Finished

I finished my first race ever today. Hopefully it will not be my last. A few weeks ago I started to train for my first ever 5k. I am not a runner so my expectations were not much more than go, do your best, and have fun. I can say for sure that I met my expectations.

I had a goal to finish in 40 minutes. I know to most people that would be easy but for me each step was a challenge. I can honestly say this is one of the first physically challenging things I have done in my life (besides child birth). It has felt great to have a goal that is a REAL stretch for me.

I think it was special for me to see the kids watch their mother do something hard. Something that does not come naturally to me, something that has taken great effort on my part. Many times while training Abby would look at me and say, "Mom, that looks like it is really hard." and she was right. My cute family met me at the finish line cheering me on with a fun banner they had made.

It was an honor for me to go and support some of my great friends who all ran the half marathon. My eyes teared up as I saw each one of them turn their last corner and make it to the finish line. They trained hard and are such an inspiration.

We each finished and met or came in just under our race goals. I ended up coming in a little over 37 minutes. I walked more than I would have liked to but I also ran much faster than I do at home so I guess it all worked out in the end.

My cute hubby decorated our car we took to the race over night and it was a great way to arrive at the race. My new goal is to keep working at running an entire 5k and then take it from there. Overall, it was a great experience and I am proud of myself. It just goes to show that no matter how old and out of shape you are you CAN set difficult goals for yourself and just do your best. I'm glad I did!

Carn Family Reunion (revisited)

I just got a disk of some of the other pictures taken at the family reunion and I had to put up some of my favorite shots. Including the long awaited, "I'm gonna wash that man right outta my hair" shots.

Ethan and his cousin Scott playing battleship back to back.

This is Logan and his adorable little cousin Finley. They are only a few months apart and enjoyed chillin next to each other in their strollers.

I LOVE this one of Ethan being the rasta man in our family talent show.

The kids getting lectured before the big family picture on following rules, holding still, always smiling and not getting dirty! Abby looks thrilled, doesn't she?

Kids swinging like crazy on grandma and grandpa's swing. I love Ethan's toothless grin in this one.

Girly cousins laughing it up at grandpa being funny.

Last but not least....I seriously wish I could get this picture bigger so you could see even better how ridiculous this was. Angie's face said it all. I was so dreading this moment thinking it was going to be terrible but I must admit it ended up being hysterical and one of my favorite moments of the trip. Did I just say that? Diane, don't get any crazy ideas for next year!

Back to school jitters

The first day of summer vacation and the last day of summer we always celebrate with a yummy breakfast at Bob Evans. The kids look forward to it each year. I am always amazed at the looks we get as a family of 7. You would think we had horns growing out of our heads or something :)

Back to school arrived this morning. My house while still filled with two busy boys is quiet and lonely. I already miss the pounding footsteps running around. The giggles...the forts...the endless summer days have come and gone. My poor little Sam is not going to know what hit him now that his 3 best friends are gone for 8 hours a day.

The kids were all so excited to be back at school. Seeing old friends and hopefully making a few new ones as well.

To my three big kids:

I am excited to see you learn and grow this year. Make new friends and be a good example. Know that I love you and that you are never alone. I can't wait to hear about all of your adventures this year. I look forward to see your smiling faces jump off the bus steps each day and give me a big hug. Remember who you are!

Love,

Mommy

Getaway

Last weekend Charlie and I had a little getaway. Every second about it was wonderful. The first night we stayed in a hotel in Canada just across the river from downtown Detroit. The view was great.

The next morning we got up and did a run/walk along a beautiful path right along the river all the way down to that bridge you can hardly see. I thought I was going to die and I have not been able to run since...but that is for another post. The weather was beautiful and I could not have asked for a nicer morning. We went and had some breakfast and then checked out and headed to our next hotel.

When we got there we put our suits on and headed for the pool and hot tub. We were the only ones there and it was so relaxing. We went and laid out on some pool chairs in the warm sun. When was the last time I actually got to lay out? It was fabulous. We were so tired from all of our relaxing that we went back to the room and took a two hour nap! After 4 months of no sleep I can tell you a nap in the middle of the day and two uninterrupted nights of sleep in a row made me feel like I died and went to heaven.

That night we were able to go to the temple which is always such a great experience. Then we went out to eat at the Melting Pot. YUMMY...if you have not been, you need to go.

The trip was short and sweet but I am always amazed at what a difference it makes to get away just you and your hubby every once in awhile. It reminds me that I am still that fun loving person that Charlie fell in love with years and years ago. It reminds me of how much I love my amazing husband. It was wonderful to get out of mommy mode for just a bit and be nothing other than a wife.

Then we were back to the reality that is called life. We came home and went blueberry picking, we went fishing, and we canned peaches. The kids had such a great time with grandma and grandpa and we can't thank them enough for allowing us some great one on one time. I can't wait to do it again!