{Lest Anyone Forget...}

Lest anyone forget, an entire post dedicated to my awesome son, Blake!

Since becoming a grandmother, most of my pictures end up being of sweet little Olivia and much of my conversation is about what cute little thing she's done or how much she's growing. It's tough to be a grandma when you still have a child of your own at home, so today, I wanted to share with you my favorite man-child.

 Uncle B teaching Olivia how to roll the basketball...gotta start them out early...and of course, Olivia is cheesing it up for the camera.

 This is the tender side of Blake that most people don't get the privilege of seeing. He is so patient with Olivia and that little red-headed spitfire adores her Uncle B. Watching him with her, assures me that someday he'll make an excellent daddy. I've witnessed this same tenderness and patience with his cousins and the children at church. I pray he always remembers that little people are watching him and following where he leads.

 Blake definitely dances to the beat of his own drum and I'm so thankful! Who wants "cookie cutter people?" Be an individual!

 FYI: Don't ever tell Blake that he won't do something. He most certainly will!

He is riding Olivia's rocking horse down the sidewalk in front of our house...I made the mistake of saying that he wouldn't do it...but of course, he did.

 The boy has mad skills! This is his balance-a-quarter-and-2-forks-on-a-glass trick. Now that's just pure talent right there. If ever you're in need of some random trick or useless information, such as, the medical term for inhaling volcanic ash (Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis: I know this because Blake has told me a million times) then Blake is your go to guy!

 The goofy, fun-loving side of Blake.

I'm not sure how many people really get to see this side either, but this kid loves to have fun and I encourage it. Life is too short to take too seriously.

 I think he makes a pretty cute spider man.

 He towers over me, but he will always be my baby boy with eyes so big & brown.

One of my favorite things to do is watching him play ball and cheering him on. I yell louder than anyone, but he swears he can't hear me. Tunes me out and focused on his game...LOL.

 Getting some instruction from the Coach Lindsey...yes, Blake is the tallest on his team.

 I know the picture is a little blurry, but I had to add it. Basketball is one of Blake's passions. I'm certain when anyone mentions his name, basketball is the first thing that comes to mind...it's what he's known by, what he's passionate about. I can't wait to see how he improves his senior year.

Sometimes, you gotta sit the bench. Although not his favorite place to be...he never complains. He just waits it out and does his best once he's on the court.

I love this kid and can't believe he will turn 18 in a few short months and that in a year he'll be graduating. Where has the time gone? I just want to freeze it for just a little while.

{My First Medal}

I woke up this morning at 6am to get ready for my 2nd 5K race....there was a slight monsoon going on outside my window...complete with a lightning show. So...the battle began. Do I get up and go run in the rain or turn the alarm off. I was pretty sure I would never convince Mallorye to run in the rain, but my competitive nature wouldn't let me go back to sleep. I paid good money for this. I'm going to get a t-shirt...and I'm never going to get better hitting snooze. {oh, how I hate the voice of reason some days}

To my surprise, Mallorye got up and dressed...reluctantly...but still, she was game if I was. Quentin even got up to come cheer us on!

Me & Mallorye before the race...#88 and #99...the rain had stopped for the moment and it was looking like it might be a pretty good day for a run.

 Craighead Forest has to be the most gorgeous place for a race! Ok, I wasn't a fan of the "gently rolling hills" {seemed like mountains to me & why must every race have them?} but the view was breathtaking and kept me motivated.

 Mallorye working her way up one of the hills....I know her shins were killing her at this point and I'm so proud of her for pushing through the discomfort and not quitting.

 She caught up with me....at least for a moment. I love having her with me on runs!
After mile 2, there was a little misty rain starting...but I have to say, at that point, it was welcome.

 Crossing the finish line. I missed having Brandi there to run me in, but just in case she's reading this....I did run all the way in :)
My official time was 46:32....6 seconds faster than my last 5K and a PR.
Just getting better and better....LOL.

Quentin was waiting for me at the finish line. It was nice to have him there supporting me and cheering me on...he also kept me updated along the way as to where I was time wise, which was helpful.

 Look at that!!! I won 1st place in my age division! Who would've thought it!?

 #88 and her first place medal!
I won't lie...I'm pretty proud of this ....and I wasn't even the only one in my age division!

 Me & Mal after the race......until next time.

I'm really starting to enjoy running and trying to beat my last time. Competing against myself is way better than any other competition.

{Let Go}

Why is that so difficult?

{Falcon 5K}

John Bingham aka "The Penguin" once said, "If you run, you are a runner. It doesn't matter how fast or how far. It doesn't matter if today is your first day or if you've been running for twenty years. There is no test to pass, no license to earn, no membership card to get. You just run."

I am truly taking that quote to heart this year...heck...I may tattoo it on my forehead (just kidding). It's easy to get discouraged when you are the largest and the slowest competitor at a race, but I have to remind myself that I'm not competing against them....I'm competing against me. It does not matter that I finish last...someone has to. It doesn't matter that I'm finishing my first mile as some are finishing the entire course. What matters is that I had the courage to start and that I finish. 

You have to start somewhere. I choose to start now.

This was my first official 5K...I've ran in a couple of 1 mile and 2 mile races, but not 3 miles. I picked a tough first 5K..LOL...and was more than a little scared as I heard veteran runners talk about how tough this course was and about the hills. They were not kidding!! But I finished....barely!

One of my best friends, Brandi....she inspires me and is the one who talked me into this crazy running hobby. She always encourages me and never makes me feel bad for coming in last. When I think of giving up...I know I can't...because she's looking for me at the finish line and I don't want to let her down, so I keep running...even when my lungs are burning...even when my legs want to quit....even when I look at yet another hill and want to lay down and just cry...I keep running...I walk when I must...but I don't give up!

 Brandi with her husband Tommy

Tommy was 1st in his age division and of course Brandi...she was the female overall winner.

One day I will look like her...and one day...I will beat her :)

Me coming into the Finish Line...yes, that's Brandi, cheering me on! Actually, she was yelling "SPRINT! Pick those legs up. Don't quit." I love this girl! I was so tired at this point and having her there at the end was the extra push I needed.

So...I got to cross another item off my "40 List" and I'm gearing up for the next 5K (April 27).

My time wasn't that great on this one....46:49...but hey, it's a PR for me and I can only get better, right?!

{The Color Run 2013~ Springfield}

One of the items on my 40 List is to participate in The Color Run and this past weekend I was able to check that off my list :)  Seriously, this was the most fun I've had in a long time...it really is the Happiest 5K on the Planet!! I'm not sure how much actual running is involved in this "run," but man, the fun makes up for any competitiveness you might have.

A few pictures to capture the memory....of course...

The Color Run goody bag...a super soft tee, headband, a packet of super fun color for the Finish Line, and of course my race bib.

The token car picture...me, Christina, & Joann...we were soaking up the warmth of the car as long as possible. Although the temp was 54 degrees, the wind was brutal.

Me & Joann all decked out in our white and race bibs...ready to get this shindig started. This lady has become such a dear friend to me and I loved being able to share this memory with her.

Posing with the Runicorn! I mean seriously, what is a Color Run without posing with the mascot?!

People, people, everywhere! As far as the eye could see....over 10, 000 participants in the Springfield event and by far the largest thing I've been a part of. The excitement and adrenaline were just incredible!

Running through the "Blue Station"....this was insane!!

On the "brink of pink"...this was the last color station before the finish line...

And we're done!! It was also Christina's birthday....what a great way to spend a birthday!!

Me, Christina, & Joann after the race....sufficiently colored!! Oh my goodness...that was so much fun!!!! I'm ready for Little Rock in November :)

Selfie after the race.

So...this was one of the most memorable things I've done in my life and I can't wait until November when I do it again in Little Rock. Who wants to join me???

{Easter 2013}

My mom is the best at making holidays special and putting forth the extra effort to make it a fun and memorable time for everyone. We had a wonderful meal that everyone pitched in on, followed by hunting eggs for the littles (complete with prizes), and then Minute-To-Win-It games for the adults (hilarious!). We learned who can shake it...and who can't. LOL.

This was technically Olivia's 2nd Easter, but she was only a few months old last year. This year, she toddled around and picked up eggs with the best of them. She didn't even mind the rain...well, mostly she didn't mind.

 "Look mom! I found an orange one."

 Olivia & mommy hunting for eggs at Nana & Papa Jack's...

 I hate that this one is blurry...but I took all the pictures with my phone...in the rain...lol.

I think Olivia ended up finding about 6 eggs...not bad for a 1 year old...and she was so cute doing it!