Half Marathon #4

Yesterday I ran my 4th half marathon, my 2nd one this year.  The Hospital Hill half marathon is rated by Runner's World magazine as the 2nd toughest half marathon in the U.S.!  No wonder it kicked my butt!  This was my 2nd time running this race and for some reason, this time was so much harder.  My alarm clock went off at 4:50 a.m. and I rolled over to check the weather...it was already 75 degrees!  Now, this may seem like a pleasant temperature, but when you're running, this is pretty hot!  Thank goodness it was cloudy all morning!  This run takes you through many scenic areas of Kansas City.  The scenery included the Nelson-Atkins Museum, the pretty UMKC campus, the awesome neighborhood of Brookside and the Plaza, just to name a few.  However, some other "scenery" we saw was several people stopping to toss their cookies and a girl on a stretcher getting loaded onto an ambulance.  Did I say this was a tough course?  Anyway, I was never so happy in all of my life to cross a finish line!  Although I didn't beat my goal time, I'm proud of myself and all of my friends for finishing.  Two times running this race is enough for me!  Farewell Hospital Hill...it's been an amazing journey!

At the start line...I am in the middle wearing pink.

Finish Line!

I ♥ this medal!

Our Florida Vacation 2010

We spent a whole week in Florida this month and it was awesome!  We got up bright and early on a Saturday morning and flew to Orlando.  We spent that afternoon and evening soaking up the sun at the resort.  One of my dear friends, who lives near Miami, drove up and spent the afternoon with us.  It was great spending time with her.  On Sunday, Jolee's birthday, we went to the Magic Kingdom and spent the WHOLE day.  On Monday, we returned to the Magic Kingdom to ride the rides that we didn't get a chance to ride on Sunday, and that evening we went to EPCOT.  On Tuesday, we went to Hollywood Studios.  Disney World is so much fun, but those parks take a lot out of you!  We were definitely ready for a little R & R!

On Wednesday, we rented a car and drove to Clearwater Beach where we met up with David.  It was so great to see him again!  Emmy had never seen the beach before and when she looked at it from our hotel balcony she said, "it's winter!!".  We had to explain to her that what she was seeing was white sand!  :)  We spent the remainder of our vacation Wed-Fri relaxing on the beach, hunting for shells, riding a waverunner, going parasailing, and getting lots and lots of sun!  On our final day in Florida, we ate lunch at the restaurant where David works and spent a few hours at his condo.  This vacation was our first vacation as a family of 5 and it was so much fun!

Click on the link below to view some of the pictures.  You'll have to click on the first picture and then click next to see the remaining pics.  I've also written a little about each one below the picture.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=219526&id=549347587&l=8da273615c

Happy 6th Birthday, Jolee!

On May 16, Jolee thought she was the luckiest little girl on the planet...she got to spend her birthday at the Magic Kingdom in Disney World.  When we checked into our resort, they gave her a "Happy Birthday Jolee" button to wear to the park.  Every single cast member who saw it went out of their way to say happy birthday to her.  Some even SANG happy birthday to her!  For lunch that day, we were visited by Winnie the Pooh and his friends, Eeyore and Piglet...so much fun!  And, to top off lunch, we surprised her with a huge birthday cake.  Later that day, we were chosen to be the Grand Marshalls of the parade.  We got to ride in Mickey's limo and wave to all of the people!  We felt a little like celebrities!  I'm sure this birthday is one that Jolee will never forget!

In front of the Princess castle

Jolee getting serenaded...

♪♪ Happy Birthday to you! ♪♪

Serenaded again by this quartet

Tigger came over to visit the birthday girl!

...and so did Eeyore!

...and Pooh, too!

What a yummy cake...mommy had 2 pieces!

Make a wish!

This is Mickey's limo that we got to ride in the parade

Getting geared up to smile and wave at all the people!

Miss Piggy & Kermit rode in the car behind us.

Doing a great job!

Happy Mother's Day 2010

I know Mother's Day is a day we celebrate our moms and thank them for all that they do and have done for us.  I admire my own mom so much and I aspire to be a mom as great as she is.  For me, I not only think of my mom, whom I miss so much because she lives too far away, but I am SO thankful to be a mom myself.  I thank God for the 3 most important gifts I have ever received.  My daughters give me purpose, they give me strength, they make me a better person.

I am so blessed...

Macey made this foil sculpture for me...it is her and I hugging.  

I LOVE IT!

The card Macey made for me

The card Jolee made...home-made gifts are the best!

Jolee's Birthday Party with Her Friends

Jolee is not quite 6 yet, but celebrated her birthday with her friends this weekend.  All of the girls in her kindergarten class were here as well as a few other friends.  Jolee was over the moon...

♪♪ Happy Birthday to You! ♪♪

Home-made cookie cake...mmm!

Jolee and her peeps :-)

Another Milestone...

I know every kid learns how to "pump" on the swings eventually, but I must admit, it's a little bittersweet when your baby learns how.  Yep, Emmy can now swing all by herself...

They all wanted to match today.

swing, swing, swing, repeat...

First Softball Game of the Season...Win #1!

Last week was the first softball game of the season for the Rockstars.  We squeaked by with an 11-10 win.  I love this time of year!!

First base girl

Hey, batter batter!

SWING!  Good for a single!

Leading off first...

SCORE!!

Macey's 1st 5K - Run for Mercy 2010

Several months ago, Macey told me that she wanted to run in a race with me.  So, for the past month, I've been taking her out once a week for a little run.  On the first run, she ran almost 3 miles without stopping!  I couldn't believe it.  So, we talked about the Run for Mercy.  This run benefits children in South Africa who have been orphaned by AIDS.  The founder of this charity lives here in Shawnee and also goes to our church.  I explained to Macey what an orphan was and she said, "Wow, that must be hard for those kids to not have a mom and dad".  I'm so proud of her for understanding the meaning of this race and for wanting to be a part of it.  There were over 1,500 people running and walking for this great cause.

Race day was a little chilly, but once we got going, we warmed up quickly.  I let Macey set the pace and ran right along side her.  I kept encouraging her and asking her if she was OK.  She never wanted to stop...except at mile 2 at the water station!  We had decided to hold hands when we crossed the finish line, but while we were coming up the home stretch, someone yelled, "beat your mom!", so I told Macey, "go ahead, beat me!"...so she took off...and beat me!  Her official chip time was 30 minutes and 3 seconds!  She placed 3rd out of 47 in the Female 10-Under age group.  Trophies were given out to the top 3 finishers of each age group, so Macey got a trophy!

Grady, Jolee and Emmy were at the finish line to greet us.  Grady captured some fun finish line pictures.  After the big race, Emmy and Jolee participated in a Fun Run where they each got medals, too.  It was a great way to spend a Saturday morning.

Runner girl before the race

One sweet 9 yr old running for another...

Macey & I before the race

Coming up the home stretch...Macey beating her mom!

At the finish line...Macey won!

Enjoying a post-race donut...or two!

Emmy in the Fun Run

Jolee in the Fun Run

So proud of her medal!

Another proud medal winner!

Macey & I after the race

Macey's trophy

Miss Speed Racer showing off her trophy!

Great job, Macey!  We are so proud of you! ♥

Half Marathon #3

I ran in my 3rd half marathon on Saturday, April 10th.  The weather was PERFECT for running (mid 50's), the sun was shining and I was in the company of friends...you just can't ask for a better race!  I trained with my friend Tracy for 10 weeks.  We ran the first 10 miles together.  After that, I got a 2nd wind and ran the last 3 miles all in under 9 minutes each.  When I got to the finish line, I was totally surprised to see Grady and the girls!  It's amazing how seeing them there made all the pain in my body go away.  It was the perfect ending to a beautiful race. 

Tracy and I (there's a smile, it must be early!)

 

 

Beth, Cheryl, Tracy, Bridget, Mendy and I

 

We had a celebratory BBQ that evening.  One of my friend's sons made this sign for us that was displayed on the front of their house.  How sweet!

Happy 10th Anniversary!

April 6, 2010 marked our 10th wedding anniversary!  Wow!  Time has totally flown by!  I woke up and was surprised by a bouquet of flowers.  Grady knows I don't like for him to spend money on flowers, but I must admit, it IS nice to get them once in a while! :)  Grady arranged for a babysitter that evening so he and I could go to dinner where it all started.  We've been to this restaurant only two other times...our first date and the night he proposed to me.  It was great to have a night out...just the two of us (that doesn't happen very often!).  We had the babysitter until 9 o'clock, and we got done with dinner at 7:30, so how do we decide to spend the next hour and a half???  We shopped at Target.  Yep, we still know how to be romantic! haha!

April 6, 2000

 

April 6, 2010

...and between the 2 of us, more than 60 lbs. lighter!