1/2 marathon and Jakes Day

Don't ask why I decided to run a 1/2 marathon the morning after my birthday.  Thought it would be a good way to kick off being 35! But I was a bit tired.  I did a trail half marathon- so different from road running.  It is slower, the you are constantly looking down for roots, rocks, pine cones, branches and whatever.  But I was fine with my 2 hour and 33 minute finish! My GPS watch broke today =( So I had no idea of time, distance, or my pace.  But it was great to see Olivia and Brendon at the finish line!

After the race we got ready to go to Jake's Day at the Charlie Elliot WMA.  This is the 3rd year we have gone.  We went and saw the animals, did some fishing- daddy caught a big cat fish and someone gave us one...so daddy had cat fish for dinner.  Then we ate a picnic lunch.  Then when we got in the car to go home I noticed a rash or bug bites all over my top right leg and a little on the left leg.  Not sure if it is from the race or our picnic spot! But they don't itch at the moment!

Fun day!

Turtles

Picnic

Brendon's cat fish!

A picnic selfie!

Turning 35

Had a great birthday yesterday.  Started off with some Krispy Kreme donuts from my grade level.  Lots of sweet gifts and cards from my students and Malissa.  Then dinner with friends for pizza.  Fun day!

Making cupcakes for mommy

Eating spaghetti for dinner

Pizza with friends!

A yummy Popsicle at the end

Card from Olivia

Love it!

Topped off with a story!

Eve of 35th Birthday

So it is the eve of my 35th birthday....I feel kind of blah but excited at the same time.

So here are some things I have learned...ok 35 things I have learned....

1. Life just isn't fair.
2. You don't always get a trophy.
3. Mean girls still exist at 35.
4. Be nice to mean girls!
5. You learn by doing.
6. You never know about something until you try.
7. Sometimes you have to cry it out.
8. Peanut butter and chocolate can sometimes solve life's biggest problem.
9. Get good shoes that take care of your feet, even if they are not pretty.
10. Eat breakfast every day.
11. Coffee makes a morning much better.
12. Love your parents.
13. Stop looking for love...it will find you when you least expect it.
14. Get a pet.
15. Your parents are always right...really they are and then you say things they you used to say to you!
16. Books can take you places.
17. Girls need a night out too.
18. Sometimes the hardest thing to do is step out the door each day.
19. Laugh...sometimes you just have to laugh...
20. Laundry and the dish washer are a never ending chore.
21. Don't mix your whites with colors!
22. Buy clothes that don't have to be ironed.
23. You don't need things to be happy.
24. You need the right people in your life.
25. Pray and pray often.
26. Make good desserts...it covers up for your crappy cooking skills!
27. Be a leader and not a follower.
28. Don't swim in water where you can't see your feet.
29. Take risks.
30. Love is enduring, unconditional, patient and kind.
31. Run the best that you can.
32. Run with friends.
33. The things you take for granted, someone is praying for.
34. God has plans for you.
35. Trust your journey.

Now....

1. Travel
2. Run and run often
3. Be a better listener
4. Pray
5. Try to make new dinners (this is hard for a crappy cook!)
6. Make a new dessert
7. Read more books (I need to read more than I should)
8. Volunteer doing something
9. Give more and buy less
10. Have a yard sale
11. Throw away junk
12. Be a better wife
13. Be a good friend
14. No pity parties for myself
15. Focus on what is good in my life
16. Play like a kid
17. Try going in water where I can't see my feet- or at least deeper
18. Ride my bike and not be a wimp on it.
19.  Fix my closet and Olivia's closet
20. Not be afraid to say how I feel
21. Put things on paper/journal for Olivia
22. Let go of things easier
23. Not stress about work
24. Trail run more
25. Not be a Scaredy Squirrel
26. Slow down
27. Go out on more dates with husband
28. Get crafty
29. Actually complete some pinterest projects
30. Go camping more than once this year
31. Run a 1/2 marathon or 2
32. Not be so hard on myself!
33. Take more pictures
34. Live every day to the fullest
35. Be Happy with life and being 35!

So goodbye 34- your weren't the best. Lots of ups and downs and turnarounds! Hoping 35 will be a much better year! 

Early Mother's Day Present

Today I got an early Mother's Day present from Olivia.  At her daycare she painted a beautiful canvas! I just love her little canvas art! So sweet! =) Susan does such a great job with her unique and beautiful presents.  I just love hanging them up in our house. 

Holding Hands

Yesterday Olivia told me that she loved holding my hand and wanted to hold my hand.  It made me want to stop time and hold her hand forever.  There are moments like this that you can't relive or do over.  I know in 10 years she won't want to hold my hand anymore (well... probably...I am sure we will be at the my mom is so embarrassing stage).  But when she said that to me yesterday it brought me back to Sunday when I went to Hallmark.  Of course I had to pick out my Mother's Day card...and of course just like my mom I always cry picking out cards! But as I was leaving the store, there were two women crossing the parking lot to go to the store...as I looked at them, they were obviously mother and daughter, they were holding hands.  The daughter was gently guiding the mom across the parking lot to the stores.  It made me realize that at that moment, I probably haven't held my mom's hands since I was a child and how much I love holding Olivia's hand. It made me sad...when did I get too cool to hold my mom's hand?? I am sure I hurt my mom's feelings when I didn't want to hold her hand anymore...and I am so sorry for that.  Now that I am older and realizing all those things that mama said, I should have never let go of that hand.  I am sure for this mom and daughter walking it has become how they travel, instead of the mom taking the lead and guiding, the daughter stepped in to take care of her mama. I hope when I get older, Olivia will hold my hand and take me shopping, because I know that I will take my mom shopping (I am sure to Hallmark) and hold her hand across the parking lot. Time is precious dear friends, take time to hold your mama's hand.

Soccer

Since Olivia loves kicking her soccer ball around I thought we would give soccer a try.  She loved it! She followed Coach Dani's directions really well and was even a helper for one of the drills.  Olivia got her own t-shirt and soccer ball! Tonight we worked on dribbling the ball which I tried to shower her...of course I didn't know all of the soccer terms to teach her but tonight when the coach called her to come and demonstrate for the class what to do, she did it perfectly! So proud of her. 

The best part of soccer- there are 2 rules-

Rule #1- Have fun!

Rule #2- No crying!

Wouldn't that be so easy if that were the rules of life??!! 

Here are some very blurry pictures....hard to get pics of a moving 3 year old who was fascinated by the soccer boys playing!

Fun in the SUNday

YAY...summer has arrived...well maybe.  Lots of fun in the sun.  Brendon got the pool cover off today so hopefully we can get it cleared soon...supposed to be 80's this week.  I pressured washed the cover while he was vacuuming and vacuuming.  The pool is pretty cloudy at the moment but not green.

We put water in Olivia's little pool for her to play in today too.  Then we had dinner with friends.  Lots of fun....EXCEPT Olivia pooped and peed her pants! Grrrr!!! She has gotten all of her poops in the potty the last month and has had minimal accidents.... but still had fun! A little tantrum at dinner but finally ate some of her dinner.

 

This is a super cute video of friends having a backyard race!