Moving on Up!

A couple of weeks ago my sweet Penguin graduated from daycare! This is exciting on so many levels not least of which is the payment that stops coming out the first of every month.

I will admit I got a bit emotional the last day I picked her up. It was sad to think I would never bring her in to the place she had been for 3 1/2 years. I love Idlewild Children's Center. They have been excellent for us and so loving to my sweet girl. So yeah, I got a little verklempt.

So join me on a trip down memory lane.

First Day as a Unicorn

First Day as a Toucan

First day as a Koala

Followed quickly by First day as a Penguin

Followed by our last day as a Penguin

On to Mommy's school to be a Sea Turtle!!

Uncle Chipmunk

I didn't post yesterday about anything I wanted, because we lost an amazing family member, Uncle Mike. Or as Wesley always called him Uncle Chipmunk.

Uncle Mike was the friendliest, funniest most loving man. He was a joy to be around and he was a strong servant of Jesus, which cannot be a coincidence in my mind.

I didn't know Matt's Uncle Mike as much as I would have liked, since we live in Memphis and he lived in Birmingham, but in Matt and I's 14 year relationship, I have never doubted how much this man meant to the family.

No words are adequate when you lose someone you love and respect so much, but I did want to share something. Even though death is so hard on us, because we live in a broken and painful world. We do know that we serve a risen savior, Jesus Christ, who is alive in every way and defeated death for us. We know that Mike is with us and we will be with him again. We are the ones left sad right now, but we have hope. And Aunt Sue, Mike's wife, has been the greatest testimony to that. Her strength and faith in such an unthinkable time is amazing and proves her strength comes from something besides herself.

We will miss Mike greatly, there will be a hole at every family gathering. But I guarantee he would not want us to be sad.  We will tell stories and laugh, and it will honor his memory. What a great memory it is.

Summer Slow Down

I actually have lots to blog about, but I have been enjoying the summer lazy days too much! Since we've been out of school on May 24th we've had a Preschool graduation, 4 mile race, trip to Branson, multiple trips to the Kroc pool, picnics, lots of antiquing (new hobby) and new bedroom furniture!

So I'll start with a photo dump that will forecast the stories to come, because I have a dentist appointment in an hour. And then MAYBE I'll actually write something tonight....

Grit n' Grind Made Girly

You already know we are big Grizzlies fans. And you are also aware we have the prissiest little girly girl ever. Well, sometimes being a sports fan and a princess is hard. In a world of oversized t-shirts and jerseys sometimes you just need a good ruffle, am I right? So Mommy intervened.

I started with an XL Grizzlies playoff shirt from last season that a sweet friend donated to the cause.

Then I sliced off the sleeves. (sorry I forgot to do step by step pictures, but you can find this idea on Pinterest OR just picture it in your head, it really is too easy to do.) 

Then I cut a straight line across the top directly below the neck hole.

Then I hemmed the arm holes and sewed them together a bit to make the opening smaller. I folded the top over and sewed straight across to make two columns to feed the ribbon through that became her straps.

I also got a coordinating piece of Grizzlies blue fabric and made a ruffle that I added around the bottom

And, Ta-Da!

Look how happy she is, the picture is blurry because she wouldn't stop twirling in it!

Sassy pants.

Go Grizz!

Diary of a Bad Runner:: Week 2

Week 1 went well, not great but well. I got in 3 runs and a cross train.

My first run goal was 3 miles at 11 min pace. Well, I did the 3 miles but at
11:33 pace. No biggie.

Since I started blogging this journey to the half marathon, I also looked up an official training program to get me there. If you are currently training I highly recommend the Gipis app. I put in all my info and my current running level and it created a customized program tailored to my abilities.

According to that plan I needed to slow down. It seems counter intuitive, I was so focused on getting over the 4 mile hump, and improving my pace. But this program is all about endurance and stamina. So the next two runs I was assigned to 1.82 miles at a 13:44 pace. So slow! I couldn't do it.

On Saturday I hit the Green Line and did 2 miles in 20 minutes! I was so very proud. (Thanks Melissa Wheatley, it did help to get outside!) Unfortunately, Sunday when I went back out, I was so sore, my shins were killing me and my ankles were not happy at all. Turns out I should have tried it the right way and built up slowly. I did my 1.82 on Sunday at 11:44. It was pretty hilarious because the app talks to you while you run and she kept saying "Slower!" and "Slow down" but I couldn't do it! Not because I'm so fast, but because my music had a 10-11 min paced downbeat, I can't run off beat!

So this week's goals are 3 runs at 2.5 miles around a 13 min pace. And Matt and I are doing Zoom through the Zoo on Thursday night, which is a 4 mile race. I am hoping for around 45 mins to be my finishing time.

Are you training? How are you handling the heat? 

Diary of a Bad Runner:: Week 1

Well, I am officially signed up to run my first half marathon on December 7th.

It's not just any race, it's the St. Jude Marathon series, one of the most noble causes I can think of. Helping sick children get better while simultaneously not asking families to worry about paying a dime, kinda awesome, eh?

Before I start this post, here's my quick plea for support. My goal is $500. I have already raised $210! Please consider heading over to my page and donating $5 to a beautiful cause. The money all goes to St. Jude (of course) and it has really encouraged me to train harder when people publicly and financially support me.

Ok, on with the diary.

I am the very worst at running. Like the worst. Sometimes I start panting in the first mile. Truth. Even after years of couch to 5k programs and dedicated "training." After multiple charity races and even a summer spent at Shelby Farms with running coaches. I suck. But I love running. I do. I feel powerful when I am plodding along and gasping for breath. I love being outside and playing mind games with myself to get to the next intersection. I like how I feel after making it 3 miles without passing out.

So how is the very worst runner, who is stuck at the moment at 3.25 miles per run, going to get to 13.1? With you of course. There is something to be said for accountability. No, I'm not going to be posting every run on Facebook and twitter. Although, I know why we all do that, because you should be proud if you got up and ran when you really just wanted to lay down and watch the new "Nashville" (so good, right?!?)

But no, I'm going to be honestly reporting my journey here periodically. And I'm looking for some feed back. Not unearned praise, but maybe your tips and tricks. And maybe someone else who thinks they are the worst runner ever can feel encouraged. Cause that's why I'm trying it this year, because so many of you said--hey, you're not so bad, you can do this.

Training week 1:

Today:: I will run 3 miles on the treadmill at the Kroc. The goal will be 11 minute miles. I have been stuck at 11:32 for awhile so I would love to get it down to the minute.

**Here's a pro tip for those who are slow runners like me. Embrace it. I ran Saturday and kept running out of breath and energy, only made it 2.5 miles. When I checked my splits I was running 9:30 miles. That's why I had zero stamina. I am just a slow pace runner. But I'd much rather run 4 miles in 50 minutes steady, than 2 miles in 18 mins and have to stop. Anyone disagree? What should I be pushing for if my body seems comfy at 11:07 (5.4) on the treadmill?

Wednesday:: I'm going to cross train, either elliptical or bike and then weights.

Thursday:: Going for 3 more miles, treadmill, but maybe back at the 11:32 pace to take it easy.

Saturday or Sunday my first "long run" will be 4 miles long. Preferably outside and prolly real slow, my goal will be 12 min miles.

So that's the plan. Keep me honest. And let me know if you've been here before. What helped you get over the humps the most? 

P.S. Favorite song on the run this week : "All I do is Win"

Go Grizz:: Playoff Fever

We are big Grizzlies fans. Matt has been involved in the team since they came to Memphis, and held season tickets for the last 6 years. We try to keep it in perspective and remember it is just a game...I mean that is our goal.

Sometimes we get a little enthusiastic though. Especially when our beloved Grizz are in the second round of playoffs. Sometimes we rush meetings, bedtimes, dinners and work because the Grizz are about to tip off. Sometimes we go to work on < 5 hrs sleep because we have to watch till the very end. Yeah, we have the fever.

So Go Grizz! We are all heart, grit and grind, just like our city. The wins aren't always the prettiest or easiest won, but we fight for them. Here's to the playoffs!