The mall is like being in a half marathon.

We took the kids to get their picture taken with Santa. Then one of my girls and I went to go find a dress for the nutcracker ballet we are attending tomorrow. While my hubby and three other children went to the pet store to get crickets for our frogs.

While we waited to see Santa we played the A,B,C game. We go around in a circle and have to name an animal (or whatever the category we are doing) that starts with that letter. It's more fun to play it when my husband joins he finds the most unique animal for his letter. For Q he said Quetzal Bird and for E he picked Echidna. I love being married to a walking dictionary. 

I did manage a quick 3 miles yesterday in the sunshine, sure it was cold but so pretty. Today I am hoping for a run. We shall see. 

At least I look cute if I can't run.

In this outfit I went crazy and paid $6.99 for the shirt at Goodwill because I had the teal tank to put under it. Pink ribbon is from another shirt, leggings from FM $8.99, Black socks from FM $2.99, and black boots Target $15.99 (spendy for me) Hair in french twist with cute hair pin. (photo taken by one of my seven year olds.) 

 With my free grey sweater from a friend. (Thanks Christina) 

  My five year old was the photographer on this one. 

 My other seven year old took this one. 

My three year old took this one. 

No run today. My ankle is still swollen and hurts. Insert big old sad face here. Instead I spent the day at the school helping with the holiday's around the world in both of my girls class. Then I took the boys to grocery shop, had lunch with hubby and boys (this involved a few grapes and a few jo jo's because I was not hungry today). Back to the school to do more work for the 2nd grade cluster. Home to clean and cook a yummy chicken teriyaki dinner with lots of broccoli and grilled chicken. Now it's off to read books to the boys. 

A twisted ankle is gonna make me fat!

I did manage to get out for a run on Saturday, however, my ankle hurt the whole 5 miles. Oh well, at least I was able to chat with a few friends so the run was a success.

Boots, skirt, and top all from Goodwill, thank Target and leggings FM. Love this outfit. 

My friend's set up at Crafty Wonderland. Love her stuff! Check her out here at Studio Acorn. 

Today we went shopping for a new dress for the girls. My mom and I are taking them to the Oregon Nutcracker Ballet. This is one of my favorite skirts because it twirls. Top and skirt from Denim and Frills and new top from goodwill $2.99. Cute good tooth and dad tooth earrings and squirrel from a cute place at Crafty Wonderland. 

Now to go ice my ankle because no running for me today. :( 

Shoes Goodwill $4.99, Skirt $3.49 Denim and Frills (it's a kids gap), Jacket free from my awesome friend Christina, Socks $2.99 Fred Meyer, Silver tights (Skirt Sports free from sample line), white long sleeve shirt $8.99 Kohl's, HairThingz in white and sparkle red. 

Whenever I wear this outfit I get stopped all the time with complements and smiles. 

Goodwill Sweater $6.99, tank under sweater $6.99 Target, Jeans $1 at denim and Frills (They are see thru soul jeans), Hat is from my favorite hat place Old Man's Pants,$34.  I bought as a must have last year, fell in love with it not something I usually pay that much for but so happy I did. Great for bad hair days!

Goodwill dress $4.99, Brown leggings $8.00 Fred Meyer, Socks $2.99 Fred Meyer, Boots were from Target about 3 years ago (my favorite shoes ever), Lace brown turtle neck my mom gave me because she was bored with it so Free! 

Don't mind the mess in the background it's my little girls' room. They have the only full length mirror in the house. 

On the running front I managed a mile yesterday but my ankle hurt so I figure give it one more day. Tomorrow I hope to run a long run. 

I'm still alive and running.

I know it has been awhile since I have posted. I figure I am the only one reading this anyway so I don't feel bad about the delay. I have been busy running and sorta racing, raising my four crazy kids, finding time to spend with my husband, and help out at the school.

I did get to run this last weekend and get my miles back up to were I want them. I have signed up for two marathons next year and most likely will be doing a third if not 6th. I have two neat ladies from school that are going to run the Vancouver BC half marathon and I am going to run the full. This race isn't until May so it gives me ample time to get my miles up to 28 miles by April. Why 28 you ask me? Well when you train for a 5K you don't run 2 miles and hope to get the last mile just fine? Same for a half you run at least a 15 miler if you really want to PR. So why do people only run 20 or 22 miles before a marathon and expect to smash their PR? I don't get it. I believe that's why people hit a 'wall' at mile 20 or 22 because they are in uncharted territory with the final miles. I have my training mapped out for the next few months. Speed work on the track, hilly runs, easy runs, and longer runs. Lots of longer runs, some at race pace and some at slower depending on how my body feels.

My ankle after running back on it forabout 6 or more miles. 

My ankle this morning. Still hurts but more upset that I can't run tonight than anything else. 

So my new hobby is Goodwill and consignment shopping. I bought the above top at Goodwill for $2.99 and the jeans at my favorite consignment shop Denim and Frills for $1. Nope not a typo, got those See Thru Soul jeans for a dollar. Sweet huh? 

This is a picture of me with a cool jacket a friend gave me. Free baby, free! 

I thought it might be fun to post my outfits as I get comments while I'm out all the time. Today was a mellow outfit. You'll see. Just wait.