1/2 Marathon

Last Friday, we packed up and headed to Nashville for St.Jude's Rock-n-Roll 1/2 Marathon.  We've been training for this for almost 3 months.  To say we were excited, is an understatement!

Allison surprised us by getting the girls to help her make a poster sign to hold during the race.  My favorite parts that Elizabeth wrote were, "Try to win" and "Don't be a snail.  Be a bunny and go fast." 

The night before we all wore our shirts for good luck.  The forecast was predicting terrible weather complete with tornadoes and hail.  We were so very thankful when we woke up to find out that it had passed more quickly through the night and was now behind us!

This is the right before the first coral started. We were so excited and extremely happy that the weather was perfect!  No rain.  Just a perfect overcast morning.  The best running weather!

There was so much excitement and energy surrounding us.  We were pumped!

My favorite part was seeing these people as soon as I crossed the finish line.  They gave us all a medal immediately.  Elizabeth was so excited for me because she thought I won!

I actually felt really good afterwards.  I expected to be dying, but I wasn't.  I'm sure that had a little something to do with my babies being there to support us.

Allison was the best cheerleader we could've asked for!

By the end of the race, the sun was out and the breeze was flowing.  The provided beer and live music for us.  We spent the next hour laying on the green grass, listening to live music, drinking a cold beverage, and watching the girls play.  The absolute perfect way to end our run!

Dianna sent me this picture as soon as they got in the car.  Apparently watching a marathon is exhausting.  Ha!

After showers, food, and some rest, we got ready to hit the town in Music City!

parking lot selfie

Our first stop was the Martina McBride concert that was a part of our entrance fee.  I LOVE Martina, but have never seen her live.  I loved this!

The girls stayed home with Nana and Papa.  They sat around the fire pit making smores and singing songs.

We ended our night listening to more live music at The Stage.  The perfect end to the perfect day!

"And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." -Hebrews 12:1

Caroline is 4!

My sweet Caroline Lawson Kelly!  I can't believe you are 4 years old.  You promise me every day that you will stay my baby forever.  I'm going to hold you to that.  This post might be quick with not as many pictures as usual because our lives are quite busy lately, but I promise to make up for that as soon as summer comes! 

• You weigh 41 lbs (85th percentile) and are 42 inches tall (90th percentile).  Slightly taller and bigger than your sister was at this age.  You love that fact!  You keep telling her, "I'm going to be bigger and stronger than you and even older than you!" Too funny.
• We are moving you into size 5 clothing and you wear a size 12 shoe.
• You are sleeping paci free in your toddler bed, but you come down to our room almost every single night around 3:00am.  Most of the time we don't even hear you so it doesn't bother us.  You just snuggle right in between us.
• You are really stuck between wanting to do things yourself and wanting mommy to do everything for you.  You're like a yoyo with this.  
• One thing's for sure... you are still a mama's girl.  You always want to be as close to me as possible.  You are the very best cuddler.  I love how you rub my face, arm, and back whenever you are near me.  
• Although you are still very attached to me, you are not afraid to venture out with the "big" kids when we are playing outside.  You are really starting to hold your own.  You don't like it if they run too fast or leave you out, but you do your best to keep up!
• At night time you beg me to rub your face and for your daddy to lay in your chair and "sleep" with you.  We almost always do:-)
• You still run with the cutest little stride.  You keep your arms bent and close to you while swinging them side to side.  I know you will grow out of it soon so I love it when I see you doing it now.
• You have been doing ballet all year and have your first recital at the end of May.  I'm not sure if this will be your thing or not, but you are cute to watch.  
• You absolutely love going to church.  Whether its for Sunday School, Children's Church, Wednesday dinner, or just the nursery... you love it!
• You can't wait to start pre-K in the fall.  You ask every day if this is your first day of school.  You also beg me not to leave you and go to my school, but you never cry about it.
• You can be rather sassy,  but if I threaten time out you quickly respond, "Yes Ma'am."  
• You are your sister's biggest fan.  You adore her.  Sometimes you drive her crazy, but you always love and defend her.  Even if she gets in trouble for being mean to you (she usually gives into you first), you always tell me, "Mommy, she's not in trouble.  It was an accident.  I forgive her."  You don't like to see her get in trouble.
• And as this last picture shows, you love to fall asleep when you are riding in the car or in the stroller.  It puts you out like a light!

Caroline, you truly light up our family.  You and Elizabeth are becoming the best of friends.  Your daddy and I love you more than we could ever tell you baby girl.  

Love, Mama

Lately

 It's been raining A LOT lately which has caused many canceled games and playing inside.

I guess the girls are bored with their own dress up clothes, so they raided my closet.

Even though we have 2 make-up games, Elizabeth had her soccer 'banquet".  She earned MVP for being an excellent offensive and defensive player.  We are so proud of our little athlete.  

Hannah and Rebeka face timed me from New Zealand for my birthday.  What a gift!

My 36th birthday was just a usual Wednesday, but I felt especially blessed  with these two to snuggle with.  And the rain went away long enough for me to get a little run in.  Nothing says old like being excited about working out on your birthday!

On Friday we had our Spring Fling (special ed) dance at my school.  The girls came with me and loved every minute of it.  One of the (regular ed) seniors designed her senior project around this dance.  She brought about 12 other girls and they set up hair and make-up for all of the attendees before the dance.  I cried watching how incredibly special they made this night for our special ed kids.  And they let my girls join in on the fun.  So sweet!

They both had ballet before the dance and Caroline refused to change clothes.  Not a battle I felt like fighting.  Plus, she did kind of match the theme:-)

I mean seriously... she looks like a teenager!  Be still my heart!!

Sunday was another rainy day, but Caroline sure wasn't complaining.  She loves jumping in puddles!

Hopefully we will see more sunshine this week!

Spring Break

The week before spring break we had our faculty basketball game versus Lassiter to raise money for Relay for Life.  It was so much fun and we had an awesome turnout.  The kids and faculty really got into it.  It felt like a real game... except with old people playing and cheering! 

My students took lots of pictures during the game, but this is the only one I took on my phone.  The "cheerleaders" wore their spirit wear to school on Thursday to promote the game. 

One of my students gave me "competition" hair. Ha!

After school let out on Friday, we spent the entire afternoon outside with our friends.  Elizabeth challenged her daddy to a jump rope contest.  They were both so intense!

We ended up grilling out with our neighbors.  Caroline cracked me up because she refused to take off her helmet while she ate and she set herself up to "relax."

We took these kiddos to see Cinderella.  They loved it!  Especially the Frozen Fever part in the beginning.

Caroline really loves her movies, especially Cinderella!

On Tuesday, we met Melissa, Reese, Katy, James Henry, and Eli at the park to play and eat dinner.  It warms my heart to see these kids pick up where they left off.  We miss the Southern boys but glad they came "home" to visit.

On Wednesday morning, the girls and I loaded up the car and headed to Raleigh, NC to visit the Easons.  I'm so grateful that my girls are great travelers.  

Beth and I put all the carseats in her car so we could get from place to place together.  It made it so much more fun for us and the girls.

After picking up Meyers from school on Thursday we explored their adorable downtown area.  It had cute little boutiques and a candy store...what more could we want?!  

Elizabeth and Emery are two peas in a pod.  They are both so passionate and full of life.  

Beth has a great park right in the front of their neighborhood.  From the moment we got there, my girls asked every hour when we were going to the park.  They got their wish!

There is an amazing trail right across the street from their neighborhood.  Beth and I got a good workout pushing the girls on the 4 mile trek, and they loved stopping to see the waterfalls. We all missed Meyers being with us because she was at school.|

After picking up Meyers from school, we took the girls to Pullen Park.  It was AMAZING.  The day was beautiful and there was so much for the girls to do... paddle boats, carousel, train ride, playground, and food!

One of my favorite students (and the girls' swim teacher) goes to school at NC State.  Katie is so precious and I was so excited that she came to eat lunch and play with us.

When I looked back at my pictures from our train ride, I laughed at how much they show our girls' pesonalities.

Elizabeth wanted to ride in the front by herself.  So independent.

Meyers and Emery had their arms wrapped around each other.  So loving and sweet.

And Caroline wanted to sit right next to me.  My mama's girl.

On Friday night we went to Cowfish for  burgers and sushi.  It was delicious and the perfect evening.

After a long day and an hour wait, I was surprised at how well these girls held up.  I also realized this might be one of the few times that the girls are the same ages.  Elizabeth and Meyers are both 6 while Caroline and Emery are both 3.   Moments like these really make me want to freeze time and soak it all up!

As always, spring break went by too quickly but we sure did make the most of it!