44 Days and Counting!!

Is anybody else as super excited about FOT 2006 as I am?!?! Not counting today, it's 44 days until we actually leave for Copper Mountain, CO. How can this not be my BEST FOT ever? Of course, I only have 3 others to compare with..... but still! It's going to be great! First of all, I'm not 8 1/2 months pregnant like I was last year AND I'm quite sure there won't be any red tide in Copper Mountain (note: Red tide is 1000 times worse for a huge pregnant lady than it is for the majority of others.) Thirdly, Lilly will be there this year (in person). That makes family day ever more special - not having to borrow someone else's kids or living vicariously through other families with children. Fourthly [is "fourthly" a word??], I'll be 15 lbs. lighter which will make eating so much more enjoyable! woo-hoo!! Alas, we won't be able to join most of the rest of our family and close friends in Evian this year. We were really looking forward to it, but circumstances wouldn't allow. I'm quite sure we'll have an excellent time in Copper Mountain though. God's people and God's purpose!

Now that I'm a part time stay at home mom, it's not as big of an issue. But, in past years, I've worked full time and get very few days of vacation per year. For the past 3 years, I've needed all the days for the Feast. Our family doesn't go anywhere or take any other time off during the year besides that time. So, this is a particulary enjoyable time for us. Aside from it being the Feast, it's almost 2 weeks away from work, other influences, household chores, unlike minds..... ahhhhhh...... I'm SO ready!!

Ok, I was doing the running thing..... and I still am.... sort of. Like I said before, I've really never been a runner. Walking is more me. Running for a few weeks produced about 4 lost lbs. and a really sore hip joint that "catches" a lot when I walk. Running 4 times a week is just plain painful. I've noticed that if I wait about 3 days in between runs, I don't have a problem during my run, but it surely hurts afterward. So, I've decided to go back to walking, an occasional run (maybe) and other exercises that don't involve a future hip replacement. I think if I'd lost 10 or 15 lbs. doing the running, I'd feel better about it and maybe endure the pain for the gain. sigh.

Lilly is practicing standing now. She can actually do this new move without holding on to anything. I'm quite sure she is not aware of her new accomplishment. It seems to always catch her by surprise. Especially when she looks around for something to grab on to after she's stood there for a few seconds and there's nothing within reach. Luckily, diapers are padded. I'm anticipating walking in the near future.

Did I mention I'm really excited about FOT 2006?!