July 4th

This weekend brought another wonderful and fun weekend at Compass lake. Full of sunshine and fun. It certainly gets easier as Collier gets older and is interested in the lake. He is getting there and since he loves nothing more than being outside, it really is a perfect place to be. He is getting more and more comfortable around the water but not 100% there yet. He mostly loves to float in his float, usually kicked back with his feet propped up (just like his daddy likes to be). Although this trip he actually liked his feet through the holes and being able to feel the sand. He doesn't like to stand up without a float, even holding my hand, he just feels off balance and doesn't seem to like it too much! He loves boat rides and especially swinging on the front porch!

Our Newest Facial Expression

Justin put together one of Collier's birthday presents....a wagon! Oh boy, look out we may have a new favorite at the lake. This wagon is amazing - it can be a bench, wagon with seats and seat belts or just a flat wagon inside, includes an umbrella, sippie cup holder and even a cooler - it does everything except pull itself. He LOVES IT! Thank you Popoo and Nunny...As you can tell he and Ashlyn loved every minute of it. Dad even got in on the fun and made it even more exciting!

Even though the lawnmower is a little on the red-neck side it is much easier than pulling two children in the wagon up and down that stink'n hill a kazillion times.

How cute are they in their PJ's?

Morning

I can hardly believe that it is just now 8:00. I was up before 6 this morning worried about Hydrangea's... Our road is under construction and the construction required a corner of my neighbors yard to be pulled up...they were just going to destroy about 6 Hydrangea plants and I got permission to dig them up and move them if I wanted! I intended to do it yesterday afternoon when Collier took his nap but he didn't and then a storm rolled in. Collier and I did get over and get one before it started raining. But I really wanted to get a few more and woke up early worried that they were going to dig them up and discard them before I got to them. BUT they didn't. I was digging at 6am and successfully I think planted them in my back yard. I've never done this with out my mom's help so we'll see if they actually live....I have no idea if I dug up enough roots, planted them deep enough, gave them enough water, put them in the right place....oh the list goes on and I'm just hoping that they will actually live! Have to try to learn so we'll see. I also staked some of my tomato plants that were falling over and re-potted a parsley plant. I was almost eaten alive my mosquitoes (at 7am) and swarmed by a pack of gnats. I didn't really realize that they were out this time of day. I came inside and realized that I tracked dirt all through the house which resulted in a quick vacuuming of the den, dinning room and kitchen. I have now showered and Collier is awake playing in his crib...off to feed him breakfast and start my work day! Not sure the last time I was this productive by 8am!

Of course Justin was out of town when I could have used a little help!

Jet Setters

So, this is the most that I've been on a plane in a long time....two trips in 4 weeks. This past weekend we went to New Orleans for a wedding that was so much fun. We traveled with fun friends and I didn't take but 4 pictures the entire weekend. I decided that Bourbon Street is not exactly a friendly place to be hauling around a huge camera. Most of the time I didn't even care my purse much less my camera. We did a lot of walking, people watching, eating, drinking, walking, drinking, laughing, dancing, sweating, sleeping and more walking and more eating! It really was a fun time and Justin and I slept later than we have in a very very long time, gosh it felt good!

Meanwhile back on the home front, Collier was having a blast with his Mella and Buzz. He had great fun adventures like going to Bass Pro Shop and even Southeast Salvage! Needless to say he didn't want for anything and got some great bonding time with them....I am sure that they now need a vacation to recovery from all of his activity! Thank yall for being here - it meant the world to us!

Yet again, even for a long weekend I missed him a ton and was very glad to get home to him last night! I have a very busy week this week before we get ready for July 4th weekend!
Tonight we were treated to dinner with the Swifts! It has been way to long since we've had the opportunity to visit with them. I think that Collier is going to have a new best buddy - and a cute one at that! Thank yall for having us over!

This was the only shot I could get of the two of them!

Random Thoughts

I am still trying to catch up on cleaning my house, doing laundry and especially work work. I'm getting there as quick as I can but am struggling a little. So, I don't have much for you today except some very random thoughts.

1. While we were in San Diego Brinkley got a hair cut! I love it and she has to feel better with a lot less hair. She is easier to bathe...which reminds me she needs a bath BAD! And I think that she looks AWESOME! 2. Speaking of hair cuts, Collier really needs one. Not that it is out of control but it is long and out of shape. Where in the world do I take him for his FIRST hair cut?

3. I ran yesterday for the first time since running the marathon. I only ran 3 miles and the last 1/2 mile was a little painful in the knee that hurt while running the full. I hope to run a 1/2 marathon by the end of the year. Yes I did it backwards - Full then Half and I think that I'll appreciate the half a lot more! I'm going to try a combination of Yoga and running to keep me in shape...well and maybe a little weights since my arms needs some toning!

4. Justin and I are leaving Collier AGAIN this weekend... My In-Laws will be here to play with Collier and Brinkley - to keep them from eating eachothers food, be sure that they don't play with fireplace tools and well to just hang out! Thanks Mella and Buzz!!!!! All of this so that we can attend a very fun wedding that I'll share about next week.

5. My Vegitables are growing well...in pots....I really need a little more sun light on my back patio and I think that they would be a little happier. They are doing good but not as good as I think that they could do. We have tomatoe's (3 different kind), peppers (3 different kind), cucumber, zuchinni, strawberries and a few herbs. I will be a happy camper when our tomatoes ripen up. I love fresh tomatoes! Actually that is the only kind I LIKE.

6. On a much sadder note, the guy that I ran the Marathon in honor of, David Nelson, has taken a turn for the worst. The chemo is not strong enough to fight the cancer and it isn't good. He has been on a ventilater and they are taking him off today. Either he will be fine and God will have delivered a miracle (which is very possible...God can do ANYTHING) or he will be completely cured and will go home to be with the Lord. Will you please pray for this family. He is only 28 and he has 2 young boys and a wife who is currently expecting their 3rd child. She is strong in her faith and knows that she is living in God's will. It is really amazing how strong and what an example she is. I have to be honest that I haven't ever meet this family but my heart breaks for them....David is a childhood friend of my best friend Lindsey! I am so thankful for our health and my husband and child - Go hug your husband and children and be thankful they are all well! I can't imagine the possiblity of not having my husband and especially being a single mother to 3 children.

7. Oh I heard a comercial on the radio today for Beef and I think it was Matthew McConaughey - very random but gosh he is cute, even on the radio! Of course not as hot as my husband though!

San Diego Recap

I wanted to share (and document) the rest of our San Diego trip. It really was a blast and I am still on a high about the marathon!

We arrived in San Diego on Friday afternoon. Our hotel was right on the bay and within walking distance of almost everything that we needed. After we got checked in we went hunting for our first delicious meal and we succeeded in filling ourselves up at Tin Fish - fish taco's to die for and yummy fish and chips. Crystal and I then made our way to the Expo to pick up our race packet including our race number and everything needed for race day. At that point it was all official! We walked the expo for a few hours and signed the HUGE Team In Training board and picked up cheering signs for the guys. The expo was a little overwhelming with all of the vendors and gadgets and stuff for running. A little overboard, but fun to see all of the things that go into this hobby. Friday night we ate at a place called Confidential and it was so very cool. Tapas style, after being educated is small servings meant to be shared, so the food comes out one dish at a time to be shared with everyone. I was a little hesitant about 'small portions' and if Justin would actually be full, but we all walked about stuffed AGAIN! Saturday morning, the Alabama group gathered in the lobby at 6:30 for a light and casual run to get us prepared for the marathon on Sunday. It was beautiful and refreshing to running in humidity free air with cool temperatures again! We then pulled the guys out of bed to eat a late and light breakfast before we went to the Victory and Inspiration Lunch.

The Victory Celebration/Pasta Lunch was amazing...It is a special lunch only for TNT participants (and their guest) to recognize and honor everyone for being a part of this organization. Walking into the ball room was like a pep-rally, coaches and supports all dressed in purple and green and yelling and screaming at the top of their lungs. It was awesome and very fun. We were served pasta - stashing those carbs to get us through 26 miles. We had several speakers who talked about everything from our total fundraising, race tips and most important a father who lost his 10 year old daughter to Leukemia! Not a dry eye in the room after he was done speaking and we were then sent on our way....inspired! Remembering that running a marathon is nothing compared to going through chemo.

Saturday afternoon we took a water Taxi over to Coronado Island and sat at The Hotel Del Coronado and enjoyed drinks and lots of laughs. It is so much fun to enjoy each others company and get to visit with friends. Mike, Justin's good friend who lives in San Diego was able to join us and he was an AWESOME help while we were there. Gave perfect recommendations of everything we needed. Not to mention he has an awesome view from the top of his condo that we got to enjoy on Saturday night! Very cool.

Sunday - see previous post!

Monday was our reward day, we rented a car and headed to Temecula Valley along with two other couples and our coach Colean to visit wineries for the day. What more can I say, a day full of wine tastings in beautiful California! It was nothing compared to Napa, but it was lots of fun. Tuesday was our last day and we slept late and ate a late lunch before it was time to pack up and head to the airport.

This trip was really amazing. It was a trip where I achieved a life long goal and felt the power of setting and obtaining a goal - it really was a dream come true. I am thankful to God for the health, strength, endurance and safety to be able to do this. Thank you again to all of you who supported me in this opportunity. It was also the longest that we've ever been away from Collier (Thanks to Grammie and Pops he was in REALLY good hands). Which gave Justin and I a great time to enjoy each other. And as much fun as we had, I was very ready to get back to my little man and see him. I missed him bunches.

It is done!

Well, I am just now getting the chance to sit down at the computer for a little blogging update. It has been a busy and fun 2 weeks. After a wonderful weekend at the lake for Memorial Day, we came home for a few days before we headed to San Diego. Collier went with Mom and Dad back to the lake and worked through a little virus while we were gone, but he is feeling much better now and only has a rattling cough that isn't all that bad.

Back to San Diego. I wish that I could spill all of the details of our trip because it really was so much fun. We had a blast with new and old friends, lots of laughing, delicious food, beautiful weather and of course a long 26.2mile run! That is what the trip was all about so that is what I will start with. Team In Training is an amazing organization (funding The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society) and has a huge impact on a lot of people. The impact that it has had on me, is the coaching that was available to assist and prepare me for running a marathon. Along the way, through fundraising, I know that I am able to make a difference for those patients and families who have these horrible blood cancers. We heard and saw the impact that these cancers have on people and their families and it is nothing short of heart breaking. Thanks to LLS they are working to find a cure...until there is a cure we can not stop fighting for the research to continue! I want to thank everyone who donated to my efforts to raise money for LLS, know that you contributed to the $12million that was raised for LLS by the San Diego Rock N Roll Marathon and 1/2 Marathoners! That is amazing. You have no idea how much your support (financial and emotional) is appreciated. All of my hard work of training and fundraising certainly paid off!

I have to give HUGE props to my running partner, Crystal. We stuck together the entire race and if it hadn't been for her I am not sure that I would have made it! The race course was for the most part very pretty (except about 4 miles of interstate that was sort of boring) and we had lots of entertainment with TONS of people cheering, holding signs, spraying water and even several bands along the course...all of that certainly helped to pass the miles by a little quicker. Not to mention there were some pretty interesting runners as well - men dressed as women, crazy purple to represent TNT, tutu's, batmen undies, and that is just to name a few. I hit my wall around mile 18 and struggled the rest of the race. I had knee pains that wouldn't let go! I fought through it with Crystal's help....she gave me great analogies to distract me and help me focus on the finish line. I was so grateful that neither of us had any major injuries, just a few aches, pains and blisters...nothing that a few days weeks of recovery won't take care of. When I reached the .8miles I could finally see the finish line and I lost it, all of the emotions of determination and victory came to a head and I started bawling crying. A TNT coach saw me crying and ran me almost to the finish yelling encouraging words...not to mention our coach had joined us and was kind to remind me to "change my face and put a smile on" before I crossed the finish line. Nice to have experienced coach knowing that they would be taking pictures and that I didn't need a sad face to capture such a HUGE moment. I did the best I could and crossed with a smile and thanking God as I crossed the finish line. The moment I saw Justin I started crying again! I felt so accomplished and proud to have finished such an amazing goal! It took us 5Hr. 50Min. 26.2 Miles...I am officially a Marathoner! How cool is that!

One last note to add. I have to give a special thanks to my sweet husband who was VERY supportive and encouraging and proud through the whole weekend. He sacrificed a lot for me during all of my training and really helped so very much. He is who I knew I would get to see at the finish line and that was enough to push me on as well. I know this probably sounds crazy, but I had the feeling in my stomach like I did on our wedding day as I waiting to walk down the isle (we didn't see each other before) and I couldn't wait to see him....that was all that I could think of in the last 3 miles just getting to the finish to see Justin there waiting. I knew that he would be proud of me and knowing that was a big reward! It was awesome and I am thankful to have him! (wiping tears from my eyes...sorry to get gooshy)

I'll be back to share some other pictures from the rest of our trip....

Memorial Day?

By Flag by djwest36.

I am ashamed to admit that I actually had to ask Justin what Memorial Day represents. To me it is a Monday that I don't have to work! It is a long weekend. It is more time that I get to spend with my family because I don't have to work. It is my first holiday of 2010 and I am thankful for it! But for some reason my curiosity struck and I realized that I didn't even know what the day represents....I knew it was something in regards to our military and that I feel the need to fly the flag but past that I was clueless. I had to google it...SHAME ON ME! But I am really glad that I did. So , in case I am NOT alone ( I hope that I am alone and that everyone else really already gets it) I want to share what I learned and some of my thoughts.

Memorial Day is a day to honor, salute and give thanks to those soldiers who have fallen during a time of war. Memorial day is not a day to honor all of our military people but it is a day to honor those who have died in protecting our country. I am extremely thankful for all of the men and women and their families who sacrifice so much for the sake of my freedom. They give their lives and put our country before themselves. Now that is a true HERO. I am proud to be an American and it is because of the freedom that I have and I have this freedom because of these men and women who serve our country in good and bad times. These people put themselves in harms way to protect America and our freedom! It is the families of the hero's who have lost their lives while fighting that I lift up in prayer this weekend: The mothers and fathers who have lost children and the children who have lost their mommy or daddy. It is a selfless act to serve this country and I am thankful for their sacrifice!

I hope that you will peek over at Pioneer Woman's photography page and see her pictures of soldiers and military 'coming home'. It gives me chills and tears in my eyes because not everyone is able to welcome their loved ones home safely. I also can't imagine that feeling of relief when they do arrive after being away and fighting for our country.

In my research to learn more about Memorial Day I found this poem that I liked:

In Flanders Fields

by:John McCrae, 1915.
In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row That mark our place;

and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields.Take up our quarrel with the foe:To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high.If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.

I hope that you have a wonderful Memorial Day and that you will also think of our fallen soldiers. They should be honored and remembered because they are the true hero's of our country! Enjoy your Monday off!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sleeping and Brinkley

Ok, so the sleeping situation has gotten much better. We went from standing up to sitting up and this was just too funny not to share. Sorry for the poor quality it is a video of the video monitor! He has totally gotten better and by tonight he is not sitting or standing but back to his normal routine. Only difference this week has been him waking up at 6am instead of 7 or 7:30! Big difference.


Tonight Collier said Brink Brink for the first time. As she gave him kisses and he patted and loved on her he kept saying Brink Brink Brink! So sweet. We tried to catch it on video but of course he stopped talking as soon as the video came out!

Swing and Sleep

Yesterday we finally hung Collier's swing that he got from his Mela and Buzz for his birthday. I have been dying to get it hung because I know how much he is going to enjoy it! He swang yesterday afternoon and today! loving the swing already!

Yesterday was also the beginning of an unusual sleep habit. Actually Mom had mentioned that earlier in the week he had been standing up in his crib instead of sleeping. Normal routine is when he gets sleepy, turn on his music, lay him down, be sure he has both Ginger (Giraffe) and Maurice (Monkey) in his arms and he goes to sleep. This routine is the same for naps as well as bed time. Yesterday every time Mom laid him down for his naps he would roll over and stand up immediately and cry. She laid him down SEVERAL times and no luck. So, she got him up and decided to give him early lunch - fill that tummy up and try again. No such luck again. All day yesterday he had a 30 minute nap and 10 minute nap and finally took an hour nap before dinner. At 9:00 last night we were getting ready for bed and he acted really sleepy so we laid him down as usually and immediate he popped up and stood at the edge of the crib crying. Justin laid him down 2 or 3 times and he couldn't get him to stay down. So, we decided to just let him cry it out and see what he would do. 20 minutes later he was still screaming and crying. So I gave in and went in and got him, rocked him and got him settled down. He fell asleep in my arms and I laid him down and before I was out of the room he was standing up crying again. I decided to try and let him watch his favorite video (Cedarmont Kids...I highly recommend it) and after 3 songs I realized that it wasn't winding him down and that I needed to turn it off. So, I went back to his room and rocked him, again he fell asleep I put him down and he was immediately up. By now it is after 10:00 and I am tired and ready for bed. Change of strategy. Stay in the room and as soon as he rolls over lay him back down. No talking and no eye contact. I did that about 30 times before he finally stayed on his back but it was only realizing that when he opened his eyes and could see me that he didn't try and stand up. As long as I stood by the crib and he could see me he was fine. So I did and he finally went to sleep BUT he was awake at 5am STANDING UP! for another 30 minutes of my lay him back down strategy he finally closed his eyes long enough for me to sneak out. He only slept an hour longer before he was up. He did the same thing with my Mom today. This afternoon I decided that I would going to let him cry it out....and not give in. Being VERY tired (he has only had a short 30minute nap today and that is it) and it took him about 7 minutes of standing up before he sat down. The then almost fell asleep sitting up before he fell over and finally gave in! Whaoooo. Nappy Time!

I am praying hard that this is just a weird week and not an actual habit. Any suggestions? He also has his top two teeth that are about to pop through and I assume this may have something to do with it????????

20 Miles Logged

That is 20 miles and 4 hours of running time that I logged on Sunday with my TNT group! Whaahooo! You may ask, how do you feel? Please let me share:

• Happy
• Very proud of myself
• Hot
• Sweaty
• So thankful that it was cloudy 90% of the time we were running
• Thankful to have it done and prove to myself that I can do this
• I had energy and wasn't exhausted at the end
• I felt that I had the endurance to continue (which I will still have 6.2 more to go on race day)
• Love'n me some gu gels and Gatorade!
• My legs hurt - thighs, calves, hamstrings, knees are very sore
• Not sure how my legs didn't fall off
• I am thankful for 'the stick' to massage out my muscles
• Thankful that my husband rubbed my back and shoulders
• I didn't like sitting in a bath of cold water and ice AFTER the run (I was supposed to sit for 20 minutes and ONLY made it about 5 before I had to jump out...brrrrr!)
• I burned over 2000 calories and so I ate a guiltless bowl of chocolate ice cream last night
• Thankful that I didn't have to do this alone and that two other STRONG women were there to encourage, support and make the miles go by faster
• Thankful for a proven training program through Team In Training
• Thankful to God that I am healthy and able to run and survive 20 miles!

Here we are AFTER running 20 miles - these are two power women!!!