Disneyland half marathon

Running my first half marathon was an awesome experience. The training and dedication was so much more than I thought it was going to be... I complained and struggled, but I did it. We spent two days touring and walking Disneyland the days before the marathon... probably not the best way to rest your muscles, but we couldn't wait to take the boys. Sunday morning I headed out for the starting line. Being surrounded by all those people is really thrilling and motivating. I was hopeful the adrenaline would carry me through. It took me 25 minutes to even get to the starting line... and then we were off! My goal was to at least run for the first 6 miles, and then walk if I needed to. Well, I ran straight for the first 11 miles and then I just didn't think I could go anymore... the pain in my feet was horrible. So I stopped to walk a bit - which made it worse. My legs felt like jello... but then I picked myself up and ran some more. The last two miles were a walk/run combo, but I finished strong and ran through the finish line. Running through an empty Disneyland/CA adventure was exciting, but my two favorite parts were around mile 9 - running on the field of the Angels stadium. The crowed cheering, your picture on the big screen, and "California Gurlz" bumping on my ipod. I felt like a rock star! (then unfortunately my ipod died - my least favorite part of the run). As I almost hit mile 13, I saw my boys and Robert cheering me on. I ran by and Ezra gave me a high five. It really put a pep in my step. I was so proud, and happy that they were there to share in my experience. My hope is that they will always be proud of me and that I will be a positive example to them and show them the importance of taking care of yourself. Most importantly I hope to teach them that no matter what, you can do anything you set your mind to. I may not be the most fit, the fastest, but I made a committment and I followed through. I pushed my mind and my body further than it had ever been before... I said I wouldn't do it again, but now I'm not so sure. It feels pretty amazing.

Van Halen - Right Now (Music Video) HD

This is the song that does it for me. That pushes me when I am running.

It gives me that feeling of empowerment. That I am strong and powerful.

That my body is totally capable of doing this.

That I have to keep going. Right now. C'mon turn this thing around.

There was a time many years ago where my internal dialogue was abusive and hateful. I thought it was good motivation. I was wrong.

Seriously, my old mantra to myself was "keep going. you are disgusting and fat."

Now... it is "you are strong and powerful. you can do this."

Much better, don't you think?

Reading the book, "Woman, Food and God" by Geneen Roth has changed my way of thinking. It has taken me to a new understanding... what if I am good enough just as I am? Maybe I should stop trying to "fix" myself... maybe I really am not "broken."

I have been dieting since I was in the 5th grade. Honestly. It was my first trip to weight watchers. Size 6 to 28, I have never in my life been content with my body. I just don't know what that feels like. Well, except for one time. But it wasn't in this reality... I was in a guided meditation (attending a Sylvia Browne event). My BFF Melissa asked me to go with her. I said sure... why not? What I didn't realize was that it was one of the most powerful and life changing events in MY life. A quick and easy description of the event...

Sylvia guides you to your "place." You picture yourself there...seeing myself brought tears to my eyes. For the VERY FIRST TIME in my life I saw myself as beautiful. I wasn't thin, I wasn't fat... I was just me. Standing in a peaceful meadow. Wearing a clean crisp white summer dress. My long hair blowing in the wind. I instantly had a feeling that was totally foreign to me. I didn't think about it. I just felt it.

I was at peace. At peace with myself. A feeling of being totally content. Everything was perfect just as it was... it was so amazing and wonderful.

I hope that one day I can experience that feeling again... but in my daily reality.

Love and Chocolate

Today was a day for chocolate... so we made some brownies. Both boys love to cook. After we were done, I let Ezra lick the spoon... remember how great that was when you were a kid? He loved it. Here is the proof.

When I look at these pictures I can't help but smile. It warms my heart... these boys make me laugh out loud every day. They are so much work, but so much fun. I have become totally obsessed with capturing these moments on film. If we laugh about them today, imagine the joy and laughter they will bring us in 20 years.

....and these moments are just priceless. Robert came out and told me, your gonna want to get your camera for this one. We couldn't stop laughing.

Boys, Boys, Boys...

Happy Mother's Day... the funniest job on earth!

So I am starting to believe that being a mother is not the hardest, most rewarding job... but the FUNNIEST! Lately in our house, these boys have brought a smile to my face and literally make me laugh out loud.

We have been trying to wean Jonah off the bottle. Doc says he should have been weaned at 12 months, he is now 18 months. We were down to only 2 per day... one at nap, one at bedtime until this last week we had gotten down to just the bedtime bottle. Although there were some tears the first few days, overall he did pretty good. Or should I say I did pretty good standing my ground. I just couldn't handle seeing him cry - oh how he loves his baba!

We needed to buy him new nipples, but were hesitant knowing that soon he would be off the bottle. One by one the nipples had to be thrown out... until last night we realized that we only had one left.

Well, last night Jonah got his last bedtime bottle. Not because we are cutting him off. Not because I am being a consistant mom who follows through. Not because he doesn't want it anymore. It's because he must of savored that one daily bottle so much that he attacked the one and only nipple we had left.

I mean he mutilated it.

He destroyed it.

I hope it was a good one, because I am sorry Jonah,

your baba days have come to an end.

It's a strange thing... you can't wait to see them grow up and watch them become independent beings, but at the same time I will mourn that we no longer have any "babies." No more cribs, no more bottles. Where has the time gone? Who am I kidding... bottle or not, they will always be my babies. As an inspirational fellow blogger once said, "I both lost and found myself the day I became a mother." This is so true for me.

Happy Mother's Day and please take some time today to laugh with your kids...

The madness continues...

...and you thought toothbrushes were just for cleaning teeth? Apparently Jonah finds them very useful in cleaning the bottom of his shoes. Yes, this WAS my toothbrush... until today.

After having our coffee table safely stored away in the garage for the past several years (according to Robert, coffee tables and wobbly toddlers aren't a good combination) I thought I would bring it back in to the living room. Immediately, the boys discovered the new element. First they climbed on top. Of course. But next, my ever so resourceful son decided to use it as a tee to play INDOOR baseball golf. Why not?

Luckily I always keep my camera ready and easily accessible in order to capture these crazy moments. Some might think I have lost my mind... to stop and allow the madness to continue for a few more moments while I zoom and focus... but I know that in twenty years we are going to sit around and enjoy laughing at all the mischievous and comical things these two little guys came up with. I am glad I can sit back, have a sense of humor and move on... well at least that's the case MOST days.

Have a great weekend everybody... and remember to thank your mother. Most likely she had a few of these days in your younger years.

It may be a crazy life, but it is our life... as much as Kate Goselin annoys me, I love this saying! Lately it feels like we live in constant chaos.

One crisis after another.

The last two days being the worst... or is it the best?

Yesterday my dear Ezra swallowed a penny (or at least we thought he did?)

The incident sent us to the ER, deleted $75 from my checkbook and tested the strength of several nurses as they tried to x-ray my freakishly strong toddler. However, being in the ER seeing all the seriously ill children made me appreciate and see the humor in our situation. We were happy to leave with a healthy bouncy boy and headed to In-n-Out for a burger... his favorite.

The next stop, Verizon. To replace the phone that was mistaken for a plant and watered while he was playing with the hose... cost, $40. I think I should start keeping a record of these expenses and deduct them from his first allowance!

Please don't forget about my sweet adorable Jonah... the strong man. His idea of fun, creating his own rock slide. Grunting and puffing, one by one he picked up all the rocks in our yard, carried them over to the slide and let them go... what fun!

While in the shower this morning, they somehow got the dental floss out of the CHILDPROOF drawer. My 5 second shower was interrupted by the scream of terror... the scream all mothers fear. Not just a cry, but a "I am hurt mama, please hurry" scream. I run to the rescue and find the boys tangled up in the entire roll of dental floss, nearly about to lacerate poor Jonah's chubby little finger.

Enough! But wait, it gets better...

We rush down the street to Ezra's speech therapy appt. (we are so lucky that our neighbor, a speech therapist is able to provide services out of her home). The session ends, we barely all survive, we say goodbye... but wait, no

Ezra is peeing on her front porch!

I guess in all the "fun" we both forgot that he was wearing his big boy underwear (say hello to potty training!) I was mortified.

We are back home, changed, dry and hopeful for some relaxing time before lunch. I soon realize the silence... which is never a good thing. I come into the living room to find Ezra with his new dry chonies on his head - with the leg hole just in the right spot over one eye so that he can see as he runs circles in the living room and his brother chases him... they are giggling and laughing. Not a care in the world.

I call Robert to tell him about the madness, and he is LAUGHING!

He thinks it's all hilarious... I step back, take a good look and realize that yes, it is hilarious.

and crazy...

but it's our crazy.

who is that lady?

It's been over a month since I last blogged. My intentions have fallen flat. At this point I feel so far behind I don't know where to start. Except... I made a choice today. The house was clean, the kids were fed and nestled in their beds, work was done, now what? I thought, hmmm.... I am going to take this time to color my hair, take a shower, put some makeup on and feel like a woman. So as I sit here typing, the dye is soaking up on my much neglected hair, and the shower is calling my name. If time allows I may even paint my toes... has the world gone mad??? Or maybe the "me" that has been lost for so long is finding her way back from the piles of diapers, and constant loving chaos of motherhood. Stay tuned.

It's amazing what a shower, and a little TLC can do to your spirits. Let's see if "he" notices tonight?

Things that I LOVE

This blog post is dedicated to all the "things" around me that I love (and really just me practicing taking pictures... trying to teach myself how to use my camera!) Here are just a few of the things surrounding me on a daily basis that I love... starting with this sign. There is something about the colors, the heart, the swirls... and of course the word Love that just warms my heart. Thank you Target!

Another great purchase from Target - this pillow! It caught my eye in the store, and I just had to have it. Funny how a pillow can do that to ya! The colors, the feel of it, and the butterfly. I can't wait to get more!

Speaking of which... the same thing happened to me with this lamp. It really was the inspiration for my mini-makeover in my living room. Before this lamp things were red, black... really bold. I wanted a warmer, earthy look that would lighten up my day. This lamp did it.

Oh, then there is this wonderful new mantel that my dad built. I will forever look at it and think of him and his wonderful craftiness... hmm, and to think I always thought my craftiness came from my mom. I also love the new wall decal from Stampin Up' - another element in my desire to surround myself with peaceful images in my home.

When I see my new kitchen floor it represents freedom! Yes, freedom! My old floor was terrible and constantly showed all the dirt, water spots, lint, etc. When I was picking out the new flooring I said, "I want tile the color of dirt!" Not only does the floor look and feel great, but it is so much easier to maintain... especially when most of my days are spent like this...

These folks (all 5 of my followers!) are the things that I really LOVE. These boys have changed my life, and made me want to be a better person. Without them, none of these other "things" would really matter. Since becoming a mom, it's like I see the world in a whole new way... things are brighter, more exciting... seeing the world through the eyes of a child is amazing. I love exploring and learning about life all over again. They are such joy!

My newest item of love is blogging. My friend Jenny talked me into it... I have never really followed blogging, so it is all totally new to me. Not sure if I am following the rules of the blogging world, or if anyone even cares to read this stuff, but the truth is that I do it for me. Writing is so theraeputic for me. Just being able to get it out and express it means so much to me - especially since most days are spent in toddlerville where all I hear is "mine." In addition to writing my own blog, I have really enjoyed following other blogs... these women who I have never met, who don't even know that I exist have inspired me. Each in a different way... they inspire me to be a better mother, wife, and friend. They make me want to get up in the morning and throw my running shoes on. To get myself dressed in something other than sweats. To cook an amazing meal for my family to join around the table and share. They inspire me to be creative - which has really become an outlet for me this past year... many of them sew, something I am hoping to learn this year. Erin from bringing up burns was the first blog I started to follow - then I started looking at her favorite blogs... and then on and on... this world of blogging is really amazing. Check it out. It could change your life. I know it did mine.

http://www.bringingupburns.com/

Is there any area of your life where you've wandered from God? The clue is a lack of peace. Anxiety that "looks to Egypt" rather than God for help. If there is any such area of anxiety in your life, confess it. Return to God, rest in him, and trust him alone to take care of your problem. Quietness and confidence in him is the answer. Rest in God today as you wait for him to act, rather than running off in your own strength to "Egypt." —Diane Eble, author of Abundant Gifts: A Daybook of Grace-Filled Devotions (via my dear friend Jenny Peters - thanks Jenny!)

Valentine's Day!

What a crazy, fun day! I set the alarm, woke up at 5:00 to pack Robert a special lunch and then make him a nice big breakfast complete with heart pancakes. Since I was up so early and the boys were still asleep, I hit the treadmill and got my workout done. Robert and I were able to catch a few quiet moments together while we ate breakfast and sipped on some fresh coffee... something we haven't done in a long time. He loved his present, a new iPod. (He took me on a surprise date including lunch, a photo gallery tour and dessert on Thursday - it was awesome!) What he soon discovered was that I had downloaded all the songs from a mixed tape he made 16 years ago when we first met. I remember getting the tape in the mail and listening to it every night as I lay in bed, wondering what he was doing back home in Reedley. Ah, young love is so exciting. We laughed and talked about all the corny love songs that he recorded on the tape and enjoyed letting our minds wander back to those first months of our relationship. Ok, back to reality Ezra was up... the first to open his Valentine present. A mini mailbox that I decorated and filled with goodies like toothbrushes, bubbles, crayons, bouncy balls... they also got Valentine books and their favorite - balloons.

The day progressed as usual... a visit from cousin Bella, exchanging Valentine treats, playing out in the yard, then lunch with special jello hearts for a treat. After a peaceful long nap (that includes me!) we made Valentine's for Daddy... glue, conversation heart candies, paper hearts, crayons, stickers, and a fun heart butterfly (thanks to my neighbor Lisa for the template!) - it was fun, but oh so messy! Now on to the next task - dinner. I had a special dinner menu planned, Robert's favorite: "Julie's chicken" rice pilaf, and salad. I started making dinner and everything went chaotic. Jonah was crying, Ezra was grabbing eggs off the counter, they were spilling bubbles on the floor, then slipping and falling in the bubbles... Ezra decided to pee-pee in the toilet (which is currently in our dining room during our potty training phase). Right after he pee's Jonah picks up the toilet and pee starts flying all over the place... the chicken is burning and oh dang it I forgot to dip it in the bread crumbs first, Ezra is repeating over and over "candy" since he went pee-pee, and now Jonah is crying because I yelled at him to put the toilet down. AHHHHH! I start putting out fires one at a time and order the boys to their rooms... mama needs a moment to get things back on track. They cooperate, but not without shedding some tears... I feel guilty. Here it is Valentine's Day and I am screaming at them to go to their rooms! I regain composure and continue on with dinner... and my savior appears - daddy is home! I say, I just need 10 minutes to myself. I'm sorry, but I am gonna loose it... he replies, "ok, I'm sorry your having a hard time" kisses me on the forhead, and takes the boys to their rooms to read some books. This folks, is what love is all about. So I leave you today on Valentine's Day with some photos of our day and one of my favorite verses,

Now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is LOVE.
1 Corinthians 13:13.

Ezra's heart butterfly

Jonah coloring a Valentine for daddy... don't mind the runny nose - poor guy has been sick.

Making Valentine's for daddy!

Heart jello jigglers with fruit!

Breakfast!

Jonah and his balloon - he pretty much held onto it all day!

Ezra opening his mailbox while Daddy blows him some bubbles.

Back of mailbox

Front of mailbox

Theme of the month!

I found this inspirational blog Katherine Marie Photography through a fellow online scrapping mama and was so amazed at the beautiful photogrpahy and fun creative ideas that I decided to give it a try with my boys! Instead of doing a theme a week, I am attempting to do a theme a month. For January our theme was SNOW. It involved fun activities such as making marshmallow snowmen, cotton ball crafts, whip cream finger painting, a few trips to the snow and more! Here is a collection of photographs... and although it does take time to get everything organized; it has been really fun for all of us. I enjoy searching the web for new activities, healthy fun snacks, crafts, movies, etc. all related to our theme of the month. It makes our days more exciting, and gives us something to look forward to especially when the rain keeps us inside. Check out Katherine's blog (click on her name above) to see her incredibly inspiring work, and check back here at Betancourt Bunch to see our upcoming themes. For February we are working on hearts, the color red, and LOVE... in honor of Valentine's Day.

The finishing touches on our homemade pizza!

Jonah making his snowman pizza


The snowmen pizza's!

Cottonball snowmen - they love using glue!

Are we having fun yet?

Snowman grilled cheese sandwhich that I cut out and the boys helped decorate.

The activity suggested using shaving cream, but knowing my boys, I opted for whipcream since I knew it would end up in their mouths! And yep, I was right!

Fingerpainting with whip cream made snowmen

YUMMMMM

Ezra and his marshmallow man!

Sledding - first trip to the snow!

A hike to the Big Tree's with daddy!

week in review

I have decided the title for my Sunday postings will be "week in review." A quick blog post with pictures showing our daily life, and a little something inspirational.

Made his first basket! Yes!

A creative activity the boys came up with on a rainy day!

Bubbles with "ta-ta!"

Country boys!

Saying bye-bye to the pee-pee!

Jesus answered him "what I am doing, you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand." John 13:7 (thank you to my friend Edie!)