The Color Run 2013 in Atlanta

If you haven't noticed this already........I am on a running kick. It started less than a year ago when we did the Chickfila 5k as a family.

I have to stop for a minute and admit.....I used to hate running. I was always a speed walker! Even during this particular 5K, I was not enjoying it very much(lots of hills.....with little training!). But the feeling of accomplishment at the end was like nothing else!

I kept on.........and signed up with my sister for the Disney Princess Half Marathon!

This is when my addiction began! I absolutely loved it! Maybe it was because I got to dress up.......or the entertainment.......or the company.......or the fact that I was better prepared......or I felt healthier. I enjoyed it a lot more than the 5K. I was on such a high coming across the finish line!

This event motivated me to keep on......and so I did!

A couple of weekends ago, I participated in The Color Run. It was so much fun! I did it with friends but it would be a great one to do as a family. In fact, I promised the girls, with a little training, we could do the one in Birmingham this September. 

I met up with the other three ladies the day before to discuss our outfit for race day. 

We raided the Dollar Tree.......

it's the season for luaus! 

The night before I tried on all my get up and practiced running down the hall(What??...people would think I was crazy if they saw me outside). I realized that night what pieces would not work for me. I will let you figure it out by playing a little game called.....What's Missing!

If some of the pictures below look a little blurry, it's due to a ziploc bag protecting my phone. I wanted to be covered in color not my phone!

Here is a clean before picture of me.

There were over 40,000 that were participated in the race that day. 

 

I had my tatoo on and was ready to start!

As we went through 4 color stations, people were waiting with containers of color to throw on us. 

You can tell which ones were volunteers in the next picture. Just look for yellow!

After crossing the finish line, we took a few after pictures.

 

I saw a couple of other friends while I was there!

We were given a packet of color to throw at the after party. Since we had to leave, we threw it on each other!

I was not as colorful as I thought I would be....... but I did not roll in it or have color fights like some people. 

That's okay!

I will know what to do in September!

We had a blast doing this 5K! It is definitely the happiest 5K I've done!

Can you tell I embraced each color with my arms up?

I took a picture of my face once I got home and took the glasses off.

It took a few good scrubs......and one hop back into the shower .......before it finally came off!

My next 5K is The Zombie Run.

I will be doing it with my hubby(I need to be protected for this one!!!!!) and 2 other couples.

We have decided to open up a new door and embrace the next chapter in our lives!

We are moving back to Montgomery!

The sign went up today!

 It will be sad to close the door on  this chapter of our lives.
We have so many friends here that we will miss so much!

We look forward to the plans that God has in-store for our family!

 Hopefully........ those plans include selling this house soon!

Hippity Hoppity......where was Easter this year?

Normally, we attend a couple of Easter egg hunts, get a few pictures, eat lunch together, etc. NOT THIS YEAR! We were out of town during the church egg hunt and the schools here don't have a party. Our family was scattered after church in Atlanta........ so no pictures. My special lunch was chicken salad in the car. The kids attacked their Easter baskets as soon as we got home destroying the opportunity to get a picture.

We did however........get to spend the weekend with most of my family Easter weekend. On the way home from L2L Sunday, we stopped off at the outlets and scored some great deals! My family enjoyed an Easter dinner at Steak n Shake with friends! We didn't need Easter pictures anyways.........our outfits did not match! I did get a few pictures of the girl's Easter surprises.........the next day!

So that is what I am going to share with you now.........day old Easter pictures.

The bunny that came to our house decided to go the healthier route. Instead of a bunch of candy.......he brought athletic wear!

Each girl got a top, shorts and a hat which I plan to monogram.

 

I guess a cute outfit makes working out more fun. The girls stayed outside for a majority of the day. Ella would come back in occasionally to tell me how many laps or jumps with the jump rope she accomplished.

 

I am running in  The Color Run this weekend. I promised the girls if they train and work hard that we would sign up to do The Color Run in Birmingham this September.

 

Ella has jumped on board with full speed ahead. Laney on the other hand needs a little more encouraging. Hopefully, her new athletic wear will help! 

The girls got a few other things in their basket like.......

 

a bag with their picture on the front and our family picture on the back..........

 some of those crazy socks that are in style right now...........

Ella's look like feet with painted toenails and sandals.

She also got a matching outfit for her American Doll. 

Tip for all the American Girl fans:

I have found this seller on Ebay called Ann Loren. She has several reasonably priced cute outfits for girls with the doll outfit to match.

 Although this Easter was not the most spectacular, we were alive, healthy and together........for some of it at least.

Maybe next year I will actually touch an Easter egg!

L2L 2013

For the past several years, we have attended the Lads to Leaders/Leaderettes Convention on Easter weekend. This past weekend marked our 10th year to be involved. My kids have learned a lot by being involved in L2l. Griffin gained courage to speak in front of others because of this program. Something I still struggle with! He will speak during worship, give devos and lead singing when asked on the spur of the moment. 

My girls are still working on the courage part but are getting better each year. 

They seem to add more events to the list each year. I feel like I am running the whole weekend trying to see them all! One event this year,  we actually watched from the glass window because we were late.

This year, Ella participated in  Bible Reading, Song Leading, Good Samaritan, Art, Puppets and Group Scrapbook.

Laney participated in Bible Reading, Good Samaritan, Art, Puppets, Bible Bowl and Group Scrapbook.

Griffin was out of town until late Friday night so he only participated in Good Samaritan, Bible Bowl and Group Scrapbook.

A few highlights from our weekend!

For group scrapbook this year, we chose the fair theme. It won First Place!!!!

For the Ferris wheel on the front, we added pictures to make it look like our kids were riding it. I thought it turned out really cute!

Getting a medal for Good Samaritan.

This year my parents, sister and nephew were able to attend the convention in Atlanta.

 

Ella getting ready for puppets.

  Laney getting ready for Bible Bowl.

 The Saturday we were there was my sister's birthday. we went out for Mexican and got her a cookie cake cookies. We wanted to get her a cake but the wait was too long.

 Each year, they always call the K-2 participants up to the stage. Ella only has one more year before she will no longer be able to go up. She will however be participating in a lot more competitive events.

 Her puppet team won 3rd place. 

This was our group this year. My nephew was taking this picture so that is why you see other photographers in the picture.

We had the biggest group attend this year.

 

We usually get family pictures made but most of the family had already made their way back to the room.

 Just a few of us had the privilege of Suzy's annual L2L picture session.

After the ceremony, we were invited up to Jack Zorn's( the founder of L2L) suite for refreshments.

It was on the 47 floor so the kids loved looking out the window at the Atlanta night lights.

Mr. Zorn wanted a picture  with all the deacons.

I realized after going through all my pictures of this past weekend, this is the only picture I got of Carmel.......and its not even with us!

After eating breakfast at the hotel, it was time to say goodbye.

Another great year of Lads to Leaders!