Ashlyn & Layton 'On the Run'

Do you ever wish that your kids could share the same hobbies that you do? Well, mine did this weekend. The running club I'm in hosted a pancake breakfast and 'Kids K' for our children to race in. It was soooooo cute!!!!! Here are some pics of the kids getting ready for the race. I had to get up early that morning to put in my miles (10 to be exact--wahooo!!!) so Jason had to get the kids ready to go by the time I came home to take them to the race. Everyone was groggy so when we got there, so I fed the kids powdered donuts until the race started. Whatever works, right?:)

Here's Ashlyn and Layton before the race started. Ashlyn was really excited to race that morning and Layton was really excited to eat powdered donuts. I guess there really is truth to the saying, "To each his own..."

Here's me with the kids before the race started. Layton wasn't too much into the race thing, so Jason decided to hold him to see if he could run with him--he still looked cute in his number though, didn't he?

Here's all the kids lined up ready to race. I think Ashlyn is in the 2nd or 3rd row from the front. I thought I got her pic, but with all the kids moving around, it was a little difficult....
Jason stayed behind with Layton, since he was a little scared, so I wasn't sure if Ashlyn would be scared or not once the race got started. Once they yelled out, "Ready, set, go", she was off!!! Once the race started, a few of the kids went down (I feared a domino effect), but A. just ran right around them and kept on going. I was so proud!!
At the end of the race, each child was given a medal a bag full of goodies and a 'SuperKid' sticker. Here's Ashlyn with her 'goodies'. She's so happy!! Who knows...maybe one day my kids and I will run the marathon together:)

I've been tagged!

My sweet friend, Lacie, tagged me on a few 'remember-when's', so here goes...

1.What I was doing 10 years ago- September 1997: I was just beginning my master's program in Marriage & Family Therapy and living in Searcy, Arkansas. Jason and I had just been dating a couple of months when I started. He was living in Searcy as well and working his first job as a controller for a Hardwood Flooring plant down there. We were both busy back then with work and school but still found time to be together. I'm sure I was enjoying the fall weather in Searcy back then. I sure miss the fall season....

2. Five years ago was September 2002: Jason and I had just moved to our house in January of 2002 after having lived in Deer Park for two years. I was so excited to be in Clear Lake--close to everything. Of course, I may still be a little to close to the mall (can you ever be too close to shopping?:)

One year ago September 2006: This was a time of both good and bad remembrances. It was the one-year anniversary of my mother's death, but also the month of my dear Layton's one-year birthday--it was a bittersweet time. I think we also had flown up to spend the end of September with my family at the annual family reunion in Missouri. I'm sure we were sitting under the walnut trees at my dad's farm listening to bluegrass music. Did I mention my extended family is into bluegrass? Shocker isn't it?!! Anyway, it feels like you are living back in the turn-of-the-century when you go back there--very peaceful.

4. Yesterday, September 18: I was at Mother's Day Out teaching yesterday. Nothing eventful there, but Ashlyn and I did get to spend some one-on-one time in the evening. We went to the library and got'special treats' at Walgreens after we were done. 'Special treats' by the way, is my code name for chocolate. And yes, I do love them!

5. Snacks I enjoy: Chocolate (really any kind but most recently the Take5 bars--they are so yummy!) Swiss cheese and crackers, Godiva chocolate cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory (ok--I guess its not really a snack, more like a meal!:)

6. Things I would do if I suddenly had $100 million dollars: Where do I start? I would probably pay off all of our student loans, house, etc., give money to the church, help my dad and sister pay off any debts they may have, give money to aid in Scleroderma research and then travel, travel, travel (see below).

7.Locations I would run to: Disneyworld (a big blow-out vacation for the kids!), the Philippines (to see where my mother grew up), and any country in Europe.

8. Bad habit I have: Complaining and worrying!! Need I say more?

9. Things I like doing: Blogging (of course!), running, playing as a family at the playground, the beach, or wherever! Going on family vacations (of course, we haven't been on one lately, but when we do get to go--I like them!:), spending time with my friends, going out on dates with Jason, and laughing (a lot!)

10. Biggest Joy of the Moment: Laying in bed with my kids before they go to bed and talking to them about their day. Its so great that they are both in a conversational stage where they can talk to me. Of course, they are still little so it is quite humorous at times! I want to treasure these moments forever!

Thanks for the tag, Lacie!

I tag my sister, Jackie, next. You're it!

Ashlyn's new house

As most of my friends know, my dear husband has a hobby that takes up most of the space in the garage--woodworking. He just started this hobby not too many years ago (isn't that terrible that I don't quite remember when it started? Hmmm... must have had kids by that time.) Anyway, through the years he has made some pretty incredible stuff--some tract racks for his family's tract publishing company, a humongous (as far as sandboxes go) sandbox for the kids to play in, and a toybox for Layton's room in a castle design (it's so cute!). Since I've been so impressed with his latest creation (a toybox for Ashlyn), I couldn't help sharing it with you. Isn't it amazing?! Look how Layton and Ashlyn are getting into her new, toybox/house--I'm wondering if I'll be able to get them out to actually put toys into it?:)
He picked out all the paint colors, painted it and even put cute flower knobs on her little side doors. If you look close enough, you can even see that he took the time to put real shingles on her roof (now that's a dad for you!) I appreciate you honey for all your hard work--and I know Ashlyn and Layton do too!!

My first race

I guess the title is pretty self-explanatory... I had my first race on Saturday and it was a 5-miler! Let's just say my nerves were up and I pushed myself as hard as I could. I got an awesome finish time, but had a raging headache after a few hours to show for it! (Mental note--don't push that hard again!) Anyway, it was fun, it was a learning experience, and my dear husband and children were there at the finish line to cheer me in. Here's some pics of race day (just as extra proof to all those out there who couldn't believe it could be done (by me!)

Here's me at the finish line. The super-excited look on my face comes from spotting my family at the finish line waiting for me. I think I look kinda scary in this picture. Please say I don't look like this every time I'm happy to see my family (just think what I'm putting my poor children through!:)


Come to think of it, my happy face could be a result of successfully picking up my water bottle after dropping it once, trying to pick it up, kicking it a small distance and then actually picking it up after my second try. Did I mention this all happened within 20 feet of the finish line? Funny how all my embarrassing moments happen in front of like a zillion people. Okay, maybe there weren't a 'zillion' people there, but there was a crowd. At least it wasn't as I was crossing the finish line--see there's a bright side to everything:)

Here's me with the kiddos after I crossed the finish line. As you can see, both were just dying to get their picture taken with sweaty old mama (they were so excited they just couldn't stand still for the picture!) Oh, and thank goodness for Pepperidge Farm. If it wasn't for their goldfish my kids wouldn't be standing here waiting patiently for mama to come in from her race (or sitting quietly in church, or sitting still at library time, etc...)

Here's my attempt at stretching post-race. As you can see, Layton saw me sitting down and immediately sat on my lap. He probably thought I was going to read him a book...sweet boy!


Just as I'm finishing up this blog 'entry', Layton is telling me 'You race--Im proud of you, mama'. Kinda makes me want to melt! How about the rest of you 'racers' out there? Any funny or special 'first-race' memories?

Happy Birthday Layton!

Yes, my dear sweet Layton has officially turned 2! (Okay, his actual birthday is not until tomorrow, but we had his "official" Thomas the Train birthday party today). As most of you parents out there can attest, time with our little ones goes way too fast! It seems like only yesterday my sweet, precious boy came into my life. I cannot believe how much he has changed since he was a little baby! Here's Layton 'through the (2) years". Flashback time. Here come the wavy lines...

Here's Layton as a newborn. He was as cute back then as he is now and look at his big eyes! Isn't he adorable! He's just the cutest baby! But not like I'm biased, or anything:)


Here's me with Layton in the hospital after he was born. Okay, I don't look that great in the picture, but I love this picture because of how happy I look in it--just don't look too close :).

Okay, here's some other pics of Layton. Not sure how old he is in some of them, but isn't he cute!!!! Look at those chubby cheeks, just makes you want to pinch them!

Here's Layton in some of Ashlyn's sunglasses (he still wants to have whatever Ashlyn has!) Some things never change!

Here's Layton at his 1st birthday party last year. He doesn't look too different here, and boy does he still love his sweets! (Just like his momma!)

Thanks for indulging a sentimental mom by looking at my pictures. What a blessing and a gift from God my sweet Layton has been to me (and Ashlyn too!). Here's to many more...