Potty Train Tanner ... Check

It is hard to believe, but true!! I have potty-trained 5 kids and now I never have to buy diapers again!!! I am so happy. It is the greatest feeling to know that the last one is done. How is it that my first and my last have been the hardest. I guess that way I can really appreciate it! I told my husband that we need to go out to celebrate our victory. Tanner is so proud of his accomplishment. The other day, he told me," Mom, I am not a baby anymore. I am a big boy!" Finally, he has remembered what mom has been saying for the last few months. No more baby. Just big boy!! Just little word of encouragement for all you moms out there that are in the middle of potty-training : This soon will end. It will take hard work and dedication, but they will get it. Your child will not be going to Kindergarten in pull-ups. :)

My Green Shoes ...

Tanner and his green shoes go everywhere together. They are best buds! These treasures were discovered by my little 3 year old a few months ago when mom was going through the summer clothes getting ready for her Mom 2 Mom Sale. I made the mistake of asking him to try on the shoes to see if they still fit. Luck for me, they are going to work for one more season. It was love at first sight. (Apparently, he has no knowledge of the shoes from last summer) He wakes up asking for them. He eats breakfast with them, takes naps, and I have even found them in his bed. I can't really tell you what is so special about them, but if I would of known how much he liked them, I would of bought a few more pairs. Of course this season, I can't find them anywhere. I guess moms can't see the future. Oh, well. I can't help but smile every time I see my little Tanner and his favorite green shoes. So sweet!

Tanner's 1st Soccer Practice

Tanner had his first soccer practice last night and he could not of been more thrilled! Finally, after 2 years of watching soccer, he can get in on the action. He looks so big in his soccer gear that it makes mommy sad. They grow up way to fast. Like almost every event in our lives, drama occurred. Let me explain....

Steve (my husband) is coaching Kallie's team, so while dad was having practice, I took Emma and Tanner to their practice. We get to the field's, running late as usual, I grab the 2 soccer balls hand them to the kids and proceed to lock the van door. Tanner takes his ball in the parking lot and starts to kick it. When I turn around, Emma is frantically trying to tell me something and Tanner looks like he is about to cry. I soon discover that his soccer ball rolled under a car. No big deal, I thought, I will just bend down and get it. PROBLEM!!!! It has rolled under a Mustang and is wedged way under. Picture this, mom on hands and knees trying not to scream weighing my options. (I could send Emma under the car, but if she gets stuck, then what do I do? I really hope the owner of the car does not come around the corner.) I go back to our van to try to find anything that I can use to reach it. Everything under the sun is in my messy van, except what I need. Then I spot it. The snow removal brush thingy ... you know what I mean. After a few tries, I get the ball free. I look over at Tanner who is grinning ear to ear, "thanks, mom!" Now that I am dirty and sweating, lets go to soccer practice! Ahhhh!!!


It was worth it! Tanner had a smile on his sweet little face that never left. He was so excited to be out there. He was so proud of himself. During one of the drills, Emma and Tanner were teamed up to pass the ball back and forth. Tanner was having some trouble, but he was really trying. The ball would only go a few feet, no where near where Emma was standing. I heard her sighing in frustration, so I went over to encourage her. She turns around in disgust and says, "mom, he is just not getting this!" Emma can always make us laugh. "It is the first practice, Emma, he will do better next time." Good job Emma and Tanner. We are so proud of you guys!

My 1st 1/2 Marathon ... I did it!

My 1st 1/2 Marathon race is over and I crossed the finish line with 5 minutes to spare in my race goal. It was an amazing feeling of accomplishment. Now, even a day later, it is starting to sink in. "I just ran 13.1 miles. Wow!!" I haven't decided if I am happier that I did it or that it is now over. I will not lie to you - it was tough. I watched in awe when those Marathon runners started crossing the finish line. Wow!! I can't imagine running 26.2 miles. Crazy!

Let me tell you all about it ...

5:30 am - Alarm goes off. It is officially time to get up. I had woke up at 3:19am and 5:00am to make sure I didn't miss the alarm. Get dressed. Eat something small. Check and re-check my supplies: MP3 player, knee pads, watch, energy bar, gloves, etc. Check and check!

6:05 am - My running buddy arrives. Yes!! We are both nervous but excited. Arrive at the race. Start hunting for a parking space. (Always a challenge) Find a spot. Attach running bibs and timing chips. Check for wardrobe malfunctions. Head to the port-a-potties. Yuck!!

7:00am - Meet up with friends. Shivering from the cold and the nerves. Laugh and giggle, we always manage to make every race fun. Take pictures and pray!

7:30am - Get into the massive crowd of people and get ready to start. No turning back. Ready, get set, go....

I felt great from the beginning. I usually hit a wall between 4-5 miles, so I was waiting and ready. No wall. Yes!! At mile 5 we are starting to see the first racers getting ready to pass mile 9. It was crazy. They were really moving. At mile 6 (the halfway turn) we did a little cheer. Only 6 more miles to go. No problem. At mile 8, I had to make a quick pit stop at the port-a-potties. Five babies will do this to you. I was still feeling good, so I was very encouraged. My left knee and hip had been giving me a little bit of pain, but nothing too bad. By mile 10, with every stride I was getting a pain. I tried not to think about it and listen to my music. At mile 11, I took a 30 second break and walked to try and stretch it out a bit, but it felt worse to walk. When I finally saw the finish line, I was so happy. I crossed the finish line at 2:25.36. Yes!! My goal was 2:30. I did it!! At the finish line my family and friends were there cheering me on. It was a wonderful feeling. I am fighting some pain, but I am sure that I will be feeling better in no time.

Crossing the finish line. I look a little scary! :)

Getting a much needed hug from the family!

My running buddies - Keri and Nikki. Great job ladies!!

Kallie in her first race. 1.2 miles. Over 700 kids racing!

Great job Kal. 8:35!! Wow! We are so proud of you!

Confessions of an amateur runner ...

It has been a while since I have posted about my training, so here is the latest ...

Training WAS going wonderful until the cold I got turned into bronchitis!! After 2 weeks of struggling with a cold and cough that was not getting better, I decided to head to the doctors and get checked out. She confirmed my fear and told me that I had bronchitis. I explained that I was in training for my first ever 1/2 marathon and I really needed to get back to training. She told me to take it easy and listen to my body. Check my heart rate and keep it between 140 and 160. Ok. No problem! Or so I thought. That afternoon, I ran 5 miles and felt ok. Not my best time, but I finished. I was bad and forgot my heart rate monitor, so I slowed down a bit when I needed to. That night my body punished me for my lack of wisdom. I slept a total of 2 to 3 hours and tried to cough up a lung the rest of the night. Great!! So I took it easy for a few days and it didn't seem to help. My friends told me to take time off and rest. I finally listened. I took a whole week off and did nothing, which was torture!! (I don't like to be off schedule) My first day back was a nightmare. I pulled 3-ish miles and walked a few times to prevent myself from falling over. My lung capacity was shot. I took a few more days and made a second attempt yesterday. It was better, but not easy. I ran 3 miles and struggled more than once for air. When I finished, I wanted to hit or throw something. I was so mad!!! I have not trained for 11 weeks to fail 2 weeks before my race!!! My new plan is to run 4 to 5 miles on Wed. and then take a break and run 10 miles on Sat. Ten miles will be a first for me. Pray that I can do it!! The weather is suppose to be beautiful, so that should help. I am slowly coming to the realization that in order to finish this 1/2 marathon, I may have to walk a little bit to make it. I really don't want to do that, but it is better than not finishing!! Update, coming soon :)

Moments with Emma ...

There is never a dull moment when you spend any amount of time with my 4 year old Emma. She has quite the personality, which comes from me, so I am told. She is always talking, asking questions, or just entertaining us with her humor. Here are a few conversations that we have had in the last few days ....

(In the car on the way to school to pick up the kids)
Mom, where do aliens live?
Aliens don't live any where. They are pretend, sweetie.
No, I mean do they live on our planet?
No, they are not real.
No, mom, you don't understand. I mean, do they live in outer space?
No Aliens. Really. No Aliens Anywhere!!
Ugh, I really wanted to meet one.

(This conversation took place in our living room)
Mom, when am I going to get a boyfriend?
Never!! Ok, not for a very, very long time!
Mom, I want Andrew to be my boyfriend. (Andrew is her cousin's boyfriend) Oh, wait. I think he is married to Lindsey.

No, they are not married. They are just dating.
(she smiles)
When I get to be a mom, can I marry Andrew?
Sweetie, you probably have not even met the man that you are going to marry. I didn't meet your daddy until college.

(slight pause to think) Mom, who is your boyfriend?
My boyfriend is Daddy!
No mom, he is your husband, not your boyfriend!!

(In the car on the way to school to workout)
Mom, are you going running?
Yes.
Can I run with you. I need to make sure that I don't get fat!
(laughing) I don't think you have anything to worry about, sweetie!


Emma, I love that you make me laugh. Thank you for your sweet smile and personaility. You brighten my day and I love being your mommy! Love ya!

The Kids at a Ball Game ...

The kids always find ways to entertain themselves during B-ball season. The fieldhouse is our second home this time of year. The kids love the freedom they have to run around and play. I love the energy that they release. My kids are still pretty young, so their attention span for a b-ball game is about 5 minutes. So they learn to be creative and play. The exception to this rule is Kallie. She watches the whole game from the bench, helping dad coach. She is learning whatever Dad will teach her. It is going to be fun to watch her play! She has her dad's competitive nature. (I am sure some of my competitive nature as well. :) At this year's Senior night, the kids had a great time. We had balloons ...