Easter

We enjoyed a wonderful Easter lunch with at my sister's house. We gathered at her house for lunch with my mom and my brother in laws parents. We had a yummy lunch! After lunch the kids went outside for an egg hunt. 

We are on Spring Break this week and we are looking forward to a week off and spending time together. 

Here are some pictures from the weekend.

Happy Birthday!

This weekend was spent celebrating Chad's birthday. He is now 31!! We were able to spend time with both sides of his family.  We tried out the new Green Egg and Chad even got in some turkey hunting.

 One of Chad's cakes!

Happy Birthday to my fantastic husband. You are my best friend and I love you dearly!  You are a fantastic father to our kids! Happy Birthday! I can't wait to spend many more with you!

This picture sums up our life! As close to perfect as it gets!

Yay!! A Green Egg!

A few years ago Chad meet some pretty awesome guys and started duck hunting with them. Most of them have been friends for years but they have welcomed Chad and I into their Duck Clan (as I call it). There are about 16 of us together including the fantastic ladies! Some are married. other couples will be shortly. We have quickly become very close friends over the past couple of years. We have spent a week at the beach together, watched two couples get married, and have watched two welcomed their first child. Chad and I have become really close to this group and truly consider them our closest friends.

When someone gets married or has a special event, we normally pitch in and buy them a A Big Green Egg. Well, this past weekend it was Chad's turn! They completely surprised Chad and I both! The group pitched in got Chad A Green Egg and a stand. It was combination gift for his upcoming birthday, and to thank for him for a past duck hunting trip.

Chad was totally surprised and super excited. He can't wait to try it out this weekend! Now we need some ideas for recipes.

Thanks again to the group!! We truly love all of you and cherish our friendship.

A Fantastic Challenge!!

If you haven't heard or seen on Facebook this past Sunday I finally completed my first Half Marathon!!! I am super excited and proud of myself! Sunday morning my fantastic husband got up at 4:00 am and escorted me to Atlanta to participate in the Publix Half Marathon. I finished in 2:34 which exceeded my expectations! I just wanted to finish the race but was super exited with my time.

It was by far the hardest but most thrilling thing I have ever accomplished. I never played sports in  school, and never really felt apart of anything as far as athletics. This journey was all mine and I had to prove to myself that I could do this. I have worked so hard to get to this point. I have given up many Saturday and Sunday mornings and there were many 4:30 AM runs before work. I started the journey for health reasons but continued for the pure joy of it. I have over come foot surgery, and learned to deal with Asthma and running.  I have been told I was nuts, crazy, insane, amazing, and inspirational.. People have asked my "why?" I don't have a simple answer for that question,  I have many reasons that I could write an entire post on. I set a goal and accomplished it.  This race was hard but fun at the same time. It was challenging but well worth it.

I have to thank my wonderful husband who got up at 4:00 AM to cheer me on. He has also stood by me as I have been out running. He has watched our kiddos on numerous occasions so I could get in one more run. Chad has been one of my biggest supporters and I love you dearly!

Amber: My long time BFF She is the one who got me running to start with. I blame her for this addiction weekly. She has been there cheering me on, listening to me complain, and offering suggestions along the way. I can't wait for us to be able to run together next year!  I still greatly appreciate your post! If you missed it you can catch it here

Priscilla: You have been my long run partner. On those long cold days you have pushed me along and we have froze together!

 This is a blurry picture from my phone. But it is proof of my crossing the finish line. If you look closely I am smiling!

With my medal!

My dad and step-mom surprised me with a Congrats sign on the door!

I have also been asked if I an up for another one? The answer to that is YES!!! I already have some planned out. 2014 will be the year of running! After Amber has Ms. Amelia we will have a blast with the Diva Dash and then the "Big One" November 2014 we will plan on a Full Marathon. Yes 26.1. If you thought I was crazy just wait! 

Thanks for all the congrats and cheers!

First Day: March

 

Started my day at 5:12 am!

P.J. Day at school, for Dr. Seuss' B-Day!

 My new running shoes have shipped and they are headed my way!!

 Pizza

3 miles!

Bunny Cookies! Yummy!

17 Days until my "Big Race"

Free Advice??

Chad and I have made the recent decision to not let Evan go to Pre K this next year.
He will be 4 in May and is allowed to go based on his age.  We feel that he is not mature enough to  handle it. While he has had an awesome teacher this year who has done an excellent job of teaching him the needed material we still don't think he can handle it. It's a decision we made and think it will truly benefit him in the long run.

However we are getting a lot of slack, questions, and grief etc... about it. Its not from anyone in particular. Our family has backed us in the decision and our close friends totally understand our decision. It's random people that seem to want to give us their opinion. They seem to want to jump at the chance to tell us we are making a poor choice.  I know I'm not the only one who experiences this. I've had numerous conversations with a very close friend about it. She home schools her child and is questioned and bugged all the time. (I know my teacher friends are rolling their eyes. She truly home schools her child and does an excellent job of it.)

So my question is why do people offer advice and pass judgement on others? Especially when the decision being made is not effecting their own child? I'm not harming mine in anyway possible. I just don't understand. It seems that many times people are quick to tell what they think is wrong but not look at the whole picture. Maybe I'm worried about nothing and should not let it bother me but sometimes it just gets old.


On another note can Spring please get here!!! I'm sick of the cold weather!

13.1 here I come!!

Well I took the plunge and signed up for my first half marathon today!!

In March I will be running the Publix Half Marathon through Atlanta.

After running 9.3 I thought to myself why not run 3 more??

Wish me luck!!!