over to enjoy some holiday cheer with my running group, Get Fit Atlanta. My pace group’s fearless leader Barbara hosted a wonderful evening for us at her home.

Barbara – she’s on her way to running marathons in all 50 states!

Some of the gals - Olga, Lauren, Beth and Mimi

And we can’t forget the food. Yum!

It was a wonderful evening spent chatting about the fun times in 2010 and what everyone is planning to run in 2011. Most of us are starting off the New Year running the Resolution Run on Saturday which should be fun, but wet. Unfortunately, rain is in the forecast in the Atlanta metro area, but we will still be PARTYING running anyway.

Winks & Smiles,