Another goal accomplished

I've been running a lot this year and I have come to enjoy it more than ever.  Years ago I always thought it would be a great goal to run a marathon.  I've come to terms with the fact that I will never love running enough to train for a marathon, but I definitely want to run a half marathon.  My knee has been giving me troubles this year which I think is a result from overuse.  I've seen my doctor and I guess your body can do too much of something.  So I took it easy for about a week and kept going ha ha!  It's hard for me take it easy.  

This fall I signed up to run a 10k for the first time.  I've run the distance on my own many times, but never in an event. So I thought I'd give it a go.  

It was just me this time.  I was a little nervous going into it because I saw a lot of seasoned runners at this event.  I never played team sports growing up so an event like this was pretty new to me.  I've done 5k's and mud runs but this seemed a little different and maybe since I didn't do it with anyone I had more time to think and worry.  At least when I've done things in the past with friends we distracted each other with silly conversation.

Xavier had two soccer games that day so they would not be there to see me finish.  This was just something I wanted to do for myself.  A lot of the running was on trails which I don't particularly like and made me a little hesitant to push full speed because I was trying to not turn an ankle or injure my knee even more.  I continued the race and finished feeling great!  I did it!  As I approached the finish line to my surprise these fabulous boys were waiting for me.  That was the absolute best part of my run!  I'm so glad my boys got to see their mommy complete a goal and to support me in my efforts.

There isn't a trophy out there that would be more fulfilling than seeing these guys at the end of my run! I'm so grateful for a husband who supports me and loves me too!

Since we were in a time crunch I didn't even stay to see the results.  We left so we could get to Xavier's soccer games on time.  I checked my results five days later.  I was 5th in my age group and 27th overall out of about 110 runners.  I was definitely surprised and very happy with my results.  Plus, I had a PR for my run time of 55:37 which as an average of 8:54 per mile.  All in all it was a great day!  

First hair cut

BEFORE THE HAIRCUT: POSE A

BEFORE THE HAIRCUT: POSE B

AFTER THE HAIRCUT: POSE A

AFTER THE HAIRCUT: POSE B

He definitely looks like a BIG boy now!

First day of Pre-K

There are two parts to this story.  First was Gavin's special day to meet his new teachers and classmates.  He was so excited to start another year of pre-school, but this year he was in the senior class.  So he'll be the big man on college hill's pre-k campus.  

Reid is such a lucky kid to have Gavin teaching him so many good things.

The second part to this story is his first day of school  Here he is ready to go!  When Gavin grows up he wants to be a chocolate maker at Mars.  (he wants to be just like daddy)

Gavin's inner fire and drive to win and work hard at everything will definitely help him move mountains one day!  

First day of second grade

My X-man is a second grader.  Wait! What?  When did that happen?  It seems like yesterday I was dropping him off to pre-school and he was giving me one of his energetic hugs and rushing into the classroom to see all of his friends.  Now he seems so much older.  Whoa!  

He still has such a passion for learning!  As of right now he still wants to study and save sharks when he grows up. 

This is his stud pose, at least that's what I call it.

Waiting at the bus stop with Justin, Gianna, and Sofia.

And he's off.  My boy who is ready to save the world!  His big ideas and big dreams make me smile each day he climbs aboard that bus.  There is so much promise in those big blues of his.

I made him a "sub" sandwich for his first day of school lunch.

After school Xavier and Gavin made an obstacle course for their scooters.  What will they come up with next?  

Annual Back to School Dinner

Every year we have a back to school dinner before school where we are able to choose a theme for the year, celebrate a new year of learning, and receive father's blessings.  Growing up with a teacher for a mom I have a love for school and learning and I enjoy this tradition we have.  Our theme for this year is "Do the right thing even when no one is looking."  I want to instill in my children good character and honesty and since I can't always be with them I felt this was a good theme for this year.  I hope they can make good choices no matter where they are.  (and to know that even when they think no one is looking God knows their heart and their choices)

I made a fruit pencil this year which was fun and a pizza shaped like a pencil.  Pizza is such a fun food to shape into all sorts of different things.  Plus the kids will eat it.  

I did my usual school themed table setting with paper as placemats, name tags, apples for coasters, and "you're so sharp" pencil favors.

Here are my wonderful boys ready to dig into their pizza!  

I also wrote each of the boys a letter this year.  In it were some things I loved about them and a few things I hope they remember when they are at school.  I told them that they could put their letters in a secret pocket in their backpack and if they were ever having a bad day they could pull it out and read it to chear them up. I hope it can remind them how awesome they are to us!

They each got some new crayons, drawing paper, and an activity book!  

We are ready. Let the learning and growing begin!