Amazing!

I have been told by 5 people in the last few days that I am "slacking" on my blogging. So, I am committing to be better. Right here. Right now.

With no further adieu, here was my weekend.

I ran in my first half marathon race! I trained with a friend, Kristal, but she wasn't able to run with me (she is doing the Big D half next month). I hit a wall a few weeks ago during my 11 mile run that was a beating. I had a stiff neck for 2 weeks. But I was determined to run. Hoping it would go well. Well is an understatement. The race was amazing.

We drove to Longview and spent the night with friends of ours from law school. It was so great to see them!!!! Zeb and Julia slept at Devin and Jana's and I slept with the older 3 at Chad and Lacey's. I had a hard time sleeping. I kept thinking, "What if I hit a wall?" "What if the hills are too big?"

Zeb woke up at 5:00 on Saturday morning (unbeknownst to me), where he bought posters to paint. Jana said it was a very sweet sight to see Zeb painting me signs in the wee hours of the morning.

Zeb dropped me off at the race and I stretched and waited for it to start. As the race started there were people passing me right and left. I kept telling myself to go at the pace I planned and not follow the crowd and go too fast. As people kept passing me I thought, "I'm going to be the last one!" But I didn't care. I knew what I could run at and I was going to finish. The hills were big but I felt great. I kept the pace I wanted and kept going.

As I passed different people I could see spectators holding signs. It was so fun. By the time I got to mile 8 I saw a little family off to the side with posters. I thought, "That is so cute. Look at those little kids." As I got closer I looked over and realized, "Those are my kids. That's MY family!!!!" I almost started sobbing right there. My throat was burning and I knew I had to keep it together. But at that moment feeling the love and support from my husband, children, and friends was the most amazing feeling.

They had come to cheer me on. Boy I was on cloud nine.

Then at mile 10 they surprised me again. It was so awesome. The girls made the posters this time. Hallie's said, "You go girl, I mean Mom! I love you!" Claire's said, "You're running mountains. Keep going!!!" It was so great.

People were stopping to walk. The hills made some people underprepared. Some people started out too fast. Some people were just speed demons and finished in an hour and 10 minutes (what is that, a 5 minute mile??? wow). I had so much energy that the whole run was enjoyable. I felt great the whole time.

And I never had to go to the bathroom. Not once. For me, that is THE BIGGEST MIRACLE!!! Sorry, TMI. But I felt SOOOOO blessed.

I sprinted around the track and finished my first half marathon. My time was 2:13. Right what I was shooting for!

And of course, had the best cheerleaders there to cheer me on.

I can't even describe what a great experience this was for me. I am so grateful. I had so many friends bring me gatorade, socks, energy bars and more to wish me good luck. I never would have been able to train without Michelle here to help watch the kids. And I am so glad my friend up the street asked me to train with her.

I have always wondered why on earth anyone would EVER want to run for so long. Now I know. It's the accomplishment that you feel when you finish something you have worked so hard for. You work and train so hard and you don't give up.

I gained insight while training for this race that I have been searching for. I was on a 6 mile run a few weeks ago. At mile 5 with lots of hills, side aches, a bad back, and being so sore I knew I still had a mile left. I was so exhausted but I had to finish. I wasn't going to quit. I told myself over and over, "You can do this. You can do this." In that moment it hit me. Training for a race is like motherhood and life. If you tell yourself you can't do it you won't. Or you will and it will be miserable. It's all about our attitude. Some days in life are not so good. Other days are better. But during the journey it's up to us to tell ourselves we can do it. Because WE CAN do it!!!

I did it! I finished! Wow I am blessed!

Makeovers!

Julia's "terrible twos" are in full swing!!!!

Here is the latest:

Herself

The Couch

The end table

And the couch yet again.

After thinking, "I haven't gotten ready in a long time. I'll put on a movie for Audrey and Julia and pop some popcorn. I'll just blow dry and flat iron my hair and then I'll be done."

Hmmm. Didn't even make it to the flat iron.

10 Year Anniversary!

After months of trying to decide, Leah and I finally decided to take a trip to Key West for our ten year anniversary. We were actually able to leave the day before our anniversary, so it worked out perfectly.

The island is really small and very flat, so we were able to ride these killer bikes from one side of the island to the other in about five minutes.

The east side of the island is where all of the sandy beaches are. Our hotel was on the west side. The water really wasn't that warm, so we weren't too put-out about not having a huge beach at our hotel.

This lizard was in a very elaborate toy store where Leah played Mary Had a Little Lamb on the floor piano. All those years of clogging finally paid off!!

There were tons of turtles in the pond at our hotel. I thought the girls would love to see pictures of them, and I was right. Leah wanted to take one up to our room and cook it in the microwave, but I wouldn't let her.

The night of our anniversary we took a sunset cruise (booze-cruise). There was an older couple on the boat with their daughter that had just finished college. Despite the fact that we told them we were celebrating our ten year anniversary, the dad was intent on having an in depth economic conversation with me. Leah was very patient with the whole matter.

When the sun was setting we snuck over to the side of the boat to have someone snap our photo.

As you can tell from the hoodie, it got a little cold after the sun went down.

The next morning we were back on the boat and headed out to the reef for some snorkeling. Leah was a champion and jumped right into the water, despite her disdain for cold water (it wasn't very cold out by the reef). Which is more than I can say for several of the pansy males that were sitting at the bottom of the steps that lead down into the water.

Leah made me take the orange snorkel. She wanted me to be spotted first if any sharks decided to come on the scene.

Despite the fact that I am in the driver's seat in this photo, Leah actually ended up driving the waverunner, not me. She got a huge kick out of gunning the thing to the point that I would nearly slide off the back, and then killing the throttle so that I would slam into the back of her. I have to admit it was pretty comical.

We decided to snap one last photo coming back into the boat and I nearly dropped the camera in the water. What a klutz!!

We had a great time!! I have to say that my wife is every bit as hot as she was when we got married ten years ago, so that is a huge plus!! Plus, she was so great to book everything and have everything organized so we could go. One of the nights Leah and I were walking down Duval Street looking for a place to eat. A few guys were walking in the opposite direction. As we approached, one of the guys stopped dead in his tracks and, looking at Leah, said to me, "You are one lucky dude!" He is absolutely right, I am one lucky dude!!

Promised Videos!

Dear Auntie Angie,

I am sorry my mom is a slacker sometimes. You are lucky you got a birthday present a month late instead of 2. She still hasn't sent Jen's. But she finally decided to post me walking and then of course singing.

I love you.

I hope you are still coming to Texas this summer. I will be so big by then and can't wait to see Cohen.

Please post some more pictures of him.

Lots of love and dozens of kisses,

Julia May

I wanted to get Julia singing on clip. I love the "hello hello"song she sings and although she sings more, I got a small part on video. Julia is getting so big I can't even believe it. My baby is almost 2!

I think my favorite things in this clip are:

1. Julia's tummy.

2. Audrey saying, "Julia walk to me and then to mommy. And then to me and then to Claire. And then to mommy. And then to me."

Audrey's Pumpkin Patch

Sunday morning Audrey got her "sugar cereal" in bed bright and early.

Adurey's invitation said:

Pumpkins here and pumpkins there,

Games and treats she can't wait to share.

Audrey Fish is turning 4,

Grab your costumes and head out the door.

And Today her pumpkin festivities began!

She had a pumpkin cake, pumpkin party favors (suckers, gum, and bracelets), pinata and more pumpkins.

She was so excited to have her friends come and celebrate.

We played pass the pumpkin to "the monster mash" and if they had the pumpkin when the song ended they got to choose a real mini pumpkin to take home.

Then of course a pumpkin pinata (and yes, I was too cheap to buy one so I made one. If you ever make one call me so I can tell you what to do and what NOT TO DO!!!)

The kids loved this!

And the boys had some amazing swings. Thanks tough guys!

Candy for everyone!

Then inside for some trick or treating!

Who doesn't love getting candy for just knocking and saying trick or treat?

The Birthday Girl!!!

She was hilarious opening presents. Her jaw would drop open with each present. She'd say, "Mom you've GOT to look at what's inside." Or "Ss Sss Ssss Sssss Sadie! Thank you!" Or , "I have always wanted one of those things." She was so stinkin cute.

Thanks friends, for her fun and thoughtful presents. She has played ALL DAY!!!!

And of course we ended with the goods. Cake and ice cream!!!!!!

Yummy!

Happy Birthday, Audrey. We love you.

After having birthday wishes yesterday and opening our presents and then her party with friends today, Michelle asked Audrey her favorite part of her birthday. Audrey's reply was, "Having 2 Birthdays!!!"

Hallie's House of Paint!

Miss Hallie turned six and wanted to spend her birthday with these friends:

and this kitty:

doing what she loves...painting.

She had so much fun and got lots of coloring in.

Her friends started chanting presents, presents, presents...it was pretty funny. She loved everything and has played nonstop since she opened them.

What a sweet and darling group of girls.

To say thank you, Hallie gave each friend a clipboard for all their art work.

...with their name. Hallie's mom is crazy. She made 14 of these and (and 2 little ones for the 3 year olds, Audrey and her cousin).

Her mom has used enough mogde podge to last a lifetime but it was worth it. Seeing the clipboards at church and hearing the girls' talk about them made every single hour well spent.

Happy Birthday, Hallie.

We love you!

It's time to get CRAFTY!!!

I can't wait to have a whole weekend to do projects for my house, Christmas gifts and just have fun. Everyone is welcome to come!