{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!

{Happy Birthday To Me...40 List}

Today is my day...or so they say...lol. Another year older and I hope a bit wiser. There's something about turning 39 that makes you start pondering your life...what you've accomplished...where you're headed. Taking my cue from Jenny, I decided to make a list. 40 things I would like to accomplish this year...before I turn 40. Wow! Typing that added a few more grey hairs! So...thought I would share my list with you guys. Feel free to encourage me along the journey or join in on your own journey.

1. Read through the ENTIRE Bible in process

2. Finish writing out the book of Psalms in process

3. Run a 5K   4/13/13 Falcon 5K Paragould, AR

4. Run a 10K

5. Run a Half-Marathon 11/23/13 Turkey Trot Half Marathon, Paragould, AR

6. Participate in the Color Run  4/6/13 in Springfield, MO

7. Organize ALL my photos

8. Visit the boutique "gingermichelle" in Macon, Georgia

9. Take a trip by train

10. Family trip to Six Flags

11. Attend the Miss America Pageant finals with Mallorye

12. Learn to make my own bread

13. Have an updated family picture made...on the beach :)

14. Ride a subway

15. Host a "Friendsgiving"

16. Learn piano...again

17. Go camping

18. Learn to set up a tent

19. Enjoy a weekend getaway with Q in a city we've never visited  July 4th Weekend in Kansas City

20. Write a book (I know...kind of a lofty goal)

21. Finish writing the 2 songs I've started

22. Go on a "Girlfriend Getaway"

23. Get to my ideal healthy weight

24. Host 12 different families over for a meal

25. Learn to change a flat tire

26. Learn to change the oil in my car

27. Attend a Razorback game with Blake

28. Keep a journal of 1,000 (& more) Gifts in process

29. Go para-sailing

30. Get my craft room set up & organized October 2013

31. Stay in the Treetop Cottages

32. Celebrate each holiday with extravagant enthusiasm

33. Encourage someone different each week

34. Ride a roller coaster with Mallorye

35. Have a professional 5 generation picture made

36. Minimize stuff & eliminate the need for a storage building

37. Document the year...Project Life style

38. Complete Jen Hatmakers "Seven" Challenge

39. Attend the "Leading & Loving It" Retreat in Nashville

40. Take my mom zip-lining

Some of these goals are lofty...most take planning...but all of them are completely doable!

Hopefully, I will keep you guys updated on my progress :)

Here's to Rockin' the 30's out and ushering in the 40's!

{Sick Day}

One of the memories that I treasure about Quentin's parents, is how they would be there for me and our children at the drop of a hat...no matter what. I can recall several occasions that Frances would take off work and stay home with one of my sick kiddos, so that I could go to school or to work. I never understood why she would do that; why she would go without ...until today.

 

Miss Olivia was sent home from daycare with a tummy bug. Mallorye was at her first full day of work at St. Bernards and Matt was training some new guys at his job. It's important to me that they succeed and build their careers so that they can enjoy life with this little bundle of life...important enought that I was happy to leave work to take care of Miss O while mommy & daddy worked.

 

I remember how comforting it was to me to know that someone was caring for my children that loved them just as much as I did while they were sick...I hope Mallorye & Matt felt that same comfort today...and Nana got some quality cuddle time while giving some TLC :)

 

Trying to get in a few zzzz's while Olivia rested....

 

Olivia cuddling her baby while I cuddled her....

 

Such sad little sickly eyes....she stayed most of the day in my arms and isn't that what sick days are all about? Rest and Pampering!

{January 1 ~ Resolution Run}

January 1, 2013

The Resolution Run

Paragould, AR

 

One of my goals for the new year is to run in at least 6 races....now, let's clear up something...I'm not really a runner. Shhhh....don't tell my body! I'm trying to sneak this one by. I've been jogging/walking off and on for most of 2012 and have lost 12 pounds in the process, but I'm ready to ramp up my efforts. Being the competitive person that I am....racing seemed like a great way to start. My age division is pretty tough, so I know that placing is a far stretched goal, but I do have goals;

 

The goal for this race?

Finish. In under 30 mintues (which is far from impressive). And to not puke.

I'm proud to say that I did finish. In 28:51 (yay me!). And I did not puke...not even once!

 

Me & Mallorye crossing the finish line together. I was so proud of my daughter for not quitting and pushing through the discomfort of running in 32 degree wet weather & burning lungs.

 

After the race....aren't we a pretty sight? LOL

 

Mallorye with her 3rd place finish in her division! How does that happen? Didn't we cross at the same time?? I told you my age group was competitive! And our friend, Brandi, who placed 1st overall...she's actually the one that got me interested in running and keeps encouraging me to keep trying and keep pressing on.

 

My 1st race bib and my tshirt.

It really is all about the shirt...I mean if you're going to get out there and sweat and torment your lungs, feet, and knees...you really should at least get a tshirt :)

 

Next race: January 12