L2L 2015

We are over half way through April. I normally do not wish away days but I will be glad when this month is over. I think this has been the busiest month we have had in a very long time. Carmel says he has made it to the curve of the month. Sadly, I am not there yet……maybe after this week! The biggest items on my schedule this week(besides school and a half on Sat) is moving into our house. I love our new house and can't wait for everything to be neatly organized and put in its place(whenever that  may be)! Maybe I should add that to Carmel's list since he has reached the curve!

A couple of weeks ago, it was our families 13th year to participate and attend the Lads to Leaders and Leaderettes Convention. In the past, we have always helped with certain events and watched our children participate. The past 2 years have brought on a whole new meaning to the amount of work which goes into something like this. Carmel(mostly him this year) and I have taken on the responsibility of heading this up at the congregation where we attend. We had several new families join us this year who were not familiar with L2L. We were excited to have them and look forward to adding more families next year.

Since this is a busy week, I think I will let the pictures tell our weekend.

Since we were literally running the whole weekend, I failed to get a picture of our family this year! Oh well, maybe next year I will remember to fit that on our schedule!

TeenPact Program

On the last day of Spring Break, the girls and I participated in a one day class to learn and understand more about our government and how we can have a voice. I know most kids, including mine, would have thought they were being tortured by doing school on their last day of break but I knew this class would give us a lot of information for our upcoming government/civics study. The purpose of the Teen Pact One Day State Class is to give students tools and training to get involved and make a difference. 

Before the class began, we were given an itinerary for the day along with an ice breaker activity to meet other students in the class. Older students from the 4 day class were helpers in orchestrating the events of the day. They were very friendly with the younger students and made them feel welcomed. The class began with a prayer and a look inside the bible for biblical authority on leadership and government issues. They should really think about offering this to politicians today. There is so much greed and power held within our leadership that many have forgotten God's ways. Although many are trying to take God out of his own picture, I liked the way this class included God's intentions for us as a nation. 

After looking through the bible, we went on a prayer walk. We were taken to the building where our state's Senators and House of Representatives meet. As we stood in the halls next the offices for many of these men and women, we prayed for them and their leadership. We stepped inside the room in which they meet regularly and prayed for the decisions they make for our state. 

Next, we went a scavenger hunt that led us around and into the capital. 

This is the old room where the House used to meet.

After lunch, we met back in the same room where we started. Each student had to write a bill and bring it to class. The students were given a chance to present their bill in front of the class. They could be serious or funny. Laney wrote hers on doing away with scary movies and commercials. Ella wrote her bill on removing all curse words from the public ear which included television, radio and from humans themselves. 

Once the bills were read, the students learned about getting a bill passed. They were taught through a very creative skit the legislative process. They were introduced to the word amendment and what happens when this is added or not added to a bill. They learned how a lobbyist can help persuade a decision. The class was divided into groups and able to practice this process introduced in the skit with their own bill. They had to use words like "Will the gentleman/lady in the well yield to a question." or "I move to amend…." or "I second that motion!" 

At the end of the class, the students were gathered as a whole group again and the room was transformed into a setting similar to the Senate.  Random bills from the students were chosen and read. The others in the class could use the skills they learned during group time to pass or amend the bill. Laney's bill was chosen and passed.

The students were given a certificate of completion at the end of the day.

When it was all over, I thought this class was interesting, informative, and presented well. The girls thoroughly enjoyed the teachers and learned a lot about the legislative process. I would high recommend this class to anyone!!!!

Who wants dessert?

She called them, "Terds"

You have a choice….with or with out eyes!

Dreaming of a world where every week is spring break

Last week was our spring break. We didn't do much or go anywhere but it was nice to have that break. Well…at least for the girls….I had to work on a research paper. 

Since our spring break fell in line with the other schools, Laney was able to attend the special youth events for the week. When I wasn't chauffering Laney around, we stayed at home enjoying life. Ella decided to fix us lunch several days, which we ate poolside. A couple of days it was even nice enough to jump in.

 We would save the edges of our bread to feed the ducks…..

and turtles!

We finished off spring break with an Easter egg hunt at church. Since Laney is way to cool to hunt and Ella is all about racing to find the most eggs, I only got a couple of pictures…..right before we were leaving.

Even though we didn't get to spend our spring break with our toes in the sand while listening to the sound of the waves, it was still nice to have a break!

Zumba

The girls and I have been going to a Zumba class one day a week. The other day was a special night. Regular Zumba was turned into glow-in-the-dark-zumba. The teacher supplied all kinds of different materials to make us glow.

I think we should glow at every class!

Montgomery Half Marathon

A few months ago, Carmel and I joined a running club with his work. I didn't actual do any running with them due to my schedule but we all signed up to run in the Montgomery Half Marathon. The morning of the half we met up for a few pictures and for a couple of the guys to be interviewed. 

Both half marathon and marathon runners were starting at the same time so we were all mixed together. I am used to being in the back so I was surprised how close we were to the start line. We were right behind the elite runners. I felt very inexperienced and out of shape just being near them. Their speed amazes me! When the announcer said, "start" these runners were already a the top of the hill before I took my first step. 

There were students from a high school nearby taking pictures of the runners throughout the race. I wish I would have known because I would have at least tried to smile in the midst of sweating and heavy breathing! 

Carmel told me up front that he would be running along side a friend. This friend was running his first half and planned to keep a slow pace. I started out running with them but wanted to try to do my personal best(or better than my last half) during this race. I hung with them for about a mile or 2 before I decided to go off on my own. From my training, I figured I could accomplish a finishing time of 2:30.  I was not expecting the amount of hills on this course.

They only warned us of a big hill around 10 miles. There were several all throughout this course. While training for my last half and full, I chose a neighborhood with hills. This time around I mostly trained around our apartment complex. I should….have…added…hills! Hills always slow me down!

I had to stop twice to empty tiny rocks from my shoe. I have no idea where they came from or how they found there way into my shoe but they had to go. While running long distances, tiny rocks can seem like little knives stabbing your foot. 

Before I arrived at mile 12, I noticed from afar a table with cups. As I got closer, I thought to myself "yay!!! a water station!!" My saliva is just not satisfying me anymore. I can't tell you how disappointed I was when I realized it was several small cups of beer(I don't drink). Now why would they torture a thirsty runner with an alcoholic beverage. 

At the half and full split, a man was waving us to the side of the road. I could see a group of people but didn't know what was happening. About a minute later a fire truck pulled up. By then I knew something was wrong. I figured someone had fallen or was having trouble breathing. Once the truck pulled up and we were redirected, I saw a older gentleman receiving CPR. It did not look good! As I was running the last mile of the race, all I could picture was the man lying on the side of the road. I prayed that God would watch over him and the people helping him. I did find out the next day he was revived and taken to the hospital. I was grateful for the positive outcome. 

Due to all the unplanned circumstances, I finished at 2:40. Although I did not meet my goal, I did finish in the upright position and had a new PR.

Once I grabbed a water, I headed over to the side to wait for Carmel to finish. You have to love technology. He downloaded an app which updated his location. I knew when to expect to see him. As I was waiting, I couldn't help but over hear a 10 year old girl sharing details about her race. I figured she was talking about the 5k until I glanced over and saw she was wearing the same metal as me. WHAT?????? 10 years old?????? I felt really proud of myself until that very moment! I found out from the newspaper she came in 4 seconds after me. 

I can't help but laugh at this picture of Carmel coming to the finish line with kids. The Montgomery Marathon offered a Mayor's Marathon Challenge for kids in the local schools. It was a 16 week program that would allow these kids to complete a marathon by running 2 miles per week. The students completed the last mile on this day. These kids just happen to be finishing the same time as Carmel.

After it was over, I had the same runners high as always. I am already thinking about what to do next and how to make it more challenging.

Looking forward to the Auburn Half Marathon next month.