Training for Thomas

I felt very prepared and physically ready for the run today. Of course I stayed up until midnight getting things ready for the kids and making a sign for me to wear during the race. Fast forward – it’s 5:30 AM and alarm is buzzing. I had a super night of sleep with an extra child in my bed (are you picking up on the sarcasm?) I get my gear on and head downstairs. I decide to snap a quick picture of my race number and my signs. Everything is laid out so there is NO chance Tom can forget anything when he packs up the kids and I will see them at the finish line.

16106 - my new lucky number!

Cute sign I made at midnight

I thought I would need some extra support from my fellow runners to make it to the finish line.

I leave the house at 6 AM, head downtown to park and cannot figure out how to make it to my parking area, due to the road closings. My GPS thinks I am crazy, I keep circling the place I need to get to but due to the one ways, I never make it. I am irritated I don’t know my way around downtown better, I am driving Tom’s monster truck and cannot fit in a deck. I am starting to get flustered and I finally give up and pay some guy to park in an open lot. Suddenly, I realize – I do not have my race number or sign for my back!!! WHAT?!?!? I mean really, who forgets that??? I immediately burst into tears and start doubting even doing the race. (Looking back, lame – I know!!!) I start to gain a little composure, then I realize I forgot my wedding rings (I haven’t done this in years!!!) and now I am in a full blown meltdown and I don’t want to get out of the car. I let the tears flow for a minute and then I start talking to myself and realize – get it together, it’s okay. I need to get out of the car and head toward the start line because the race begins at 7 am. Still tearful, irritated and mad at myself I head towards the Adaptive Learning Center booth….of course I had to call someone at the booth and they practically escorted me there, because at this point I probably couldn't’t find my way out of a cardboard box! We make our way to the start line and off we go, next time we are back at Centennial park we will have run 13.1 miles. I thought the course was great, downhill the first couple of miles and slight hills throughout – nothing too major. The crowds were awesome and so enthusiastic, that definitely made the race fun for me. I find my pace and things are going great, I don’t even look at my watch until mile 8 and I am actually a little ahead of schedule. While running, I whip out the phone and text Tom “At 8 and I feel great!” I run through Little Five Points and all the cute neighborhoods, then at the water stop I hear “One more Mile!” What? Already?? I am super pumped and feel good. Next thing I know the crowd is getting larger and then I see my dear, sweet, friend running towards me with my number!!! I see Berkeley before she sees me – she gives me the number with pins and everything. I don’t stop and I frantically pin all four pins on moments before I cross the finish line. I may not have my exact time – but I have my number! As I cross over the finish line I hear Kindrea, Berkeley and Elizabeth shouting my name, I waive and finish strong – I did it!!! My family and cheering team come and find me after Publix hooked us up with a bag full of groceries. I am so thankful for my sweet hubby and kids making my day special. I am absolutely grateful and blessed for my friendships with Kindrea and Berekely – they are incredible friends and we have been through so many experiences together….how many friends will leave their three young children at 7 am on a Sunday, drive in from the country to come watch their friend breeze through a finish line in seconds? ...Kindrea will!!! With just a couple hours of sleep, how many friends will come out and cheer you on while watching all three of your kids? ....Berkeley will, not to mentioned she sprinted about two miles, glad she had her tennies on!!! I love these girls so much and now I am ready to cheer them on – so let’s sign up for race!

My cheerleaders!Daddy and crew

I mentioned Thomas was my motivation for the race. I built a website, Training for Thomas (it will be active until the end of April), check it out and please share it with others. The Adaptive learning Center is an extremely unique organization and want people to know its out there! many thanks to all of you that have supported me during training, over the website and your sweet messages on facebook - it has been an adventure and I hope to keep up the training, any recommendations on another race?

I was so excited and just saw my cheerleaders!

Family shot immediately following the race.

Me and the best friends a girl could ask for!!! I love you Kindrea and Berkeley!!

So here is my sign and my precious motivation!!!

My favorite picture of all times!!!

Thomas is so happy and I am ecstatic - there is daylight between my legs!!!

Family shot headed to the Adaptive Learning Center tent.

Charlie loved playing with the kids and I wish we could have had Thomas in the picture too - he was making everyone laugh with his crazy dancing!

Here a picture of Thomas entertaining the crowd....such a ham!

How cute and happy is the little guy?

The ALC is getting ready for a group photo op

We came, we saw, we rocked the run!!

Go team go!!!

Not sure what we were laughing at, but here is my favorite tractor broker!

Valentine's Day 2011

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Elizabeth and Thomas smiling at a Valentine's playdate

last week - thanks Monica!!!

John William came to and attempted to participate in crafts...

...but he was more interested in the treats and other food!

Thomas took his cloroing seriously!

The kids had a blast and everything was so cute!

Here are the treats for Elizabeth and Thomas' friends at school:

For the third year and counting, we made our Valentine's.

Elizabeth was really excited about making each one different.

Thomas was very intrigued with this mystery eye

In class they are starting to recogonize their friends name,

so I asked them not to draw on the names.

The little card says, "I've got my eye on you"

Some of the valentine's look a little sad,

but they were definitely not intended to be..

It's hard not to jump in and help them draw or glue, but you can definitely tell the children made them all by themself...with just a little cutting help from mom.

Here is the kitchen table last night, as I was finishing the final touches.

John William was the first one at the table (image that) - did someone say food?

Everyone was pleasantly surprised with their Valentin things waiting on them at breakfast.

Thomas especially loves his Toy Story items from Aunt B

"The dog goes Bow Wow" direct quote from Thomas.

I hope you and your loved ones have a day filled with love and laughter!

Birthday Adventure to see Mr. Potato Head

We were so excited to celebrate our big day with our friends Marley Rose and Stella Jane! We had a wonderful time at our first trip to the McWayne Center!

A quick picture of the birthday group by the "big fish" in the aquarium area

I wish my windows were as clean to see a reflection like this!

The boys loved splashing at the water table.

Elizabeth and Thomas were amazed with Mr. Potato Head and John William was not a fan.

I wish this was a close-up of Thomas' face, he was mesmerized!

The largest Lite Brite toy I have ever seen...and the only one the Powell crew has laid eyes on!!!

John William was so proud of himself. Every time he put a color in he would make sure I was watching and say "ook, ook!!!" His way of saying Look!

Captain Marley reporting I am having FUN with the Powells! When will my littler sister, Stella be this much fun?

Riding in the Jeep was fun, but it started to get a little crowded.

Just like his Daddy, Thomas always wants to be in the drivers seat!

We really spent five straight hours at the McWayne center and the kids had a blast! I have plenty of snacks to keep everyone going.

Would you believe John William feel asleep in the BOB eating a banana??

Thanks Nicole, Stella and Marley Rose for making our birthday adventure special!