To be the best Wife, Mom, Daughter, Sister, Friend, and Runner I can be...God willing!

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Jonah is a pre-K graduate

On Friday, May 27 Jonah officially became a pre-K graduate.  Jonah has been attending the Northwoods Early Learning Center Preschool since he was two.  I am sad that this part of his life is over, but at the same time I am excited for what is to come!


Jonah was very excited to graduate.  He told me this week that his "head was going to explode because he was going to graduate, it was summer, and he was going to start Kindergarten!"  I asked why his head was going to explode and he answered "because it is all so exciting!"  That is just too precious!!
Jonah and his best friend Victoria!
Jonah and Ms. Megan with flowers from Jonah
Jonah during the ceremony
The parents and other family members were treated to a slideshow to the music of "Let Them Be Little" by Billy Dean.  I started tearing up from the first note.  The children sang to songs and of course, received a diploma.

Each child also said what s/he was going to be when all grown up.  Jonah said he was going to be a dentist!

Jonah's favorite part of the program...dessert!
Jonah's 2010-2011 pre-K class
At the end of the program, Ms. Megan read a poem she found online.  It was about how much she enjoyed watching the children grown and how they are now part of her heart.  It was beautiful.  She was crying and so I was crying.

I did not think it was going to be such a emotional event for me, but I was so wrong.  Two of my babies are going to be in elementary school next year...my goodness!
Haude Jaguars....Emma and Jonah
Jonah and Daddy
Jonah holding his memory book and diploma
Jonah and Mommy
Jonah, Mommy, and Daddy



Wouldn't you love to know how the hat stayed on like that?

So proud of my big boy!!!

Saturday, May 28, 2011

16 miles baby!

Today I did what I failed to accomplish two other times. 

My first attempt was a no go because I was sick. 

My second attempt was derailed by a dog.  A little dog started following me around mile 10 and continued to do so for three miles...really!?  I did not know what to do about the dog so I took it to Petco and basically begged the people to take the dog.  They did, but by then I was out of time and had to call Drew to come get me.  I managed one more mile before he met me.

So, today I was feeling good and off I went.  I ran where I don't usually run and I really liked the change of pace.  It was nice to see other runners and have different scenery.  I also had to run more "hills" and I use this term loosely.  My goal was 10 minute miles and my average pace for 16 miles was 9:56.  I was tired when I got home, but I felt like I had more in the tank.

I learned that I am probably going to be hungry during my marathon and I will have to figure out what I can eat.  I don't think Gu is going to cut it.

My hip/IT band hurt beginning at mile 9 and I had to stretch it twice.  I am going to have to baby it this summer.  Hopefully it heals.  I don't want to have to go the PT route.

Today I learned that I have become a strong runner.  Less than one year later I ran part of a loop I ran last July. I had to walk three times then.  I think about that run all the time and it haunts me because it went so poorly.  Today as I ran up the last "hill" I did not even consider running and I was 14.5 miles into my run.  Last year my run was 6.3 miles total.  I was so proud of my body and my mental stamina today!

Tomorrow is a recovery run and I think my legs will be ready!

Friday, May 27, 2011

Five (or more) things on Friday

1.  I am attempting to run 14-16 miles tomorrow.  I have done it twice and am working my way up to 16-20 miles.  I figure if my body can hold for that long I can do a marathon.  That sounds crazy to me, but I think it may be true.  I am working on learning more about training my body to run for 4+ hours.  I am praying that by building my mileage base this summer, my marathon training plan won't be too daunting.  A challenge it will be, but more manageable I think!  Can you tell I am excited to begin training!?!?

2.  Summer is almost upon us.  Jonah graduated from pre-K today (more on that later) and Emma finishes 2nd grade next week.  Next fall two of my babies will be in elementary school.  What an exciting and sad thought all at the same time!

3.  Drew and the Northwoods Sanctuary choir had their Spring Concert last Sunday.  I was unable to go for various reasons.  Drew's mom and Emma went and loved it.  One of the reasons Meemaw came was to hear the concert and I think it filled her soul.  Drew was very proud of the outcome!

I just love this picture!
My handsome guy in his tuxedo...I wish the picture quality was better.
4.  Drew rode his bike today for the first time in two weeks.  He is pretty much healed from his accident.  His helmet did not crack, but it was dented and scratched.   Thankfully, he had enough sense to order a new one!

5.  Jonah has grown quite accustomed to me taking pictures.  He often tells me that he knows where we could take the perfect picture.  I was able to get this gem after church last week.

Jonah looking like a thug and Samuel just too cute for words!
6.  Meemaw left on Tuesday.  We had a fantastic visit.  Her help was much appreciated.  The kids love playing with her.  I also enjoy our visits during the day.  She had the opportunity to see lots of "lasts" for the school year, which was fun for her and the kids.  Thankfully, I was able to get the best picture ever of her and all four kids...amazing really!

8 eyes looking at the camera at the same time...who knew it was possible!

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Fountains are fun!

I took Jonah, Samuel, and Elena to the fountains at Market Street on Tuesday.  I had a little help from Meemaw which was nice.

It was the first time Elena has experienced the jumping fountains and her faces were precious.  She loves water, but was not sure what to think of this new thing.  She did have lots of fun once she got used to not knowing when the water was coming up.

Samuel ran around like the crazy little boy he is.  Jonah thought the fountain area was a tumbling mat.  He did cartwheel after cartwheel, which I just thought was too funny.  He also did many handstands.  It is amazing we have not been to the ER recently with all his daredevil stunts!







I also had to take a picture of the cutest statue I have seen in a while.  It just made me smile looking at it.

Elena tired of playing in the fountains and just wanted to watch.  I love these two pictures of her just looking and learning about the world around her.




It was a fun outing and I was super excited to learn that The Woodlands has other fountains now too.  We can't wait to visit them soon!

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

I scream, you scream, we all scream for....

ICE CREAM!!!

I would love to meet someone who does not eat ice cream.  Most people probably don't eat it as much as I do or want to and I am okay with that.  One of the things my children have definitely learned from me is that ice cream should be a food group.

I took Samuel and Elena for a special ice cream cone trip last week.  Elena at 17 months already loves to hold her own cone.  This is a messy adventure, but so fun to watch.

They are just too cute!






Yes, Elena made quite the mess in her car seat and when she dropped her cone on the floor.  Funny thing is I did not care because drinking my milkshake made me happy too!

Friday, May 13, 2011

Why I will never be a triathlete!

I love to run.  I like to swim.  I own a bike.  Notice I did not describe biking with an affectionate term.  Biking is okay and fun to do with my family.  It might be something I could love as a recreational activity.  I will never bike competitively and this is why:

Exhibit A:
Drew's elbow which looks even more gross today

Exhibit B:  
Drew's upper arm

Exhibit C: 
Drew's thigh/hip area on his leg with his arm next to his leg...not another body part!
Drew wrecked his bike on Thursday.  This is the aftermath plus some other scraped areas on his hands and legs.  His bike needs to be repaired.  Drew can barely move...at least not quickly!  The saving grace was his helmet because his head hit the ground pretty hard.

I have only fallen once when running and the scrape I got was nothing compared to this.  Running is all about my equipment....my legs, my head, my arms, my body.  I am not dependent on anything else and that is how I like. 

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Hilarious!


Samuel's behavior has been making me a little nuts.  But, this crazy face, which I randomly caught on camera, has been listening more, 
obeying more, 
being kinder to others, 
and loving more.  
It has been an answered prayer!