Seaside Half Marathon

A half-marathon has been on my bucket list for several years.  I finally checked it off my list a few weeks ago!  Training for a half-marathon is a huge commitment and requires lots of discipline and perseverance.  I am not the best with commitment, discipline, or perseverance.  I am, on the other hand, really good at excuses and quitting.  I am also a big scaredy cat and do not like to participate in activities in which I might not do well.  That is nothing by PRIDE...the ugly side of pride. 

 My theme for the last six months or so has been Joshua 1:9:  "Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged.  For the Lord your God will be with you where ever you go."  My word for 2014 is "finish."  I am so bad about not finishing what I start.  I have a half upholstered chair in my bedroom.  It's been that way for over 6 months!

By the grace of God and awesome running friends, I finished all of my training and completed the half marathon in 2:30:27.  It wasn't pretty.  I even had to walk some of the last 3/4 miles.  I did not walk during any part of my training so this was very disappointing for me.  Disappointment followed me for several days after the half.  I thought about all of the "what ifs" that would have made my time or mental focus better. Instead of enjoying my accomplishment, I had a little pity party about how it wasn't good enough.  I battled blisters the last couple of months of my training and they hurt terribly after mile 7/8 during the race.  My hurting feet were definitely a mental and physical distraction.

This little guy was the best cheerleader.  He was so proud of his momma.  It was an awesome feeling to see him and Darren at the finish line.  

We also enjoyed some fun in the sun.  It was a beautiful weekend to be at the beach.  I cannot believe how much Nate stayed in the water.  It was like ice, no kidding.  But it didn't slow him down.

Tomorrow will be four weeks since the race.  I have a much better attitude about my performance and finish.  I am still running and honestly couldn't imagine not running a few days each week.  I have grown to love it, I just don't know if I love distances over 8 miles.  Running has made me more disciplined in many areas of my life, which I am very grateful.  Now I just have to decide if there will ever be another half marathon in my future.  Maybe?

Co-op Talent Show

Nate recently participated in our home school co-op talent show.  He performed two simple magic tricks.  It was a proud parent moment for me and Darren.  He was awesome!

He rehearsed a lot and was very prepared, but he totally played to the crowd and added funny things to his "script." He was a natural on stage.  He was 100% comfortable and enjoyed having an audience.  This was a side of him we've never seen.

Darren was his assistant on the first trick.  It involved using a dollar bill to magically join two paper clips together.

His teacher, Mrs. LaShea, assisted him on the second trick.  It involved Nate using his mind to slice a banana.

We were so proud of Nate.  He truly did a great job.  He was very entertaining.  We also enjoyed watching all of the other acts.  We have so many wonderful, talented kids part of our co-op.  It's been a fun year getting to know other home school families.

Snow

We were blessed with a beautiful snow a few weeks ago.  Unfortunately, there was a layer of ice under the snow that left people stranded at work and students stranded at school.  Several of our friends had to spend the night at work.  Some of them started home and had to abandon their cars and walk several miles back to work so they could have a warm place to sleep.  It happened so fast and really caught us off guard.  Ice and snow was accumulating on the roads just after 30 minutes of snow.  Thankfully, Darren and all of his co-workers were able to make it home. 

Darren came up with a "sled" to pull behind the four-wheeler.  He found an old trunk lid in the barn.  It worked perfectly.

We were so thankful for all of our warm snow ski gear. 

Warming up :)

The snow was extremely dry so we couldn't make a traditional snowman. 

I think this is the most beautiful sunset I've seen.

Nate loved watching the cat slide around on the frozen pond.

Nate loved breaking the ice.

It was so much fun, but we were glad to see it go.  We've had an extremely cold winter.  We are ready for spring!

Darren's First Deer

This year Darren started deer hunting for the first time.  So, at age 39, Darren killed his first deer.  I was so excited for him, especially when he texted a picture showing not just a deer but a buck. 

Nate was excited too!

Snow Tubing

Part of our Christmas from my parents was a trip to Snow Mountain (Stone Mountain) and Callaway Gardens Fantasy in Lights.  It was such a fun trip.

Nate loved sitting up high above everyone on Uncle Chris's shoulders.  This was good entertainment while we waited for our tickets.

Please excuse all of the moving sidewalk pictures.  It takes several minutes to get to the top of the tubing lanes and you have the beautiful stone mountain in the background.  So, you might as well take a few pictures. :)

After our two hours of snow tubing was over, Nate played in the snow play area.  His favorite thing to do was wait on people to finish building a snowman and then knock it down (after they were gone, of course). 

I love this face.

After we finished tubing and playing in the snow, we headed over to Callaway Gardens for Fantasy in Lights.  This was a new experience for us and it was so much fun.  The lights were beautiful and very entertaining.

Saturday evening my entire family spent the night in a cabin at Callaway Gardens.  My mom cooked homemade potato soup and cornbread for us.  All of us played Phase 10 (except my dad and Nate).  We haven't played Phase 10 in years.  We laughed and laughed and laughed some more...and I won!  The next morning my mom cooked eggs, bacon, biscuits, and grits.  We enjoyed breakfast together and headed back to Alabama.  This trip was an awesome end to our Christmas vacation/celebration.

Christmas

I must confess that this Christmas was not one of my favorites.  I had zero "Christmas spirit."  I just kind of put on a happy face so Nate wouldn't think his momma was a big ole Scrooge.  Of course, we still had lots of fun and made lots of great memories.

We continued our tradition of visiting the local Christmas tree farm.  I love doing this, it reminds me of my childhood.

This was the day of the 2013 Iron Bowl.  Auburn was the underdog, but they pulled off an epic win.  I know the whole world knows this and is sick of hearing about it, but it's a good memory for the blog.

We got to spend time with these pretty girls.  :)

We made our first gingerbread house.  It was so much fun!  Nate was very particular about the decorating.  He picked out an example from the directions and we had to follow every single step.

We enjoyed another Christmas Eve with my family.  This year my dad read the Christmas story from my mom's grandfather's bible.

One of Nate's gifts from my parents was a box of change.  Nate loves to raid my dad's change when he's at their house.

My parents also gave Nate a Ninjago lego set.  Ashlyn was very sweet and kind to help Nate put it together.  She is such a blessing to our family and we are very thankful for her. :)

This year Nate asked for a star wars lego set, angry birds go telepods, and star wars telepods.

Nate also got a four wheeler.

Now to my favorite part.  Darren asked Nate what he wanted to get me for Christmas.  Nate said a broom.  Darren told Nate that was a good idea, but brooms aren't really appropriate gifts.  Then Nate suggested a dress.  Darren told him that was also a good idea, but buying clothes for girls is not always easy.  Darren told him to think on it a few more days and let him know when he had some other ideas.

A few days later, Darren asked Nate again what he wanted to get me for Christmas.  This time Nate told Darren that he wanted to go to Kay and buy me every diamond in the store.  How sweet is that?  Seriously.  A few days later they went to a local jewelry store to buy my gift.  Darren totally let Nate take the lead and pick out whatever he wanted.  Darren said he was very thoughtful and took his time making his selection.   There were several things he liked, but he finally decided on these amethyst heart earrings.

He told Darren that he chose the heart earrings because hearts represent love and "we love mommy."  These earrings are my very favorite Christmas present...ever.  I will cherish them and this sweet memory forever. 

Co-op Christmas Program

This is Nate's sweet class from our home school co-op.  They performed a song based on Isaiah 9:6 - For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.