HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Have a blessed Thanksgiving with family & friends from our own 2 Pilgrims and Indian!!

First Date

November 24, 1989---19 years ago, I had my first date with the man I now call my husband.  Wow!  19 years!!!  I was just 17 years old at the time, a Senior and he was 16, a Junior, just a month away from his birthday.  Our paths had crossed many times growing up, despite him living in several small towns while his family moved with his dad's job, but we ultimately ended up in the right place at the right time.  Since our high school was quite small, we knew who each other was, but one day, for some reason, we were waiting around for the bell to ring to go to the next class after lunch, and I decided to push on his arm as I was walking by.  Little did I know, the arm I pushed was the same arm that was injured with a fractured elbow from football!!!!  I don't really remember what he said at that time.  Maybe he let out a little gasp or yell, but I just remember apologizing profusely!!!  I felt terrible!  I don't even remember talking to him anymore over the next couple days until I saw him at a dance later that week.  You remember dances, don't you??  Not a high school dance or anything like that, but in a small town, local bands play at dance halls, VFW's, etc., and it was ALWAYS the place to go on the weekend.  Being a dancing queen, I loved it and enjoyed going with my friends.  At the dance, was where I ran into Wes again, and I believed I apologized AGAIN, and I believe he said that I could make it up to him by dancing with him.  So I did!  We danced off and on throughout the night and had a great time.  When the dance was over, his best friend, Travis walked up to me, and asked if Wes could call me sometime...he was acting bashful, I guess and I said sure!  I was really excited Thanksgiving Day when he gave me a call and asked me out the next night...

November 24, 1989.  We went on a double date with Travis and someone he was dating to the movies to see the John Travolta/Kirstie Alley film, "Look Who's Talking" and out to eat at a grill called Chelsea's.  Wes still gives me a hard time for ordering a salad, instead of a Chicken Fried Steak like I would do now.  But you know...the things you do to come across as a lady on a first date!  We hit it off and from then on spent many hours on the phone, wrote many notes to one another to pass around at school, but through all the ups and downs that come through growing relationships with young adults, we were married in 1995.  A few dates after that first one, he says he knew I was the one for him, when we were at McDonalds one Saturday for lunch and he ordered a Big Mac, nuggets & fries and I came up behind him and said "I'll have the same thing!"  And now 19 years later, we have graduated from high school, college, law school, have held grown up jobs, built a home and have 3 beautiful, wonderful children and 1 beloved Beagle!  I love that this time of year we celebrate both this special date and our wedding anniversary that is coming up in December, because it is truly a season of love & a time to remember all that we are thankful for and are blessed with.  

This weekend, after all the turkey, dressing, and pumpkin pie has been consumed, we'll be back home out shopping for our tree with the kids.  And our favorite tradition, the first night we have our tree in the house, we have a picnic by our undecorated tree and enjoy the pine smell that fills the room and watch our favorite holiday movie "It's a Wonderful Life..."  because that is just the way we feel each and every day, even with everything that life brings in between!

Happy First Date Day, Babe!  I'm so glad you didn't mind me punching you all those years ago!  I'm really looking forward to going out for dinner tonight and I promise, I won't just order a salad!

19 years later...on our way out for a business dinner in September!  

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday, to my Mom! The kids affectionately call her "Grams".  She is in the midst of teaching her 37th?? year of middle school English/Reading.  She's definitely earned her spot in heaven for that feat!!!   Hope you have a great day!  We're excited to spend Thanksgiving with you next week and will see you in a few short days.  Brace your house for ALLLLL the crew & dogs:)  We love you!

Also a big Happy Birthday to Mamamia's "Big" baby girl, Elle!!

She is six today!!

13.1 Miles...Been There Run That!

Adventure: the pursuit of life.

-Daniel Roy Wiarda

I keep a Mary Engelbreit little pull off the day type calendar that always start my mornings off with her beautiful illustrations and quotes.  That quote, was the one for this past weekend...the weekend of the race.  I thought it was perfect!!   This was truly going to be an adventure and one I had NEVER thought I would pursue until a few months ago.  But one that I'm so glad I did!  Adventures are like that, I think.  The journey to get to Sunday was met with a lot of time spent out running, when there were probably a million other things I should be doing, but also with a lot of encouragement from friends, but especially Wes and my family.  I could not have done it without his support of all kinds.  Having Mamamia and my friends from the 'hood doing it as well, certainly pushed me...I did not want to be a quitter, so even though I'd follow behind them when out for a run, it made me go farther and farther and not give up!  

So the weekend started off on quite a chilly note as we drove to the big Expo at the Alamodome to pick up our packets and peruse the various booths.  The wind was pretty fierce, so we prayed that Sunday would not be so gusty, because that would truly make the morning miserable.  

Expo craziness!!!  

3 hours later, we had our packets & then some with lots of fun purchases, and we were ready for a race!!  

(me, Dawn, Monique, Mamamia, Kim, and Cynthia)

The afternoon was spent relaxing, picking up the house, getting the vehicle loaded up with all Wes needed for the kids and eating lots and lots and LOTS of pasta!!  I slept horribly and woke up several times from nervousness and even beat my alarm clock up, which was set for 4:15 a.m.  I got dressed and layered up then tiptoed in the kitchen, so as not to wake ANYBODY else up and found these beautiful flowers and card waiting for me!  Very surprised!!  With my camera right there waiting for hubby to bring it to the race, I snapped a couple pictures in the dark.

I decided just to skim over the card quickly, so I wouldn't get too emotional!  I needed to be strong, tough and have my gameface on!!  

The morning hours went quickly leading up to my corral being released over the start line at officially 8:28 a.m.  The weather could not have been more perfect!  Definitely chilly, but wonderful for running!  I decided not to wear my iPod because I truly wanted to take it all in.  I wanted to hear the sounds of the runners around me, I wanted to hear the music from the bands along the route and the cheering squads and supporters along the way yelling and encouraging us to keep going!  It was so humbling to see homeless individuals and those bound in wheelchairs shouting for us, and moved me to keep going.  This race, was just an event entered as an extracurricular activity, it was not one where my livelihood depended on it, but with that being said it was an incredible, awesome experience!  I never felt so good!  With my name on the front, total strangers would yell my name and tell me I was doing great, hold out their hands to give high fives as we ran by, and just that small act, as well as the Cytomax and water stations every mile and a half of so, would keep me running!  I had two goals going into this, finishing and running the entire race.  At mile marker 12, when I saw my family and our neighbor friends, I knew I would make it!  I think the first thing I said to Wes, after yelling his name, was "I haven't stopped!"  I was so, so excited!!  

With a time of 2:53:19, I ran my first ever half-marathon, and could not have been more happy!

Wes, my children, my brother Brandon and Haley, who took the wonderful pictures and helped with the kiddos at such an early hour, and even my parents drove up for the morning to see me do this crazy accomplishment...this ADVENTURE in the pursuit of life!  I truly felt like a ROCK STAR!!!  

Dancing Queen and Mamamia---best buddies and now competitors!!!  She was amazing.  2:06:09 for her time!  Speed will be my goal next year!

Yay!!  We even hooked up with Honorary Indian for a little visit and photo op!  Also an amazing supermom!!  She now can add half-marathon runner to her triathlon resume!  Way to go!!

And here's my posse...the ORP running mamas with our matching shirts!

We've got Kim-Powered by ADHD...Me(Dancing Queen)-Rock'n Roll'n Supermom...Dawn-13.1 at 23 weeks YES, SHE IS 23 WEEKS PREGNANT and kickin' major booty!!  and Monique-40 year old virgin  It was fun to make the shirts and encourage each other!

We made it in to our driveway at 2:00 p.m.  Taking all that happened that morning in.  Here's a shot of the posters my babies made for me.  I still have them up in the house and they make me smile.  Annie even wrote me a note that night that said "Good job Mom!  I knew you could do it!"  Jack was acting like he was running in a race with a water bottle stuffed in his pj pant waistband, a headband around his head, a medal around his neck and a digital clock that he kept setting off to start.  I didn't know that it would have that big an impact on them... even if it was at least for a day, it makes me feel good!

Just when I thought Wes couldn't spoil me anymore...he made that huge pasta meal, combed the aisles at Target for heavy duty feminine products, because YES, I had that to deal with that morning too, had the flowers & card waiting for me, and contended with getting the kids dressed & downtown in crazy morning hours on a SUNDAY nonetheless, he had one more surprise up his sleeve...

This beautiful, embroidered SAN ANTONIO pillow!!  IT IS SUCH A PERFECT memento of the morning because it has so many of the attractions that we ran by in the race on the pillow.   I LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT and couldn't believe he thought of such a special gift!  Makes me ALMOST want to sign up to do the full marathon next year so I can see what he'd come up with for that!  Hmmmm...nah!!  Even for an awesome gift, I don't think I could do that!

Thank you babe for EVERYTHING EVERYTHING that you do & all the ways you support me!  I never did this race for ANY kind of present, but you sure now how to make a girl feel proud!

I love you to the moon & back!! 

  I bought my own mementos to mark this landmark occasion at the expo, a bumper sticker AND a t-shirt that read 13.1 Miles...Been There Run That!!  You can bet I will DEFINITELY be showing those off too!!  

Priceless!!!

Registration for Inaugural Rock'n'Roll San Antonio 1/2 marathon--$65

Adidas Running shoes bought one week before race---$59.99

Old Navy t-shirt to wear with friends---on sale $10

Iron on letters to decorate t-shirt with friends---$2

Running tights bought after weather forecast at Target---on sale $18

Hubby preparing a pasta feast the night before the big day AND that we'll be eating on for 3 days---$55

Yes, it was De-Lish!!!

Our children cheering for us with personalized posters...

And seeing them for the first time at Mile 12...

along with finishing my FIRST EVER race and RUNNING IT THE ENTIRE WAY--

PRICELESS!!!!!

Sunday was an amazing, awesome experience and my body is definitely in recovery mode, as well as our house!  Can't wait to share more pictures & details with you later this week...

Thank you for all the wonderful thoughts, wishes, and prayers!  I really felt you all there with me carrying me through the finish line!!

Bring It On!

The Big Day is here!!!  Time to go down the list...

Love & support from family & friends----------CHECK!

Running shoes--------CHECK!

Personalized t-shirt to TRY and stand out in a crowd of 30,000--------CHECK!

Running tights for 36 degree weather-------CHECK!

Fleece headband to cover ears & gloves-------CHECK!

Needed essentials to help me get through---------CHECK!

Race number---------CHECK!

BRING ON RACE DAY...SEE YOU AT THE FINISH LINE!

Am I Really Doing This??

Wow!  It's Wednesday...4 days away from the marathon.  I'm really starting to get nervous.  I was feeling so good about my training and consistently the past couple weeks have done 6-7 miles each time out, and one time pushing to 10 miles, but that was completely healthy.  Now, I'm trying everything possible to get rid of a cold & hacking cough & feel pretty out of it.  Tylenol Cold, Robitussin, and NyQuil  are coursing through my system.  Up until a month ago, I was still planning to run and walk some, but since I've been doing more and more, I really thought I would be able to push through the whole 13.1.  That is still my goal & I'm hoping my body & immune system will cooperate.  Isn't it amazing what we expect our bodies to do on a daily basis?!?  We push ourselves to the limit constantly with all that we put on our plates, both literally AND figuratively.  The body is truly such a creation...and to be entrusted with taking care of it properly, so it can work the way it should is sometimes easier said than done!  When it is healthy we take it for granted, and when we're sick, even from the smallest of illnesses or injuries, it can rock our world and truly affect our days AND nights!  Miss 

Brown Eyed Fox is doing an extraordinary activity with her family...a grateful tree leading up to all that we should be recognizing on Thanksgiving.  I LOVE that idea!  What a wonderful way for all of us to treasure & thank God for even the smallest of things...so today I am grateful that I have been blessed with the body and mind that HE has given me and that I have even been able to train for this race.  However things shape up on race day, whether I am able to run the entire race or even have to stop and walk for a bit, the journey for me of trying something new, that I NEVER EVER EVER thought I would attempt in my life, has been a wonderful gift!  

I am also very grateful to my hubby, who has held down the fort when I've been out running around the neighborhood all these mornings, and for constantly sharing how proud he is of me.  It has meant a lot!  I'm so thankful to Mamamia, Honorary Indian, and the ORP running mamas for their encouragement & inspiration.  How great to surround yourself with such supportive friends!

Now, anyone have any home remedies or good over the counter drugs to share???

LET'S ROCK AND ROLL!!!

Our Birthday Boy

Six years ago today, we were surprised and excited to have a baby boy that we named Jack Henry.  We have never found out what we were having with any of our children, so each birth has been such a neat experience not knowing exactly what to expect.  As he STILL is, he has been the smallest of all 3 weighing in at his birth at 8 lbs. 1 oz.  Man, the recovery after him compared to Annie weighing right at 9 lbs. was amazing!!  

He was so alert and wide awake immediately after he was born just taking it all in...lots of dark hair and beautiful blue eyes.  He was a keeper for sure!

Our new family portrait!  Annie's world completely changed...I always wonder what they are thinking???

Jack has been a boys boy from the get go...it was amazing to see the difference between him and Annie that boys just seem to come to this Earth with...bring on the trains, cars, trucks & the more the merrier!  This was his second birthday...a Thomas party of course!  

All that dark hair has now changed to a light brown.  We use to call him "Laid Back Jack" because just like with his birth, he just takes it all in without making too much of a hullabaloo!

And then the love of cars begins...this boy has probably 300 Hot Wheels, as well as other Monster trucks, trash vehicles, etc.  And if you asked him today what he would like for his birthday, he'd give you one answer...CARS!  

What a perfect gift this was for him a couple years back...this car has seen miles & miles of wear and tear from the neighborhood on it!  

His 4th birthday party, we went with a Halloween costume theme, since they are so close to one another.  Of course, we still managed to find a way to get a car, even a spooky one, on the cake!

Jack's smile can light up a room!  He is such a handsome, sweet, fun and funny to be around little, I MEAN BIG, boy!  If he could be in the country at the camp house with his Daddy every single day, he would be in heaven!  Daddy does no wrong in Jack's eyes and it is hard for Wes to go anywhere, without his best sidekick being right there with him.  

I found this shirt in a little children's catalog and wanted him to have it to wear for his big day today at school.  Only thing is, here in Texas, since it is feeling rather warm again, he may very well burn up in it...oh well, at least he looks cute!!

Happy Birthday, my little man!  We all love you so much and are so very proud of you and the type of boy you are with your teachers & friends!  You continue to make us smile and laugh each and every day just by your living life without a care in the world type attitude and the fun comments that make us giggle.  When asked the other day if he brought home his report card, Jack's reply..."What's a report card???"  And when all the children were walking home from school, sharing who they voted for in the mock election, his reply..."The middle one"  He's just not one to get all wrapped up in the details of life...he just wants to play, play, play, and I hope, even though he will HAVE to get a little more serious and concerned with school and life as the years go on, that he will carry some of that with him forever!  

Happy Birthday, Buddy!  We love you to the moon & back!!