My Little B-Ball Player

Just wanted to post some pics of Aaron playing baseball for all my family to see. He is so stinkin' cute in that uniform!!! I love it!!! I am so proud of him. Kyle, if you and Jenna are reading this...He reminds me of you when you played ball. (always brings a smile to my face thinking about that) He has played so hard and has already learned so much this season. He has hit the ball before the third pitch every single time he has gotten up to bat. He has gotten to play third base, shortstop, and pitcher. He has fielded many balls and throws that ball so accurately. He can't wait for the games and just has a huge smile on his face when he is playing. He tells me that I need to "cheer so loud." He will make me practice in the van on the way to the game. If I don't yell loud enough, he will tell me. It is so funny....most of those moms don't cheer at all....I think their boys tell them not to cheer. So, I am the only one hollering. But, I don't care *smile* I love it. One day he probably won't want me to, but until that time comes...I will shout as loud as I can to make sure my little boy hears me.

Country Music Marathon...Mission Accomplished!

Well, the day finally came! The Big Race...13.1 miles...notice I did not leave off the .1. I am so thankful that I got the chance to be in the race. 3 1/2 weeks before the big day after an 11 mile run, I hurt the ligaments in my foot. I couldn't run on it until the Wednesday before the race. So, I wasn't even sure if the taping on my foot would work or not.. I honestly still cannot believe that I finished the race and didn't walk. My time was 2:13. This was such a huge goal for me. It felt so good to finish. I am so proud of all of us!

The night before I couldn't sleep. When I say, I couldn't sleep...I mean I didn't sleep. Not even one minute. So, at 4:00 I was still wide awake...Brooke picked me up at 4:45. And we were in downtown Nashville by 5:30. Don't ask me why I didn't sleep. I was just anxious. So nervous that I wouldn't be able to finish. That I would have to walk. That I would have to limp. That I would have to be hauled off in a stretcher. I thought of every possible scenario and what I would do in each case....Crazy, I know! I just was so nervous. But, praise God my foot did great and so did my IT band. The heat was a lot to handle though. We had been used to running in really cold and cool temperatures...so 88 degrees...was a little much!!

So many times on the course I just cried tears of joy...just overwhelming emotions. Everytime I saw Jason and the kids...(I have such a great husband...he hauled 3 kiddos around a 13 mile course so that they could see me in the middle and at the finish!...showed me how proud he was of me) The kids had made signs and cheered Go Mommy Go as I ran past. We passed a Baptist church in Belmont and they were singing..."He gives and takes away"...as I ran past. That song is a sweet reminder to me from the Lord and it really made me boo hoo that He had that playing as I passed to encourage me on mile 8. There were bands all around the course. And so many people lined the streets cheering us on. That was so awesome. They were all so great...many times I cried because of them. I know what you all are thinking...sure was a whole lot of cryin' goin' on....remember, I had had no sleep. But, it was truly an emotional, rewarding, awesome experience. When I finished the race, as soon as I saw Melaney, I wrapped my arms around her and just cried. I was so proud of her and of me...it was just one of those moments I will never forget! Great Job Girls! Love you all! So proud of you all! And next up...triathalon...but I need a little break before then :)

Abigail's 7th Birthday!

This was Abigail's dream birthday party. 13 girlfriends, and one very sweet friend of mine who came to help me...thank you Jadie...couldn't have done it without you! We had an almost slumber..slumber party...complete with facial masks, manicures, dressing up and putting on a show, karaoke, pizza, cake and ice cream, and of course we had to go outside in our p.j.'s. Abigail is hiding behind that tree in the first picture. You can totally see her :) and so could the girls! *smile* Catherine, our sweet next door neighbor is the little girl applying the makeup on the girls. She was very serious about her responsibility. She wanted the make-up to be perfect...so she would tell the girls..."Stop bumping me! Don't move!" I am sure most of you are aware of this, but if you are ever thinking about having a girls night like this with a bunch of little girls...be prepared to suffer a little hearing loss due to the high pitch squealing. Ear plugs might have been a good option. But, when you hear that scream that makes dogs run and hide....that is a sure sign that they are having a blast!
The cutest part of the night was watching the girls walk the runaway in the dress up outfits that they chose. They really knew how to strut their stuff and work the runway to Hannah Montana music. Then to close out the evening, we watched it on our big screen. Their laughter filled the house. And it brought me "happy tears" to see my little quiet girl strut her stuff so confidently and then watching her giggle to tears watching her and her friends. It was such a treat!

I am so thankful that Abigail has such sweet friends to share her birthday with. And thank you Jadie...only a real friend would willingly subject themselves to the wildness of that night :)

Beach Bums

Our annual family spring break trip to the beach was so much fun. I just love hanging out with the kids and Jason and having nothing on my plate to do for a whole week except...go to the beach, play cards, work puzzles, eat at some great places, and laugh. The beach just makes you relax. There is nothing sweeter. The memories we make there I know will stay with the kids forever. Even if they don't remember what we did...they will remember being there and just having fun.

Allison was a little unsure of the beach at first. She was a little cautious when her feet first hit the sand...but given about a minute...she was off. She loved walking around in the lake and splashing. She "helped" the big kids build sand castles. When we would go for walks down the beach, she would want to be carried on your shoulders like the queen that she is *smile* She had a great time!

Aaron and Abigail of course had a blast. They just love the beach. If you ask them where their favorite place to go in the world...they will say the beach. They even got in the water some! Crazy kids...it was WAY too cold for that! At least for me!

I am thinking it is time to go back!