My Marathon!!

I completed my first Marathon in November in Savannah. It was an Inaugural Rock n' Roll marathon. I started training in July with two friends I had met through a class at the Y. There is no way I could of done this alone and am so thankful for these girls and their encouragement and support over all the months we trained. We started in the heat of the summer, and I remember on my 14 mile run (which was the farthest I had ever run at that point) thinking there is no way I'm going to be able to do this. However, the training paid off. My goal was to make it under 4 hours, and I did 3 hrs 52 minutes so I was happy. I was so nervous before the race. I had been sick a week prior and then Camden threw up on me the day before we left so I just wanted to feel good. I felt amazing through mile 20, at that point I couldn't imagine hitting the wall. I even said to Sarah, I think I'm going to take it up at mile 21. And THEN I hit my wall. I had hit walls running in half's but nothing compared to this. We hit the highway at this point, uphill, and against 15-20 mph winds with no spectators. I think it was the hardest thing I've ever done. The next three miles were mental. Once we hit 24 and were off the highway it got a little better for the final two miles.

Erin, Me, and Sarah...I think this was at mile 8 or 12?

My parents were amazing and caught us four times during the race. My mom made this sign from the kids crafts supplies, too cute!

Sarah, Me, Kristin, and Aml...I had a girls weekend with my friends who did the half. We celebrated with a yummy meal out that night! Laurie is missing from picture, I will try to post one later from dinner. These girls did amazing in the half!

My cousins did the half too so it was really fun to have family there as my aunt and uncle came down too. Me, Alexis, Rebecca, and Jordan

Sarah, Erin, and Me

Fall

These too have become close this year, they 'battle' together and their favorite is to play 'doggie' together when Holt chases Camden like he is a dog and she squeals. Whenever I have Camden in the car alone she calls for Holt the whole time.

I had got the winter clothes out on this day and they both wanted to try on their mittens and hats.

This is how I would describe Camden, she LOVES her princess dress up clothes but also tries to shoot her brothers down with their star wars guns.

This was our first Thanksgiving with just the five of us. Jason had surgery the week before so we couldn't go to the beach so we had fun family weekend. Aunt Patricia I hope you notice the hats, I did this from your suggestion. The meal was pleasant for oh..about 5 minutes, one cried the whole time that the food was gross, Camden was up from the meal in about 3 minutes and ate nothing, and the 3rd complained about how he didn't like it. But this is our reality and we are thankful these blessings and the noise, even if it isn't always as we would have it.

For my memory sake..on the fall-

Pierce played flag football and enjoyed it for the most part, he really loves to just be outside in the cul-de-sac, I think if he could earn trophies for that he would never want to do a sport.

Camden and I have done a parent/child gymnastics class at the y all semester. She loves it! She wants to walk on the highest beam, do flips on the rings, swing on the rope and jump in the pit. She also loves the jump up and down song at the end. But her favorite part is the stamp at the end. If only I knew I could of saved the money on the class and bought a stamp and stamp pad :)

Pierce and Holt did Tae Kwon Do for a couple months, but also decided they would rather play with their friends outside then have a week day commitment. They were adorable, especially Holt with his eyes open wide watching the big kids at class. They did enjoy it when they were there. The instructor was great, a great combination of fun, structure, and respect. Maybe they will be interested down the road.