2021...13.1.... Done!

 Linds and I have attempted to run a half marathon every year since 2009!  As I've mentioned previously, a couple times we even fit in a full marathon and some years I had to double up to catch up for the years that I was having babies! ;)  Anyways, in 2020, we found ourselves running our annual race together virtually which meant you pick the route and afterwards you upload your time.  Then, you collect your medal and t-shirt.  Linds and I decided since we wouldn't be able to run in an actual race again this year, we would simply pick a Saturday that worked for us.  Add some mileage in the weeks leading up to the selected weekend and then run the 13.1 miles using our "virtual" route.  This time we opted not to pay the registration fee or get the t-shirt and medal.  I am proud to say that even without the other runners to distract us or the actual thrill of race day, we were able to finish this half marathon under the 2 hour mark, a goal we always try to have.  With a pace of 9:07 and overall time of 1:59:26, it might not have been our fastest race but the annual half marathon for 2021 is in the books! ;)  We had a really great cheering section along the route that even gave us water along the way.  We came home to a full breakfast spread provided by Zack and then we were able to watch the cousins dye Easter eggs thanks to Grammy's preparation and planning!  We had a great spring morning!  

Zander snuck away after we dyed Easter eggs to go to his best friend, Mia's, birthday party.  He had a blast painting, jumping, hitting a piñata and eating some yummy cake!  Birthday parties are not all the way back to the way they used to be but we are finding ways to celebrate these significant milestones with some of the kids' best buds celebrating together.

Some other adventures from our last week.... we had a tornado warning as soon as we got home from school one day... so the boys, Burke, Nerf guns, books and myself squeezed into our half bathroom downstairs until the warning lifted.

Grannie and GranDan came to visit and celebrate Zack's birthday.  The boys loved showing them their new basketball goal.

Our Wii that hasn't been working for months magically started working again.  The boys have loved playing all the games on this old gaming system!  Maddox quickly grabbed "Just Dance" that he got from Granny V and PawPaw for his birthday since he wasn't able to play it much since the system stopped working.  Zack has a really cute video of him dancing to the music!

We are back on the ballfield three nights a week for practices.  When games start in April, it looks like we will be at the ballfield 4-6 nights per week depending on if games and practices overlap for these two boys.  Zander is continuing to play machine pitch this year, enjoying the positions of 1st base and catcher most.  

Maddox is again playing coach pitch and seems to love every minute of it.... even when its raining and mommy is hiding out in the dugout! haha

I made the front page of our local newspaper!  It is so humbling to be recognized for this honor when I work with such incredible people!

We got Maddox's cap and gown pictures for PreK!  I cannot believe we only have a couple months left of preschool until he will officially be joining me for kindergarten! The time has flown by!

Quick Catch Up Post ;)

 I got my 2nd Covid shot yesterday!  Zander was working with me for the Work from Home Wednesday (also St. Patrick's Day) so he got to join me for this monumental event.  This week marks one year since our world completely changed and how we did "normal things" looked drastically different.  I remember the uncertainty I felt a year ago.... kids weren't in school.... trying to juggle full time job responsibilities, being a mom and encouraging my kids as they worked and played (all while not being able to leave our home).  Things have gotten better in that schools are reopening and our routines we used to be accustomed to are slowly starting to look familiar.  I continue to be thankful for the health of our family members as this past year has brought a lot of loss and sadness to many people I know.  I had to document this step toward healing for many and hopefully back to the normal we knew and loved.... "kids being kids" and having the ability to be within 6 feet of someone, getting hugs from family members/friends/teachers, playing on playgrounds and hopefully no more masks! ;)

My co-worker since Grammy and Grandpa were out of town for our Work from Home Wednesday... and yes we worked from the building! Mommy had things that needed to be done there! ;)

This boy is so excited to be playing baseball this spring.  He asked to go practice at the field at the elementary school up the street from our house.  On the way, he picked me flowers and talked about all he was going to do at practice, including hitting some homeruns!  He found some bouncy balls while at the field and he was so excited to share one of them with his brother who was helping daddy with yardwork while we practiced.  I love this boy's heart for others and his enthusiasm about everything including baseball and bouncy balls! ;)

We celebrated Zack's birthday a week early.  I got to take him to Waffle House for dinner and then we had cookie cake made by Sarah the next evening!  I was so excited that I had the right candles for the occasion.... I genuinely didn't realize I was a decade off! haha  Here's to always celebrating 29th birthdays even if this year is actually one year before the big 4-0! ;)

My parents celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary this past weekend.  I continue to be so thankful for the example that have shown me all these years of unconditional love and a committed marriage.  I know that marriage is hard but they have shown us that it is worth every hard moment!

I love being able to pick up my niece on Wednesdays (and sometimes on Friday too)!  I love hearing her talk to the boys in the car.  I cannot get over how grown up she is! She enthusiastically says each song on the radio is her favorite and can sing along to all the words!

I love the relationship these "bookend cousins" share!  Since Z goes over to Grammy's on Wednesday and Eli is there every day, you can tell they are very close.  I think it is such an incredible bond that would not have been possible if we hadn't gone through the last year in a pandemic.  While Emerson and Maddox continue to be really close due to their closer ages, I think these times between Zander and Eli will make them close due to these experiences they have shared.

And then a few pictures before going to school in the mornings.. selfies and pictures when it is "Tie Day"  ........ both my boys are growing up so fast!

"Snow" Much Fun!

 Our boys have been wanting snow all winter.... and when it looked like it was not going to happen this season, Zack and I made a plan to surprise them with a day of snow tubing! We had a blast and were able to see Jacob and Sadie for a meal before heading back down the mountain.  The boys enthusiastically went on some of the tubes by themselves and joined us for some tubing where we would go down the mountain sharing a tube with one parent and one child!  It was a fun-filled winter day!  Now we are ready for spring! ;)

We ate breakfast at Cracker Barrel before we left for our surprise adventure... the boys loved getting the cookie straw with their milk and I think they thought Cracker Barrel was the fun outing for the day... they had no idea until we pulled up what we were actually doing!  

Zander saw one of his best friends, Taylor, who was also tubing that day with her family!

I think the boys enjoyed seeing Jacob and Sadie more than snowtubing!  They must be extraverts like their mama! ;)  When I asked them their favorite part of the day at bedtime that night, both said seeing their cousins!

I love seeing the mountains... especially Grandfather Mountain!  Being in the mountains will always feel like home! ;)

Other events from the last couple weeks.... I went to donate blood.... something I'm trying to get back to doing every chance I am eligible! Not pictured:  I also got my first Covid vaccine!  I will be going back next week for my 2nd dose.  The nurse that helped me thanked me for being an essential worker and I might have teared up a bit!  My job has been so incredibly hard lately.  It was great to have the reminder that my position and what I do for a living is essential to our society and the kids at our school depend on me showing up every day to help them as they learn and grow into capable, responsible citizens within our society!  Basically, what I do every day matters! 

This pup.... I love him.... he is also giving me a run for my money lately!  He is chewing up the boys' stuffed animals and I sometimes come home to vomit in the living room.... thank goodness he is cute!

We stopped by to say hey to some friends who happen to own chickens... my boys want to own some too!  Don't tell them but that isn't happening! ;)

Zack and I fit in a date night at the end of February.  We try to have a monthly date night (thanks to Grammy and Grandpa)!  It is always a treat to see Zack outside of our house, enjoy a nice meal and have good conversations!  Pictured here is our dessert!

Zander's school picture.... just had to be documented for 2nd grade.... I wish he would use his authentic smile but I'll take it ;) Love this boy so much!

We went out to dinner to celebrate Carmen's birthday.... love these ladies and the time we get to spend together!  (It was Sports Day earlier at school.... hence mine and Angie's jerseys! haha)

Speaking of dress up days.... we had a whole week of it for Reading Across America week!  Here are some of the dress up days including Hat Day, Dr. Seuss Day and Book Character Day!

We got a basketball goal! These boys love it and spend almost every evening out there until it gets dark!  This was given to us free from some neighbors that are moving.... what a nice present! :) The four of us love playing outside in the driveway together while Burke watches from the yard! It is one of my favorite things these days!