Crazy Race

I have a few websites bookmarked on the computer that I frequent to look for upcoming races. Well, today I really found an interesting one. The "Take Pride in Your Hide Cross Country 5K Run and Walk". You have got to check it out... too funny. No, I am not planning on registering.

A quote from their website:

"Running naked on a trail through the woods creates a feeling of tranquillity that most runners adore."

I wonder where they wear their number???

Harris Bug -- Safety Patrol

Harris and I got in the car today to go get Jackson from school, and I had planned on jumping out real quick at my neighbor's mailbox to drop off a piece of their mail. As I was backing down the driveway, Harris started to fuss and whine, pointing in my direction. I turned to see what exactly he was pointing at, and I realized that he was pointing at my seatbelt that I had not yet put on(since I still had to get out). When I put it on, he starting clapping and laughing! I guess I need to be more careful or the Safety Patrol in the back seat might report me!!

Cruisin'

On Saturday morning, while Jason was still with the guys, the boys and I headed to Papa's Waterhouse to hang out, have lunch, and go for a ride. It was a beautiful day, and we were so excited to get out of the house and do something in the warm weather.

Harris helped me pull away from the dock.
He was soon exhausted, though, and passed out cold. Unfortunately, his nap only lasted an hour. He woke up all out of sorts and cried the entire way home!!
Jackson had a blast. In the car on the way home, I asked him what part of the trip was his favorite... his response was "Looking for the dolphins!". When I asked how many he saw, he sadi, "I saw one hundred, Mommy!". That was a few more than I saw, but I love that he was so thrilled by the ride and the dolphins.

I am a little afraid to speak, but I think that spring may finally be on its way, and what better way to celebrate than to spend a day on the water in this beautiful place. I am so looking forward to this warmer weather and to more boat rides soon! Thanks, Papa, for the trip... most of us enjoyed it!!

Hmmmmm.......

Jason is at the land with 4 of his buddies from our cell group. They are spending tonight and most of tomorrow there... cooking, eating, hanging around the campfire drinking beer, skeet shooting, going on 4-wheeler rides, and possibly burning. These guys have been planning the trip for over a month now and are all so excited.

We wives have all been great about it, looking forward to them having a chance to do their "male bonding" thing. One wife was sending homemade brownies, another a homemade coffee cake, and I sent two loaves of banana bread. As I was making the banana bread, I started thinking about what I was doing the night before my last Mommies Therapy Weekend (MTW)... baking two loaves of banana bread (one for the boys, one for us), making sure there was food for the boys, making sure all of their laundry was clean for the weekend... hmmmmm.

Last night, I made sure Jason had everything he would need for the weekend, things he had forgotten. He asked me why it was that the women always had to prepare the men for their weekends away... hmmmm. Is it that we are overbearing control-freaks, trying to be in charge of everything? Or is it because we love them and want them to have the best time possible, even if it means following behind them and making sure all of their bases are covered?

I'd like to believe it is the second option. I am so glad that Jason is able to go tonight... he deserves it, and I hope that he has a great time. I am also glad to be able to help him get organized. But, I am also wondering if I put in too much effort. Should I do less next time I leave for MTW? Should I do less next time he plans a weekend with the guys?

Haircut #2

Both boys got a haircut today... thank goodness it is over and I can appreciate their beautiful eyes once again!!

Haircuts

One down, one to go...

Waterhouse Picnic

Jason is off today for President's Day, so we thought we would take advantage of the beautiful day and head to Papa's Waterhouse for lunch. Just thought I'd share some pictures...

The static electricity was crazy, and the boys loved seeing pictures of their crazy hair!!

Myrtle Beach Half Marathon

I did it. I finished my first half marathon, and yes, I will definitely do it again! I had such a great time, and it felt amazing to accomplish such a huge goal. I am really in disbelief that it is over and almost a little sad... all of that nervousness and training are over... what is next?

Jason and I left Friday afternoon for Myrtle Beach. We went first to the Runner's Expo to pick up my runner's packet (number, chip, t-shirt, etc) then headed for a big pasta dinner. It was early to bed, as the race started at 6:30am!!

When we got to the starting line at 6:00, it was 25 degrees... brrrrrrrrr!! There were some crazy people there... one lady running in a sports bra and pants, one man running in shorts, a short-sleeved t-shirt, and a batman cape. I had on a long-sleeved shirt, two fleeces, gloves, and ear band, and I was still freezing. However, about 5 minutes into the run (just enough time to regain feeling in my feet!!), the outer fleece came off... too hot. As I ran, I had to be careful of what was on the road in front of me... people were shedding and discarding their shirts, hats, gloves right there in the road!

We watched the sun come out as we ran, and really, the temperature was no longer an issue (although it was still below freezing!). At Mile 2, there was a huge crowd cheering on the runners. From that crowd I heard my name... Jason was there on the curb cheering me on! I was so suprised and thankful that he was there with me.

That's me in the pink!

I ran by myself until Mile 4, when I met up with Caroline F's husband, Jeff. He is a seasoned marathoner, and he was such a great running partner. Although he could have gone faster and left me in the dust, he stayed with me for the entire rest of the race. His encouragement was incredible and so appreciated.

The miles ticked by in twos... every two miles there was a water station. I didn't focus on the 13 miles as a whole, but I focused on two miles at a time. The run was far from the most scenic that I have done, but I guess I have to remind myself that I was in Myrtle Beach, not Little Falls, NY or Bald Head Island, NC or Sullivans Island or Beaufort, NC. We ran down Ocean Boulevard (a tunnel of highrise condos) and up Highway 17, traffic whizzing by us as we passed pancake houses, convenience stores, and billboards advertising the outlets.

Jeff is in the blue hat, and you can barely see me in pink behind the previous runner.

At Mile 12, we drank our water, put our heads down and dug in for the last mile. It was such an exciting finish... right before we got to the finish line, our names were called by an announcer!! As Jeff and I finished (he was so nice and pushed me to finish first!!), we were greeted with a medal, a bottle of water and a poncho to keep me warm. Jason was there shortly with a huge congratulations hug. What an amazing morning.

In the end, the results show that I ran it in 2:16.32 (results are here). In reality, I finished it in a little over 2:14, as it took me more than a minute to get to the starting line. I finished in 1421st place... doesn't sound great, but there were over 1000 people that finished after me. I DID finish, and I felt great afterwards.

Thank you, again, for all of your support. It was such an incredible experience and a perfect way to start the day! I am already looking for another half to do and thinking about which marathon to train for...

It's Here...

It is the eve of the Myrtle Beach Half Marathon, and I am starting to get nervous. I have been training for this for almost two months, and I can't believe it is here. I know that I can do it, as I did 12 miles last weekend, I just worry that something will happen and I'll whimp out. I have no real time goal... I'd like to go under 2 hours 10 minutes, but really, I just want to finish.

I have to thank all of you beforehand, as you have all been so supportive and helpful. Caroline and Fordham even made a sign for me (it is packed in the truck and is going with me to Myrtle Beach!)!! I will be thinking about and praying for each of you tomorrow morning.

I am headed out now...

Happy Birthday, Jason!!

I hope you had a great day today. What day (Valentine's Day) could be better for celebrating you?
You are an amazing husband, father, teacher and friend, and I appreciate you for all of those roles. Thank you for all that you do for me and for our family... you are an incredible Valentine. The boys and I love you so much and hope that you had a great birthday full of Valentine wishes.

Happy Birthday, Jason!!

The Circus

Last weekend, Jason, Jackson, Harris and I joined a group of our friends to see the circus. We arrived 30 minutes early to take in the preview show, where we were able to go down to the floor, meet some clowns, see some elephants up close, and check out the circus up close. While Harris took right to it, Jackson was a bit nervous.
Harris, DuBose, Spencer and Mary Kathryn watch the clowns perform at the preshow.
It took both of them a few minutes to get used to the sights and sounds of the circus once the actual show started, but once they did, they both loved it! Jackson even said, as soon as the show was over, that he wanted to go back! The circus was much different than I remember it as a child... it didn't seem nearly as big. I think that must be part of the magic of watching it as a child. I am so glad that we were able to take the boys to see it... I hope they remember it as fondly as I do. We really enjoyed all of the acts... Jackson loved the elephants and the clowns doing karate (maybe we'll have to sign him up!!), and Harris was most enthralled with the motorcycles in the cage (go figure!). If you click here, you can actually watch a video of the show we saw.
Thanks, Lancaster Family, for setting all of this up! We had a great time, and we are looking forward to seeing it again next year!!

Happy First Birthday, Mills!!

It is so hard to believe that it has been a year! You are such a sweet, sweet boy, we are so lucky to have you so close... it won't be long until you are running around the playset with DuBose, Jackson, and Harris! We hope you had a great birthday, and we can't wait to see what the next year brings for you.

Love,

Amanda, Jason, Jackson & Harris

Happy Birthday!

Pinckney Syms Smith

6 February 2007

11:18 am

8 pounds 9 ounces

20 inches

Congratulations, Stephen, Caroline, and Fordham!

Pinckney is perfect, and we are so looking forward to watching him grow. What an incredible blessing for your family.

Lots of love,

Amanda, Jason, Jackson & Harris

Frisky

Jackson has fallen in love with the movie Cars and all of the characters in it. He has a few of the characters from the movie that he was given for Christmas, and he will spend hours in his room playing with them. Tonight, he and Jason were playing Cars, and Jason watched as Jackson kept bumping Lightning McQueen into Sally.

Jason: What is McQueen doing, Jackson?

Jackson: Knocking up Sally...

Yikes. We keep telling ourselves that he was knocking on Sally, not knocking up Sally. Right? That is what he was saying, right???