Merry Christmas - Part I

Today, we celebrated Christmas with the Waltons and the boys had a ball. We really missed Uncle Jay, Aunt Steph, Willie and Ruby but know they were where they needed to be. 

We were blessed with lots of spoiling, a yummy meal (shrimp spaghetti!) and some low-key time with family. What a great day!

Gran surprised the grandkids with a John Deer "traptor."
I love the look of concentration on Riley's face!

Riley is giving Eli a lesson in the art of unwrapping gifts.

Merry 1st Christmas to Eli! Note his new rolling rattle made by Gran.

Riley got a baseball glove from us!
He needs a little practice but seems to be pretty excited!

The boys with Gran and Granny!

One of SEVERAL attempts at a family picture!

We leave Christmas Eve for Arkansas for Christmas - Part II with the Richardsons. This will be the first Christmas my entire family has been together...or the first time ever - Christmas or not. Crazy! Dreading the trip but looking forward to the destination.

Merry Christmas from the Waltons! 

I really did it! St. Jude's Half Marathon

With Jeff, Riley and sweet Molly Mize after the race!

DISCLAIMER: This post has little do with the boys. Sorry!

On December 4, I completed the St. Jude's Half Marathon in Memphis, Tennessee. I hoped to finish in under 2:15 (yes, that's 2 hours and 15 minutes of running) but missed my goal by just a few minutes (2:18:10). I ran the entire thing (pretty slow in some spots), but ran nonetheless. It was a beautiful day - overcast and about 50 degrees at the start of the race; the sun burst through the clouds shortly after I crossed the finish line. I had compiled an amazing play list of some of my favorite praise and worship music - a lot of Third Day with some of my favorites from KLove blended in. That uplifting playlist was HUGE in getting me through the rough moments. Jeff and Riley were stationed about the 1/2 way mark (something for me to look forward to!) and then ready to trek back to Auto Zone Park to see the finish. Knowing I was going to see them kept me pushing toward that mark (although I ended up not seeing them because they were on the opposite side of the road!).

Riley was all about some High 5s for the runners!
Wish I could've gotten one!

To be totally honest, there were a lot moments that I really wanted to quit - just walk the rest of the way and call it good. And each time I felt like stopping, I found the strength to keep moving forward, somehow finding a second (or third or fourth or fifth...) wind. I used the time to express a lot of thankfulness to God for the ability to even be on the course and for the countless blessings in my life. I spent a lot of time reflecting on the people who've encouraged me and helped me along the way - some of whom I'll probably never meet (BIG thanks to my all my Running Tweeps!). I am also blessed to have an incredibly supportive husband to help with the boys because...

Being a runner is a family decision.

The feeling of crossing the finish line was one of the most gratify experiences of my entire life. I started my journey to that finish line five weeks after Eli was born. I weighed about 210 lbs and could barely run 1/2 mile. During the training process, I finished four 5Ks and a 10K. Eight months later, I ran the full 13.1 miles through the streets of Memphis (and weighed about 50 pounds less!). I cried - partly because my body hurt so bad but mostly because I had set out to run those 13 miles not completely believing that I could do it...but I did!

Over the last few months, I've learned a lot of things about myself. Here are just a few things running has taught me:

1. My body will do MORE than my mind tells me it will. 

I cannot tell you how many times my mind has told me that my body wanted to quit. Sometimes, it will be 2 miles into a 6-8 mile run. My mind starts making excuses and trying to convince me that I don't really have to run ALL that distance. But I've found if I just push passed "the fat girl in my head," I can usually go more than I planned and have a great run.

Riley promptly told me, 
"You need a shower, Mommy!"
 after the race!

2. I am a better mommy, wife, teacher, boss, friend when I make time to exercise.

In the beginning, I felt guilty about making time for myself but I've learned that I am a "better me" when I exercise. I am less stressed (which means more patient!) and more flexible when things don't go as planned. I feel better and have more energy. So, while I may still have twinges of guilt at times, I have come to recognize that finding that time for myself has a significant impact on those around me.

3. I am VERY goal oriented.

Having a goal to work toward keeps me going. In the long-term, it's a particular race to prepare for. In the short-term, it can be a particular spot on my route that I want to reach. Without goals, I am a wanderer. This has also played into the weight loss efforts as well. When I am trying to reach a certain milestone (whether numerical on the scale or a "non-scale victory"), I need a destination. This is something I've always known about myself but running has solidified my need to set realistic and attainable goals.


4. I want to help others achieve their goals.

Through various relationships (some formed via social media platforms), I have found others who are on a running and/or weight loss journey. Helping others achieve their goals makes me a better runner; I hope to continue to find ways to encourage others. 

(There's several more things, but I'll save those for another post!)

All in all, my first half marathon was a fabulous experience and one I hope to repeat (soon!). I will definitely participate in the St. Jude's races again! I am in the process of trying to decide whether or not to participate in the MS Blues Half Marathon in Jackson January 8. I think it would be a great race and help keep me going through the holidays. My next race after that will either be the Little Rock Half Marathon or the Country Music Half Marathon in Nashville at the end of April. I'll need to do some serious hill training for both!


BIG "Thank you!!" to Jeff, Kathy and Molly Mize for their incredible hospitality race weekend! Riley had a ball playing with sweet Mollie, and I had a personal chauffeur that knew exactly how to get me where I needed to be!


(Eli stayed with Gran and Granny for this race! The weather was being unpredictable and we thought it'd be easier to navigate with just R-man for this one! Thanks, Gran & Granny!)

Some thoughts about my sweet boys...

Over the last few months, I have been incredibly busy at work, so I have truly relished my time  with the boys. They are growing so fast and I wish I could just stop time and enjoy the things they are doing right now. They are so sweet to one another (most of the time) and I want to bottle up their love and save it for about 10 years. Feeling reflective, so thought I'd do just a general update on what they're like and into for those who don't get to see them very often...and for me in a few years when I totally lose it and can't remember anything! :-)

Riley is our funny boy! He is definitely an entertainer and laughter from anyone results in more antics. He's smart and quick to catch on to rhymes and songs. He loves to sing and recently sang his first solo at his daycare program - a rousing rendition of "Grand Ole Flag." He has a great memory and it warms my heart when he tells me the Bible stories he's learning at school and church. Some of his favorites right now are David and Goliath and Jonah and the Whale. He really enjoys books and after a few reads, can usually "read" them back to us. He has recently discovered the joy of hidden pictures and LOVES to do these. He's learning to cut with scissors and his coloring is improving. He'll tell you, "I'm not scribbling." He is independent and very headstrong. Last week, he told me at the door of his daycare, "Bye, Mom. I don't need you to come in with me today." He wants to try things by himself, but is quick to ask for help when he realizes he's in over his head. He eats just about anything...other than meat. He is a big helper - from picking up toys to retrieving things for others, he just enjoys helping others! He loves his baby brother so much and often gets more tickled about Eli's funny moments than Eli!

Eli's personality is really starting to develop. He's not "smiley" all the time like Riley was/is, but when he's really amused or tickled, his smile and laugh are infectious. He's very ticklish, especially under his chin. He's very impatient when things are working like he wants them to and quick to let you know. He's not a big cuddler, but gives the best hugs and kisses - on his terms. He loves music and things that light up. Right now, he's trying to gain the confidence to let go and walk. He will eat just about anything (so far) and has been such a good sleeper for us. He rarely cries or fusses - usually just when he's hungry, hurt or sleepy. I wanted to get him a "first Christmas" outfit but quickly found they don't make these in 24 months size - he's a big boy. He has two teeth on bottom and one on top with another soon to make its appearance. He loves his big brother and typically looks at Riley as though he hung the moon. 

I am so blessed to have two healthy, beautiful boys. As you can see, my boys look nothing alike, but I can definitely see where their personalities will be similar. I hope they will always love each other like they do now. Oh, I'm sure there will be lots of wrestling and fighting...and many broken things (and bones?) as a result, but I am certain God knew exactly what I needed when he made me the mom of two boys...