"You must do the thing you think you cannot do" Eleanor Roosevelt

As some of you know, Matt and I have entered a new stage in life, quite by accident. It all started as a way to lose weight - we just started walking. We got in the car one day and Matt said "As fast as you walk, you really should just run!" My reply was "Um - no! I am 34 and overweight! When I was 21 and skinny I didn't even run, why would I run now?" Matt didn't say anything and I thought it was over. The next day, Matt RUNS beside me! Most of you know that I am just slightly competitive and can NOT stand to lose, so I ran too. This has evolved into an obsession. Let me say, we are not fast - but we are faster than we were that first day. We do not have that pretty stride that most runners have, but it is prettier than it was that first day. And we have lost weight - at this point Matt has lost 35 pounds and I have lost 23. I feel like Forrest Gump at times
"That day, for no particular reason, I decided to go for a little run. So I ran to the end of the road. And when I got there, I thought maybe I'd run to the end of town. And when I got there, I thought maybe I'd just run across Greenbow County. And I figured, since I run this far, maybe I'd just run across the great state of Alabama. And that's what I did. I ran clear across Alabama. For no particular reason I just kept on going. I ran clear to the ocean. And when I got there, I figured, since I'd gone this far, I might as well turn around, just keep on going. When I got to another ocean, I figured, since I'd gone this far, I might as well just turn back, keep right on going."

Once Matt and I started running, we have just not stopped.

Today marked a milestone in our running adventures......our very first 5k. It was a local run sponsored by The Gym and Miss Covered Bridge. It was a great way to start running in the race setting. We were in our hometown, running with our friends and we had sweet people cheering us on at the finish line. It really was a great day!

Matt, Davis and I before the race



Please notice that in most of our pictures, our sweet Jonathan is in the background! We love that kid SO much - even if he likes to sneak in our pics :)

Terri and I before the race. Terri is my best friend in the entire world, and really is more like my sister. She actually tried to get me to run a few years back. I didn't start with her and really regret it! She is now running half-marathons like a pro and I am just getting started. She has been such an encouragement to us. Two quick things about Terri: 1. She is Jonathan's (our background friend) mom 2. She was watching Davis tickle Matt in this picture.



I wish you could have been there when we started. Davis had his own little cheering crew. "Go Davis! Run buddy! You can do this!" It will forever be a sweet memory for me. As we neared the halfway mark and those fast runners headed back to the finish line, we passed some of our friends. The encouragement was amazing. I am sure big races are different, but we were giving high fives, people told us how great WE were doing (when they were passing us) It was a neat experience.

I didn't take any pictures during the race, but was able to snap a few afterwards. Here come Davis and Matt toward the finish line



When they got closer, Matt let Davis cross the finish line first. What a sweet Daddy!



"The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start." 
-John Bingham



Terri, LeeAnn and I after the race (that is not sweat on my shirt, it is from holding Davis' water bottle) LeeAnn works at the school where Terri teaches, and LeeAnn has also just started running. This is the definition of a true friend -Terri could probably have run this 5k twice in the amount of time it took LeeAnn and I, but she didn't! She ran with us the entire time, except for the little while she ran with Davis. When we neared the finish line, she refused to cross with us! She made us go first!



Terri and Davis



Davis and Dr. McKinney - our dentist. This man is the reason Davis wants to be a dentist. The best dentist around if you ask me!



Davis and Coach Russell. Coach Russell is the elementary PE teacher and every child loves him! He is very good at what he does. He takes the time to get to know each child and really invests in their lives, and it shows!



Mommy and Davis after the race




So there you have it! History in the making - the first of what I hope will be many races. We have a long way to go, but we have all the time in the world. And hey - just think - if I wasn't out there running, I would have been at home doing laundry! I think I will just keep things in perspective!

I Had The Best Day With You Today

This past Saturday was one of those days that you wish would never end. We had such a great day - lots of fun people, places, but most of all - memories!

Bright and early (at least for a Saturday) we headed to the church to go bowling with the Children's Ministry.

Davis and his buddies on the bus (sorry it's in black and white, but the auto-enhance red eye made circles under their eyes, so I just turned it to b/w)



Davis getting his shoes on.....he really liked those bowling shoes



A quick little lesson



Davis and Mrs. Tammy, our children's director. She is an amazing woman that I truly believes never sleeps. She is doing a GREAT job!



By the second game, we had a pro on our hands.



Once we got back into Oneonta, we headed over to Rosemary's house for a little outing with the Atkinson clan. Rose, Jean (Rosie's mom) and I took the three kids - Taylor Rhea, Charlee Ellen and Davis to Mickey's Magic Show in Birmingham. These little outings started when TR and D were about three years old. We always have the BEST time. The problem is we have so much fun, I forget to take pictures. This is the only picture I have from that night - and sweet Charlee Ellen isn't even in this one.



We had so much fun! After the show, we went to eat at Carrabas and had no idea the weather was quickly going downhill.....and fast. So we had to beat tornados and hail home, but we made it - with time to spare.

It really was the perfect day - bad weather and all!

To steal a line from Taylor Swift:

"I don't know why all the trees change in the fall
I know you're not scared of anything at all
Don't know if Snow White's house is near or far away
But I know I had the best day with you today"

They Say It's Your Birthday

A few weeks ago, we celebrated a very special day. Davis turned 7. Where have those years gone? Davis wanted us to bring a special snack to his classroom (is anyone picking up on a theme) He choose Cheeze-its, apples and Capri Sun. The food triangle of a kindergartener. I could not take apples, and not have Rosemary's delicious apple dip, so Rosie made us a big container of that as well (mostly for Mrs. Anderson and I)

Here is Davis at school, eating his special birthday snack and wearing the Birthday Hat



It's the little things in life....I was a little worried that when we left Davis would want to go with us, but he quickly disappeared. You see, when it's your birthday you get to skip nap time and play on the computer. I think he was just a little excited about skipping nap. Little does he know, in just a few short years, he will be willing to trade just about anything to have that nap time back.

Davis got some new Star Wars toys



He had a very special birthday cake









Now - here is the part where you say "Wow - you are a terrible mom" - but I don't do birthday parties. I did a party for the first and second birthday, and don't get me wrong, I wouldn't trade those memories for all the money in the world. BUT - it is so expensive and stressful, that we have decided to go another route. We let Davis choose anywhere he wants to go, and we take a little trip.

At three, we went to Disney World (not so much cheaper than a party - but oh so much more fun!)



At four, we went to the Georgia Aquarium




At five, we went to the beach




At six, we were back to the Georgia Aquarium




And at seven......Davis chose a Hockey Game






If you look very closely at these next two pictures, above the score board, at the running scroll, you will see Davis' Happy Birthday message. "Happy Birthday Davis! We love you! Daddy and Mommy"






So Happy Birthday Day to you my precious child! You are loved more than you will ever know!

"Before you were conceived -I wanted you
Before you were born - I loved you
Before you were here an hour -I would give my life for you
This is the miracle of love."
~ Maureen Hawkins

"If I could reach up and hold a star for every time you have made me smile, the entire evening sky would be in the palm of my hand" ~ Unknown

"You are the poem I dreamed of writing
the masterpiece I longed to paint.
You are the shining star I reached for
In my ever hopeful quest for life fulfilled...
You are my child.
Now with all things I am blessed."
~Unknown

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss

Earlier this month, Oneonta Elementary School celebrated Dr. Seuss' birthday. I was lucky enough to be asked if Mrs. Anderson could use our camera for the day (her battery had died) so it was almost like we were there as well! Once again - picture overload!

Each child was allowed to bring their favorite Dr. Seuss book. Davis brought The Cat in The Hat.



They had special guests come to the classroom and read Dr. Seuss books. Notice the expressions on these teachers' faces. There is no wonder Oneonta Elementary is one of the best schools in the state! We have some of the most expressive and engaging teachers in the state! The teenager is Macy - Mrs. Anderson's teacher assistant. I hear quiet a bit about Macy every afternoon. I think that maybe she has stolen quiet a few kindergarten boys' hearts.








The special snack for the day. There was a story behind this sweet thing! That morning before school at 7:20 (we leave at 7:30) Davis said "Mommy don't forget to make the cupcakes!" Well, you all know that I do not cook. I can, I just choose not too unless I absolutely have to. But I am also very much a people pleaser, so if I needed to make cupcakes - I would at least buy some. I emailed Mrs. Anderson and asked if somehow I had missed the note or email letting me know I was supposed to make these cupcakes or if Davis had made this up. Her reply was "While we were discussing our exciting Dr. Seuss day the day before, a student asked if we would be having a special snack and my reply to her was Only if someone's mommy decides to make cupcakes" I guess Davis decided his mommy should do that. Thank goodness for Wal-Mart!



They drew pictures of The Cat in the Hat



Every morning Matt has to draw a special picture on Davis' snack bag....he got a very special one on this day.....



There were lots of highlights to this day, as you can see. Davis' favorite part of the day was listening to Rick and Bubba read a Dr. Seuss book. His least favorite part was listening to Justin Bieber read a Dr. Seuss book. But the most special part of the day was a special visit from this guy.....




So Happy Birthday to you Dr. Seuss! You have been a dear friend to me for 34 years and you are quickly becoming a dear friend to my sweet child. You have taught me some important life lessons - and for that - I will ever be thankful!

So be sure when you step.
Step with care and great tact
and remember that Life's
a Great Balancing Act.
Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.
And never mix up your right foot with your left.

And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)

KID, YOU'LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!

So...
be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray
or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O'Shea,
you're off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So...get on your way!


From Oh The Places You'll Go by Dr. Seuss

Davis' First Day of School

I know this post is coming two months after this event, but we been a little busy. I am hoping to catch up on our blog this week - so you may be overloaded and bored with us by Friday.

Davis' first day of school was the best first day of school EVER. We found out very last minute that we were going to be able to leave West Virginia a little earlier than scheduled, so I made some phone calls and found out that Davis could start school the next day, which just happened to be the field trip to the circus. We left West Virginia PACKED into our little car and pulled into Oneonta around 11pm. Our sweet friends Jim and Linda (who are really more like family to us) let us stay with them for that first weekend. Prepare for picture overload as we relive Davis' first day of school!

Here is Davis that morning. He was very excited!



The three of us. Keep in mind, it was very early after a very late night



Davis with Jim and Linda. The two precious people fell in love with our sweet baby Davis the first time we moved here when Davis was three months old. These three people have a very special bond that is absolutely priceless.



Linda, Davis and I finally made it to the school. (Linda teaches 2nd grade at OES and she was so sweet to walk me thru the registration process) As we walked in the door, we saw so many people that we love and have missed for these 18 months. One of those people is Rosemary. Rosemary and I became friends right off the bat in 2004. We are so much alike and have so much fun together. SO many memories! The best thing is that her little girl, Taylor Rhea, and Davis are also best buddies. This picture is Davis and Rosemary in the school office. Let's just say lots of tears were shed by 8am that day!



This is our own little angel. This is Mrs. Anderson, Davis' teacher. She has been so precious to Davis, helping him adjust to big school with that perfect blend of compassion and expectation. She is our answered prayer!



Davis got to ride the bus to the BJCC and he had the best time! When we got there I asked him what his favorite part of the bus ride was and he said "The Quiet Game" Now that is a great teacher - one who can even make a quiet game fun. Once we got there, we had to wait on the doors to open. Davis and some buddies from preschool were reunited.



Mrs. Anderson bought each child in here class a clown nose. This is a picture of Davis in his



A little pre-circus entertainment from the clowns



Everybody loves The Ringmaster!



This was Davis' favorite part - shooting the man from the cannon



After the circus, we met up with Wendy and Ethan. Davis and Ethan have been like peanut butter and jelly since they were in the bed baby room at day care. You all know how hard our moves were on Davis, but us moving from Oneonta was also hard on Ethan. It has been the sweetest thing to watch them together since we moved back. Adults can learn so much from children. They picked up right where they left off. The best part of Davis' friendship with Ethan, was that I gained an amazing friend in his mom Wendy!



Davis and I after the circus



This was the perfect end to a perfect day! All is right in the world!

Happy Birthday To My Best Friend!

Yes - we are still around! I know it has been a while since I have updated our blog. We have been busy moving, unpacking, starting school, starting a new/old job, starting t-ball, catching up with old friends, making new friends, starting a journey of becoming half-marathon runners and every once in a while, we sleep. I promise to update on all of the above at a later date, but today is a special day that deserves it's own post. Today is Matt's birthday! So this one if for you buddy! We love you!

YOU ARE THE CHEESE TO MY MACARONI

YOU ARE THE HORIZON TO MY SKY

YOU ARE THE BACON TO MY EGGS

YOU ARE THE LACES TO MY SNEAKERS

YOU ARE THE JELLY TO MY PEANUT BUTTER

YOU ARE THE GRAVY TO MY MASHED POTATOES

YOU ARE THE BUBBLES TO MY BATH

YOU ARE THE MILK TO MY COOKIES

YOU ARE THE INK TO MY PEN

YOU ARE THE KETCHUP TO MY FRENCH FIRES

YOU ARE THE WATER TO MY OCEAN

YOU ARE THE ICING TO MY CUPCAKE

YOU ARE THE SMILE TO MY FACE

Happy Birthday to the best husband, daddy, friend and running partner anybody could ever ask for! I love you!