Lincoln Presidential Half

Last week could not have been any more busier. I didn't know if I was coming or going.

Do you ever have those weeks?

Let's not even mention that I completely stopped training for the Lincoln half at week 8. That's right folks. I did not run one single mile 3 weeks prior to the race. Yes, I am crazy. I don't have any excuse. all I can say is I just did not make time to run. I did however find time to eat my weight in Easter Candy, watch all my shows on the DVR, and down 3-4 beers a night.

Seriously, I don't know what was wrong with me, I turned into a lazy arse BIG TIME.

I have to be totally honest. I hadn't been back to STL since December. I was more excited to hang out with friends than run.

First stop, Stacey. I love this girl we met years ago "working" at a golf course. We clicked immediately and I swear it's like we've been friends forever. Plus we were Prego at the same time so we were able to share horror stories about eating grilled cheese, breast feeding, and the joy of C-sections. It was nice being able to talk while the girls played.

Then I stopped by and picked up my crazy friend Maryann. She is probably my most crazy, mouthy fly by the seat of her pants friend. She be crazy but you call that girl and she is there for you in a New York minute. I love me some her. She was also running the Lincoln half. This was her first half. She also did no training and last minute decided to walk it. Told you, fly by the seat of your pants.

There was no way I could drive through STL without stopping at my parents. So we headed there  raided the fridge sipped on Lime A Rita's lime a Rita's count as carb loading right? and then decided to head to Springfield.

Springfield is only 1.5 hours outside of STL, somehow we managed to stop at Jack in the box for a glorious taco. YUM. I miss jack in the box. again carb loading for the big race

L was our host for the weekend. I just love this girl. So does H.

 

All I wanted to do was drink wine and talk all night with my friends. Which is what we did-minus the wine park. They drank wine and I drank water.
Running the Lincoln Half taught me a lot of things.

• The only thing I can wing, is wearing a pair of jeans two days in a row
• I am 31 not 21, Let's just be honest. The old grey goose just aint what it used to be
• Training is very important. Very. I must train

The course was beautiful. We ran through the historic part of Springfield which included Abe Lincoln's home and tomb. The course was very entertaining. Trust me, I stopped and did a little sight seeing. I also stopped and got the bug out of my eye, stopped to get the rock out of my shoe, stopped to help some random child, Stopping seemed to be the only consistent thing that I did during the race.
At mile 9 I was so mad at myself. The tears started falling down my face. Mostly because I was so disappointed in myself but the wind didn't help. Did I mention, it was windy because it was.
I tried really hard to push to the end, my legs seemed so heavy but I kept going. FINALLY I reached the finish line, only to see my parents. Which made me Oprah Cry. I was so surprised to see them.

 

I finished at 2:22. Which is 22 minutes over my goal time and 12 minutes slower than my last race. BUT I deserved to finish 2:22. Lesson learned. From this point I am moving forward. I will train for the Hospital Hill Run. No more excuses.

Easter 2013

Happy Easter!

 

Ready for the PHOTO DUMP

 

 

 

The Easter bunny has been leaving little treats for H all week.

 

 She was super excited to visit the Easter Bunny

I swear I don't let my kid roll around with fro!

 

 

 

We planted our jelly beans

 

 

Her face was classic.

 

 

She was not amused when she realized her suckers were dirty

 

 

I went a little overboard on the candy.

 

Daddy even got a Easter Basket

She loved her Baby Alive.

ok can I just apologize for the socks. I could not find her non itchy tights. the one pair I found threw her into a hissy fit. My nerves weren't prepared for a tantrum and we going to be late to church, so I caved and let her wear socks.

 

Easter Eggs

 

It rained all morning, so we moved our egg hunt indoors. Which was fine, she was over it after the 2nd egg.

 

 

Hope Everyone had a great Easter!

 



Happy Resurrection Day

I have very fond memories of Easter as a child. Easter would always start on Saturday night. We'd have dinner at my grandpa and grandma W's house.

I was very fortunate to grow up with both sets of grandparents but I was extremely close to grandma and grandpa W. I swear they were angels on earth. I miss them dearly

I digress

 Saturday, after spending all morning in the beauty shop. and by beauty shop I mean my Aunt Irene's back hot back porch We'd head to the grandparent's house for dinner.

We'd sit around the table and eat while Wheel of Fortune played in the back ground. After dinner we'd always have a fresh dessert whether it be homemade pie or ice cream. It was always cooked with lard and it was always delicious. One thing about Grandma's house, you'd never leave hungry. or without breaking a sweat, they kept the house at 98 degrees all year long

After we grazed, mom and dad would leave and we'd start dying Easter eggs. Once that got boring, Grandma would take us to Wal-Mart. She would give us each $10.00 and said we could buy whatever we wanted. Oh the pressure to make the right decision. Barbie? Baby? Game? or keep the money?

We'd end our evening with popcorn and coke. Which looking back, isn't it weird that she'd give us coke before bed? I will never forget falling asleep to the theme song of Law & Order.

We'd wake up in the morning to find our Easter baskets overflowing with sugary treats. We put our Easter dress on which included  layers of white lace, white stockings, white hat, white gloves you name it. We were in a uncomfortably mess but we didn't care. We were jacked up on sugar. We'd drive around the corner and start our day in church.

I'll never forget grandma's church. It was your typical old black church-minus the tambourine and the people falling out because they "got the spirit"

It was full of small town people who really loved the Lord.

I remember listening and really enjoying the sermon about Easter. There was something about someone dying for me that really got to me. I grew up in the church and heard it year after year. Of course as a child I would always think:

"wow, can you imagine Mary Magdalene when she saw Jesus appear?"
I wonder if I would freak out and run like a banshees or fall in awe?
 
Easter is so much more than the cute dresses, Easter bunny and candy. Don't get me wrong that is all fun and we do partake in our share of the Easter bunny festivities. BUT I want H to really know and understand the love that Christ shed for her on that cross.

Lord, please help me raise a good Christian daughter ;)