Wife

Winner, Winner Chicken Dinner

April 3, 2011

Anyone who knows me, knows that I love Chick-Fil-A. So, when I found out that they were opening a new one in Pasadena AND they had a “Raving-Fan” contest on face book in which the winner would win a year of free Chick-Fil-A, I had to enter.

The contest: submit a photo of your favorite memory at Chick-Fil-A and explain it in 100 words or less.

My favorite memory at Chick-fil-A?? How ever will I choose?

The time I requested Chick-Fil-A after giving birth to my daughter and my brother did a CFA run for me to deliver it to me at the hospital.

Or her birthday party four years later?

How about our anniversary dinner while in labor with baby number 4? (as in, for real laboring – went to the hospital right from there)

Anniversary Dinner at Chick-fil-a WHILE in labor with 4th

Or when given the choices of any restaurant at Disney World, the circus family happily chooses Chick-Fil-A for the last 2 meals of their vacation?

Or any number of times that I dressed my children up as cows to earn free dinner?

2005

2006

2008

2009

2010

I opted for the 2009 Cow Appreciation Day.”We have made it a family tradition to participate in Cow Appreciation Day for the past 6 years. 2 years ago we invited one of our best friends to join us. They ended up having an appt to look at a prospective house on the way to our dinner. The Realtor graciously agreed to follow us to CFA afterward, so we didn’t miss Cow Appreciation day, and they signed the paper work there while we entertained the kids in the play area.”

Our story was selected as a finalist (original post here). We got to go to a Premiere Dinner at the new Chick-Fil-A before it opened. This alone, made me giddy!!

But, as if THAT wasn’t good enough… while there sipping our Sweet Tea… they read our story aloud to the room, and WE WON!!!

Without a doubt… best thing I have ever won… ever…. with 52 coupons for free combo meals, we can take our family of 6 out to dinner at Chick-Fil-A once a month for a year!! This makes for one VERY happy circus family!!

How about you? Do you have a favorite memory at Chick-Fil-A?

{ 11 comments }

Banner Week

March 8, 2011

in About Me,fashion,growing up,Keeping it Real,running

Exciting things are happening round the circus parts this week and it’s only Tuesday!!

Sunday, I ran a half marathon with my FIL. My friend, who had to run a half marathon in order to see me in real life, also ran but she was so stinking fast that I am glad I caught her in line for the potty before the race, b/c there was no seeing her after that. Dad and I ran at our own pace and I felt much, much better about this race than my last race. This time, I felt prepared and when I finished I didn’t feel like I was going to die. Last time I knew I wasn’t prepared and it felt AWFUL! As an added treat a friend of mine surprised me and ran the last 3 miles of the race with me. She was a true cheerleader and burst of enthusiasm and I was touched that she went to so much effort to surprise and encourage me. Joc, you rock!

Monday, I could barely walk…see above…but I did get a night out with my friend Megh. We grabbed dinner and went shopping for jeans…in a size I haven’t worn in YEARS!! That’s right folks, I am happy to share I am now at the size I was before I got pregnant with my son, over 7 years ago!! Wahoo… I am super psyched about that! And I truly appreciate the time to catch up with Megh as well as her help in answering such baffling questions as “What is boot cut?” and “Do I want dark jeans or light?” These are the things I am clueless about and I always appreciate her insight. She willingly comes along with me when I need a night out of shopping sans kiddos and I love that we can just pick up where we left off, filling each other in on our lives and chatting about movies and TV shows. We’ve never really been in the same stage of life ever in our friendship, but I truly appreciate how she just sorta rolls with my crazy chaotic life and accepts me for what I am.

While out with Megh, I got a text from Scott which read “Looks like someone has his first loose tooth” I was so happy for him b/c he’s been waiting for a loose tooth since early Kindergarten. When I got home a few hours later and went in to peek on all the kids, he was still up and was super excited to show me how it wiggles! Here’s a picture of his smile before it changes.

Races, New Jeans, Great Friends and Loose Teeth… Oh My… the excitement here at the circus is mounting and we haven’t even reached Hump Day yet!

How’s your week been?

{ 3 comments }

Thanks for a Great Ride

February 8, 2011

in Steelers

Well, it’s over… another great football season has has come to an end. While the ending wasn’t quite as sweet as I wanted, it was to be honest, a WHOLE lot better than I thought it would be when the season started. I never dreamed in August that we’d be having a Steelers party in February.

Looking back, it was a great season. We had a ton of fun cheering for our boys in black and gold. We had several family gatherings at our place to watch the game. I went on a date with my dad to Pittsburgh to watch a game at Bettis’ Grille 36. We even orchestrated our schedule so that we were in hotels for the 2 games that occurred during our family vacation. It was quite fun parading around our Disney Hotel in our Steelers jerseys. Scott and I went to an actual home game with my dad in December. And, we had a fabulous play off run, culminating with a Superbowl Party!

As we left my parents house early Monday afternoon, we had the thought to try and catch the team as they arrived in Pittsburgh and give them a hearty welcome home. But, as much as we googled, we couldn’t find any information on their homecoming. Man, I would have loved to been there to clap and cheer as the Steelers got off the plane. Let em’ know we love em’ and we’re still proud of em’. We weren’t quite ready for the season to be over, so we decided to drive a slightly longer way home and take the kids through the city. For the first time, Scott and I realized that while we have been to the city of Pittsburgh several times, the kids have not. So we drove them to Heinz Field. And we walked up to the gates and showed them where our beloved Steelers call home.

I’ve been to the gates a few times and inside three times. Still it gives me a little thrill to stand there and gaze out at the stadium. It was a quiet, rainy day in Pittsburgh and as we walked around, I couldn’t help but think how different the atmosphere would have been had things gone differently last night. But, you know what, we walk away from this season with our heads held high. Our boys played well. And we can’t wait to cheer them on again next fall!

{ 3 comments }

We ARE ready for some Steelers Football!!!

February 6, 2011

in football,Steelers

We’ve been playing the song on repeat for weeks and now the day is here. Pittsburgh isn’t going to the Super Bowl anymore they are AT the Superbowl! And we are ready to cheer them on for their 7th Superbowl victory!

Even our dog Maggie is sporting the black and gold today!

GO STEELERS!!!!!!

{ 3 comments }

And Visions of Super Bowl Victories Dance in Their Heads. . .

February 2, 2011

in sisters,Sleep,Steelers

{ 4 comments }

Back on the Wagon

February 2, 2011

in running

A few weeks ago my FIL approached me about running in a local half marathon with him at the beginning of March. Because I seem to require a race to motivate me to run, I was eager to accept. However, it only left me about 7 weeks to prepare and I was not in running shape, having only run a handful of times since my son’s birth last June.

I found some training guides online (both of which suggested 12 weeks to prepare) and spent a good amount of time face booking and e-mailing with a friend about my strategy. I’ve pretty much settled into 2 short runs a week and one long run on the weekend, with the distances for both increasing each week. This week my short runs are 4.5 miles and my long run will be 7 miles. By the week prior to the race I will be up to 10 miles for my long run and I believe 5 miles for my short runs.

This is the first time I have trained for a race using a treadmill. I know it isn’t exactly like running on the road, but I do believe it is pushing me to run faster. And let me set the record straight, my fast is a mere 5.0mph, which equals a 12 mm.

Last week however, I sorta fell off the wagon, or the treadmill and managed to skip all 3 runs… I could list for you my many excuses for why, but they all boil down to just that, excuses, so I will spare you.

Tuesday, it was time to get the sneakers back on and get back on track… after completing my 4.5 mile run, I was left with a few thoughts…

1. Why have I not run using the TV on the treadmill before? I can’t believe how much more enjoyable the run was thanks to Gilmore Girls on DVD…especially compared to merely staring at the numbers on my treadmill.

2. Skipping a week of running was a big mistake. My legs were jelly when I finished. Jelly

3. Is there any chance I can bring Gilmore Girls with me for the 1/2 marathon? (any volunteers to run ahead of me with a portable dvd player strapped to their back)

4. I wish the race was the beg of April instead of the beg of March.

I have 4 weeks left to go… I hope to be better prepared than my last big run and at least finish knowing I did my best.

{ 7 comments }

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