Hard Decision

We got some very unexpected news last week. Not really sure why Im suprised with her history but it just really took me off guard. We got a phone call last week that Pate has a new 1/2 sister. Same mother different dad. DHS called to tell us that her bio-mom had a new baby girl (a few months old) that was now in DHS custody and they wanted to see if we would want her. Want her????? Really?? Of course we would "want her" but could we really do it? And, we decided the answer was no. It was a hard decision but we felt it was best for our family right now. With Craig not only doing his baseball job he is now assistant football. Which means hardly any time at home. We are gone all summer with JTs ball team. Craig and I had to think realistically. We already depend a great deal on our family to help out with the kids and it would just be too much to ask of them. I cried all day. I couldnt quit thinking about how great it would be for Pate to have that bond. Now,to think she may never know her breaks my heart. Pate also has 2 older 1/2 sisters that live in FS. Through a weird twist of fate Craig had a student in class a couple of years ago that was actually related to Pate's bio-mom and brought us a picture of her two other sisters that are raised by other family members. That picture may be all that Pate will ever have but its something. I pray that one day Pate can meet them. I am leaving it in God's hands and whats meant to be, will be. I pray that that sweet, innocent baby finds a family that will love her unconditionaly and she isnt just raised in "the system". I cant bare to think other wise.

Snow Day!!

Honestly, I was not too excited about the snow day, ecspecially since I was already up and showered when I got the call. The kids on the other hand are SO excited. So, I am going to try to make the best of the day. Ive already started washing the sheets and am going to try REAl hard to clean out Pate's overflowing dresser drawers. Can you feel the excitement in my tone? NOT.....
I can not believe that I only have 2 weekends to train and then the big run. It feels like just yesterday I was signing up for the race, not imagining that I would ever be able to run more than the 13 miles, which at that time was the longest I had run. Yesterday I achieved a goal I never thought imaginable. I ran 20 MILES!! It was physically and mentally one of the hardest things Ive ever done. Mentally I cant imagine 6 more miles but I am going to do it if it kills me.(which I know it wont :0) )
This experience of training has taken me places I never thought I could ever go.
On another note, I have taken on a new adventure in my life.(bc I have all this spare time, ha!) I am now selling and promoting AdvoCare nutritional products. I needed something that was going to help me through my day and workouts that I was missing. I have found that in AdvoCare. I am excited about this new adventure and look foward to feeling better mentally and physically.
Someone made the comment yesterday to me that their "2.5 miles made them feel like they were doing nothing comapared to my 20". I think no matter what exercise you are doing is better than nothing. Some people have the mind set that their choice of activity is better than another. I just commend those that do anything at all. Even if its getting out and walking your dog around the block, you are taking the steps to a better you. You need to do what best for YOU not what others tell you is best for you. Be proud of what you are doing and dont worry about what others are!! ;0)

Quick update

Well I did the 15 and up next was 18. I made it 17.64. My hip hurt but it wasnt my hip that stopped me, it was my calves. By mile 15 they were like rocks, not so much cramping but sore. Ugh, if its not one thing its the other. I know my diet (im slightly picky and cereal twice a day doesnt cut it) has alot to do with my sore muscles and my lack of stretching like I should be. I have been going to the physical therapist twice a week and that has seemed to help with my hip (knock on wood). I know nothing is going to be 100% until I can rest it. As long as I can surpass March 3rd, Im gonna just have to suffer through the pain until its over. No pain, no gain. right??? lol This weekend 15 and then 20!!!! Then decreasing until "game day".
On another note JT had some test run today and is wearing a 24 hour heart monitor tonight. Hoping to find out results in the next day or two. Prayers......

Training update- 44 days!

44 days till Little Rock Marathon! I cant believe it. I also cant believe that I am trying to train hurt. This is definetly not the way I was hoping this whole process would go but I am doing the best I can do with what Ive got. I have gotten a cotizone shot and am wearing pain patches. I ran 13 miles last weekend with a pain patch and I didnt have any pain till mile 11. Tomorrow is 15 miles. I am anxious about it. I have the endurance and thats whats hard. Knowing I can do it (endurance wise) no problem, its just getting my hip to cooperate with the rest of me. We shall see......
I have really been enjoying working out at the gym on the days I am not running. Now, getting up at 4:35 am three mornings a week isn't all that, but Im always glad once I am up and around.I have defeinetly see changes in my body which makes it all worth it. It makes for a great start to the day!
I just pray each day that I make it through the rest of the training and ultimetly finish the marathon successfully! The joys of getting old!! :0)
hopefully next post will read "I did it- 15 miles down. Next up 18."

SO PROUD OF YOU JT!!

JT was invited once again to the awards assembly for the 2nd nine weeks. Last nine weeks he received the awards for citizenship for his team. This nine weeks he recieved 3. One was for having the second highest grade in Science, the second was for having the most books read (34) and third was for having the most AR points (360+). For years I worried that JT would never like to read, it was like pulling teeth. Now, we cant get him out of the books. Also, when school started he star tested at 5.8 level. They took the test again after Christmas break and he tested 8.5. He came up 3 grade levels!!! We are SO proud of you JT!!!! Keep up the good work!

Christmas 2011

Its been a very busy Christmas break. It started off with making a trip to OKC to see a doctor about my hip. After an hour long appt it was determined that I have piriformis syndrome. Big word which pretty much just means the muscles deep in my hip/butt are TIGHT and in a ball. Bad thing is it's a LONG slow process to heal. Lots of stretching. Doctor isnt very optomistic that I will be ready for marathon in March. I am determined to be ready. If it means I have to walk alot of it I will. When I set a goal I am DETERMINED to accomplish it.
Well, I never got around to making Christmas cards. But, I was able to take a pic on Christmas of the kids(which is one of the best Ive ever gotten of them together) and send it out via text. I know its not the same as a card but better than nothing.

The kids had an amazing Christmas and got WAY to many gifts. It felt like we had double the places to go this year. Now, just need to clean out to make room for all the new things. We went to NWA yesterday to have our final Christmas with GG. That was a nice visit and I got to do some shopping while we were there. (ive done WAY to much of that the last two weeks)

Craig had baseball camp this week and so the kids and I kept ourselves busy doing other things.

Tonight we are going to eat at Fuji's with some great friends for New Years. We are gonna try to eat early and beat the crowd. (yea right)
Its nice to have an adult night out every once in a while. :0)

Im hoping the rest of our days off are low key and maybe even get the kids playroom cleaned out. Craig leaves Tuesday for California for baseball clinic. (hard job, right?) I need to find a "mom" clinic to go to in Florida or something :0)

Pate's basketball season starts Saturday. Are we ready, NO!! Not sure we'll ever be ready. :0) Oh well, all for fun!

Tomorrow is a new year, new goals, new ambitions. Even though its just another day it always feels like a new start! Make it your best yet!!

Week in Review

Ok, I am getting really bad at this blogging thing. I try to keep up so its not so much to try to catch up with but.............. I started this blog for the kids to have something to look back at when they are older so thats what keeps me going sometimes bc really its hard to find the time to do this. So, here is a quick rundown of the last week or so.
The Elf on The Shelf has been so fun this year with Pate. JT is old enough now that he has even gotten in on the hiding. I wish I would have taken a pic everyday where the elf has shown up but that hasnt happened.
I am pretty much done with Christmas shopping thank goodness bc town has gotten to be crazy.
My class had their field trip this week to Home Depot and Chuck E Chesse. That was a tiring day. The kids had fun so I guess thats what mattered.
I had girls night out this past Thursday. We always have so much fun, wish we could do it more often. I did get lucky enough to pick the "sittuation" ornament for our ornament exchange. :0) It was a good laugh.
Im going to OKC this week to see a sports medicine doctor. Praying he has some answers for me with my I.T. Band problem. It takes a toll on me when I cant run as much as I want to. I did join the gym which has helped alot.I have enjoyed changing things up.
OH!! How could I forget. For the first time since we've been married I dont think I am going to get Christmas cards done. I am so sad about it but I literally have had no time to get pics taken. I am going to try this week to get something together but cant make any promises. Maybe a New Years card. UGH