Aw, Shucks.

I'm tickled pink to have been given this "shout out" of love from MamaMia and AllMyKids123. I've known MamaMia a few years...but I've never even met AllMyKids. I do believe we'll have lots to catch up on when we do hook up...given we live in the same town and have so much in common--even mutual friends.

I am so glad you enjoy visiting my corner of the internet, and I enjoy coming to your place, too. It seems as though my blogging has been lagging lately, so I'm shocked and giddy to be receiving this kind award. So, to both of you sweet girls...a heartfelt thanks.

I love where the inspiration for this award comes from...and I realize how truly blessed I am to have 3 healthy little Indians.

OK. Time to share the love.

Hip Momma: a friend & neighbor whose talents are immeasurable but have focused on photography of late. Amazing picture-taking and editing skills abound with this Hip Momma...take a look.

Mama's Toehead Boyz: another neighbor and friend...she has a gift for storytelling...reading her blog is like sharing a cup of coffee (well, she drinks DIET COKE) or a glass of wine while hearing about her blessed life. Soon to be the mother of 3 boys...anyone out there who can relate must visit and share words of wisdom! : )

Ordinary Courage: Brene is funny, insightful, FUNNY, and a true inspiration in the field of shame, guilt, and parenting. Every time I read one of her posts, I feel as if she crawled inside my brain and wrote a story about me. Wierd, I know. The kicker? We've never even met.

Peculiar Momma: This girl is so hilarious I nearly pee in my pants every time I read something she's posted. You have to read the June 10, 2008 post about when she visited my hometown. LOL. Yet, she's got such a tender-heart...she has no idea how comforting her comments were to me when we had to put one of our dogs to sleep a few months ago.

"This is the day...": Heather and I "found" each other...yet another bloggy friend I have so much in common with. She leaves the sweetest comments and is so uplifting. Pay her a visit!

There are others I could mention if not limited to five. I'm in awe of the honesty, the humor, and the talent that expands across the www for all of us to share in.

So, to those of you mentioned above, would you be so kind as to give a "shout out" to those blogs you enjoy? I think we could all use a little more love in the world.

So, c'mon! Share the love!

XOXOXO!

Free to be 3

I am the oldest of three kids. Growing up I never bought into the song-and-dance my mom would give when defending herself as to why she treated my brother (the youngest) differently. I'd usually roll my eyes and mutter, "He's the baby and gets away with everything." My mom would get frustrated with my accusations and tell me to "just wait till I became a parent."

Now, I am a parent. Now, I have three kids of my own. And, now, I understand. Yes, I'm admitting it. The baby of our family does get away with a lot more than his siblings did at his age. Maybe it's me softening over the years. Maybe it's me being too exhausted to pick every single battle. Maybe it's because the baby of our family is just too darn cute to resist. Maybe.

My baby turns the big 3 today. In some ways it's such a fun, easy season in my life...all the kids are potty-trained, all the kids can communicate, all the kids play so well together and don't need constant in-house supervision.

But, in other ways, after 6 1/2 years of diapers, baby food, interrupted nights of sleep, pacifiers, scheduled naps, strollers, and children being completely dependent on me...well...it's come to an end. Unless God has other plans for me, the baby days in our house have come and gone. Leaving me a little sad. Leaving me yearning for a time when the 3 little Indians needed me just a little bit more than they do now.

This is Trevor two years ago enjoying his first taste of cake at his first birthday party.


And this is my baby now. Three years old and so grown up. Too grown up, in my opinion. He seemed to skip over playing with baby toys and watching baby movies...he only wants to do whatever Priya and Deven were doing.



Of course, Trevor would not be my baby if weren't for those Indians who came before him...his older brother and best buddy, Deven...


...and his big sister who loves and mothers Trevor more than I do.
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68QHR4XFFFt-vTljBUSXacWwqVTDYXsRpVThqYv3nOsKsjKRJKi5OmUrsUH-c1V5JRYB-rGDWqi3JJh3bbjcicbfUpjdb133hG8UWdUsaSXJJKahaboi2LPfE5DWdqa8ogKav-7sezimB/s1600-h/Priya.jpg">

Happy Birthday, Sweet Trevor.

"I'll love you forever
I'll like you for always
As long as I'm living
My baby you'll be."

Tubin'

Every summer Animesh teaches a conference at the Hyatt Hill Country Resort in San Antonio. Last weekend was no exception, so we visited him one afternoon to enjoy the wonderful pool and lazy river that runs around the property.

Now, I've been to this hotel countless times, and I can never get enough of it. It makes me wonder why we even fly anywhere to "get away." The place caters to kids so nicely, the spa is amazing, it's literally across the street from Sea World, and the atmosphere is one of relaxed elegance. Oh, and if you golf, I've heard the course is beautiful.

If it sounds like I'm gushing, it's because I am.

So, when we trekked out there on Friday, we all had a blast. It was the first year where the little Indians were all big enough to enjoy all that the pools had to offer, and we had a great time.



Cutie patootie Deven.


Trevor catches a wave on Daddy.


The lazy river was a big hit with the kids. And very relaxing for the adults. How could we not enjoy it with the frequent "adult beverage" stands located on the river route?


Priya had her hair braided...and she's still sportin' this tropical hair-do (or hair-dude as Trevor calls it).


Today we're headed to Chuck E Cheese (the kids' choice, not mine...but at least we've got lots of unused tokens to bring) and then to The Painted Plate to create our own one-of-a-kind pottery. Should be fun!

Signs of Summer

Happy Father's Day to a great daddy. We sent him golfing with some buddies yesterday morning, then met at the pool for swimming and lunch. Finished the day off watching a movie and grabbing some Mexican food. All in all a fun day.




Here are some signs that summer has, indeed, arrived at our house:

1. Bedtimes are consistently met with protests. Kids ask us how they are supposed to sleep when it's light out. Mommy's response is that she can sleep with sunlight glaring through the window; why can't they?!

2. Popsicles are now considered a food group.

3. There are constantly swim suits and beach towels drying on any given chair or door knob.

4. Warm, soapy, nightly baths are replaced with daily swims in the pool. Surely chlorine will kill any bodily germs, right?!

5. Alarm clocks are no longer set (except Daddy's...).

6. The house smells of sunscreen.

7. Even Mommy and Daddy (in addition to the kids) are sporting temporary tattoos (the cool look without the pain).

8. The 3 little Indians now look like they ARE Indian--tanner than tan.

9. Deven's bed has gone unoccupied for a week now as he sleeps with Priya every night.

10. Mommy's stress level has dropped a million points.

Hope you're enjoying YOUR summer! I'm off to soak in a tub and watch a chick flick while the hubby works. No lunches to make, papers to sign, or backpacks to check!

To quote my 5 year old, "Totally awesome, dude."

Amazing Race

The words inscribed on the Danskin Triathlon medal say this:

"The woman who starts the race is not the same woman who finishes the race."

This couldn't be more true.

I cannot really put into words the entire experience, but I will try.

Saturday I drove to Austin, checked in with Jeanne at the Expo Center, racked our bikes, enjoyed the beautiful Oasis overlooking Lake Travis, loaded up on pasta, then headed back to Jeanne's for a (not so) restful night's sleep. I was just too nervous.

Animesh braved Saturday night in a hotel with the kids and managed to get them all to the race Sunday morning on time. I was amazed.

Sunday morning Jeanne and I arrived on time, but the mad dash rush to get our transition spots set up left us little time before the race started. We actually didn't have time to get nervous...before we knew it, we were body-marked and in the water. Thank goodness, because I had to relieve my bladder something awful! Oh, come on, you KNOW you've peed in a lake before!

To my complete surprise, the swim was awesome. There were lots of "angels" in the water offering a noodle for those in need of rest. I felt relaxed in the water except when I was occasionally kicked in the face and stomach; I think I could've swam a lot faster had it not been for all the PEOPLE in my way! :)

Jeanne was a sweetheart and waited for me after the swim; we biked the hilly course together. The cycling is my fave event, so, while the hills offered some challenges, I loved every minute of it.

Before I knew it I found myself on the running path...running nearly every single step of the way except for at the water stops (I don't drink and run very well...). Crossing the finish line was surreal and incredible. I heard my family yelling and cheering. Tears welled up in my eyes.

To say this was the most empowering, amazing display of GIRL POWER is an understatement. I feel so blessed to have been part of such a great event with nearly 2600 others...an event that celebrates the strength in all of us as women.

I cannot WAIT till the Danskin next year! Till then, enjoy the slide show!

Ready or Not....

...here I come, Austin. Saturday morning I leave for my favorite Texas city to meet up with Jeanne at the Expo Center so we can rack our bikes, pick up our packets, get inspired at lectures, and go back to her house for plenty of rest after a carbo-load dinner at a great Italian restaurant.

I cannot believe the triathlon is only 3 days away.

This week has presented some challenges...I'm sick with a cold, all the kids have had a fever or hacking cough, and our nights have not been filled with restful sleep. Animesh, thank goodness, took the week off so that I could do my taper training. Can I just tell you how difficult it is to swim when you're stuffed up?

But, I cannot complain. I was sent this email from a friend...read this story:

A son asked his father, 'Dad, will you take part in a marathon with me?' The father who, despite having a heart condition, says 'Yes'. They went on to complete the marathon together.
Father and son went on to join other marathons, the father always saying 'Yes' to his son's request of going through the race together.

One day, the son asked his father, 'Dad, let's
join the Ironman together.'
To which, his father said 'Yes'.
For those who don't know, Ironman is the toughest triathlon ever. The race encompasses three endurance events of a 2.4 mile (3.86 km) ocean swim, followed by a 112 mile (180.2 km) bike ride, and ending with a 26.2 mile (42.195 km) marathon along the coast of the Big Island .

Father and son went on to complete the race together.


YOU HAVE GOT TO WATCH THE VIDEO. IT IS NOTHING SHORT OF AMAZING.

So, this is it. I've done all I can do. I think I'm ready. NO, wait. I KNOW I am ready. I have heard over and over and over that the race is 10% physical ability and 90% mental ability.

And, how can I not be pumped up and feeling confident when I've received SO MANY emails and cards in the mail...filled with messages of encouragement and love?

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

Since most of you won't be there...and if you've never done a triathlon...watch this great video Jeanne sent me. It's just a taste of what I've gotten myself into.

I have a feeling that if you ask me afterwards what it was like...I'll have to tell you that you just had to be there.