I DID IT!!!

I was extremely frustrated that I didn't get to finish my race a few weeks ago. People kept telling me "Its still an accomplishment to run as far as you did" or "you can always run another one later". I understand both of these points are true but it still didn't comfort me. When I graduated from high school, I had a list of three things I wanted to do in life besides get married, have a family, etc. Running a marathon was one of those things. I highly doubt I'll accomplish the other two. One was to recieve a Doctorate degree. I could always go back on work towards this but why? It would cost my family a lot of money and I plan on being home for my kids. The second was to do research in the Amazon. I'd be happy with just a visit to the Amazon at this point. Honestly, after a documentary Jared and I watched the other day, I'm not sure I even want to go there anymore. But, back to the point.... I thought watch something happen to me between now and the fall that would prevent me from running and I'd never get to accomplish even one of my goals. So, I just did it. I woke up early on Saturday and ran. Jared and the kids were troopers and spent the morning in the car driving from park to park to bring me gatorade. They only stopped to go to Katy's soccer game and then started right back on it. Jared and I had mapped out a 26.2 mile course using the trails the night before. It took me 4hr and 50 mins but I have now completed an entire marathon. Physically it was much easier than Nashville's hilly course, but mentally it was challenging. Other runners and specatators REALLY help. Its hard to keep going at the end when there is no one around and you aren't in a real race. I trudged through it though and am very excited to have finished it!! Already looking forward to running another one in the fall.

Lil' soccer player

A few weeks ago, one of the guys Jared works with sent home a pair of cowboy boots and little cleets his son had outgrown. Although Jacob has worn the boots several times, he LOVES the cleets. (I think I prefer the cleets also) Whenever Katy gets ready for soccer practice he has to put on his cleets. Then he kicks a ball all around the backyard. Its very cute.

Jim Gill

Jacob and Bella have been attending a playgroup at the High school on Tuesdays. They play with educational toys, make crafts, have a sensory table, and learn rhymes and songs. Its geared more to Jacob's age but Bella has tagged along all year. The high school students come and play with the children learning how to interact with young kids. The program also provides optional seminars and learning support for parents who want some extra guidance.

They have both really enjoyed this weekly outing (big thanks to Rochelle for convincing me to sign up). Tuesday was the last playgroup, not only for the year, but forever. Due to budget cuts, this part of the early childhood education program was cut. They had arranged for Jim Gill to come put on as concert for the kids. Jim Gill writes and sings kids songs. One of the songs, Jump and Shout, was a favorite throughout playgroup. It was requested every week and was Jacob's favorite part. Its great because he's an excellent counter and some of the credit goes to the song.

Jacob woke up Tuesday morning and asked if it was time to "Trot trot to playgroup" yet. Trot trot to playgroup was one of the rhymes we said every week.
(The kids would sit on our lap while we sang)
Trot trot to playgroup, Trot one two, you better watch out or you might fall through
(We'd pull apart our legs letting them fall through to the center)
(sitting on our lap again)
Trot Trot to playgroup, Trot on over you'd better watch out or you might fall over(We'd tip them off to the outside)

The concert was across the street at the athletic complex. When I pulled into the parking lot Jacob yelled "This is NOT where we jump and count. He was worried we were skipping it.

Jim did a great job interacting with the kids. Unfortunately, my kids were not sure what to think of a guy sitting right in front of us singing the songs and playing a banjo. I could barely get them to participate. When Jim started to sing Jump and Shout, Jacob jumped up and started jumping. I was excited that he was finally getting into it. Halfway through the song he randomly froze, ran over to me, and buried his face in my shirt. I have no idea what caused it. Its like he suddenly realized he was having fun.

The program bought a Jim Gill CD for every family. Unfortunately, it was not the one with Jump and Shout so I bought that one. Its funny to hear Bella and Jacob walk around singing songs about Alabama and Mississippi. Jacob is enjoying jumping and counting from his own home.

My pictures didn't turn out very good but here is a few:

Waiting for it to start

Happy 7th Xandy

Xandy turned 7 on April 30th. She was thrilled to have the day off due to a teacher workshop. We loaded the kids up in the car when Jared came home from work and headed down to the mall. Xandy had no idea we were going. She was excited when we stopped at the Piercing Pagoda. We stopped at Dairy Queen on the way home per her b-day dinner request.

The next day we had a Luau party for her. We painted toenails and decorated flipflops by tying water ballons around the top of the flipflop. (I ended up having to help a lot!)

The finished products (make sure to double knot!)

Trying to move the Hula hoop around the circle while holding hands

The Limbo (cousin Megan is the girl behind Xandy)

Passing the coconut. A special thanks to big sister Katy who instead of playing manned the music so Mom and Dad could get the food ready

We did not serve cake (also upon her request) but instead had Hawiian pizza, fruit skewers, and fruit smoothies. Her primary teacher stopped by with a gift and some yummy brownies frosted with peanutbutter and chocolate.
The delicious brownies!!

I was able to pick up some Luau decorations for a $1 each at Deals!

I made the centerpiece with extra fruit I had leftover from the skewers and smoothies

Xandy with her friend Lexy and Jacob. Lexy has been in both her kindergarten and 1st grade classes so far.

Attending sister's party was exhausting. Jacob crawled up on his Dad and passed out

Inspired by C

I love reading Christina's blog. (Christina is married to Jared's cousin) Not only is she one of the most fun people in the world, she is always striving to be better. Her New Year's resolution was to learn something new everyday. I've enjoyed reading about her experiences. She also is an excellent mom and makes me want to do a better job with my kiddos. Anyway, I love jewelry, but not so much the prices. Now, the girls are starting to want to accessorize and the cost starts to add up with 4 of us. One day, I found myself wishing I had some more "play cash" to use on a cute necklace I saw. Inspired by Christina, I left the necklace hanging in the store, and decided to do something about my dilemma. I decided to teach myself to make some jewelry. These pieces are my first attempt. They are far from perfect, but I have learned what to do different next time, and I had a blast. It was a neat sense of accomplishment when I was finished, and the girls where in awe!! I'm definately excited to try more. Thanks Christina for your great example!!

Help our Garden Grow

Xandy had her first grade music program last week. The program was "Helping our Garden grow" I have been very impressed with the cute programs the music department puts on here. They do a great job with the kids!! The programs always end by using whatever the theme and message was and comparing it to how the kids can improve themselves and become better people. Here's a little clip of the hoe-down song with Xandy's little speaking part

Marathon week-end Part 2

After I got cleaned up it was time for some lunch. I had been looking forward to eating a steak after my race for weeks. My nephew Mason said "Aunt Terra can we go to McDonalds for lunch?" I am NOT a McDonalds person. If I am going to eat fastfood, McDonalds is way way down on my list of places to stop. I realized going to a steak house was probably going to be pretty boring for the boys, so we compromised. While flipping through the restaurant binder in the hotel room I noticed an ad for the Rainforest Cafe. A fun place for the kids that was bound to have some steak for me. After making a mad dash for the cars in the torrential downpour, we were off. Jared accidently parked on the opposite side of a very long, very large, very long mall. My unstretched legs were protesting by the time we reached the Rainforest Cafe. The boys were excited to go in and were in love with the large fish tanks. The hostess escorted us to what I thought was the perfect table for the boys. Our table was in a little alcolve surrounded by 2 elephants.

Periodically these elephants would come alive and make whatever that noise is called elephants make and move around. Perfect for little boys right? Um, not so much. I thought Austin was going to pass out the first time the elephants moved. He looked petrified. Although he relaxed a little thoughout the meal, he would still tense everytime the elephants came alive. Half through my delicious steak and shrimp meal he said "Aunt Terra, will you hurry up so we can leave this place!" I took him on a walk to check out the rest of the Cafe and he did enjoy that, somewhat.

After I finished my meal, I got up to use the restroom. As I stood Tonya said "Do you really have to use the restroom now" and she did not use the nicest tone of voice. I replied "Yes, I've drank a ton today and I need to go" but inside I was thinking "what's her problem??? Geez, can't a girl use the restroom!!" Within seconds of my return to the table, the servers brought out a sparkling volcano for my b-day. Then I understood why she was so upset I decided to use the restroom when I did. We all had a good laugh over it.

After lunch we said goodbye to the Rays and their friends and returned back to the hotel. (On a side note, I have to thank Tonya's friend for coming. She doesn't like country music or athletics of any kind. Throw in the torrential rain and miles of walking she was subjected to, and you have a week-end she would never have picked on her own. She was a great friend to Tonya, and I appreciate her coming along.). After eating a yummy lunch, I was ready for a nice nap.

It was still raining pretty hard in the evening and we were trying to figure out what to do. Jared looked up some local movie listings but I wanted to do something "nashvilly". We ended up going to the race concert (once we were confident it was inside). It was fun and we really enjoyed ourselves. We parked right at the venue which we don't normally do. But being as it was only $5 more than the parking lots several blocks away, it was still pouring rain (and we didn't have an umbrella) and my legs were done for the day, it was a $5 well spent.

When we got home I was a little disappointed in my kids indifferent reaction. I expected them to be so happy I was back. But really, they didn't seem to care much. They had a BLAST with Lisa and were sad when she left. They had made me a Congratulations sign with her help.

I guess I can be lucky that the race wasn't a week later or I wouldn't have been able to run at all. Its crazy to see the pics of Nashville and see that places we ran are now several feet underwater. CRAZY!!!!

LP field where the finish line was

Country Music Hall of Fame (we ran right by here)
I borrowed these last pics from various website- hope that was okay