13.1 BABY!!!!!

Yes, we did it!  We are the FABULOUS FIVE!  

After months of training (more at some times than others) we completed the Country Music Half Marathon on Saturday, April 28th.  These are five of the best friends a girl could ask for.  They encouraged and supported me throughout this entire thing and I couldn't love them more!  

So, you really wanna know what this race meant to me?  Here you go!  On race day I was so nervous, but anxious at the same time.  As we began the race my heart was pumping and everything was GREAT!  Kellye and I started off jogging a 12 minute mile.  The first couple of hills were ok, but then when they just kept appearing, they got a little harder to climb.  By the time we reached mile 8ish, I was tired and weary.  I was upset because of all of the silly hills we kept coming to.  It seemed as though we would just finish one when another one would be right ahead.  I lost it!!  I started crying and thinking (at times out loud) that I couldn't do it.  Kellye kept on walking and praying and telling me that I COULD do it and that she was right there with me.  She never left my side!  Once we got past the hardest part, things began to get a little more bearable.  I mean, it was still hard, but bearable.  I was never so happy to see the finish line.  Once we could see the end in sight, Kellye and I took off running!  

Friends, I've said all of this because all I could think during and after the race was how so very much this race symbolized my life!  I started serving God when I was a young teenager.  Life was great at first, with only small hills to climb.  As life went on, some of the hills became mountains.  After climbing a few of these mountains, I came to a place in my life that I just thought I couldn't go any further.  (In all honesty, this place was quite recent!)  I contemplated running because the pain was so bad.  But, as I have kept pressing on, I am finding a little bit of relief and am currently feeling like I can see some end in sight.  I want to RUN to the finish line with a clean and pure heart, no matter how hard the mountains are to climb!

This race was more to me than just a race and I'm so thankful for the 'fabulous' friends that I was allowed to do this with!  

We had our pre-race celebration at Caraba's in Hendersonville.  

Pre-race!  Oh my goodness, I was a nervous wreck!!

Uh. . .I am so red faced!! :(

I love this picture.  These ladies have NEVER left my side!  I love you both very much!!

So far behind!

I am so far behind with this blog!  I promise to give some updates soon.  I want to tell you all about the Marathon,  the last days of school,  flying an airplane, Andy's school play, and Andy's amazing pefromance at Awards Night!  Ok. . .all of this is coming soon!!! 

No more STINKIN' THINKIN'

I was looking back at some of my first posts on this blog today.  I found the first one. . .I titled the name of this blog "We Are Blessed".  I feel like I've not done a very good job lately of counting my blessings.  I've been more focused on all of the harder things in my life.  I'm sure that God is not pleased with this kind of  "Stinking Thinking", right, Mr. Randy?

So, today I am making myself a promise. . .NO MORE STINKIN' THINKIN'!  Now, this is going to be hard for me to do, so I will need your support!  I realize that I'm no good to anyone when I'm not focused on the right things.  There is a song that goes. . ."Count your blessings, name them one by one.  Count your blessings, see what God has done."  (It's a good thing you can't hear me!!)  :~)  I know that I can't possibly name them one by one, but I can try to remember them.

If you see me, or hear me, talking negative - just slap me, okay?  Really, tell me to stop it!  I'm getting my happy back - counting one blessing at a time!

Six years ago today. . .

Its been six years ago today that our lives changed forever.  They say that time heals, but it doesn't really.  What we've learned over the years is to celebrate his life - a Sunday drive in his ol' blue truck, dinner at his favorite restaurant, or simply sitting around telling stories of his life. There are days that we all still cry, but there are also days that we smile when we see an old muscle car roaring down the road or watch his baby girls act just like him.  

Can you see Caroline in his sweet face?

 Today, if he were here, he would tell us to wipe away our tears and be about our business!  So, that is what I plan on doing . . . I have friends that need my support today as they mourn a loved one AND a birthday celebration to attend this afternoon, so I'm going to get up, brush myself off, and be about my business!  

Gracie Beth is born! 

Taking Andy shopping

It's amazing to me how quickly Andy-man outgrows his clothes these days!  I know I just bought him new jeans, how can he possibly only have one pair that fits!?  At least this is what I was saying this morning.  So, off to Old Navy we went today.

I found ONE, yes one, pair of jeans in the entire store that fit him.  We left with that one pair of jeans and yet another Vanderbilt T-shirt.  (He only has 3 or 4!)  He was happy and immediately asked if we could go to Game Stop.  Shopping just wouldn't be complete if we didn't stop by there, right?  Since I'm a softie, I caved and we went.  He's been saving his money for a new game and finally had enough to buy it today.  Of course, he informed me that he was out of "Live" time so I ended up buying him three more months.  Shopping with a pre-teen boy. . .QUICK and EASY!

Spring Break? Yes, please!

What happened to the snow!?  I mean, I don't want to sound like a spoiled brat or anything, but just a few snow days would've been nice! :)  Since we can't have snow days, I'll settle for Spring Break.


You all know that I LOVE my job, but it is definitively time for a break.  All of my kiddo's are so exhausted, which leaves me exhausted at the end of the day!  They have worked so hard in preparation for the school play.  I can't tell you how proud I was of all of them last night. One of my sweet boys came to me halfway through the play and said, "Ms. Hall - I'm done.  I don't want to go back up there!" I panicked and,  let's just say I, well. . . I bribed him to go back on!!  :~)  It worked!

Today, we were introduced to "Jump for Heart".  It's a fundraiser that our jump rope team will be doing after break to raise money for the American Heart Association.  The jump rope coach wanted Caroline to speak to the classes about her heart surgery.  She did a GREAT job, but I, however, stood in the back of the room and sobbed!  A flood of memories overcame me as I thought about our Little Bit in the hospital with all of those tubes in her tiny body.

So, what am I saying?  I'm a softie anyway, but right now, I'm so extremely exhausted that I can't control my emotions!  Yes, please gimme Spring Break!!

Beta Club

Tonight, Andy was inducted into the Beta Club.  I couldn't be more proud of him for all of his hard work and dedication!  Maybe, just maybe, I'm doing something right!!

Andy is lighting his candle.

I wish I knew what he was thinking!

Come on, look up!!

Finally, I caught a grin!

All of the new members.

Andy and his good buddy, Caleb.

Andy and his dad.

I know, he is almost as tall as I am! :(