My 31st birthday

On the 12th of this month I celebrated my 31st birthday.

Jason was so sweet and surprised me with birthday cake, balloons and lunch 

He brought me my favorite flavor strawberry and we shared it with all my wonderful co-workers

After work I did my normal gym time and then my boys took me to dinner at a local Mexican restaurant. Our good friends the Thompson's came with us. 

I love these boys. Brady might as well be my 3rd son.

After dinner everyone came over to our house for more cake and ice cream

The next night I meet my running club to run a few miles and then they took me out for another birthday dinner

Overall it was a good birthday. I'm grateful for another year of health and pure happiness. 

Here's to 31!

Romance and Roses 2013

For the last six years Jason and I have had the pleasure of attending our church's annual Valentines day celebration, called Romance and Roses. Romance and Roses is a yearly event to celebrate marriage, connect with your spouse, and to simply have an inspiring event together. In our ticket price, we receive a three course meal along with an awesome entertainer and a live band.

The tables are always decorated so nicely

All the wives received a rose

My good friend and co-worker, Krissy

Some amazing ladies I work with

This was our 6th Romance and Roses. There are some pictures of my sweetheart and I from years past

Romance and Roses 2010; this is the year the event was actually on my birthday

2011; I remember this night well, I was so sick and just got the flu the day before. The next month I got pregnant with Houston

2012

2013

Since my birthday is February 12, Romance and Roses is usually just a few days after it or on my actual birthday. Usually we just incorporate my birthday and Valentines day date night into this event. It's so much fun and we look forward to it every year. We are very blessed to have such an amazing church that see's the importance of a good, strong Godly marriage and takes the time to do these types of events each year. 

Happy Valentines Day

What a busy week. Tuesday the 12th was my 31st birthday. I had a great day and I may post more about my birthday this weekend, but today's post is about my Valentines.

Houston had a milk cup that I took away from him to be able to take a picture this morning before school

This is picture 1, right when I took the cup away from him

Picture 2; "hey I want my cup back"

Picture 3; "OK I really want my cup back, NOW"

Picture 4; "haha, Mom gave in" 

I gave up with a picture of both of them so I just took Landon's picture with Houston in the background

We had breakfast foods for dinner tonight. Pancakes, eggs and bacon off the griddle

Landon picked out our Valentine cookies at the store last night and he baked them tonight

After bath's the boys opened their Valentine's presents

Checking out their loot

Landon showing me his new Leapster

Another attempt of a picture with the boys together

Jason and I don't exchange Valentines, I really don't remember that last time we did. I really have no use for flowers and I surly do not need candy. I would rather spend our money on something for us as a couple some other time when we need or want to. He is such a great husband and daddy to our boys and that is the best gift he could give me. He also knows my love language and he does those 365 days a year. Plus he just bought me a new mini van 2 weeks ago so I guess that is really my big present for the rest of the year. ;o)

Happy Valentines Day!

Frostbite 1/2 marathon (13.1 miles)

Yesterday I ran my second half marathon. It was about 45 minutes outside of Nashville in Lebanon at one of their state parks.

Several members of my running club before the race

We had lots of members of our running group run the 13.1 miles

My good friends, Lauren and Angie. Lauren paced Angie to her personal record (PR)

Tim, Steve and I starting the race

Some of the course was in the woods and on gravel road. Here's my pacer Steve leading the way and setting the pace for my PR

Kelli was also helping Steve lead the way for me

I think this was about mile 4 or 5

Angie and Lauren at the halfway point

Steve, Kelli and I spiriting to the finish line. This was a very emotional moment for me

My first half marathon time in October 2012 was 2 hrs and 47 mins. Yesterday's time was 2 hrs and 28 mins. I knocked off 19 minutes off my time to make yesterdays run a PR for me. 

My first goal was to run in 2 hr and 30 mins. Well then I looked at the course which included lots of hills, gravel, unstable pavement and horse grates on the ground, so I was really doubting myself. I was thinking if I just do better than 2:47 I will be happy. Well Steve forgot his Garmin so I gave him mine since he was my pacer. He could do the math for me, as far as what my times were per mile to reach the 2:30 goal. So I had no clue what my time was till I turned the corner at the last .10 of a mile and saw the clock that read 2:28. At that moment I pretty much cried and sprinted to the finish line. I could not believe I was under 2:30 with that tough course. I will  never forget that moment, I turned the corner and saw that time clock, it was just an amazing feeling, like hearing your baby cry for the first time feeling. All my hard work had paid off. 

My time, distance and calories burned

Angie and I after the race. We both rocked the 13.1 and both had AMAZING personal records. I am so proud of this girl. Love her!

My running group is amazing and so supportive. Steve and Kelli both stayed with me the entire race and really encouraged me the whole way. They personally have had better times on their half marathons and could have ran this one faster, but they didn't  They really wanted me to succeed and I greatly appreciate them for that. That's what running is all about. Fast, fun and most importantly fellowship. 

I am in full training mode for my next half marathon on April 20th. 

Happy running!

Snow Day

Yesterday morning we woke up to a blanket of snow on the ground. It was suppose to start melting around 9 or 10 am in the morning so the boys got dressed and headed out there to play.

Jason's car was covered

This was Houston's first time in the snow

Both boys LOVED using their new sled they got for Christmas 2 years ago ;o)

They all lasted about an 1 1/2 out in the snow. Landon came inside, undressed and got right under a blanket. He said he was freezing

The sun came out and melted all the snow. Since I missed my morning run due to snow my friend and I went out in the afternoon to get 5.5 miles in

Happy Sunday!!