10K (6.2 miles)

What a morning!  I was up at 3:30 listening to the thunderstorm....thinking what am I going to wear to the race today.  It is suppose to be freezing cold, windy, and now rainy!

This gang picked me up at 5 a.m.  I know to go running....crazy!  I think I have the crazy running bug now.  

(Kevin, me, Kelly, and Laura)

I was the only one of the group running the 10K.  Now I wished I would have done the half marathon.  I would have had to do more training, but that's okay.

Running and I have a love hate relationship I have decided.  Mile 1 feels really good.  Mile 1 is fun...since the race was on campus in Champaign there were lots of frat boys outside.  Jenna and I ran up and clapped their hands...that was fun.  I think once I hit about mile 2-4 I am ready for this to be done.  Then mile 4 hits...and my body is kinda numb...then I think about my goal...and I pump it up.  I think my last mile was an 8:40 pace...which is really fast for me.

I ended up finished in 59 min and some seconds!  My goal was not to walk and under 60 minutes....Boom!   I did it.  (insert I am still proud of myself)

(I am mad I didn't get a picture of me after the race on the field (U of I is my alma mater!)...but it was so cold and I was just trying to find all my friends!

I originally signed up for the race for Team Brenna....I am SO GLAD I DID.  This was a way to get back in shape and feel good about myself.  I didn't make it Friday night to actually meet the peanut...but I did see almost all the girls on Sat...whether it be while running or after the race.  

Plus I have been running A LOT lately.  It is my quiet time with Charlotte.  I think about her and I can feel her around me.  I know she is really proud of me and that makes this whole running thing even better.

Next challenge....1/2 marathon.  I am ready!  (with a little training of course) Who is with me?

Loving this weather...

 We are loving this weather...and loving our patio being close to completion!

 This weather has been amazing so we have been playing outside A LOT!  Tonight Clayton and I were watering Charlotte's trees....we need some rain!

 this is where the outdoor kitchen is going to go....a grill and fridge!  (see Clayton in the background...what a good little tree waterer).

 don't let this fool you....

 I seriously love the border.  Blake has really done everything for the patio...picked everything out.  I didn't even know they were doing a border (or I forgot).  It is weird b/c I am such a control freak about these things....but with this....Blake is really the expert!  (don't tell him I said that)

 The yellow pipe sticking up is for the fire bowl!  Wahoo!  I can't wait for that...to sit on the patio with a glass of wine talking to my price charming....by the fire bowl.

 See I told you!  Clayton started playing with water....I knew it would happen.

 So I had to finish watering the trees.  He ended up completely soaked!

good thing the weather is nice and amazing.  My silly boy!

A little scare...

These are the moments I don't want to forget....

Last night Blake didn't get home until 9:30 from planting.  Clayton and I were upstairs reading.  I told Clayton to go "get (scare)" his Daddy b/c I knew Blake was on the patio.....Clayton snuck downstairs on his "tippy toes" being really quiet.  He saw Blake coming in the house and got a surprise look on his faced and booked it back up the stairs.

I told Clayton we had to hide in the loft from Blake and scare him....scare him we did!  He came up the stairs as we were laying flat on the carpet....and we scared him!  It was so funny....

Blake said he saw me out of the corner of his eye running up the stairs and it was Clayton...ha!

Yeah that's how we role when Blake's not home....late bed times....oopsy!

Then Clayton sat so serious in his bean bag chair with his leg crossed and said "Daddy how is the patio going?"

Yep he said that exact sentence.  Blake and I laughed....what  a GREAT way to end the day....us being our silly little selves.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE those boys.

Run Clayton Run....

 Tonight Clayton and I went to Uncle Sean's track meet.  My twin brother coaches track for our high school.

 Clayton was kinda bored with the 2 mile race...so rocks it is!

 I was trying to get him to pose.

 He liked to watch the boys with the really fast shoes.  One boy had red shoes....he was really fast as Clayton would say.

 then came agility training.  Clayton is ready to be a track star!

 See the boy in the background?  Clayton copied every move!  So funny...people in the stands were laughing.

 Of course the water sprinkler drink out of thing caught his eye.

 There is Uncle Sean.  Clayton thought it was so neat that he was in charge.

 Then he played on the hurdles.  I told him that I used to do hurdles...I don't think he really cared...because they are just so cool to play on.

what a stink.

We were there for 1.5 hours and he was so good and entertained the whole time.

It was fun to watch all the older kids...I was daydreaming on what sports Clayton will play.  I hope he chooses to b/c I can't wait to be that crazy mom in the stands!

Patio update...

 They are making good progress!

 when its done I am sure the boys will be busy planting....

then I guess I will enjoy it by myself...with Clayton of course.

Another way to Remember Charlotte...

 My sorority sisters had this rock made and got us this tree.  Blake made a stand for it!

I have people "joke" with me all the time about being in a sorority.  Those girls are my rock...so I guess this rock is VERY fitting!

Isn't it beautiful?  Just like my Charlotte.  :-)

Gamma Phi Circus!

 This is the first field trip I have been able to help out on...and it was so fun!

 I even rode the bus with the kids.  Clayton made me sit with him....ha!  It is funny b/c he kept trying to show me off....I know that will change.

 me and my boy!

 mmmm....cotton candy!

 Clayton wanted pink cotton candy for Charlotte!

 This trapeze act was amazing!  This guy had so much strength it was unbelievable!  I guess this circus is one of two in the USA.  This in IL and the other in FL.  Pretty neat.

All the acts are students.  It makes me want to go back to school and join.  I love this kinda stuff!

It was a great day with Clayton.  I thought for sure once we got back to his school and I had to leave for work it would be tears galore.  I was wrong...just a big smile!  He knew I would be back after work.

FUN with great friends!

 Last night we had some friends over for a cookout.  We love entertaining and having fun with friends!  The boys hung out outside while the girls were inside by the food.  We are the smart ones.  The boys were all checking out Ricky's new low rider truck.

 girls!

 Alisha (Willie) and Katie!

 Not sure what Matt is doing....

 Right before Kelly and Aaron were ready to leave Kelly dropped her 9 x 13 of brownies and it shattered on the floor.  We decided it would be a good idea to still eat the brownies.  At the time it was hilarious...we are laughing so hard!

.

 Kelly and Aaron forgot their cooler...so Mike called them....

 to ask what the left.  He reminded them by 

squeaking their 1980's cooler.  It was hilarious!

We are so blessed to have such awesome supportive friends.  LOVE YOU ALL!

Can't wait for the next party!