It's been a while...and good bye, for now.

Hi!...Anyone out there? {echo}

It's safe to say life has been busy. VERY busy!!.

The boys are now running all over the place....I'm loving this stage, they're little people with big personalities already. Can I love them more each day? Yup, it's possible!.

Yesterday was my big race I had been training off and on for. Let me tell you, training for a half marathon with two little ones is not easy!. Just when you start getting into a routine something happens (like a MOLAR!) and you're out of your routine and completely sleep deprived. And we all know how hard it is to get BACK into a routine...

I didn't train as much or as diligently as I wanted to...but I surprised myself BIG time during my race yesterday. I honestly had no plans on running it so fast....but I went with the flow, didn't pay attention to my pace and just let my mind take over.

I completed the 13.1 (13.2 really, but I digress) in 2:02:24!!!!. That's a pace of 9'20''...which if I say so myself, it's freaking awesome!

For the running junkies, here are the splits:

9:04, 9:03, 9:11, 9:11, 9:18, 9:21, 9:29, 9:36, 9:33, 9:17, 9:12, 9:14, 8:53

I hit a "wall" at around mile 8 and thought "what was I thinking going so fast!!!?"...but then thought "well, now I have to keep at it and finish strong". And so I did.

I like to think I was inspired by my sister (a recent marathoner) and my dad (who ran many marathons and triathlons!) and was powered by the thought of maybe seeing my three favorite men at the finish line (wasn't sure if they would make it on time!)...add that inspiration and that power with a couple of energy gels and I just kept going.

So there. I did it!. Hopefully one day join my dad and my sister and become a marathoner too.

If you would have told me a little over two of years ago that I was going to be a runner, I would have laughed. I was never the big "athlete" growing up...I always thought I was pretty slow...and I just didn't think I had it in me. But I do...and I'm a runner.

It's been quite the journey and really the reason why I started blogging. I needed a way to let out all my excitement about running (without driving my close family and friends nuts).

Then I got pregnant and was all about my pregnancy ... wanted a way to share that special moment.

Then the boys were here and I wanetd to document all the love and craziness that comes with having twin boys.

And now..well, now they are MOVING. RUNNING. And the faster the move, the less time I have to sit and do anything. I don't have time to continue blogging....because I simply don't want to miss a moment right now ~ and it's going by too fast. I have a feeling that it's only going to seem like it's going faster!.

I do love to read everyone's blogs that I've "met" in the last couple of years...and maybe one day I'll return with all of my amazingly funny stories (ha!).

Thank you guys for letting me share a little bit of me with you these last two years.

Thank you to my dad, sisters, Isa, mom and friends that ALWAYS kept up with me here and left me the best comments.

So this is good bye. For now.

****

(but you didn't think I would leave without first leaving you with a few pictures did you?)

First, here are a few pictures of my two favorite boys:

And here are some pictures from yesterday!

Self picture of me with the best reasons to not have time to do anything :)

Adios amigos :)

Blogcation!

I took a vacation blogcation...it wasn't planned and I certainly didn't go anywhere exotic. As a matter of fact, I have been right here...just busy!

So to all my readers (dad, are you there?)...I'm sorry for the lack of blogging!....but don't send the search party out for me, I'm back ;)

I haven't been able to run much lately and boy, do I miss it!. On a positive note though, my sister Tatiana is now quite the runner. She has kept up with it so I'm living vicariously through her!. I will go back to running though...my shoes are practically begging for it, I don't blame them...you get used to having that time outside and it's hard to imagine not doing it in so long.

As far as organization is concerned...well, we did finish the entryway console table decor. This was a huge thing to take off the list...but I'm not sure if that counts as a space. Oh well, I make the rules around here, so screw it, it counts!. In March, the winner of an organization makeover is the bathroom closet--it SO needs it.

On another note, Daniela passed away. She will forever be remembered as a strong and beautiful woman!. Thank you all for the prayers.

2009, here we come!

Happy New Year!. We got back today from our Marco Island mini-getaway. It was great!. Best company, beautiful hotel, spectacular beach, breathtaking sunsets (gotta love the West Coast!), a great pool, good food and of course...some good wine! (Alejandro's decided to crash our wine cabinet prior to heading down!).

The wine turned out to be a great idea because we quickly settled into a nice little routine while we were there (Wed-Sat). We would hit the beach/pool and relax (read, write resolutions, etc). We would then take a little walk down the beach, then back for a little more relaxation. Then it was time to get a workout in before hurrying up stairs to open a bottle, pour our selves to nice glasses of wine and head back down to the beach to take in the Sunset. A-w-e-s-o-m-e. Then back up stairs, polish off the wine while getting ready and go out for dinner.

I am ready for 2009!. My home office has been cleaned up and the calendars in there have been updated!. While on the beach, I used a handy little notebook my Mother-in-law gave me to write down some resolutions. To say I don't believe in resolutions would be a flat out lie!. I LOVE resolutions, I just never remember what they were!...so I truly can't say whether I followed through. I am sure this is my mind's self defensive way to keep me from thinking I'm a failure at the end of each year.

So I thought since I now have this little blog, I should write them here. This could be dangerous as my dad is my #1 Fan and I know he will remember (even if I don't, or if this blog entry mysteriously disappears before the end of '09!)

In either case, here it goes!

#1 - Finish my name Change -- I am basically two people at all times. For some things, and the majority of things, I still have my Maiden name. For other things I have married name. It is time to get it straight because it is a major pain in the behind. I was at the Dr's office last week and they had a hard time knowing who was waiting in the room...was it Miss "S" or Mrs "B"?? I even over heard them calling the insurance company because they wanted to verify the person sitting in the waiting area was the insured. Nice!.

My goal is to have this done prior to our 1st year anniversary (that means everything! frequent flyer accounts, insurance, bank accounts, auto stuff and all the systems at work -which will be painful-) ...I better get going!.


#2 - Run at least 40 miles a month -- I will track my progress here in the box to the right (which I just noticed is in urgent need of an update!!...I guess that's resolution #2B!). Along with this resolution I wrote down some mini goals while I was at the beach: Get My Ipod-Nike+ calibrated so I start tracking things more accurately, sign up for more races, join a run club.



#3 - Get organized in EVERY room -- The house still needs some stuff (like the new bedroom set I've been eyeing from Pottery Barn, a chandelier, a new mirror...etc, etc - I could go on and on, but this is a resolution list, not a wish list!). Buying and selecting all those things take time until you find just the perfect piece at the perfect price. However, the house has everything it needs to be a home...so it's time to get organized. I mean *every* corner in this house. I plan on selecting at least one space per month (no matter how big or small) and getting it organized!. I will post it here so I can hold myself accountable, and so you can laugh at the mess or smile at the transformation.


I have other ones that I don't want to write as resolutions because they should just be part of my life. What are those, you ask? (you didn't really, but I'll tell you anyway). Have a colorful diet (skittles don't count...and white and brown to be limited!), continue to work on getting back in shape (to lose the newlywed 12 lbs!) and continue to enjoy and be grateful for everything we have, starting with health!.

So what are your goals/resolutions for 2009? Feel free to share!

Here are some pictures from our mini get-away ;) Enjoy!


Our View...



Last Sunset of 2008...






Let's get this party started! (and look at my super-handsome husband!)






A little later...me jumping in bed, Alejandro wondering how old I am ;)


Day 2, Alejandro as we walked down to see the first sunset of 2009!


And me as we waited for dinner (a little chilly!)



And here was our last Sunset of the trip, Jan 2nd.





Good bye Marco Island, I will miss you.

New week!

And hopefully this week I will be a better blogger!...bad, bad, bad...It's just been crazy lately. Why you ask?...WORK and FUN!. Last week was an interesting week, here is a quick recap:

Monday I left to go to on a business trip...bright and early, so bright and early that I got confused and thought my flight was at 5am rather than 7am. So at 2:30AM (after a failed attempt to sleep) I was in my car driving to the gas station when I decided to check my blackberry for the flight details....Surprise, surprise...my flight didn't leave until 7am. needless to say, I drove right back home but at that point I was completely unable to fall sleep....so I basically pulled an all nighter :/

Yep, I'm an idiot (I hate calling myself that, but seriously!!?) and if you need yet another reason to believe it...I had bought a book to read after Marley and Me...turns out I had already read it (not even that long ago!!)...*sigh*

Tuesday was a long day at the office and Wednesday I was on my way back home!. Why you ask? (ok, you didn't ask but I'm still going to tell you...) it was the husband's birthday!!!. By the time I made it home it was already 6pm...that didn't stop me from giving him a Tapas Dinner (one of his favorites!). Dinner consisted of: Spanish cheeses, Jamon Serrano, Olives, Spanish Tuna Empanada (Empanada gallega), Garlic Shrimp (Camarones al Ajillo) and of course nice toasty bread!. For dessert we indulged in a delicious Birthday Carrot Cake...not like any cake though...this was a RAW carrot cake!. His mom made it and it was different, light, healthy and delicious!!!. We finished off the night welcoming our friends that came to stay with us through the week :)

We had a great time with them and got to celebrate Alejandro's birthday the whole weekend :)

Running Update:
Because of the terrible flight schedules, I couldn't run much. I still managed to run 2 days, which is not bad considering Monday-Wednesday was not an option. Last night was the best run I've had in a long time. The weather was AMAZING and if it wasn't because my foot started bothering me, I would have gone a little longer! (did 3.5 miles).

Today I got my Alcohol Shot (second round)...right now my foot is swollen and I need to stay off of it for two days. I am so looking forward to getting Round 3 in two weeks because supposedly that is when you start seeing improvements!. Until then, I will stick with doing 3-4 miles at least three times a week.

So there you have it folks!...(yeah, by folks I mean Dad who has been calling me asking me why my blog has been neglected! ;))

This weekend I'm off to Orlando for a short girl's trip. I am so excited!!! Road trip!!!!!!!




Next up: Marley and Me book review! :)

1, 2, 3...test

Playing around with new templates. This one makes me happy and it's easy to read.
So to my Loyal readers...all 3 of them, Like it? Hate it? I like the little Birdie ;)

Pardon the mess...

I started playing with some new templates and now my little Blog got all messed up!
Will eventually fix it and make it pretty ;)