Happy 4th!

Happy 4th birthday to our little Grace Lilly!  You are sweet!  You are soo funny!  You give us such joy everyday!  You are strong and you know what you want and when you want it ;)

You are a constant reminder of my mom, your Nonna... she only knew you for five short weeks of your life but you are greatly loved by her, and all of us!

Happy 4th Birthday Gracie!!!  Love you forever!
Love,
Mommy xoxoxo

Half Marathon Update

As many of you know I have decided to train a half marathon.  This will be my second attempt.  The reason I chose to run another half is because I want to run a better time.  My goal this time is to run 21.1km in under two hours (1:58:00 - 1:59:00) beating my last time of 2:24:25.

I've started week two of my training schedule.  Last week I ran 21.5km this week it jumps to 35.5km.  I am feeling tired and I'm trying to curve my cravings to not to eat more.  But all in all it is going well.  I'm running four times a week as well as core workouts three times a week.  I am seeing a difference in my body, I'm *hoping* to loose my last 20lbs, but I have to be realistic and know that I may not loose the weight I want to loose.  Training for a marathon is very taxing on your body and you tend to build muscle.

I'm just glad that I am still running and being fit - ultimately that is my goal -- to keep moving and making healthier choices when it comes to food :)

Oh so pretty

I guess you could say I'm still in Christmas mode.... or perhaps I'm just soo behind in my posting ;)  But I just wanted to share this cute little way I wrapped a gift this Christmas. 

It is basically pretty simple, but for my own touch I use twine for ribbon and for a 'tissue paper' effect I used the same wrapping paper and I tore them in long strips. 

I used different widths and I stuffed them into the top of bag and let them overflow. I really like the whole effect!

For the other packages {that went along with the gift in the bag} I used the same wrapping paper and reused a Christmas card from a previous year.  Tucked a couple of curly strips under the twine... and viola.. oh so pretty :)

I definitely like the uniqueness and simplicity of using the strips of paper.  I will have to remember to use this effect next year with more gifts ;)

Second...half

You may have noticed that I have another ticker to the right of your screen.... yes, I will be running another half marathon.  My second to be precise!  I'll be racing on April 22nd.  I feel I am well on the road to be prepared for this race considering I am following a training schedule.  I didn't really follow on last year.  Time got away from me, I didn't build up my mileage slow enough and frankly I just ran (no pun intended) out of time.  The furthest I ran was 13km before my half (which is 21.1km).

{first half marathon September 18th, 2011. 2:24:25}

This time around I have added ab workout as well, to help strengthen my core.  And my rest days will be that REST!  When I look at the schedule... I know I will be very thankful for those days off.  I have an amazing running partner this year.  Although she is running a full (42.195km - Go Alyson), we will be able to run together once a week.  I know she will push me and be a huge encouragement.  She is also very knowledgeable in fitness and how the body works (although me being a tough Italian hard head girl... I do give her stress when I want to do things my way {which is in fact the incorrect way- but a girl has to try to buck the system a bit - no?} (Alyson would be saying "NO!") I digress...

This is going to be a phenomenal year, I can feel it!  Not just because of my running... but just with more peace that I feel and contentment. 

Happy Running!  Oh and if you think of it ... pray for me that my body can withstand this training and that I do not have any injuries that will hold me back.  Oh and also.... Alyson is running for Mito Canada.. check out her blog: www.proudtobeafitmom.blogspot.com to support her and this awesome cause.

Cloth Christmas Gift Bags

OK so if you have been following my blog for a while (or at least one year!) you'll know that I am actually one year behind on this post! ;)

The steps are pretty self-explanatory... I like them... they came in very handy this year again!

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Every year we receive TONS of Christmas cards.  From friends, family and places of employment.  There is such excitement that fills a person when you see an envelope address to you (and you know its not a bill!).

I generally do not keep all the cards, there may be a few that get put away for the children to really appreciate when they are older (from a special family member or friend).

What I do with them in fact is make my gift tags for next year.  I am not a pack rat... however soo many of the cards are just too beautiful to just toss out with the trash (and it saves on purchasing gift tags).

So from these....

...they are turned into these...

..or these.

{You may say you are not crafty or you don't have the time... but this literally took 20 minutes, while sitting on the couch watching a television program with the children}

I love them, they are cute, creative and free!  Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas!