check this out!

So Christy and I decided to take a night out for our traditional sushi dinner and we decided that we would take pictures in the Old City while while we were there...

Christy is a pro, so she snapped away...and then handed me her camera to take some photos of her. Woah did I feel like I had a gun in my hand with no knowledge of how to shoot.

Plus, how intimidating is it to have someone who is so good at what they do hand you their equipment to use? She did the settings on the camera and I shot, shot shot.

But, hey! Not so bad. Check out the others at her blog. I am quite proud if I do say so myself!

Happy Friday!!!
ariana

P.S. While you are there, check out Christy's new photo deal. I think it's SOOO awesome and absolutely worth the investment.

An evening at the park

Wow have Saturday nights changed! They are just more mellow and relaxed with a little guy around. Matt, Sam and I decided to go to the park on Saturday night and we had such a fun time appreciating the simple things...beautiful weather (highs in the 80's), lake front and a playground!

Sam is fearless on the slide and climbs right up to get on...it made for a great evening to wind down.

Happy Monday!
ariana

Running along...

Hi Everyone!
I am back from Chicago and trying to ease back into the routine here at home. It's so good to be home back in our own beds!

As you know, I ran the Chicago Half Marathon this last Sunday and I promised to write about it. :) If you know the story from last year, you will know why I am telling people that the Chicago Half Marathon hates me!

Have you heard about the record rain fall this last weekend? When I arrived in Chicago on Thursday evening it was raining...and it never stopped until Monday!!! I was born and raised in Chicago and have never seen anything like it.

Me and my running crew have a philosophy about rain. If it's raining, we don't run in it. I mean, you might think I am crazy for enjoying running anyway. But running in the rain? That is just crazy. I just don't like the rain. And who gets out of bed early in the morning on weekends to run in it?

So I wished and hoped that it would stop on Sunday morning. It didn't.

I decided that I would run for Matt and I this race. Matt has been such a supportive partner and friend. He helps with Sam all the time - especially on my running mornings, and has never once complained about me going out to run. He has loved me through a lot. Not just running like a madwoman.

What can I say? It was wet. Some interesting tid bits:

• I loved the start of the race where I was able to easily pass up where I had to stop last year.
• I was inspired by seeing a lady with an amputated leg running the race - reminds you that you can do anything you set your heart and mind to do.
• I learned that a lot of runners bleach their underwear. I know. There was a lot of tie-dye running gear on the course.
• Race entertainment gets really thin when there's lots of rain - but I am thankful for the few guys that showed up!
• I am so grateful for my family that came to the race: Benj, Marissa and Titi Cucha (mom stayed home to keep Sam dry).
  

My finishing time was 2:21:55 -nowhere near my best time, but better than last year! Plus, I learned that I am capable of running in the rain. Not that I ever would by choice. Only if I paid my race fee and refuse to lose my money. Ha!

I am so grateful for the ability to run. Do you know that I never thought I could run? I was the girl who walked around summer camp with an inhaler in my pocket at all times. When I was in college I would watch other girls run around campus and wish I could run like them! It's been such an awesome thing to learn that I could do the same.

I thank God for graciously giving me legs to use. Thank you Matt for supporting me. Thank you girlfriends (you know who you are) for being partners and motivators!

So that's my story. I hope to share more about what I have learned about running - maybe if I share what I have learned I can inspire you to try it!

Love,
ariana

Little Aprons

I have a friend who is opening up a children's consignment shop here in Knoxville and I am just so excited about it!

She has given me the opportunity to add in some of my sewing projects there. It's a fun opportunity to make a little bit of money (probably to continue funding my hobbies!) and be near my little Samuel.

Here is a little apron that I sewed to put into the shop - I thought it was the most adorable thing ever! The crayons just make it. Aprons seem to be the rage these days, and when sewn with the right fabrics they can be quite fashionable!

I am hoping to get to sewing more things too - maybe even clothes. There is another shop that Paige and I peeked into after our Sunday morning run and they have the most beautiful clothes in there! Ohhh...but a $300 dress? I *think* I can make that for less! We shall see...

Next weekend is the Chicago Half Marathon. Think of me Sunday morning. I will be sure to report on my results. Surely I will do better than I did last year, LOL! But how I will do, I am not sure. I will just do my best and enjoy the run...

Happy Day!
ariana

Labor Day

Matt and I alone...

Matt and I before chow.

We had a relaxing Labor Day weekend - just what we needed!

There was a little bit of work on the front end, but not too terrible. We spent Saturday evening with a company pig roast out in Lenoir City. It was such a beautiful site. Combine that with good food and wine and you can't ask for more. We literally had roasted pig - and I had to share. Sorry to gross out any of my vegetarian friends out there! But really. It's still better than a lot of things one can eat. It was locally raised and purchased. ;)

I also have a couple of DVD's to recommend. First, based on the recommendation of a fellow blogger, I decided to rent Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day. It's just a heartwarming and cute movie that I highly recommend. Nothing terribly controversial (unlike roasted pig) and it definitely has some great messages.

My second recommendation is not heartwarming, but definitely entertaining -Prison Break! Matt and I decided to rent the first series on Netflix and we are really enjoying it and looking forward to our next installation. We really are excited about catching up with new shows and being able to do it all at once.

I hope your weekend was awesome! I have some creations to share soon. I have a friend who is opening a children's shop and I am going to consign some of my creations. Woo hoo! A project.