Marathon...really?

I did it!  I really did it and so far I have no regrets.  I was not even nervous when I registered...not even a little bit.  I will be running my first marathon...GOD willing...on Saturday, March 3, 2012.  The Woodlands Marathon is it and I can't wait.  I only have 309 days to wait or should I say train!

Twirling

Being a girl, I am pretty sure that I liked to twirl in my girly dresses when I was little.  If I am being totally honest, I still like swishy skirts!  Emma is the same way and I am thinking Elena will be too.  When we were picking out Emma's dress for Aunt Kristin's wedding, Emma really wanted a dress she could swish and twirl.   Her wish was granted and she had one more opportunity to be a princess on Easter Sunday.  She leaned her head back and twirled her heart out until she was a little dizzy.

Pretty before twirling

Love this face!

That was fun and must fix my hair!

A little dizzy, but so fun in the process!

Easter Weekend

Our Easter weekend was jammed packed, but relaxing at the same time.  Drew did a lot of work on the family room.  I tried to stay in the mix to help as I was not feeling well all weekend.  I was hugely bummed by this because I had big running plans.  They did not pan out because I could not breathe!

 On Friday we planned to attend a KSBJ concert, but Jonah was not feeling well and it was hot.  Drew and I felt like it would be too much for him so we went out to dinner instead.  It was lots of fun because we ate outside.  The kids were able to move around without the stress of repeatedly saying "sit still".

So cute!

Watching the big kids...do I dare join?

Saturday I found enough energy to make Resurrection Rolls for a morning snack and to dye eggs with Samuel, Jonah and Emma.  Samuel thought it was hilarious that Jesus was a marshmallow.  I think they understood the symbolism of the tomb and the marshmallow disappearing...well, except for Samuel.  In the afternoon we dyed the eggs.  Elena joined in for a little while, but she was only allowed to watch from her high chair.  I boiled the eggs, let them cool, and then peeled them...WHAT!?  I do this every year...when will I learn.  So, I boiled more and was thankful that my kiddos know I will probably do this.  Emma did tie-dye eggs and the boys did dinosaur eggs.

Aren't they cute?

Sunday was of course Easter Sunday!  After church the kids received their baskets, which were so loved.  Elena liked to open the Easter eggs regardless of whose it was!  I did not try to take good pictures because they were just too excited to sit or stand still for more than 10 seconds.  I did enjoy seeing the girls in their wedding dresses one last time.  They looked so pretty and grown up.

Jonah was imitating the dinosaurs.

Emma received pj's with a matching pair for her doll, Sonny.

Oooh, what is in here?

Emma just looking so pretty in her dress!

We had Easter dinner with our friends Eileen, Patrick, Kim, Scott, Nathan, Connor and Braden...our Texas family!  All in all it was a great weekend and we enjoyed celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus!

Palm Sunday

Since tomorrow is Easter, I thought I should at least post our Palm Sunday pictures.  I know that taking pictures with four children under the age of 7 is a challenge.  I still like to torture myself with picking out coordinating outfits with the hopes of getting that perfect picture.  It has yet to happen, but the kiddos are getting better at smiling and looking at the camera (always a challenge for dear Jonah!).

Palm Sunday at our church is a big day.  The kids walk in the sanctuary with palms singing Ho-ho-ho-hosanna!  A donkey leads the group, which they think is super fun.  After church there is a petting zoo, a light lunch, and an Easter Egg hunt.  What more could a child want in one day!

Samuel and his friend Jackson walked around the petting zoo holding hands the entire time...so cute!

Jonah loved petting all the animals.  This deer was so cute!

This was Elena's expression almost the entire time she was near the animals...either that or squealing.

Jonah loving the bunny just before he dropped the poor thing.

Samuel and Elena looking for a way to escape the petting zoo.

Emma and her friend Maddie looking at the animals.

The egg hunt is a huge success.  One of our friends posted on Facebook that it took the kids 2 minutes to gather all the eggs...so funny!  Samuel really enjoyed the hunt this year. 

Samuel, Patrick, and Jake waiting for the go-ahead to hunt eggs.

Annabel helped Elena look for eggs.

Jonah waiting for the hunt to begin. He just finished dancing with his bucket on his head.

Samuel picking up an egg.

Checking out their prizes.

Before all the activity we had some pictures taken in the Labyrinth.  We also took some after we got home from church.  I am hoping for more smiles on Easter Sunday!

Me and Drew at home

Drew and the boys at home

Sweet Elena and she left the bow in her hair...yeah!

Jonah loving on Elena

Sweet girls...love the dresses!

Me and Emma at home.

All of us...notice where Jonah is looking!

Sleepovers!

Emma and Jonah had their bestest friends in the whole world sleepover last weekend!  Both were so excited to have Ashlynn and Victoria come for the night.  Of course, Jonah was a little sad that Victoria was not allowed to sleep in his room, but he managed to have a good time anyway.

We had pancakes, sausage, bacon, and fruit for dinner.  I made chocolate chip pancakes and served them with ice cream for dessert.  Movie time was made even better by having popcorn.  Breakfast was donuts and leftovers from dinner.  There was lots of playing outside, lots of playing inside and everyone got along so well!!!  It was so fun to watch them all play, be little kids, and have so much fun.

Movie time!

Emma and Ashlynn

Samuel, Jonah, and Victoria (front row)  Ashlynn and Emma (back row)

Struggling

Being a mom is hard work. Being a mom of toddlers and preschoolers is really hard.  The past couple of weeks have been especially hard for me.  The highs and lows have been very extreme and I am weary. 

I love my children more than anything and would do anything for them, but I feel like I am standing on the edge.  I am not reasonable with them.  I don't think they are being reasonable with me.  I forget quickly that they are 7, 5, 3, and 1.  I guess I expect too much.  However, I don't understand why I have to ask for something to happen three or four times before it happens.  I end up yelling and it is a downward spiral.

I have been comforted by some blog world reading.  Last week, Women Living Well wrote about her challenges in motherhood....how it was harder than she thought and how she had to deal with her failures.  Boy did that speak to me!  She wrote about meditating on this verse:

Cast all your anxious thoughts on him because he cares for you." (I Peter 5:7).  I personally love that verse and was glad for the reminder.

I also finally felt brave enough to share my failures with my Good Morning Girls group.  I felt safe in what I wrote and did not feel like I would be judged.  I was thankful for their kind responses and words of wisdom.  One of the girls shared this verse this week and it has been my constant reminder of how I need and want to be.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.  And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.   Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.  (Colossians 3:12-17).

 

Lastly, I was encouraged by a section from an online reading I did yesterday.  The author was discussing Proverbs 31 and the virtuous wife.  I kept thinking about mommyhood as I was reading her article.

 

We’re all in process, but as you’re in process, don’t be afraid to admit it when you blow it. Know that as you mature and develop and grow in Christ, as you develop this excellent character, that is developing your worth and your value.  Nancy Leigh DeMoss from Revive Our Hearts

 

Well, I have done plenty of admitting I was wrong to my children.  I am getting really good at it.  I also think it is very important for me to model apologizing to them.  How else will they learn it? 

 

So with all this encouragement around me combined with a supportive husband and prayer, I can step back from the edge.  I am confident that it will happen.  I just pray that it happens soon....really soon!  These sweet faces deserve better from me....

Samuel looking for eggs at the Palm Sunday Easter Egg Hunt

Jonah loving the bunny at the Palm Sunday petting zoo

Silly face Elena playing in our backyard

Emma showing me her "take" at the egg hunt

Run for the Rose recap

Sunday was the Run for the Rose race.  All proceeds from the race benefit brain cancer research.  We participated in this race as members of Scottie's Lucky Charms.  Scottie is the grandson of one of Drew's co-workers.  He is a four year old boy who has battled brain cancer for three years.  Almost all he and his parents have known is sickness.  It was such a pleasure to meet this sweet little boy.  He has a beautiful smile, is silly, and full of life.

The race was held at Reliant Stadium so off we went early Sunday morning with our cute little team shirts.  The plan was for me to run the competitive 5K while Drew and the kids walked the family 5K.  When I finished running, I was to double back to meet them.

I had no expectations for this run.  I hoped to do well, but my legs were still sluggish from the 10 miler last week.  Who knew that I would run my best 5K time ever...22:49!!  Holy cow!  The funny thing about the race is that I kept thinking how much I now dislike the shorter distances.  I like sprinting less for 3 miles than I do running for 10-13 miles....crazy I know!  During the last mile I was running up an unexpected hill (actually an overpass bridge walkway) and I was tired.  I really wanted to slow down, but I was thinking I had a good time going so I kept at it.  I thought about Scottie and our friend Mike, who is one year brain cancer free.  If he can fight that battle, I knew I could run up a silly little hill.

After I finished I grabbed some water and started to walk the course backwards.  I found Drew and company just past mile one.  I walked to last 2.1 miles with them, which was fun.  Emma did super awesome.  I think she really could have run and done well.  Jonah whined about being tired because he is Jonah and that is what he does.  So, he, Samuel, and Elena took turns riding in the double stroller.  I believe that every finish line should be crossed as strong as possible so I made everyone run the last ten yards.  It was fun despite some protesting!

Walking strong and having fun!

Needing water because he was so tired!

Drew hamming it up for the camera

The after race party was amazing.  It was beyond kid friendly with jumpers, face painting, crafts, and more food vendors than one can imagine.  It was so well organized and being inside one of the Reliant buildings was a plus.  The kids had a blast! 

Elena loving her lollipop!

Finishing their last treat of icee's and lollipops!

I was super excited to place 3rd in my age group, which at this race was 30-39.  It is usually a five year grouping.  Instead of a medal I received some tea (a race sponsor) and a beautiful silver rose pendant necklace.  I can't wait to wear it !!!

Emma took this picture.

Taken just after we finished walking/running the family 5K.