Life and Times of the Sharp Family

I wore my hair down to school today.  Well, let me back up.  I showered after working out last night, and I used this as an excuse to not shower this morning.  So, instead I slept in an extra 15 minutes, which means I didn't go to school with wet hair.  I actually put some hot rollers in my already-dry hair and did not  put it up in a ponytail.  I guess if you consider that "doing" your hair, then I actually did my hair this morning. You would not believe how many people gave me compliments about my hair.  It happened almost every hour of the day and they came from students and teachers.  It made me feel nice.  Shoot, I guess I was due. This picture was originally going to be of me and my nice hair, but instead ended up as multiple pictures of me with both girls in my lap trying to get a picture with all of us in it at once.  It's probably much better than any picture I could have taken of just me, regardless of how nice my hair was...

Today, we had the time and appropriate weather to make some good use of our back yard.  I was swinging in our yard swing, watching the kids jump on our trampoline and thinking about how far our back yard has come in the last year or so.  The yard swing was a gift from Colby's mom.  It belonged to her mom and when she passed away, Kathy wanted us to have it.  It's a really great swing, complete with a very comfortable cushion.  Colby and I sit on it all the time.  It's a perfect place to sit and relax and watch the kids play.  The trampoline was a gift from my mom.  Last year, the kids went to a birthday party where there was a miniature trampoline and went nutso for it.  After hearing how much they loved it, she bought us the real-deal -- a 16 foot trampoline complete with a cage-surround.  The kids jump on it at every opportunity.  There are days where they are literally on it for hours.  Talk abou...

Please read my birthday card from Breslin: Front of Card Inside of Card I was imagining a nice, long, highly philosophical post about being 30, but I like this better.  I am so thankful for my son, who not only was considerate enough to make me a birthday card, but thoughtful enough to warn me about monsters, and funny enough to twist it into a joke. My 30th birthday was lovely, and I have a great kid. Thank God for a birthday card from Breslin! God, thank you for my son and for a great birthday.  In your name I pray, Amen.

Hello. This is Colby. I'm very excited to celebrate Alaina's birthday for the 13th time with her. I've decided to write this post since she has gone to bed. With AJ sick and all, we've had a pretty long week. In honor of celebrating 13 birthdays with my lovely wife, I'm going to list 13 reasons why I love her. The first 13 that come to mind are the one's that I will list (this way I don't have to stress out over the list). I'm guessing we might end up with a few corny lines, but please bear with me. 1. Hair-I think she has beautiful hair. Up, down, short, long, curled, straight her hair always looks great. 2. Smile-It's lights up a room 3. Fair- We love to go to the fair together every summer. When we first started dating we would go to the Jackson County Fair, but now that we live in Albion we always ROCK the Calhoun County Fairgrounds. 4. Hat- Today was hat day at Western, so I got to see Alaina off wearing a Detroit Tigers hat. I just ...

Breslin went to Kindergarten Round-Up tonight.  To say he was happy about being at school would be a vast understatement.  It was like he was in his natural element.  The letters and numbers up on the walls, all of the people asking him questions, the structure and routine--well, it made for a very exciting environment for our little guy.  While traveling around to the different stations with a high school volunteer, we did the boring stuff and wondered how Breslin was faring.  Would he be shy or reserved?  Would he be difficult and refuse to answer any questions?  Would he blow them away with his intellectual promise? A colleague of mine at the high school is married to one of our district's kindergarten teachers.  When I got home tonight and started working on school stuff, she had sent me a picture of Breslin she took during his testing session.   I think he did okay. After he made all of his stops, Breslin got the opportunity...

AJ's newest catch phrase is to say "I never" when she doesn't want to do something.  It's so cute and pathetic.  Tonight, when we asked if she was ready for bed, she replied that she would never go to bed...never, ever. I am captivated by how she is quickly turning into her own unique little person.  I never want her to grow up, but I love learning how it all turns out. Thank God for "I never go to bed!" God, thank you for AJ's opinionated, sassy side.  Thank you for letting us watch her become AJ and for letting us be a part of it.  In your name I pray, Amen.

Today, I finally got a day off of training.  It had been 11 days straight, and I was definitely feeling the strain in my body.  I rested and recovered and did nothing triathlon related.  It felt really weird to not be on my bike, go out for a run, or leave for a swim, but I was grateful for the opportunity to have a break. Thank God for a day off! Lord, thank you for a day off.  Thank you that there are days to recover as a part of my training.  Help me to get back at it tomorrow.  Amen.

Today, while I was filling out some paperwork for Kindergarten Round-Up, Breslin and I had a little conversation: Me: Breslin, if you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be? Breslin: Three words? Me: Yep, just three.  If you had to pick three words to describe you, what three words would you say? Breslin: (pause...thinking) Ummmm...I would say, LOTS OF FUN! Thank God for three words! God, thank you for my son, who is truly lots of fun.  Thank you for his sense of humor and his ability to make me laugh.  In your name I pray, Amen.

AJ has been very sick today.  I am not at all thankful for that.  But, in the midst of her feverish, lethargic state, she wanted nothing more than to be held by her mom or dad.  She is of the age where she is mostly too busy to have time for being held.  More often than not, she squirms and wriggles out of our arms if we pick her up for a squeeze. I am grateful that while she was awake today, she had no qualms with being held, cuddled, rocked, and sung to.  For one day, we got to feel like we were needed by our little girl -- as though we were the only ones who could make everything right again. Thank God for some AJ cuddles! Dear God, thank you for letting me hold AJ for long interrupted stretches today.  Please help her to feel better very soon.  In your name I pray, Amen.

I was on a long bike ride today.  About 3/4 of the way through, I fell and landed hard.  So hard, in fact, that I was sure I had broken something on my left side...a hand, an arm, a finger or two, a rib. I called my husband, who didn't answer.  After a while, I managed to get back on my bike and keep riding.  It hurt like crazy, but I kept thinking about how much worse it could have been.  Eventually, I couldn't go any further because of the pain that I was in, and Colby came to get me. Through the tears, on the side of the road, I thought, I could have been hit by a car.  I could have not had my phone. I could have been farther away from home. I'm a little stiff tonight, but I'm thankful that it was only as bad as it was, and not any worse.  I'm not in the hospital and I don't think I actually broke anything, miraculously.  Sure, I didn't finish the bike ride, or the run that was supposed to have followed, which you know is driving me...

Lordy, thank you for a great night of making cookies and hanging out with dancing children.

Many years ago, my husband and I signed up for a class where we had pizza, pop, and learned to fashion and ugly-mug out of clay. Basically, it was a container that could be used as a vase or a mug that was fashioned to look like a face. I have always been a huge fan of my ugly mug, as I believe it to be the single most artistic thing I have ever created. The ugly mug is a perfect container for lilacs too, because it makes him look like he has a strange purple 'fro of sorts, which I get a big kick out of. Tonight, we stopped by the side of the road so I could gather up an armful of fragrant flowers, and when I got home, I was happy to fill up my ugly mug with them. I was even happier to hear Breslin exclaim, "Mommy, he's got purple hair!" It's a blessing to know that my son shares my tendency to be easily amused. Thank God for the ugly mug and lilacs! Dear God, thank you for little things that make us smile.  Thank you for the season of lilacs and for a c...

A little voice in the hallway just said, "Guess what, mommy?" I said, "Breslin, it's time for bed, buddy." Breslin said, "Okay.  But guess what, mommy?" I said, "Buddy, it's really late.  You need to get back into bed." Breslin said, "Mommy, guess what?" I said, "What?" Breslin said, "I love you." Thank God for guess what? Dear Lord, thank you for making me answer Breslin's question tonight.  In your name I pray, Amen.

I was freaking out because I'm supposed to give an assessment tomorrow, but I didn't have it written because I haven't been at school for the past couple of days.  I was imagining myself at school tomorrow morning, frantically writing the assessment and trying to get it copied before my first hour. I logged onto my computer tonight because I thought maybe I'd be able to get a jump start on it here from home, but I knew there were some things at school that I would need in order to get it completely written.  When I opened up a Google Doc to get started, I noticed one that said 5.1 assessment and opened it. I had already written the assessment.  It was done.  I still have to copy it tomorrow, but that's relatively easy in comparison.  What a relief! Thank God it was already done! Dear Lord, thank you for one less thing on my to-do list.  Thank you for alleviating some of my stress tonight.  In your name I pray, Amen.

For the past several weeks, the drain in our shower has been steadily becoming more and more backed up.  It's nothing nasty, but I have been simultaneously becoming more and more irritated with the fact that I am standing in water up to my ankles while trying to take a shower.  It's been more of a shower/bath, really.  A shath , if you will. After coming home from a long day at school and a session of working out, showering is a necessary event for me.  It is not enjoyable when I have to face the standing water in order to do so. Yesterday, my husband bought some Drain-O Max and went to work on that drain.  This morning, I took my shower and was delighted to see the water drain quickly down without pausing to gather around my ankles.  I can't tell you how grateful I am to have a shower that is no longer a shath .  It has started my day on a positive note and has bolstered my outlook on life. Thank God for no standing water! ...

Tonight, I'm glad to be back on track with my training.  This week I was severely ill, so much so that I missed three solid days of training in a row.  It just wasn't possible for me to get in the work out sessions that I had scheduled.  More than the physical toll this took on me, I was a mental basketcase, obsessing over the seemingly devastating effects this would have on my ability to complete the Ironman. On Friday, even though I still felt crummy, I slogged my way through an hour and forty minute run, though I couldn't do the swim I was supposed to afterwards due to the exhaustion I felt. Then yesterday, I fought my way through a 3 hour bike ride and a 30 minute brick run directly afterwards.  I started to regain my strength and confidence. Today, I completed my long swim and I felt great the whole time. I am so grateful that I was able to battle against this set back and get back on track. Thank God I'm back on track! Dear God, thank...

Today, as we were driving home from Battle Creek, I looked out my window to see eight or so men and women picking up trash on the side of eastbound 94. Did I mention that it was pouring rain? It was so refreshing to see these generous souls giving their precious time on a Saturday to make our area more beautiful as cars and trucks whizzed by. I often find myself being depressed by the litter on the side of our roads, so today, I really felt grateful for these volunteers. I hope when they got home, they all got to take a hot shower and a nap. Thank God for Adopt-A-Highway Volunteers! God, thank you for the volunteers today who were so unselfish with their time and energy. Please bless their night. In your name, Amen.

Breslin wants to be a cookie-maker when he grows up.  Tonight, he told me that he is going to build a giant machine that will make his birthday cookies, as well as any other cookies that might be needed for cookie parties.  The name of his machine will be the "Wala-kazaam". I'm pretty sure that this is the first time the subject of "when I grow up" has made its way into our conversation, and I love that my little Breslin wants to use his obvious engineering potential to bring cookies into everyone's lives. I don't like that he is growing up so fast, but I can't wait to see how it all turns out. And, hey, if he was actually a cookie-maker, that would mean I would get free, delicious cookies for life, right?  I wouldn't say no to that! Thank God for my little cookie-maker! Dear God, thank you for special, sweet moments with my son.  Thank you for his creativity and passion.  Help me to bring him up to help him be whatever you want him to ...

Today after dinner, the three kids and I had about 10 minutes of pure silliness. We chased each other from room to room, screaming wildly and tickling whoever came in last. We talked to each other in a made-up language and laughed at whoever came up with the silliest words. We put diapers on our heads and danced around the room. It only lasted 10 minutes, but it was the silliest and most fun 10 minutes I've had with my kids in a long time.  I was so grateful to see the joy of silliness all over their faces, and thankful that I got to share it. Thank God for pure silliness! Dear God, thank you for the chance to just let go and have fun with my kids today.  In your name I pray, Amen.

My husband takes excellent care of me when I am sick. He gets me whatever food or drink that I want.  He made a run for a Coke slushy and a thin-crust pizza tonight, in addition to bringing me lots of other things to drink for my sore throat.  He takes care of the kids and puts them all to bed while I rest in bed. He encourages me to take multiple hot baths. He makes me feel better about not working out.  He talks me out of my crazy obsessiveness, and makes me worry a little less about what missing one day will do to my training. He looks at me in my disgusting pajamas, and with my limp, un-done hair and still tells me that I'm beautiful. I feel grateful for this man, who takes care of me at my very worst. Thank God for my sick-day Colby! Lord, thank you for my husband, who took such good care of me today.  Thank you that he is willing to take on all of this work to help give me some rest and the chance to recover.  In your name I pray, Amen...

Tonight, I was sitting on the couch, feeling crummy...eating a cupcake. My sweet daughter, Dharia Lou came by, pointed at the wrapper, and asked, "Mommy, do you want me to throw that away for you?" I was struck and how simply kind this gesture was.  Most weekdays, I find myself appalled at how inconsiderate most high school students are, depressed about the future of our society.  So it was refreshing, delightful, and funny to find that the person looking out for me the most today was my three year-old daughter. When I thanked her, she looked at me over her shoulder with a glowing smile and said, "You're so welcome, mommy." What a beautiful girl, inside and out. Thank God for this simple kindness! Lord, thank you for this sweet moment with  my daughter tonight.  Thank you that she has this amazing capacity for kindness and helpfulness.  Please continue to foster this in her as she grows.  In your name I pray, Amen.

I fantasized about one of the desserts my mom made for Easter dinner yesterday all day today. The butterscotch nests are essentially butterscotch chips, peanut butter, and chow mein noodles.  My mom made them look like little birds' nests, then placed a Lindt chocolate egg in the middle.  Adorable, right?  Who cares if they're adorable, they are amazing!  As AJ says, "Dewicious!" When I finally got home, I ate four.  That's right.  I said four. On this tough day, it was nice to come home...even better to come home to good eats. Thank God (and my mom) for butterscotch nests! Lord, thank you for the small joys in life.  Thank you for my mom, who made and shared these amazing treats.  In your name I pray, Amen.

We went out on a family adventure tonight and bought four goldfish. Cost of tanks, rocks, and accessories = $ 51.20 Cost of 4 fish = $ 0.80 Three kids who love their new pets = priceless Goldie, Tiny, and Huckle all live on top of dressers and will be fed each morning.   The fourth fish does not have a name yet, but he will have a new home tomorrow in a certain fourth grade classroom. I love to see my kids so happy. Thank God for fish! Dear God, thank you for our new pets.  Thank you for the joy I got to see in my kids tonight.  In your name I pray, Amen.

I was peeling potatoes tonight and talking to Dharia Lou about Easter dinner.  I asked her if someday she'd invite me over for Easter dinner at her house.  She said yes.  Then I asked if she thought she'd have kids someday.  She said yes. In fact, she said she was having six babies and already knew their names: 1) Harper (that would be her brand new baby cousin, see Day 459 ) 2) Daddy 3) AJ 6) Easter Bunny "And they'll be so cute, mom!" Even though I don't want my kids to grow up, it was fun to think about the future.  I love the idea of having Easter dinner over at their house and holding my grandchildren...even Easter Bunny. Thank God for the future! Dear God, thank you for my Dharia Lou and her hilarious take on life.  Thank you for giving me a glimpse of what the future might look like tonight.  In your name I pray, Amen.

For AJ's birthday, I took her out to the illustrious Jackson Crossing Mall for the sole purpose of purchasing a new pair of shoes and a new pair of sunglasses.  For her...I said it was for her, right? This girl was so excited about the shades, that she wore them the rest of the day.  That includes her nap, her informal birthday get-together, brushing her teeth, and right now, as she sleeps. I don't have it in me tonight to detail all of the moments in my beautiful girl's second birthday, but for now, I will leave you with a couple of pictures of AJ enjoying her new shades on this most special of days: In bed, sleeping ...with her new shoes and new shades...and her new skirt from Aunt April and Uncle Brian. Rockin' the shades while mowin' the lawn with the new mower from Nana and Pap Bob. Thank God for new shades! Dear God, thank you for my little girl.  Thank you for bringing her into our lives and for the laughter and joy she gives us daily.  Th...

We took the kids to The Treehouse in Chelsea today because a) we needed to get out of the house, b) we had $30 extra bucks burning a hole in our pockets, c) AJ is turning 2 tomorrow, d) we heard it was awesome. While we didn't know what to expect, we were absolutely thrilled with what we found.  The kids had a blast climbing, swinging, and sliding.  I got an iced caramel latte and sat in a big comfy chair.  There was wireless internet, so Colby got to keep an eye on the Tigers game. I have many parts of the trip that I need to tell you about. Colby was sitting in the baby area "watching" AJ, absent-mindedly rocking her on a baby teeter-totter (i.e. watching his Ipod for the latest Tiger news).  Except, he was actually rocking a complete stranger's child while AJ played in a totally different section.  Apparently, keeping an eye on the game makes you a little distracted, because Breslin managed to find someone else's table, eat their f...

Today when we got home from our little trip (yes, we got home; in and of itself something to be thankful for) and my mom and Bob had taken off for home, I asked Breslin if he missed me. He said, "No, I really had fun with Nana." Ummmm, okay? At first, I was a little miffed, but I got to thinking that I should be really thankful.  After all, how lucky am I that my kids have someone they enjoy being with so much that they don't even miss me when I'm gone?  My mom and Bob took them out to pizza, to the movies to see The Lorax , and to the Toy House for a little shopping.  How could they miss mom and dad when they were having so much fun? I am so thankful that my kids have these two people in their lives that love them so much and are willing to embark on such adventures with them.  Thank God we weren't missed! Dear God, thank you for my mom and Bob, who are so amazing!  Thank you for the fun our kids have with them and for their willingness to give us...

It seemed like everything was going wrong. Colby and I were off to a "romantic" getaway in Frankenmuth, Michigan. Ummm, don't rob my house,  okay?  We're not there, but my mom and Bob are there and they are pretty tough. Colby and I argued all the way to Birch Run. Then, we couldn't get in our room because no one could get us a room key that would actually let us in our room.  I thought that was pretty much the sole purpose of room keys, but whatever. Then, the key to our Saturn wouldn't turn in the steering column after dinner.  We had to walk back to the hotel. This wasn't my idea of the perfect trip, by any stretch of the imagination.  I was on the verge of throwing a complete pity party for myself (you were invited by the way)... ...when I booted up the computer to write my post, I was greeted by this picture: ...when I looked over, and saw my husband, who I've loved every second for the past 12 years. ...when I felt my belly, whi...

Stupid, cold wind coming out of the east Making my 2 hour ride seem like more of a beast. You howl and gust when I go up a hill, I wish for a minute you just would be still. I turn right, I turn left, I go straight and you're there, Managing with my helmet to still mess up my hair. You scream and you rage, blowing me off the road, Your incessant presence is getting quite old. Stupid, cold wind, don't think for a bit that your bitter blowing would make me want to quit. You're making me angry, but making me strong I'll ride in your stupid coldness all morning long. Thank God for the stupid, cold wind! God, thank you for the stupid cold wind this morning that made me tougher!  In your name I pray, Amen.

When I was a junior in the year 1998, I was just starting to date Colby, playing on the Western High School district-winning soccer team, driving a yellow 1970 Volkswagon Beetle, and applying to Alma College.  I also had just purchased a CD from the Columbia House Music Club entitled Behind the Front by the Black Eyed Peas.  It was their first album, which did not include the infamous Fergie on vocals, but I fell in love with the catchy "Joints & Jams", with its quirky lyrics and funky bass line.  They were a little known group then, but I held on to The Peas' CD and busted in out every once in a while.  Listening to this album never failed to perk me up a little bit. As time passed, the Black Eyed Peas exploded as a an international sensation.  Many people either love their new stuff and hate the old stuff or vice versa.  Not me.  I love it all.  Their music makes me want to dance, laugh, and cry all at the same time.  It is emotional...