13.1

                                                     Andy, Abby, and Katie before the race

I did it. I managed to walk 13.1 miles this past weekend in the Country Music 1/2 Marathon. I have such a short stride that my fast walking is slow so I was very worried about making it in the time limit. All I wanted to do was make it in 4 hours. I did it in 3 hours and 54 minutes. So I was happy. I had also been very worried that I would be the last one out there with the pace car following behind me. But I was FAR from the rear. I kept looking back and seeing what looked like thousands of people behind me. Several of my friends also did the 1/2 marathon, it was such a great experience to do it with other people who were all encouraging and supporting each other. Even though we were all at different levels and different paces just knowing they were there made it easier. I look forward to doing another one soon.

Big Event

Wow. I am so nervous and excited. Tomorrow morning at 4 am I will be heading to Nashville for my first 1/2 marathon. I am just one of the walkers bringing up the rear of the 30,000 that will be on the course. But 13.1 is 13.1 no matter what locomotion you use to finish. Hey, I may even be crawling by the end of it. I was feeling really good about the whole thing until last week and then ---- I get sick. Started as a head cold and has worked its way to my chest. With my history of asthma this is the part that worries me. I hope my lungs will allow me to keep up a good pace. People have said "you done have to do it, its not to late to back out" but those people forget my stubborn nature. Once I say I am going to do something you better believe I am going to do it. I am so proud of all the folks that have been training with me. Can't wait to see you at the finish!!!!!

Nothing New

This past weekend I was under the weather. Since I am doing a half marathon in less than a week I decided it was best to get myself well so I would be ready on Saturday. So Audra-Grace and I just hung around the house. Saturday morning Daniel got up and headed out to cook hamburgers and hotdogs for all the people participating in the Race For the Cure. He said there was a great turnout. I envy those people who can ride 50-100 miles on a bike. Not me - those seats are way to uncomfortable for that. Sunday we visited Grace Community Church for the second week in a row. It is very different from any church Daniel or I have ever gone to before but I think thats a good thing. Right now we are having lots of changes in our lives. I then headed out to the Queen City Road Race and it was a wet one. We had two teams from WCES running the 5k relay. And one of our teams won. Way to go!!!! I am very proud of them. It was worth standing in the rain for hours -even if they didn't win. I was then feeling well enough I needed to get some walking in. Oh the hills of Rudolph Town. I was glad to get out there again. With my crazy life it had been about 3 weeks since I had done any training whatsoever. Have a great day all.

Snack Time!

Last night was my turn to host book club. I must say book club is one of my favorite things. I tend to commit myself to so much but this is one commitment I enjoy each month. Getting together with such a great group of women and having great discussions is a highlight of my month. This month we read a book about a group of Jewish women in Memphis. It is nice to learn about other people and think beyond what we know and are comfortable with. 

Now for the real reason I am posting. I just have to share some pictures. I made lasagna the book club girls and there was a bunch left over. Daniel and Audra-Grace had been out spending some quality time together but when they got home and saw that lasagna they had to make a plate. Daniel made himself a plate and Audra-Grace soon became very fussy. Daniel kept telling me he wanted to be picked up (all while he is sitting and enjoying his 2nd dinner of the night). I picked her up and she just kept pointing at his plate. I was very aware at that point what she was fussing for. She wanted to eat. SO I set her on the table and he shared his lasagna with her. It was so cute. She was sitting criss-cross-applesauce (as we teachers say) and she looked like such a big girl. I feel like just yesterday she was my little 6 pound bundle of joy. Where does the time go!!! Oh --- by the way --- remember, she had been with her daddy all night... I do usually have her hair fixed!

Sheets- my something random for the day

Once a week I experience one of my top 10 favorite things. Clean sheets! I love getting into a freshly made bed with just out of the dryer sheets. SO as I was falling asleep last night my mind was on a conversation I had had recently with a group of friends. I was shocked to hear that most people have several sets of sheets that they use on their bed. WHAT????? Not me, I wash and dry my sheets and then they go right back on. There are a few reason for this. The first is that I hate and refuse to fold sheets --- folding a fitted sheet is nearly impossible. The second is that my sheets match my bedding. They are the exact sea-foam green color as the blanket is on my bed and they match beautifully with the gold and black that make up my room. I would be devastated to turn down my bed at night and find some awful paisley sheets that do not match. It is so hard to match my sheets to the color I need that when I see sheets in that color I will buy them so when my current sheets are worn out I have some to replace them. I guess that is why baskin robbins make 31 flavors - we are all allowed to like our own thing --- mine just happens to be good sheets!

Easter

                                                             So Sweet
                                                       Checking out all the gifts the Easter Bunny brought
                                                               Looking for eggs  
                                              The Easter basket!

I look for any reason to dress my sweet little girl in a pretty smocked bishop and today was a perfect day for it. There is something about how angelic she looks in a simple white dress. I will hate it when she tells me one day "mom I am not wearing these baby dresses anymore". Our day started early with a visit to Grace Community Church. WOW!!!! We were so pleased to see how many friends we have that go there. Everyone was so welcoming. I think we will probably be seen around there more often. After we got home it was time for Audra-Grace to see what the Easter Bunny had left for her. Her Easter basket is the one I used a child. My grandfather made them for my sister and I. It was very special to see her carrying around. We looked outside to see that the Easter Bunny had dropped off some eggs in our yard. Daniel did not think Audra-Grace would know to put the eggs in the basket but I had faith in my girl. She was soon gathering all the eggs and putting them in her little basket. It was so sweet. I know it meant a lot more to me than to her at this point. She really has no idea of what she was doing. After all the morning fun it was time to take a nap. We had a busy evening - Katie, Bo, and Maddie were coming over for dinner and we had a lot to do to get ready. The girls had so much fun together. Whatever Maddie does Audra-Grace is repeating. And of course we spent most of the time watching the Masters. Augusta National - a little slice of heaven. 

Where a Kid Can Be A Kid

Friday I decided to bite the bullet and visit Chuck E Cheese. After taking other people's kids there on a few occasions Daniel and I both have been dreading this. He was lucky enough to be out of town so I roped my mom and sister into coming with me. We went early enough to beat the lunch crowd and it was not nearly as bad as I thought it would be. Audra-Grace and Maddie like only 1 game and the toddler slide. We could have not bought a single token and they would have been happy. All in all - it was a good time. Next time ---- Daniel is not getting of the hook and he will be joining us.

Sick Again :(

Audra-Grace just cannot catch a break. We ended up back at the doctor's office again today. About two nights ago she started waking in the night a fussing so I knew something was not right. After another night of her being up and crying (more like screaming) I decided to let her stay home with her daddy and make an appointment. As the day went on her breathing was sounding worse and worse. I had thought it was another ear infection but that was quickly ruled out. After being at the doctors office for 2 1/2 hours and having her ears checked, a strep test, a chest x-ray, having blood drawn, and a breathing treatment she was worn out. By the time I got there she was soaking wet from sweating due to all the crying she had been doing. I picked her up and within minutes she was sound asleep on my shoulder. That was a rare moment so I cherished it - but it also made me sad because I knew it meant she really felt bad. Dr, Moore came back in and told us she has a virus in her lungs. She will probably be feeling bad for a few more days. A big Thanks to Dr. Moore - we seem to be visiting him ALL the time these days and he always reassures us. 

After such a hard day I knew my little princess deserved her favorite dinner. Spaghetti!!!! She absolutely loves it. We have to strip her down when she eats it because she makes such a mess. I have been trying to work on table manners but seeing her gobble up that spaghetti after feeling so bad today made it a non-issue. The cutest part was that while she ate she rocked it out to American Idol. This girl is either going to be a groupie for some rock band and follow them across the country or she is going to be a famous dancer. She loves to dance and has rhythm and everything. Tonight she was doing the over the head clap --- you know the one  - we have all done at some concert or another. Here are a few pictures from her dinner.

Spring Break 09

Wow!!!! Spring Break came and went so quickly I hardly know where to begin. For those of you who don't know, I am training for the Music City 1/2 Marathon. I am just walking so don't get to excited. 13.1 miles seems like a lot but I have to remember that 4 years ago I walked 60 miles over the course of 3 days - so 13.1 should be a piece of cake. Anyway, my workout buddy Eddie decided that since I was off for a whole week that I should spend it all in the gym. I would take Audra-Grace for half day's at daycare get in 2-3 hours of workouts and then pick her up before naptime. It honestly felt great. I am looking forward to this summer when I have time to train. 

This past weekend Daniel's second family, Clarksville Downtown Kiwanis held the 2nd annual "Porkin in the Park" on Strawberry Alley. I went down on Friday night for a little adult time and went back on Saturday with Audra-Grace so she could enjoy the festivities. Several of her little friends were there and she was thrilled to see them. She even got a ride on Mr. Tom's Ranger. However, being the dancer that she is, the thing she loved most was the band. She dances everytime she hears music so of course she loved it with all the spectators around. She definatly likes to put on a show.

Our weekend ended with a trip over to see cousin Maddie. Both girls happened to be wearing red, white, and denim so we knew we needed to get a picture. Audra-Grace was posing a saying cheese as she always does when she sees a camera and Maddie was just trying to get it over with so she could get on to her waffles. They did look cute.

Now it is back to the real world.