Half Marathon!

I ran 13.1 miles today!! If someone would have told me a year ago that I would do this, I'd have laughed in your face. Seriously. I never think of myself as athletic and I honestly didn't think I had it in me. When we moved to South Bend one of my friends convinced me to train for a half marathon. It was a 10 week training program and there were times when I would come home from a run and just cry because I was certain that I couldn't do it. Then I'd have an awesome run and I'd be pumped because I'd feel like I really accomplished something.

Yesterday, Cami, Carissa and I left to drive down to Arcadia (where the race was held). We spent the night there because it's 2.5 hours away from where we live and we wanted to be close since the race started at 7:30. It was such a fun trip. The marathon kind of loomed over us and none of us got particularly good sleep, but they are so fun to be around and we laughed...a lot.

I started to get really nervous as we were stretching, looking at all the other runners. I was so sure I was going to be dead last. I knew I'd finish (I wanted that medal, dang it) but I was worried that I was going to have to walk it. Right before the race started though, I got really calm. It was weird. It was like I knew I was going to do it.

Sure enough, I did it!! I had a few moments of doubt (around mile 8) where I was starting to question my ability to finish, but once I got to mile 10, I knew I was going to do it. As I hit the home stretch, I got just the boost I needed. Justin was standing there waiting for me. He ran a little bit of the home stretch with me and was so encouraging. Totally what I needed right then. A short time later, I saw Cami and Carissa. They are awesome and had finished about 30 minutes ahead of me but they even came down to run part of it with me! Love them!! As the finish line came into view, I got an extra bolt of energy and I crossed it running faster than I'd run any part of the course!

I had two goals going into this race: I wanted to run the whole course and I wanted to finish in 2 hours and 30 minutes. I was so excited to find that my time was 2:23! Better than what I thought I would do. I feel so happy right now (and a little tired). I feel like I accomplished something that I never would have ever thought I'd be able to do. I know I'm going to be insanely sore tomorrow, but it's so worth it. I even mentioned to Justin that I think I could do this again. (WHAT??)

Here are some pictures from today:
This is right when Justin came into view. I had about half a mile left at this point. (Yes, those are spandex pants. Try not to be too envious that you don't go out in public in a pair.)
Me crossing the finish line. YAY!!
So happy to be done!
Cami, Carrisa, and me. Yes, they look MUCH better than I do in this picture. I like to think it's because this was taken right after my run was over and they'd had 30 minutes to rest and get refreshed while I was still red faced, nasty sweaty, and not in control of my smile. (Cami and Carissa, if you looked that good crossing the finish line, please don't tell me.)
Me and Justin. He's been so supportive throughout my whole training. There were times when I didn't think I could do this and he would encourage me and tell me that he knew I could. I truthfully couldn't/wouldn't have done this without him.

I have so many people to thank for all the help and support they gave me. I couldn't have done this alone:
Justin: I already mentioned how critical he was to me in this process. He was my biggest supporter and fan.
Cami and Carissa: I wouldn't have even signed up for this thing if it wasn't for them. I actually had a great time. I'd love to take a girl trip with them that perhaps could be enjoyed without the looming threat of a 13.1 mile run!
Jared and Kerstin: They came and watched the kids for me so I could go on my long runs. Plus Jared stayed overnight last night so that Justin could come watch me race. You guys are the best!
Eminem, Rhianna, Ke$ha, Jay Z, Linkin Park, Breaking Benjamin, Angels and Airwaves, Jason Darulo, Blink 182, We the Kings, and Cascada: Couldn't have kept going without you all.

I am so proud of me today. I ran 13.1 miles (and no, I never get tired of saying that)!

First Day of School!

Today was Clayton's first day of first grade. I am still having a hard time believing that my little Clayton is in first grade. I used to teach first grade and Clayton somehow seems younger than my old students used to. Perhaps it's because he is a little young for first grade or perhaps it's because he's on the short side. Most probably though, it's because he's my baby and I have a had time accepting the fact that my kids are growing up.

Our morning started off with a bang. Minutes before I was supposed to wake Clayton up, I heard someone banging around in the boys' room. I assumed it was Clayton, eager to get started with the day. Wrong. It was Noah. Naked. Banging around in the dark looking for new underwear to replace the ones he'd wet and then stealthily hid from me (that's always a joy). The second I entered the room though, Clayton jumped out of bed, made it, and flew downstairs in record time. After neutralizing the Noah situation, our day got back on track and we were able to get Clayton ready with a few minutes to spare (it always helps that he's so cooperative at the beginning of the year).

This is where the morning gets hectic. Minutes before Clayton's bus is supposed to arrive, I load a pajama clad Josie in the stroller and Clayton, Noah, Josie and I make the 30 second walk to the bus stop. Because I'd anticipated being back to our house within 10 minutes (hopefully less) I left Disco out. 20 minutes later, we're still waiting. The location of Clayton's bus stop is also the bus stop for two other elementary schools. Clayton's bus is supposed to come first. We saw both of the other busses, but Clayton's was nowhere in sight. After 25 minutes, I informed Clayton that we were going to have to hurry back home, get in the car and drive. He was so upset. He loves riding the bus and had his heart set on it. After a few hugs and one threat, he walked back to the house and got in the car. I hurried and buckled the other kids in, and backed out of the garage. As I did this I saw, in the distance, a bus!

I yelled at Clayton to hurry and unbuckle and run to meet his bus. I've never seen him move so fast! I grabbed his backpack out of the passanger seat and chased him to the bus. When we got there, the bus driver looked at me and said, 'It's the first day of school, we're always a little late on the first day.' I bit my tounge and smiled and nodded like 30 minutes qualifies as only "a little late".

When I got back to the car (where I'd left Noah and Josie) Noah was screaming, "Help me! She's left us!" at the top of his lungs (lovely). Upon entering the house, I noticed that Disco had missed us so much in our absence that he'd gotten us a present. Chewed up pen. Delightful! When I opened the door to let him out (as a reward for his thoughtfulness) he bolted past me and ran away. I considered letting him go, but decided that the kids would probably pester me about his whereabouts until I found him. So I went on a Disco hunt (mind you, I was NOT dressed to do more than sit at the bus stop where no one but my kids would see me). I trooped through the forrest that sits adjacent to our house and then through the neighborhood where I found Disco in a barking match with a large dog (it was a snickerpoo or a cockerpoo or something like that - some dog breed names are silly).

I walked my dog back home and decided that tomorrow must go smoother.

Here are the pictures:
Clayton's school this year requires uniforms. While I hate the thought of uniforms (especially since I bought his kindergarten clothes with the intention of him using them for two years) he loves it. Plus, it does take the guesswork out of what to wear each day!
I think he looks very handsome, and VERY grown up!
At the bus stop. Waiting...and waiting...and waiting.
Noah starts preschool in two weeks! He can't wait for his turn. (He had an allergic reaction to a bug bite. That explains the eye.)
I don't know what me and little miss girl are going to do when all of our boys are gone! She's going to miss them for sure!
Whew, FINALLY on the bus! He's so excited to start school again. It's been all he's been able to talk about for about a week now. The school he's going to this year is a magnet school that focuses on science and technology. Can anyone say, 'taylor made for Clayton'!?! I think he's going to love it!
I think he's going to have a great year and I love how excited he is to go to school. I hope he never looses that excitement over school and learning. While I wasn't as emotional today as I was this time last year, I'm going to miss having him around during the day. He's my buddy and such a good helper now that I feel like I'm loosing an extra pair of hands. It was a hectic morning, but I think it was the perfect way to kick off a new school year! We're going to continue our tradition of homemade cookies and milk when Clayton gets home today. I can't wait to hear all about his day!

Something new!

As always, I have so much to post about and, as always, I'm SO far behind! I hope I can get caught up before Clayton starts FIRST GRADE next week, but it's not looking good. I have swimming lesson pictures to post as well as pictures from our awesome mini-vacay to Madison to see two of our favorite people EVER (of course I'm talking about Vanessa and Rick)!

However, all the pictures from the events I've just mentioned are currently saved on my laptop upstairs and, due to the 11.4 miles I ran this morning, the thought of walking up the stairs right now isn't appealing. So, I'm just going to post what's available to me here on the PC. Luckily for all of you, that includes a sneak peak of the family pictures we had taken a few weeks ago and some shots of the kids that Vanessa was kind enough to take for us when we went to Madison.

On to the pictures. The first series are some shots taken by a photographer named Lillian. She is so talented and I have loved looking at her pics for a while now. She always takes the pictures for my brother's family, and I've loved what she's done for them so I was happy to have the opportunity to have her shoot our family before she (sadly) moved out of the South Bend area. She got some really great shots. Thanks Lillian - it was so fun to work with you!
These are not in any kind of order:
I just love this pretty little girl and her big blue eyes!
She captured his personality alright! His new catchphrase is, "But I was interested!" (He tells me that after I've caught him doing something naughty.)
I love the vibrant colors and, of course, this face! He looks so old to me!!


I'm not sure what Noah's doing here, but I like this one!
I love the expression on Noah's face here. This is one of my favorites of the whole day!

I've gushed before about the amazing photographer that Vanessa is. She just has an eye for what will look good and she know my kids so well that she knows just what to do to get them to take a great picture. When we went to Madison, she took a few shots of the kids for me. I love how they turned out! Thanks Vanessa, you know I think you're awesome!
Seriously, could this kid be any more handsome!?! He's the spitting image of his dad and I couldn't love it more. He's devistatingly handsome when he's posing, but I'm also a sucker for the squinty-eyed face of joy! (And yes, he needs a haircut. It's on our list of things to do before school starts.)

This kid is Mr. Personality! When he turns on the charm, it's impossible to resist, but he's got a stubborn streak in him that runs so deep Michael Phelps would drown in it! (Pictured above, the dashing Noah - pictured below, Pootie.)

What can I say? I just love these pictures and this girl. She's got such a sassy personality. She's definitely the diva of the Smith house and, even though it's frustrating at times, I wouldn't change it!
I've been very fortunate these past few months to have two very talented photographers take our pictures. I'm not the most savvy photographer (and will probably never be) so I love it when someone who knows what they're doing takes charge! Now my biggest problem is deciding which ones to frame (although I've got some pretty good ideas)...

Six...the celebration

I love traditions. I look forward to them and look for excuses to create new ones. For that reason, I was so excited for Clayton's birthday. It's a day that has become full of tradition. Now that he's old enough to fully appreciate all that his birthday has to offer, it was doubly fun. Because Justin was on-call on Clayton's actual birthday (boo) we started the celebrating a few days early with the traditional trip to Toys r Us so that the birthday boy could pick out one special present. I love this tradition because it's great to see the way my kids' faces light up when we pull into the parking lot of the toy store. That in and of itself is like a gift! After walking through the whole store, Clayton chose an Imaginex Toy Story Castle (which was fitting seeing that Toy Story was the unofficial theme of his birthday this year).

At the checkout, the cashier gave Clayton a balloon and a birthday crown and a membership to the birthday club. (I think we could have left without purchasing anything and Clayton would have been completely satisfied.)

On Clayton's actual birthday, he came down the stairs wearing his birthday crown. We then had the traditional birthday breakfast of muffins and scrambled eggs (since I've been married to Justin I've gotten very lazy in the breakfast making department - but at this point, my boys know that muffins and eggs is very special.)There were, in staying with tradition, gifts with breakfast. It was obvious from the beginning that Clayton knew exactly what the day was about.
After breakfast, Clayton got to wear his new birthday shirt. I usually just draw on the shirts with marker, but this year I decided that I'd try sewing a shirt instead. I really like how it turned out (even though it took a lot longer than drawing).
That afternoon, we picked up Landon and I took the boys to Chuck E Cheese. All three of the boys were estatic. I love it when I choose just the perfect activity. My friend Natalie was kind enough to watch Josie for me for the afternoon, so I actually got to enjoy our time at Chuck E Cheese as well!


There were, of course, more presents with lunch.

Love all three of these boys! **Side note - I didn't pay to do the "party package" that Chuck E Cheese offers, however, when we got there and they heard it was Clayton's birthday, they gave him the same stuff that they give the kids whose parents pay for the package. It was awesome and I got out of there for less than $30! You can't beat that!
After Chuck E Cheese we headed back home and watched Toy Story 2 (one of Clayton's birthday gifts). That evening for dinner we had mac 'n' cheese and hot dogs (guess who chose the menu). We ended the celebrations with Jared and Kerstin and the kids coming over for cake and ice cream.
The cake (to go with our unofficial Toy Story theme):
He had been waiting literally all day to blow out birthday candles. I love this look on his face when he finally gets to do it!
His new birthday gifts. He made me write his name on the bottoms of their shoes just like in the movies. Cute.
He had a great birthday and I love that we got to pull out all of our traditions. I also love that it doesn't take much to make this kid happy. I still can't believe my baby is six years old. Happy birthday buddy, you can start counting down to your next birthday now!

Six!

Clayton turned six on Saturday! I can't believe it. I look at him and I can't help thinking back to the baby he used to be. The chunky, round headed little guy who loved Silky more than anything. The way he used to laugh so hard at the little vibrating hippo that bounced around the room. The way he used to sit in his bouncy seat and watch Jeopardy so intently. The way he looked when he sucked his thumb. The way he used to repeat everything you said. The way he used to get the meanings of the words 'mine' and 'yours' confused (and the way Rick used to exploit that one). The way he used to insist that we watch McQueen over and over again.

I can't help having all these flashbacks lately. He's growing up so fast and I just want to hit the pause button. Soon he's not going to want me to hug and kiss him before he gets on the bus. He won't need my help with his homework (or I won't be smart enought to help him). He won't want me to call him silly nicknames in front of his friends. Man alive!! I really need that pause button!!

Clayton is at a really great age though. He's becoming so independent and responsible. Here are a few facts about Clayton at 6:
- He still doesn't like fruits or veggies but at least now he will eat them!
- He reads everything. This includes him reading to Noah and Josie. It's the cutest.
- He is a backseat driver. It's funny, but kind of annoying. He likes to tell me how fast to drive and what street we're on and when to stop and go and where to turn, etc.
- He loves music. He loves to sing and he is a fast learner. He currently alternates between the second Article of Faith song and the intro to Rhianna's 'Disturbia' (an interesting combo, no?).
- His favorite movie is Matilda, which I also love!
- He loves the Wii! Especially Rock Band and MarioKart.
- His list of favorite colors is now so long that I can't keep up.
- He makes his bed EVERYDAY without any reminding from me.
- He remembers everything you tell him and will use it against you later.
- His current best friends are Noah, Landon, and Kambry.
- He's still one of the smartest kids I've ever seen. He learns so quickly and he remembers EVERYTHING. I'm constantly amazed by how smart he is!
- He loves his family. He's so good to his little brother and sister. They are lucky to have him.

Clayton had a great birthday. He's been looking forward to it for months so I hope it was everything he had been anticipating. He got his traditional birthday shirt, presents at every meal, Chuck E Cheese for lunch, a day with Landon, cake and ice cream with cousins, and a game of Trouble to end the day. I have pictures of this that I will be posting later, but for now I just wanted to say Happy Birthday Clayton. I miss the baby you were, but you keep getting better the older you get! I love you!!

It's A Boy!!

Today I took the kids to the pet store for something to do. They love looking at all the animals and we always walk away empty handed. It's a good outing for our family on days when it's too hot to play outside, but we still want to get out of the house.

Today, however, there was a rescue organization at Petsmart. And we saw this handsome boy:
He's a one year old Lab/Hound dog mix. The boys and I saw him and melted. We wanted to get him right away, but we knew that this was a decision we needed to discuss with Justin. Later in the day I told Justin how close I came to buying him right on the spot. His answer surprised me, "Well, why didn't you just get him?"

So we went back to the store right then and, an hour later, we were officially pet owners. We'd been talking about getting a dog for a while now, but kept pushing it off because it was never convenient. We realized today that there is never a "convenient" time to get a dog and now is as good a time as any.

So far (in the past few hours we've owned him) he's proven to be a pretty good fit for our family. He's gentle, active, and playful. It's hard to figure out which of my three human guys likes him most! He's already crate and house trained (supposedly) so that's a bonus.

I know it's a lot of work to have a dog - especially a puppy - but I think this little boy is going to fit into our family just fine!
The kids won't give him a moments rest. They are all over him no matter what he does. I love how much they love him, I hope they always love him this much!

One of his favorite things to do is play fetch. Fortunately, I have two boys who are learning how to throw baseballs. They love it (all of them)!
Our backyard isn't fenced, which might eventually be a problem, but he did amazing today. He would run away, but the second Justin called him he would come right back! (I think he's formed an immediate attachment to Justin. He obeys everything Justin tells him to do! He's like a dog whisperer!)
His name is Disco. Clayton picked it out. We love it. We love Disco. So there we are. Minivan and a dog. All American family!

A day for Hooray!

So today Justin got his first paycheck. It was a very exciting day for us because it's been four years since we've seen one of those. We welcome their return. We knew we needed to celebrate. So we did something that we've been talking about for a couple of years now. We got (drumroll please)...


A 2009 Toyota Sienna! When we were first married, we swore we'd never be one of those families that had a minivan when you could easily fit your kids in the backseat of a five passenger car (hee hee, how young and foolish we were). The last few years though, and especially since Josie joined our family, I've been dreaming of a minivan. They're so practical, and they get such good gas mileage! Plus it's a Toyota, which - according to everyone I talk to - is supposed to be insanely reliable. So I'm super excited. We traded in our Alero. We've been wanting to get rid of that car for a few years now, so that is also pretty exciting for us. We got the Alero right after we got married (literally, the day after we got married) and we were not even a little sad to see it go. So yay! Happy paycheck Justin (he's not as excited about mini-vandom as I am)! I'm looking forward to driving many a child to soccer, dance, baseball, gymnastics, etc. in my new cool Mom-Mobile!

Finally, (and this is unrelated) I have to share this photo:
Josie makes this face a lot lately and it always brings me joy! She makes this face when she sees something that she really, REALLY wants and can't wait to hold. I've been trying to capture it on film for a few weeks now and I finally got it. What can I say. I love it! I'll be really sad when she stops making this face.