Halloween

Yes, Tayler is alive if you haven't seen him on here in a while...


Master Jedi


Checking his stash

The only Blonde Hume's.

Our small group gang

An impromptu storytime.

Chase wanting a little more interaction

This week we had our small group halloween party. Karin dressed as an 80's rocker chick, Tayler as a soccer player, Chase as Master Yoda and I as the Charlie Brown Ghost (lamest costume- great concept but terrible execution).

Halloween night we took Chase around to a few houses but it was pretty chilly. It was more for us to dress him up and take him around. We have some pretty nice neighbors...who knew? We really should get out more and actually meet them. But, now we're entering into the winter hybernation where we won't see anyone again until spring.

Chase had fun going through his pumpkin and playing with the candy. We gave him a small piece that did not sit too well but he still enjoyed it. Poor guy has no chance against a sweet tooth in this house.

Tayler begged me to take him to see Paranormal Activity. I was considering it but then he spent the night at a friends house. So, I'm just enjoying the Vols game while Karin and Chase are sleeping. Looking forward to a few days off.

Happy Halloween and All Saints Day tomorrow.

Training update...

Anybody else freaked about the three people who died in Michigan running the half marthon? I have to admit it kinda freaked me out a bit...but I will sign up! Leave a comment and let me know your opinion.

I have trained 4 days this week...I ran intervals on Monday consisting of 6 sets of 5 minutes running at 5.0 speed and 6 sets of walking on 3.0 speed, ran 3 miles on Tuesday at 5.5 speed, did the eliptical for 30 minutes and weight training on Wednesday, ran 3 miles on 5.0 speed and walked .60 miles on 3.0 speed and tomorrow will go back to the eliptical and weight training...making it a total of 5 days. The run today was AWESOME! It felt good..really good.

Brian has lost 30 pounds now and I was down 1.8 this morning. I hope to be 128 by next Thursday. My plan of attack is fiber rich filling foods consisting of a perfect balance of protein, carbs and veggies for breakfast, lunch and dinner...if you would like to know the menu, leave a comment and I will let you know!

ps I train with a group of girls from church 2 days a week and my friend, Mandi 3 days a week...I could not do this alone!

Beasleys Orchard

We went to Beasley's Orchard on Sunday to visit the pumpkin patch. We did it last year and thought it would be a fun tradition to take Chase every year. It was a great fall day and we enjoyed the hayride. The fields were not nearly as green as they were last year but it was still a really fun trip. One moment we wished we could have caught was us helping him walk through the pumpkin patch. He was so happy to play with the pumpkins and drink cider.

We're gonna run this town....

So, I was thinking of starting a new blog to document my training/running efforts. I would like to run the Mini in May. It is 13.1 miles and this is a huge goal. I have to sign up soon (by end of October) if i am going to do it. Right now, I have only run 5 miles without stopping but run a comfortable 3-3.5 miles. I had to run on the treadmill last week (yuck!) I am looking forward to being back outside next week.

Anyway, I will either start a new blog to document this or I will post it here...let me know if you have an opinion either way. There is a sample schedule of what my training would look like to do the Mini at www.halhigdon.com/halfmarathon/halfnovice

I would post it here but it wont paste correctly. I have really enjoyed running but it is definitely a commitment. I get a little nervous the night before that I wont be able to do it the next day, but so far so good.

I would also like to lose 8 pounds by Thanksgiving. I have recently ventured into the 120's and I would like to be on the low end of that so that if I do gain weight, I wont go back to 130s. We are going to Disney World for the week of Thanksgiving and will be eating out alot. YIKES! Brian, I believe would also like to go down 8. He has lost 28 pounds so far and I have lost (dare I say?) 65...I know insane....I am really just to my normal size but when I got pregnant I was 20 pds over my normal weight (as we had a very rough 2007 and I ate to cope:) I have been doing WW online for a year now and that is what I will continue with to lose the 8 before Thanksgiving. My ultimate goal is 118.

So, let me know if you are interested in documenting with me..more than anything I want this to keep me accountable and encourage others that you can do it too!!

Here's to running this town!

This week...

This pretty much describes this week- teething.


We watched a friend of ours son this week. Chase loved following him around.



Brian coloring Star Wars book with the boys.

He loves trying to dump Cookies food and water bowls out.

Probably the longest he has cuddled with one of us.

What? I'm not doing anything.

Should I go up?

This week has been great...is it just me or are the weeks flying by lately? Maybe it has something to do with it being darker out earlier...hmmm

Chase put two words together for the first time this week....he said HI DAD; It was so cute

He is just a sweetie pie and doing cute stuff everyday

I am busy writing, running, and coupon cutting!:) I am up to 5 miles without stopping and I really love it! It is such a good stress reliever.

Tayler is busy with school and sectionals...he was sick and out of school Monday and Tuesday

Brian is still busy with work and leading a few different small groups.

Overall, a great week and enjoying the cooler temps. Have a great week!

Happy Fall Y'all!

Already broke out the pumpkin shirt...

Can you see my matching socks? so cute

Seriously, please, no autographs......

I love playing with this ball and saying "ball, ball"

First time having homemade chicken noodle soup

messy and yummy

Woo hoo!

Tree hugger:)

Summer is officially over and we are busy around here ! We had somewhat of a rough week. Chase was under the weather though we arent sure with what. He had a low grade fever all week and a clear runny nose. We originally thought a cold but then he was chewing on his hands so much that we thought maybe molars.....But then...yes, there's more....a friends child got a cold to which we then went back to our first thought. Who knows?? Chase has not been "sick" at all in his last year. This was the third time he has had the runny clear nose and low grade fever...the first at 9 weeks, the second around 7 months and then this. But it has never turned into much. I went to M2M the week before and he was in the nursery with several kiddos...a few days later, the fever. It is so hard to not want to lock ourselves in the house as I hate to see him feel bad. I know it is only normal and I have to get over it!

Chase is all over the place these days. He is into everything and I can barely get anything done besides playing with him. It will take him a while to learn what to touch and what not to touch. He did obey the other day when Brian told him no about climbing the stairs, so he is beginning to get it. (though I am sure this is quite confusing since Brian was so excited to teach him to climb them..hmmmm) He is also saying mama more and "up" when he is in bed with us in the morning.

We also had lots of soccer games for Tayler. I didnt get to go to any b/c of Chase feeling bad and overall bad timing of games. Brian went to most of them. Tayler is doing well in high school and really enjoys it there-favorite part: they get to chew gum! They had homecoming on Friday night and he got to go to his first highschool dance...he loves dances and unlike most guys, dances the whole time-his signature worm move included...ha (no pics of Tayler as he has basically refused to have his pic taken for the last year)

I am getting better at the coupon thing. I am still using http://www.moneysavingmom.com/ and http://www.couponmom.com/. I also found http://www.freebiesforall.com/ this week. You can sign up for lots of free samples there. I also sign up for them on MSM. I got my first few samples in the mail this week-gotta love free stuff! I would like to get a Sunday paper subscription as that would really help us save even more. However, last week my groceries were $39 for eight dinners, breakfast stuff, and even laundry detergent! We did have to go back for a few things but I attribute that to a growing teenage boy!

I also attended my first writing critique group. It was so mentally stimulating and encouraging. We each submitted one chapter. I submitted the first chapter of my novel. We meet once a month. We have a diverse group so that keeps it interesting. Next time, we are submitting two chapters plus our revised first. I was pretty nervous going in as this is my first attempt at fiction. Writing has been such a good outlet for me.

I have been training (from couch potato to 5k in 6 weeks) the last several weeks. I should be up to 3 miles in 6 weeks. So far, I have ran 1.5 miles without stopping. I run with a group of girls and they are so motivating! I am already addicted....

Brian is doing well and is now working about 20 hours a month volunteering as he continues to lead his college small group as well as now leading our adult small group. It is refreshing to see him come alive in this way and be able to use his passions of teaching. His job is going well and he continues to climb the ladder. Sales are low right now but his position is solid and he is respected by his boss/es. He is gaining knowledge that we believe will be used later on in a ministry position. He has also lost 25 pounds and is only about 5-10 pounds away from his goal! I am so proud of him; now I just have to get him to work out and get a six pack:) and Arnold arms...(j/k ewwww) But some muscles are nice.

If you are still reading, let me know what you have "been up to" by leaving a comment! (yes, even you anonymous stalkers out there:)

My advice for the week: Buy and burn some pumpkin spice candles, make an apple pie or chicken noodle soup and maybe even pick up a pumpkin spice latte! Tis the season!

In Honor of Allie Mohney

My third article was just published on www.ungrind.org Please take a moment to read it and pray for the family of Allie......

Chase at 1 year!

A hat we got at the Gap with a gift card from Papa!

Cheese

He loves his little farm (we call it little Pittsboro- he has a farm, race car and a fire truck. If there was a little people bar it would be complete)

The first time Chase showed any interest in climbing the stairs he was trying to catch up with me. He was looking up at me and so I started encouraging him to climb the stairs.

Singing with his music toy.

Riding his car saying "bye"

Chase loves smashing into things with his new car

He loves all his new toys- now we really need a toybox!

• Chase is 16 pounds and 5 ounces (25-50 percentile- up from his usual 5 percentile) and 28 inches (25-50 percentile)
• He loves singing, clapping to music (Laurie Berkner Band on Noggin and Fresh Beat Band are his favorites), dancing and playing music.
• He loves to be silly and is always laughing.
• He is fascinated with cords to all of our electronics and is focused on getting them.
• His vocabulary consists of "ball", "bye", "hi", "dad", "ci" (which we think is short for paci), tries to say "book", and says "vroom" when playing with his vehicles
• He is pulling himself up and attempting to walk on his own
• He loves books- his favorite is one about animals which does not bode well for not having anymore pets
• He loves his family and loves to rough house
• He is quite curious and independent (within our house- still has stranger anxiety)
• He is learning to climb the stairs
• He loves toys with wheels and that make noise
• He is figuring out how toys work and how to play with them
• He loves to see things bang, smash, fall and drop- he laughs so hard
• He is very particular in how things should and shouldn't be
• He is starting to not want to be rocked at night :(
• He LOVES baths and playing in the water
• He is developing problem solving skills
• He is easy going but loves his routine