Where to start

First I want to recap on the boys TKD belt testing! They did so good and I wanted to share a few pics!

B was demonstrating a self defense move.

Now it's time for sparring.

Sparring each other.

yay! Promoted to the next belt! Way to go boys!

So...it was such a magical princess weekend! We had beautiful weather and so much fun! We headed to the expo on Friday for packet pickup.

I just love this glass running slipper! Yes we wore our tiaras to the expo. So many people asked about them, I might just have to set up a booth there next year just selling tiaras!!

We stopped to get our magic fairy dust for good luck!

Bippity Boppity Boo!

Mom's race was Saturday morning. We had to get there early.

Yay! She did it! and had a great time! There isn't an official count, but I think they said there were 5,000 participants in the Family 5K.

Then we spent the day walking around Epcot. It was the flower and garden festival so it was so pretty. They had so many characters carved in the flowers and bushes, it was amazing!

Then met back up at the Expo to meet my other girlfriends that were doing the race too. Of course I had to bring them tiaras too, they were so excited!

Ok, it's race morning....up at 3am and ready to head to the bus at 3:45am! We had to be on the bus no later than 4am!!

There were 13,091 finishers!! Wow! Here we are at the starting corrals..yes there were a few guys that ran in it too, maybe about 500. You can't even see the start line from here!

They shot off fireworks each time a corral started at the start line.

The fairy Godmother also gave each group a special wish.

We are about to start!!

This is my first pic, I obviously took it while I was running. I wasn't planning on really stopping.

This is a pic as we are starting to enter Magic Kingdom, blurry from my fast speed! Ha ha

The castle!! We ran through it, so awesome!

All done! We did it!!

All four of the Disney 1/2 marathon princesses!! Yippee!!

Love the medal!!

And of course we had to reward ourselves!!! YUMMO!

The race was awesome! It had a few hills at the end which was frustrating but lots of characters along the way. I didn't take any pics of them, but lots of people were stopping for photo ops. There were lots and lots of people decked out in costumes! I should of taken pics of some of them but didn't. It was a great fun weekend. Some of the best news....no injuries! I didn't have any blisters or chaffing problems like last time! whoo hoo! And I wasn't too sore to walk around Epcot and downtown Disney! Proud of myself and my girlfriends for a great race. I also improved my time by almost 20 min from last race! Happy about that, I'm still a snail slow runner but I improved. Also, it was sooooo crowded! I spent alot of time the first couple of miles and then again near the end trying to dodge around people and weave in and out to find a path so I could keep running. Also coming out of Cinderella's castle it was jam packed to a SLOW walk pace all the way down the walkway to bottom due to people posing for pics. I had to run with others in the grass off road alot just to keep a good pace, so considering that I could of been another 1/2 hour faster! ha ha...just kidding, but i'm sure it added a few minutes. But I don't care, I finished! I didn't have injuries and none of my other girlfriends had much more than some blisters so all in all we had a great Princess weekend!! yay!! I have more pics to share later probably in a link. Toodles to all for now!

So here ya go

Yay! I'm actually getting some of the park pics on here before I head out to Disney!

The weather was really nice. The kids all loved the swings! My niece and Bryson were first!

Amanda got the job of pushing everyone. Even Dev wanted a turn!

Wow! Look how high he is going!

Actually was able to snap a quick pics of the boys, my niece and our friends little girl. Funny how they just happen to sit in size order.

When we got back there was alot of basketball playing. Rodney was teaching B some plays. He really loved it!

Back at the park....( I don't know how to move these pics anymore once i insert them..sorry)

Soph turn a moment to crawl through the tunnel, but promptly wanted back on the swings.

I was able to catch D right in the air for his jump shot! Cool, just wish I wasn't so zoomed in.

We had such a great weekend!

Also wanted to share Dev's pic of a Zebra. I was like wow!!! I think they have been practicing in school.

Dev also did great at his 1st basketball game. His team won. Isn't he cute?!

Here is a sneak peak of my simple shirt. It's nothing extravagant, but I like it.

This week has been so busy. I know I already said that. Bowling went ok, I didn't bowl well at all. My neck was still hurting (my excuse) and I didn't want to push it too much and make it worse. Dev had his last indoor soccer game that night too. Luckily the field is right next to bowling, so Mom and I got to watch almost the first half of the game before we went over to bowling. Dev was doing really good. His team only lost 2 games for the season, not too bad!

Last night I zoomed home and ran 3 miles on the treadmill. I was feeling great and ran a much faster pace than I normally do. Plus I wanted to hurry and get done, so of course the faster I run the faster I can finish! Then I showered and met Mike at TKD to watch the boys. After that it was a school fundraiser night at a local resturaunt so we headed there to eat. There were alot of people from the school there eating so it was pretty fun. But we had to get home quickly and do homework and then off to bed. I worked on washing clothes and getting my itunes to work again. Decided I just had to download it to my laptop instead of fooling with the old computer. So glad I did, that way I was able to download some new songs that I really wanted to have on the iPod for the race!

Tonight I plan to head home after work and run 2 miles. My last run before the race. Then the boys are both testing for their new belts for TKD. Very exciting, we have finally been able to go consistently again so that they are able to move up belt ranks. They are excited of course. Then I need to get packing!! I might even have to make a clothes shopping trip too. Eekk! Tried to find a few outfits in my closet last night to wear this weekend and I wasn't too successful. Same story as always! oh well...

I think I'm going to run out at lunch to Hobby Lobby to grab some tiaras. I won't wear it likely for the race, but figured I might want to wear one when we get to orlando, and around the running expo and stuff. yippee! Going to be a great time! Wonder how many roller coasters I can get Mom on when we are at the park?? hee hee! I'll be sure to take lots of pics!!

Going to miss all my boys this weekend and wish they were there to cheer me on...but I know they will be with me and Mom in spirit!! They will have a great weekend with Daddy, I know it!

Well, my next post should be when I get back from my race with me and my medal!!!

Good and bad

The good is that I ran my 12 miles Sat. morning!! whoo hoo!! I actually ran it my fastest time ever per mile for a long run. I felt pretty good! Granted my legs were getting sore mile 11 to 12 as to be expected but otherwise felt great! Even showered and then rushed up to catch Dev's 1st basketball game. I missed only the 1st quarter but got to see the rest. Dev did good. He had quite a few good defensive moves. He seems to be more defensive in most sports than offensive, but that's ok. All teams need defense too!!
Our company arrived early afternoon and the weather was great! We spent the afternoon playing outside. Sunday we took a trip to the park and my niece and bro and sis in law joined us too. What a great day. The kids loved the playground and then we took a short walk on a nature trail. We enjoyed the rest of the evening at home and then us adults played some Wii and Play station games. It was so much fun! We are so happy our friends continue to visit us yearly! I will try to post some pics this week. I am very busy this week.

The bad....over the weekend I developed a sore throat, cough and runny nose...ugh!! not now!!! It finally started to resolve a little on Monday morning. While getting ready for work I turned my head and got a terrible crick in my neck!! ouch!! This is terrible!! All day yesterday i kept a heating pack on it and it was very hard to move my neck and lift my arms. This can't be happening....I have a 1/2 marathon in 5 days!! So I took pain meds and Mike fixed me up a soaking heat wrap to put on it. I went to bed early last night after getting home with Bry from gymnastics. This morning my neck is feeling alot better. I still have a little residual pain but I can function so much better today! Trouble is....I have bowling tonight! Not sure how that's going to go. I'm not going to push it though, my race is much more important. I think I can probably do OK, since the pain is much better but I'll just have to try it out and see. If it's too painful then I won't bowl. My team will just have to go with my absentee score. Also want to try to run 2 miles tonight after bowling, this is the slow down week for running. But I don't want to not run at all...i think I should be ok to run tonight.

Speaking of running...oh yeah. I've been having major wardrobe malfunctions for my race outfit. I bought a tutu type skirt about a month ago and a shirt I thought I might wear. Well when I put it all on together and it looks horrible!! I really wanted to wear the tutu skirt thing, but it's not happening. I don't like it at all. So one day i went looking for other options, after lots of looking I found something to work. I just bought a regular running type shirt and a black running skirt. Didn't know if I'd like the running skirt, but with my leggings on under it's not too bad. I bought some princess iron on decals at Joann fabric and ironed them on my shirt. I think it is cute. It's not a spectacular princess costume or anything but I think it will be ok. I ran in the skirt on Sat. too just to make sure it fit ok to run in. Luckily, no problems there, so I'm happy about that!! Hoping to find some kind of cute hat to wear when we get there. Alot have worn tiaras in the past for this race, but I don't think I'd like it. Hoping to find a cute hat to wear or I'll just wear the one I bring.
Of course I still need to decide what I'm going to wear the rest of the weekend. eekk! The weather should be high 70's with lows in the upper 50's. Should be very very nice!! I am so excited!! Except for the 3am wake up call on Sunday for the race. yes...we have to be on the bus by 4am and to our race corral by 5am! that is pretty early considering we probably won't cross the start line till almost 630!! oh well, must follow the rules! Excited to see Mom do her 5K around Epcot on Saturday morning!! We can't spectate anywhere in the park, only at the start and finish line for her but that's OK, I'll have my camera in hand! and she'll get her Disney medal!! whoo hoo! It will be Mom's 3rd 5K, how about them apples?? hee hee.  Hoping I can convince her to navigate around Disney while I'm running to catch me at points to take pics, it should be pretty easy. I plan to give her step by step directions, we'll see.
It's a pretty busy rest of the week ahead. Lots of family stuff, school stuff and race prep stuff to do. We leave Friday morning...yay!! I am really very excited!! Plus it will be their first 1/2 marathon for my other 3 runner friends that will be there with me! It's gonna be awesome!! Haven't seen my friend in about 10 or 12 years either....very exciting!

THIS IS MY COURSE!! It says 2010 on it, but it's the same course this year! See me starting in Epcot, running to Magic Kingdom, we run through the park and then through the Castle! Then head back through Disney property into Epcot and to finish at Epcot! whoo wee!

 

Yippee!! We leave in 2 1/2 days for a great weekend!!!!!!!

Toodles.

The pics to go with..

Bry loving his McD gift card!!

Enjoying recess after the Valentine party.

Mailboxes to the boys from Mommy.

The mail: a hot wheel car, a few Valentine tootsie rolls, sour Warheads, Dots, candy necklace, and a small flower pot that grows grass.

Dev being silly at his Valentine party.

Got out last night and ran 5 miles. wow, the weather was so nice! I made it back just in time as it got dark. I knew I'd be cutting it close but made sure I was right by my house for the last little bit. Plan to get outside again tonight and run 3. This weekend will be my last long run. Want to run 11 or 12 miles and the weather is supposed to be great. We have company coming in town from STL our friends that visit yearly, we are so excited! I had planned to get out and run Sat before they arrive early afternoon. We just found out last night that Dev's 1st basketball game is this Sat at 11. eekk...I can't miss the game!! And...he will have two games while I'm gone to Disney. So I guess I will have to make sure I'm an early bird and get out and run before 8am! If not, I'm not sure when I'll get it done. Plus I'm working Monday so that I can be off on Friday. I have had to use up alot of PTO with snow days for the kids and me. So the weekend is my only time to get the long run done. Then only 2 -3 shorts runs the following week and then off to Disney on Friday! whoo hoo! I actually am very excited about it! I think it will be alot of fun running the Disney property and through Magic Kingdom and Cinderella's castle!! The website talks about alot of people stopping along the run for photo ops....well I don't really see me doing that at all! I will definetely take in all the sites with my eyes and memory, but don't plan to stop to take pics! I want it to be over faster than slower...and stopping will only make the race slower...right?! I will have my phone with me just incase I see that just have to have photo...but seriously doubt it. My main concerns....the start line.....and the finish line!!! :-)
Sure hoping the weather stays warm so that we can relax by the pool after the race!!
Well that's about all for now, need to plan my menu and grocery list for this weekend. Toodles!

Makes you think

A friend posted this on FB, I really like this story.

When I was a kid, my mom liked to make breakfast food for dinner every now and then. And I remember one night in particular when she had made breakfast after a long, hard day at work.

On that evening so long ago, my mom placed a plate of eggs, sausage and extremely burned biscuits in front of my dad. I remember waiting to see if anyone noticed! Yet all my dad did was reach for his biscuit, smile at my mom and ask me how my day was at school. I don't remember what I told him that night, but I do remember watching him smear butter and jelly on that biscuit and eat every bite!

When I got up from the table that evening, I remember hearing my mom apologize to my dad for burning the biscuits. And I'll never forget what he said: "Honey, I love burned biscuits."

Later that night, I went to kiss Daddy good night and I asked him if he really liked his biscuits burned. He wrapped me in his arms and said, "Your Momma put in a hard day at work today and she's real tired. And besides - a little burnt biscuit never hurt anyone!"


Life is full of imperfect things......and imperfect people. I'm not the best at hardly anything, and I forget birthdays and anniversaries just like everyone else. But what I've learned over the years is that learning to accept each others faults - and choosing to celebrate each others differences - is one of the most important keys to creating a healthy, growing, and lasting relationship.


And that's my prayer for you today. That you will learn to take the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of your life and lay them at the feet of God. Because in the end, He's the only One who will be able to give you a relationship where a burnt biscuit isn't a deal-breaker!


We could extend this to any relationship. In fact, understanding is the base of any relationship, be it a husband-wife or parent-child or friendship!


"Don't put the key to your happiness in someone else's pocket - keep it in your own." So Please pass me a biscuit, and yes, the burnt one will do just fine

Last minute

So yesterday Dev woke up and wanted me to cook him a "special" breakfast. I didn't have anything I could throw together so last night I stopped at the store for strawberries. I was thinking of maybe pancakes with strawberries. So this morning he came right down and wanted to know what his special breakfast was, because I had told him I'd do it today. All of a sudden I had a last minute idea....strawberry aliens! Not sure where I got that from in my head, but of course the boys loved it! They had aliens with their hot pockets this morning.

Breakfast is always better when it's decorated...right?! LOL!!
Also Dev is so sweet....we are pulling out of the driveway this morning and he yells out the window..."Daddy, I love you more than a dozen roses!!!"" Just love it!! Happy Wednesday!

{> my version of a heart!

Well I don't know how to make a heart with computer symbols...oh well. Hope everyone had a great Valentine's Day. We did. The boys loved their mailboxes that I put at their breakfast spot. They liked opening the mailbox to see what was in it. They loved staying the night at Granny's house on Sat. and the chocolate...ggrrrr....that Granny gave them! (I'll have to hide that!) and they loved their McD gift cards from Mimi and Gran J! Bry was so excited that he got a credit card. But he didn't know what it was for. I explained it was for Mc Donalds and he was like" how?" then I told him he could use it to buy his own food...."buy my own food???? yyyeeeaaahhhhh!!!!" he was so excited! It was so cute!!
I got to attend both boys Valentine school parties! I am room mom for Bry's class and I was able to make it to this party so I organized a few games and a craft. The teacher printed a pic of each kid and I provided foam hearts for them to decorate with their pic on it and had a magnet on the back to take home and put on the fridge. The kids really seemed to enjoy decorating the hearts. They also played a hopscotch type game holding an empty big Valentine heart candy box  and get a prize and also played a toss the valentine teddy into a bucket for a prize. I let the other room mom be in charge of the goody bags (or lack of) I should say. :-(  It's terrible, I really don't see myself as so overly creative or out there with ideas but I guess I am. We have a specific amount of money for each party already collected so I say use it and get the kids some useful things in a goody bag, but it didn't happen. Then during the recess period there were about 5 parents sitting and watching all the kids play. I was the only parent pushing the kids on the swings. Then I ended up with about 10 kids surrounding me and laughing and running as I chased them with giant pincher hands (pretending of course). It was too funny, I don't know about them(the other parents) but.....I had a good time though..LOL! Dev's class ate some treats and then decorated bags to collect their Valentine's in, I was just a helper for that party. The kids seemed to enjoy it. They didn't play any games. I am glad I got to go to both parties. With my new schedule I'm not able to make as many class parties as in the past. I might have to take off for either Easter or end of the year party for Bry's class though, because I want to do a fun outside party with relay races and stuff and I don't think the others will plan it. His teacher is great too and is fine with anything that I plan. :-)

Well the weather was kinda in the 60's on Sunday for my run...but!!...didn't know it was going to be hurricane winds! It was so windy outside that i wasn't about to attempt to run outside. So, I resorted to my 11 mile run on the treadmill. I actually suprised myself! I did really good. I didn't start to get bored until about mile 8 or so, but I just told myself I had come this far and I wasn't stopping, I wasn't stopping, I wasnt' stopping. Then i walked 1/2 mile for a cool down. I felt really good afterwards and I was so excited! This training is going much better than last time and I'm so happy about it! Only 9 days till the race!!! Who knew I'd ever run 11 miles on a treadmill!!! wowzers!!! whoo hoo!! So I'm scheduled for a 12 mile this Sat!! So happy that it will be the last of my long runs before the race! I think the weather is supposed to be nice again so hoping to run outside. Our friends from STL are coming in town this weekend for their annual visit. I am so excited! The weather should be nice and planning to go to a park, zoo, or something outside. Their baby is almost 2, so it will be alot of fun, and the boys...especially Dev, likes to play with little ones. Just gotta get out and do my run early on Sat. before they arrive.
Dev had his first basketball practice with his school team last night. I wasn't there, but Daddy was and said he did really good. There are two teams between the 1st and 2nd grade. Dev is on a team with almost all 2nd graders and maybe 2 or 3 1st graders. I'm not sure if they did it kinda by birthday or what, but Mike said Dev was almost the tallest on his team....hmmmm...is he gonna be 6 ft?? We'll see.
I took Bry to his gymnastics last night. He is doing very good and really enjoying it. I can tell he has improved on the skills they have been working on, so I'm very happy about that.

I have some pics to share, but I'll have to add those later.

Tonight is bowling, hoping that I'm able to bowl at least a few decent games. Toodles for now.