1/2 Marathon

I have these CRAZY friends (yes...that's you Heather and Holly!) who have been talking marathons for the last year or so. They paint such a fun and glorious picture of this challenge of running your rear-end off!

Well, I caught the bug! The peer pressure was killing me! I love to run for the pure joy of it, but I have never pushed my body beyond three miles! So, the last two weeks I have been getting up with the roosters (literally) and taking off on a sun rising adventure. Yeah right! I am having to drag myself out of bed and talk myself through every mile!

I hope this new little goal of mine gets easier with every day! The Houston Marathon is in January and my goal is to be there! Ok, not just be there but run a comfortable 1/2 Marathon. CRAZY you might say...Yes, I would have to agree! But as my adorable husband would say, "You are just stubborn enough to do it!" With those encouraging words I am off to a new world of marathons!

Well, to run good you have to look good, right? So I have my gear:

• Duo Dry Shirts and Shorts (Teal, Coral, and White)
• Duo Dry, No Show socks
• Strawberry Gatorade
• Mizuno Wave Inspire 3 running shoes
• Hot Pink MP3 Player (Thanks Boys)
• Chocolate Chip Peanut Crunch Cliff Bars

And this Little Lady is Off!

Have I forgotten anything? What is your favorite running "gear"?

Happy Birthday Heather!

Heather and Me- Two Peas in a Pod! Making memories one adventure at a time!
What a crew! Nothing better then good friends, good family, and good coffee!

Heather is 34 today! Yes, Heather I put it where the whole world could see it! You and your family are so special to me! I decided to honor our friendship and your birthday by writing 34 reasons why I smile when I think of you! These are in no particular order!

1. You are a true Servant of God
2. You love your husband and children
3. You love God with all your heart
4. You lock yourself out of your house at least once a month
5. You blog and check e-mail at 2 am
6. You run a free bus service- to and from sporting events and dance class
7. You never say No- Never!
8. You cock your head back and open your mouth when you laugh!
9. You are always smiling even when it's tough
10. You are not afraid to laugh out loud
11. You always make others around you feel special
12. You will deliver soup and humidifiers to very sick friends on more then one occasion
13. You are always ready to cook a roast
14. You are not ashamed to wear flip flops with unpainted toe nails
15. You sing with your heart
16. You put up with your "Type-A" personality friend
17. You bite your tongue when someone at the baseball game says "not so nice things" about your baby boy on third!
18. You make great jewelry that everyone wants
19. Your husband calls you blessed
20. You drink coffee with the best of them!
21. You laugh at the days to come
22. You are always there for ANYONE!
23. You feed baked potatoes to babies (HeeHee)
24. You give Great hugs
25. You show your love for your WHOLE family through action
26. You make holding a "shift-worker" family together look easy
27. You take one day at a time
28. You have paid for your dentist's new home (HeeHee)
29. You are always ready for a "girls night out" or an "emergency meeting"
30. YOU LOVE PINK and FLAMINGOS
31. You can talk or listen to anyone about anything (that includes strangers!)
32. You have entered your thirties with grace
33. You love life
34. YOU ARE MY FRIEND!!!! I am honored you call me friend! Happy Birthday Heather!
    

The Pink Challenge

My PINK Mother's day card from "my boys"! You gotta love Snoopy!
On the bottom left corner is K's signature. I can make out the K, can't you?

The challenge this week was to take a picture or talk about something PINK! Ok- let's just say I had A LOT to choose from with all the flamingo stuff, but as soon as I saw that my Mother's Day card was pink-that was that...challenge met! The front of the card says, "This card is from both of us..." and on the inside, "Think of it as a double dip of love." This Mother's Day was my first one with both of my boys! It is the first time that I had a card that said. "from both of us". I am honored that God has chosen me to raise both Kannon and Braden. It was a very special day for me. Thanks boys for the PINK card!

Today is "Ketchup" day!

Today is Ketchup day! I have not posted in several days- ohhh, it feels good to be back! We have had a very busy last couple of days!

• Thursday- We left to visit our friends in Houston (where we moved from a little more then a month ago). On the way we stopped in Corsicana to visit B and Lanette and their two new precious babies (Colton and Ellie). We also stopped in Spring to look at a camper (which is now ours!). Look for the story later!!!!!! We arrived in Clear Lake at the Sab's House at around 10:30 pm. Can you say, "VERY LONG TRIP!!!" and "FLASH FLOOD!"
• Friday- We all slept as long as the kids let us (HAHA). The day was full of fun things! We took it easy and let the kids play. Heather and I got our eyebrows done (New Woman!) and went to Reid's Ball Game. The team won 11-10 (very exciting game!!!). We all stayed up chatting about life and our kids!
• Saturday- "The girls" went out to eat for Heather's D-day!!! Yes, she will be thirty something on May 20th! I had sooo much fun catching up with everyone and their families! Heather and I got the oil changed in the car (We will do anything just to get out of the house and visit!) and went to visit Kelly H. in the hospital after having baby Aiden! Then our family went to the Astro game and had a blast! We love the Astros! Once we got back to the Sab's, again we stayed up late chatting with "the hubbies".
• Sunday- Mother's Day! I felt blessed all day with great family and friends all around me- AND my two most PERFECT boys!! We went to our "old church" and felt so loved by all of the kind words and excited people to see us! I just tried to soak up all the hugs, smiles, and family stories until our next visit. Heather cooked a wonderful meal and we loaded up and headed back to our "cozy spot" (our home) only after stopping to pick up the camper! We finally arrived at 12:30am. Can you say "VERY LONG TRIP!!!"

Ok -thats the VERY SHORT version of the last couple of days-

Fun with Friends

A. and K. fishing in the pond (A. loved fishing!)
A. and K. fishing again
A. and K. playing outside (they are going to "church" and the "post office")
Holly and Lacie just enjoying the day with each other and family!
K. 10 minutes after our sweet friends drove away!

There is nothing like friendships. Our friends came to visit Sat. to see our new home and experience our country lifestyle. I loved every minute of the relaxing day. We talked, played, looked at maps, made dreamy plans, drove around, talked, sat outside, fished, ate, and did I mention talked. I was so excited to share my home with our friends. I loved watching K. and A. play and interact together. They are growing up so fast. It was also comforting to see that we can be a good distance a part, but never feel that a day has gone by since we have seen each other! The friendships our families have will only grow over time- I feel sure of that!

Oh- did I mention Holly was running in a marathon today! Run girl, Run!

Kim and Jason

Today some of our most special friends came by to see us from League City! We had so much fun! Though we have only been gone about two weeks, it is never too soon to have friends come up! It was nice to have the feeling of "not skipping a beat". We started gabbing the second their car pulled into the driveway and we didn't stop until they drove off! My heart felt just as close to them even tough we are now about 5 hours away. It was refreshing! It was fun to show them our new home and talk about some of our recent adventures. I loved seeing their boys and watching our kids interact! I think Rylan and Jacob were in shock when Kannon (3 years) started "playing" with them! The picture of the boys: Braden (6 mo), Kannon (3 years), Jacob and Rylan (8 mo). It really made my week to see them in person! I think they are going to be in this area maybe every 3 months to see family SOOOO I'm hoping we can see them often! There is nothing better then spending time with friends while your kids are crying, throwing balls, rolling, and laughing/screaming in the background!!!

My only regret is feeding them on paper plates!!! Here are some of our most wonderful friends visiting us and I use paper plates!!! What was I thinking (easy, throw away, non- breakable while holding children!) Well, watch out Kim and Jason- Next time it is China!!!! Ok- we had sandwiches! BUT come on... I could have used my new Fiesta dishes!!!!

Good Mail

Kannon opening his "Good Mail"!!! He loved it-
Kannon loving the DINO stickers!
Kannon looking at his special friend A. He carried the pictures around all day!!!

I received "good mail" today!!!! It has totally made my day!!!! Not only that, but "my Kannon" got "good mail" too! I was so touched that I couldn't contain my smile! I am still up tonight with a lot of smiling energy!!!

I also came across a new blog spot today that I Love!! It's funny because it is one of my closest friend's blog!!! I had no idea!!! I read it ALL and laughed out loud- AND she introduced me to "good mail" She also motivated me to BLOG- just talk and have fun!

Today was a fun day and I look forward to the adventure of tomorrow!!! Thanks Holly!

Kannon today: I told him Braden was getting his first tooth- "Braden is growing bigger- PERFECT!"

Flamingo Friends

Have you ever made friends that you knew would last a lifetime? I have always had close friends growing up- I made and had friends throughout my school age and college years, but nothing has compared to the friendships I have made in adulthood. I have made friends that will last a lifetime!!! We have gone through marriages, births, adoptions, health problems, and deaths. We have experienced extreme joys and extreme sadness. We have laughed and cried. We have become more then friends we have become sisters. Through bible studies (and lots of coffee) we have grown closer to our Father and each other. We all are unique and bring special gifts to the table. Heather -the gift of being a servant , Holly- the gift of vision (seeing the whole picture), Maria- the gift of "real" listening, Kim- the gift of bringing people together and seeing a project to completion, Deanna- the gift of determination, and Robyn- the gift of strength. When you mix it all together with a bit of laughter, some silliness, and a lot of prayer (for ourselves and our families)- you get the FLAMINGOS!!!!! We have been studying together for about 6 years. We are all married to wonderful husbands (who put up with our "PINK ways") and have the best children in the world. We are true friends.
In 7 days my family will be moving about 5 hours away from these girls I call my forever flamingo friends. How do I feel... bitter sweet. These friendships will not end. They will only become stronger and more dear over the years. I will miss their hugs and seeing their smiles, but I will continue to pray for them and their families. I will be only as far as a phone call (or a car/airplane ride) for our emergency flamingo meetings or a simple chat. I will think of them as I drink my warm coffee, and contemplate the world we live in and the AWESOME God we serve. I will be their number one fan and their shoulder to cry on- I will be their friend!
I know God has a plan for me and for my family. I am ready to serve Him wherever He needs me. I will take what I have learned from these six girls and I will touch the lives of others. I am a stronger and better person for having these girls as friends.
Flamingos, you are true friends that will last a lifetime!!!! Love ya!