You wanna know something? Life just isn’t fair. My family gets to check in on my blog two times a day and know exactly what we are up to yet I can’t convince them to be obsessive like me and take pictures of themselves all day long and make their own blog so I can stalk them. I called them yesterday and forced them to take pictures of their Sunday dinner to send to me. You know when your heart stings a little because you miss people so much… Good thing I have Brooke to cuddle to make the sting go away:)
My Dad did email and say that he will be coming to visit us soon because he hasn’t met Brooke yet. I can’t wait to show him around our little town and I know he and Brooke are going to be the best of friends.
All of the sudden my nephew looks like a teenager.
And Curly is still as crazy as ever.
The whole family is doing better than ever (except for when my mom was driving and saw a girl on her road bike that looked exactly like me and it made her burst into tears. Billy, I don’t know if she will ever forgive you for moving me away:) As you can see they are happy, still eating delicious food and spending lots of time together.
Since my family won’t fly us home every Sunday for dinner then I will show them and invite my friends over to ours. Brooke adores her.
I made chicken fajitas and they turned out pretty delicious if you ask me. It is embarrassing how much I love salsa and how much of it I use.
Two pans of brownies for 5 people? Why not? I think we had a little miscommunication and we both ended up making brownies. The more the merrier.
We each had to have 3 brownies in order to make a dent in them and Brooke crashed after her second;)
New HRG baby post… I need your advice…. HERE!
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Are you missing anyone right now? How is your family doing?
Would you rather have brownies or cookies or ice cream? You are only allowed to choose one for this question.
What are three of your go to meals when you are cooking?
Are you looking forward to your workout today or not so much?
-I always look forward to Monday workouts because Sunday is my rest day and so I am ready to go Monday morning.
78 comments
Khushboo
Aww I miss my family too- we live all over the place…bro in London, sis in China & me and my mom in Mumbai! I can’t believe you’re going to make me choose between cookies & ice cream…toughie but ice cream will forever be my number 1!
Janae
WOW you guys are all far apart from each other. When will you see them next?
Laura @ runningjunkie123
I miss my boyfriend. He is in GA working on a big project right now:-(
I think I would go with……ice cream. Maybe a cookie. Depends on what kind it is. Not a huge brownie fan. I like non-chocolate desserts. lol.
My go-t0 meals are lasagna, fajitas or chili. I think. I love lasagna and chili because you do all the work before your guests come so there aren’t dishes everywhere or you’re trying to clean up while entertaining.
Today I have body pump class and a 3 mile run. I am looking forward to it because it’s SO nice out.
Janae
I am so sorry you are missing your bf. When will he get back? Now you have me thinking about lasagna:) GREAT workout!
Laura @ runningjunkie123
He should be back, just to visit, next week. I can’t wait to see his face:-)
My workout got changed because the class time was pushed back. I ended up doing 3 miles on the treadmill and my own weight workout but it was still a great, sweaty workout.
Sara @ Running in Pink
Missing my whole family, which I have lived away from for almost 10 years now (scary to think that it has been that long). You’d think I would be used to it by now but I’m not. I still hate leaving after every visit.
Ice cream is the best desert ever invented. Hands down.
Janae
10 years… that is way too long. When will you see them again? Agreed about ice cream!
Sara @ running in pink
Don’t worry it’s not like I haven’t seen them in 10 straight years! I try to go home a few times a year and they usually visit once a year or so, but it’s not the same as being right down the street or a short drive away! I feel like I miss out on so much being so far away!
[email protected]
ice cream. I don’t even remember the other choices ….Ice Cream was all I needed to see. ;)
I had a no-running day, yesterday, so I *should* be looking forward to today’s workout. I woke up with a head cold, though, (thanks, kids!!) and am now dreading those six, hot miles…
Janae
HAHA I am the same way about ice cream. I am so sorry you aren’t feeling good, get better asap!
Katy
Brooke is just the cutest thing ever!! Love the last pic of you holding her passed out on your chest. Isn’t that the best?! I don’t have kids but see my nieces/nephews often (not as much as you used to with yours as I’m just over an hour from mine) and just love spending time with them…the youngest is 11 weeks!
And speaking of cutest thing ever…..your grandmom!!!!!! Wish I could give her a big hug!! My grandmother who I was very close with passed away last year. I’ve found since then that I’m addicted to looking for cute grandparents to stalk and admire!
Is your family eating cornflake chicken in the pics?! Love that stuff!! :)
I just started running again (post injury) and loving it! Running my first 5k since 2010 this Sunday! So excited & nervous!
Janae
11 weeks… that is awesome. Nieces and nephews are the BEST! I am so sorry to hear about your grandmother, I bet you miss her a lot.
They are actually eating ritz chicken but now you have me wanting cornflake chicken. WAHOOOOOOO please let me know how your 5k goes, I am so happy you are back to running!
Andrea @ Andrea Out Loud
i am looking forward to my workout tonight!
annnnd my fam is good. i miss my sister tons but have plans to go visit her in feb.
my parents are coming here this weekend and i am seriously SO excited.
Janae
I hope you have a great workout tonight. I hope February comes fast for you so you can see your sister asap. Have a blast with your parents!
Allison
So fun that you guys are making somany friends.
Janae
I think I would go crazy missing my family so much if we weren’t making friends!
Shannon
Oh,, yes I am so missing my sister and her family. I moved to the east coast and they are in California (where I am from). I keep telling my husband that we are moving right back when he retires, but most likely isnt going to happen :( Anyway, change the subject its making me cry.
If I had to, repete had to, choose between ice cream, cookies, or cake I would pick cookies. They are fun to bake and eat:) Three of my go to meals are: spaghetti, macaroni taco bake, and any soup that I can throw together (served with a warm homemade bread).
This morning after giving myself permission that its okay to work out this afternoon I am looking forward to my work out. This morning I just couldnt get going and do it:)
Janae
That is a HUGE move Shannon. When will you get to see them again?
Um… can I have your macaroni taco bake recipe? That sounds amazing! Enjoy your workout this morning and thanks for the comment about my family:)
Shannon
Love to share recipes:) I’ll email it to you!
Shannon
I forgot also tell you how nice it was to see your family again. Everyone looks happy and healthy! :)
Natalie
It’s so ironic that you posted about missing your family today. I had a hard weekend over that very thing. I only live two and a half hours from home, but sometimes it seems much farther. I miss my family like crazy!
Janae
Natalie, I am so sorry that you are missing your family! It really is so hard to move away from them. When do you get to see them again?
Natalie
I’m not sure exactly, but I think my sister and her husband might be coming in two weeks! Yay!
CatieB
I live far from my family too and sometimes its so hard! I miss them all the time!
Right now I’d choose a brownie! Tough question! haha
I might do some cross training tonight – I had a long run tomorrow so I have to see how my legs are doing :)
Brooke is so cute! I love her outfits!
Janae
My dearest Catie! You do live CRAZY far from them. Will you see them before april? I am 99% sure I can do the race (I convinced Billy). Wait, you have another long run already?
CatieB
I’m so happy to hear you’re 99% going to Eugene!!! yesss!!!
I ran 18 yesterday and I have 18 again on this coming Sunday! Gotta get ready for New York!
Aleksa
Salsa makes everything taste better! My favorite is Zappos! A jar a day…
Janae
I have never tried Zappos but now I NEED to!
Melissa @ runscootsrun
I have Mondays and Fridays off from running with this plan I am following but once I do my race on 10.6…I’ll go back to having just Fridays off and so I will definitely look forward to Monday’s run. I would choose cookies but that was a tough one…I would have LIKED to have chosen brownies with a plop of vanilla ice cream on top, lol. ;) I miss my family like crazy and I don’t get to see them as often as I would like…which is everyday. Curly is so precious (as is Brooke!). :) Enjoy your workout!
Janae
Good for you to stick to the plan you are doing:) I am sorry you miss your family too! It is so hard!!! Why can’t we all live close to each other?
Erin @ The Grass Skirt
I am so glad that your family is doing great! I remember what it was like to live very far away from my family. I did that for about 6 years. It was hard, but it only makes the times that you do see them even more special. :)
Janae
Thanks so much Erin. 6 years… that is TOUGH! I am happy you are back close to them though:) Have a great Monday!
Whitney
AWWW i miss your posts about family dinner, but it looks like you guys are doing great out in CA!
Janae
Thanks so much Whitney! Hope you are having an amazing day!
Sally
Skype conference calls – the BEST! Our family is all over the place, but we try to skype once a week with everyone on a conference call. It’s so fun!
Janae
Good idea, I totally forgot about Skype. Thanks for the reminder Sally!
Kay
You can never have too many brownies!
Janae
You are 100% right!
chelsea @ averytoday
yes! i totally miss my family. my husband and i moved to portland, oregon about 3 years ago and our family is back in colorado and texas. it’s rough but at least we have our best friends by our sides, right?
if the cookies are fresh out of the oven, i choose cookies! otherwise it would be brownies first, cookies, ice cream (but really i want them all together).
i am SO looking forward to my workout today because i think my hip is finally healed enough to attempt a super short run. hip hip hoooray! (no pun intended. well- a little bit intended)
Janae
Hey Chelsea! I am so sorry you are missing your family. You are so right, it is tough. Fresh out of the oven cookies are heavenly. I am so happy your hip is doing better. Enjoy every second of that run!
chelsea @ averytoday
thanks janae! enjoy that sweet baby of yours as well as getting back into running!
Tara
I think I would choose ice cream out of the three…but that was TOUGH!! Also, go to meal for the week is always fish and veggies :) BTW Brooke is ADORABLE!! :) I am so happy for you!!!
Janae
I choose ice cream too! YUM… fish is always a winner. THanks so much Tara and I hope you have a great day!
jenny
tonight is actually my rest night ( according to hal higdon’s training plan ).
ok. so off topic here. i know i’ve expressed to you how pretty your sis is. so, i’m in my…aaahemmm…forties, and i still cannot get a grip on how to apply eye make-up. can you ask her if she has any tips on this? thanks janae. :)
Janae
Hey Jenny!! Enjoy your rest day today! I totally will ask her, that is a great question and I need to learn eye make up too! Have a great day and hopefully I will have that post up soon!
Kari @ Running Ricig
I’d definitely rather have cookies, but brownies are a close second.
It is funny how family/friends can read your blog and know everything that’s going on so they figure no need to call, etc. because they already know!
Chels R.
Fajitas look so tasty right now! It is almost lunchtime here and I’m starved. I was actually horrible and slept in this morning, I planned to run…I think I am going to run this evening and lift weights for a bit. Mondays are typically cross training days on my marathon training schedule but since I’m teaching a spin class Weds (first time EVER teaching spin!) I will use that day as my XT day instead. Hope you have a great day my friend!
Laura @ LauraLikesDesign
Aw, that makes me sad that you’re far away from your family! Will Thanksgiving be the next time that you will see everyone?
Out of the three dessert options, I would pick ice cream!
3 of our go-to meals:
Tacos
Homemade pizza
Grilled cheese sandwiches
I’m excited to go for a walk through the park today–my gym is closed for the week so I’m taking my workouts outside!
Sonia the Mexigarian
Cookies. :) I turn into a Cookie Monster. My go to meals usually involve eggs and veggies, eggs with chorizo, or. . . . cereal. lol.
I need to get a small run in today with some planned yoga. Did my 10 miler over the weekend and feeling a lil sore.
Have you gone by the Santa Clara Farmers market yet? There are all sorts of delicious goods there in Franklin Plaze on Saturdays. But if you want a bigger market, check out the Campbell or Mountain View markets on Sundays. Lots yummy food.
Abby @ Change of Pace
Thank goodness you have Brooke to take some of the sting away from missing your family. I bet they miss you and the opportunity to see little Brooke (in person) everyday.
I think I’d choose cookies, but seeing all those brownies made me crave one!
I’m really looking forward to my workout today!! It’s just a strength day, but my legs need the day off running.
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries
I can definitely relate to how much you’re missing your family! My family all lives in AZ, and I miss them all the time. I’m already counting down the days to Christmas so I can see them. I’m allll about the brownies! Yum! Give me some ice cream and cookies with them, and I’ll be even happier though. I love all three.
Katie
Awww, little Brooke sleeping is the sweetest thing ever! It’s so hard to move away from your family, so friends are really important- looks like you’ve already made good ones! Yay! We just spent time with my family on Saturday for a birthday party, and it was so fun! I love my family :) This morning, I ran right when I got up (7am) and it was GLORIOUS. I’m planning on doing that every day because it just feels SO good to start the day like that! Wish me luck!
char eats greens
Pregnancy is really messing with my hip flexors, but I went to chiro today, so hopefully it will help and I get can at least a little bit of running in this week.
I’d say I could go for a cookie right now (and yes I did just eat a muffin covered in brown sugar, how dare you think that a cookie doesn’t go with a muffin?!), in fact, I might make some tonight!!
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats
I’missing my friends who live all over the country! And can I choose cake??
Caitlin
I’m so glad I got to see a picture of curly!
Sarah Thomson
skype is by far my favorite! It some how helps to lessen the miles between us all. Although it still isn’t perfect and I can’t eat what they are eating when they gather for meals, it is nice to at least be able to see and hear family. I am also in love with facetime on the iphone making it possible to video chat with family almost always.
I LOVE ice cream! I could eat it nonstop.
Simone
I am a brownies girl all the way, last night I made black bean brownies for my dads birthday, they were a big hit!!
my go to meals depend on whether i’m eating alone or with the man… alone, anything with eggs works for me and with the man chicken breasts anyway you can cook them :)
natalie @ southern fit foodie
I definitely miss some of my family! One of my SILs just moved to KANSAS – like 11 hours away. I miss her and her family like crazy! I also miss my dad and brother since they travel for their job.
Go-to meals: cheesy chicken enchiladas, homemade pizza, and stir fry. I have many others, but those are the easiest ones for sure.
Little Brooke is so precious!
Nicole@TheKidlessKronicles
It used to be I was missing my family and with my friends. Now I am with my family and I am missing my friends since we moved. As others have mentioned, Skype helps. Or Facetime.
BROWNIES. With PB chips.
Jambalaya. Turkey Chili. Baked Ziti. Pulled BBQ Pork.
I wasn’t really looking forward to it but I wasn’t dreading it either. It went very well!
The Kidless Kronicles
Shari @ The Daily Dish
I live far away from my family too (I’m in Chicago, they’re in FL/NY/NC), and it can be really hard. Thankfully my boyfriend has family close by and that definitely helps. Skype/video chat is a life saver, that’s for sure!
Jeni
BabyWise! That book is worth it’s weight in gold!!! I had two babies eleven months apart (don’t judge
Jeni
I’m not sure where the rest of my comment went but, the book was a life saver for me with two little ones. It WORKS!!! You won’t ever have to play the rock-rock-rock until they fall asleep and then try to put them down without waking them game. Ever. You put them down awake and they soothe themself to sleep in their own bed. My kids were sleeping through the night by two weeks old. No lie. It WORKS!
michelle kim
These days, my go-to meal is soba noodles with thai peanut dressing, wilted spinach, and some kind of protein (egg/chicken).
Marie
I miss my mom, even though she only lives 3.5 hours away. It’s hard to visit her with my four young kids because of the sleeping arrangements. But, it’s better than having to deal with a plane!
I’m super duper looking forward to my run today because my 7 year old son is going to join me! I’m pretty sure he’ll tell me I’m going too slow.
Stephanie Rigg
oh my goodness! I can totally relate! My family just had a big birthday party last night in Salt Lake :( and I spent the night alone here in Colorado. Boo. Moving away from family is tough!
Janae
OH GIRL!! I am so so sorry! Are you liking Colorado? How is his med school going? I MISS YOU!
Jill
Janae- This is totally off any type of subject but have you ever done some sort of beauty posting? You always looks so wonderful….hair, makeup, etc and I’d LOVE to know your secrets and what products you use!! Or at least know what lip gloss you are wearing in the photo above. :-) My daughter is almost 2 but I still don’t look even remotely as put together as you do after just having Brooke for a month!
Janae
WOW! Jill, thank you. You made my day! I use the victoria secret lip gloss and it is the best. It is called ‘Juiced Berry.’ I am sure you look amazing and 2 years old..WAHOO!
Amanda
Hi janae! I’ve never commented on your blog before.. But I must today! I’ve been really really homesick lately.. My husband is a Navy pilot and we are far far far from home… I can totally relate to the sting you speak of, especially with a new baby… Our sweet girl is 6 months and its SO hard being far from family. On the bright side, we will be relocating to San Diego soon which isn’t any closer to home, but at least the weather is gorgeous!
Also wanted to tell you that you are such a fabulous new momma.. Your humor is refreshing!! I work out and run on the treadmill in our garage everyday during Addi’s morning nap and it isn’t always easy… Buy you inspire me everyday to keep it up!
Janae
Oh AMANDA!! Thank you for commenting and I am truly so sorry that you are so homesick and so far away from home, that breaks my heart. I am excited you will be in SD, the weather is incredible. If you ever need an emailing pen pal I am your woman. Thank you so much for your sweet comments and YAY for treadmills:)
Amanda
Ps… I agree with Jill above! Is that your natural hair color??? It’s gorgeous and I’m jelly!
Kim@hungryhealthygirl
Sorry you miss your fam. I’ll take brownies!!
Emma Harris
Hi Janae, I have a been a long time reader but this is my first comment! I absolutely adore your blog and love reading not only about your running but also your life! I’m from Canada but currently studying in The Netherlands, so I haven’t seen my family in a while. I’ve run a few 10 km’s, but have my hopes set on my first half and first marathon this year! I’m glad I finally commented – I have a blog too and really want to become more involved in the blogger world :D
Janae
HEY EMMA! Thank you so much for your comment. You made my day. The Netherlands.. that is so cool but I hope you get to see your family soon. AHHH YES you have to do your first half and marathon this year, so so exciting!
Melissa @tryingtoheal
I’m definitely missing my family and boyfriend, being in Peru for three months without them is hard! But I’ll see them again in 2.5 weeks! Yay!
Ruth@FacetiousFarang
I love that you forced your family to take photos of themselves eating! That’s awesome. My husband and I recently moved to Bangkok from Canada, and it is hard to be away from family. Skype helps, but it’s not the same! I am threatening to have a baby when I’m over here to force them to visit :)
Erica
2, I might need 3 pans of brownies to cope with this transition. Hang in there!
Marilyn
Oh dear, I haven’t lived in the same state as my family in almost a decade now, and I still miss them every day! But in a weird way, I kind of like the “missing them.” Second to actually being with them, it reminds me continually what an awesome family I have (because I want to be with them so much).