Mercer County Run for the Pets 15K

Yesterday I ran the Mercer County Run for the Pets 15K in Harrodsburg, KY.  It is my longest race to date. I had seen the course route info earlier in the week and it made me very nervous. It was super hilly. I'm weird...I like hills...to a fault. I don't like 9.3 miles of relentless hills. I was really excited that 2 of my friends were going to ride with me to the race. I ran it with my friend, Katie. She is quite a bit faster than me and I was really worried about holding her back. She said it was fine though, so we did stick together. I ran my first mile in less than 11 minutes. My normal distance pace is 12:30 to 12:45. I knew I was going faster because my shins and calves were really starting to be felt early. Coming out that fast in the beginning probably did hurt me some, but in the end, it was just a really difficult course....and over 2 miles more than my longest run prior. I finished in 2:01:30 (I think that's what the clock said). I had really wanted to finish in 2 hours or less, but I really crapped out on that last mile and a half. My Map My Run app didn't save my run, either...GRRRR! The race was beautiful though and the other runners were so friendly and supportive. Runners tend to be really nice, but these took it to another level. I will definitely be doing this run again.

Be sure to check out Katie's blog for great pics of us!

My legs were super tight the rest of the day, and I was really sore this morning. I actually felt hungover all day yesterday. I got home and didn't really get too much of a chance to rest and recharge. I'm feeling much more normal now.

We will be out of town next week for one of my best friend's birthday party, so no race next weekend. I think the next one I've got on tap is the Mill Creek Run on September 14. I'm hoping Michael can do it as well. I know he's been itching to see if he can get a below 30 minute official 5K. I'm thinking of doing the CASA Superhero 5K on September 21st and then I have my first ever 1/2 marathon in Nashville on September 28th!!!

Manic Sunday?

Sundays are my least favorite day of the week. With the exception of being at church, it's just a stressful day for me.  There's the hustle and bustle of getting 2 small boys ready for church and trying to make myself presentable as well. And while I'm happy to not have to prepare lunch, dining at a restaurant can turn into a lot of: "Joseph, get out of the floor." "Joseph, sit up, please." "Joseph, eat your food!" "James, get your hands out of the beans!"

It can be exhausting.

Then we get home and I usually have housework piled out the wazoo. It's enough to make me want to just sit in a corner and cry.

Today was not so bad though. I ended up taking the boys to Luci Lou's for some froyo. Joseph picked pink lemonade sorbet topped with fruit loops, these pink pop rocks type candies, liquid filled little balls in green and purple....basically any candy that was colorful....and cherries. He was so funny...he kept eating and saying, "This is really really good, mama!"

James had peanut butter. I may or may not have had a few bites.

After that, we went over to my Father in Law's house to pick up my stuff that did not sell in there yard sale yesterday....which was most all of it. I made a whopping $9. I sat outside with them and let the boys play for a while. Then Joseph wanted to go home and watch Mega Mind. So off we went. On the way, I stopped at Staxx, spent my $9 and bought some pulled pork for supper. We got home and I realized that this was the best Sunday I've had in quite a while. I still have lots of housework to do, but it was nice to step back and spend some time with my little ones while not worrying about what needs to be done.

I hope everyone has a great Labor Day! We don't have any plans. I'll be cleaning. 

Happy Birthday, JAMES!!!

 One year ago today, we welcomed our sweet little James into our lives. Life has gotten much harder, but I wouldn't trade him for anything.

Some of James' favorite things:
FOOD!!!
Water
Mud
Daysie
Any toys with wheels
Balls

He's not walking yet, but it won't be long. Joseph will really be in trouble once James starts walking.

My big boy!

I will be taking some 12 month pics of James next week one day while Joseph is at school. He's so photogenic, I know they will be great!

Our plans for the day include going to the Mexican restaurant for a birthday dinner and then having CUPCAKES!!! Yum! Joseph didn't like cupcakes on his first birthday, but I know James will dig right in!
So Excited!

New Post

If you're checking on my other blog....I FINALLY posted over there. So, head on over and check it out!

Preschool Update

Joseph leaving school his first day.

It was brought to my attention from a friend that I had not updated on here how Joseph was doing in preschool.

His first day went good. He evidently didn't want to leave at 11. He only goes half days while some kids stay until 5. But he said he had a good time.

The next day, I got an email from his teacher saying that he had a yellow light day (green light is good behavior, yellow is not so much, red is bad). He kept telling her no when she asked him to do something and refused to help clean up. Sounds like typical Joseph. I talked to him about listening to his teacher.

Well, he doesn't go to school on Fridays, and man, was he mad about not getting to go to school. I need to record that for later when he doesn't want to go. He asked to go on Friday and Saturday. Luckily, we have Sunday School on Sunday so that took his mind off of it. He asks me several times a week: "Momma, when we going to Sunday School?" Me: "Sunday."

I worried and worried Monday about his behavior. Finally, Monday night I got an email from his teacher and honestly, I was afraid to open it. But it was a good note about his behavior being much improved.

I love that his teacher sends pictures periodically and emails almost daily outlining what they went over that day. I love that because then I can quiz him at home. Today was the letter B, the number 1, the color red, and circles. I asked him what sound the letter B makes and he said, "I don't want to go to school!" I asked him again and he said, "Ba ba ba." Then he was eating ritz crackers and I asked what shape they were. He said, "Circle." YAY for learning!!!

I'm so excited that he is enjoying school. I just hope he has mostly green light days!

First Day of PK3

It got hairy there for a minute when Joseph informed me last night on multiple occasions that he couldn't go to preschool. He didn't like it. We went to visit the school on Back to School Night a couple of days ago. He seemed fine with it then except that he was mad that he couldn't play with this dinosaur toy that was in another classroom. He kept wanting me to leave and when I wouldn't, he was ready to go.

So then he starts in on the "I didn't like it." *Sigh* "I want to go to summer camp" *Sigh*

This morning, I went to wake him up and the first thing he said was, "I can't go to school today, mama. I didn't like it." But I got him up and got him dressed. I even got his hair somewhat combed...it's always wild in the mornings and I held him down and ran a toothbrush over his chompers.

I was most excited that he humored me by holding the sign pictured above and smiling for the camera. If you know Joseph, you know that he likes to balk at doing anything I really want him to do.

He was fine when we pulled up to the school. He said, "I be ok. It be fun." *thank you, Jesus*

He had a little meltdown when we got into his classroom because he still wanted to play with the dinosaur that was in another classroom. *sigh* But he shaped up when he saw another little boy playing with cars. I then told him bye and kissed him on the head because he was too busy to give me a proper hug and kiss.

I can't wait to find out how his first day went.

This and That

Joseph planning his getaway at the Street Rod Nationals in Louisville

I just wanted to do a quick post....mainly to showcase this cute pic Michael snapped of Joseph at the Street Rod Nationals in Louisville, KY. They had a daddy-son day. James and I had a nice mommy-son time at home. James is a different kid when his big brother isn't around. He isn't whiny or clingy. He just plays and babbles and laughs. I guess it is nice when you don't have someone taking everything away from you. That has been the most maddening part of having 2 kids. It doesn't matter what James has, Joseph is going to try to take it. And it has not made a difference regardless of what punishments we have tried. MADDENING!

I also wanted yall to know that I have not abandoned my weight loss blog. After my emotional crisis, I stepped back and reevaluated my plan. I will post more about it hopefully later today.

I have had a cold hit me like a freight train. It came on last night and I started feeling terrible. I'm much better today. I even attempted a 5 mile run, but it didn't happen. I only made it 3.8 before I called it quits.

I'm hoping I feel good enough to go to the Moms RUN this Town meet and greet in Lexington tonight. I've been looking forward to it. Other than that, I don't have any big plans. Michael is leaving to go to NYC tomorrow morning for a week for work.

I hope yall are having a great weekend!