Halloween

Halloween was a busy day. We started the morning out at Mia's school for Turkey Trot. This is the annual fundraiser they do for her school. The kids run laps for an hour to raise money. Mia did awesome!! She ran the entire time and had the most laps for the girls in her class. She wasn't too far behind the top boys. She was even kind enough to take Logan around a few times with her. Cy and Piper loved watching all the kids run! Cy did not like the Shoney Bear or the woman dressed as a turkey. He burst into tears every time he saw them. The weather was beautiful! It was a fun morning!!

After Turkey Trot, we headed home for lunch and naps. I had a sitter come to stay with Logan, Cy, and Piper because Landon and Mia both had Fall parties. I knew they needed to get a nap if they were going to make it through a long night. Cy and Piper both slept, which is a miracle these days. I headed back to Mia's school for Fall centers. They made ghost hands, painted pumpkins on a fence, made ghost tootsie pops, ate cookies, and drank witches brew. Mia and I then headed to Landon's school. Their party was already started. They were eating lots of food and then decorated their mini pumpkins. Mia had brought a mini pumpkin to decorate too. Landon picked his pumpkin out. He wanted to find the smallest pumpkin possible. They both had a great day!

Next we ran in Kroger to get dry ice for the mad scientist and then headed home to get ready for our night of fun! I knew I just had an hour to get the kids dressed, pictures taken, and in the car. I thought I could get it done. Needless to say it took me about twice that and I was late everywhere I was suppose to be. I did not get good pictures either, but atleast I did get some. Cy refused to wear his costume. It took re-dressing Piper several times to convince her to wear her costume. We started the night out by going to Grandma's (Zack's mom) house and then to GG's (Zack's grandmother) house. They both had huge candy bars they were passing out. Boy were the kids in their neighborhoods lucky. The kids loved watching the turtles at grandma's. We then went home and got Daddy and went to get dinner. I was suppose to be at the church sometime in between all that to let people in the building for the trunk-or-treat. Luckily I got a phone call and an angel knew I was running behind and went to let them in for me. After dinner, we headed to the church just in time for the costume parade. That was the part I was in charge of. After the parade, Zack took the kids outside to wait for the trunk-or-treat and I stayed inside to help clean-up. With all the help, clean-up was fast and we were all able to go trunk-or-treating. We made our way around the parking lot then loaded up and went to Mama Mary and Granddaddy's house. We trick or treated at their house and then went around their neighborhood. We were all exhausted by the end of the night, but it was a fun filled day!!!

Landon was a Mad Scientist. He knew exactly what he wanted for his costume. He carried around his "shrinking potion". It looked great with the dry ice in it. Mia dressed as a High School Musical cheerleader. Logan was a tiger, Piper was a pumpkin, and Cy was Cy.

Field Trip to the Farm

Last week I went on a field trip with Mia. Boy do teachers have a tough job. It definitely made me grateful for my children. I was just responsible for Mia and one of her friends. They were both very good. We saw the apple and peach trees, learned about how pumpkins grow, learned about bees, went on a hay ride, picked pumpkins, and played on the BIG slides! We had a great day!!

Mia on the hay ride. Mia and her friend milking a cow.

The pigs were cute, but very stinky!

An Amazing Woman

Nancy Levi

Yesterday morning I got a call with the news that Nancy Levi had passed away Wednesday. Mrs. Levi was a wonderful woman, teacher, mentor, travel guide, and friend. I took the time yesterday to reflect over my life and all the areas she was an influence. My earliest memories of Mrs. Levi are at wrestling tournaments when I would go watch my brothers wrestle. I always sat next to Mrs. Levi and she taught me how to keep score. I later learned how to run a wrestling tournament from her. We would keep score together at all home matches and would also run tournaments hosted by Oakland. Mrs. Levi gave me my first job when she asked me to assist her in teaching swimming lessons. This was the summer before my freshman year in high school. We taught swimming lessons together every summer. I continued to teach swimming lessons for many years after she retired. She was my freshman English teacher (gave me one of my only B's in high school- I'm horrible at English as you can tell) and my Spanish II teacher at Oakland High School. She was one of the teachers over Student Council when I was Student Body President. After my senior year, she and her husband Mike and daughter Jennifer took me on my senior trip. We went to Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, and Holland. It was an amazing trip. We had so much fun!! The above pictures were taken on this trip. On another trip we went to Washington, DC. Mike and Nancy love to travel and I loved to be their travel partner. I kept the lists and kept us organized. Mike always made fun of me for that. Before Zack and I got married Mike and Nancy had a big party for us at their home. They are very special people to us. I am grateful for the influence and teaching Mrs. Levi had in my life. Her influence and teaching in this town will be greatly missed. We love you Mrs. Levi.

The Middle Half

It has now been almost a week since the half marathon. It was great! It is such an awesome feeling to cross the finish line of a long race. My only goals for this half marathon were to take it easy, enjoy it, and feel good at the end. I accomplished all three of those goals. I felt so good at the end that I didn't feel like I pushed myself hard enough. As my husband reminds me, this really isn't the time to push yourself.

I have always had an issue with port-a-potties. I had an experience this time that will keep me from ever using one again. I have had major bladder issues while training for this race. I'm sure it has nothing to do with the fact I am carrying my sixth child. I was determined not to stop too many times during the half marathon. The lines were so long that I really didn't want to stop. By about mile 7 I knew I had waited too long and was going to have to stop. Stephanie was still with me at this point so I sent her ahead. I waited in line and was finally able to get a little relief. See since I already have this issue with port-a-potties I can't go once I get inside. Even though I really have to go. I usually do better to just pee on myself while running. Too much information I know. So at mile 9 I needed to stop again. This time there was no line. Great! It was a little off the course, but no big deal. I still couldn't go so I decided to give up and just endure till the end. The only problem was when I went to open the door it wouldn't open. I calmly tried again. It wasn't opening. I could see through the top and could see runners on the other side of the road. Remember this port-a-potty was not on the course. I start yelling, HELP and banging on the door. Still runners are just running by. I continue to yell and bang on the door. Finally this wonderful girl comes to help me get out. I am forever grateful to her. We tried to bend the metal piece that was getting stuck so it wouldn't happen to someone else but we weren't strong enough. I kept worrying all day that someone else was stuck in there. Later that day we drove by and nobody was stuck in there, but someone had broken the metal piece off. So I know I am not the only person who had the experience of being locked in a port-a-potty.

Logan, granddaddy, and Josiah followed us along the course to take pictures and cheer us on!!It was a very hot day! Some wonderful firefighters sprayed us with water . It was a great boost to finish the last two miles.Mom and the youth from church worked one of the water stations. They had a great time too!!

Fall Break Fun

This week is Fall Break for all the kids!!! I love having them home. We are trying to do something fun everyday. Today has been a lazy but fun day. We have had a few late nights in a row so Cy and Piper needed to catch up on sleep. Cy slept in till 10:30 this morning. I don't think he has ever slept that late. I actual don't know when he got up. I went in the room at 10:30 and he was just sitting in his crib enjoying some peace and quiet. Piper went down for a nap as soon as he got up, so I haven't had all the kids awake at the same time yet today.

Landon went to lunch and a movie with a friend from school. Mia and Logan have been spending the afternoon singing High School Musical songs, making chocolate covered strawberries, and playing freeze dance. Cy has been right in the middle of all the action.

Walden Farm

We went to Walden Farm for Family Home Evening Monday night. The kids had a blast. They went through a corn maze, played in the corn crib, and climbed Hay Mountain. They always enjoy petting, feeding, and watching the farm animals. Cy and Piper were entertained watching all the farm animals and kids. The weather was perfect and was a fun night for all!!

Good to Go

I had my ultrasound and doctors appointment today. We don't find out the sex so you will have to wait 20 more weeks for that. Zack was convinced he could figure it out from the ultrasound and video. He did with Logan and the twins, but he is not so sure this time. The technician even had difficulty because the baby had its legs crossed. I like to be prepared and organized with almost everything else in my life, but this is one area that I like the surprise.

I was most excited that everything was great and I have the go ahead to run the half marathon next weekend. She does want me to decrease the running after next weekend and I won't argue with that. I definitely am not out to set any records; I just want to run, have fun, and finish the race.

I have been training with Stephanie, a good friend from church. Stephanie and I started running when I was looking for someone to help me get ready for a 5K on Memorial Day. We have been running since. I found out I was pregnant shortly after that race, but was convinced I was going to continue running this time. I had my mind set on the Murfreesboro Half Marathon. Everything was great until I started experiencing morning sickness. I won't go into detail, but it made for some rough runs. I finally had to confide in Stephanie that I was pregnant, but told her I was determined to run through it. I had the goal to run the Half Marathon but didn't know if I really would keep up with the training. I put off signing up till the very last minute. After our long run last Saturday, I figured I was safe to sign up. Now that I am signed up and have the doctors approval I am good to go!! Stephanie and I joke that if we can both stay on our feet during the race we will be happy. We have both had some bad falls during runs lately. I think it is the early hour of morning on dark roads we are running that has caused us to lose our balance. I'm sure mine has nothing to do with this ever growing stomach. I love our early morning runs and will miss them when the half marathon is over. It is the best way to start your day. It is about the only peace I get during the day. Stephanie is a nursing student and starts the hardest part of her semester right after the half marathon. She will be spending her early mornings studying or at the hospital for clinicals. It will take alot more discipline to convince myself to get out of bed at 4:30-4:45 to go run or walk by myself.

Well, I'm off to bed so I can get up early in the morning for our last long (but really not so long) run tomorrow.