How has it been almost a year already?

Where has the time gone? It was almost a year ago the last time I posted, and boy has so much happened in that year.

L had his last 2 camp outs as a Cub Scout, D transitioned to a Junior scout, we celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary, Adam was in an accident where it was him on a bicycle versus a car (I would say he won, because he had minimal injuries considering he was hit by a car), I had a road trip to Michigan for a girl's weekend where our car decided the transmission was done, the kids and I took our first flights in an airplane (mine to San Diego with my best friend), the kids and I took a 10 day trip to Maui to visit my mom and her husband, Adam had to have hand surgery to correct damage done from the accident, I took another road trip to Ohio to celebrate a friend's 40th birthday, we had to buy a new car, school started again (4th and 5th grades), many many afterschool programs, I started to work at the school, science fair projects, Girl Scout cookie season, Circle the State with song choir, pinewood derby, and so much more!!!!

Here are a few pictures from the past year. I hope to be better about posts this next year.

L running in the Running is Elementary Race

May the 4th celebration at the library

 

Mother's day winery hopping

My first ever flight, with my best friends to San Diego

D's 9th birthday party

L's 10th birthday party

Scout night with the South Bend Cubs

12th wedding anniversary

D dressed as Hermione at a Potter library event

My girls weekend in Michigan

Kids first ever flight, 10 days in Maui

On top of the volcano

 A shark sighting at the beach

First day of 4th and 5th grade

Seeing Ruth Bader Ginsberg talk at ND

I was able to meet the wonderful author, Jen Lancaster, at a local event.

D had Girl Scout archery camp

It was a very Potter Halloween this year for our family.

We took our annual Christmas trip to Chicago.

We both got to go on the annual 4th and 5th grade ski field trip.

L's science fair project.

L won 3rd place in the entire pack for Pinewood Derby this year. 

D was able to sing in a multi-school choir

Running

Adam ran his second half-marathon on Saturday. But the best part was that he ran it with a friend and his youngest brother and it was both their first races and the farthest they have ever run. We are so proud of all of the boys! Our friends Chad and his girl friend Liz (the ones with the horses), came up on Friday night so we could all make it to the race. Liz stayed with me during the race and helped me control the kids, which is not easy! The race started at the College Football Hall of Fame and ended on the 50 yard line at Notre Dame stadium. The kids made us late to see the boys start the race so we headed over to the stadium and waited. Chad was the first one to come in, then Adam, and then Zach. The kids got so excited to cheer them on. We had awesome seats!! We were second row from the bottom about 20 yards from the finish line. We could see everything! It was a hot, fun, long day, and again we are so proud of all the boys! Great job!!

That is Adam running to the finish line. He is in the yellow shirt and red bandanna.

Chad and Adam showing off the medals they got for finishing. The finish line is right behind Chad's head.

Adam and his baby brother Zach. At 18 he has finished his first half marathon, and run the farthest ever in his life!

I flippin did it!

Alright folks so I actually did it!! I ran a 5K race this morning before most were even awake. It was cold!! But I did it. So do you want to know how I did? Well, first things first, I ran a 13 min mile, which was 2 min faster than what I was running. Now for the fun news! I was the very last finisher ever! Even the walkers got done before me. The old people passed me!! But the incredible part was that I still managed to win my age group. So lets go over this! I was the only runner in the 21-30 age group both in woman and men. So I guess I can come in last and still win my age group. That's pretty sad. If Adam would have run, then we both could have won our age group. Thanks again for all the well wishes, and now to add that to the list of miles. I've added some pics that Adam took from this morning so that you can all laugh at how I looked. Oh and I wanted to add that while I was running I ran past cows, horses, farms, a rooster crowing, and the great smell of manure! I was totally out in the middle of nowhere!!

Getting ready for my race.

Doesn't D look like a Christmas decoration from the 60's?

Waiting for the start. It was 38 degrees.
I finally made it!!

Another running update!

So I am now half way through week 6! I still can't believe that I have made it this far without dying in the middle of the road somewhere! But I have. Yesterday I ran for 10 min., walked for only 3 min., and ran for another 10 min. That is a HUGE accomplishment for me. Tomorrow I'm suppose to run for something like a full 28 min but I highly doubt that. I will give it a try, but we will have to wait to see. Only 3 weeks left until my big race, and I'm still excited. I haven't stepped on a scale since starting this training, but I just may tonight. I know that if I have lost weight it was all gained back this week. I have a weakness for sweets and unfortunately I have had pumpkin pie and cinnabon this week. I just couldn't stay away!! Oh well. At least I'm exercising now!!

Update on the running!

So I have been asked how my training is going. Well I'm half way through the 3rd week and it's getting tougher. I now have to run for 3 min. and then walk for 2 min. for a total of 20 min. This is hard for me to do since I've never been a runner, but I am proud to say that I did it! I didn't want to freak myself out so I didn't look at my watch for the first 3 min. run, and when I finally did I had gone over by 47 secs. I was pretty proud of myself. I do my runs in the morning before 8 am, and I get to run along the river walk. It is nice and quiet and I don't have to worry about any kids yelling names at me anymore. (They were calling me fatty and Run Forest while I was running around a track close to home. I'm already hard on myself, I don't need stupid high school kids picking on me!) I have set the date for the race that I am going to run in, and will be sending in my fee and application on Monday. I'm actually pretty excited about what I am doing. Unfortunately my eating hasn't gotten any better yet, but it will slowly! Thanks for the interest, and I'm sure Jennifer that you are doing awesome with your training too!!