i.am.a.runner

I am a runner. I didn't used to be a runner.

After watching the Boston Marathon, I was inspired. If they can run 26 miles, I can surely run 3.1 miles.

I had told Julie and Rachel that I had a goal to run a 5K by the time I was 40. They laughed at me...so did Josh! Hey, I'm busy people!!!

So, being the up-for-the-challenge girl that I am, I started a running program:

http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

It's the "Couch to 5K" running plan. It's for people just like me that want to run, but are overwhelmed by the idea. I've never liked running.

So, I started about 8 weeks ago, and I ran in my first 5K last Saturday!!! It was so exciting.

I decided that I would be thrilled just to run the entire time, and I would be extremely pleased with a time of 31:00.

At mile #1, a guy was calling out times....9:27. "I think I'm running too fast!" However, I felt good, so I just decided that I would keep my pace and slow down later if I thought I needed to.

I passed 23 people (2 of them being guys) which I thought was incredible...I had a goal of 5! As I was approaching the finish line, I heard them calling out times over the PA system....29:32...29:35...

"Oh my goodness!" I thought, "I can make it in under 30:00 if I kick it up!!"

So, I put on my speedy legs and sprinted to the finish....29:49.

And there at the finish line was my supportive husband and adorable daughters cheering me on. I almost cried....surprise, surprise.

It was fantastic. I placed 100 out of 190.

I'd like to thank Julie and Rachel for chuckling at my goal and making me want to achieve my goal much sooner! I'd like to thank Josh for supporting me through my training, pushing me out the door, and bringing everyone to the finish line...it meant a lot to have all of you there. Thank you to the girl in the pink tank top...you were the first person that I passed. Lady in the purple shorts....I will pass you next year.

birthday.bash

FINALLY....Claire's birthday party:

Claire asked for a lake cake that had her and Fletcher (Grandma and Grandpa Popsicle's new dog) on it. Hmmmmm. So, Aunt Jill and Uncle Andrew had a picture of Fletcher on their phone and they emailed it to us.

Josh printed a picture of Claire and a picture of Fletcher, stuck them together, and put them in the boat. Great job, Honey! A few goldfish crackers, a little blue frosting, some crushed graham crackers, and well....we had a cake.

Sticking with the boat theme...Claire received a life jacket for her birthday:

Amelia wouldn't sit still for a picture to save her life (what's new?)...

The birthday crew (minus the babies):

A little of this...

Cuddling with the cats...

I don't think everyone was enjoying the cuddling:

But Josh and I were:

Daddy with the birthday girl:

 

amelia.or.claire?

I've been browsing through old pictures, and I found this one of Claire and I taken on vacation in 2004. We were touring an old mining area...hence the rain jackets and hard hats.

Josh and I can't believe how much Amelia looks like Claire in this picture! Josh said that if I would have sent this to him as a picture of Amelia, he wouldn't have questioned it at all!

 

red.eyes

While looking at this picture today, Meredith says, "When I was a baby, my eyes were kind of red!"

Yes they were.

 

every.rose.has.its.thorn

We were just outside admiring our mini rose bush.

Claire says, "What are these pokey things?"

I said, "Well, you know, every rose has its thorn. Every night has its dawn. And every cowboy sings a sad, sad song. Every rose has its thorn."

She asks (very intriguingly), "Every cowboy sings a sad song?"

Supposedly.

my.memory.fails.me

I can't believe that I'm only 30 and my memory of my younger days is slipping away already! We were up at the lake today, and Jill, Mom and I were discussing the whole answering machine thing.

Jill and I started doing our rendition of it when she continued on where I stopped! What? There was more? I completely forgot.

...there wasn't much more, but it wouldn't be right not to post it. Last round...

"This is Jac and Jill and we're here to say,
Leave a message on our machine today.
We're not able to come to the phone;
leave your name and number after the tone.
We'll call you back when we get home.
So leave your name and number after the tone."

...we obviously didn't want them to forget their name and number. Pre-caller ID days, you know.

memory.lane.part.2

Ok, so back to the answering machine...

So, then I was thinking about our answering machine message when we were growing up. Do you remember, Jill? Mom?

Really, how could you forget?

Jill and I saved our money for a very long time to purchase our very own keyboard. It was a lot of money when we were 10 or 12 or however old we were at the time. I think it was $50 or $60 or something.

Anyway, so there were some auto music buttons on it that would play a "boxed beat" of some sort. There were all kinds to choose from, and you could speed up the pace or slow it down.

So, being the "rad" girls that we were in 1990 (almost 20 years ago....where does the time go?), we chose the rap-like beat and made up our own answering machine message. Are you ready for this?

(each of us alternating lines...singing/rapping/whatever)
"This is Jac and Jill and were here to say,
Leave a message on our machine today.
We're not able to come to the phone,
Leave your name and number after the tone."

Classic. Pure classic.

...and slightly embarrassing when you're 30.