Playing Catch Up

With my new blog look I plan to be much better- promise! Our lives are going at warp speed it seems. Weeks are flying by.

Christmas-
The girls had a great Christmas this year. They both really got into all of the Christmas songs and traditions. Ally really understood more this year and was so excited for Santa to come. On Christmas Eve the girls got to open their Christmas gift from us. They each got a princess dress. We then told them that we were going to DisneyWorld in January. They were very very excited.



Random, but our Dog Brady decided to make herself into a plant:


Up next--- Molly turns 6 in DisneyWorld!

Did you Miss Me?

After a long sabatical- I'M BACK! And thanks to Shauna I have a new look. What do you think?

I have lots to catch up on! Since I left you last we had Christmas, New Year's, and Molly turned 6 with a trip to Disney World in Florida.

Will start updating ASAP!

I did it!

Whew...1/2 marathon is complete. Thank you all for your support and prayers...it was truly appreciated!

I wanted to blog tonight so I didn't forget anything that I wanted mention - since this blog is sort of like a journal to me.

Last night I did not sleep well at all- I guess just the nerves and excitement about the race. I probably slept for 3-4 hours total.

We woke at 5:15 and headed to Dallas since parking was expected to be a problem. After navigating American Airlines Center exits, etc. we were parked and ready at 7:10. After using a quick portable potty (fun!)...we did some stretches and fueled up with our gels/sport beans.

We got ready in our corrals - Geoff was A and I was at the back in group E. It wasn't much fun waiting for the race to begin all by my lonesome but it was good for me to get focused!

The race started and 12 minutes later group E was at the starting line. The race begins. The first couple of miles are good, still navigating through the people. The course went through Highland Park so we got to look at some really neat houses. People were everywhere watching and cheering the runners on. My very favorite sign of the day read: "Run like Tiger is chasing you!" (with a pic of Tiger Woods)...made me laugh at least. Lots of people outside in their robes, hanging out, watching the race.

I encountered my first ever barefoot runner. I don't get it, but hey, do what you need to do. I'd hate to have to look at those feet at the end of the race. Up to mile 10 was pretty easy breezy. Felt really good. Then mile ten took us to the Katy Trail where there were less spectators. I really missed the encouragement! Our names are on our bibs- so everyone would yell- "Come on Emily you can do it!"

At mile 12 my arches were killing and I stopped to walk about 50-100 yards, but realized it actually hurt more to walk so started back running. Pretty soon the spectators are back yelling that the finish is around the corner...run, run, run and you can get a banana! Just when I spotted the finish line I took off and completed the race in 2 hours 28 minutes...2 minutes below my goal of 2:30!

Geoff found me immediately- he finished in 1 hour 43 minutes--way to go babe! Then we found my parents and the girls in AAC. They didn't see me finished because the finish line was so congested...but since I had my medal they thought I had won!!

We headed to eat at Hunky's (a hamburger-sandwhich place) in the Bishop Arts District. I thought I would be super hungry but was barely able to eat!

I was so thrilled with how it all went. I did and felt so much better than I thought I would. I am even looking forward to doing another soon!

If you have ever thought about running a race you really should--it's fun!

Hebrews 12:1- my race verse

Geoff finished strong!


Geoff snapped this pic of me right after I finished before I had even spotted him!

The Day is Almost Here

White Rock 1/2 is tomorrow. I am extremely nervous and super excited. Looking forward to a fun run. Please pray for me if you think of it at 8 am. Pray for my mind especially that it remain calm and focused.

Big shout out to Jamee who reminded me of my race verse - Hebrews 12:1 ....let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

Thanks readers and I will update tomorrow or Monday -- off to drink more water!

O-M-G!

Dear 3 blog readers,

My 1/2 marathon is less than 2 weeks away! I am SCARED! Those of you who know me know that I can get a little worked up. Such is the case now. I ran the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day in Dallas. 8 miles. Went okay--but was definitely happy to see the finish line. But what's running through my head was that in 2 weeks I'd have to be able to keep going for 5 more miles. You know 8+5 = 13!

The Turkey Trot did teach me a few things:
1. Slow down - I started off and stayed too fast trying to keep up with the 37,000 runners. I need to just focus on me!
2. Go potty - right before race, not fun to run while needing a potty break
3. Hydrate often - I got water at the 3 stops but will need to carry a hydration bottle with me to hydrate as often as need be.
4. It's okay to walk - I did not stop during the Trot but it will not be the end of the world if I need to stop and walk a few times during the race.

I have a bruised ankle from the Trot so I am nursing that so I can continue my training. Keep me in your prayers so I will not have a nervous breakdown leading up to December 13th.

Hope to update you again before the big race, if not I WILL after:)

And then you were 3...

Happy 3rd Birthday Miss Allyson Brooke!

Wow...I can't believe you are 3 already. Last night we all watched the video from when you were born. Looking back, I can't believe that was you--that teeny tiny black haired little baby. Watching it, it made me so proud of you and how much you've grown and the little girl you have become. But also a little sad- because it all goes so fast!

We started celebrating on Saturday with a party at Powersports with all your little friends and some family. Today you went to school and munched on #3 decorated cookies with your school friends. We had cookie cake after school and Chuck E. Cheese for dinner!

I looked back at last year's blog and last year I named 10 of your favorite things at age 2. So I only thought it would be appropriate to list your 10 favorites at age 3:
1. Singing - especially songs on the radio. Thanks to Mommy's addiction to Kidd Kraddick (goes way back to childhood) you are a fan of top 40. Lady Gaga and Miley Cyrus are some serious faves:)
2. Dancing - you love to dance--we bought you a CD player for your room so that you can dance your heart out!
3. Dress-up clothes - you love tutus and crowns
4. Snow White- she is your favorite princess. You were Snow White for Halloween this year and are super excited that you got the DVD for your b-day.
5. Aggravating your sister--you have learned what pushes her buttons and you love to push!
6. Pepperoni and Fried rice- you are a PICKY eater with a capital P - but you love random things that we would have never guessed. You will gobble up Pepperonis and fried rice if given the opportunity.
7. Your friends- you love all of your little friends, friends from school, gymnastics, Bible Study, friends from everywhere.
8. Helping me clean- since Molly is in Kindergarten - it's you and me most of the time. You like to swiffer and get your duster out and help mommy do some cleaning.
9. Milk - you are still a big fan of milk. I am so glad-- Molly didn't touch milk much after age 2 - so I am happy that you are still a fan-- even if you favor chocolate:)
10. Sharing the love- you tell Mommy and Daddy and even sometimes Molly that you love us and are always willing to share a sweet hug.

You are a sweet, sweet little girl and we love you very much!!!

The Sultan's Soiree 2009

Well Jr. League Ball has come and gone. I am proud to say that it was a success. Myself, Julie Kennedy and Whitney all chaired the Auction for Ball. It was a hard 8 months of work --but worth it at the end.

This post is dedicated to my friend Whitney (of the Wests on my blog list). She worked tirelessly on Auction with us but was unable to come to ball because she is pregnant with her 2nd baby and due today- the day after ball. We for sure thought Willa would make her appearance early but she hasn't! So poor Whitney had to stay at home during ball. So some of these pics are for her benefit as she didnt get to see The Zone Club transformed into a Mediterranean Wonderland:)

Me and my princesses who were so sad they could not go to Ball! (Yes that's Ally in the red wig!)


Julie and I before the hard work of Ball began:


The Ballroom at The Zone club-- home of our Soiree!


One of our auction tables:


One of the table decorations:


Me and my super handsome date:


Geoff in an intense Auction Spotters meeting with our Auctioneer- David Coleman, who did a fabulous job.


The Sultan and myself:


A close up of Geoff and I--note my bling! David Gardner's lets the Ball Committee pick out jewels for ball- I was sporting 3 beautiful David Yurman pieces (earrings, necklace and bracelet).


My friend Trisha and I moments before I became Cinderella and the David Gardner's girls came and took my jewels away!



Way to go JL ladies! It was a fantastic event!