marriage

why I’m no longer running a spring marathon //

March 3, 2015 by Rachel 2 Comments

I must admit — I bit off more than I can chew.

There are several reasons I’ve decided not to run the Pittsburgh Marathon. But the main reason is that it is taking away from time with my husband and son.

Don’t get things twisted — Chad is incredibly supportive of my aspirations to run a full marathon. But I just can’t justify the time it’s taking away from my family for training. It’s becoming more and more stressful on me than it should be. And less and less fun.

Working all day, coming home and “working” at home, followed by making sure I fit in my training runs is becoming more than a chore. It’s making me dread working out. And I’m spending much more time “watching” Chad + Ari play than I am actually playing with them. Literally. I watch them play next to the treadmill while I run.

And I hate it. By the time I’m finished with my runs, it’s time to shower, eat, and head to bed. There is little to no time available to spend with Chad, because all of this running is forcing me to need even more rest.

So I’m choosing my marriage and my family over this marathon. I’m choosing snuggles and stories and bedtime rituals; I’m choosing running for fun instead of running for miles; I’m choosing TV on the couch with my husband; and I’m choosing to run the half marathon on May 2nd instead of the full marathon.

I’ve been tossing the idea around in my head for the last week, but I finally verbalized things the other day to Chad. I told him my fears of the word “quit.” But in all truth, I’d rather be a quitter at marathon training than a quitter at my family and my marriage.

Thank you to my family + friends for already being incredibly supportive of this “adjustment” to my plans! 🙂

crazy beautiful life.

February 24, 2015 by Rachel Leave a Comment

Life has been crazy. But in a crazy-beautiful kind of way lately. Sure, things have been exhausting and somewhat unpredictable; but I’ve also been taking time away from the interwebs and spending a heck of a lot more time in the moment — living it!

It’s not always glamorous. Wait – it’s NEVER glamorous! HA! But it does make me incredibly happy. Even the tough stuff. For real. That’s one thing I’ve really been reflecting on in my “spare” time lately — about how life can be tough — sometimes really tough — but I still wouldn’t trade this life for anything. <3

So I’ll be back to regular blogging soon enough. In the meantime if you need me, you can find me playing with lots of choo-choo trains and crafting up a storm with Moosh. And if I’m not there, I’m on the couch snuggled up with the Mister watching a movie. Peace out (or as Moosh says “petey out!”).

Budget Friendly Valentine’s Day Date Ideas For Parents //

February 4, 2015 by Rachel Leave a Comment

Valentine’s Day takes on a much different feel when you are a busy parent. To be honest, Valentine’s Day is, and always has been, just another day. It’s especially easy to see it this way as a parent. Which is why this year it’s extra important to me to at least make this day a little bit special. It’s way too easy to get wrapped up in everyday life.

Here are 5 budget friendly Valentine’s Day date ideas with parents in mind:

1. Movie Date Night In. Put a firm time on the kids’ bedtimes for just this one night. Make it non-negotiable. Rent a Redbox movie and some popcorn from the local theater (you heard me — go into the theater just to get popcorn! Sure this seems silly; but it will make your at-home date feel a little bit more like an actual date); pick up your favorite fizzy beverage at the grocery store and head home for a movie-theater-esque date!

Honestly, we try and do this on the regular. We are both huge movie buffs and the addition of actual movie theater popcorn really make these nights feel more like dates. We used to go to the movies at least once a week; but since Ari was born we rarely make it.

2. Game Night. In fact, have a couple of friends that are new parents? Invite them over, too! Chances are there Valentine’s Day is going to be even more low-key than yours is planned to be. You can keep that tiny baby entertained while everyone plays a few rounds of Cards Against Humanity.

We very rarely have a chance to sit down and have fun together at home. When we’re home there’s always something that needs to be done; something that needs to be tended to; a child that needs your attention. Set it all aside for game night. Laugh with your spouse and your friends.

3. Canvas painting and wine session! One of my favorite things to do is go to wine and canvas painting classes. But those: 1. pricey; and 2. require a sitter. So create your own at home! All you need is a vision (which you can find instructional painting videos on YouTube), two canvases, some paint, and a bottle of wine. After the kids go to bed, you have your own studio set up!

4. Have an old-school video game match. Think Nintendo 64’s Wave Race or Mario Kart. Or even a Just Dance match! It’s a great way to challenge your spouse in a little friendly competition.

5. Cook a meal together and have a romantic late-night dinner. With intention. That’s the key. I don’t mean just cook dinner; cause as a busy parent that really just means rushing to feed your kid in the evening. Feed your kids, obviously; but after the kids are asleep, actually cook together — with purpose. Then, enjoy your delicious creation with a little living room floor picnic. No cell phones; no TV; no distractions. Just conversation and a good meal.

Post-Holiday Update //

January 4, 2015 by Rachel Leave a Comment

I’m finally over the flu! It’s been a rough seven to 10 days of it, but I’m officially over it! And since our house was riddled with illness over the holidays, I decided to keep life as low-key as possible. And it has been marvelous!

Our post-Christmas life has been a buzz with the excitement of new toys (for Moosh) and pajamas (for Mama)! And we have spent approximately 99% of our time at home enjoying these new gifts.

For serious.

And I’m not ashamed or mad about one second of it!

For New Years Eve my mom (Ari’s Mimi) came up from Kentucky to hang out with him for the whole day while Chad & I worked. And for the actual EVE itself, we ordered pizza and watched a movie. Me, Chad + Mimi just hung out. Surprisingly, we made it to midnight. And our lackluster celebration of the hour was just what we all needed.

And so was the sleeping in til 10 am (thanks Moosh!) the next day! In fact, we slept in so late that we were nearly late for our lunch date with Ari’s GrandparAunts (Mimi’s sisters)!

Other than our lunch date, we did nothing New Years Day. We napped, we lounged, we ate leftovers… and we soaked in the first few hours of 2015.

Friday we woke up super late. Again. And before we could eat our leftovers from the previous meals, we headed out for yet another lunch date! We met my moms other sister, Mooshie’s Grandma Dee, for lunch. It was craziness. Two of the loudest Italian women I know + a restaurant full of people + a cranky toddler + FaceTiming family in Portland = a hilarious trainwreck. Ha.

However, we’ll call the day a success. Moosh hasn’t been eating much lately. Our seemingly easy-eater has turned picky over the last month or so. But at lunch with Grandma Dee, he ate TONS of fruit and chicken. Hooray!

Bonus? I scored some new cups from Crate + Barrel to match our new plates for less than TEN DOLLARS. Holler.

Friday night we did more of the usual — relaxed in PJs and watched movies on the couch.

On Saturday we had a big date day planned! Part of my Christmas present to Chad was a couples massage at a local spa, Solaire, in Hudson. Grandma Dee was willing to hang with Moosh for the day while we went on our date. The couples massage was … not relaxing. Ha! I realize that I had some knots to work out, but I was hoping for a more relaxing setting; not a deep tissue massage. Oh well. It was still nice.

Post-massage we went to an early lunch at Peachtree Southern Kitchen and Cocktails. We were pretty much the only people there, which was fine with us!

My dad is from Memphis originally and, according to my tastes, I’m pretty much a southern girl. I was anxious to try the Chicken Liver Pate, but Chad said he preferred the Spicy Chicken Cracklins.

They were a bit too spicy for my tastes, but still good. I would have preferred a bit more honey to offset the spice. For our entrée, Chad ordered the Southern Boy Burger (Ground sirloin, BBQ pulled pork, pimento cheese, + special sauce). I ordered the Chicken + Waffles. Because, chicken and waffles. Obvy.

After lunch we planned on seeing Unbroken, but we had some time before it started. So we stopped home for a nap (I didn’t sleep well the night before). Aaaaand I accidentally slept through the movie. Oops! So yeah, we spent date day napping while our kid was painting pottery with his Grandma Dee. Oops. Hey, it’s what we needed!

By today, Sunday, we knew we had to get Moosh back on some sort of schedule. I decided yesterday that I would skip my run with my running partner and just run whenever I could. No schedule. No pressure. Just do it on my own time. So we slept in. Moosh seemed normal, for the first time in days. And while I was on my way to the gym to get in a run, I decided to hit the trails instead. The weather was perfect for running. The downpour of rain we’ve had the last 48-hours stopped. Sure, the Towpath was a bit muddy, but I managed to fit in nearly 6 miles to get myself on track for my week-late start to marathon training!

So the holidays were rough. But they also turned out exactly the way we needed them to.

Seriously. Don’t underestimate the need to disconnect from technology and just REST. If you think you need it, YOU DO. Turns out the digital world is right where I left it. I missed nothing monumental while I was unplugged. In fact, I caught up on things that ARE important. 🙂 2015, you’re going to be great. I can feel it.

And I’m ready. Bring it. XO.

weekly mantra //

October 13, 2014 by Rachel Leave a Comment

Life has been kinda rough on our small little family since Moosh and the mister returned home from Denver a month ago. We’ve had more than our fair share of illness and injury.

It’s hard being a working parent (working moms and working dads) when your little one is sick. It puts you in an impossible position. So it’s been a struggle lately. But ya know what I know for sure? I’m a great mom. And although I’m not the best wife I can be, I’m working on it every day. Because those two? Those are what really and truly matters in my life. <3

summer. sickness. and this KID. #MOOSH

August 6, 2014 by Rachel Leave a Comment

When your son has been sick with a summer cold, when you have been sick with something unmentionable, and when your husband is running a 100+ degree temperature… you just survive. Survive, ya’ll!!

Because what in the world would summer be without one serious illness, am I right?? Sigh. My poor husband. My poor Moosh!

Sidenote: This kid managed to be adorable even when he was feeling sick. He can sing Katy Perry Roar like a champ. Well, an under 2-year old, singing Katy Perry is the bomb dot com regardless of how it actually sounds. But this kid?? Adorable.

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFz43ythKjo]

Love, love, love this kid.