Halloween Highlights!

Halloween!  A week long celebration of candy and all things spooky!  Here are some highlights from our festivities . . .

Mama the Bee and Sammy and Sophia the Gnomes getting ready to head out to our playgroup's Spooktacular Halloween Bash!

Apparently, we are the "FUN MOMS" because we dress up . . . yep, that's what we BEE!

Sammy won an inflatable Halloween ball at one of the games!

Our family at our church's Fall Festival!

Our sweet little gnomes on Halloween night, with the only remaining Mr. Potato Head pumpkins (we started out with six!).  Mama's so proud!

The requisite garden gnome in a wheelbarrow pic . . . many thanks to DEBBIE for the wheelbarrow!

Sammy at about 9 pm . . . suffice it to say, he had a candy high!

Nerds!!!

Today was Candy Day at Awanas.  I cast around for an idea, and finally lighted upon one after seeing the bag of Nerds Halloween candy I had just purchased at HEB that day.

Meet the nerd!

The funny part is, he decided to wear these socks on his own.  My mom was watching the kids while I ran to the doctor, and when I came home he was wearing his baseball socks.  It was a bit of an inspiration for me.  All we did then was pull his pants up high, tuck in his shirt, and popped the lenses out of his sunglasses and taped the bridge!

Believe it or not, there is actually a dance that goes with the nerd look!  Sammy is in mid-dance in this picture!

I finished it off with a Mardi Gras bead necklace and boxes of nerds taped along it.

I bribed him that if he wouldn't eat the candy DURING Awanas, he could eat one box before and one box afterwards.  I'm glad he's not in school yet, because otherwise he would have figured out there were three boxes taped to the necklace!

Houston Half Marathon Relay

This morning, I ran 6.55 miles in the Houston Half Marathon and Relay.  This was my very first race to ever compete in.  Totally honest - I've never even run a 5k!  The only thing I've done prior to this is Relay for Life.  The Houston Half Relay was a completely different experience.

I was blessed to have an awesome friend, Elle Hill, as my running partner.  Elle and I attend a Mom's Bible Study together at our church.  She's an inspiration to me - she ran 6 miles with me (at an incredibly slow speed for her) my first time earlier in the month, and she teamed up with me to make "See Mommy Run" - hence named for our four year olds, Sammy and Kaia. 

I have to be honest and say I was extremely stressed out the day before the race.  Extremely is a mild word.  Mike's parents were in town to attend the 2nd annual Survivor's Celebration for Precision Radiotherapy Center in Clear Lake, right across from the Wings Over Houston airshow.  We spent all day outside in the heat, chasing around both of the kids.  I'm so glad Robert and Rita were there to help!

The night before, I ended up taking Advil PM just so I could fall asleep.  I did lay down at about 9 pm, and then woke up at 4:30 am to pick up my running partner at 5:15 am and get downtown by 6 am.  Talk about an early morning!  I was smart and had all of my clothes laid out, my bag packed, and even my water bottles filled the night before.  That way, when I woke up groggy, all I had to do was dress, grab, and drive. 

I picked up Elle right on time, and we were lucky enough to grab one of the last parking spaces on the street before the huge influx of runner traffic happened.  We pinned our race numbers on and got ready to go into the KatyFit runners tent. 

Of course, as soon as I got there, I had to pee.  I had drank an entire cup of coffee on the drive up there, and it went right through me.  Just what I needed - a visit to a port-a-potty in the dark . . . However, I noticed the bathrooms were running out of toilet paper, so I quickly rolled up several sheets and placed them in my runner's belt . . .  just in case!

Over at the KatyFit tent, I ran into my coach, Bob, and his wife, Peggy, who cracked me up with her tales of her first race.  The most memorable comment from Peggy?  "It was the first time I took my shirt off in public."  Not like that, people - she took one off and put another one on, with a sports bra underneath, since her original shirt was so sweaty!  Talking to Bob and Peggy really calmed my nerves and helped me to laugh before I set about getting focused.

Next, Elle and I prayed together.  I was so nervous, and Elle prayed and calmed me right down.  Good thing she did, because seconds later I set off walking to the start line.  Since it was my first race, Elle was gracious enough to let me start the first leg.  This would give me experience starting in a large group, and running with over 6,000 competitors!

When I got to the starting line, I walked about midway back and ended up getting right next to Roy, one of the regular KatyFit Red Continuous Halfers.  I'm so glad I found him - this calmed me down so much more!  Before the bell tolled to begin, we had a moment of silence, and I remember closing my eyes and praying to God to give me peace, and also to give me joy as I completed my first race.  I'm so glad that I prayed for both peace and joy!  Once we got started, the peace fell over me quickly, and the joy was incredible!

I am here to tell you that despite the heat, despite the fact that there were only water stations every two miles, and despite the fact that there were many hills on Allen Parkway, I seriously had the best run of my life the morning of the Houston Half Marathon Relay!  I also did something 'highly illegal,' and I texted while running.  NO, I was not texting to say hello!  I was texting my husband and my running partner single words, such as "one," "two," "three" to let them know which mile marker I had reached.  Apparently some people thought that to be pretty funny!

At mile six, one of the fellow runners I'd been next to for quite awhile looked like she was ready to quit.  It was hot, it was humid, and she was just about ready to die.  I can't believe I never got her name, but she was wearing a green shirt, and she had the best smile.  I turned to her and said, "Come on, Girl - we've got about a half a mile to go!  We can do this - let's take it in style!"  She beamed and took off with me!

My dad got an awesome shot of me tagging off to Elle!

Check out the awesome shirts my parents made for everyone - "Team Lindsey!"  Every one - my parents, Mike's parents, Mike and the kids had one on!  I felt so proud!

The best feeling coming off the course?  Hugging and kissing on my kids and knowing they were proud of me!

The support of my family meant the world to me!

After hanging with the family for a bit, they headed for home, while I headed for the KatyFit tent, grabbing a banana and a bagel on my way in.  Talk about being hungry!  After fueling up, I headed back out on the course.  I'd seen several other relay teams do this, and I didn't want to leave my partner in the lurch, so I waited about a quarter mile out from where the course ended.  When I saw Elle coming in, I jumped back onto the course and finished the relay with her.  Crossing the finish line with my partner was awesome!  Looking back, I only wish I would have had a banana and water in hand for her . . .

Overall, my first race was awesome!  I can't wait for the next one!  Oh yes, and one more thing I learned . . . when you see puddles at the end of a race course, please don't step in them.  Nine times out of ten, they are NOT rainwater . . . and no, I will not elaborate on that any further!

Zoo Boo!

Our playgroup went to Zoo Boo at the Houston Zoo today!  We had a lot of fun, although it was a bit hot to wear costumes the whole time.  When will the silly costume makers realize that in Houston, it's quite possible it could be 90 degrees in October??

For those of you anticipating the gnome costumes, I felt guilty for making my children be garden gnomes, and I bought them other costumes as well.  For Sammy, Bumblee from the Transformers movie, and for Sophia, TinkerBell!  The garden gnomes will be making their official appearance on Halloween weekend.  As for now, these will do - plus they will be great additions to our dress-up bin!

Sammy and his 'girlfriend,' Maddie

Sophia loves pum-pins (aka PUMPKINS!)

Someday, I believe Sammy will be quite proud of the interesting faces he makes while I'm trying to take pictures . . .

Sissy-Bear took the slide on her own, with no help from Mama, for the very first time!

Awwww, young love!

Of course, no zoo trip would be complete without visiting the petting zoo.

Tinkerbell is just so sweet!

Six Miles

Six ain't nothing but a number!  I know, my grammar needs correction, but I really feel as though after passing the four mile milestone my running has not been difficult. 

I have to admit, I've been a bit lax as far as running with my group.  I missed running my first 5 mile run when I overslept.  Then I was in the Hill Country with family, then the following week I had a stomach virus.  Not that you'd want to know that, but no matter, I couldn't run!

This week, I was determined to make it out to Terry Hershey Park no matter what.  Mike had a long weekend, working at his company's Huntsville center getting new phone lines and other IT equipment installed, so we elected to spend the weekend at our lake house in Trinity.  My dad agreed to come out and watch the kids early Saturday morning so I could run with my group, since Mike stayed there overnight on Friday night.

I had a great run, and am so thankful to my dad for watching my children.  Afterwards, Dad and I loaded the kids up and drove out to the lake house together.  It was so funny because Dad was bringing several items up to an antique auction, and had stowed them all in a uHaul trailer.  My neighbors must have been suspicious . . . Mike's truck was gone, my dad's truck had a uHaul on it, and I was loading up both the kids and the dog!  One of the neighbors even had the audacity to ask me if everything was ok!

I quickly reassured her that I wasn't leaving Mike, and we took off for a pleasant weekend off of Lake Livingston.  I had ran six miles with my group on Saturday morning, and early Sunday morning my dad and I took the kids on a six mile bike ride down to the lake.  Looks like 6 was my lucky number!

Here are a few photos from the weekend - Sophia had popsicles for the first time and LOVED them!

Meantime, on Sunday morning, we took a quick walk down by the lake . . . love these pictures of my babies!

KSBJ

For those of you who have been following my Marathon Journey, you know that despite my wishes, I was not selected for the Chevron Houston Marathon/Aramco Houston Half Marathon.  I did go ahead and register for hte USAFit Sugarland Marthon on January 16th, but my heart has always stayed focused on making it to the 'real' Houston Marathon on January 30th.  This past weekend, I think I may have found my entry ticket.

My sister-in-law Trish's friend, Cheryl, overheard on KSBJ that they were giving away 50 entry spots to the Cheveron/Aramco Houston Marathon.  I logged on late Friday night, expecting a call-in contest, and was pleased to find an entry asking me to write about "How God Speaks to Me When I Run."  I prayed for guidance, and then began to write my entry.  I'm not sure if it's exactly what they are looking for, and I honestly am not concerned about that as I feel I wrote how God was leading me.  Regardless, below please find my entry to the KSBJ Marathon Team.  I should find out within 3 weeks whether I've been selected as one of the 50.  It is very hard for me to stay calm and not worry about this.  I've asked all friends to pray that if this is God's will, that it will happen.  Then, if it doesn't happen, I will be ok as I will know it was not in HIS plan.  This entry is an adaptation of my blog of running 5 miles for the first time.  I hope that it touches you - I know that it spoke to me.

"I decided to run a marathon when I was 22 years old. The plan was to run one before I turned 30. It's part of my "Age 30 Bucket List." I turn 30 in May, and while I don't believe I'm able to run a marathon yet, I do know that I can run a half marathon.




Thirteen short weeks ago, I started on this journey to run 13.1 miles. I signed up to train with a local running group, KatyFit. Our first run was 1.5 miles. That was the longest 17 minutes of my life, in 95 degree heat no less. I came in from that run panting like a dog, and questioning my sanity. I also started questioning my ability.



At week 6, while running 4 miles for the first time, I thought that the reason I was able to do it was through the support of my group. I continued to believe that for several weeks, until week ten. Week ten literally changed my entire viewpoint on running. It was supposed to be my first time running 5 miles, and I was really counting on my group to support me through it.



I tried to do everything I could to prepare myself the night before the run. I went to bed early the night before, I prayed, I even posted on Facebook that I could do all things through Christ who strengthens me. But the morning of, all my preparation went awry.



Number one, I woke up late. Extremely late. I awoke at 6:50 am, when my husband asked me if I was planning on running that day. You know that feeling, that you're naked in the middle of your last final for college? I had that feeling, except I was in my own bed, reeling at the fact that I was still at home, instead of standing at Terry Hershey Park ready to get running with my group.



I jumped up, dressed as quickly as I could, and then set about for issue number two. I was unable to find my hydration belt. Finally, I woke my husband up and tearfully asked him to help me. For some reason, he found it in our hall closet, hanging on a hook with my large collection of diaper bags. Don't ask me why it was there - I obviously put it there thinking that would be a good place, but for the life of me I can't remember why. I left the house in tears, crying that I couldn't run 5 miles on my own, and what was I thinking.



I prayed in the car during the drive to Terry Hershey Park. It's about ten miles from our house, so God and I had a long conversation. A conversation in which I realized that despite my fears, I would not be alone. I parked, found a five mile route and stepped off.



In Isaiah 58:8, it says "Your righteousness shall go before you; the Glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard." I truly believe that I was not alone that morning - every time I felt as if I could go no further, God sent a sign to remind me He was there. Whether it was a friendly face on the trail, a hug while running past a wonderful man in KatyFit with special needs, or just His quiet voice within me, the Lord was there that morning - He was my rear guard.



Five miles is a long time - about 58 minutes at my pace, to be exact. That included stopping to refill my water bottles twice. And during that time, I grew joyful that I had overslept and gone out without my group. I learned that you are never alone - even in your darkest times at mile 4.5 with no water in sight. When you think you can't go any farther, you can. He is always with you, and you can always depend on God for all of your needs. It is true - I CAN do all things through Christ who strengthens me. And if I can, anyone can! "

Sibling Love!

Shopping with two kids can be such a drag . . . unless they are being adorable and loving on each other!

Family Movie Night!

Yay, Family Movie Night!!!  I don't remember what we watched, but this was the first time we let Sophia stay up and participate.

I think she was more enthralled by the popcorn!

Can you blame her?  So cute!

Baby Nigh Night!

Apparently, gender roles run deep in this family.  Despite the fact that we have many 'boy' and 'girl' toys in this household, my daughter loves BABIES! 

Whether it be a teddy bear or an actual baby doll, according to Sophia, it's a baby.  And her favorite thing to do with babies?  Baby nigh night! 

Baby nigh night is where a blanket or pillow is laid on the floor, and the baby goes nigh night.  Super fun!  Hmmmm . . . does this mean we put Sophia to bed too much?