Christmas

Is there a more exciting time at home than Christmas morning with a 3 & 2 year old in the house?  Not in the Miller house anyway.  Girls had a blast throughout Christmas visiting with family and having Santa stop and deliver presents.  Things just get more and more exciting with them more able to understand the spirit of Christmas and all the fun things that go with it.  Watching their faces light up as they open presents is just icing on the cake.  I had a 4 day weekend with them, and that just made things even more special.  I can't wait for the upcoming 4 day weekend to finish assembling all the toys and getting the house put back in order.

My running came to a screeching halt for a week as I was finally able to get my basement put back in order from hurricane Sandy.  We had new flooring put down, repaired the damaged walls, and added an electric fireplace to make it more usable year round.  In addition to that, I can eat at my dining room table again!  I was able to get out and run yesterday for the first time in a week and am looking forward to a run sometime this weekend.  Monday I'm hoping for a long run to finish up the year strong.  My weightlifting has dropped off a bit due to remodeling my basement, but should pick up nicely over the coming weeks.

Have a safe and happy new year!

Focus

Friday I was going to blog about ............................but it didn't seem important after what happened in Connecticut

Saturday I was going to blog about.........................but I still couldn't focus on anything but my kids

Sunday I was going to blog about...........................but my focus just wasn't there.

Monday I was going to blog about..........................but it didn't seem to be the appropriate time

Tuesday I started this blog about............................but it still just didn't feel right.

So today I'm going to force myself to finish a short post I started yesterday.  I couldn't wait to pick my kids up from daycare on Friday.  It was difficult to focus on work all afternoon, but I managed to get through it.  I couldn't think of anything but the poor innocent children with their whole lives in front of them, the heroic teachers who saved lives with their quick actions, and the poor parents searching for their children.  As a father, that has to be my biggest fear, something happening to my daughters.  I would do anything for them.  So just like every other good parent in the country, Friday night I held my kids a little closer, hugged them a little tighter, and counted my blessings that they are with me.  Friday night we went for a horse and carriage ride and enjoyed some ice cream afterward.  Saturday we took the girls to their first ever Hershey Bears game, and Sunday was just a great family day.  Monday started another week, and quickly things seemed to return to normal for us.  I like to think I count my blessings for having two beautiful, healthy daughters every day, and I enjoy every minute I get with them.  They are definitely everything to me, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

I was going to blog about the great week of workouts I had last week, running, cycling, lifting, but it just didn't seem appropriate.  Enjoy the time with your family and friends.  That is what is really important!

Have a great day!

Weights

December has been a pretty good month so far.  Last week I was able to hit the weights a few days, get good time on the bike one morning, go for a great run on Thursday, and swim with my kids on Sunday.  Monday I was able to get a great run at a great pace over lunch.  I felt great and really pushed myself.  I was extremely pleased with my time.  I followed that up with some core work to finish out a good workout and then capped off the day with a mile with my dogs.  Tuesday was an early morning on the bike in the basement followed up with some upper body work on the weights.  Today was a mix of core work and some quad/calf work.  Trying to make a concerted effort to get stronger and faster this winter!

Girls are doing great.  They are both so much Daddy's little girls right now.  I have to do everything for them.  I know it frustrates my wife right now that they ask for me every time they need something, but I'm going to enjoy every minute of it because I know at some point the role will be reversed.  There is nothing like that big smile and a hug from each daughter to start the day!

Not that the day is over, but today is the first day in quite a while I've avoided the sweet snacks and unhealthy stuff.  Trying to get better with my diet, but this time between the holidays is difficult.

Have a great evening!

Lifting

Now that training for races is finished for 2012, it's a good time to get some rest, take a couple short runs each week, and work on getting stronger.  So far December has been good for that.  My running is 2 to 3 times a week averaging between 3 and 4 miles per run.  More importantly, I've been able to get back on the stationary bike a bit and hit the weights.  My focus through this month will be to get stronger, stay in good running shape, and try not to put on weight during all the holiday events featuring plenty of sweets and booze!  Sounds simple enough I guess, but temptation seems to be everywhere.  There are mug club parties, Christmas parties, family gatherings, friends coming in from out of town, and the host of baked goods that tend to make their way to the office.  It's definitely a challenge.

Girls are doing great.  They have started to sleep a bit better,although they seem to be testing me with a later bed time lately.  We need to get them back on track with a reasonable bed time or we are going to pay the price.  They get to see Santa for the first time this year tomorrow night!  Should be a fun evening. 

Helping with military honors at a funeral today.  I haven't helped much since spring due to my work schedule and just being generally busy.  Always good to see the guys in the Honor Guard and catch up. 

Have a great afternoon!