Motherhood Is...{27}

I am blessed by an awesome family!

Being a military family only adds to the hardships of having extended family being far away. Between Lane and I we have family in Oregon, Florida, Louisiana, Georgia, Mississippi, North Dakota, Iowa, Kansas, Colorado, and other states I'm sure! 

While we were in Georgia these past 2 weeks we've seen more family than I've ever seen since my wedding. We saw Lane's Aunt Jeanine, Parker and Sara, my sister and 4 of her children, Aunt Nana and Uncle Papa, my Uncle Richard and Aunt Audrey, my Aunt Nancy and  Uncle Lenny, my Aunt Bettye and Uncle Tom, my cousin Pat and his wife, my cousin Samantha and her kids and lots of friends too! 

The phrase "it takes a village to raise children" came true while we were in Georgia. Different people driving home some of the things that I tell Eden on a daily basis {when I ask you to do something, you need to do it type of things.} It's always a good thing when someone else tells her the same things that I've been trying and trying and trying to get her to understand. Hunter and Eden were so excited to have people play with them, spoil them, and love on them while we've been here. I am blessed that this trip was a whirlwind of people coming and going throughout the entire 2 weeks so that we could see so many people...and now I need a nap! ha ha

Peachtree

When I was growing up my dad would participate in the Peachtree Road Race. I remember the excitement about him getting a bib number, watching the race, and the best part was that he always brought hot donuts home for us after the race. When I was old enough to participate, we joined in the fun. I know I've run at least 4 or 5 of the races over the years and I was excited to get a bib number this year.

Over the years the race has become so popular that there is a lottery to enter to get a bib number. Of course there are ways to get a guaranteed number, but for non VIP people like me the lottery is the only way to go. I entered the lottery because I knew that Lane would be gone for the 4th, and I thought there was no harm in just seeing what happened. I got lucky! I was one of the 60,000 people chosen to get a bib number. This was my first traveling race as a runner. I feel like I can officially join in the "runners" club!

The friend I was supposed to run with ended up dealing with some pretty nasty morning sickness {how exciting is that?!} and so she bowed out for pregnancy related issues. Can you believe that? I mean, the nerve - just kidding! My niece found out that my running buddy had to back out, so she said that she would run with me. I was pumped to have a running partner for the race.

When we went down to the race we made sure to take lots of pictures as we went along.

Course and elevation map. I sent this to Lauren so she would know what she had agreed to! She had only run 6 miles once in her life before the race, and that was 2 weeks prior. I'm proud of her for her accomplishment!

At the beginning. We were still just hoping that it didn't rain on us, but excited that the sun wasn't beating down on us!

This man was in front of us at the start. He was wearing one of his prized Peachtree shirts with a sign on the back that said that he was running his 32nd Peachtree in a row!

As our wave approached the start line, the flag was overhead.

These were the people behind me when I crossed the finish line....

...and these were the people in front of me! My finish time was 1:06:05 and Lauren's was 1:06:15 - only a 50 second difference between us, but 1,000 people difference according to the official race numbers! I couldn't believe it!

Because of all the rain in Georgia recently, there was quite a bit of mud. Where we were standing used to be grass.

Hot and ready!

Our numbers with our reward! 

The shirt changes every year and is voted on by people in Atlanta. The shirt is your prize, your medal, your pride and joy for finishing the race. This is the winning shirt for finishers this year!

Can you tell where the uphills were?

Motherhood Is...{26}

This blessing was hard to decide on. I went through 200 pictures of our trip so far to Georgia, and everything seemed to be a blessing for one reason or another. I'm not complaining! I was just thinking this morning that I needed a vacation from my vacation. I'm tired, I've been going non stop, and it isn't about to slow down. This is one of the reasons I chose to use my motherhood posts this year to all be blessings in my life. I knew I'd get into a slump {from deployment, or just life in general} and need a reminder that there are many blessings in my life.

This week I am blessed by these 2 people.

My whole life I've been the older-sister-role model that I was supposed to be {for the most part} for Parker. Things in our lives hit rough patches and we grew apart, but we always loved each other. He was always the one coming to me for advice though. It was the way our relationship was. And by "always coming to me" I don't mean for everything he did or does, but if he needed something he knew he could call or text me for whatever reason.

When he met this girl in high school he was different. College took them their separate ways, but life brought them back together. In 90-something days they're going to be married! I couldn't be happier for them. So why are they MY blessing. Well, they're living their lives apart because of the Navy. They've been physically apart for over a year now and they're still going strong. I'm sure they have their differences - who doesn't?!

A few weeks ago my box from my parents included a note from both of them in addition to the note from each of my parents. Parker's note hit me like a brick. It was very eye opening. He talked about how being away from your loved one{s} isn't easy, but it gets easier as time passes. I guess I had been so wrapped up in GIVING advice to him and Sara, that I forgot they have a lot to offer me too. I'm excited to be apart of their big day and I'm excited to share in military life with them.

Merry Christmas

If you know me, you know that I wish Christmas was year round! I love it. I live for it. Everyone just seems so happy around Christmas time. The lights that are up make everything seem so magical. I love everything about it! That's why I wanted to make a Christmas box for Lane.

Don't get me wrong! I'm SO glad that I {hopefully} won't have to make a Christmas box, so I made a Christmas in July box.

Eden enjoyed getting to help with the stickers.

I made sure to put the Christmas stuff on the flaps that will open on the box first.

Our friends came over for dinner and we painted pictures for the Daddies. It's nice to have friends to deal with separation along side. Anna said she and the girls hadn't been out of the house that day and I knew my dinner would provide left overs, so we had plenty to share, so they came over and ate with us. It got them out of the house, it entertained my kids, we didn't have to refrigerate so many left overs, and our Daddies got some cool art out of the whole thing. The blue/green pictures on the table are fireworks pictures, and the kids also made flag pictures.

Hunter painted too, and ended up with paint everywhere - the chair, the table, his face, his belly...everywhere!

The finished works of art. Eden's are on top, Hunter's on the bottom.

Jars of Cake

When I was researching care package ideas I came across an interesting thing. {And yes, I researched care packages - I'm a nerd!} I saw the interesting concept of baking cakes in jars. After you bake them you put the lids on and since the jar is still hot from being in the oven, it seals itself and it should stay good for quite some time. {I'll have to get back to you about how well this holds up!} Tonight Eden, Hunter, and I gave it a go and we'll mail the jars off later this week.

All you are supposed to need to do is mix your cake batter like normal.

 Put the jars on a cookie sheet for balance purposes, mainly.

 Fill the greased jars like you would a cupcake pan.

 Put 'em in the oven and bake. I'm not sure how long I ended up baking mine. I did it for about 5 minutes at a time because I wasn't sure how the jars baked. I know I ended up with at least 15 minutes in the oven.

After they come out, put the lids on while the jars are still hot and they should seal themselves. Package it in a box with a can of icing and some plastic forks/spoons/knives so they can be enjoyed!

Motherhood Is...{25}

This week I am blessed with knowing that we are one month closer to hugging Lane again!

That's right, we're one month down! The weeks/days leading up to him leaving were rough. Eden got the ear infection from hell and we were trying to adjust to life of packing, planning, and departing, so we were all on edge. Once he was gone I was ok. Then a week or 2 passed and reality sank in - he's not coming home a week from now. We knew we were in for the long haul, and it seemed like it was going to be forever.

These last 2 weeks have flown by! I'm so glad for that. It gives me the hope I need to know that this deployment can go by quickly. Now that we're into it and we've found our new normal I'm hoping that time flies!

Fruit Salad

This week the kids and I have been getting up super early {for us} and heading to Vacation Bible School. Oh-my-goodness...I am tired! I've had a class of 8-11 preK kids. They're great and wonderful and sweet - and oh so full of energy! Eden and Hunter have been apart and with their own age groups. I think this has been awesome for all of us. Even on Sunday mornings the kids are together, so this week has given all of us a break so we can appreciate each other that much more when we're together again.

At the beginning of VBS I take my kids to the sanctuary and there's music and a small skit put on to teach the kids the fruits of the spirit. We've done 2 every day and in order to keep the kids interested the skit includes a chef who is making fruit of the spirit salad! Along with the skit we've had fun making different crafts, playing outside, doing music and movement, and having story time. The stories have been told with a felt story board, with a puppet, and even just with a kids Bible. It's been fun, and I'll be sad to see it end, but we've got a busy week ahead of us next week, so I've got lots to do around the house to prepare for leaving for Georgia!!!