Yard Work...mostly?

Behold!

Behold the indisputable cleanliness! No really, look, because it won't last and it is a rare occurrence.

Only Half Crazy! - 13.1 Miles

My training for the past 4 months came to an end when I ran the Texas Big Star Half Marathon in Frisco mid April. I drove the course a few days before and realized that with that many hills I was not going to PR but I was going to have a great run...if it didn't rain.  And the rain did hold off and the clouds provided relief from direct sun. I RAN the whole thing but I had those doing run/walk intervals right along with me. I ran it in 2:45:32 but that included a 1 minute potty break. Placed 74th of 94 in my division (female, age 40-44). I did great and it was hard, especially at the end.  I had my dear in-laws Rudy and Becky along with my kids cheering me in.  My kids even came out to me on the course (and as they approached in their excitement, my internal dialogue was "Please don't hug me! You'll stop me!") and gave me fives as I held out my hand. Neal was tied up in work problems over the weekend but wanted to be there for me. Life is messy. I took it carefully, slowing for ups and letting it go for downs and found hills are really fun.

Yep, I am too cheap to buy it so I snapped it. But don't I look happy?! Definitely the first half of my race.

Feeling pretty smug!

Later, we met up at my cousin, Barbara's, house and we had lunch and just chatted for a good long time.  I love them. They let me use the shower, offered Advil, and made yummy food.

Later, I treated myself to a new running visor and a whole pint of ice cream. Yay me!

Allen American's Game

Family fun at the Allen American's hockey game last night.  The kids and Neal went out on the ice to help collect hockey pucks after the "toss to win" game. Sophie also caught a T-shirt that was hurled our way by a cheerleader.  Yep, it's Texas so they have to have scantily dressed cheerleaders even in a icy hockey arena. It gives me lots of opportunities to discuss the importance of modesty. But Yay! for Sophie.

My children are weird and I love them.

All Hail the Weather!

Love that Texas weather.  We mananged to get both cars in the garage which is a feat in itself.  I actually had to pull the van in with the mirrors turned in and then wait for Neal to go out back and open then back hatch so I could crawl out. Teamwork, I tell you!  Then we prayed that the hail wouldn't rip through our skylight again like it did 1 or two years back.  We had one ping pong ball size that I could see from the back of the house and the noise was considerable.  Passed in a few minutes. Our friends in Wylie, about 10 miles away got beat with softball size. Very busy insurance agents in Wylie. 

Falcon of the Month

 Yep! That's our girl!