My First 10K

Pre-race...it's early, and I'm nervous!

Well, I've gone and done the unthinkable...for me anyway. I ran a 10K this morning! I actually made it all the way through the race without stopping to walk. I've never been able to do that, even with my training runs. The race started at 6:00 a.m., so I had to be there at 5:00 a.m.! Way too early for me! It was a beautiful day, though, and I kept a nice, slow and steady jog. I finished the @ 6.2 mile race in 1:06:20. I finished 20th in my age group, 61st within the female division, and 107th overall. There were about 455+ runners.

Post-race and headed home

Spirit Week

Caroline's school celebrated its Spring Fever Spirit Week, and the kids dressed up each day. We had fun getting to be without the uniform for a little while. The pictures here include Caroline's Hawaiian Day and Blast from the Past Day, (we chose the 80's). She also had a Crazy Hair day and Favorite Sport Day, which she wore her basketball uniform...couldn't get her to wear her swimsuit!

The 80's look, complete with tight rolled jeans and side ponytail

He is Risen!

We had a wonderful Holy Week leading up to Easter. Whereas in the past, Easter has revolved a lot around the big bunny, this year we barely mentioned the Easter bunny, because all of our focus was on the real reason for the season, so to speak. It made my heart sing when Caroline and John Michael were just as excited to go through the Resurrection Eggs and watch a video about Christ's crucifixion and sacrifice, as they were about the bunny coming to see them.

Found a camouflage egg!

JM and his best buddy, Tanner

As the kids were hunting eggs around the house bright and early Sunday morning, Caroline stopped and said, "Praise the Lord, Jesus is alive!" While saying this, she lifted her arms in a "raise the roof" type of motion!

Our church service was great, and afterward, we hosted my mom, sister and her family for a big lunch and an even bigger egg hunt. The kids racked up on coins for their piggy banks! (Earlier in the week, John Michael had two other Easter parties/hunts, and Caroline had one at school.)

School party

Citizen of the Month

Caroline was Citizen of the Month at her school in March. Each month, students have the opportunity to display the fruits of the Spirit. Caroline was chosen by her teacher to represent Faithfulness. She was honored with a special breakfast where Shawn, John Michael and I were able to attend. Sweet girl. :-)

Time for T-Ball

John Michael played in his first t-ball game this morning. As usual, it was a fight to get him dressed - he always likes to have a lazy morning on the couch, drinking his chocolate milk, while rubbing his "blankie" and watching cartoons. So, this morning was no exception. He really didn't care that he had a t-ball game. But once he got to the field, he ended up getting into the groove a bit.

Shawn helped coach the team, and all of those three and four year old kids were precious out there on the field. John Michael reminded me of the Darth Vader/Darth Helmet character in the movie, "Space Balls," because his head with the helmet on it was HUGE! When he was running around those bases with that big noggin, I couldn't help but laugh. Too cute.

JM batted left handed and hit the ball off the tee twice. He also fielded a ground ball and threw it towards first base. By the middle of the game, he was losing focus, as would be expected, and as the other team was batting, he seemed to be in his own little world. At one point, he walked over to the fence and asked me when we were going to his cousin Molly's birthday party, because he was ready to go. All the while, the other team was batting and running bases.

It was fun to watch, and I'm so glad this is something that JM and Shawn can share together. Later that night, when Shawn was rocking JM and putting him to bed, JM asked Shawn:

"Daddy, does it make you happy that I play baseball?"

"Well...yes," Shawn replied. "Do you like playing baseball, John Michael?"

"No."

Well, he's only three...we'll get through this season, then see what happens. He sure does look sweet in that uniform. :-)

Diving and Dribbling

Posing with some Sunkist friends at the blocks before a swim event...Caroline is the one on the far right, missing the tooth.

Wow! These last couple of months have been a whirlwind! I've been learning what it's like to have a child in many activities, as well as to be a coach in one of them. And I've been loving every minute of it!

Sunkist 8 and Under Relay Team

Caroline has continued on the swim team, and she has steadily improved throughout the season. She just competed in the 8 and Under Developmental State Swim Meet, and all of her hard work paid off - she won first place in the 25 yard and 50 yard backstroke in the 7 year old age division, making her the fastest 7-year old backstroker currently in the state of MS! Can I get a WHOOP WHOOP!?! She had a time of 49.72 seconds in the 50 backstroke, which cut 3 seconds off her fastest time yet. We're obviously very proud of her! She also did her first FLIP turn in the 50 free style! All sorts of first's for the little one...

She just finished the 50 yard backstroke in first place at the State Meet!

We're also playing basketball this year, and I'm coaching Caroline's team of first and second grade girls. I asked Shawn the other day if he thought I looked like I was being too hard on them during the game, and he said I just looked "really intense." Haha! Most of the other coaches just stand there during the game and don't say much...well, I coach them, for heavens sake! I almost made them run suicides at practice this week because they weren't paying attention and kept goofing off. (Okay, that might have been a little much, but I expect each one to give 100% and nothing less.) They are a great group of girls and very talented...I have one player that scored 26 points during one game! Caroline has developed a real love for the sport and will even be outside after dark shooting baskets...reminds me of someone else I know. :) She has come a long way since her first game as well, with her highest score being 6 points. It's amazing to me how fast she learns and adapts to sports. I love it!!

Team Lady Lightening

Caroline and "Coach Mommy"

I can't close out this post without mentioning the little man! John Michael is signed up to play t-ball this spring, so I'm looking forward to seeing what he looks like in that sweet uniform. Shawn is excited about playing ball with him too, so I'll be sure to get some pictures up here as soon as I take them. Right now, JM is happy playing Transformers and Spiderman, running back and forth in the living room. He's perfectly content entertaining himself and has quite an imagination.

Helping Daddy fix the washer.

All I Want for Christmas...

We spent Thanksgiving in Destin this year with Dad and Betsy, and the Village was filled with all sorts of fun holiday activities for the kids. Santa Claus stopped by one night, and we let the kids visit with him and tell them what they wanted to see under our tree this year.

Caroline's list was quite long this year and included a chemistry set, geodes, a clock, a doll, a stuffed animal, a perfume making kit, a mega-bubble blowing set, etc., etc. She wrote all of her gift requests on a list and gave it to Santa as she sat on his lap.

John Michael's list was very succinct. The only item he'd requested up to this point was "Batman Wegos," meaning Batman legos, which truly meant the Imaginext Batman Cave. However, when the time came to actually tell Santa what he wanted, John Michael was obviously re-thinking his game plan...he said: "Wait, wait, wait. Actually, I want Batman Wegos and Toy Story 3! And that's all."

Sounds easy enough to me.

If you know my children well, you'd know that they don't like each other very much, and they usually argue more than they get along. Well, Santa Claus really brought them together, because the rest of the night, Caroline and John Michael were so happy and loving. As you can see in the photo below, they actually touched each other and smiled! We enjoy these rare moments when we get them!

Don't they look sweet?!