1st Birthday Party

On Saturday night, we celebrated 5 babies 1st birthday -- Sarah (12/11), Tilly (1/2), Sam (1/15), Bella (2/9), and Madeline (3/25). We all go to church together, and thought it'd be fun to get the kids together and get pictures of them with cupcake all over their faces. It did not disappoint! Of course Sarah INHALED her cupcake and finished before the others, and then starting reaching to try to steal the other kids cupcakes!!

Sarah's latest thing to do is stand up not holding on to anything, and look at me with a proud expression that seems to say, "I'm doing it Mama! Look at me!" I can hold 1 of her hands and we'll walk all over the house. She's sooooo close! 1 of these days she'll decide to walk, and will probably be running by that night!

Marathon Weekend and Pictures

Last weekend in Jacksonville was one of the funnest weekends I've had in a long time. I left Friday morning with 3 friends - Katie, Jenn, and Keri. My boss showed me a route on back roads that he says is faster. Maybe it would be faster if there had not been a GRASS FIRE to slow us down. We got to know some locals in McRae, GA which kept us laughing for hours!

Jeff met us at the hotel in Ponte Vedra Beach. After a yummy dinner, our wild night ended and Katie and I were asleep by 10pm! :) We laughed that as the mom's of 1 year olds - it was a treasured night to be able to fall asleep knowing we wouldn't be awakened by a "Mama!"

Saturday was filled with picking up our race packets and shopping. If I thought about the approaching marathon I would get so nervous that my teeth would chatter. Thus the shopping and of course the constant laughter was perfect and kept me a bit more relaxed.

Katie, me, & Jeff at dinner Friday night

Keri, Katie, & Jenn shopping

Jon, Sarah, and my parents joined us Saturday afternoon. Friday night was my 1st night away from Sarah, and I was so glad to have her and Jon down there Saturday. That night we had a pasta dinner and went to bed early. By about 4am I was awake. I was thankful this marathon started at 8:30am, because often they start as early as 6am. So the morning didn't feel rushed. Keri, Katie, Jenn, Jeff, and I drove to a near by hotel to catch a shuttle to the starting area. Of course the laughter continued! Once we reached the starting area, I said good bye to them. They were all running the half marathon.

Keri, Jenn, Katie & I on race day morning

Jon, Sarah, and my parents were an incredible support crew! I saw them at mile 5, 10, several times around mile 13-15, mile 20, and then Dad joined me around mile 25.5 and ran almost the last mile with me. That was great! The last few miles were HARD, both mentally and physically. Crossing that finish line was incredible! I thought a lot over those last miles if I would ever want to run another marathon (and I was thinking NO at that point!). Yet now, a week later, I say YES let's go! The camaraderie is fantastic, and as the case in Jacksonville, fan support is great! There was not a section of the entire race that there weren't people cheering. That sure makes the miles go by faster!

Starting to feel a bit tired by mile 20!

post race

Sarah was SUCH a trooper! 16 hours in the car in 2 days, plus lots of stroller time as they hurried around to catch me as many times as possible during the race.

I did qualify for the Boston Marathon, and Jon and I decided this is an opportunity not to pass up. So I've registered, and will be joining 25,000 other runners to run the famous Boston Marathon. We're so excited about the big weekend in Boston - Red Socks game, US Olympic Marathon Trials, exploring, and most of all spending a weekend with 2 of our favorite friends, Tim and Jess!

Marathon!

Pictures to come soon, but the weekend was a blast and I was really happy with how I did. My goal was to qualify for the Boston Marathon - which for my age group is running under 3:40:59. I ran 3:33:32 and was the 9th place woman! So now the big debate is whether or not we're going to make the trip for me to run in the Boston Marathon on April 21. I feel like it's an opportunity not to pass up! If we do decide to go up, I definitely want to run a slower marathon with the hope of not being so incredibly sore afterwards. Jon joked with me Sunday night on the trip home that I was mush from head to toe. From the neck down, I'm sore. Stairs are the worst. But it was worth it!!

A highlight was passing my cousin, Susan, around mile 24 for me. The marathon was raising money to fight breast cancer, and Susan is a breast cancer SURVIVOR (we praise God for that!!!). She walked the half marathon, and it was such an inspiration to see her during those last HARD miles. Those who know Susan know she has an amazing voice that really carries, and so her cheers where incredible! :)

As I said, I'll post pictures soon with more details.

Here are some new pictures of Sarah

Sarah gets nervous if Mattie gets too close to her food, so she reaches out to PUSH Mattie's head away. Of course, Mattie loves this moment because it's free lickin' on Sarah's flavorful hand. I cringe (and of course tell both Sarah and Mattie no)

my major project of the day - hanging Sarah's swing! It involved 2 trips down the mountain, and using my car as a make shift ladder. The ropes are still slightly uneven, so it swings a bit crooked - but nonetheless was a big hit with Sarah!

Every other Friday a group of girls from church come over - the kids can play and we attempt to catch up in the midst of the chaos. If everyone comes, it's 8 girls and 13 kids age 4 months to 4 years.

Sarah loves to climb things. She managed to get herself up on this stool (with her little car in hand!). The dismount is still a bit rocky.

The other day after her bath, she had such great curls!

In other news, my marathon is Sunday - 4 days and 11 hours away! I'm nervous and excited all in one. We leave for Austria 2 weeks from tomorrow. Mattie's puppies are due in 5.5 weeks (anyone want a lab puppy???). It's a busy season for us - but we aren't complaining!!

I've been dragging my feet on any new postings because I want to use all the good pictures from our new camera ... yet by the time that happens they'll be out of date! :)

Sarah will be 14 months old on Monday, and only in the last few days has she shown the slight inclinling that she just may walk one of these days. She'll let us hold her hands and help her walk; yet without warning, she'll reach her limit and pick up her feet and scream. It's a sheer willpower/desire issue ... she could walk ... but why walk when crawling is so efficient??!

Some days I look at her and am awe struck by how old she looks. She's becoming a toddler!

her wild-woman hair!