It’s 11 p.m. and I’ve been trying to get this video uploaded since 6 a.m. Just under the wire, the weekly Sunday video is up! And I think it’s one of my best. This week I do my weekly weigh-in, discuss Payton turning 15 and Blake’s recent competition. And I might get a little teary at some point too.
Warning: it’s just over 10 minutes so for those of you who have a hard time with longer videos (how do you watch TV?!), you might want to pop your ADD pill first.
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{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Fun to see TheRealShannonAlbert in that video. I vote for martini’s every time it’s video blog Sunday.
You talking about Payton made me tear up as well. I can’t imagine what that would feel like. I mean, I feel very close to Reaghan but you and Payton do have a special bond due to your situation in life when she was young. You’re a good mamma and I know that you guys will always have that special relationship.
Kudos to Blake! I really had no idea what that lady was asking them.
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Shannon Reply:
February 1st, 2010 at 10:50 am
I think it might have to be a routine from now. Video recording pre-party: 2 drinks.
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Did you notice that the martinis cure the whole “umm” problem?
So sweet hearing you talk about Payton… you have two awesome kids. It sounds like you have to readjust how you view yourself as she grows up, just like a teen has to redefine how they aren’t children anymore.
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Kami Reply:
February 1st, 2010 at 12:05 am
Karen, I totally noticed the lack of “umms” in this post!!
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Shannon Reply:
February 1st, 2010 at 10:47 am
I rewatched and there are still several umms, I just flowed better since I wasn’t over thinking everything.
“It sounds like you have to readjust how you view yourself as she grows up, just like a teen has to redefine how they aren’t children anymore.”
This? Yes. Rosie was recently on Oprah and she said her new girlfriend said to her “why do you keep telling the same story about your mom dying? You need to get past that and tell a new story.” It’s sort of similar. Yes, that’s how we started out but this is now.
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Another great weekly post. It is great to hear about your weekly events. Some points I especially liked:
1. Someone actually admitting the fact that running SUCKS, but you are still trying. So many people tell me about how great running is; it good for you, it is your personal quiet time, you get to enjoy nature. In the words of Ke$ha…BLAH! BLAH! BLAH! I HATE running and will have to try out CP25K sometime soon. It may be my only hope to ever enjoy running.
2. Your candid ability to embrace your and your families “nerdness.” Nerd is often used with such a negative conotation, however, you are raising your kiddos to embrace the nerd in them as a strength. I LOVE that as an educator. Very cool!!
3. The Payton tears. So true, so authentic, so touching. My experience with my 15 year old is a bit differnt, however, the feelings are similiar. You had Payton at 20 and created this deep bond. Juan came into my life when he was 9 years old, so these 9 years were taken away from me and him. We were blessed to develop a deep bond in a really short amount of time. I now feel like I have to make up for lost time. It chips at my heart everyday knowing he will soon be leaving me after such a short period of time. I know he will make my husband and I very proud, but part of me is just not ready to give him away. With all that said, Shannon, I get it. I SOOOO understand the tears, I share them with you.
Continue with your awesome blogs. Take care!!
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Shannon Reply:
February 1st, 2010 at 10:57 am
Awww, so many thoughtful things in your comment, Emily.
1.) Running DOES suck. When I first started running, I used to tell Kami that when she admitted to having a bad run, that was actually MORE helpful than being like “wheeee, yea running!” because it made me feel like I could keep going despite the bad days. It is so much easier when you work up a certain comfort level and go some distance without struggling. Keep in mind that I ran a mile ONE time in 9th grade and then not again until 2008, the year I ran the half-marathon. It’s been quite a journey to get here but I think everybody can.
2.) I often wish my kids were more typical because it would just be so much easier. I said to Andy recently “I honestly don’t know the right way to go: break him down so he’ll be forced to do what we want or just let him be himself and not keep forcing him into it.” (This was in reference to having issues w/Blake at dinnertime.) My kids are so strong-willed and comfortable with how they are, it wouldn’t really matter what I did. I’ve just had to learn to accept that and that includes the nerd factor. (Also, my fam wasn’t exactly sure what to do with me, Nerd Girl, in a house of former hippies. I know how it feels for people to want you to be something you’re not.)
3.) Oh, so sweet. I totally see how you feel like you have to cram it all into a short time frame. I think there are lots of times that parents have issues with various stages and the challenge is to separate your feelings from what’s best for them. Some parents don’t do that very well and it’s not good for the kids. So, yeah, we’ll cry as they grow up and help them pack their bags at the same time. (Gawd, I’ll miss her!)
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Ahhh… Battle of the Books… I was in that as a kid. I think we took second. I too have my kids embrace their “nerdside”… both are proud first place title holders of the Milwaukee Metro Math Competition as individuals and for their teams… my older one for all three years he’s been able to participate, the younger for his first year. Go Team Albert!
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Shannon Reply:
February 1st, 2010 at 9:27 am
fyi – this is not me. A different Shannon Albert (I am FB friends with several Shannon Alberts).
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Wisconsin Shannon Albert Reply:
February 1st, 2010 at 10:18 am
I switched my name… It is confusing…I’ll label myself by state. Now people will probably assume I own a cow and live on a farm
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Shannon Reply:
February 1st, 2010 at 10:48 am
I’m originally from Kansas which comes with its own set of assumptions. Some of them are true about many Kansans but very little of it is true for me.
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Kami Reply:
February 1st, 2010 at 10:31 am
Yeah, at first that was really confusing to me when I saw that reply. Ha.
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Love that you had some cocktails prior to video!
Your hair looks FABULOUS!!!!
Running sucks balls at first, I did couch potato to 5k and never dreamt that I would be running a 5k in 6 weeks. And I did, and in 26 minutes!!!
I am now trying to do a half. Want to do it with me? In Dallas? April 15th or something. Come on, you know you want to….
Talking about Peyton gave me a lump in my throat.
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Shannon,
…I had no idea you could do so many cool things with a blog. And I’m still laughing at how candidly you told the parent/stranger …. ‘I don’t do cocaine…I just have a cold.’ HAHAHA…
I love this! You are now my blogging hero
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Go martinis!! Love it.
I’m right there with ya on the running. It’s a love-hate relationship! Right now, we’re in the hate stage.
Umm…where is Andy while you’re recording these videos? My husband would mess with me so bad…make me laugh or whatever….and I’d never get one done.
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Great post Shannon. Two things stood out to me:
1. Your emotional / Martini-ed description of Peyton going to college in a few years. One, because I work in a college and see parents like this each year. And two, because my two girls are 4 and 2, and I can’t even imagine my life with them “away”.
2. The “I don’t do cocaine, I have a cold” made me almost choke on my afternoon soda. Nice.
Good luck with the weight loss goal this week, I know you can do it.
@EdCabellon
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You say “ingestion” weird.
After reading through these comments, I realize I have no idea what it feels like to be a mother. I pretend sometimes with the girls and Josie (yes, I’m serious) but I really don’t have any idea. Just an observation. Although, I can tell your relationship with Petunia is much deeper than I originally thought. I hope she realizes that someday. I think she will.
I love the nerdy Alberts! Football heads, Book Competitors, 15-year-olds, and…you!
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Finally. I have a hard time watching your videos without kids swarming around me.
Love, love, love this week’s talk. Yes, I vote for cocktails, too, before talking!
Payton is so precious…….and I’ve witnessed your love for her for years. I can’t imagine one of my kids going away to college. On Carter’s 9th birthday, Sass’s mom asked me if I realized my raising him at home was 1/2 over. I almost lost it! I had not thought of it like that…….and it was devastating. She said that someone had told her the same when one of her kids turned 9.
Motherhood is hard.
Ugh……I’m going to give the Couch to 5K another go. I was super athletic growing up……but never could run long distance. I’m going to try again, though!
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I finally got around to watching the video. I was not disappointed. At. All.
Key points that I loved: the emotion behind Payton and the fact that you told a mom you don’t do cocaine. I loved the candidness, the comfort, the post martini Shannon! Greatness. Let’s do this again.
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