The top 10 reasons why this mommy ran a half marathon.....

(Photos Courtesy of Stephanie Duggan)

1. So I could eat peanut M&Ms on the drive to my destination and not feeling guilty (can't eat peanuts with Zachy) and of course hydrating with lots of water.

2. A reason to buy new running shorts and a hat!

3. Good justification for eating a huge bowl of pasta for dinner (the night before the race)!


4. Spending the night before the race talking with close girlfriends about things you can only talk/laugh about with close girlfriends (while eating chocolate and reading PEOPLE magazine).

5. Working towards a goal and seeing if you can live up to your own expectations of improving on last years time while having fun and training minimally.

6. Thinking at mile 3 you'll never make it and realizing at mile 10 you just might ; all while repeatedly thinking of your buddies who run full marathons (INSANITY)!

7. Looking at all of the skinny girls before the race begins, only to realize while you are running the race.... this tummy, these legs, and everything else are part of a body that gave you 3 healthy boys and can still run 13 miles.

8. Watching your oldest childhood friend cross the finish line of her first half marathon and being so proud of her.

9. Watching you "newest" best friend cross the finish line knowing that she absolutely hates to run but loves you.

10. Being thankful for a husband that will watch the kids so that I can do "training runs" to keep my sanity and for a husband that understands my need to participate in races as a way to keep me motivated and to challenge myself (even though I'm sure he secretly thinks I could just run up and down the road and not have to travel anywhere to run)!

And part "b" to #10 is being able to tell your kiddos that you got a medal and they think that you won the race (except for Nate who asked if everyone got a medal)!

It was a good race and a good challenge.... what to do next?????

Wow! What a Week It Has Been!

Monday: We are anticipating snow and ice...... we get rain!

Thursday: It begins to snow! But surely not enough to miss school!

Friday: School Canceled? What? We only got an inch or so! Let's hit the hills for some sledding! Lots and lots of snowballs! Maybe even a little snowman building! Definitely some snow ice cream!

Sunday: Beautiful morning, going to be spring-like... what is this... it's getting cold and cloudy.... SNOW! Only a dusting but the flakes were so big and thick and of course more sledding!

Monday (one week later): Boys headed out to enjoy the last of the snow for a little early morning sledding and mommy is bundling up to go for a training run! Brrrrrrrrrrrrr!

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow.....

This has been our mantra since November! Well, as southern Arkansans, we make make the best of what we get!

At the beginning of January, on the Monday school started back, we got a dusting of snow! Not enough to sled, but there was enough on the deck that the boys were able to slide around and throw snow around. This was followed by some REALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLY cold weather. Our pipes even froze.... but Tim was able to defrost them.... thank goodness! During this time, the boys and Baylie (neighborhood sweetheart) explored the frozen waterfall near our house and the "Bear Cave"! Every time we drive by it, Ben exclaims "Bear Cave, Bear Cave!"

This past weekend, we got some freezing rain and about 3/4 of an inch of snow! The ice, along with the little bit of snow, was sledable! The first time the boys went down the big hill, Tim and I had this bright idea to put them all on one sled! Well of course, they went over a big rock and Ben flew out the front and scratched his chin and cheek on a branch! He was not happy! He kept saying, "Zachy did it!" You see, Zachy was supposed to be holding on to Ben! Oh well, he soon recovered and would sled only with daddy!

3 Happy Boys! "Nate, hold on to Zachy; Zachy, hold on to Ben;

and Ben hold on!"

Ben got thrown out and Zachy didn't hold tight enough!

Daddy Convincing Ben to give it another try!

All done! Safe and Sound!

The boys spent a lot of the day outside making the best of what we got! Check out Nate's snowball! There wasn't enough to make a snowman! When they got too cold they would go in to daddy's warm shop to play and work. We are still crossing our fingers that we will get one really good snow this season!