it wasn't pretty...

but we did it!

At mile 2, Natalie's knee wouldn't go anymore...
so we walked the rest of the way.
3 hours, 22 minutes later, we crossed the finish line.

It wasn't what we trained for or expected,
but it was good.

week with the VZ's

Some of our very best friends moved to Houston a little over 3 years ago.  We miss them terribly, and while the girls seem to get together with some regularity, it's very uncommon for all six of us to hang out for an extended amount of time.  When Natalie emailed Jamie and me that they were planning to come to OK for a few days in April, I immediately turned in vacation requests.

We've had such a great time with them this week.  Wednesday, all the girls went to the tea room for a fancy tea.  Caroline got to come with us and we had a great time.  We got dressed up and pretended to be fancy ladies drinking tea, eating scones and wearing funny hats.  All the pictures from that day are on Jamie's camera, so I'll have to share those a different day.

Thursday was "kid-free" day because JM and Caroline had school.  The girls went shopping (MAJOR sales at Gap right now, just FYI) and the boys shot guns or something manly.  We all met up for lunch at Pops.  The VZ's had never been to Pops, so that made it extra fun.

That evening we made PW's drip-beef and macaroni salad.  Kelly & baby Darryl came over to see us too.  The boys watched the NFL draft and the girls played banana-grams.  It was a perfect evening and felt just like old times.  I can't begin to remember how many nights we spent cooking dinner together, just hanging out.


Yesterday we went downtown to the Arts Festival.  It was fun to walk around and see the different booths and art.  The kiddos got their faces painted and we ate some yummy food.

Then we went to the race expo to pick up our race packets.  Natalie and I are running the half-marathon tomorrow.  This is Nat's first big race!  We were so excited to get our bibs and t-shirts and goody bags.

Last night we went to dinner then cuppies to celebrate Micah's birthday.  The guys played video games and the girls watched the blind side.

For today, we're just taking it easy, drinking lots of water and making t-shirts to wear in the race tomorrow.  Oh, and Jamie's making us a fabulous carb-y dinner.  I fully plan on being in bed by 9, since 4:30 is an early morning wake up call!

I'll be back tomorrow with a recap of our race.  Expect lots of pictures- Jamie is going with us as our official race photographer!

completely random

*I went to Edmond Memorial Follies tonight.  This is not your average, run of the mill talent show.  The talent these kids has is amazing!!  Makes me wish I had listened to my mom when she said I should practice the piano because I could be good (but not enough to go back and do it again!).  There was singing, dancing, a string quartet... serious talent!

*I did my last long run before the half marathon last weekend.  I ran 11.5 miles.  I thought I was doing 10 and being slow... turns out I was actually keeping decent time!  Tomorrow I go in search of my race day outfit!

*I desperately need to work on my front flower bed.  I always have grand plans of pretty blooming flowers and such, but I have a tendency to not keep them alive.  Anyone know some easy, pretty plants or flowers for me to stick out there?  I seriously need foolproof!

*VBS Registrations begins this weekend.  I cannot believe that it's that time of year already!  It means summer is right around the corner.

*John Mark has become obsessed with superheroes.  He says that he is silver surfer, Micah is wolverine and I am spider girl.  Hey, at least I'm included.

i REALLY don't like birds...

I'm not a huge animal person.  Never have been, probably never will be.  The way I see it, I'm doing good to keep my family and maybe a few flowers alive and well, I don't need something else to worry about...

That being said, I do love the zoo.  Probably because it doesn't require any direct contact with the animals- I can just look at them and admire our God who made them all.  We have a zoo pass and go on Fridays with John Mark a lot during the warmer months.


Yesterday was no different.  We left the house to check out the new children's zoo they had opened up inside.  It was a really cool place.  I highly recommend it to anyone with kiddos.  John Mark LOVED the petting zoo with goats and pigs and sheep.  You could climb up this rope ladder onto a bridge and go down a really big rock slide.  There was even an area with monkeys and in the middle was a big rope to swing on like the monkeys.

At the other end of the area was a bird exhibit- Lorikeet Adventures.  You could buy a little cup of bird nectar and take it in to feed the birds.  (I'm sure you see where this is going).  We bought the nectar and walked in the doors and heard the instructions.  Micah walked through the rope door first and went to put the stroller away.  I walked through with John Mark.

Within two minutes of walking into the bird area, birds started dive-bombing at me and landing on my shoulder, arms and hand.  You know that movie birds?  It was like that.

Immediately I begin to FREAK OUT.  I start crying, yelling "I HATE BIRDS!  GET THEM AWAY!  I REEEEALLY DON'T LIKE BIRDS!" and trying to get Micah's attention.  A lady behind us says "you probably shouldn't be holding the nectar"... (which makes perfect sense) so I start trying to hand the nectar to John Mark- who is also freaking out (because of me, I'm sure!) because a bird is on his shoulder. 

I finally make my way across the exhibit to Micah- who is standing there, watching the whole thing and LAUGHING AT ME!  I throw the carton of nectar at him and crouch down.  The birds all flock to him and I start to calm down (and calm JM down too...)

I look around the exhibit and realize that everyone in there is staring at me.  (I wonder why?) The zoo worker is just smiling behind his hand, probably trying to contain his laughter.  I was almost embarrassed... but not really, because I REALLY don't like birds.

easter weekend

The Easter festivities began on Thursday with John Mark's Easter party and egg hunt at his school.  We took cross shaped sugar cookies (that I bought at McLaren's) and I found fun little peep bag toppers that I put together for his friends.

He had a great time hunting eggs with his friends.  It was CRAZY windy outside, so in all the pictures I got of him with his friends they are all squinting and holding their hands over their eyes. Still super cute though.

One of the perks of working at the same church where he goes to school is getting to walk over to his parties with Micah.  I'm going to miss being right across the lawn next year when he is in pre-k in public school.  (WAH!!)

Friday morning we loaded up at headed to Central High to see my parents and have an egg hunt with all of John Mark's friends down there.  It's one of my favorite things that we get to do and this year we invited some new friends to come play with us.

Before the egg hunt though, we dyed Easter eggs.  This was John Mark's first experience with real Easter eggs.  He wasn't too sure about it, but thought it was really cool when we were done with the whole process.  He loved getting to work with his daddy too.

Nanny came by to see us too.  She loves John Mark and over spring break, he nicknamed her "baby doll."  It's the funniest thing, especially since he makes her call him "daddy-o".

We headed back to Edmond Saturday afternoon so Micah could work the Saturday night service at church.  Sunday morning Micah had to be at church early.  John Mark and I got up and headed to church for the 10:45 service.  He looked so handsome in his Easter outfit.  Unfortunately, he wasn't exactly cooperative when it came time to take photos of him wearing it.  This was about the best I could do. 

We spent the afternoon at home and then went to Micah's grandparents for dinner that evening.  It was a great Easter weekend filled with the ones we love!

resurrection eggs

I love Easter.
Of course, I do love most holidays.
But I especially love Easter.

The celebration of what my Jesus did for me...
The starting point of salvation for mankind.

I wanted to make this day about THAT for John Mark.
Not just eggs and candy and baskets...

I've heard of Resurrection Eggs from several people,
so I went to Mardel and bought a set last week.

Last night we sat down on the floor and read the story.
It's the sweetest thing.
John Mark loved opening each egg to see what was inside.

Each egg has a something small in it-
a donkey, coins, nails, etc.

But the last egg, the gold egg- is empty.

When John Mark he opened it and said-
"Empty... Jesus is alive!  He rose from the dead!"

These are awesome tools for teaching young kids about Easter.  I would highly recommend them to anyone with kiddos!

Happy Easter everyone!

thank you

Thank you for the cross, Lord
Thank you for the price You paid
Bearing all my sin and shame
In love You came
And gave amazing grace

Thank you for this love, Lord
Thank you for the nail pierced hands
Washed me in Your cleansing flow
Now all I know
Your forgiveness and embrace

Worthy is the Lamb
Seated on the throne
Crown You now with many crowns
You reign victorious

High and lifted up
Jesus Son of God
The Darling of Heaven crucified
Worthy is the Lamb
--Hillsong